Slurry Solutions EIP to launch on dairy farm in the Upper Erne catchment
Slurry Solutions (Ssuper) a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project will launch on Friday the 26th of June on the dairy farm of Gerard O’Reilly, Chairman of Cavan ICMSA.
The project team will bring participating farmers and its advisory committee together to meet and discuss the project’s goals. There will be field trials and machinery demonstrations on the day.
Congratulating the Operational Group on the launch, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, said “It’s great to see this farmer-led project bringing people together to explore practical solutions to the challenges faced by soil health & water quality. Projects like this provide a practical framework for improving soil health and water quality while supporting collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst farmers. The investment and support provided to this project through the European Innovation Partnership programme, which is co-financed by my Department, underlines my commitment to supporting the sector in meeting the challenges they face in developing their farm businesses in a sustainable manner.”
The Slurry Solutions EIP, which is co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is also known as Ssuper EIP (www.ssupereip.ie), has been awarded €1.7million funding to carry out on farm trials in slurry separation, inoculation and evaluation to aid in the regeneration of soils and improve water quality. Working across multiple sites and farming enterprises in the Upper Erne catchment, the project will implement innovative, sustainable practices to transform slurry management practices, improve environmental outcomes and enhance the sustainability of Irish farming.
Separate our slurry, save our soil
Slurry management has become a pressing concern for farmers, environmental regulators and local communities. Current practices in dealing with slurry have had and continue to have significant negative impacts on water quality, soil health and emissions, leading to serious long-term consequences for both farming operations and the environment. This project sets out to address these issues by implementing innovative, sustainable practices to transform slurry management, improve environmental outcomes and enhance the sustainability of Irish farming.
Speaking before the launch in Cavan on the 26th of June, Project Manager Denise Moran said “This project represents a significant step toward a more sustainable, circular farming system. By addressing the slurry issue through separation and remediation, we aim to restore soil health and alleviate storage issues whilst reducing emissions, improving water quality and empowering farmers with practical solutions.” The project team has already begun their education programme with participating farmers and will begin on farm slurry separation this year. 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“.
The project’s overarching object is to establish new practices in slurry management and application that will reduce the associated issues around slurry use. It hopes to convert slurry into a soil and water friendly fertilizer source for farms.
