A large proportion (approximately 30%) of milk produced in Ireland originates from farms where the soils can be classified as heavy.
Heavy soils add complexities to the production system that are aggravated by inclement weather conditions like those experienced in 2012 and spring 2013.
With the abolition of milk quotas, there are now opportunities for farmers to increase production.
The heavy soils programme works with farmers, advisers and researchers to identify and propose solutions to the challenges facing farmers on heavy soils.
A whole farm view is taken on all farm investment and any spending on land reclamation, drainage, soil fertility, ryegrass and farm infrastructure must be part of a fully costed farm plan that shows a return on investment for the farmer.
A beef farm in Crossmolina, Co Mayo was added in 2014 and a dairy farm in Cappoquin, Co Waterford, was added this year.
Grass production
Grass grown and utilised on the participating farms is shown in Figure 1. There is a large variation from year to year. 2012 being a very wet year had a production level of 7.8t/ha (75% utilisation 5.8t/ha available), while last year had a production of 11t/ha (80% utilisation 8.8t/ha available).
This illustrates the volatility in grass production associated with heavy soils and is a major risk associated with milk and beef production from these soils.
Soil fertility
The continuing downward trend in soil fertility nationally is also evident on the heavy soils programme farms, with results shown in Table 1.
The carryover effect of the wet 2012 can be seen in 2014 figures as there were very few opportunities to spread P, K or lime in 2012 and in the first half of 2013. There has been a concerted effort by the heavy soils programme farms to invest in soil fertility and this is reflected in the 2015 data.
The major emphasis for the coming year will be on soil pH.
All participating farms identified 2ha of land to be drained. Soil type ranged from peat to heavy clays and fine silts. After site investigation, the most appropriate drainage solution was selected. Deep drains (1.7m), shallow drains (0.9m), mole drains and gravel mole drains were installed and ripping was carried out where necessary on the farms in the summer of 2013 when weather conditions were ideal. Drainage costs ranged from €3,400/ha for collector drains and ripping, €6,000/ha for deep drains to €7,200/ha for gravel mole drains with an average cost of €5,550/ha for all farms.
The Crossmolina farm was added in 2014. A series of test pits were dug to investigate the drainage problems encountered on a 4ha field on this farm on the shores of Lough Conn.
Picture one
This shows an organic top soil on a silty sub-soil with a permeable layer detected at 1.75m. The trend was confirmed on four other test pits at various locations around the field.
Picture two
This is a closeup of an old clay drain that was laid at 60cm in the late 1950s as part a land drainage scheme. These drains worked in a limited capacity; they eventually got blocked up and the field performance went into decline.
Picture three
This shows the main drain deepened to 2.2m. All the spoil was removed to nearby waste ground.
Picture four
This image shows installation of drains at 1.7m deep. An 80mm drainage pipe was used with 10cm of 10mm-40mm clean stone backfill under the pipe and 60cm over the pipe. Some spoil was removed as drains were being dug. The layout of drains is dictated by field contours.
Picture five
The field after drains were installed. A number of large stones were dug up while drains were installed; these were subsequently buried in the field prior to cultivation.
All farms on the heavy soils programme have a met station which records rainfall, air and soil temperatures, evapotranspiration, wind speed and direction. This, combined with sophisticated measuring equipment which monitors drainage flow rates, water tables and soil moisture levels, is building up a bank of very valuable data which will help to evaluate the effectiveness and life span of the various drainage solutions.
A series of farm walks are planned for May to showcase the work done on three of these heavy soils farms. Land drainage, soil fertility and the farm business will be discussed. These events are open to all farmers.
Wednesday 6 May: Con and Nellie Lehane Ballinagree, Macroom.Thursday 7 May: Sean O’Riordan, Kishkeam. Wednesday 13 May: Donal and Michael Keane, Listowel. All are participants in the heavy soils programme, and can be followed on: http://www.teagasc.ie/heavysoils/
Drainage work now carried out on all farms.Average cost: €5,550/ha.Collector drains with a ripping cost of €3,400/ha.Deep drains: €6,000/ha.Gravel mole drains: €7,200/ha.All farms have met station to record rainfall, evapotranspiration, etc.Equipment records drainage flow rates, water table levels and soil moisture levels to evaluate the effectiveness and lifespan of drainage solutions.
A large proportion (approximately 30%) of milk produced in Ireland originates from farms where the soils can be classified as heavy.
Heavy soils add complexities to the production system that are aggravated by inclement weather conditions like those experienced in 2012 and spring 2013.
With the abolition of milk quotas, there are now opportunities for farmers to increase production.
The heavy soils programme works with farmers, advisers and researchers to identify and propose solutions to the challenges facing farmers on heavy soils.
A whole farm view is taken on all farm investment and any spending on land reclamation, drainage, soil fertility, ryegrass and farm infrastructure must be part of a fully costed farm plan that shows a return on investment for the farmer.
A beef farm in Crossmolina, Co Mayo was added in 2014 and a dairy farm in Cappoquin, Co Waterford, was added this year.
Grass production
Grass grown and utilised on the participating farms is shown in Figure 1. There is a large variation from year to year. 2012 being a very wet year had a production level of 7.8t/ha (75% utilisation 5.8t/ha available), while last year had a production of 11t/ha (80% utilisation 8.8t/ha available).
This illustrates the volatility in grass production associated with heavy soils and is a major risk associated with milk and beef production from these soils.
Soil fertility
The continuing downward trend in soil fertility nationally is also evident on the heavy soils programme farms, with results shown in Table 1.
The carryover effect of the wet 2012 can be seen in 2014 figures as there were very few opportunities to spread P, K or lime in 2012 and in the first half of 2013. There has been a concerted effort by the heavy soils programme farms to invest in soil fertility and this is reflected in the 2015 data.
The major emphasis for the coming year will be on soil pH.
All participating farms identified 2ha of land to be drained. Soil type ranged from peat to heavy clays and fine silts. After site investigation, the most appropriate drainage solution was selected. Deep drains (1.7m), shallow drains (0.9m), mole drains and gravel mole drains were installed and ripping was carried out where necessary on the farms in the summer of 2013 when weather conditions were ideal. Drainage costs ranged from €3,400/ha for collector drains and ripping, €6,000/ha for deep drains to €7,200/ha for gravel mole drains with an average cost of €5,550/ha for all farms.
The Crossmolina farm was added in 2014. A series of test pits were dug to investigate the drainage problems encountered on a 4ha field on this farm on the shores of Lough Conn.
Picture one
This shows an organic top soil on a silty sub-soil with a permeable layer detected at 1.75m. The trend was confirmed on four other test pits at various locations around the field.
Picture two
This is a closeup of an old clay drain that was laid at 60cm in the late 1950s as part a land drainage scheme. These drains worked in a limited capacity; they eventually got blocked up and the field performance went into decline.
Picture three
This shows the main drain deepened to 2.2m. All the spoil was removed to nearby waste ground.
Picture four
This image shows installation of drains at 1.7m deep. An 80mm drainage pipe was used with 10cm of 10mm-40mm clean stone backfill under the pipe and 60cm over the pipe. Some spoil was removed as drains were being dug. The layout of drains is dictated by field contours.
Picture five
The field after drains were installed. A number of large stones were dug up while drains were installed; these were subsequently buried in the field prior to cultivation.
All farms on the heavy soils programme have a met station which records rainfall, air and soil temperatures, evapotranspiration, wind speed and direction. This, combined with sophisticated measuring equipment which monitors drainage flow rates, water tables and soil moisture levels, is building up a bank of very valuable data which will help to evaluate the effectiveness and life span of the various drainage solutions.
A series of farm walks are planned for May to showcase the work done on three of these heavy soils farms. Land drainage, soil fertility and the farm business will be discussed. These events are open to all farmers.
Wednesday 6 May: Con and Nellie Lehane Ballinagree, Macroom.Thursday 7 May: Sean O’Riordan, Kishkeam. Wednesday 13 May: Donal and Michael Keane, Listowel. All are participants in the heavy soils programme, and can be followed on: http://www.teagasc.ie/heavysoils/
Drainage work now carried out on all farms.Average cost: €5,550/ha.Collector drains with a ripping cost of €3,400/ha.Deep drains: €6,000/ha.Gravel mole drains: €7,200/ha.All farms have met station to record rainfall, evapotranspiration, etc.Equipment records drainage flow rates, water table levels and soil moisture levels to evaluate the effectiveness and lifespan of drainage solutions. 
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