Oliver Moore: New techniques in war against rushes

Rushes are the bane of many an organic farmer’s life, says Oliver Moore.

Ireland is wet at the best of times, but organic farmers in the west and north west in particular, face extra challenges with rushes. In recent years, very variable weather patterns have included veritable seasons of downpours.

Anecdotal evidence also suggests that derogations are difficult for organic farmers to get even for a one-off spraying.