09 June 2025
Farmers’ views: Courage needed to lower emissions
Just two of the many farmers leading the way on Ireland’s journey to lower agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, John Walsh and Edwin Thompson illustrated why courage and adaptability are key to sustainable farming in today’s world.
As part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Climate Change: Science into Action Conference, held in Dublin Castle on June 5, John Walsh, who farms with his wife Maria and son Brendan in Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary, detailed their journey of lowering chemical nitrogen use.
With farmers adapting to a heightened regulatory environment, necessitating a reduction in chemical nitrogen use, John Walsh, a participant in the Teagasc Signpost Programme and Teagasc/Dairygold Joint Programme, told the 500 delegates in attendance: “We can either complain about lower nitrogen limits or find an alternative.”
For John, that alternative has been clover, with the winner of the Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Award 2024 adding: “The old Teagasc nitrogen fertiliser blueprint, where cows were followed with 30 units of nitrogen, is gone. Although it was easy to do, we now have to adapt to ensure we’re still growing enough grass for our cows while also protecting the environment.”
The change on the Walshs’ farm included the addition of white clover to grazing swards, the establishment of multispecies swards and producing a third of the winter feedstocks from red clover swards.
On this change, John Walsh added: “Farmers need to trust the new system. It takes time to get used to, but our primary aim is to grow grass in a lower nitrogen environment.”
With clover swards now a mainstay on the Walshs’ dairy farm in Ballylooby, John added: “It takes a lot of effort to get clover right. Your soil pH, phosphorus and potassium indexes have to be optimum, and you need to manage it correctly during establishment.”
Brendan, Maria and John Walsh pictured on their farm in Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary.
Adapting to these changes, John Walsh noted “took courage,” but he credited the support and trust built through discussion group membership, where farmers share experiences and troubleshoot challenges together as a driving force for taking action.
Next generation considerations
Tipperary dairy farmer and participant in the Teagasc Signpost Programme, Edwin Thompson told delegates why a desire to leave the farm in a strong position was a driving force for the climate actions he is taking.
Edwin Thompson pictured on his farm in Co. Tipperary
Edwin Thompson explained: “Irish farmers are very tied to the land. It’s multigenerational and we care a lot about it.
“I received the farm from my father in great shape; he planted trees and established hedgerows, and I want to continue that legacy. I think there is a real willingness to make Irish farming more sustainable and I think the family bond to the land is unique in Ireland.
“The next generation will look at farming differently to us. They will benefit from more education and new technology, but if we can pass on the farm in good shape, they will have the opportunity to farm in a sustainable way into the future.”
Edwin also spoke about the shift in mindset required to balance productivity with nature, adding: “It means moving away from having tidy fields all the time and allowing space for nature in productive grassland. The odd clump of nettles isn’t something to worry about.”
When asked his thoughts on the actions farmers are taking to adopt climate actions, Edwin Thompson added: “99% of the farmers I know will do their best to look after the environment.”
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