A group of Co Cork farmers have become involved in a new agricultural venture which could turn large parts of Ireland's tillage lands blue.
They are planting lupins, which are in flower at the moment, as a possible protein source for a Kinsale animal feed compound company, Henry Good Ltd.
Growing the crop for consumption rather than its beauty was prompted by a rise in the price of soya on the international markets two years ago.
Research at the National Tillage Centre, Oakpark, carried out by a Teagasc researcher, Mr Jim Crowley, showed that lupins contain 39 to 42 per cent protein and may be commercially viable as a home-grown protein source.
Until now Ireland has been forced to rely on imports for nearly all its animal protein sources, although some crops like beans and peas are being grown for this purpose.
Mr Cameron Good, a director of the milling company, said he had approached a number of farmers who had been supplying barley, wheat and other conventional crops to the company.
"They are good farmers and when I suggested they try growing flowers they did not lift an eyebrow because they, too, were interested in the experiment," he said.
"There are now 60 acres of the flower being grown in the area. They look very well, but we still have one problem facing us: will the animals like the taste?" he said.
That part of the experiment will not be completed until after September, when the lupins will be harvested and compounded in animal feed.
Mr Good said the crop had been successfully grown in mainland Europe, Africa and Australia, but this was the first time it had been grown as a commercial crop here.
"The farmers tell me that the crop is easy to grow and, apart from being hit by rust disease, the lupin are now waist-high and are doing well," he said.
"Lupin can also be rotated with cereals so they could provide a viable future as they are also cheaper to produce than conventional cereal crops."
Meanwhile, the people around Kinsale are admiring the latest bit of colour in their lives.