This project tests the use of biochar combined with multispecies swards to improve soil health on farms in Counties Clare and Tipperary, Ireland. It aims to enhance soil fertility, nutrient efficiency, water regulation, structure, and overall resilience, increasing biomass production under real farming conditions. The trial will run across four systems: organic and conventional dairy, organic sheep, and hemp farms, representing different soils, climates, and grazing pressures. Many of these soils suffer from compaction, low biodiversity, poor drainage, and weak moisture retention.

Biochar will be added to slurry (1,000 kg/acre with 15,000 L slurry) to improve nutrient retention, soil structure, and microbial activity while reducing losses. In parallel, fields will be reseeded with diverse plant species to boost soil biodiversity, improve water management, and address monoculture limitations. Treated plots will be compared with control areas.