Scientists at Aberystwyth University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) and Rothamsted Research North Wyke in Devon are developing new grasses that enable soils to capture increased volumes of rainfall, thereby reducing the risk of flooding downstream.
Many of our river catchments are upland grasslands predominating in the wettest areas of the UK.
If the rates of surface run-off could be reduced and rainfall captured more effectively by grassland soils, then the worst impacts of heavy rainfall downstream may be reduced.
Surefoot, which is a five-year £2.5 million project, builds on an earlier body of research, which discovered that a forage grass hybrid known as Festulolium which was bred for livestock systems, also held a hidden underground and previously unknown property.
Dr Mike Humphreys of IBERS, who is leading the project, said: "Festulolium, which are defined as natural hybrids between ryegrass and fescue species, are very much the grasses for the future.
"They are the way ahead for sustainable livestock agricultural practices.
"Festulolium as a group differ widely in their attributes, but IBERS has developed options that provide for increased resilience to climate change, and more water and nutrient-use efficiency together with several examples of environmental service.
"Their large, well-developed root systems combat flooding, reduce soil erosion and compaction, and offer opportunities for significant carbon capture and storage at depth in soils."
Interactions between the roots and soil instigated a change in soil structure leading to increased water retention.
That results in a prolonged and significant 51% reduction in rainfall run-off when compared with equivalent grasses that were grown alongside, and are currently used extensively throughout the UK.
Market round-up
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 17 prime cattle forward at their weekly sale in Dumfries on Wednesday when heifers sold to 230p per kg and averaged 213p, while bullocks peaked at 220.5p and levelled at 188p.
There were 57 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 128.4p and dairy cows levelled at 110.8p.
The firm also sold 820 prime hoggs to a top of £100 per head and 238p per kg to average 193.2p (-5.4p on the week).
The 420 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £107.50 for Texels and average £63.09 (-£2.19), while light ewes peaked at £64.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £48.68 (+£1.42).
United Auctions sold 322 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 258.9p and an average of 220.6p (-7.1p), while 445 store bullocks peaked at 295p and levelled at 239.3p (-5.8p).
One-hundred-and-two store, B&W bullocks sold to 172.9p and averaged 161.2p (+0.7p).
In the rough ring 169 cows averaged 128.9p.
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