Awards Criteria

The following is an indicative list of the criteria which will be used to assess applicants for a Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Award.

1. Actions taken to reduce gaseous emissions, including:

Reduced usage of fertiliser nitrogen;
Liming;
Usage of protected urea;
Optimum soil P and K levels;
Clover/ multi-species swards;
Usage of low-emissions slurry spreading equipment (LESS);
Improved breeding stock/genetics – improvements in EBI/ suckler replacement index;
Improved animal health;
Calving replacements at 24 months (dairy and suckler beef systems);
Earlier age at finishing.

2. Actions taken to improve water quality, including:

Availability of and investment in additional slurry storage capacity;
Efficient use/ recycling of animal slurries and manures;
Precision application of nutrients;
Improved overall nutrient management;
Reduced nitrogen surplus;
Protection of watercourses/ management of margins and buffer zones; and
Green cover/ cover crops (tillage).

3. Actions taken to enhance biodiversity, including:

Improved management of hedgerows;
Planting trees/ native woodland/ hedgerows;
Improved management of field margins;
Actions to protect existing on-farm habitats; and
Actions to protect native wildlife species – flora and fauna.

4. Actions taken to improve soil health and carbon, including:

Enhanced grassland management;
Clover/ multi-species swards;
Avoidance of soil compaction;
Minimum tillage;
Green cover/ cover crops;
Straw incorporation;
Inclusion of legumes in crop rotation;
Forestry;
Improved management of hedgerows; and
Water table management – peat soils

5. Organic farming

6. Action taken to diversify the farming system

Diversification of the farming system must be to improve environmental sustainability;
Organics;
Additional tillage land;
Forestry;
Solar;
Wind energy;
etc.

7. Overall farm productivity

6. Participation in sustainability programme:

Signpost Advisory Programme
ACRES
ASSAP
Bord Bia Sustainable Assurance Scheme
EIP project
etc.