Developing livestock production systems that enhance environmental sustainability and support a healthy diet
Watch Mairead McGuinness announce the launch of HEARTLAND
Devenish Lands at Dowth
Devenish Lands at Dowth is the home of the HEARTLAND project. Click the video on the right to hear more about the Heartland project from Devenish’s Head of Research Resources
Dr Jean Kennedy.
Watch the animation below to find out what we mean by One Health: From Soil to Society
Soil - our life support system
Soil plays a vital role in every farming system. Therefore its health plays a vital role in producing the food we eat, and defining its nutritional value.
5 reasons why looking after our soils is vital for the environment, the climate and our health:
1
Production of food, fibre and (bio)fuel, which traditionally is the soil function that provides a livelihood to farmers and associated sectors in the rural environment.
2
Water purification - soil plays a vital role in cleaning water physically, chemically and biologically. Soil also has the capacity to decompose certain chemicals and other contaminants.
3
Recycling of (external) nutrients/agro -chemicals - recycling agro-chemicals and by-products back into the system
4
Habitat for biodiversity - soil is home to some really important little critters (microorganisms). They help to break down materials, which release nutrients into the soil, which improve the crops they produce and therefore the food we eat.
5
Carbon storage and sequestration - soils act as carbon pools, they store vast amounts of carbon so it doesnt have to be in the atmosphere. Its important soil isnt disturbed too much, as this releases carbon back to the atmosphere. More carbon in the soil means better growth - this is why putting carbon back into soils is vital to fight climate change.
Grass - the gateway to good soils
The sward that grows from the soil can affect the 5 soil functions. Adjusting the sward type can bolster functionality of the soils below the surface, and result in improved nutrition for grazing animals.
Monocultures
Monocultures are swards that only have plants from one plant community or family. Grazing pastures in the temperate regions of the world are largely dominated by grass only monocultures. These highly productive swards have helped to cope with the vast demands for livestock production to feed an increasing population over the last few decades, however, they are highly dependent on chemical nitrogen fertilisers which are volatile in price and have negative impacts on water, soil and biodiversity.
Multi-species
Multispecies swards are swards which contain plants from more than one plant community or family. They are characterised by a combination of grasses, legumes and herbs and include erect growing species, deep rooting and mineral rich species chosen to enhance diversity within the sward. Multispecies swards have multiple benefits i.e. 1) higher biomass yield production from lower nitrogen inputs 2) improved carbon sequestration 3) attracts more above and below ground biodiversity.
Animal - Livestock grazing
Ensuring that the land the animals graze on is of the best nutrient quality, through effective management of the soil and grazing systems: we can begin to produce food which is of the same nutrient density to aid in healthier diets.
Explore more abut the Heartland projects Work Packages and Objectives