News

04/02/2011

SUCCESS FOR BRIGHT SEEDS GAMECOVER OPEN DAY

Specialist seed merchant Bright Seeds is celebrating another successful open day, the 9th it has organised over a 5 year period.

 

The event - which was held at its Swallowcliffe trial site near Salisbury, Wiltshire on Monday 24 January - welcomed more than 150 influential guests.

 

Land agents, gamekeepers, farmers and shoot managers all attended, taking part in a series of gamecover site tours throughout the day.

 

The theme of the open day focused on feeding and keeping birds more cheaply by carefully planning game cover crops. This was ably demonstrated with staff setting out 3 or 4 options and providing expert advice on what chemicals can be used on the growing crops to keep them free from weeds on mixtures for either pheasants or partridge.

 

Chris Bright, Partner at Bright Seeds said : "The real test for the crops is seen at the end of January and that is why we hold an open day at this time. Our trial site is an exposed one that really caught the weather this winter, with a foot of snow and temperatures as low as minus 15.  It was therefore ideal for us to trial different crops and announce the results.

 

"One of the points we emphasised was - as the end of the shooting season approaches - game cover crops should be left in situ; come the beginning of February the birds still need feeding. One of the benefits is that some of the crops start to flower attracting insects which is ideal for brood rearing. "

 

 The site - which is home to more than 160 species - was open from 8.30am until dusk commencing with an all-day steak and venison BBQ and will be complemented by a follow-up in September of this year.

 

Anyone who was unable to attend the event can call to arrange a visit as the site is always open.

 

Bright Seeds is one of the UK's leading gamecover providers, including straight crops and mixtures, ranging from wildflowers to cobless maize.

back