Teagasc Water Quality Conference 2026

Join us on Tuesday, 24 November at 9:15am for the Teagasc Water Quality Conference 2026, which is taking place in the Heritage Hotel, Killenard, Co. Laois, R32 PW10.

Click here to register for the conference

Bookings close no later than 5pm on Friday, 13 November.

The Teagasc Water Quality Conference brings together farmers, advisors, researchers and key stakeholders to share knowledge and practical solutions to improve water quality. This year’s conference focuses on farm compliance, reducing nutrient losses to water and the role of good farming practices in protecting water quality. The event provides an opportunity to share experiences, discuss challenges and identify practical actions to improve water quality across Ireland.

Conference Agenda

8:30am – 9:15am
Registration and Tea/Coffee/Refreshments 

9:15am
Welcome Address
Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairperson

9:25am
Opening Address
Professor Frank O’Mara, Director, Teagasc

9:35am
Session 1: Increasing Compliance with National Agricultural Inspections Programme (NAIP)

Chair: Sandra Hayes, Teagasc Regional Advisory Manager Laois/ Kildare/ Offaly 

NAIP inspections – What Issues are Being Identified on Farms?
Frank O’Flynn, Senior Executive Scientist, Cork County Council

Upgrading Farm Infrastructure to Minimise Nutrient Loss to Water
Dr. Pat Tuohy, Teagasc

Dairy Farmer with Upgraded Farm Infrastructure
John Macnamara, Dairy Farmer and Padraig Fitzgerald, Regional Manager, Tipperary and former Limerick ASSAP Advisor, Teagasc

Panel Discussion and Q&A 

11am – 11:30am
Tea/Coffee Break 

Session 2 – Reducing Nitrogen Losses to Water

Chair: Dr. Jenny Deakin, Programme Manager, Water Programme – Office of Evidence and Assessment, EPA

Improving Nitrogen Balance on Pasture-based Systems
Dr. Cathal Buckley, Teagasc

The Role of Cover Crops in Mitigating Nitrate Loss from Tillage Systems
Dr. Russell Adams, Teagasc

Tillage Farmer with Cover Crops; Dairy Farmer with Good Nitrogen Balance
Stuart Fitzgerald, Tillage Farmer and John Pettit, Teagasc
Donald Bateman, Dairy Farmer and Dr. Sarah Walsh, Teagasc

Panel Discussion and Q&A 

1pm – 2pm
Lunch

Session 3 – Environmental Policy & Compliance

Chair: Roy Kingston, Chair of the Lee & Bandon-Ilen Catchment Implementation Group Oversight Committee 

Habitats Directive & Water Framework Directive: Compliance when Granting Individual Nitrates Derogations
Dr. Daire Ó hUallacháin, Water Quality and Air Division, DAFM

The Closed Period for Slurry Spreading – Its Crucial Role in Prevention of Nutrient Loss
Edward Burgess; Catchment Science Specialist, Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme

Case Study: Moynalty Catchment – Water Sampling to Identify Diffuse Losses from Slurry Spreading
Ruth Hennessy, Catchment Manager, River Basin Management Services

Panel Discussion and Q&A

3:30pm
Closing Remarks and Take-home Messages
Jim Bergin, Chairperson of the Better Farming for Water Steering Committee

All welcome to attend