The Pontbren Woodchip for Bedding project

 

A key concern of the group was to explore ways of making the community more self-sustaining by maximising incomes and reducing external costs. The first cost to be tackled was straw. Wales imports 300,000 tonnes of straw as bedding every year from as far away as East Anglia.
Pontbren wood chipper: Copyright Pontbren Group 2007


Members of the group began to experiment with dry woodchip derived from woodland and hedgerow restoration and slabwood from a local sawmill. Used indoors under sheep and cattle the results were encouraging. Labour inputs were low and the incidence of footrot in sheep was reduced. After a series of trials the best chipping machine was purchased by the group with help from the Assembly.


Pontbren composter: copyright Pontbren Group 2007Composting facilities have been constructed on two of the farms and these have been very successful. Progress has been monitored by ADAS. Analysis of samples has shown good moisture retention and high levels of plant nutrients. It is also eligible for use in organic agriculture and horticulture.

For more information, visit Coed Cymru's composting site.

 

 

Pontbren woodchip composting: Copyright Pontbren Group 2007