‘Farming for the Future' event to take place in Laois
The farm walk will take place on Seamus Brennan's farm at Attanagh, Co Laois, from 11 am until lunchtime, with Tirlán encouraging farm families from across its catchment to attend.
Tirlán's sustainability programme teams will be in attendance for panel discussions and presentations by experts from Teagasc, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture, Tillage Industry Ireland, Dairy Industry Ireland, and Meat Industry Ireland. Farming organisations are invited and encouraged to contribute to the practical, information-focused event.
Presentations and a panel discussion will cover key areas such as farm economic performance and sustainability, protecting water quality with smart nutrient management, and how to avail of the Farming for Water EIP grant funding.
Attendees will also hear how they can boost performance through milk solids. The whole sector approach to enhancing water quality also includes demonstrations throughout the event on fertiliser spreader calibration and managing catch crops.
Tirlán chairperson John Murphy said: 'With a decision on Ireland's Nitrates Derogation now less than six months away, we're hosting this practical, information-focused event close to Ballyragget on the Laois/Kilkenny border to assist our farm families in continuing their work to enhance the environment on their farms.
"This whole-of-sector approach is paramount and we want every farmer who attends to take home nuggets that they can implement on their own farm to protect water and help strengthen our case as we bid to retain the Nitrates Derogation.'
Host farmer Seamus Brennan said: 'Even the smallest actions on-farm can have a very positive impact on the environment. I've made changes on my farm that have benefited both the environment and the economic sustainability of my family farm. I'm delighted to host the event and would like to encourage farmers to come along.'
A similar flagship event in June of last year attracted large numbers and resonated with suppliers, speakers, and partner organisations involved in Tirlán's ongoing 'Farming for Water: River Slaney Project', which has now been extended across the co-operative's entire catchment.
Mr Brennan's farm is located at Attanagh, near Ballyragget, close to the Kilkenny/Laois border, Eircode R32 NX26.
Read More
Demo farm reports 32% lower emissions with more profitable cattle
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
20 hours ago
- Agriland
Straw availability in 2025: A tale of two islands
Straw availability on the island of Ireland is very strong at the present time, Co. Derry merchant, Robert Miller has confirmed. However, the merchant said: 'It's the polar opposite scenario in Britain. 'The main cereal growing areas of England have not seen rain in five months." The merchant highlighted the high quality of straw coming up from the Republic. 'We are already bringing up large quantities of barley straw from the main grain growing areas in Leinster and Munster. 'There's plenty of it and the quality is excellent.' It is estimated that Ireland produces about one million tonnes of cereal straw annually. Initial projections from Teagasc indicate that winter barley crops harvested over recent days are averaging between 14 and 15 4X4 round bales/ac of straw. This is in line with the high cereal yields achieved up to this point. Winter wheat yields are also projected to be well up year-on-year. This holds out the promise of yet more high quality straw becoming available later in the season. Oat straw is notoriously difficult to manage. This is due to the wide variability in maturity levels of plants within a crop. But with all cereal crops reaching maturity at an accelerated rate, there is growing confidence that all cereal straw produced in Ireland this year will be fit for combining. This, in turn, puts a question mark over what proportion of the 2025 crop will be finally earmarked for the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM). Some weeks ago, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Fisheries Martin Heydon secured a €5 million top-up to the funding available for the programme. One upside to the poor availability of straw in Britain is the reduced threat of importing herbicide-resistant weed seeds, including blackgrass, into Ireland. Meanwhile, merchants such as Robert Miller point to a very strong demand for straw in Northern Ireland over the coming months - both for animal feed and bedding purposes. And this trend looks set to continue. Straw and hay merchant Robert Miller Increasingly, dairy farmers include straw in the total mixed ration (TMR) they feed to both their lactating and dry cows. Significantly, Miller believes that selling straw and hay on a per bale basis does not convey to farmer-customers the full details of what they are buying. He said: 'Straw and hay must be sold on a weight basis. 'Only then will farmers know exactly what they are really getting for their money. 'I buy straw exclusively on a weight basis. Each 8x4x3 bale is guaranteed to weigh 500kg, 'I can then sell the hay and straw to customers on the same basis.'
Agriland
20 hours ago
- Agriland
Withdrawing fields from SIM? Get the paperwork sorted out in time
A significant number of tillage farmers may wish to withdraw some fields from the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM). This reflects the continuing good weather and excellent baling conditions. Michael Hennessy, head of Teagasc's Crops Knowledge Transfer Department, commented: 'Harvest 2025 is progressing well. "One particularly notable feature has been both the quantity and quality of straw produced by many crops. 'In light of this, some farmers may wish to withdraw some fields from the Straw Incorporation Measure .' 'Two points are relevant in this regard. First off, the Department of Agriculture should be notified of an intention to bale straw, rather than chop it, at point of combining. According to Hennessey, waiting until after the straw is baled to notify the department "could prove problematic". 'Farmers should also ensure they have a market for the straw they are baling and that the prices on offer at least match the funding available through the Straw Incorporation Scheme,' he added This week has seen the first of this year's spring barley crops harvested. And the feedback from farmers up to this point has been very encouraging. Spring barley yields are in the range 3.0-3.5t/ac, with grain quality also good. And it really is a case of action on all fronts with oilseed rape and winter wheat crops ready now ready for the combine in many parts of the country. Early indications are that rape crops are yielding particularly well. it is worth noting, however, that the spring crops coming through now were planted in March. The yields of later sown spring barleys may not be as promising, a direct result of the drought conditions that impacted across Ireland throughout the month of May. Meanwhile, most forage maize and beet crops continue to look well. Recent rains have boosted growth rates significantly. The prospect of a September harvest date for maize grown under plastic is shaping up to be a genuine possibility in many parts of the country. Demand for maize continues to grow on dairy and beef farms. The forage is widely recognised as a high quality feed source for stock of all ages. Met Éireann is forecasting a good deal of dry weather for the week ahead. There will be some rain or showers at times with temperatures reaching the high-teens to low-twenties . In terms of upcoming tillage events, Teagasc will be hosting its Tillage Forum in the Killashee Hotel, Naas on Wednesday, September 10.
Agriland
20 hours ago
- Agriland
Premium crops 'crucial to economic livelihood' of significant number of farmers
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has met with the drinks industry to discuss the current market outlook and stress the importance of supporting premium crop growers. The situation remains exceptionally challenging at present due to a combination of economic uncertainty arising from US tariffs, and inflation and cost of living pressures, the IFA said. Commenting after the discussion with representatives from Drinks Ireland and the Irish Whiskey Association, IFA grain vice-chair John Murphy said it was a constructive and informative meeting. 'It could be well into 2026 before full clarity exists within the market and this news will be concerning for barley producers,' John Murphy said. The US is by far the largest importer of Irish whiskey and a boom in sales so far this decade has resulted in a significant increase in demand for malting and adjunct barleys at farm level, the IFA said. 'Premium crops are crucial to the economic livelihoods of a significant number of tillage farmers,' Murphy continued. The Irish Whiskey Association informed the IFA that work is ongoing to ensure an increase of sales of Irish whiskey in other emerging markets, such as India and South Africa. However, the association has highlighted barriers to trade also being present in these regions and pivoting sales will not happen overnight. IFA stressed to the Irish Whiskey Association the importance of the whiskey sector using 100% Irish malting barley. The IFA malting barley committee said it is aware that some distillers have started to use imported European malt in recent times, which it described as a "disappointing development". 'Both the tillage sector and the whiskey sector are facing a significant threat to their viability at present and it is critically important producers and end users work together to support each other,' IFA's Murphy added. According to the Irish Whiskey Association, last year, there were more than 16 million cases of Irish whiskey sold worldwide, and the US was a "central" market. The association said that the "zero-for-zero tariff trading environment between the EU and US has served the spirits industry well for nearly 30 years".
