Reclaimed blackland field at Kenary, Grimsay.
By the Blackland Project
Grass is the most important agricultural resource in Uist.
As Frank Fraser Darling said: “We should be able to grow grass as good or better than most parts of the country because grass likes plenty of rain and a mild climate.”
But what can we do to get the highest nutritional value for good cattle, sheep and wool?
GOOD GRASS = GOOD FEEDING = GOOD WOOL will be launched at the Michaelmas Open Day on the croft at Kenary, Grimsay, on Saturday 13th September.
The Blackland Conference will begin at 10am, followed by the opening of the Snàth exhibition from Uist Wool at 2pm in the new Wool Shed.
Tours of the working heritage machinery in the mill will take place throughout the afternoon.
The Blackland Conference will include a presentation on ‘Grassland Assessment and Renewal’ by Iain Eadie of Germinal Seeds, on local resources for soil fertility by Dr. Ken Davies with Neil Ferguson, on the initial CAP plan which may increase payments for managed grassland by Donald Murdie, and a lot of discussion about grass among the participants (please bring your ideas, comments, and questions).
There will also be short ‘hands-on’ workshops on Evaluating Blackland (Mary Norton), Results from the Seaweed/Potato Trials (Annick Merlin) and Sward Assessment (Ken and Iain).
Good feeding is essential for good wool and valuable finished products, as Uist Wool is now demonstrating.
Yarns spun from local fleece – Blackface, Cheviot, Hebridean and others – are the basis for new designs in fashion and interiors being created by Western Isles makers in the Snàth exhibition as part of Hebtember 14.
Included in Snàth is the first Harris Tweed from Uist Wool yarn to receive the Orb as well as many other innovative products. The Snàth exhibition will run Monday to Saturday until 27th September and be displayed in the Crofthouse at Kenary.
Sandwiches, teas and baking by Grimsay cooks will be available from noon to 4pm.
Please telephone 01870602597 or 01870-602954 for information. All are invited to attend.