Latest news with #FarmingforWater
Agriland
23-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Cork couple crowned overall winners of Dairygold awards
Taoiseach Micheál Martin crowned Dairygold milk suppliers Aileen Sheehan and Philip O'Leary from Whitechurch, Co. Cork the overall winners of the 2024 Dairygold Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards. They were also named Mallow regional award winners at a ceremony in Springfort Hall, Mallow, Co. Cork. The awards acknowledge the commitment of Dairygold milk suppliers to achieving the highest standard quality of milk while adopting more sustainable farming practices. This year's awards also saw the introduction of a new category, the 'Young Dairy Farmer of the Year Award'. The purpose of the new award category is to recognise the efforts of the next generation of dairy farmers who are demonstrating leadership, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable farming practices. Dairygold Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards This year's overall winners, Aileen and Philip have only been dairy farming together for four years on a fully leased holding near Whitechurch, Co. Cork, milking 138 cows on a 125ac milking block, with an additional 50ac rented for silage and calves. They have focused heavily on long-term sustainability while producing high quality milk. Their proactive approach to implementing sustainable farming practices includes reseeding over 90% of their grazing platform and using protected urea as their primary nitrogen source. The judges were particularly impressed by Aileen and Philip's enthusiasm, work ethic, and attention to detail. Their proactive approach to environmental initiatives stood out, including their early involvement in the Farming for Water EIP (European Innovation Partnership) scheme. As part of their involvement in the scheme, they implemented measures such as sediment traps, tree planting, and a bunded drainage system to protect the nearby Glashaboy stream. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, guest of honour at the event, commended the role of family farming in Ireland and the importance of supporting it for future success: 'The success we see in Irish farming today is a testament to the professionalism and resilience of our farm families. 'The dairy sector is a cornerstone of our rural economy and it is farmers, like those being honoured today, who are securing its future. 'Sustainability is central to that future and the commitment of these farmers to more sustainable farming practices is very encouraging, as they lay the groundwork for the next generation to thrive.' Speaking about the awards, Dairygold chairperson Patrick Clancy said: 'These awards are an important opportunity to recognise the hard work, dedication and consistency of our milk suppliers, who strive for excellence in milk quality. 'Their efforts are the foundation of Dairygold's success. This year, we are especially proud to introduce the Young Dairy Farmer of the Year Award, a reflection of the emerging talent within our co-op and our commitment to fostering the next generation of dairy farmers.' Congratulating the winners, Dairygold chief executive Michael Harte added: 'Aileen and Philip are a fantastic example of what can be achieved through dedication, teamwork, and a forward-thinking approach to farming. 'Their efforts show that quality milk production and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. These award winners are not only leading by example today but helping shape the future of sustainable dairy farming among our Dairygold members. 'It is also encouraging to see the widespread adoption of more sustainable farming practices across our milk supplier base, which were clearly demonstrated as part of this awards process. 'These practices not only enhance water quality and further bolster the argument for the retention of the nitrates derogation, they also go a long way towards reducing our sectoral emissions and achieving our climate action targets,' he added. The awards were based on 2024 milk quality data from Dairygold's 2,500 milk suppliers across Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, Clare, Kerry, and Waterford. 18 finalists were shortlisted from each of the six Dairygold regions and assessed by a team of expert judges.
Agriland
10-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Heydon engages with ICOS on future of Irish dairy sector
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has met with the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) to discuss the future of the Irish dairy sector. Minister Heydon met with ICOS in NAAS on Friday (May 9) where a broad range of critical issues impacting the Irish co-operative dairy industry were discussed. The meeting also brought together the wider group of chairs of all ICOS dairy co-operative members, demonstrating a united front on the sector's shared priorities. ICOS dairy committee chairperson, Niall Matthews and ICOS president, Edward Carr expressed appreciation for the ministers engagement with co-operatives across Ireland. Matthews said: 'We are grateful to Minister Heydon for taking the time to meet with us and for his willingness to listen and engage on the key issues affecting our members. 'Since the end of milk quotas, the Irish dairy sector has played a vital role in our national and rural economy, underpinned by our co-operative model, grass-based production and family-farm structure.' 'These core strengths must guide us as we face today's environmental, economic and generational challenges,' he added. ICOS Matthews highlighted the dairy sector's commitment to 'environmental stewardship', citing increased co-op funding of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP), and the roll-out of the 'Farming for Water' European Innovation Partnership (EIP). He also welcomed the government's commitment to retaining Ireland's nitrates derogation, which he said allows for more intensive grass-based dairy production under strict conditions. 'Collectively, we must continue the most assertive levels of representation to convey to the EU Commission all that is being achieved by farming communities in relation to the sustainability and environmental priorities,' Matthews said. The meeting also focused on the pressing need for generational renewal within the farming community. Matthews believes that farming is a deeply rewarding career, but the increasing average age of farmers highlights the need for 'urgent action'. He said: 'We must support younger farmers through incentives and tax reforms, while also providing dignified pathways for older farmers including a retirement scheme.'
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Slaney water project marks a year of progress
A founding father of the United States would surely have approved of a collaborative water-quality project launched by Tirlán, the Kilkenny-based dairy co-operative. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), a scientist, inventor and statesman, once wrote: 'When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.' The statement fittingly reflects the Farming for Water: River Slaney Project undertaken by Tirlán and partners across the midlands and south-east. Teagasc, the Local Authorities Water Programme and the accounting and advisory specialists ifac, are working with the co-op on the water enhancement programme. It involves more than 2,000 on-farm sustainability engagements across the co-op's supply catchment. A total of 256 suppliers have submitted applications totalling more than €1.5m for dedicated measures on their family farms. It is part of a €60m Government and European Commission Farming for Water partnership (EIP). Growing numbers of farm families are working with the co-op's dedicated farm sustainability advisers. They attend discussion groups, farm walks and workshops and take science-based actions on their farms and in the community to improve water quality and enhance biodiversity. Local authorities across the catchment, along with Irish Water, and food companies, Kepak, Dawn, and ABP Food Group, are playing key roles in supporting the programme. The collaborative nature of the ongoing project means learnings and beneficial practices from the project have far greater reach throughout the country, the partners say. Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said it was great to see a cross-industry approach to the issue of water quality along one of Ireland's major rivers. Raising awareness and fostering a collective approach among farmers, processors, and industry stakeholders is crucial to achieving real and lasting change. 'This programme presents a huge opportunity for all parties involved to continue to play a pivotal role in driving positive and long-lasting change across a huge swathe of one of Ireland's most fertile regions. 'We've made progress, and I appreciate that, but we can't be complacent, and together we can all make a difference to water quality in the region.' Tirlán chairperson John Murphy said it was committed to long-term programmes to support its farmers to continue their work to enhance and protect their lands and waters for the future. It has invested significant resources in delivering water quality programmes based on best practice. 'We have seen a high level of engagement with this programme and hit many milestones over the past year. The willing engagement of our farmers with the Farming for Water programme shows they want to do their best for their lands and their communities. 'It will take time for the best practice measures to be fully reflected in water quality data captured,' he said. Tirlán has been working with Government and advocating at EU level that an extension of time to showcase improving water quality is imperative. 'It was good to see progress in the recent Environmental Protection Agency's early insight report on nitrogen levels in rivers. 'However, they did highlight that there is more to be done. We're committed, along with our partners, to continuing to drive action to improve water quality,' he said. Tirlán chief executive Seán Molloy said it was focused on ensuring the group and its farmers, alongside agri-food organisations across the country, deliver the best possible case for Ireland's retention of the Nitrates Derogation. He urged all farm families to continue their good work and engage with the co-op, its partners and advisers. Funding is readily available for focused, results-driven actions to protect water. Teagasc director Professor Frank O'Mara said the programme had put a major focus on promoting catch crops with tillage and drystock farmers, as a means of reducing nitrate levels in the Slaney catchment and surrounding areas. The ecological status is good or high for more 60% of the catchment, which compares very well nationally, but the high nitrate levels continue to be the main challenge. Further work and collaboration need to happen to make progress in addressing this issue, he said. Anthony Coleman, director of services with the Local Authority Waters Programme, said the project had resulted in greater awareness of the importance of good water quality. The project has also been recognised as a model for best practice and was a finalist in the recent Green Awards. It is an approach that would surely have appealed to Benjamin Franklin, who once wrote: 'Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.' Read More Government sets out next phase of agriculture emission target plans
