Are you interested in intercropping or considering adding it to your rotation? Then an upcoming walk on the farm of Growing Organics participant, Tommy Delahunt will be of interest to you.

Farming 31.5ha of organic tillage in east Wicklow, after opting for a partial conversion, Tommy Delahunt grows a range of winter and spring cereals, intercropping includes pea/bean and barley/pea, along with multispecies grass swards. Tommy believes that a diverse range of crops in the rotation will limit the likelihood of weeds becoming a problem on the farm.

The relatively new concept of growing a pea/bean intercrop is being carried out on Tommy’s farm, with the aim of providing an Irish-grown source of protein for the organic animal feed market. The farm walk on July 9, 2025, will take an in-depth look at the intercropping of such protein crops and at intercrops of barley/pea also.

Marketing organic crops

Tommy’s crops of barley/pea are sown under contract for an organic dairy farmer, and spring oats are grown for the expanding organic feed market; some of the oat crop is contracted to Flahavans.

As part of the Growing Organics Farm Walk, seeding rates for oats – comparing high versus low – and also the advantages of a winter oat crop compared to a spring oat crop for weed control will be discussed.

Additionally, as Tommy is growing some crops under contract for other organic farmers, there will be a look at grain handling facilities, along with assessing the value of the crop for sale to the organic feed market.

When and where?

The Growing Organics Farm Walk will take place on the farm of Tommy Delahunt, Ballinaclogh, Co. Wicklow, Eircode: A67 T660 at 11am on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Teagasc advisors, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine representatives, organic certification bodies and Tommy Delahunt will all be available on the day to answer questions and give guidance.

Find out more about the Growing Organics Farm Walk and Programme here.