Heather needs to be managed for three main reasons: to provide a suitable habitat for wildlife, to maximise production from livestock farming and to have land in eligible condition for the Basic Payment Scheme.

Ideally, livestock, mainly sheep, can be farmed on heather to control it to under 50cm in height by eating green shoots, as well as the grasses that grow through and around heather.

However, heather can become overgrown to the point where it begins to becomes woody and tall, meaning livestock are not capable of maintaining it in ideal condition.

Speakers told around 30 farmers in Glenwherry on Friday that flailing heather can be an effective way of managing it if it has become overgrown. A demonstration was provided on a Quad X power shredder.

The machine runs on an independent petrol engine and was ideal for conditions on the day as ground was wet below foot, meaning a tractor and flailer would not carry.

The third management method discussed was burning. Although heather was wet, representatives from the Fire Service carried out a demonstration on prescribed burning.

Initially, flanks were mowed up each side to contain the fire and a fire break was created at the end of the plot. The fire break was created by mowing a track in the heather then by burning a short strip backwards into the wind. After this, the main burning took place from the back of the plot in the direction of the wind.

Further reports from Friday’s event will feature in next week’s edition of the Irish Farmers Journal and on www.farmersjournal.ie