The green, green grass of Kilbeggan

The mission Mean Scoil an Chlochair students Marie-Claire Maxwell from Ballinagore, Amy Seery, Ballinagore, and Rachel Murphy, Tyrrellspass, set out for themselves was to investigate if the use of multispecies swards can help cut the quantity of nitrate-based fertilisers used in farming, reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture and thereby improving sustainability.

"Agriculture is one of the big contributors to greenhouse gases," says Rachel, explaining the motivation behind their project.

To test their theory, Amy says, they devised their own multispecies mix, which consisted of two grasses, two legumes and three herbs – chosen for their yield and their nutrient value. At the same time as planting that, they grew a mix devised by UCD and tested the two against a conventional grass.

After analysis, Marie Claire reveals, the mixes outperformed the conventional grass.

The conclusion of the three is that the reward for using a multispecies mix is quality forage and greatly-reduced rates of nitrogen input while improving soil structure and soil organic matter. Other benefits they say use of a multispecies mix would bring to agriculture are a reduction in soil erosion and an improvement in animal health.

There are financial benefits too: the team estimates the saving in fertiliser cost to be as much as €120 per acre per annum.