Kilkenny farm families invited to ‘Farming for the Future’ on-farm event

Tirlán is hosting a flagship ‘Farming for the Future’ open farm walk and talk on Seamus Brennan’s farm at Attanagh, Co Laois, on Monday, June 23, from 11am until lunchtime and is encouraging farm families from Kilkenny and across its catchment to attend.

Tirlán’s sustainability programme teams will be joined for panel discussions and presentations by experts from Teagasc, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tillage Industry Ireland, Dairy Industry Ireland and Meat Industry Ireland. Farming organisations are invited and encouraged to contribute to the practical, information-focused event.

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Presentations and a panel discussion will cover key areas such as farm economic performance and sustainability;  protecting water quality with smart nutrient management and how to avail of Farming for Water EIP grant funding.

Attendees will also hear how they can boost performance through milk solids. The whole of sector approach to enhancing water quality also includes demonstrations throughout the event on fertiliser spreader calibration and managing catch crops. A light lunch will be provided.

Tirlán Chairperson, John Murphy, said: “With a decision on Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation now less than six months away, we’re hosting this  practical, information-focused event close to Ballyragget on the Laois/Kilkenny border to assist our farm families in continuing their work to enhance the environment on their farms.

“This whole of sector approach is paramount, and we want every farmer who attends to take home 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.”

Host farmer, Seamus Brennan, said: “Even the smallest actions on-farm can have a very positive impact on the environment. I’ve made changes on my farm that have benefitted bot the environment and the economic sustainability of my family farm. I’m delighted to host the event and would like to encourage farmers to come along.”

A similar flagship event run in June of last year attracted large numbers and resonated very well with suppliers, speakers and partner organisations involved in Tirlán’s ongoing ‘Farming for Water: River Slaney Project’ which has now been extended across the co-operative’s entire catchment.

• Seamus Brennan’s farm is located at Attanagh, Co Laois near Ballyragget, close to the Kilkenny/Laois border,  Eircode R32 NX26.