Organic Demonstration Farm Walks
Teagasc hold regular organic demonstration farm walks throughout the country. These events are an excellent opportunity for anyone considering entering organic production to see first-hand the differences in operating an organic system. Teagasc Advisors, DAFM representatives, the Organic Certification Bodies and of course the farmers themselves are all available on the day to answer questions and give guidance.
Upcoming Growing Organics Farm Walks
Click on the links below to find out more about the upcoming Growing Organics Farm Walks
John O'Hanlon, Ballymahon, Co. Longford
Tuesday, 24th September | 2pm
Join us on Tuesday, 24th September at 2pm for a Growing Organics Farm Walk - Suckler to Store on the farm of John O'Hanlon, Tipper, Ballymahon, Co. Longford. Eircode: N39 K0Y8.
About the farm
John O’Hanlon and his family run an organic suckler to store enterprise in Ballymahon, Co. Longford. The farm is currently in year 2 of organic conversion and comprises of 31ha of grassland and 6ha of forestry. John’s main aim after joining organics was to make a genuine attempt at running an efficient and profitable organic suckler enterprise on mixed quality land whilst working full time off farm.
The suckler enterprise comprises of 30 Limousin, Simmental and Hereford cross cows which run with a Charolais bull. The offspring are gradually sold at 15/16 months of age to give cash flow over the summer months.
Some of the changes John has carried out since joining organics involved changing his winter housing to meet the organic standards, some reseeding of old swards with ryegrass and white clover, creating additional paddocks and establishing a red clover silage sward. A lot of work has also been carried out to address soil fertility with liming being the first priority. John has always tried to make high quality silage each year so as to minimise the need for expensive organic ration.
Previous Farm Walks
Beechlawn Organic Farm
On Wednesday, 28th August a farm walk took place at Beechlawn Organic Farm, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, H53 K753.
About the farm
Beechlawn Organic Farm are producers and distributors of Irish grown and imported organic fruit and vegetables. Certified by the Irish Organic Association and Bord Bia Sustainable Horticulture Assurance Scheme, the farm comprises both field-scale and protected production of organic horticultural crops.
This farm walk is a chance to view at first-hand the experiences of one of the leading organic enterprises in Ireland. Everyone welcome.
John Hamilton, Tonyhabboc, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal
On Thursday, 27th June an Organic Suckler Beef, Sheep & Tillage Farm Walk took place on the farm of John Hamilton, Tonyhabboc, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal (The Outfarm). Eircode: F93 C598.
Download the farm walk booklet Growing Organics Farm Walk Booklet John Hamilton Donegal (pdf)
About the Farm
John runs a mixed farming enterprise, with a mix of Sucklers, Mid-season lambing flock of ewes and a Tillage enterprise. There is a herd of 20 suckler cows on the farm with all cattle brought through to finish and sold to Goodherdsman. The sheep flock consists of 50 ewes with a scanning rate of approximately 1.8 lambs per ewe. All lambs are finished on farm. The tillage enterprise consists of mixed cropping/combi crop, arable silage and also a pea bean mix which is being trialled on the farm for 2024.
John places a big emphasis on making good quality silage through the use of red clover, and focuses on having a good rotation plan for the tillage and grassland system for the management of weeds, plant pests and soil fertility. As part of the rotation on the farm a forage rape is established with the aim of managing weeds/rushes. The aim for 2024 is to incorporate a multispecies sward mix into the rotation also.
Discussion on the day included:
- John's farming system
- Growing your own feed- combi crop
- Feed value/sourcing high quality protein feed in Organics
- Red Clover
- Forage rape
Growing Organics Farm Walks 2023
Farm walks as part of the Growing Organics Programme took place on four farms in 2023. Click on the links below to access the booklets from the farm walks.
Sheep & Cereals
Jason Stanley, Errill, Co. Laois - June
Suckler Finishing
Oliver and Anna Dixon, Athena Organic Farm, Claremorris, Co. Mayo - July
Suckler and Forestry
Eanna Canavan, Clare - October
Suckler
Thomas Kavanagh, Dingle - October
Previous Farm Walks