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EAR TO THE GROUND

ETTG28_TX4_Piedmontese Image Name: ETTG28_TX4_Piedmontese
ETTG28_TX4_Hexafly_01 Image Name: ETTG28_TX4_Hexafly_01
ETTG28_TX4_Hexafly_02 Image Name: ETTG28_TX4_Hexafly_02

Series 28, Episode 4

Hexafly
One of the most fascinating startups to emerge from Ireland in recent years has been Hexafly. Established in 2016, the company is at the forefront of the bioeconomic movement in Ireland, having developed a technology to breed Black Soldier Flies and grow larvae from the eggs produced. This is then used as an animal feed product that is sustainable, high in protein and gaining traction worldwide. Darragh McCullough is on-site in Co. Meath to follow the process and assess the potential of insect protein for Irish farming.

Pearl Mussel
Ireland’s oldest animal, the freshwater pearl mussel, lives to 120 years making many of them older than the State itself. Sadly it’s also endangered as it relies on the purity of the water to survive and it is highly sensitive to
environmental changes. Irish farmers & ecologists are now working hand-in-hand to manage farming habitat to save this amazing animal. Ella McSweeney is in Co. Mayo to learn how this partnership is making a
difference.


Piedmontese Cattle
Regardless of the advice, he was given, Tipperary farmer Michael Commins was determined to keep farming beef. So much so that he traveled to Italy to find a more profitable breed. There he discovered the Piedmontese cow, an intriguing breed with beautiful colours and a double-muscled physique. Helen Carroll meets Michael on his farm to find out about the challenges of acclimatizing his herd to the Irish weather, and the benefits from a growing market in Ireland for a leaner cut of beef.