Farming for the Future: Open Farm Walk & Talk
Over 300 farmers attended the Tirlán and Teagasc ‘Farming for the Future’ water quality event.
Farmers across Ireland gathers for the Tirlán and Teagasc ‘Farming for the Future’ water quality event on the farm of Donal & Fiona Kavanagh, near Baltinglass, Co Wicklow. The event explored farming in derogation while maintaining good water quality. It offered farmers action-focused advice and showed the significant efforts that farmers are undertaking to stabilise and improve water quality in their region.
As part of Tirlán’s collaborative ‘Farming for Water: River Slaney’ project with Teagasc and LawPro, we are working to improve water quality and assist Ireland in putting the best possible case forward for retention of the Nitrates Derogation.
The event heard that a focus on nutrient use efficiency (NUE) on farm can deliver or maintain higher output at a lower cost. Teagasc Director Dr Frank O’Mara highlighted that it is possible to farm in derogation at the current 220kg of organic nitrogen (N) per hectare (N/ha) and deliver good water quality.
Dr Lisa Koep, Chief ESG Officer, said the turnout for the event on Donal Kavanagh’s farm showcases how focused the farmer-owned cooperative’s suppliers are on improving water quality, while also improving the economic sustainability of their farms.
“Farmers are truly committed to making the changes on their farms to address water quality challenges. Events like this are taking place all over the country and are hugely important. It showcases to all of the stakeholders that we are committed as an industry to improving our water quality.”
On water quality Tirlán’s good work continues, with almost 800 farm visits completed in 2023. This good work is paying dividend, with the most recent EPA report showing a marginal improvement of water quality in the South-East.
Speakers at the event included representatives from Tirlán, Teagasc, Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), the ICMSA and Local Authority Waters Programme (LawPro).
