Hay meadow

A hay meadow is defined by its management: it is mown once or twice a year, with the cut material left to dry in the field before being baled or stored. The timing of the cut is critical—traditionally after the majority of plants have flowered and set seed, which in temperate Europe falls between late June and mid-July. This late cut allows grasses and forbs to complete their reproductive cycle, maintaining species diversity. After the hay is removed, the meadow is often lightly grazed by livestock in autumn and winter, a practice known as aftermath grazing, which helps control coarse grasses and creates gaps for seedling establishment. No artificial fertilisers or herbicides are used in traditional systems; fertility is maintained by the removal of hay and the return of manure from winter feeding, a nutrient cycle that favours slow-growing, competitive species.

Species-rich hay meadows are biodiversity hotspots. A single square metre can support over 40 plant species, including orchids, knapweeds, and vetches, which in turn support a diverse invertebrate fauna—bees, butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles—that rely on the floral resources and structural complexity. Ground-nesting birds such as the corncrake and skylark use hay meadows for nesting, and the timing of the cut is crucial to avoid destroying nests. The meadows also provide habitat for small mammals like voles and shrews, which are prey for raptors and owls. The deep root systems of meadow plants improve soil structure and water infiltration, reducing runoff and flooding. In addition, hay meadows act as carbon sinks, storing organic matter in the soil, and their floristic diversity contributes to the cultural landscape, inspiring art and literature.

Since the mid-20th century, hay meadows have undergone a dramatic decline. In the UK, over 97% of the area of species-rich grassland has been lost since the 1930s, driven by agricultural intensification: the conversion of meadows to arable land, the use of synthetic fertilisers that favour a few competitive grasses, and the switch from hay to silage, which is cut earlier and more frequently, preventing flowering and seeding. This has led to a homogenisation of the flora and a collapse in associated wildlife. Conservation efforts now focus on restoring and re-creating hay meadows through agri-environment schemes, which pay farmers to adopt traditional management. Seed harvesting from donor meadows and the reintroduction of green hay—cut material spread onto prepared ground—have proven effective in restoring species diversity. Notable examples include the restoration of wildflower meadows at the Great Fen in eastern England and the preservation of ancient meadows in the Swiss Alps.

Hay meadows have a rich cultural and historical dimension. The term 'hay' derives from the Old English 'hieg', and the practice of haymaking is depicted in medieval manuscripts and Renaissance paintings. In the Swiss Alps, hay meadows are traditionally cut by hand with scythes, a practice that is now preserved as a cultural heritage and supports a unique alpine flora. Hay meadows also have a role in traditional medicine: many meadow plants, such as yarrow and chamomile, were used in herbal remedies, and 'hay flower' baths are a recognised spa treatment in Central Europe. In the United States, the tallgrass prairie can be considered a type of hay meadow, and native hay meadows are managed for both livestock and wildlife. A little-known fact is that hay meadows can be important for pollinators, providing a late-season nectar source when other habitats have been mown. The timing of the cut also affects the nutritional quality of hay, with early cuts being more digestible but less diverse in plant species.

Aftermath grazing

Grazing of livestock on a meadow after the hay cut, typically in autumn and winter, to control coarse growth and promote diversity.

Green hay

Freshly cut plant material from a species-rich meadow, spread onto a prepared site to introduce seeds and restore diversity.

Silage

Fodder made by fermenting grass or other crops in airtight conditions, often cut earlier and more frequently than hay.

Forbs

Herbaceous flowering plants other than grasses, such as wildflowers and legumes.