Slurry Solutions EIP to launch on local dairy farm
Farmer-led project bringing people together to explore practical solutions to the challenges faced by soil health & water quality
The Slurry Solutions EIP (Ssuper), a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project, will officially launch later this week (Friday, June 26), on the dairy farm of Gerard O’Reilly, Chairman of Cavan ICMSA.
The event will bring together participating farmers and the project’s advisory committee to discuss its goals, with field trials and machinery demonstrations taking place on the day.
Congratulating the Operational Group on the launch, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD said: “It's great to see this farmer-led project bringing people together to explore practical solutions to the challenges faced by soil health & water quality. Projects like this provide a practical framework for improving soil health and water quality while supporting collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst farmers. The investment and support provided to this project through the European Innovation Partnership programme, which is co-financed by my Department, underlines my commitment to supporting the sector in meeting the challenges they face in developing their farm businesses in a sustainable manner.”
The Slurry Solutions EIP, co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has secured €1.7 million to carry out on-farm trials in slurry separation, inoculation and evaluation to support soil regeneration and improve water quality.
Working across multiple sites and farming enterprises in the Upper Erne catchment, the project aims to introduce innovative slurry management practices that improve environmental outcomes and enhance the sustainability of Irish farming.
Separate our slurry, save our soil
Slurry management remains a major challenge for farmers, environmental regulators and local communities. The project seeks to address issues linked to water quality, soil health and emissions by developing more sustainable approaches to slurry treatment and use.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Project Manager Denise Moran said: “This project represents a significant step toward a more sustainable, circular farming system. By addressing the slurry issue through separation and remediation, we aim to restore soil health and alleviate storage issues whilst reducing emissions, improving water quality and empowering farmers with practical solutions.”
The project team has already begun its farmer education programme and will commence on-farm slurry separation this year.
Gerard O’Reilly, dairy farmer, Chairman of Cavan ICMSA and project participant, explained: “Slurry is one of the best resources we as farmers have inside our farm gate. For too long we have treated slurry simply as a waste product. This project helps farmers to see the true value of slurry and understand the positive impact it can have on soil, grass growth and the farmers overall bottom line.”
The project's overall aim is to establish new slurry management and application practices that reduce environmental impacts and transform slurry into a soil- and water-friendly fertiliser source.