At HayDay, the way we do things is just as important as the products we create. As a family-run business, we have farmed for generations and we want to see this for generations to come–so we understand the importance of looking after the environment around us and its future.
Sustainability and continually introducing more sustainable farming practices to our farm is at the heart of everything we do and as champions of our environment, you wouldn’t believe some of the things we do!
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the initiatives we’ve introduced on our Yorkshire farm, and why exactly we do this to not only help the environment, but to create high quality hay for your pets too.
Beetle Bank: Mike’s Latest Project
Over the last couple of months, Mike has been heading up an exciting wildlife project on our farm: a Beetle Bank! A place for insects to hibernate over the winter period.
As the weather warms up in the spring, insects will also be able to explore and go into the wildflower margin we’re drilling next to it, and into the winder environment. Our Head of BTS, Mike, says:
“It's important for us to do things properly from introducing more sustainable farming practices to packaging our products in 100% recyclable packaging - you wouldn't believe some of the things we do!”
Our beetle bank will help increase the density of insects in and around the farm and help us pollinate our crops. We’ll welcome more beneficial insects into the ecosystem, including:
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Different varieties of beetles
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Ladybirds
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Sawflies
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Spiders
Mike is seriously passionate about how we can help endangered species and wildlife and we can’t wait to share more on how our beetle bank flourishes!
Renewable Energy: Barn-Drying Hay for your Small Pets
The great British weather isn’t always the most predictable (or sunniest!) which is why we use barn-drying facilities to ensure your pets can enjoy a high-quality and consistent forage product.
Our Packaging Commitment
All of our packaging is 100% plastic free, 100% recyclable or used as a way of minimising waste. With our boxes, we even print with toxin free ink...even our marketing materials are printed on recycled paper!
What’s even better? Our boxes can be reused for fun, homemade rabbit and guinea pig enrichment and you can give them another lease of life! You can try turning them into hidey houses and fun tunnels for your small pets - have you seen our cut-out sections.
We also reuse any waste or damaged products to support local, small pet rescues and sanctuaries. We are always looking at ways we can support the rabbit crisis, so if you have any ideas - get in touch!
Reintroducing Hedgerows: Our Wildlife Havens
Did you know we actually gone as far as planting the equivalent of 19 football pitches of wildflowers on our farm, and plan to plant the equivalent of 60 more in 2025? If only you could hear the hustle and bustle of the buzzz-ing!
97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the 1930s which is why we have, and are continually, reintroducing hedgerows and wildflowers to our fields to give nature a helping hand.
Every year we reintroduce hedgerows to border our fields, where in 2025, we have already planted 5000 metres! In just four years, the hedgerows we have planted will begin to transform and look completely different! They’ll become a haven for birds and wildlife to nest in. Some of the varieties we’ve planted this season include:
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Blackthorn
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Dog Rose
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Hawthorn
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Holly
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Hazel
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Maple
The wildflower and hedgerow borders create havens for wildlife to enjoy, such as:
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Bees
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Butterflies
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Beetles
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Other pollinators: birds, flies, moths
Seasonal Sheep Visitors: Encouraging Biodiversity
We have sheep from the Yorkshire Dales, Moors and Lakes visit our farm every winter to act as lawnmowers and encourage biodiversity.
These sheep graze the land, each year, beginning from September for aftermath grazing (eating what begins to grow on the land after harvest) until early March the following year.
Beehives: The Hustle & Bustle of our Farm
We recognise the high role that bees play in helping biodiversity and keeping the hustle and bustle of the farm thriving! Their helpful buzz-ing on our farm plays a key part in pollinating our crops for great tasting hay and for our wildflower meadows.
Introducing our own colony of bees on the farm has given nature a boost in doing its thing. It’s not all for great tasting honey, but bees help to keep the planet happy and healthy.
Although, they do produce some pretty tasty honey for our team and our local community to enjoy too!
Summary
At HayDay, we’re so proud to be doing all of the above in the right way too, by helping the environment at the same time. From growing a really environmentally friendly crop on our farm, using sustainable farming practices, to reintroducing hedgerows and planting wildflowers.
Be sure to check out our social channels as we share more behind the scenes from our Yorkshire farm and show the journey of our sustainable initiatives and how they come to life on our farm!
