Each month, we put the spotlight on a Tirlán employee and for our May newsletter, we’re talking to Matthew Moylan, Sustainability Advisor

Matthew Moylan, Sustainability Advisor, celebrates six years with Tirlán in June and is revelling in his busy role as part of the new Farm Support Service, working hand in hand with suppliers in the Slaney catchment.

He’s one of a dedicated team working with Tirlán suppliers across Wicklow, Carlow and Wexford to help reduce nitrogen losses in what the Environmental Protection Agency’s water testing programme has identified as “a catchment of concern”.

The Agricultural Science graduate at Waterford Institute of Technology started out in the powder plant in Belview and transferred over to the sustainability team two and a half years ago.

“I absolutely love it. We’ve a lot of work to do on the ‘Farming for Water: River Slaney Project’. But the engagement from suppliers has been great and there is real momentum behind the programme. I worked with Teagasc and for Farm Relief Services when I graduated and then took six months out and travelled to Australia and New Zealand.

“I worked in Belview for three and a half years and when a role came up in sustainability, I jumped at the opportunity. There’s no typical day in this role. Now that the weather is finally improving, we’re hoping to get out more onto farm and work with our suppliers and help them to farm in a more sustainable manner.

“We were delayed a bit getting onto farm because of the bad weather. But we’re out more now and the level of engagement is fantastic. Our suppliers have always been engaged and are very open to taking advice. We’ve a very high engagement rate of 98% on the ASSAP programme.

“Our focus for the next two years will very much be on the Slaney and improving water quality there. It’s crucial if we’re going to retain the Nitrates Derogation. We’ll be looking at their farm infrastructure, their nutrient management plan, improving their milk solids and help them become more economically and environmentally sustainable. They can go hand in hand.”

Matthew lives on the family farm in Dunamaggin so even after a long day, he’s ready, willing and able to help with milking or any other jobs around the farm. And to relax, he’s a keen follower of Leinster rugby and also Kilkenny hurling.

“I don’t play sports anymore unfortunately. I played a bit of hurling and football in my day. It’s important to keep up to date with all of the changing legislation and regulation in this job, so I’ve also signed up to the Sustainable Farming Academy and am studying at UCC.

“Every day is a learning day and there’s always something new you can learn. Lots has changed since I studied at WIT. It’s great to pick up new pointers, learn new things and I can do the assignments at quieter times of the year on the job.

“It’s also great to be mixing with suppliers on the course. You hear things from the other undergraduates and it makes you better at your job. It’s fun as well as learning and I’m delighted I signed up.”

Matthew says he loves the variety in his role and the genuine engagement from farmers. “We’ve a lot to achieve in the next 18 months in the Slaney. There is serious work to be done. But when you arrive on farm and you are greeted by a supplier who is hungry for knowledge, ready and willing to engage, it’s refreshing and rewarding. I’d be very hopeful that we will achieve our goals there.”