Carbery to help with environmental, economic sustainability on farms
Teagasc is currently gathering data and analysis for Carbery, the dairy group headquartered in Ballineen, West Cork, and owned by Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh, and Lisavaird co-ops.
The first of its kind in Ireland, the project was formally launched by Agriculture Minister Simon at a ceremony in Fernhill Hotel, Clonakilty, Co Cork.
“The Greener Dairy Farms Project is truly innovative; it shows that Carbery Group and the farming community in Ireland are committed to environmentally sustainable farming methods and this gives us a huge advantage internationally,” said Mr Coveney.
Teagasc’s research has identified soil fertility as needing to be improved, with 87% of soils tested being low in either an essential nutrient or being too acidic. It also found that electricity costs varied greatly, from 0.37c/litre to 0.63c/litre. Taking the average numbers of litres produced in the group, this signifies a difference of almost €1,400. The amount of water required to produce milk also varied significantly, the average being 6.5 litres per litre of milk.
However, while, on average the group recycles approximately 20% of the water that they use, one individual recycles more than 60%. Carbery Group chief executive, Dan MacSweeney, said: “Our market research tells us that our customers and our consumers are increasingly taking an interest in the environmental impact of our supply chain. The milk produced in West Cork has a very low environmental impact as it is produced from grass, in fact it has the lowest carbon footprint for producing a kilogramme of milk solids than anywhere else in Europe.”
Teagasc has increased its research focus for this project to 20 West Cork farms from its initial 14 farms. It aims to identify specific technologies and management changes that could be carried out to improve the efficient use of resources and reduce the impact on the environment.
Some of the techniques used so far to identify areas of potential improvement include; energy audits, the calculation of carbon footprint and use of the ‘Carbon Navigator’.
Participants also complete sustainability plans which analyse areas where carbon footprint could be reduced, such as breeding, calving interval, fertiliser usage.
Pat Dillon, Teagasc Moorepark’s head of animal and grassland programmes said: “The enthusiasm of the farmers taking part in the trials is a testament to the levels of interest in green issues amongst the farming community.”
A walk on the farm of Michael and Marguerite Crowley, Bauravilla, Skibbereen, outlining the project, will take place on July 1 at 11am.
