Uplands Events
Uplands Symposium and Open Day- September 2nd and 3rd, 2025
Joint CAFRE and Teagasc for a Sustainable Upland Livestock and Habitat Management Symposium.
The afternoon symposium will be followed by an optional networking dinner at 7.30 p.m.
On Wednesday September 3rd there is a joint CAFRE/Teagasc Hill Farm Open Day at Hill Farm Centre, Glenwherry, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
To register, please book your place on the symposium and select if you would like to attend the networking dinner. If you would like to attend the Hill Farm Open Day on Wednesday 3rd September, please select your tour start time on the registration page.
Book here to attend the symposium, optional networking dinner and open day
Tuesday September 2nd
Theme: “Science in the uplands – guiding the delivery of ecosystem services”.
Agenda – Commencing 13.30
| Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Martin McKendry – DAERA Deputy Secretary Prof. Frank O’Mara – Teagasc Director |
| Strategic Overview of the CAFRE Hill Farm | Mark Scott – CAFRE |
| Teagasc Engagement in the Uplands | Dr. Catherine Keena – Teagasc |
| Peatland Carbon Balance – The Glenwherry Perspective | Prof. Phil Jordan – Ulster University |
| Lessons from Scottish Uplands | Prof. Davy McCracken – SRUC |
| Habitat Condition Monitoring at the CAFRE Hill Farm | Dr. Declan O’Mahony – AFBI |
| Panel Discussion – Chaired by Dr. Saorla Kavanagh – Teagasc | Saorla will facilitate a panel discussion, taking questions from the floor for Catherine, Phil, Davy and Declan. |
| Closing Remarks | Dr. Stan Lalor – Teagasc |
Wednesday September 3rd
CAFRE and Teagasc Hill Farm Open Day – Hill Farm Centre, Glenwherry, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
Theme: ‘Walking the Talk’ – Showcasing the achievability of ecosystem services delivery at CAFRE
Tour groups will depart every 30 minutes beginning at 10:00 am, with the last tour leaving at 4:00 pm. During the tour of the Hill Farm, visitors will hear from a range of speakers about how integrated upland management delivers outcomes for everyone.
The tour will comprise of four stops:
- Hill Sheep and Habitat Management
- Carbon balance in practice – reducing emissions
- Peatland restoration – Planning – Implementation – Management
- Hill Cattle and Habitat Recovery