Ken Gill’s actions to improve water quality on his farm
Future Beef Programme participant, Ken Gill is working on completing his actions for the Farming for Water EIP after being approved for a range of measures aimed at improving water quality on his farm.
The approved measures include a rainwater management plan, a farmer training course, a nutrient management plan, catch/cover crops, a small scale wetland pond, a farmyard settlement tank, bovine exclusion from water bodies, a solar powered electric fencer, vegetated bunded drains, a host farmer payment, a contractor mobilisation fee, a farmyard bucket and brush, and slurry testing.
Ken recently took the opportunity to get some digger work completed. The vegetated bunded drains help maximise the retention of sediment and nutrients, while also creating opportunities for water infiltration into the soil. As part of this work, the existing drain was widened slightly and deepened to help slow the water flow. This enhances sediment deposition and promotes plant uptake of nutrients within the ditch or drain.
Figure 1: Bunded drain to help maximise the retention of sediments and nutrients
Ken also made changes to the small-scale wetland pond by raising the area where the water flows out in order to keep more water in it. This will be a particular help in summer, when the pond can dry out if water levels are too low. He also installed a pipe so that it would not flood the surrounding areas.
Figure 2: Small scale wetland pond
Another investment Ken made was in the farmyard bucket and brush, which can be used to keep the farmyard clean. He used it to clean the silage pit before cutting silage and was very happy with the result, which also saved him work from power washing it.
The above was adapted for use on Teagasc Daily from a Future Beef farmer update authored by Aisling Molloy, Future Beef Programme Advisor.
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