Attend an organic crop walk this June
Two Organic Crop Walks will take place in early June, offering farmers the chance to see how organic crops are performing this season.
Led by the Teagasc Organic Advisory team, these on farm events will focus on assessing how crops are currently looking and progressing and will share insights on achieving better outcomes through intercropping, including what makes a good intercrop and innovative weed control solutions suited to organic systems.
Other topics to be discussed at the farm walks will include the importance of adequate grain storage and handling infrastructure, the role of legumes in crop rotations, and the contribution of cover crops, exploring what each aim to achieve. There will also be discussion on managing soil health, and on marketing and supply chains for organic produce.
Speaking ahead of the farm walks in Carlow and Offaly, Teagasc Organic Tillage Specialist, Martin Bourke said: “These walks are a great opportunity to see how organic crops are developing in the field and to exchange ideas on practical management. Whether you’re already farming organically or considering the move, you’ll find useful insights and real examples of innovation at work.”
Amanda Galvin and Shane Dunne – Offaly
Wednesday 3rd June at 2:00 pm
Amanda and Shane have been farming organically since 2021. They have a mid-season lambing ewe flock and grow crops for their own use and sale. The farm consists of 51ha, 27ha of which is fully organic and 24ha has been added this year and is in year one of conversion. The cropping for 2026 involves 7.43ha in pea & barley intercrop, 6.37ha in red clover, 5.14ha in spring oats, 5.41ha in winter oats and lastly 7.96ha in spring beans.
Joe Nolan – Carlow
Thursday 4th June at 11:00 am
Joe Nolan is farming in Kilconnor, Fenagh, Co. Carlow along with his wife Clair and their son Ciaran. Joe began his conversion to organic farming in March 2022 and reached full organic status in March 2024. The farm which is 98.45 ha’s comprises of a mix of tillage and sheep production with 53.81 ha’s in tillage and 44.64 ha’s in grass/red clover/multispecies.
Joe is very happy to have made the move into an organic farming system. “It suits the way I want to farm and my lifestyle. I like the way I can sow a crop and close the gate on it. I also find there is much more of a need to plan ahead and make decisions in advance. You also need to understand your own farm and stock and know what they need and what you can achieve with your land and animals under the organic system.”
Find out more and register for the organic crop farm walks here