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Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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Laois dairy farmer passionate about dung beetles to feature on Ear to the Ground

The spotlight will be on dung beetles, forestry, and fruit farming as Ear to the Ground returns to our screens for the first time in 2021 on Thursday, January 7th.

Dung Beetles

Dairy farmer, Bruce Thompson, isn’t shy about his unusual obsession with dung beetles and their habitat, even going as far as asking the Twittersphere for pictures!

This helpful insect lives and breeds in cowpats, breaking down waste as they work, but they can’t survive worming drugs.

Bruce made a significant reduction in the use of animal wormers on his farm in the hope of reviving the beetle population – and it’s working.

Ella McSweeney visits the farm in Co. Laois to learn about the importance of beetles as part of the natural ecosystem on Irish farms.

Forestry

Pat McCarrick is a Sligo forestry farmer who planted twenty-eight acres of Sitka spruce thirty years ago as an investment.

Having waited two years for his approval, Pat is now one of thousands of foresters caught up in the backlog of appeals and red-tape preventing him from planting or felling trees.

Darragh McCullough explores the impact this backlog is having on the sector.

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Dublin Wine

When you think about all the food and drink that we produce Ireland, wine doesn’t readily come to mind.

But on a 5-acre fruit farm near Lusk in North Co. Dublin, that’s exactly what David Llewellyn is making.

Alongside the apples, pears and plum trees, David grows lines of vines which are turned into red and sparkling wine. Helen Carroll joined David on the day he put the finishing touches to his latest vintage.

Tune into Ear to the Ground at 7pm on RTÉ 1 on Thursday, January 7th, 2021.

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