P.E.I. farmers encouraged to delay first cut of hay to protect grassland birds

In an effort to protect grassland birds, P.E.I. farmers are being urged by the provincial government to delay cutting their hay crops until mid-July.

The province has signed an agreement with a group called Alternative Land Use Services Canada to provide $90,000 over three years to farmers who postpone harvesting their hay. Grassland birdscreate theirnestson the ground in tallgrassfields.

"We're seeing quite a few farmers raise their hands now saying they don't mind delaying their cut a little bit. Some of them know they have bobolink and want to do the right thing," saidShawn Hill,co-ordinatorforAlternative Land Use Services Canadain P.E.I.

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Grassland birds like thebobolink,a threatened species in eastern Canada, nest in hay fields and the young aren't ready to flyuntil early July which coincides with hay season.

Farmers who take agree to delay cutting their hay until mid-July will receive $25 per acre.

Hill said the paymentis torecognizethe value farmers provide to the ecosystem.