Farmers are invited to an important farm walk that will showcase some of the key actions award winning dairy farmer, Martin Crowe has taken to protect water quality on his farm.

Farming in Doon, Co. Limerick, Martin Crowe was crowned the winner of the ‘Improving Water Quality’ category of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024. On Tuesday, June 24 and as part of a Teagasc Signpost Programme event titled ‘Award-Winning Water Quality in Action’, farmers will be given the opportunity to see first-hand the actions he’s taken that warranted this award.

Martin has lowered his farm’s nitrogen balance by optimising soil fertility, incorporating clover and making better use of organic manures; the provision of extra slurry storage has greatly helped the latter. Other key features on the farm include the installation of a bunded drain alongside the farmyard to capture runoff, and the construction of a pond that acts as not only biodiversity feature but also as a sediment trap.

Additionally, attendees will hear how Martin has made the best use of Pollution Impact Potential (PIP) maps to identify the risks to water quality on his farm. Other initiatives, including Martin’s involvement in the Mulkear European Innovation Partnership (EIP) and Farming for Water EIP, will be discussed.

When and where?

To learn more about what Martin is doing on his farm to reduce the risk to water quality, visit his farm on June 24 at 11am. The farm is located at Carrigmore, Doon, Co. Limerick. Eircode: V94 HV56.

More information on the Award-Winning Water Quality in Action event is available here.