A field trial to assess the effects of rabbit grazing on spring barley

Spring barley is widely grown throughout the UK and significant yield loss can occur as a result of rabbit grazing. In a 3-yr trial, spring barley was grown in six enclosures following current agronomic procedures and was subjected to grazing by different population densities of rabbits. The annual yield loss at the end of the trial was 0.5% rabbit⁻¹ ha⁻¹. The yield loss per rabbit was calculated to be around 25 kg and the financial loss was calculated as £2.00 per rabbit at 1998 prices (approx. £80 tonne⁻¹). Models allowing farmers to predict the levels and costs of damage by rabbits to winter wheat and for silage have already been developed. The results from this trial enable farmers to extend their predictions to include spring barley. The implications for this are discussed.