Start Date
End Date
Project Summary
Majada de Barcina is an organic-certified family business dedicated to sheep farming in the province of Burgos. They let their 700 sheep graze in a natural park area, which in some parts has been abandoned and is increasingly becoming overgrown with scrub vegetation. Using CAP funds, they could clear areas of scrubland to open up new pastures and set up enclosures to protect livestock from attack, thus enabling extensive grazing - an important part of organic farming.
Themes
Biogeoghraphic Region
Objective
Increase the extensive grazing of the sheep flock; Make grazing compatible with other forest land uses; Increase safety and protect the flock from possible attacks by predatory animals; Prevent forest fires by carrying out continuous maintenance work
on the land to control the vegetation by grazing.
Good Practice Description
Extensive rearing is a core part of the traditional production process and has a very positive impact on controlling wild vegetation and preventing forest fires. In recent years, Majada de Barcina has carried out a series of clearing operations to remove scrubland and open up pastures in this natural area. This work was financed by CAP Measure 8 – Investments in forest area development and improvement of the viability of forests of the Castilla y León Rural Development Programme to support interventions to improve and prevent damage to forest land through silvopasture. The work began in 2017 and was financed for a period of five years. Clearing the areas of scrub that were invading certain parts of the natural park, they opened up pastures so that livestock can graze extensively and keep the forest in good condition. The possibility for sheep to graze extensively in semi-arid areas reduces the amount of vegetation on the ground and thus the possibility that, in the event of a fire, flames spread over the whole area.
Tools and Equipment
Land clearing equipment, fencing materials to enclose pastures and protect livestock from potential predators, livestock management equipment (eg. watering systems), monitoring and security tools (surveillance cameras or monitoring systems to keep an eye on the livestock, deterrent devices or guarding animals), soil and vegetation monitoring tools.
Personnel
Project manager, agricultural experts, forestry and land management experts, wildlife and predator management specialists.
Problems and Threats Faced
Replicating the Majada de Barcina practice could face numerous challenges, including terrain variability, climate sensitivity, biodiversity preservation, water scarcity, wildlife interactions, community engagement, regulatory compliance, financial resources, skills and training, and long-term sustainability.