A significant crowd gathered on the beef farm of Donie Regan near Shinrone, Co. Offaly on the 17th of June for the SWARD Farm tour. This farm tour was organised by Green Restoration Ireland to showcase the work and research that has been carried out so far on volunteer farms as a part of the FARM Carbon EIP. The Farm Carbon EIP has worked with pilot farmers to manage peatlands to develop a range of viable options for sustainable farming and the restoration of non-farmed peatland habitats, including Irelands first paludiculture trials. This research work has been conducted in the catchment areas of the Rivers Camcor, Little Brosna and Silver in Co, Offaly, Laois and Tipperary.
The event began with an introduction from Dr Douglas MacMillan, Farm Carbon EIP Project Manager, before opening remarks were given by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, who is also a native of Co. Offaly. The crowd then heard from a number of experts who have surveyed the presence of birds, bats and nematodes on the farm.
The farm walk began at the end of the first grass field where significant soil loss over decades was evident near a deep drainage channel. Other peatlands farmers also shared their experience of soil loss on heavily drained land that has resulted in branches of ancient trees now breaking through the surface. Attendees learned that, ideally, water levels should be maintained at 40cm below ground level to prevent soil loss through the drying out of peat soils.
The tour continued to a rewetted woodland that was witnessing the retreat of particular tree species and the resurgence of other more suitable native species to this habitat. The returned presence of ducks had been noted in recent years.
The most interesting research with significant economic potential for wetland farmers were to be found at the paludiculture research plots. A series of trials are underway to assess the profitable production of various wetland crops under high water table conditions. The trials ranged from food crops such as blueberries, cranberries and lingonberries to rhubarb, broccoli and cabbage, while a series of wet grassland mixes were also being trialled for Irish conditions. A paludiculture forestry plot has also been established with American Sweetgum, Dawn Redwood and Swamp Cypress being trialled alongside native species such as Alder, Black Poplar and Aspen.
The tour continued on to view a raised bog behind the farm that was showing evident signs of degradation due to nearby drainage. There are plans in place to block these drains in the near future.
The tour ended with recent examples of hedge laying which had been carried out on the farm to create a stock proof fence and suitable habitat for many farmland wildlife species.
Overall the tour successfully provided an intriguing glimpse into a future where sustainable wetland management practices can co-exist with profitable agricultural activities.
To learn more about EIP-Agri projects, please click here.
