Bord Bia and Teagasc to host series of farm walks this Autumn
Farm walks for beef and sheep farmers taking place in Limerick, Kilkenny, Sligo, Galway and Monaghan
Bord Bia and Teagasc are set to host a series of farm walks aimed at beef and sheep farmers this Autumn. Commencing on 11 September (6-8pm) in County Limerick, the farm walks are designed to inform beef and sheep farmers about Bord Bia’s Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) and to assist farmers in preparations for their audit.
Following on from a previous Bord Bia/Teagasc walk in Clonakilty on 24 July, the first Autumn farm walk will take place in Salesian Agricultural College in Pallaskenry, County Limerick. Following this, there will be a walk at Kildalton Agricultural College, Kilkenny on the 25th of September, one at Mountbellew Agri College, Galway on the 4th of October, one in Sligo on the 9th of October, and finally finishing with a farm walk in Monaghan.
Speaking about the walks, Bord Bia’s Quality Assurance Manager, Mick Houlihan said: “In hosting these walks, Bord Bia wants to support farmers in their continued participation in the Quality Assurance schemes. Through their commitment to SBLAS, farmers are ensuring that we continue to grow exports to international markets which have high demands around food safety, animal welfare, sustainability, and health and nutrition. Our Quality Assurance Schemes ensure that we can prove the highest standards required by these markets are in place on Irish farms”
Bord Bia auditors will demonstrate some of the common non-compliance areas in the audit and how to avoid these errors. Each attendee will also receive a Quality Assurance Information Booklet which will clearly outline what is required of farmers to prepare for their SBLAS audit.
Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist, stated: “It is vitally important that farmers maintain their SBLAS status even under such difficult market conditions because it shows our customers that we are committed to producing beef and lamb of the highest international standards which has full traceability.”
Bord Bia will also present on the new farmer feedback report that all Quality Assured farmers are set to receive from September, following their audit. The data gathered will be used to generate a feedback report which includes a summary of the farm’s environmental performance and advice on how to improve efficiencies. The feedback will be formulated in collaboration with Teagasc and focus on measures set out in the Teagasc MACC curve (marginal abatement cost curve).
Further details on the farm walks can be found at www.bordbia.ie/farmers-growers or by contacting Liam.McCabe@bordbia.ie or on 01 614 3648.