Welcome to Talamh Beo

Niall Moynihan's Farm

EIP Soil Biodiversity Project Participant

Farmer:

Niall Moynihan

Location:

Mallow, Co Cork

Water Catchment Area:

Arraghlin-Blackwater

Land Use:

Cattle, Poultry, Pigs

Niall Moynihan's Farm

Niall’s farm is located in Mallow, County Cork. Niall has been managing his farm organically for over 15 years. The farm’s main enterprise is beef, although they also keep 600-700 laying birds and a small quantity of traditional breed pigs. Niall believes that organic farming is a positive philosophy which rejects artificial fertilisers, pesticides and chemical inputs and that it is a sustainable approach to farming which views the farm as a whole system in harmony with the natural surroundings and nature itself as well as the local communities.

Niall changed to a dexter herd on the farm over 10 years ago, choosing dexter as they are a native breed, so are really suited to the environment and fit easily into Niall’s way of farming. Niall sells his beef directly to customers using local butchers and at food markets.

Niall takes his role as a caretaker of the land very seriously and has adopted a regenerative approach to farming which includes regenerating topsoil, restoring wild flower and clover meadows as well as hedgerow and field margin management. As well as providing his animals with all of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals they need to thrive, this also supports a diverse range of insects and wildlife. 

Niall’s farm is also part of the Duhallow Organics project – founded in 2017, it is a collaborative effort between local organic farmers and butchers who passionately believe in producing wholesome natural food that has been grown locally and with respect for nature. You can view a gallery of images from Niall’s farm here.

Niall introduces himself, his farm and his interest in the soil biodiversity project in this short clip.

Niall introduces himself, his farm and his interest in the soil biodiversity project in this short clip.

You can also connect Niall and Duhallow Organics via their website or social media:

I take my role as a caretaker of the land very seriously and have adopted a regenerative approach to farming. I believe in producing wholesome, natural food that has been grown locally and with respect for nature.

EIP Soil Diversity Project

Niall’s farm at Mallow consists of acid soils, deep, well drained and some peat (blanket bogs).

By participating in the EIP Soil Diversity Project, Niall has trialled and documented a range of technical innovations  (such as bioNutrient meters) and physical innovations (e.g. soil biological activators, mineral amendments, biochar, green manure, compost, compost teas, inoculants etc). On his farm, Niall has put in multispecies swards and is looking at how to establish the swards in a manner which causes the least compaction.

Niall’s progress through Dr Elaine Ingham’s Launch Your Lab (LYL) educational course and the results of his farm trials have been recorded in his farm report. At the end of the course, Niall will be trained and certified to look at soil microbes. This will enable him to carry out analysis for not only his own farm, but to act as a lighthouse farm to other individuals, farms and agri-businesses who can benefit from knowing what their soil needs to boost yields.

Niall’s farm walk took place on the 18th of September, 2022, with a detailed focus on establishing multispecies swards on compacted ground. You can view a summary of Niall’s farm walk here.

You can check out Niall’s course certificate and find out more about his trial plot, experiment and baseline soil test results in his project report.

Project Report

Farm Walk

Niall's farm walk

Join Niall on this walk around his organic farm in County Cork, where we can see his dexter herd, his traditional breed pigs and his happy, free range hens.

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