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Upland farmers and land managers have battled bracken for centuries. The loss of a key chemical option in 2023 has put the spotlight back on non-chemical control methods.
The new learning network will create space for sharing experiences, ideas and practical solutions, while supporting fresh on-farm research to build knowledge and improve bracken management in the uplands.
This trial builds on two successful and popular field labs looking at livestock management of bracken and mechanical management of bracken.
We’d like to run further trials, as well as draw experiences and learnings from others around the country.
Or for more information contact brackenmanagement@soilassociation.org
This field lab learning network is funded by the Rothschild Foundation
This month, coordinator Elly Archer and learning network member Dave Pearson Smith, Manager of the Sugarloaf Regenerative Farm Partnership CIC, delivered a presentation on the Non-Chemical Bracken Management Learning Network and existing trials at the National Heathland Conference in Stafford.
In July, members of the Bracken Learning Network came together for an online members-only meeting to hear from three farmers using pigs for bracken management in Devon, Cumbria and Scotland.
The session provided an opportunity to learn from their experiences, ask questions and discuss the practicalities, opportunities and challenges of using pigs as a management tool. Members also took part in an open discussion, sharing their own experiences, ideas and insights from across the network.
In early July, members of the Bracken Learning Network came together for a members-only online meeting to discuss plans for the upcoming three-year on-farm trial.
Trial plans were presented by Elly Archer, Coordinator, giving members the opportunity to ask questions, share feedback and contribute their practical experience. The discussion helped refine and finalise the research approach ahead of the trial's launch.
This webinar is part of the Bracken Learning Network and focuses on animal health considerations associated with non chemical bracken management.
Our guest speaker is Alan Murphy BVMS DBR MSc (Applied Toxicology) MRCVS, Veterinary Lead for Toxicology and Chemical Feed and Food Safety within the Surveillance Intelligence Unit at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Alan provides an overview of the animal health risks associated with bracken exposure.
The session concludes with a short update on current research topics and survey findings from the Bracken Learning Network with Tabitha Acton.
Watch the full webinar online here: (43) Non Chemical Bracken Management - Animal Health Considerations Webinar - YouTube
This webinar marks the launch of the new Non-Chemical Bracken Management Learning Network, bringing together farmers, researchers, and advisors to share experiences, discuss early findings from the two existing bracken field labs, and build a community of practice around sustainable bracken control.
Innovative farmers are currently funding two field labs exploring non-chemical bracken control using mechanical and livestock methods. These on-farm trials explore practical alternatives to chemical spraying, including machinery and livestock grazing, supported by researchers and land managers.
In this webinar, we're joined by the trialists and other members of the group, including: Tabitha Acton- Farming Advisor, Soil Association; Fiona Daley - Farmer, Innovative Farmers livestock management trialist; Diarmid Baird - Farmer, Innovative Farmers mechanical bracken management trialist.
Webinar available online here: Non Chemical Bracken Management Webinar.
We have commissioned Lee-Anne Oliver BVM&S MSc Cert AVP (cattle)(sheep) MRCVS of Ruminant Revival to produce a report on the implications on health for livestock being used for bracken management. You can find it in our reports and results section by clicking on the brown banner above.
September 2025
19th November 2025
18th February 2026
February 2026
March 2026
May 2026
July 2026
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November 2026
Soil Associaiton
North England
Elly Archer is a farming advisor with the Soil Association’s Farming and Land Use Team, specialising in nature friendly land management. She has a background in integrating pasture and woodland into grazing systems in the North of England. Alongside her advisory work, Elly manages her own 100 acre certified organic holding, bringing practical insight to collaborative projects that support resilient, sustainable farming. Her academic background is in environmental science and management and peatland research.
