A Somers’ evening to remember
Hundreds of visitors of all ages attended the Somers family’s tillage farm in Oylegate, County Wexford today, June 17, for an open evening demonstrating how tillage farming and nature can work together.
The event titled: ‘A Somers Evening Farm Walk’ showcased to both farming and general public audiences the practical steps Don Somers is taking to protect soil, water, biodiversity and reduce emissions, and was held in recognition of Don Somers being crowned the overall winner of the 2025 Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards.
Combining modern technology with nature-friendly practices, Don Somers farms 178 hectares in partnership with his uncle Jim, growing feed wheat, barley, oats, oilseed rape, malting barley, beans and a pea-bean mix.
Nutrient management
Attendees at the event learned about Don’s targeted approach to nutrient management. Fertiliser applications are planned according to crop nutrient requirements and soil fertility levels, helping to ensure nutrients are used efficiently and waste is minimised. Additionally, precision soil sampling is carried out every two years, providing highly accurate information to guide nutrient decisions across the farm.
Organic manures such as poultry litter and farmyard manure also play a key role on the farm, contributing to reduced fertiliser costs and better soil health – a win for production, water quality, soil biodiversity and storing carbon.
Technology and soil health
Visitors also witnessed how technology is supporting more efficient farming. Sensors on machinery measure crop growth in real time and adjust fertiliser rates accordingly, while yield maps help identify how different parts of fields are performing. This allows Don to target problem areas, improve efficiency and reduce waste.
Farming across seven blocks, the farm operates on soils ranging from light sandy ground to heavy clay and has used minimum-tillage practices since 2018. At the open evening, Don Somers’ actions to protect soil health were also outlined. Don regularly checks soil structure and looks for earthworms as indicators of healthy soil. Additionally, returning straw to the land and planting cover crops help build soil organic matter, hold nutrients and reduce pollution risk.
Water quality
Located near the River Slaney, protecting water quality is also an important focus for Don, who along with winning the Overall Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Award in 2025, won the Improving Water Quality category at the awards ceremony in October 2025. Through crop rotation, the use of organic manures, reduced chemical nitrogen use and the establishment of cover crops post-harvest, Don is working to reduce nutrient loss from bare soil over the winter and protect water quality.
Biodiversity
An emphasis is also placed on biodiversity. Attendees heard how hedgerows are managed to provide flowers for pollinators in summer and berries for wildlife in autumn, while field margins offer important habitats and movement corridors for wildlife. Through Integrated Pest Management and by encouraging natural predators on the farm, Don has avoided using insecticides for nine years.
A fantastic ambassador
Speaking from the event, Dr Siobhán Kavanagh, Teagasc Signpost Programme Communications and Engagement Specialist, said: “Since being crowned the overall winner of the Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards last October, Don Somers has been a fantastic ambassador, sharing key messages on his journey to date, while always acknowledging the advice and guidance he has received from other farmers along the way.
Don Somers addressing the crowd the Somers evening event
“The attendance at the event is a testament to Don’s ability to communicate complex messages in an understandable way to both farming and non-farming audiences, while always illustrating how productive tillage farming can work hand in hand with environmental stewardship.”