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Bulrush wetter farming trials

Fluffy bulrush seeds - credit Saltyco®

We are growing bulrushes on areas of re-wetted lowland agricultural peat, to investigate how we can reduce harmful carbon emissions from drained peatlands, whilst also keeping the land financially viable for farmers.

Many of our lowland peatlands have been historically drained and converted to agricultural use. However, we now know that draining water out of peat (which is naturally wet and boggy) causes the release of large amounts of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. By restoring the higher water table these emissions can be significantly reduced and the remaining soil carbon protected.

But what about the farmers who need to make a living from the land?

Wetter farming (also known as paludiculture) is the process of restoring those naturally higher water tables and then growing crops which thrive in these wetter conditions.

BioPuff - cream coloured fluffy padded textile

BioPuff® filling for padded jackets is made from bulrush seeds - credit Saltyco®

One of these crops is bulrushes (typha). Often found growing along the edges of ponds and in other wetter areas, bulrushes are recognisable with their tall stems topped with fluffy brown seed heads.

We are working with materials science company Ponda® who have developed a process to turn the seeds heads into BioPuff®, a revolutionary sustainable textile which can be used as a filling for padded jackets, replacing the need for either goose down or synthetic fibres.

We are currently undertaking bulrush wetter farming trails in Chat Moss in Greater Manchester and at Gore House Farm near Liverpool.

Find out more about our bulrush wetter farming trials

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