Latest news with #FarmingforWaterEIP
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Farmers see Moorepark's blueprint for cleaner water in action at open day
With Ireland's dairy industry depending heavily on water quality improvements in order to secure a nitrates derogation beyond this year, one of the country's best-known dairy farms is doing its bit. The Teagasc farm at Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, was visited by dairy farmers from all over Ireland at the recent open day, and they heard about the farm's water quality challenge, and what is being done about it (the farm is also restricted due to a bovine TB outbreak, so visitors got a dose of farming reality on the double). The farm is in a catchment of the Funshion river, which rises in the Galtee Mountains at Kilbeheny, and flows southward, then westward, before flowing southeast through Glanworth and draining into the Munster Blackwater about 3.5km downriver of Fermoy. It passes through the Moorepark farm. The Funshion catchment on each side of the motorway in north Cork has four Environmental Protection Agency water quality monitoring stations. Their results show the area's "moderate" ecological status, and average nitrate concentrations of 3.5 to 4mg/l, exceeding the estuarine standard of 2.6mg/L. Teagasc has also been measuring nitrate leaching from pastures, using ceramic cups at the root zone level about a metre below the soil surface. The figures were higher at Moorepark (8.34 to 11.03) and at Teagasc's Curtins farm, Fermoy (6.2 to 9.55), compared to the farm at Teagasc's Clonakilty Agricultural College (2.35 to 4.89). Water quality improvements are needed in the Funshion area to achieve the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive (and as part of the water quality improvement needed to secure Ireland's nitrates derogation). Under the guidance of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme advisers, several measures in the Better Farming for Water Campaign and the Farming for Water EIP have been, or will be implemented, in Moorepark. These measures include a rainwater management plan, which is a basic feature of the Farming for Water EIP. It is a detailed evaluation and mapping of water flow in the farmyard and the surrounding land. Another Farming for Water basic, nitrogen surplus reduction, is being carried out by improving soil fertility, optimising fertiliser application and timing, and using white and red clover swards to replace chemical fertiliser, and plantain in swards to reduce nitrate leaching. Precision nitrogen spreading is also used. Other Farming for Water measures at Moorepark are tree-planting along waterways, water bars (on farm roadways to divert run-off away from rivers and streams), sediment traps, willow filter beds, and a farmyard settlement tank (a two-chamber tank to help filter and "polish" water before it reaches the drainage network). About 8km of native hedgerows have been established on the Moorepark farm, helping to reduce overland flow, and supporting biodiversity. In 2023, three hectares of native woodland and undisturbed water setback were established to prevent excess nutrients and sediment from entering the Funshion River. This will also stabilise the riverbank, while increasing the carbon sequestration potential and biodiversity. Additional farmyard measures being explored include sand filters and constructed wetlands to treat dairy soiled water, and willow filter beds to mitigate water coming from lightly trafficked yards. The work at Moorepark mirrors national actions on water quality, which have contributed to the 10% reduction in nitrate concentration in rivers in most regions last year, as recently reported by the EPA. More than 3,600 farmers have applied for support under the five-year Farming for Water EIP, which commenced last year, with €50m ringfenced for payments to up to 15,000 farmers. Meanwhile, 50 Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme advisers provide free, confidential water quality advice and support to farmers, in addition to Teagasc's Better Farming for Water advisory campaign. Grant aid for low-emission slurry spreading equipment and manure storage has been increased to 60%, combined with a separate investment threshold of €90,000. Since 2015, more than €138m has been paid to farmers supporting their investments in manure storage and low-emission slurry spreading. Read More Teagasc confirms rebounds in farm incomes for all sectors last year
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Water quality of Wexford's rivers discussed at special meeting – ‘We can do a lot better'
Representatives from the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) provided an update on the work they are carrying out under the Water Action Plan which is part of the EU Water Framework Directive. There was also information on new farming initiatives, including the €60 million Farming for WaterEIP, Tiran's Slaney Farming for Water and the Teagasc Better Farming for Water initiative. Chaired by Frank Burke, Climate Action Coordinator with WCC, the meeting featured a presentation from Eoin Kinsella, executive scientist with WCC, who outlined the work being carried out by his team, from agricultural inspections to managing litter on the blue flag beaches. Discussing the Bann catchment area, Dr Fran Igoe of LAWPRO said: 'The glass is only half full when it comes to water quality in Wexford and we can do a lot better. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that the River Bann is a significant contributor of nitrates to the Slaney, and that combined with the other tributaries amounts to high nitrate loading to the Slaney. "This needs to be addressed as EPA monitoring shows there is an excessive nitrate impact on the estuary and Wexford Harbour. Clean water is important for Wexford's tourism, shellfish production and maintaining the health of the River Slaney generally. Most of the River Bann is also important for salmon and trout spawning and the water quality needs improvement.' Tirlán chairperson John Murphy spoke about its commitment as a dairy processor to improving water quality in the area with their Slaney Farming for Water Project, which aims to encourage farmers to install measures funded through the Farming for WaterEIP and Tiran's own suitability programme. Cathy Lee of the Friends of the Ahare River Biodiversity and Development Group, provided examples of the activities the group have carried out in the area, including biodiversity signage along the river, school visits to the river and family fun days at the Cloon beach. Ross Finlay project officer with the Slaney Rivers Trust spoke about its objective to improve salmon stocks in the Slaney and plans for further community engagement. The Slaney Rivers Trust is working with Inland Fisheries Ireland on the new barrier removal programme.
Irish Examiner
08-07-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
From rain to results: Managing grass and breeding in Bandon
Cows are milking around 23L and 4.12% fat and 3.6% protein as of June 24, 2025, and they are currently on 3kg of 14% concentrate per day. I used all artificial insemination this year. I did not use any stock bull. We will finish our breeding around July 20. Repeats have quietened down. We got a good few repeats around week six of breeding, everything has settled down since then. There is bull running with the heifers at the moment. These heifers were also synchronised. I have not scanned anything yet. I walked the farm on Wednesday. I have one paddock at 1,500kg DM/ha and one paddock at 1,650kg DM/ha. I am going to skip these two paddocks in the hope that I can bale them next week. My cover per livestock unit is at 150. This is a bit low so if I run tight in grass, I will be able to go back and graze my two heaviest paddocks instead of baling them. This is not ideal, but it may be my only option if I do run tight on grass. With the rain at the end of June, I am confident that growth rates will be high for the next few days and my cover per livestock unit will increase. My demand at the moment is 62kg DM/ha/day and growth is at 70kg DM/ha/day. To date, I have not done any pre-mowing or topping of paddocks. As I said, I took out five paddocks for first-cut silage, I like to take out paddocks for bales when there is a surplus of grass on farm. Sometimes this can lead to me being tight on grass for a few days, but I find I have better quality of grass for the cows to graze compared to pre-mowing or topping. Our re-seeds are in six weeks now. They are coming up to the right stage now for spraying. They had excellent germination, and I top-dressed them with 25 units of nitrogen about a week ago. I hope to spray these fields as soon as possible, once the weather permits. I will be spraying these fields with Clovermax to protect the red clover in the swards. I signed up to the Farming for Water EIP through my Carbery ASSAP advisor. I am signed up to complete a nitrogen surplus plan and I will get my slurry tested. I am applying for a nitrates derogation. All drains and rivers are fenced back 1.5 metres to keep cows and run-off away from watercourses. I have all my water troughs kept over 20 metres away from water courses. All gutters and run-off in the yard is kept to a minimum to try and keep clean water and dirty water separate. I'm hoping to get along to Carbery's Milk Quality and Sustainability farm walk on Glenn Forde's farm on Friday, July 25. Dermot and Linda Walsh are farming in Lislevane, Bandon, with their children Tadgh, Aoife, Maebh, and Eoin. They milk 84 cows and supply Barryroe Co-op. Read More Dermot's planning ahead to make best use of nutrient applications
Irish Independent
06-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Wexford IFA launch pilot guide to improving water quality
The pilot initiative contains eight actions for change as part of the Better Farming for Water programme. Under three headings – Nutrient Management, Farmyard Management and Land Management – the guide identifies actions to support farmers to achieve higher water quality. The guide was recently launched at the tillage event on the farm of William and Craig Masterson in Bunclody on Wednesday, July 2. IFA Environment Chair John Murphy said the Better Farming for Water programme and the Farming for Water EIP are helping farmers to go beyond regulatory requirements to protect and restore water bodies. 'The latter project is open to all farmers with land in priority action areas (PAAs) where targeted water quality improvements are needed,' he said. He and Jer O' Mahony, the Wexford Environment and Rural Affairs Representative, explained that Wexford farmers recognise that agriculture plays a vital role in achieving the water quality targets set by the Water Framework Directive and are taking proactive steps to protect local water bodies by implementing practical on-farm measures. This includes improving nutrient management, fencing off watercourses, reducing runoff, and adopting targeted solutions like sediment traps and catch crops. "These actions are already making a positive impact, with improvements in water quality recorded across the county. By taking action now, we can continue to protect our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters—supporting sustainable farming and clean water for everyone,' they said. They also highlighted that funding is potentially available to farmers in Co. Wexford under the Farming for Water EIP. This project is a €60 million farmer and advisory led initiative to project and restore water quality. The project is open to all farmers with land in priority action areas (PAAs) and all dairy and tillage farmers in nitrates catchments of concern where targeted water quality improvements are needed.
Irish Examiner
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
‘Farming for the Future' event to take place in Laois
A 'Farming for the Future' open farm walk, hosted by Tirlán, will be held in Laois on June 23. The farm walk will take place on Seamus Brennan's farm at Attanagh, Co Laois, from 11 am until lunchtime, with Tirlán encouraging farm families from across its catchment to attend. Tirlán's sustainability programme teams will be in attendance for panel discussions and presentations by experts from Teagasc, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture, Tillage Industry Ireland, Dairy Industry Ireland, and Meat Industry Ireland. Farming organisations are invited and encouraged to contribute to the practical, information-focused event. 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 the Farming for Water EIP grant funding. Attendees will also hear how they can boost performance through milk solids. The whole sector approach to enhancing water quality also includes demonstrations throughout the event on fertiliser spreader calibration and managing catch crops. 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 benefited both 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 in June of last year attracted large numbers and resonated 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. Mr Brennan's farm is located at Attanagh, near Ballyragget, close to the Kilkenny/Laois border, Eircode R32 NX26. Read More Demo farm reports 32% lower emissions with more profitable cattle
