Sustainability on a Budget: Five Effective Low-Cost Changes

Introduction

You don’t need to throw tens of thousands at your farm to become more sustainable. Most Irish farmers are already juggling enough and the last thing you need is another scheme demanding cash you don’t have. The truth is, some of the best environmental improvements are low-cost, effective, and already sitting on your doorstep.

This blog walks you through five changes that are already working for farms across Ireland, complete with real timelines, costs, and clear steps to help you get started.

1. Rejuvenate Hedgerows: Quietly Powerful

Why it matters:
Hedgerows do more than mark boundaries. They support over 35% of Irish bird species, reduce wind speeds (helping crops and soils), and provide year-round cover for pollinators. They also store carbon and help farms meet biodiversity rules under ACRES and GAEC. Managed right, they add value without much cost or labour.

Implementation Plan:

• Assessment (Nov–Jan): Walk the boundaries and identify hedgerows that are gappy, leggy, or heavily flailed. Mark areas with potential for rejuvenation or planting.
• Ordering & Prep (Jan–Feb): Source native bare-root whips (e.g. hawthorn, hazel, blackthorn) from a local nursery. Check ACRES specs if applying for support. Clear vegetation or dig trenches where needed.
• Planting (Feb–March): Plant whips 30cm apart in a staggered double row. Ensure roots are moist and soil is firmed in well. Avoid frosty periods.
• Aftercare (Year 1–3): Avoid trimming in the first two years. Spot spray or manually remove grass competition. Rotate trimming on a 2–3 year cycle, leaving flowering sections uncut annually.

Costs and supports:

• Native whips: €1 each (average).
• DIY planting: a few hours with a spade.
• ACRES payments: €5.29/m (coppicing), €6.24/m (new planting)
• Example cost for 200m: ~€250 — potentially fully covered by the scheme.

2. Soil Test, Then Spend Less on Fertiliser

Why it matters:
Most Irish grassland soils are low in phosphorus, but many farmers still spread full-rate P and K. That wastes money and pollutes water. Soil testing means you only spread what’s needed. Lime boosts nutrient availability and pays for itself quickly. Better data = better margins.

Implementation Plan:

• Sampling (Oct–Feb): Divide the farm into blocks (no more than 4ha per sample). Avoid sampling within 12 weeks of fertiliser or slurry application. Use a corer to take 20+ cores per block at 10cm depth.
• Testing (Week 2): Label samples clearly and send to a certified lab (e.g. FBA, Southern Scientific). Request analysis for pH, P, K and Mg.
• Interpretation (Week 3–4): Work with an adviser to create a nutrient management plan. Prioritise lime if pH is below 6.2 for grassland. Delay fertiliser until lime has had time to act (4–6 months).
• Application (March–May): Adjust fertiliser spreading to match actual needs, using compound blends only where indices demand it.

Costs and savings:

• Soil tests: €25–€30/sample.
• Lime: €25/tonne spread.
• Savings: €60–€100/ha/year depending on starting indices.
• Timeline: Completed within 6 weeks.

3. Try Multi-Species Swards (MSS) in One or Two Paddocks

Why it matters:
MSS reduce fertiliser needs by up to 50% and hold up better in drought. Deep-rooting species like chicory improve soil and animal health. Studies show similar yields to ryegrass, better resilience, and improved meat and milk quality. It’s a small shift with long-term upside.

Implementation Plan:

• Site Selection (Feb–Mar or Aug–Sep): Choose dry, sheltered paddocks with good grazing infrastructure. Avoid compacted or heavily poached ground.
• Seedbed Prep (4–6 weeks out): Graze tight, spray off existing sward, and direct drill or power harrow. Maintain shallow sowing depth (5–10mm). Roll after sowing for soil contact.
• First Grazing (Week 6–8): Graze at 8–10cm to encourage tillering. Avoid topping in Year 1 unless bolting species dominate.
• Management (Ongoing): Rotate grazing. Reduce or eliminate nitrogen application — rely on white/red clover and herbs for nutrient cycling. Monitor sward balance and patch reseed if species drop out.

Costs and returns:

• Seed: €80–€120/acre.
• Drilling: €60–€100/acre.
• Fertiliser savings: Up to €150/ha/year.
• Example cost for 5 acres: €900.
• Timeline: 6–8 weeks from reseeding to first grazing.

4. Collect Rainwater for Washdowns and Yard Use

Why it matters:
We get enough rain in Ireland and it’s daft not to use it. A 100m² shed roof can collect 60,000 litres in a year. That’s plenty for cleaning machinery, yards or topping up troughs. It reduces pressure on wells or mains, especially in dry spells, and saves on energy costs.

Implementation Plan:

• Planning (Week 1): Identify clean shed roof space (galvanised or slate preferred). Measure potential catchment (1mm rain = 1L/m²).
• Set-Up (Week 2–3): Fit gutters and downpipes with a mesh filter to divert debris. Connect to a 1,000L IBC or clean tank using food-grade pipe. Install a tap or simple submersible pump if pressure is needed.
• Use (Ongoing): Use collected water for washing machinery, yard surfaces, irrigation, or topping up water troughs. Monitor for algal growth in summer and clean tanks quarterly.

Cost and benefits:

• IBC tanks: €60–€100.
• Guttering & pipework: €80–€120.
• Labour: DIY or ~€200–€300 if hired.
• Total setup: ~€200–€400.
• Timeline: 2–3 weeks to full use.
• Savings: Up to €500/year depending on water usage.

5. Leave Uncut Margins Along Fields or Drains

Why it matters:
Uncut margins support pollinators, birds, and natural pest control. They also protect waterways from nutrient run-off and can meet biodiversity targets in eco-schemes. Great for low-performing corners or awkward strips, with little effort or cost.

Implementation Plan:

• Selection (Jan–Feb): Choose 2–3m strips along ditches, field edges, or unproductive corners. Avoid high-traffic access points.
• Preparation (Feb–Mar): Mark margins with posts or temporary fencing. Let vegetation regenerate naturally or sow a native meadow mix. Avoid applying slurry, fertiliser or spray to these areas.
• Management (March–Sept): Leave unmown and ungrazed during the growing season. Allow natural flowering and seeding. Light grazing in late autumn (Oct–Nov) can help manage biomass.
• Monitoring (Year 1–2): Photograph margins in spring and summer for ACRES evidence. Spot-treat docks or thistles if needed.

Costs and scheme fit:

• Fencing: €1.50–€3/m (if needed).
• Wildflower seed: €60–€100/acre (optional).
• ACRES support: €1.50–€2.00/m.
• Cost for 100m margin: €150–€250.
• Timeline: Done in a weekend; benefits by summer.

Conclusion

Sustainability doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming. Small, well-planned steps can deliver real gains for your land and your pocket.

Start with what suits your system, one paddock, one hedge, one change.

And if you’re not sure where to begin, we’re here to help.

*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.