A key part of our LIFE Endemic PANALP project, focused on restoring thermophilous and xerothermic grassland habitats, is cooperation with local farmers. Thanks mainly to this collaboration, we have so far managed to reintroduce or expand grazing on more than 240 hectares across 28 sites, stretching from Devín to Súľov. Our goal, of course, is for these restored areas to provide long-term benefits to the farmers, which will undoubtedly also bring significant gains for nature.
Agricultural subsidies are today an important tool in this regard. Therefore, on Monday, November 3, we organized a seminar for our cooperating farmers with our colleague who had worked for several years at the Agricultural Paying Agency. In an informal and friendly atmosphere, he explained to beginning farmers the basics of the Common Agricultural Policy rules, while the more experienced participants had the opportunity to discuss their experiences and challenges.
The venue – the Pub in Višňové – was chosen deliberately. We would like to start restoring goat grazing on the overgrown steppes directly below Čachtice Castle together with the locals here in the near future!
Coincidentally, we continued our education activities aimed at the same target group the very next day. At the Uhliská Farm near Nemšová, in cooperation with the Institute of Knowledge-based Agriculture and Innovation, we co-organized a seminar focused on grassland restoration, environmentally friendly deworming of livestock, and smart technologies in animal husbandry.
Our colleague Jakub Cíbik presented to the participants that restoring flowering meadows is an opportunity not only for biodiversity but also for building cooperation between conservationists and farmers. His lecture also included inspiring examples of such partnerships that have emerged thanks to the LIFE Endemic PANALP project.
Ivana Kodajová from the Vlčí Vrch goat farm, with whom we have been closely collaborating since the earlier LIFE Butterflies project, introduced her well-developed system of gentle goat deworming. Conventional methods, which rely on the widespread use of ivermectin-based substances, lead to parasite resistance and simultaneously kill coprophagous insects. These organisms, which decompose animal dung, are an important part of biodiversity and help farmers improve soil condition, fertility, and even reduce the occurrence of undesirable parasites.
For these reasons, at BROZ we have decided to promote awareness of practices that are more considerate of both livestock and the grassland ecosystems — ecosystems that, in our country, survive today largely thanks to them.
