Chilterns Information Board by a field west of Prestwood (2)

Image: © David Hillas Taken: 24 Apr 2018

Located by the edge of a field west of Prestwood, this information board comprises of two notices with the following wording: i) Going with the Grain Cereal crops are an important part of our British diet. Breakfast cereals, bread and beer are made with grain from fields like ours. Cereals are not just grown for people. They are also am important ingredient in feed for farm animals. We have to make the right decisions at the right time - and have the weather on our side! - to make a profit. The harvested grain has to be dry and free of disease and weed seeds otherwise no-one will buy it. Young wheat, barley and oats look similar, but when ready for harvest they are easier to tell apart. The drawing show from left to right: Oats, Wheat and Barley. ii) Farm Hedges Hedges are home to lots of birds, mammals and insects. Since ancient times, hedges have marked the boundaries between fields and farms. A thick hedge keeps farm animals in (or out!) and gives shelter from wind and rain. Keeping hedges in good condition and full of full of food for farmland birds takes time and thought. Older hedges are cut to ground level and strong branches bent - or laid - to prompt new growth. Each year, but not in the nesting season, we trim some of our hedges. This also encourages young shoots that keep the hedge thick. Planting a new hedge is very satisfying.

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