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Wild Flower Seed Production and Use
Pages In This Document
General
The production and use of wild flower seed is helping to replace semi-natural habitats which have been destroyed by modern methods of land management.
Currently there are over 250 species of wild flower seed, of British origin, available. Also available are mixtures of wild flower seed suitable for a range of soil types, from meadow to hedgerow and woodland mixtures.
Please remember that special consideration must be given to the VAT aspects of diversification as the new activity may not be treated the same as the existing farm business from a VAT standpoint.
Market
Although the demand for wild flower seed is growing, supplies are dominated by a handful of major seed producing companies.
A small scale enterprise producing seed, therefore, may have to concentrate on local market or specialise in certain wild flower mixtures.
Physical Requirements
- Buildings: An area for seed storage is necessary to obtain optimum viability (requirement cool dry conditions, 5% moisture content @ 380C), greenhouse, polythene, glass propagation areas.
- Equipment: Seed germination equipment and propagation. Equipment may be necessary, depending on seed type and climatic conditions. Land: Well drained, free of aggressive weeds, low fertility small areas of land may need preparation, eg rotation and raking.
Costs
The following costing information is general and current prices should be sought for budgeting purposes.
Capital Costs
Preparation of seed beds, and elimination of aggressive perennial weeds.
Seed - 15 kg/acre for seed mixtures. Retail prices for meadow mixtures ranges from £29 - £40/kilo.
Running Costs
Returns
Constraints
- Soil type: may cause some limitations with regard to seed type and suitable mixture.
- Climate: in unprotected field sites climatic conditions may limit "seed type use and production rates".
- Maintenance: some maintenance of annual weeds may be necessary.
Training
Grants
Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects. Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008. For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.
Further Information
Publications
Creating Wild Flower Meadows: FWAG information sheet 22. Various leaflets and information from SAC