Awards Criteria
The following is an indicative list of the criteria which will be used to assess applicants for a Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Award.
1. Actions taken to reduce gaseous emissions, including:
- Reduced usage of fertiliser nitrogen;
- Liming;
- Usage of protected urea;
- Optimum soil P and K levels;
- Clover/ multi-species swards;
- Usage of low-emissions slurry spreading equipment (LESS);
- Improved breeding stock/genetics – improvements in EBI/ suckler replacement index;
- Improved animal health;
- Calving replacements at 24 months (dairy and suckler beef systems);
- Earlier age at finishing.
2. Actions taken to improve water quality, including:
- Availability of and investment in additional slurry storage capacity;
- Efficient use/ recycling of animal slurries and manures;
- Precision application of nutrients;
- Improved overall nutrient management;
- Reduced nitrogen surplus;
- Protection of watercourses/ management of margins and buffer zones; and
- Green cover/ cover crops (tillage).
3. Actions taken to enhance biodiversity, including:
- Improved management of hedgerows;
- Planting trees/ native woodland/ hedgerows;
- Improved management of field margins;
- Actions to protect existing on-farm habitats; and
- Actions to protect native wildlife species - flora and fauna.
4. Actions taken to improve soil health and carbon, including:
- Enhanced grassland management;
- Clover/ multi-species swards;
- Avoidance of soil compaction;
- Minimum tillage;
- Green cover/ cover crops;
- Straw incorporation;
- Inclusion of legumes in crop rotation;
- Forestry;
- Improved management of hedgerows; and
- Water table management - peat soils
5. Overall farm productivity
6. Participation in sustainability programme:
- Signpost Advisory Programme
- ACRES
- ASSAP
- Bord Bia Sustainable Assurance Scheme
- EIP project
- etc.