These days, workers from the Union of Municipalities of Pratomagno are busy collecting hayseed that will be used to restore grasslands in the southern part of Pratomagno, where the state of conservation of these environments is less favourable. The field operations are coordinated by our consultant Dr Andrea Ferrario.
Hayseed, which are nothing more than “dirty” seeds containing other parts of the plant, are used for environmental restoration (grasslands, as in our case, but also quarries and embankments). The LIFE Shepforbio project has tested this technique for the first time in Tuscany.
The hayseed is harvested from donor meadows (not grazed) using a special machine equipped with a brush that, pulled by a tractor, removes only the seeds from the plant, leaving the rest standing, which can be used for grazing and mowing. Overseeding will take place in late summer-autumn, when environmental conditions are favourable.
