Brood Rearing Mixes

Oakbank have produced a small range of Nectar Flower Mixes that have been aimed directly at Wild Game Estates, providing an insect rich environment at the critical time of year.  Tim has worked closely with the keepers on several estates to create mixes that are simple to establish but that deliver the goods.

They would all be eligible for the ELS Nectar Flower EF4 option, but HLS agreements may have specific prescriptions that we can also provide for you.  For more help with HLS mixes, please contact the office.

Autumn Sown Brood Rearer

Contains: sainfoin, winter vetch, birdsfoot trefoil, lucerne, alsike clover, dwarf amenity ryegrass
Bearing in mind some of the first pheasant broods are off in early May, sowing a brood rearing mix in the autumn is the only way to guarantee some insect-rich cover for the earliest broods. The legumes are relatively easy to establish and the ryegrass, included for sawfly larvae, is short and not competitive or invasive.

Pack Size: 8kgs
Sowing Rate: 20kgs/Ha

Spring Sown Brood Rearer

Contains: sainfoin, alsike clover, birdsfoot trefoil, lucerne, mustard, dwarf amenity ryegrass
The difficulty with spring sown brood rearing covers is the lack of growth in the first spring. Once established this will provide an insect-rich habitat for a number of years but, in the first year the mustard is essential for a quick growing canopy.

Pack Size: 8kgs
Sowing Rate: 20kgs/Ha

Spring Sown Brood Rearer No Grass

Contains: sainfoin, common vetch, birdsfoot trefoil, lucerne, mustard, oxeye daisy

A grass free mix to comply with ELS nectar/flower option EF4 but also to provide great brood rearing habitat from the first year onwards.  

Pack Size: 8kgs
Sowing Rate: 20kgs/Ha

Celtic Mix

Contains: sainfoin, perennial chicory, mustard, common vetch, birdsfoot trefoil, lucerne

The inclusion of perennial chicory adds height and canopy to this classic dual purpose mix. A great brood rearing cover, it also provides much needed winter cover to protect from aerial predators.

Pack Size: 8kgs
Sowing Rate: 20kgs/Ha

ES Nectar/Flower Mix

Contains: borage, phacelia, birdsfoot trefoil, alsike clover, common knapweed

A visually stunning mix this will be very popular with your local bee-keepers, is an approved EF4 nectar/flower mix under ELS and also provides good brood rearing habitat for wild game

Pack Size: 5kgs
Sowing Rate: 12.5kgs/Ha