Wild life strip

[SixFooter]

Does anyone know what the rules are for hives in a wildlife strip? I have bees by the side of a field on a farm and the farmer has set up a wildlife strip in front of them. It would be easier for me if I could spread the bees out a bit inside the strip. Also, does anyone know how much he will get for the wildlife strip? - Might be useful info for other beeks looking for apiary sites on farms.

 

[thurrock bees]

i think that is called , set aside land, but i maybe wrong also. ive set most on my farm based bees in woodland that is on the edge of farm land as they are better hidden from unwant attention

 

[MartinL]

I have bees by the side of a field on a farm and the farmer has set up a wildlife strip in front of them.

, does anyone know how much he will get for the wildlife strip?

He will know, why don't you ask him?

 

[Skylark]

Does anyone know what the rules are for hives in a wildlife strip? I have bees by the side of a field on a farm and the farmer has set up a wildlife strip in front of them. It would be easier for me if I could spread the bees out a bit inside the strip. Also, does anyone know how much he will get for the wildlife strip? - Might be useful info for other beeks looking for apiary sites on farms.

If he's in Environmental Stewardship under HLS (Higher Level Stewardship) he may be using the following option.

HE10 Floristically enhanced grass buffer strips (non-rotational) £485 per ha
"This option is used to provide habitat and foraging areas for insects and birds by maintaining buffer strips that contain a mixture of grass and wildflower species. The strips can be located along field boundaries or as a buffer strip around in-field features, such as ponds or archaeological features.
Management must include establishing the strip by natural regeneration or by sowing a seed mixture agreed with your Natural England adviser. Once established, the strip must be cut or grazed to deliver the desired outcomes for your situation."
Although there are other possible options.

 

[alexander]

If he's in Environmental Stewardship under HLS (Higher Level Stewardship) he may be using the following option.

HE10 Floristically enhanced grass buffer strips (non-rotational) £485 per ha
"This option is used to provide habitat and foraging areas for insects and birds by maintaining buffer strips that contain a mixture of grass and wildflower species. The strips can be located along field boundaries or as a buffer strip around in-field features, such as ponds or archaeological features.
Management must include establishing the strip by natural regeneration or by sowing a seed mixture agreed with your Natural England adviser. Once established, the strip must be cut or grazed to deliver the desired outcomes for your situation."
Although there are other possible options.

We do this at work, and we get stack loads for it (wont say, but silly money). We have field boundries round every field, bare patches in the crops, couple of metre square for skylarks to nest etc etc. The boundries have to be left alone until the 1st of August before cutting, or they can stop your money. Hedges too, and you can only cut every other year, so we do 50% one year, then 50% the next. Its really good actually, excellent for the wildlife, a real positive for the countryside.

 

[Chris Luck]

We do this at work, and we get stack loads for it (wont say, but silly money).

Well I think you should say if you know because there are a great number of "special protection" schemes outside of the relatively new farm subsidy rules. These will normally relate to one or more specific species in what I think are called SSSI's in the UK now under http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm
General farm subsidies are now paid in full on land area, (still being brought in), using a points system for environmental features - one of which is as mentioned, others are isolated old trees, linear metres of hedgerow, natural pond etc.

The is no reason at all why bee hives can not be situated in such a zone as you describe, in fact the opposite, go ask the land owner and good luck.

Chris

 

[Fenman]

No problems I have one of my sites in one of these wildlife strips, farmer and all concerned very happy

 

[SixFooter]

He will know, why don't you ask him?

Too obvious!

I did and he shrugged his shoulders and walked away. All the social skills of a C++ programmer!

 

[SixFooter]

£485 per ha
"This option is used to provide habitat and foraging areas for insects and birds by maintaining buffer strips that contain a mixture of grass and wildflower species.

I think that's what I have. I guess the area is probably 2 ha. He didnt have this before I brought my bees.

 

[Chris Luck]

Try this link

Chris

 

[SixFooter]

Interesting. Thanks.

 

[Chris Luck]

So as in the example given @ £485 per ha that's 5 metres x 2 km or another way to look at it is how much would you expect to earn from a hectare?

At least that of you are any good so not really such funny money.

Even when an endangered or protected species is concerned the amount of money in subsidy hardly compensates for the type of management required and loss of earnings in most cases.

Chris