Signpost Sustainability Month 2023
The month of October had been designated as Signpost Sustainability Month 2023.
The month consisted of online content, including webinars and podcasts, along with regional events.
Signpost General Assembly
Signpost Programme General Assembly 2023
The Signpost Programme General Assembly took place on Tuesday the 10th of October at Trim Castle Hotel in County Meath. The purpose of this assembly is to bring Signpost Programme Partners and the Signpost Programme Farmers together for an update on progress from the programme, emerging research, policies and Signpost Programme planning for 2024. Please see presentations below from the General Assembly.
Introducing the New Teagasc MACC 2023 (pdf)
Climate and Air Policy Update – Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (pdf)
Pointing the way to lower agricultural GHG emissions – Signpost Results 2022 (pdf)
Podcasts
The Dairy Edge Podcast Interview with Signpost farmer John & Brendan Walsh as they share details of their sustainability journey and the progress they are making in adopting the technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Environment EdgeInterview with Tom O’Dwyer, head of the Teagasc Signpost programme joins Deirdre and Cathal on the podcast to give an update on the progress to date, the role of Signpost demonstration farms and the pathway to 2030.
OviCast Sheep PodcastInterview with Signpost farmer John O’Connell as he shares details of his sustainability journey and the progress he is making in adopting the technologies that will allow him to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Beef Edge PodcastInterview with Signpost farmer James O’Sullivan from West Cork, as he discusses the steps he’s taking to improve the sustainability of his farm by increasing animal performance and incorporating clover and multispecies on his farm.
The Tillage Edge PodcastMichael Hennessy chats to Don Somers a tillage Signpost farmer in Wexford about how Don is using precision farming techniques to optimise the supply of both chemical and organic fertiliser to his crops.
National Farm Survey – 2022 Sustainability Report
This report provides the latest available information on the sustainability performance of farms in Ireland, based on detailed analysis of data collected through the Teagasc National Farm Survey. Economic, Social, Environmental and Innovation sustainability metrics are produced for Dairy, Cattle, Sheep and Tillage farms in 2022. The report also includes time series results over several years, which allows an assessment of how farm sustainability has changed temporally.
The National Farm Survey – 2022 Sustainability Report, Webinar & Presentations
Previous Events
Offaly | John Dunne | 27th of October | 2pm
Autumn Beef Health Walk
Tinnacrannagh House, Portarlington, Co. Offaly. Eircode: R32 V127
Topics:
- Housing Requirements
- Winter Nutrition
- Animal Health
- Farm Safety
Leitrim | Oliver O’Hara | 26th of October | 4pm
Autumn Beef Health Walk
Gortnaskeagh, Leckaun, Co. Leitrim, F91 Y8P6
Topics:
- Housing Requirements
- Winter Nutrition
- Animal Health
- Farm Safety
Roscommon | Des McHugh | 23rd of October | 11am-1pm
Dairy Farm Walk
Donnard, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, F42 PC82
Topics:
- Farm performance
- Nitrates regulations
- Soil fertility
- Milk recording
Louth | Belview Egg Farm Ltd | 12th of October | 11am – 3pm
Poultry Event
Monasterboice Inn (Donegan’s) Drogheda Road, Silloge, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 A59E
Topics:
- Carbon Footprinting Free Range Eggs
- Energy & the use of Solar Panels
- Drying Manure & the use of Poultry Litter to grow Irish Grain
Cork | Jimmy Cotter | 12th of October | 11am-1pm
Dairy Farm Walk
Leades, Coachford, Co. Cork, P12 DA58
Topics:
- On-farm performance
- Implications of Nitrates regulations
- Reducing chemical nitrogen on-farm / improving water quality
Launch of the Teagasc Sustainability Report 2022
Friday October 6th
Teagasc researchers hosted an online webinar where they discussed the Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability of Irish Agriculture, including outcomes for 2022. During the webinar, they reported on Economic, Social, and Environmental Metrics, utilizing nationally representative data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey. Additionally, an update was provided on the development of a biodiversity indicator on NFS Farms.
The National Farm Survey – 2022 Sustainability Report, Webinar & Presentations
Limerick | Sean Barry | 5th of October | 11am-1pm
Dairy Farm Walk
Ballyluddy, Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick, V94 W447
Topics:
- On-farm performance
- Implications of Nitrates regulations
- Reducing chemical nitrogen on-farm / improving water quality
Waterford | Shane & John Fitzgerald | 3rd of October | 11am-1pm
Dairy Farm Walk
Kilmagemogue, Portlaw, Co. Waterford, X91 RY18
Topics:
- Farm Information, Milk Grass, KPI Financials
- Soil Health in Conjunction with Multi Species & Clover
- Importance of a Work Life Balance
- Know Your Number AgNav
Cork | Kieran & Cathal O’Sullivan | 3rd of October | 11am
Dairy Farm Walk
Dunmanus, Goleen, Co. Cork, Signposted off the main Goleen to Durrus road (R591)
Topics:
- Grass / Clover swards
- Reducing Farm Emissions
- Autumn Grass Management