Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland, is the heart of a vast interconnected aquatic ecosystem, from its surrounding catchment area to the rivers which flow into it and flow out to the north coast.
In recent years, that heart has been under increasing pressure and, in 2023, an unprecedented blue-green algal bloom appeared, causing immense public interest and which was visible from space.
In this video, we meet farmers John Farr, Michael Meharg and John McLenaghan, who is also deputy president of Ulster Farmers Union.
Michael Meharg and his family have been farming for generations. The Crumlin River rises in the Belfast Hills and flows through his farm before joining Lough Neagh. Michael appreciates that what happens on his land affects not just the river, but the entire Lough Neagh catchment, which spans 1.3 million acres and supports around 13,000 farms.
This vast network of tributaries carries more than just water. Nutrients, pollutants, silt, and even plastics can all find their way from farmland into the river and eventually out to the north coast from Lough Neagh via the River Bann. Michael believes that’s why the actions of farmers matter, not just locally, but regionally.
Michael and John Farr have both participated in the Environmental Farming Scheme, a DAERA funded scheme delivered around the Lough by Lough Neagh Partnership. They have planted hedgerows and pollinator-friendly trees and of critical importance, fenced off buffer zones around the river. These 2-metre strips help filter run-off, keep cattle out of the water, and provide vital habitat for wildlife.
Today, over 1,800 farmers have contributed to buffer strips across the Lough Neagh catchment, enough to stretch across the island of Ireland. Around the shoreline, 35% of fields are now farmed with nature in mind.
John McLenaghan says that he is proud farmer and environmentalist. He believes that with the right policies, science, and collaboration, farmers can face future challenges ranging from climate extremes to biodiversity loss, with resilience and optimism.
They all agree that whilst farmers are often painted as part of the problem, they are also a big part of the solution.
By managing stocking rates, reducing chemical use, and capturing carbon through planting, these farmers are protecting the very systems they rely on, and 45% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water.
The views and opinions on the subject of this video are that of the contributors.
