Join us for the Water Quality Conference in the Killenard Hotel, Co. Laois, Wed 29th of October 2025.
Teagasc Water Quality Conference Proceeding Booklet (PDF)
Agenda
Click on the links below to view the presentations
09:00 – 09:25 Registration and Tea/Coffee/refreshments
09:25 – 09:30
Welcome Liam Herlihy, Chairperson, Teagasc
09:30 – 09:45
Opening Address Professor Frank O’Mara, Director, Teagasc
Session 1: Water quality policy and regulatory challenges for Agriculture in Ireland
Chair Professor Pat Dillon, Director of Research, Teagasc
09:45 – 10:10
Delivering water quality improvements – National and EU policy drivers
Marie Archbold, Senior Adviser – Water Advisory Unit DHLGH
10:10 – 10:35
Water Quality in Ireland – Pressures, trends and targeting measures
Dr. Jenny Deakin, Programme Manager, Water Programme – Office of Evidence and Assessment, EPA
10:35 – 11:00
Update on Ireland’s 6th Nitrates Action Programme and the Nitrates Derogation renewal
Ted Massey, Head of Water Quality and Air Division, DAFM
11:00 – 11:30 Panel discussion and Q & A – All speakers
11:30 – 12:00 Tea/Coffee Break
Session 2: Catchment science approach to improving water quality in an agricultural setting
Chair Dr. Karen Daly, Head of Environment, Soils and Land Use Department, Johnstown Castle, Teagasc
12:00 – 12:30
New Zealand approach to improve water quality in an agricultural catchment landscape
Professor Richard McDowell, Principal Scientist New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited
12:30 – 12:50
Lessons learned from the Agriculture Catchments Programme (ACP) to improve water quality nationally
Dr Per-Erik Mellander, Senior Research Officer, Agricultural Catchments Programme, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle
12:50 – 13:15 Panel discussion and Q & A – All speakers
13:15 – 14:15 Lunch
Session 3: Supporting farmers to improve water quality through research and advisory
Chair Anthony Coleman, Director of Service, LAWPRO
14:15 – 14:35
Teagasc Better Farming for Water Campaign – a multi actor, catchment focused approach to improving water quality
Noel Meehan, Head of Water Quality KT Department, Teagasc
14:35 – 14:55
Working with farmers to improve water quality through ASSAP and the Farming for Water EIP
Deirdre Glynn, ASSAP Advisor, Teagasc Kilkenny/Waterford
14:55 – 15:20
Update on slurry and soiled water requirements for livestock in Ireland and its potential to improve nutrient use efficiency
Dr. Pat Tuohy, Senior Research Officer, Teagasc, Moorepark
15:20 – 15:45
Modelling the impact of NAP measures (2017 to 2025) on the potential to improve water quality
Dr. Elodie Ruelle, Senior Research Officer, Teagasc, Moorepark
15:45– 16:15 Panel discussion and Q & A – All speakers
16:15 – 16:30 Closing remarks and take-home messages
Mr Jim Bergin, Chairperson – Better Farming for Water Steering Committee & Chairperson – FBD Holdings PLC