Is bedding animals with peat new?

Bedding animals using peat has been around since the Crimean war in the 1850s. It was also used extensively for horses during World War 1. More recently is has been used for the past 20 years in Ireland in small amounts.

Are you seeing a renewed interest at the moment?

We cannot keep the phone answered due to the shortage of straw. There has been a huge upsurge in demand and interest all across Ireland as farmers try to secure winter bedding and reduce their straw demand.

Have you supplies available to meet the demand?

We have no problem in meeting demand. We had a very good peat harvest this year due to the prolonged dry weather which allowed us to harvest 120% of our targeted normal quantities. We also hold large stocks (at least two years) peat to reduce our exposure when there is poor weather. The guaranteed supply from year to year means less volatility in supply and underpins stable prices.

What is the peat normally used for?

The majority of our peat is used to produce energy. However this is changing as we transition the business away from peat power generation. By 2030 we will no longer produce any power from peat.

Does this mean there will be limited supplies in the future?

We will be harvesting peat for many years to come. We will produce peat for horticulture and bedding for at least the next twenty years. We haven’t opened any new bogs in the last 10 years. Today we have a harvest footprint of less than 3% of all Irish peat lands.

Is it better value than straw?

At the current prices it is better value than straw or woodchip. It costs around €15/m3 but this depends on quantities purchased. It really depends but it can be up to 20% cheaper than straw at the moment. Bord na Mona peat is a high-quality light-density peat which means it absorbs 10 times its own weight. You also don’t have to change it as often and it can last for up to eight weeks in the right conditions.

Is there a benefit to the soil after use?

Once used for bedding it can be spread as a soil conditioner with nutrients to improve the soil.

Where can it be bought?

It is available nationwide and we sell it directly. We are currently in talks with co-ops and hope to have it available through them very soon.

Title: Head of Peat production at Bord na Mona.

Company Turnover: €395m.

Land ownership: 200,000 acres.

7.5% of all Irish bogs are owned by Bord na Móna.