On-Farm Rush Control Information Session
04 Sep 2024
Castle Archdale Country Park, County Fermanagh
Wednesday 4th September, 2:00pm and 6:30pm
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in conjunction with Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) are holding an on-farm rush control event on Wednesday 4th September at Castle Archdale Country Park, 346 Killadeas Road, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, BT94 1PP.
Rush is a common problem in fields across Northern Ireland. Some rush in a field can be a benefit providing shelter for livestock and wildlife, but once the rush becomes dense it makes the area inaccessible to both stock and wildlife.
Common sprays for rush can contain the chemical MCPA which persists in the environment for a long time and can have negative effects on water quality which are costly to remedy when the water is extracted and treated before entering the drinking water system.
CAFRE has been conducting rush control demonstrations based on methods to reduce the impact on water quality. The results of different rush control treatments carried out in June will be viewed in one field in the park, with a particular emphasis on the benefits of weed wiping with glyphosate versus boom spraying with MCPA.
NI Water staff will discuss water quality of the Erne catchment and the treatment process at the drinking water extraction plant. Staff will also speak about the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of rush control, the effect of these on raw water quality and the impact on the costs of treatment to ensure good quality drinking water.
You can register for the event by using the button below: