Teagasc has begun an intense hedgerow planting effort that will see thousands of metres of new hedgerows on its farms.
Several hundred metres are being planted on some Teagasc farms, and over 1km on others, including the dairy stronghold Moorepark.
A recent Teagasc study indicated that there was an average of approximately 7% of habitats on intensive Irish farms.
While the majority of Teagasc farms exceed this benchmark, it says there are still opportunities to increase the quantity, quality and connectivity of existing and new habitats.
There are two hedgerow mixtures being planted; low-diversity hedgerow mixtures which consist of whitethorn and blackthorn, and high-diversity mixtures, which feature whitethorn, blackthorn, and at least five other native hedgerow and tree species.
The new hedges will be used to research the impact of hedgerow plant diversity and management on various environmental services, ranging from biodiversity to carbon storage.
Many of the existing habitats on Teagasc farms are located on the boundary or perimeter of the farm.
The new hedgerows are being targeted to the interior of the farms to improve, among other things, carbon storage.
Read more
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Teagasc has begun an intense hedgerow planting effort that will see thousands of metres of new hedgerows on its farms.
Several hundred metres are being planted on some Teagasc farms, and over 1km on others, including the dairy stronghold Moorepark.
A recent Teagasc study indicated that there was an average of approximately 7% of habitats on intensive Irish farms.
While the majority of Teagasc farms exceed this benchmark, it says there are still opportunities to increase the quantity, quality and connectivity of existing and new habitats.
There are two hedgerow mixtures being planted; low-diversity hedgerow mixtures which consist of whitethorn and blackthorn, and high-diversity mixtures, which feature whitethorn, blackthorn, and at least five other native hedgerow and tree species.
The new hedges will be used to research the impact of hedgerow plant diversity and management on various environmental services, ranging from biodiversity to carbon storage.
Many of the existing habitats on Teagasc farms are located on the boundary or perimeter of the farm.
The new hedgerows are being targeted to the interior of the farms to improve, among other things, carbon storage.
Read more
Stonewalls ‘equally as important’ as hedgerows for biodiversity
Book published on the role of results-based payments in agriculture
Farmers face sweeping changes under sustainability scheme
Can trees, flowers or hedges help boost your grain yields?
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