Protecting farmland biodiversity without even realising it

Claudia Barry and Dr. Saorla Kavanagh highlight a visit by SETU final-year Agricultural Science students to Teagasc Johnstown Castle. Through interactive sessions, students discovered they were already practicing biodiversity-friendly farming, without even realising it.

Dr David Wall, Head of Enterprise at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and SETU lecturer Dr Tony Woodcock recently organised a teaching and dissemination event for SETU final-year Agricultural Science students to visit the Environment, Soil and Land-Use Research Department at Johnstown Castle. This was an opportunity for the students to learn about the latest research being conducted to support the agricultural sector and an opportunity for the researchers at Teagasc Johnstown Castle to showcase the cutting edge research facilities.

During the day, 52 students attended a presentation on Farmland Biodiversity in Irish Agri Landscapes given by Farmland Biodiversity Researcher, Dr Saorla Kavanagh.  At the start of this session students were asked ‘Who defines themselves as a farmer?' All 52 SETU students defined themselves as a farmer. The students were then asked to dived themselves into groups. Those that were confident about what biodiversity is where in Group One (1 student), those that were somewhat confident of what biodiversity is, Group Two, (<20 students) and Group Three, those that were not confident (>30).

The students were divided into groups once more depending on their answer to the question: 'Who grows plants/manages their garden/farm for biodiversity?' Less than five students placed themselves in the yes group. However, once the students were provided with examples of biodiversity-friendly farming (BFF) practices (planting hedgerows, not cutting hedges annually, allowing field margins and non-farmed areas to flower, planting native trees), each one of the students moved into the yes group. All 52 students were implementing BFF practices on their farms but they were not aware of it.

The presentation provided an overview of what biodiversity is, and its benefits for farmers and to society. The status of Irish biodiversity was presented as well as international and national plans to restore biodiversity on farmland. Examples on how we can work together to help biodiversity were discussed. Including allowing permanent pasture and hedgerows to flower. Reducing pesticides, creating solitary bee nest sites, using cover crops, and mixed species swards, as well as recording biodiversity through Biodiversity Maps, managed by the National Biodiversity Data Centre or by recording pollinators using FIT Counts, managed by the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

Lastly, the Farmer-focussed Biodiversity and Agricultural Knowledge Network, FarmBioNet, Horizon project was presented. FarmBioNet aims to:

• Assist farmers in enhancing biodiversity on their farms
• Conduct a cost-benefit analyses of BFF practices
• Develop decision-making tools to help farmers, foresters, and policymakers integrate biodiversity into operations.

At the end of the presentation the students were asked once again to spit into groups. All 52 students moved into the yes group that they were confident about what biodiversity is and what can be done to help.