Farmer’s unusual harvest wins environment award

Oct 24 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

A UNIQUE scheme by a Chester farmer to feed giraffes using willow which he cut back to create a wetland habitat for birds has won him an environmental award.

Huw Rowlands, of Grange Farm, Mickle Trafford, Chester, had initially thought he would have to burn the willow lopped from the banks of the River Gowy.

But a chance meeting with a woman who attended his first “open farm” event during the summer led to giraffes at Chester Zoo reaping the benefit of his efforts to create a haven for lapwings.

Mr Rowlands said the coppicing of woodland, where the trees are cut back to create an open aspect, is intended to create an attractive area for wetland birds to breed.

He added: “I was taking a group around the farm during our first open day when one of the visitors asked what I was intending to do with the branches we cut back.

“I said we would probably burn them, and she suggested giving them to Tim, who looks after the giraffes at the zoo.

“Now Tim has a team doing a sterling job coppicing the willow and bring it to the zoo, providing fresh food for the giraffes.” One of the problems in trying to regenerate coppice woodland is that the initial clearing can produce a lot of wood that is not of much use.

Some of the larger branches can be used for firewood, and the rest can be turned into charcoal. Unless you have hungry giraffes.

For Tim Rowlands, Giraffe Team Leader at Chester Zoo – no relation to the farmer – the steady supply of willow has proved a godsend, although it does mean extra work for him and his team.

They have been cutting back the trees and transporting them to the zoo for their five giraffes, who are extremely pleased with the result.

“There is nothing some of our animals, particularly our hungry giraffes, like more than being able to tuck into some willow,” he said.

The unusual use of the willow coppicing will now represent the North West region at Natural England’s Future of Farming Awards scheme which has been established to celebrate environmental excellence and innovation in wildlife friendly farming. It singles out for recognition farmers like Mr Rowlands who have made the greatest contribution to both conserving wildlife and landscapes while at the same time helping people to enjoy greater access to the countryside.

Liz Newton, the North West Regional Director of Natural England, said the farming award scheme was “proof of the new contract between society and farmers” in which farmers supplied goods and services to the general public.

She said: “I think this is probably the most unusual scheme we have seen, highly innovative.”

A panel will select the overall winner from 16 regional finalists at Burghley House, in Stamford, on November 15.

liammurphy@dailypost.co.uk