The Upper Erne Slurry Solutions Project, known as the Ssuper EIP, is looking to recruit a number of farmers within a 15km radius of Cootehill to take part in the innovative and timely project. The Ssuper EIP is based on the bio-remediation of slurry, through separation and inoculation. Its aim is to transform slurry into a more valuable on-farm resource that benefits the land, farmers pockets and the local environment by reducing run-off, lowering greenhouse gas emissions & odour whilst increasing storage capacity on the farm.
The Project began in June 2025 and currently works with six farmers in the region. Covering livestock farms from suckler to dairy, organic and conventional, the team behind the project are now looking to bring in six more farmers to begin running on-farm separation, soil and slurry testing of biological inoculums to improve slurry and benefit soil health.
Speaking at the Projects launch June last, Gerard O’Reilly Dairy Farmer, Chairman of the Cavan ICSMA and participant in the project said “Slurry is one of the best resources we as farmers have inside our farm gate. For too long we have treated slurry simply as a waste product. This project helps farmers to see the true value of slurry and understand the positive impact it can have on soil, grass growth and the farmers overall bottom line“.
EIP projects are about putting the farmers front and foremost in research. Each farmer that takes part in the Ssuper EIP is a stakeholder in its objectives and they will get to work alongside other partners such as Vogelsang Ireland. Speaking at the Launch, Vogelsangs Representative said “the Ssuper EIP brings together a group of innovative and progressive farmers with a strong focus on soil health and water quality…we’re looking forward to supporting the project and helping demonstrate how effective slurry separation can be to more sustainable farming practices”.
What’s involved
The team has been working on farm with farmers, separating slurry, taking soil and slurry samples and accessing them using regenerative soil microscopy and DNA analysis. They are currently developing inoculums to treat both the liquid and dry matter making it more bioavailable and beneficial to the farmers soil. The Project has all the necessary equipment on trailers making it easier to move from farm to farm. From slurry separators to compost tuners, slurry, once split into the liquid and dry matter is easier spread and used by the farmer, their soil and local environment. The project is also focused on providing educational modules to the farmer focusing on soil health, grassland management and more.
Project Manager Denise Moran said “This projects is expected to show that through bioremediation of slurry we can improve its management for the farmer and environment; from soil health to water quality, the improved slurry management practices should reduce nutrient losses, reduce dependency on chemical fertiliser and overall improve on farm resource efficiency”.
If you’d like to get involved or have questions about taking part in the project please get in touch with the Project Manager, Denise Moran at pmdenise@ssupereip.ie