Programme to control rushes without herbicide
An innovative nationwide programme for controlling rushes without herbicide residue contamination of drinking water has been proposed.
It is one of a shortlist of 22 innovative ideas chosen for funding to prepare detailed project plans.
Following assessment of these detailed project plans, a final shortlist will be drawn up for implementation on the ground as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 .
Disseminating best management practices for rush control to improve the productivity of grassland and minimise herbicide residue loss to drinking water
The 22 projects to proceed to Round 2 of the European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP) were recently announced by Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.
The minister added: “I am delighted to see that the EIP proposals successful at this stage of the process seek to address a wide range of challenges in the sector.
“Successful proposals include projects to address such diverse themes as water quality, the restoration of upland peats, developing the potential of biomass, livestock management and production, forestry, organic production methods, food chain management, and a number of biodiversity challenges. This shows the potential of the EIP to encourage innovative approaches to the challenges facing the agri-food sector.”
A further open call under the EIP will issue later this year.
An overall funding package of €24m has been allocated to support EIPs under these two calls.
Four of the 22 projects to have been included in the funding address challenges in counties Cork or Kerry.
Increasing sheep genetic gain in Ireland through commercial data capture is the project submitted by Ovi Data for Cork and Kerry.
Biodiversity Regeneration in a Dairying environment is the project submitted by the BRIDE Project Group for Cork and Kerry.
Sustainable Protein in Dairy is the project submitted by the Carbery Alliance for Sustainable Protein in Cork and Kerry.
Water and Agriculture — Delivering Environmental and Economic Sustainability is the project submitted by the Maigue River Operational Group in Co Cork.
The four countrywide projects are on maximising organic production through integrated cropping systems; Robinia, a new tree species for Irish Forestry; Biological Farming Transition Programme (DANÚ Farming Group); and disseminating best management practices for rush control to improve the productivity of grassland and minimise herbicide residue loss to drinking water.
The Irish Biochar Co-operative Society’s project on Biomass to Biocarbon for Farm Bioeconomy in Cos Limerick and Clare is one of the 22 shortlisted, which also include the Limerick Lesser Horseshoe Bat Farm Project.
Others include Delivering more for nature and sustainable farming in the Blackstairs Mountains (Carlow and Wexford); the Enable Conservation Tillage group’s project on Wider adaptation of sustainable conservation tillage systems; the Irish Breeding Curlew Conservation Group’s Conservation of Breeding Curlews in Central Ireland project; and Silva Biome’s project on silvacultural systems for multi-functional forestry on industrial cutaway peatlands.
