The joint winners of the Teagasc Hedge Cutting Competition for 2019 have been announced, with the joint top prizes going to Liam Herlihy from Co. Limerick, and Tony Mullins from Co. Cork.
The announcements were made as part of Teagasc Hedgerow Week 2020.
Hedge-cutting contractor Liam Herlihy of Kingsland, Bruree, Co. Limerick, changed his hedge-cutting practice last year.
For the sake of the birds and the environment, he changed from cutting the hedges as a flat top to an ‘A roof’, resulting in better and thicker hedges.
L-R: Francis Quigly; Liam and Geraldine Herlihy
Commenting on this, Liam said: “It is actually easier and faster to cut the hedge as a slope because you can run your machine at a 45° angle on both sides and move on.
When you’re cutting hedges flat-topped, you have to cut them and go over them two or three times to get them nice and level.
Francis Quigley, Teagasc machinery specialist, said: “Farmers and contractors need to communicate with each other in order to change the perception of what is a well-kept hedge.”
Herlihy agreed, saying: “As a contractor I hope the farmer and ourselves can communicate better.
“Most years we come in and there’s nothing said and we cut the hedge as the hedge has always been cut. Going forward, hopefully farmers will make a change and we’ll talk and communicate better.
“That way we can get stronger hedges, thicker hedges and better for the environment,” the contractor added.
The other joint winner is dairy farmer Tony Mullins of Ballybeg, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, who cuts his own hedges.
L-R: Catherine Keena; Tony Mullins; and Teagasc advisor Padraig McCormack
Farming with his wife Noelle, they avail of the Nitrates Derogation and rear all calves to beef and dairy replacements.
Commenting, Tony said: “Our hedges are like our shop window – to have our farm aesthetically pleasing is important, and the consumer is looking for biodiversity and sustainability.”
Catherine Keena, Teagasc countryside management specialist, added: “Advice on hedge-cutting depends on the hedge type.
“Firstly, any escaped hedges which grow up into a line of trees – we advise to side trim only and not to top.
Secondly for any hedges that have been topped, we advise to let them grow up to a height of 1.5m, or up to the height the hedge cutter can reach.
“And also we advise to leave a number of thorn saplings in each hedge to grow to a thorn tree,” Keena concluded.