Meet the Dairy Finalists of the Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024
The Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards celebrate dairy farmers strides towards sustainable farming. These awards recognize the efforts made to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the production of high-quality, nutritious dairy, ensuring both sustainability and profitability.
These awards aim to promote environmentally sustainable practices that reduce farming's impact on the landscape, while maintaining profitability and continuing to produce high-quality, nutritious food. With ambitious government targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030, these farmers are leading the way in combining innovative, eco-friendly practices with economic success.
Dairy Finalists
Alan & Cheryl Poole
Cheryl and Alan Poole are dairy farming near Gorey in Co. Wexford. While operating an efficient dairy unit, the Pooles' have allowed hedgerows to grow up and out on the farm providing shelter and food for wildlife and increased carbon sequestration potential. The Pooles' also have conservation programmes on the farm helping to protect the swift, sand martin and other species.
Key Farm Actions:
- Allowing hedgerows to grow for wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration
- Running conservation programmes for species protection
Edwin Thompson
Edwin Thompson is dairy farming near Golden in Co. Tipperary. Edwin has reduced chemical N use by up to 40% in the last few years through good soil fertility, incorporation of clover (74% of milking platform is medium and high clover) and better use of slurry.
High DBI bulls are used on the cows to ensure good quality calves for sale to the beef farmer.
Key Farm Actions:
- Reducing chemical N
- Growing clover
- Making better use of slurry
- Improved dairy beef genetics through high DBI bulls
John & Brendan Walsh
John and Brendan Walsh are dairy farming in Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary. Currently 65% of the farm contains clover with some paddocks receiving no chemical fertiliser in the last two years. Chemical N use has been reduced and GPS equipment is used to reduce waste. Hedgerows are managed to allow individual white thorn trees to grow up. John & Brendan are also using buffer zones to protect water quality.
Key Farm Actions:
- Reducing chemical N
- Growing clover
- Allowing hedgerows to grow for wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration
- Established required buffer zones
Martin Crowe
Martin Crowe is dairy farming in Doon, Co. Limerick. Martin participated in the Mulkear water EIP in recent years and with the funding provided, he has since implemented a number of actions to improve water quality, including bunded drains and riparian margins. Other measures taken include increased slurry storage, creation of a wetland pond and lowering N surplus/ha on fields at risk for nitrate leaching. Martin has also established a number of new hedgerows on the farm.
Key Farm Actions:
- Established required buffer zones
- Bunded drains
- Increased slurry storage
- Reducing chemical N
Richard Starrett
Richard Starrett is dairy farming near Lifford, Co. Donegal. All straight chemical N applied on the farm is protected urea. Richard has invested in extra slurry storage to give him the flexibility to use slurry when he can get the best value from it and protect the water courses on the farm. Richard also breeds high EBI animals to improve his herd quality.
Key Farm Actions:
- Using NBPT protected urea
- Increased slurry storage
- Improved herd quality
Shane Fitzgerald
Shane Fitzgerald is dairy farming with his fiancée Kate and father John in Portlaw, Co. Waterford. Shane has reduced chemical N use, created riparian buffer zones and a road sweeper to help maintain water quality. Shane has also used methane reducing feeding additives to reduce methane emissions in his dry cows.
Key Farm Actions:
- Reducing chemical N
- Established required buffer zones
- Use of methane reducing feed additives