Latest news with #AgrilandMediaGroup
Agriland
23-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Agriland partners with Agri Aware for Open Farm events
Agriland Media Group is delighted to partner with Agri Aware as the official media partner for its flagship Open Farm events which will take place in two counties this year. The agri-food educational body will return to Co. Kildare, along with a brand-new Open Farm experience in Co. Galway. Open Farm is the major part of Agri Aware's mission of enhancing agricultural literacy, giving the public and schoolchildren a unique opportunity to experience a working Irish farm firsthand and understand the journey of food from farm to fork. Open Farm is a free-of-charge event with gates open to the public from 10:30a.m to 5:00p.m on both days. Education and communications officer with Agri Aware, Michael Geary said: 'Agri Aware is delighted to partner with Agriland Media for Open Farm 2025. Education and communications officer with Agri Aware, Michael Geary (left) and Cormac Farrelly, managing director, Agriland Media Group 'Although targeted at the non-farming community, the importance of the farming community understanding the role Agri Aware plays in communicating the work primary producers do in producing top-quality food while caring for the environment is critical. 'Open Farm provides a unique opportunity to get consumers onto Irish farms and showcase the best of Irish agriculture. 'This opportunity to partner with Agriland Media will be of critical importance to educate and inform our target audience, the general public, and also primary producers and the agri-food sector as a whole of the work Agri Aware carries out to enhance agricultural literacy. ' Managing director of Agriland Media Group, Cormac Farrelly said: 'At a time when many consumers would state that they do not have an association with farming anymore, it's never been more important to educate young people about where their food comes from. 'It's equally important to highlight the importance of farming for our economy and society and inform the wider public to allow them to make healthy and sustainable food choices. 'As Ireland's largest agricultural digital news publisher, we are delighted to be partnering with Agri Aware for these important events to generate understanding of agriculture to the widest possible audience.' Agri Aware The Kildare Open Farm will be hosted on the Doran family dairy farm in Donadea (W91 DH99). On Thursday, June 13, the farm will welcome over 800 primary school students from Kildare and Dublin for a dedicated schools day. Students will explore how dairy products are made, learn about sustainable farming practices, and develop a deeper appreciation for where the food they consume comes from. On Saturday, June 14, the farm will open to the general public for an educational and interactive day out for all ages. There will be self-guided tours for visitors, a mini-farm village, food demonstrations, kids' games, and the chance to speak with the Dorans about how they care for their animals and the environment.
Agriland
09-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Deadline only 4 days away for National Dairy Awards
The deadline to enter the National Dairy Awards is only a few days away, and farmers or their friends are being urged to get nominations in before it is too late. Agriland Media Group is delighted to be partnering with Agri Insider to bring you the 3rd Annual National Dairy Awards, which take place at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois on June 19. The awards, initially launched in 2023, have quickly become the leading agricultural awards in the country. The deadline for nominations is Monday, May 12 and the entry process is really straightforward. To enter,click here, fill in your details, answer four or five questions relevant to your entry, review, and submit – it is that simple. The whole process takes less than an hour and you do not have to do everything in one go. You can start your entry, save it, come back and edit as many times as you want up to the deadline and, when you are happy with it, just press 'submit'. So, now is not the time to be modest. We want to hear from you! Or equally, do you know someone who is doing great work but out of humility would not dream of entering themselves? The plaudits and publicity that go with being a finalist, much less a winner, are definitely worth an hour of anyone's time. About the National Dairy Awards 'The best night in the dairy calendar' is a black-tie event celebrating the farmer, farm manager, dairy adviser, dairy vet, and the dairy innovators. The awards recognise your dedication and hard work. This celebration of excellence also extends beyond the farm to the artisan champions, the processors, the discussion groups, and the industry leaders, who are blazing a trail in ingenuity, creativity, and sustainability. There are 21 awards up for grabs across five main categories: Farmer Awards; Farm Network Awards; Dairy Produce Awards; Processing Awards; Headline Awards. So, if you would like to compare yourself against the best, please enter. We want to hear from you. Further information: Click here for further information on the awards and categories; for further information on the awards and categories; Click here for further information on the nomination and judging process; for further information on the nomination and judging process; Click here for further information on tickets; for further information on tickets; If you have any further questions, please contact: michael@ or 046-9732258. We do hope you enter and all going well hope to see you on June 19.
Agriland
01-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
River Blackwater Catchment Series: 480 cows with water quality at helm
Agriland Media Group is delighted to collaborate with Dairygold to bring you the River Blackwater Catchment Series. Dairygold milk supplier, Kevin Twomey is milking 480 cows in Ballyhooley, Co. Cork alongside the River Blackwater valley, on 450 acres of land. The milking platform is stocked at 2.7 cows/ha, with cows out at grass by night since the latter stages of February. The main driver of Kevin's system is maximising days at grass while minimising meal and extra supplementation fed. Genetics and herd performance For the last couple of years, Kevin has introduced Jersey genetics to his herd of high economic breeding index (EBI) Holstein Friesians, to further build on the great fertility and production traits brought by the Holstein genetics. For the coming breeding season, Kevin will return to using high EBI Holstein Friesian bulls, to ensure a more balanced cow going forward. The herd has an average EBI of €257 (top 2% in the country), with a milk sub-index of €74, fertility sub-index of €117, and maintenance sub-index of €21. The average EBI of the 2025 spring-born calves was €299. Even in a challenging year like 2024, the cows performed very well in Kevin's system, delivering over 450kg of milk solids/cow at 4.53% fat and 3.83% protein. The gathering yard leading into the rotary in Kevin's yard The cubicle shed and open top cubicles on the farm Kevin's aim is to produce a cow that can deliver high milk solids, with good health traits and a maintenance of between €15 and €25. This breeding protocol will also help Kevin deliver on his sustainability targets, reducing his Nutrient Balance figure, as his cows can effectively convert grass to milk solids without much extra costs. River Blackwater Catchment The River Blackwater runs right through Kevin's farm. Therefore, implementing effective nutrient management and protective measures is key for the Co. Cork farmer in maintaining and improving the water quality status in the river. Kevin believes that 'everyone has a role to play in this', as there are a lot of cows and a lot of tillage in the areas surrounding the River Blackwater. He feels that it should not just be down to individual farmers to take up these practices and measures and said: 'We need all farmers involved along the way'. Kevin partakes in the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) with Dairygold and has qualified for European Innovation Partnership (EIP) funding, through the 'Farming for Water' initiative, which he describes as 'easy to draw down, as it is easy to understand it'. Kevin is currently taking the following action on his farm through the EIP funding: Measure Min Max Unit Payment rate 1 Rainwater Management plan 1 1 /plan €250 2 Farmer Training Course 1 1 /course €156 4 Nitrogen Surplus 4 4 /plan €250 23 Water Bars 1 6 /unit €213 24 Sediment Traps 1 6 /unit/year €120 30 Bovine exclusion from water bodies 10m 1000m /m €2.77 39 Host Farmer Payment 1 5 /farmer €180 40 Contractor Mobilisation Fee 1 1 /applicant €200 42 Farmyard bucket and brush 1 1 50% of cost to max of €2,000 €2,000 43 Slurry Testing 1 4 /farmer €70 Nutrient management Kevin's farm is a light soil type, where retaining nitrogen (N) in the soil can be a challenge. Maximising the utilisation of this nitrogen is crucial for driving returns in production, grass growth, calf weight gain, and milk sales, which Kevin can achieve by applying fertiliser at the right rates, at the right times, and in the right places. This careful balance between nutrient inputs and outputs clearly demonstrates how farming with water quality in mind can be both environmentally and economically sustainable, even in an intensive, high-performing system. The cow going out to grass after milking Kevin has a nitrogen balance of 187kg of N/ha and a phosphorus balance of 4.5kg of P/ha, and is consistently working towards improving these figures. He is improving them though implementing numerous practices, including the following: Getting soil fertility right by correcting soil pH and maintaining optimal P and K indexes; Effectively utilising low emission slurry spreading (LESS); Limiting his N usage; Timing his N applications to get the full value of nutrients, as going out too early or in the wrong conditions with slurry or chemical fertiliser wastes a lot of the nutrients and limits the grass growth response; Investing in slurry storage, both for slurry and soiled water, to give him a better window to hold slurry and improve utilisation by applying it at the right times. The cows out grazing after milking Kevin noted the 67% good to high quality status in the River Blackwater, which has its catchment in a dense agricultural area, according to a catchment report produced by the EPA in 2024. The Dairygold supplier believes it is in everyone's interest to improve water quality and is reaching out to fellow farmers, saying: 'Do a small bit more to get the moderate quality status waters into a good quality status.'
Agriland
30-04-2025
- General
- Agriland
ESB Networks Spring Safety Series: Safety when working near electricity
Agriland Media Group is delighted to collaborate with ESB Networks to bring you the ESB Networks Spring Safety Series. In any occupation, safety tips are important to know. Everyday tasks eventually become second nature and we can do them almost without thinking. However, there is nowhere more dangerous than on the farm. While the hazards on any farm are many, electricity lines in particular pose a deadly risk if they are not given the respect they deserve. Spring Safety Series tips To keep you safe as we go through the coming month, ESB Networks has put together 10 tips for safer farming in the presence of electricity: Understand that electricity lines are always live, and that electricity always seeks the shortest, easiest path to the ground – including through people; Identify all overhead electricity lines prior to beginning work using tools or heavy machinery. This includes ladders, trimmers, strimmers, and saws, as well as spray booms, cranes, tipper lorries, grain augers, or other farm machinery; Always check if there are buried cables and services before digging. Email dig@ or call 1800 372 757 to get maps of ESB network cables; When traversing fields, plan your route to maintain a safe distance from overhead lines, stay wires and electricity poles. Where possible, work parallel to lines rather than crossing under them. Electricity can 'arc' or jump gaps, meaning you do not need to make contact with the line to be at risk; Remember, liquids and electricity are a dangerous combination. Exercise extreme caution when using power washing or irrigation equipment, or spreading slurry near overhead lines; Call ESB Networks on 1800 373 999 if your tractor, machinery or any other attachment comes in contact with an overhead line, and remain in the cab until the electricity has been shut off by an ESB Networks technician. A wrong move could result in serious injury or death. Warn others to keep their distance. If you must exit the cab, jump clear of the tractor and land with both feet, taking care to avoid touching the ground with your hands. Then, take short steps until you are safely 10m away; Avoid storing silage or other materials near power lines. This increases the chance that a loader may come in contact with the power lines; Always use a licensed electrician for all repairs or new installations, including electric fences and stand-by generators. Such generators require a proper changeover switch at the main distribution board and should never be plugged into an electrical socket; Never touch fallen wires, or handle livestock that may be in contact with electricity wires. Notify ESB Networks of any fallen lines immediately; In an emergency, call ESB Networks' 24/7 service on 1800 372 999 with the GPS coordinates or the Eircode for your location. Save this number in your mobile phone today: 1800 373 999.
Agriland
24-04-2025
- Business
- Agriland
River Blackwater Catchment Series: Nutrient balance driving profit
Agriland Media Group is delighted to collaborate with Dairygold to bring you the River Blackwater Catchment Series. Dairygold milk suppliers Thomas and Christopher Kenny from Mourneabbey, Co. Cork are milking 120 cows with one eye on their nutrient balance, which is driving efficiency, sustainability and profitability on their farm. Christopher and his father, Thomas, manage their efficient family farm, where they are milking 120 high economic breeding index (EBI) cows with impressive productivity. The farmers won the Mallow Regional Dairygold Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards in 2023, for their sustainable production practices. The milking platform is 120 acres, with 40 acres of that used for first cut silage, which Christopher said can leave them tight on grass in the middle of the summer. The farm has an organic stocking rate of 223kg of N/ha at this moment in time, which Christopher expects will have to be reduced to 220kg of organic N/ha in the coming year. Christopher Kenny with his herd of cows The father and son have been in farm partnership since 2017 and have since increased profitability on their farm by improving their herd's EBI, implementing targeted slurry and fetiliser application, reducing meal consumption, and maximising the number of days the herd is at grass. The use of Sensehub collars, energy-saving equipment, and solar panels – which supply 24% of the farm's electricity – also contribute to overall efficiency. Biodiversity is an important aspect of their farm business through forestry, mature tree lines, and clover incorporation, which also decreases their nitrogen fertiliser requirement. The Kennys' dedication to efficiency, innovation, sustainability, and farm performance ensures their dairy operation's success. Nutrient balance The Kennys' farm is located in the River Blackwater catchment area. Any potential leaching of nitrates or overflow of phosphorus or sediment could impact the River Blackwater. The Kennys are aware of this risk and are therefore doing everything in their power to produce milk solids in the most sustainable and efficient way possible. The Kennys are in a comfortable position when it comes to slurry storage but plan to avail of the 60% TAMS grant to put in extra storage for their parlour washings, as they feel they will be tight on space with new regulations to come. The slurry is applied using a trailing shoe, allowing for efficient use of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). They began applying slurry in the second week of February when conditions improved, and soil temperatures rose. Christopher mentioned that: 'Ideally you want to hold on to your slurry until you need to spread it, as opposed to spreading it because you are under pressure'. Spreading in favourable conditions considerably improves a farm's nutrient balance, as the nutrients are effectively absorbed by the soil to promote grass growth. This increased grass production can subsequently lead to a higher yield of milk solids. Approximately one third of the Kennys' farm includes 20% clover, which reduces the reliance on chemical nitrogen and further decreases the farm's nitrogen balance. In terms of fertiliser usage, the Kennys keep it very simple – they spread protected urea in early spring, followed by protected urea with sulphur, and then use 18-6-12 to correct soil indexes during the main grazing season. All fertiliser is spread strategically using the results from soil samples which are updated every two years. The soil results feed into the formation of a nutrient management plan (NMP). The Kennys have an N balance of 186kg of N/ha with a P balance of 5.8kg of P/ha. They are constantly striving to improve overall nutrient balance to improve their farm efficiency and their profit margin. Farm efficiency The Kennys' herd has an average Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €264, placing it within the top 1% nationwide. Their cows weigh approximately 580kg. Last year's production yielded 6,570kg of milk per cow with 547kg of milk solids per cow. Each cow was fed 1.3 tonnes of meal, consisting of soya hulls and dairy nuts, which was approximately 300kg/ cow more than usual due to unfavourable weather conditions. The Kennys use sexed semen on maiden heifers and second to fifth lactation, which is followed by conventional dairy semen on late calvers and beef straws on cows not fit for breeding replacements. The selection process for cows used in dairy artificial insemination (AI) is based on evaluation of the best genetics within the herd and consideration of their genomic assessment along with data from milk recordings. The Kennys replacement heifers The heifers calving down this year have an EBI of over €300. The Kennys have 25 replacement heifers entering the herd annually, and they sell the surplus. Improving EBI year on year will also reduce a farm's nutrient balance as individual cows will more efficiently in converting grass and meal, into milk solids. Days at grass will also reduce the nutrient balance, and provides the cheapest form of feed for cows, and the best returns in milk solids. The Kennys put their cows out to grass at the start of February and started the second rotation on April 10. The Kennys are also signed up to undertake a number of water quality improvement measures under the 'Farming for Water' European Innovation Partnership (EIP). The Kennys have taken on the following measures: Measures Min Max Unit Payment rate 1 Rainwater Management plan 1 1 /plan €250 2 Farmer Training Course 1 1 /course €156 3 Nutrient Management plan 1 1 /plan €400 4 Nitrogen Surplus 4 4 /plan €250 21 Management of critical source area (CSA) 0.2 3 /ha/yr €213 38 Vegetated bunded drains 1 3 /unit €1,000 39 Host farmer payment 1 5 /farmer €180 40 Contractor Mobilisation Fee 1 1 /applicant €200 43 Slurry Testing 1 4 /farmer €70 The Kennys are getting paid for measures that they were already undertaking such as testing slurry, utilising a nutrient management plan and managing a critical source area (CSA). The farm's soil type is quite mixed. A lot of the farm is free draining while other parts are quite heavy. The Kennys therefore have to deal with phosphorus run-off and flow pathways, and nitrate leaching. Managing the farm's CSA is crucial due to its high connectivity to the drainage network, potential risk to water bodies, and difficulty in grazing and travel because of wet conditions. The management of this area includes preventing animal access during the shoulders of the year and avoiding nutrient spreading nearby. Both practices are already employed by the Kennys.
