Latest news with #Agrikids
Agriland
10 hours ago
- Agriland
Championing environmental sustainability: Meet the Walsh family
John and Brendan Walsh from Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary, were the overall winners of the 2024 Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards. The awards recognise farmers who are operating sustainable, profitable farming systems while incorporating the latest scientific developments and technologies on their farms. On Tuesday, June 10, the Walshs will host an evening farm walk of learning, nature, and fun on the farm for all the family. The event, which is titled 'Dairying at Dusk', will kick off at 6.30pm and takes place at their farm in Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary, (Eircode E21 T938). What to expect? Attendees will have the opportunity to meet John and Brendan Walsh – the father-son duo who are leading the way in running a truly sustainable dairy farm. Hear inspiring talks from the Walshs on how they are making a living and looking after nature on their farm while continuing to produce high quality food profitably. There will be fun, games, and activities for kids with a sustainability corner and a farm safety workshop with Agrikids. Attendees will be provided with complimentary refreshments, courtesy of Dairygold. This is a 'not-to-be-missed' event for all the family to enjoy in the great outdoors on a summers evening. Three key sustainability pillars The Walsh Family won the 2024 Teagasc/FBD Environment Sustainability Awards based on three key sustainability pillars, which were: 1. Efficiency and profitability Sustainability relies on balancing economic, environmental, and social factors. The Walshs have achieved this balance by running a highly efficient and profitable dairy operation. They milk 165 cows on a 63ha platform, with a total grassland area of 107ha. Their strong breeding policy, emphasising the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) and sexed semen, supports herd productivity and sustainability. Once replacement heifers are secured, they use high Dairy Beef Index sires to boost animal value. In 2024, the Walshs produced 524kg of milk solids per cow with 978kgs of concentrate per cow, achieving a gross margin of 60.2c/L and a carbon footprint of 0.83kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 eq)/kg fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) – well below average. Total emissions on the farm stood at 1,039t CO 2 eq. 2. Reduced chemical nitrogen usage The Walshs have reduced chemical nitrogen (N) usage by 40% since 2020, without compromising grass production. In 2024, they used 130kg N/ha (down from 220kg in 2020) while producing 13.7t of grass dry matter (DM)/ha. Nitrogen use efficiency on the farm was 29%. Their success stems from optimised soil fertility (64% of soils are at optimal levels for pH, phosphorus, and potassium); widespread clover incorporation (52% of the grazing platform has a high or medium clover content); targeted slurry use based on testing; and extensive use of protected urea (100% in 2024). With 15% surplus slurry storage and precise application methods, the Walshs reduce the risk of nitrogen runoff and protect water quality through extensive buffer zones and GPS-guided spreading. 3. Commitment to biodiversity Biodiversity is a long-standing priority on the Walsh farm, dating back generations. Hedges are managed to promote growth and diversity, with whitethorns allowed to flourish every 50m. Groves of trees, including a 3ha forest transitioning from spruce to native species, are scattered across the farm. The Walshs plant trees annually, and the presence of barn owls, herons, and even a curlew reflects the thriving biodiversity on their farm. Key takeaways The Walsh family exemplifies a well-planned, balanced approach to sustainable dairy farming. Their message to other farmers is: start small, seek good advice, and do not fear failure. Their success story is not just about awards but about building a resilient and environmentally responsible future for Irish farming.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
The ‘Stay Safe with Jessy' competition brings farm safety to the classroom
Teagasc is proud to announce the launch of the 'Stay Safe with Jessy' farm safety art competition and webinar, a new initiative aimed at promoting farm safety among children. The competition invites all primary school-going children across Ireland to participate in creating pieces of art that highlight the importance of safety practices in agriculture and on Irish farms. The art competition will be followed by a live webinar on Thursday, June 19, at 11am. This 40-minute webinar, hosted by Alison Maloney of Teagasc, will be live-streamed from the Teagasc studio in Oak Park, Carlow. Joining Alison in the studio will be Jessy the Sheepdog and Francis Bligh, Farm Safety Specialist in Teagasc. They will be going live to St Joseph's National School in Rathwire, County Westmeath, where Alma Jordan from Agrikids will be discussing farm safety with students. During the webinar on June 19, winners of the art competition will be announced. There are three prize categories in the art competition, with an overall winner and runner-up in each. The categories are: Junior and Senior Infants; 1st–3rd Class; and 4th–6th Class. Get your entries in quickly, as the closing date is Friday, June 6 at 5pm. Prizes include Smyths Toys vouchers to the value of €100 for each category winner, and an Agrikids Farm Safety Workshop with Alma Jordan for their school during the 2025/2026 school year. Each runner-up will receive a €25 Smyths Toys voucher. In addition, each winner will receive a Lily Nolan Memorial Trophy for their school. Jessy the Sheepdog was originally developed in 2007 by the late Lily Nolan of Teagasc and the HSA. The storyline in the original book follows a dog called Jessy and her three puppies as they encounter various dangers on the farm. The book is available to download here. Francis Bligh, Farm Safety Specialist in Teagasc, said: 'Farms can be dangerous places, especially for children. Through this campaign, we will be highlighting the main dangers and risks on farms, how to avoid them, and how to stay safe.' Alison Maloney, Digital and Online Communications Specialist with Teagasc, said: 'I'm looking forward to hosting the Stay Safe with Jessy event. I'm thrilled to see Jessy come to life, and I would encourage all teachers and parents to support children in participating in the campaign. It's a great opportunity to start the conversation around farm safety with children who live on or visit farms.' 'It's been a real privilege to work alongside Teagasc on the Stay Safe with Jessy campaign,' added Alma Jordan of Agrikids. 'This initiative is specifically focused on children, who can be powerful messengers for safety at home and on the farm. By making these lessons engaging and age-appropriate, we're helping to build safer habits from a young age — and that can have a lasting impact.'
Agriland
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Agriland
Primary school art competition to promote farm safety
Teagasc has launched the 'Stay Safe with Jessy' farm safety art competition and webinar, a new initiative aimed at promoting farm safety among children. The competition is open to all primary school children across Ireland to create pieces of art that highlight the importance of safety practices in agriculture, and on Irish farms. A live webinar will take place on Thursday, June 19, at 11:00am, with the winners of the art competition set to be named afterwards. The 40-minute webinar, hosted by Alison Maloney of Teagasc, will be livestreamed from the Teagasc studio in Oak Park, Co. Carlow. Maloney will be joined in studio by farm safety specialist in Teagasc, Francis Bligh, and Jessy the sheepdog. The event will also be going live to St. Joseph's National School in Rathwire, Co. Westmeath, where Alma Jordan from Agrikids will be discussing farm safety with students in the school. Art competition There are three categories for prizes in the art competition, from which there will be an overall winner and a runner-up in each category. These categories are junior and senior infants, first to third class, and fourth to sixth class. The prizes up for grabs in the competition include a €100 voucher for Smyths Toys for each category winner, and an Agrikids farm safety workshop with Alma Jordan for their school during the 2025/2026 school year. There will be three category runners up, who will each receive a Smyths Toys voucher to the value of €25. Farm safety specialist in Teagasc, Francis Bligh said: 'Farms can be dangerous places, especially for children. Through this campaign we will be highlighting the main dangers and risks on farms, and how to avoid them, and stay safe.' The closing date for the Teagasc art competition is 5:00pm on Friday, June 6.
