Ear To The Ground (NEW – Series 25, Programme two)
Thursday 9th November 2017
RTÉ One
8.30pm
*Please note there will be no tx on November 16th and ETTG will return with programme three on November 23rd
JAPANESE KNOTWEED
Having made itself at home in the Irish landscape, Japanese Knotweed is now one of the most invasive species in the world. It can grow up to 3 metres deep and 7 metres across in just one year. While it may look innocuous, its aggressive root growth can undermine buildings, clog rivers and even destroy bridges and roads. The weed is difficult to eradicate and spreads like wildfire, especially if it is cut or flailed, and can take up to 5 years to eradicate from just one area.
Kilkenny farmer Brendan Phelan specialises in treating this weed infestation, using repeated chemical treatments to kill the growth.
Helen Carroll follows Brendan as he tackles the knotweed on the banks of the River Slaney. Meanwhile ecologist Dr Amanda Greer, explains how to recognise this weed and prevent its spread.
FROM DAIRY FARMER to ORCHARD OWNER
James Scannell grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Ovens, Co Cork. In 1996 James’ father took early retirement and he stepped up to take over the family business.
In 2007, James made the decision to get out of the dairy business, and in 2008 he went from owning a dairy farm to starting up an apple orchard. Five months later James had 18,000 trees planted on his land and a contract with Bulmers.
Ella McSweeney visits James on his orchard in Ovens to find out how life differs having gone from dairy farmer to orchard owner tending to 21,000 trees.
DONEGAL FLOODING
This year has seen an unprecedented number of severe weather events like Hurricane Ophelia and Storm Brian. The farming community has borne the brunt of the damage from these storms.
Darragh McCullough visits North East Donegal where the legacy of torrential downpour last August will be felt for years to come. Suckler farmer Michael Gubbins’ house and yard were flooded when the Crana River burst its banks, and he struggled to save his cattle from drowning in their shed. He lost all his winter fodder and has only just returned to his flood damaged house. His pastures are ruined and, but for the generosity of neighbours and farmers in the East, his cattle would go hungry this winter. As it is, he will have to plough and reseed his pastures to restore his land.
Further south, tillage and beef farmer Seamus Lynch in Lifford lost 60% of his potato crop when the flood inundated his fields. The potatoes lie rotting in the ground and cannot be harvested because of the continued broken weather. He has lost over 100,000 euro on his crops and will take many years to recover from this once in a hundred year event.
Meteorologist Gerry Murphy outlines the peculiar set of circumstances that led to the downpour and estimates the probability of it happening again. John McLaughlin of Donegal Co Council outlines the extent of the damage to the roads and bridges and how long it will take to repair the damage left by the floods.
Ear to the Ground is produced by Independent Pictures for RTÉ.
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