2 days ago
Co. Louth free-range farm walk to focus on ‘sustainability'
A farm walk is due to take place next week at the family-owned free-range Belview egg farm in Co. Louth, with the aim of promoting sustainability in the sector.
Dermot Herlihy, who has a strong focus on environmental responsibility within poultry on his enterprise, will host the farm walk on Wednesday, June 18 at 11:00a.m.
The Teagasc-organised walk will take place in Carrickbaggot, Co. Louth, and all are welcome to attend.
The company – which was established in 1978 by Dermot and his wife Nicola – has grown over the last 40 years from 5,000 hens to a brood of 288,000 hens today.
The event will primarily discuss poultry manure in tillage, European Innovation Partnership (EIP) farming for water quality, as well as solar panels and energy savings.
Poultry manure in tillage
Broiler litter is a mixture of chicken manure and bedding material, and is a fertiliser often used for tillage crops in Ireland.
It can be a very cost-effective way of building soil fertility in comparison to artificial fertilisers, particularly on soils low in phosphorus (P).
Chicken manure has a high dry matter content, which helps to build soil organic carbon, improve the soils water-holding capacity, and can also improve the soil biological activity.
Broiler litter is rich in essential nutrients, including P, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and trace minerals.
European Innovation Partnership (EIP)
The Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP), will provide €50 million to approximately 15,000 farmers up to the end of 2027 in a bid to improve water quality, according to Teagasc.
There are over 40 measures to choose from, including: completing a rainwater management plan; a farmer training course; and a Nutrient Management Plan.
It also provides funding for items such as solar pumps, stream fencing, and hedge and tree planting.
This grant aid is targeted to specific priority areas for action.
Solar panels and energy savings
For many farmers, solar power is becoming a prominent option when dealing with current environments.
Research suggests solar panels can cut energy costs, support sustainability, and give electrical independence to farmers.
Depending on battery specification, a farmer can displace the majority of his electricity, and may even be approved to be eligible to return to the grid.
If eligible, the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) provides a 40% grant on a solar PV investment, while young qualified farmers can get up to 60% in grant aid.
