Irish farmers, working with nature

This display shows an example of various ‘multi species sward’ mixes.  A sward is a portion of land covered in grass. The grass seeds that are planted in a multi species sward are a mixed variety of species, for example, perennial ryegrass, timothy, plantain, chicory, or red/white clover. This mix of different grass types gives benefits to the soil as well as to the animals that graze it. 

Manure is an organic fertiliser that is commonly used on Irish farms. The low emission slurry spreading technology on display shows how Irish farmers are continuing to improve, by changing the way they spread this organic fertiliser on the ground to reduce its impact on the environment.

Developments in technology mean that greater efficiency can be achieved with modern farm machinery. GPS in tractors that enables precision farming (targeted application of seeds/fertiliser) and collars on cows that can detect a range of health and nutrition insights are just two examples of how this technology can help improve Irish farming.