Tackling technology gap critical to future farming

There is a significant technology ‘gap’ in Irish agriculture, said Teagasc director, Professor Gerry Boyle.

He said a recent Teagasc National Farm Survey indicated rates of technology adoption from ‘very high’ to ‘very low’, but also highlighted the importance of advisory contact.

For example, the survey figures, from 2009, showed that farms with advisory contact had higher levels of soil testing, BVD vaccination, and reseeding (see table). A similar story is evident for Irish dairy farmers — who are considered the most efficient farmers.