Farming for the future in the Blackwater catchment
Philip Murphy, Blackwater Catchment Coordinator, tells us more about the upcoming Better Farming for Water event, highlighting practical solutions for improving performance and water quality.
On June 18th, Teagasc, Dairygold, and the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) are holding an event on the farm of William Blackburn, Kilworth, Fermoy, Co. Cork. This event it being held as part of the Better Farming for Water Campaign being undertaken in the Blackwater catchment area.
This event will look at how high performance dairy systems can deliver for their owners as well as on water quality measures at the same time.
Last year the Blackburn herd delivered 534kg of milk solids per cow to Dairygold in 2025 at 3.82% Protein and 4.87% Fat. The focus of the farm is to maximise the amount of production from grass. Maximising and maintain soil fertility is a key objective with 100% of the farm at pH 6.2 or greater and 90% and 73% of soils at Index 3 or 4 for P and K respectively. Reseeding is also a key element in driving the farm performance.
The farm has already undergone a water quality visit from a Dairygold Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme advisor (ASSAP) which included 1 to 1 advice through the Nitrogen Surplus Plan and Rainwater Management Plan.
The event will focus on addressing the need for additional slurry and soiled water storage that exists on many farms ahead of the introduction of new storage requirements from October 1st,2028. With a further 5% reduction in chemical fertiliser allowances coming into force from January 1st, 2028. Additional slurry storage will facilitate storage of nutrients for use during the growing season when greater recovery can be achieved thus reducing the impact of lower chemical allowances. Additional storage capacity will also allow for better distribution of slurry across the whole farm which has both fertiliser cost saving and water quality advantages.
Cork County Council will look at the typical risk points and compliance issues that arise during farm inspections and give options to prevent or mitigate against them.
Finally, reducing the farm nitrogen (N) balance is an important element of reducing N losses to ground water which will subsequently impact N levels in all water bodies. How farmers can establish this figure for their own farm, the actions they can do to reduce their N balance and how it can benefit them financially will be addressed.
View the Better Farming for Water Blackwater Catchment Action Plan
Find out more about the Farming for the Future Blackwater Catchment Event