Featured Farmer: Patrick Higgins

Patrick Higgins from near Magheraveeley, Fermanagh has a 69 Ha farm consisting of  dairy cows, beef cows and beef cattle.

He has been a keen participant in the Countryside Management Scheme since 2001.  Species rich hay meadows on the farm are managed in a traditional manner with hay being cut around mid July and used on the farm as fodder.  There are a wide variety of wild flowers in the hay meadow including ragged robin, hay rattle and orchids.  In addition to the wild flowers are lots of insects, butterflies and birds.

Other habitats and features on the farm include species rich grassland, woodland, wetlands, and a historic monument.

Patrick has further enhanced his farm by planting an area of woodland under a forestry woodland scheme.