Farming for the Future – Open Farm Walk & Talk

Time : 11am – 1pm

Date : 21/06/2024

Location : Donal Kavanagh’s Farm, The Oaks, Carrigeen, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow W91 YD25

Tirlán is encouraging all farmers to join them on a practical, pragmatic ‘Farming for the Future’ farm walk open event on Donal Kavanagh’s farm near Baltinglass, Wicklow on Friday, June 21, beginning at 11am. 

The practical, farmer-focused event will include tips and advice from experts from Tirlán, Teagasc and leading organisations and will showcase what Tirlán Teagasc Future Farm participant Donal and his family are doing on the farm to be economically and environmentally sustainable. 

The open event at The Oaks, Carrigeen, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow W91 YD25 will include:

• Practical steps to improve water quality, nutrient use efficiency and boost on-farm profitability;
• An update on Future Farm performance from Donal Kavanagh;
• News on Tirlán’s new Farm Support Service and River Slaney Project;
• The latest on the Nitrates Derogation and water quality with speakers from Teagasc, Department of Agriculture, IFA, ICMSA and EPA.

A panel discussion will also take place which will include the industry leaders, among them Dr. Frank O’Mara, Director, Teagasc; Bill Callanan, Chief Inspector, Department of Agriculture;  the IFA, Denis Drennan, President, ICMSA and Mary Gurrie, EPA. 

The event is open to all farmers, with a focus on Tirlán dairy and grain suppliers, and will include an opportunity to engage directly with business leaders and sustainability programme leads. The on-farm event closes over light refreshments and an open panel discussion.

John Murphy, Tirlán Chairperson, said: “This event is open to all of our suppliers, all over the Tirlán catchment. We’ve had our Farming for Water, River Slaney Project launch and that programme is gathering momentum across Wicklow, Carlow and Wexford. 

“This practical, pragmatic and farmer-focused event is all about the practical steps. We want everyone who comes along to take home at least three or four nuggets that they can implement on their own farm to protect water and help strengthen our case as we bid to retain the Nitrates Derogation.”

Donal Kavanagh, host farmer, said: “The walk will focus on activity undertaken on the farm through the Tirlán Teagasc Future Farm Programme and practical tips and best advice for protecting and improving water quality. 

“Every little action that we take on farm all adds up. It’s a busy time of the year for everyone but a  few hours at a practical farm walk is time well invested.”

Attendees will also have an opportunity to engage with Tirlán’s teams involved in sustainability initiatives such as the Farming for Water River Slaney Project, Sustainability Action Payment programme, the on-farm FarmGen  solar programme, the Twenty20 Beef Club, ASSAP water quality advisors and more.