Himalayan balsam control: The cattle are soldiering on.
Sunrise: 05.00 Sunset: 09.28
Shetland Cow Eating Himalayan Balsam at Wilden Marsh.
The cattle are doing a great job, but they are not clearing the Himalayan balsam in Hoo Brook Pasture as quickly as expected. I think the problem is the high rate of balsam growth – now 12 to 15 feet tall with 3″to 4″ diametre stalks, in places. Also, new balsam shoots are growing vigorously from the bare earth shaded by the earlier balsam growth. So the cattle are pulling down and eating huge swathes of this fast growing green menace, whilst grazing the new growth. I think the cattle might also be wandering about in the Swamp – the pasture gate is left open to allow them access to the Swamp for drinking water.
The area looks a little like a bomb site with 3 foot tall clumps of leafless part-eaten stalks all over the place.
It’s important that the cattle finish the job before the balsam seeds are fully formed.
The Wilden Marsh Blog 
More cows?
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Are you asking for more cow posts, Tom?
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I was asking if you needed more cows….but cow posts are always welcome.
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I’m not sure that our Shetland family group would welcome an outsider.
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I agree, the Cow Resources Department need to advertise for more cows.
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Cows cost money, Alex. Anyway, Hoo Brook Pasture was a wood last year and old balsam seeds are taking advantage of the rain and sunshine we have had recently. I am hoping that the cows will defeat the marsh balsam problem in a few years, or at least greatly reduce it.
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A race against time for our ruminating friends!
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Just trying to get best results.
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I have noticed that th brook by Morrison’s usually has large amounts of balsam growing along it. This gets but once a year well after flowering surely this cannot be helpful in control
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Balsam is best pulled or grazed before the seeds form to control it.
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