Author Topic: Fern/Bracken (Read 8235 times)

rockstar · « **on:** May 27, 2012, 12:44:32 pm »

I have just under 2 acres split into two grazing plots. I have 5 ewes and their lambs and rotate the grazing every 2 weeks.I have small areas of fern i need to contol to stop it spreading.Is the fern/bracken still poisonous to sheep if i strim off and leave to wither for 2 weeks?

VSS · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2012, 05:39:49 pm »

The best way to control it on a small area is just to keep cutting it and keep cutting it. Eventually the root system will weaken, but there is no quick fix.

Foobar · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2012, 07:10:38 pm »

I saw a program on telly recently about clearing bracken - and instead of cutting it they were rolling it in a way that breaks the stems but doesn't cut through - the effect of which means that the sap continues to rise but this leaks out and thus hastens the death of the plant. Perhaps google that and see if you fine more details.

henchard · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2012, 08:01:24 pm »

Bracken probably still does have some toxicity after being cut; but animals, I believe, need to eat quite a bit for the cumulative effect to poison them. It was traditionally cut for winter bedding; so can't be too bad!

You may want to see this thread

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=19506.0

Constant topping, harrowing and (as said) crushing or discing the rhizomes will reduce it. Asulox spray was the best thing (and I did the worst of mine with it last year). Unfortunately its sale was prohibited from the 31st December last year and all stocks must be used up this year (so if you can find someone who has a bit left?). Spraying needs to be done in early autumn just as it starts to go brown.

clydesdaleclopper · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2012, 09:27:59 pm »

Bracken thrives where soil humus levels are low so you could (depending on the size of are) mulch very heavily with lots of manure etc.

henchard · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2012, 09:43:40 pm »

Quote from: clydesdaleclopper on May 27, 2012, 09:27:59 pm

Bracken thrives where soil humus levels are low so you could (depending on the size of are) mulch very heavily with lots of manure etc.

Are you sure?

There is a Welsh saying (and I don't speak Welsh so apologies if it is wrong) 'Aur dan y rhedyn, Arian dan yr eithin, Newyn dan y grug' which means "Gold under bracken, Silver under gorse, Starvation under heather"; meaning that land that will grow bracken is more fertile and valuable than land that will grow heather or gorse.

Some facts on bracken and control

http://www.brackencontrol.co.uk/Bracken+Facts

SteveHants · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2012, 12:02:22 am »

You tend to find bracken in clearings in woods amongst other places - I would not say these places are especially lacking in humus...

FiB · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2012, 08:49:08 am »

Yes I had read the same as foobar and we are pallet surfing ours (its on quite a slope) - wait till fully emerged then flaten with a pallet and jump on it, flip pallet over for next strip and repeat - fun for all the family!! Then just go back uphill and make sure stems folded, the ones that pop back up the next day kink by hand. My old neighbour advised us against cutting (saying theyd grow back worse, like thistles), but Id probably give that a go if it was a flat field and I had a tractor + topper). The pallet surfing has definately not got rid of it, but it does look thiner this year, so will repeat.

henchard · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2012, 09:16:12 am »

I saw this horse drawn bracken basher (or very similar) at the Royal Welsh Show last year.

Basically it looked like a flat roller with angle iron welded on to it. I reckon that people who have a lot of bracken could easily make one or just use a Cambridge roll.

That said Asulox did a fantastic job on mine last year. My topper has a roller on the back and that will now keep any small bits of residue under control

Foobar · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2012, 09:30:03 am »

That's the fella I saw on the telly!

(I'm glad I didn't dream it!

Haylo-peapod · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2012, 12:01:38 pm »

Quote from: FiB on May 28, 2012, 08:49:08 am

we are pallet surfing ours (its on quite a slope) - wait till fully emerged then flaten with a pallet and jump on it, flip pallet over for next strip and repeat - fun for all the family!!

Brilliant!! I'll have to give that a go on our steep slopes.

We have been trying various methods to control ours. In places where we have been able to get the tractor, the places where the tyres have gone seem to have less growth - so I agree that crushing seems quite effective. Cutting is hard work and quite soul detroying as you have to keep on doing it - but, after 4 years of repeated cutting, we are seeing results. Had our first attempt with Asulox last year so just monitoring the new growth now - still too early to make a judgement.

The sheep don't seem to touch the bracken and ours have been forging tracks through it indirectly doing their own bracken control which is actually proving quite effective. We got the Highlands to help with this but I think the sheep have actually done a better job.

goosepimple · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2012, 12:10:48 pm »

Hi rockstar, my poisonous list says this:

Bracken Fern Pteridium aquilinum Toxicity Level: Med Toxic Parts: All Toxin: thiaminase

From the list if it says 'all' then that means roots and leaves even if wilted.