Henry Walsh: It's good to be reminded that the world is not against us farmers
David Kenny, Teagasc's head of animal and bioscience research, oversaw a large gathering of impressive young people, many of them in research and all working for the good of agriculture.
Farmers can often feel the world is against them, but conferences such as this give great reassurance that some of the best and brightest young people are working with us to produce healthy nutritious food in a cost-effective manner while helping us lower our carbon footprint.
There were presentations on topics including gene editing, additives that help to reduce methane emissions and technologies to help us utilise our resources better.
Bursaries were handed out to enable researchers to continue their work on a range of subjects.
One of the challenges has always been to get research findings into practice on farms so that we can benefit financially, and the other is to make it commercially attractive for companies to invest in it to get it to market.
This conference looked to merge the two as private enterprise mingled with science and research.
Prof Michael Diskin, a reproductive physiologist, was given a lifetime achievement award for his work on fertility, much of it done in Teagasc Athenry.
In my early years farming there were so many myths around fertility. AI was not trusted on most farms.
There was often speculation at farmer gatherings that nitrogen fertiliser was causing embryo losses.
Prof Diskin's great work replaced fiction with facts as he systematically identified the key components required to achieve good fertility, such as a rising plane of nutrition and starting with simple achievable targets like the correct body condition score at calving.
ADVERTISEMENT
Our farm walk was very rewarding with a strong level of engagement by the delegates, who had a good understanding of what we are trying to achieve here.
The sunny weather helped the discussions, particularly around the role of pasture in our system.
I explained that one of my frustrations last year was the absence of clover from the sward in early summer, while this year the clover is visible and alive, so hopefully we can get it to contribute earlier in the season.
We talked about our breeding policy, from sexed semen to the use of the DBI index and how we are looking at the health traits with TB resistance in mind now because of our breakdown.
We discussed protected urea and indicated our support for it even though there is a lack of trust among some farmers in the product in times of moisture deficits.
Another topic was our approach to labour, and the challenges of securing skilled help.
We stressed the importance of a good working environment with labour-efficient facilities and the use of simple affordable technology such as the Batt Latch to let cows in from the paddock for milking without human involvement.
Henry and Patricia Walsh farm in Oranmore, Co Galway along with their son Enda
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
6 hours ago
- Agriland
Grassland habitat ‘shown greatest decline in biodiversity'
Biodiversity plays a vital role in nature-based solutions, contributing to key areas such as climate regulation, water quality, carbon sequestration, and flood mitigation according to Teagasc. These key areas also greatly impact agriculture, highlighting the vulnerable inter-dependent relationship between both. To raise awareness about this the Heritage Council and Teagasc co-hosted a landmark event in Birr, Co. Offaly (June 12), celebrating the biodiversity and cultural heritage of Ireland's extensive grasslands. Virginia Teehan, chief executive of the Heritage Council, highlighted the importance of collaboration in protecting Ireland's natural heritage said: 'Extensive grasslands are shaped by long-standing relationships between people, place, and nature.' 'They hold enormous biodiversity value, especially for pollinators, ground-nesting birds, and wildflowers, but they are also deeply rooted in Ireland's rural heritage'. The event also featured a keynote address by Dr. John Feehan and a series of expert talks on grassland management, biodiversity monitoring, and agri-environment schemes. One of the highlights of the day was the launch of the reprinted edition of The Grasses of Ireland book, a foundational guide for grassland identification and conservation, originally published by Teagasc and UCD and now reissued with support from the Heritage Council. Biodiversity Speaking at the event, Dr. John Feehan, former senior lecturer in UCD's School of Agriculture and Food Science, outlined that 'the habitat that has shown the greatest decline in biodiversity is grassland'. Dr. Feehan said: 'We are near the bottom of the table when it comes to biodiversity in overall terms. A recent survey ranked Ireland 13th from the bottom for biodiversity intactness out of 240 countries.' 'Over the last 90 years the number of 10km2 occupied by native species has decline by 56%.' The afternoon field session, held in the meadows of Birr Castle Demesne, offered hands-on demonstrations of species identification, habitat scoring, and biodiversity monitoring, led by Teagasc advisors and local authority biodiversity officers. Prof. Frank O'Mara, director of Teagasc, praised the partnership and the practical outcomes of the event: 'This event is a testament to the power of partnership. 'By bringing together scientific expertise, local knowledge, and policy support, we are building a stronger foundation for biodiversity conservation in Ireland's farmland'. According to Teagasc the Extensive Grassland event builds on the success of last year's Farmland Biodiversity Day and 'reflects the growing momentum behind community-led and science-informed conservation efforts across Ireland'.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Call for stronger farm supports as Ireland takes leadership role in climate-smart agriculture
Department-funded research unveiled at the Dublin conference dedicated to addressing the intricate relationship between agriculture and climate change has revealed a calcium-peroxide-based feed additive that can cut indoor methane emissions by 10-28%, depending on diet, inclusion rate, and animal type. Notably, one study showed that RumenGlas was linked to a 12% improvement in growth rate and feed efficiency, alongside a 10% reduction in methane emissions - the first time this dual benefit has been observed in Ireland. Since 2020, the Department of Agriculture has invested over €48m in research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farming. This includes 28 active projects and 132 research positions created in 2023–2024. The conference, titled 'Agriculture and Climate Change: Science into Action' took place at Dublin Castle. Hosted by minister for agriculture, food and the marine, Martin Heydon, and minister of state with responsibility for research, Noel Grealish, it included 500 delegates who heard from national and international scientists on the latest research to reduce agricultural emissions and enhance carbon storage on farms across the country. It takes place alongside a meeting of the Global Research Alliance for Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which Ireland, through the department, is currently chairing. In his opening address, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the conference represented building a "shared path forward", and one that "ensures the next generation of farmers inherits not only a liveable planet but also a thriving, competitive, and respected agricultural sector". He said: The transition to climate-smart agriculture does not need to be a burden. It is a chance to safeguard what matters most — our land, our water, our food, our planet and our future. It is a chance to show that climate action and agricultural excellence can go hand in hand — and that Irish farmers can lead the way. Addressing attendees, minister Heydon said: 'Reducing emissions from agriculture is a monumental challenge, but one that the sector is taking seriously, evidenced by the huge interest in today's conference. 'We have assembled some of the best national and international researchers, whose findings are providing the practices and technologies we need to reduce emissions, while continuing to produce food. Research funding from my department has supported world-leading agri-climate research in universities, Teagasc and other institutes across the country. "In 2023 and 2024, this funding created 132 new research positions in agriculture and climate research across 28 projects. This ensures we have some of the best research talent in the world working on these complex scientific areas. 'This conference will see a wide range of exciting research updates, including, for example, Irish research demonstrating the potential for a 10-28% reduction in methane from a feed additive, depending on the animal type, diet, and the inclusion rate of the additive. "In addition, and for the first time in Ireland, one study has demonstrated both an animal performance benefit from feeding the additive, as well as its ability to reduce methane. The challenge going forward is to bring these tools into widespread use on Irish farms – and to do that, we are working with farmers every step of the way. "Our farmers are innovators and are ready to lead on climate action – not just for Ireland, but as an example to the world.' Other research highlighted at the conference included new data from the department-funded ROADMAP project suggests genetic selection can reduce methane emissions by up to 20% with no compromise on desirable traits like growth or fertility, and big climate gains from bio-stimulants and fertiliser technologies. For example, an algal-based bio-stimulant could lower chemical nitrogen needs by 20%, while protected urea and nitrification inhibitors can cut grassland emissions by 70–89%. However, speaking at the conference, farm organisations warned that farmers needed to be adequately supported to meet the ambitious goals set out in climate targets. Irish Farmers' Association president Francie Gorman said: 'There are lots of targets, reports, projections, documents, conferences, etc, but no properly-funded plan to support farmers to reduce emissions or even to reduce the regulatory roadblocks hindering farmers trying to make environmental improvements on their farms. Examples of this include a biomethane strategy which is not fit for purpose; delays in implementing planning exemptions for nutrient storage; delays in ACRES payments; failure to properly support the tillage sector; a totally failed forestry programme; and an absence of initiatives to support the adoption of feed or slurry additives. 'The vast majority of farmers on the ground are committed to reducing emissions, but our planning system and the general unwillingness of the State to put proper supports in place is inhibiting them more than helping them,' he said. Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association president, Denis Drennan, said that despite massive challenges, Irish farmers were "completely engaged" in efforts to address climate change, and the results and data were now showing the fruits of those efforts. However, Mr Drennan stressed that farmers needed reassurance that those plans still rested on 'the three pillars' of sustainability - economic, environmental, and social. 'There are challenges ahead that will have to be faced and even leaving aside the very significant and unfair anomalies in the accountancy framework used for measuring emissions, the most obvious challenge is the ongoing failure of Government to 'step up' and support farmers in their efforts to carry through the changes that the Government itself is urging on the farmers," he said. "It's this failure of the Government to support its own policies and recommendations that is hampering even more encouraging results and data. 'Irish agriculture is leading the way globally in meeting the climate challenge, and ICMSA believes that farmers can, and will, do more if properly supported. But that's going to mean that policymakers stop overlooking the daily and real obstacles to farmers as they adopt and change and start 'going at' these obstacles in a meaningful way, whether it's destructive income volatility or animal health or margin-grabbing and unfair corporate and professional practices. "The Government has a choice: Work with farmers to make more progress or ultimately pay the fines that will be levied because Ireland falls short on the emissions targets that could have been hit if we'd had the support. "That's the choice, really, and Budget 2026 is where we'll see if the Government understands that choice and has made a decision that is logical on both the environmental and financial fronts," he said. Read More Demo farm reports 32% lower emissions with more profitable cattle
Agriland
3 days ago
- Agriland
Watch: ABP marks 10 years of research at demo farm
ABP Food Group hosted a special event today (Tuesday, June 10) to mark a decade of research on the ABP Demo Farm in Co. Carlow. Attended by agri-industry personnel from across Ireland, the event highlighted progress made to date on reducing climate emissions and improving on-farm efficiency. The Sheppard family-owned, 280ac dairy-beef farm, has partnered with ABP since 2015. The partnership was established to test and validate practical on-farm solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from beef production, whilst also increasing efficiency. The ABP Demo Farm research is in collaboration with, and independently verified by, Teagasc and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF). The key findings and achievements from the ABP Demo Farm to date include: The farm's carbon footprint is 32% lower than the average beef farm in Ireland, based on Bord Bia data, with steers finished 180 days earlier (ABP Beef Benchmark Report); The research findings indicate that high genetic merit beef sires, compared to lower-merit sires, produce cattle that are on average 38kg heavier and worth €301/head more at the same slaughter age. The gap between the best and worst sires reached 62kg in carcass weight and €511 in carcass value; Hereford cattle ranked in the top third of the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) and delivered €220 more in returns than those in the bottom third; Over 5,500 cattle have gone through the trial programme to date with more than 80,000 live-weights recorded from the trial farm alone; 150,000 doses of semen have been distributed through the Gene Ireland Programme; Progeny from 279 AI beef bulls have been tested, with these sires going on to produce 885,000 calves on Irish farms. The establishment of the ABP Demo Farm followed findings from ABP's work with the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which revealed that over 90% of emissions across its supply chain occur at farm level. Ongoing and future research initiatives at the ABP Demo Farm include: Working with the ICBF, Teagasc, and Meat Technology Ireland (MTI) to develop genetic strategies for earlier finishing and lower daily methane emissions; Participation in the Water EIP Programme with Teagasc and the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) to enhance water quality without compromising productivity, with three ABP team members currently training to support farmers through this scheme; Being the first beef farm in Ireland to adopt the Glasport Bio GasAbate slurry inoculation system, which Teagasc has shown reduces methane emissions by 80% and ammonia by 50%; Running a second-year grazing study in partnership with University College Dublin and BiOrbic, comparing multi-species swards and perennial ryegrass in terms of animal performance, grass growth, fertiliser use, and environmental impact; Measuring soil carbon stocks through 273 soil samples across different depths to track future gains in carbon sequestration. The research findings from the ABP Demo Farm have directly contributed to the creation of ABP Beef Benchmark Report and support the ICBF Gene Ireland Beef programme which aims to identify the most suitable beef bulls for use on the dairy herd. Advantage Beef Programme The success of the ABP Demonstration Farm has also led to the creation of the ABP Advantage Beef Programme, an enterprise partnership that assists farmers to build a more-sustainable beef business. The programme now includes over 1,000 participating suppliers and is a key element in expanding the research findings of the ABP Demonstration Farm across the family farm supply chain. In 2024, the 35,000 cattle produced as part of the ABP Advantage Beef Programme were on average 85 days younger at finish, with just a 4kg lighter carcass weight. ABP is currently working with Teagasc, ICBF and MTI on new projects focused on genetic selection for earlier finishing and animals that emit less methane per day, as well as projects focused on improving water and soil quality. Agri-sustainability manager at ABP, Stephen Connolly, said: 'The ABP Demonstration Farm is a long-term investment in the future of sustainable beef production in Ireland. 'Our objective is to develop systems and share solutions that support farmers and allow their businesses to grow. The key focus of our projects is economic and environmental sustainability and in this, our key areas are animal breeding and grassland management. 'Although this farm is focused on dairy beef, many of the practices developed here can be transferred to suckler-beef systems, which remain an integral part of Ireland's beef sector,' Connolly added.
