Latest news with #MartinBourke
Agriland
2 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Organic growers urged to consider home-saved seed
With the spring cereal harvest underway, Teagasc is encouraging organic tillage farmers to consider home-saved seed. Most crop varieties grown in Ireland come from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's (DAFM) official Recommended List, but these varieties are often tailored to conventional farming systems, according to Teagasc organic tillage specialist, Martin Bourke. This can limit options for organic tillage farmers, especially for crops like peas, where traits such as straw strength are critical to ensure a successful harvest. The organic tillage specialist said where suitable crops and conditions allow, farmers can save their own seed and pay the appropriate royalties, potentially making significant savings compared to buying organically certified seed, which can cost €1,000–€1,500/t. Bourke notes that home-saving seed also offers a risk management benefit, as the supply of organic cereal and legume seed can be disrupted by poor harvest years, as seen following the challenging weather in 2024. Setting up for home-saved seed requires suitable machinery and infrastructure, according to Teagasc. A reliable combine or contractor, effective grain handling systems, and on-farm cleaning equipment are essential to ensure seed is dry, weed-free, and safe for storage. Certified seed still holds advantages, such as guaranteed varietal purity and high germination rates as well as access to the latest plant breeding improvements. Bourke recommends that even farms that rely mainly on saved seed should periodically introduce certified varieties to maintain crop competitiveness. Planning crop rotations is also key. Incorporating winter crops, such as newer Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV)-tolerant winter barley, can aid weed control and improve soil health, according to Teagasc. While oats remain the dominant organic cereal due to demand in the human-grade market, Bourke suggests organic barley could see growth to meet the rising need for high-energy winter feed. Teagasc advises that a balanced approach to seed sourcing, combined with well-structured rotations, can help organic tillage farms remain resilient and profitable.
Agriland
12-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Teagasc organises 8 organic tillage farm walks from next week
Teagasc has announced that it is organising a series of eight farm walks on the theme of organic tillage, starting next week and continuing into early June. The nationwide series of events will kick off in Co. Cork next Monday (May 19). The Teagasc organic advisory team will lead the farm walks. The on-farm events are a 'great opportunity' to assess current crop performance and discuss practical crop husbandry challenges, according to Teagasc. Topics across the eight farm walks will include crop rotations, soil health, crop nutrition, weed control, and the current organic market outlook. There will also be a focus on growing organic oats for the expanding human food market, as well as the prospects for supplying the growing demand for organic animal feed. Commenting on the series of farm walks, Teagasc organic tillage specialist, Martin Bourke said: 'Whether you're an organic grower, or a conventional farmer curious about integrating organic practices on part of your farm, these farm walks will offer valuable insights, practical advice, and a chance to connect with fellow farmers. 'These events, in eight different counties across the country, are an opportunity to see what existing organic farmers have put into practice on their farms. I would urge all interested in organic farming and the organic sector to come along to one of these farm walks,' Bourke added. The dates and locations of the farm walks are as follows: Monday, May 19 at 6:00p.m – farm of Jim Stafford, Lahard, Whitegate, Co. Cork (P25 P267); Tuesday, May 20 at 11:00a.m – farm of Matt Hennessy, Beechwood, Coleman, Fethard, Co. Tipperary (E91 XD73); Thursday, May 29 at 2:00p.m -farm of Rod and Julie Calder-Potts, Highbank Farm, Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny (R95 W58P); Tuesday, June 3 at 10:30a.m – farm of Eveline Gill, Ballyoran, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly (R42 Y004); Tuesday, June 3 at 3:00p.m – farm of Broderick Farm Partnership, Brownshill Avenue, Kernanstown, Co. Carlow (R93 Y7F3); Thursday, June 5 at 7:00p.m – farm of Matt Gillanders, Ballinagall, Co. Monaghan (H18 K202); Friday, June 6 at 11:00a.m – farm of John McDonnell, Shalvanstown, Slane, Co. Meath (C15 E279); Monday, June 9 at 7:00p.m – farm of Padraic Dunleavy, Blindwell, Cloghan Hill, Tuam, Co. Galway (H54 DN12). Last month, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon noted that there are 'opportunities for growth' in the organic tillage sector. Minister Heydon said: 'The organic tillage sector is a real success story for Irish farming families. There is strong demand for organic oats, led by the UK market, with growing interest from international markets, including east Asia. 'Over the last number of years, the government has been providing strong support through the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) and Organic Processing Investment Grant (OPIG), as well as strategic promotion from Bord Bia.' According to data provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, a number of high potential organic export markets returned to sales growth in 2023 (the last full year for which data is available) after a difficult trading period in 2022 due to high cost-of-living. These included: Germany (+5% organic sales, market worth €16 billion); Belgium (+20% organic sales, market worth €1.1 billion); UK (+2% organic sales, market worth £3.2 billion, or €3.73 billion at current exchange rates); Netherlands (+50% organic sales growth since 2019, market worth €1.4 billion).
