24 November 2024
Meet the category winners of the Teagasc FBD Sustainability Awards 2024
A special episode of the Signpost Series took place on Friday, November 15, where we met the category winners of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024.
Host Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department, was joined by Dr Siobhán Kavanagh, Signpost Communications and Engagement Specialist; Noel Meehan, Head of ASSAP, Teagasc; Ruth Wilson, National Biodiversity Data Centre; and the four category winners of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024. The category winners are:
- Edwin Thompson, Tipperary, Dairy Farmer, Winner of the “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions” Category
- James O’Keeffe, Meath, Tillage farmer, Winner of the “Improving Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration” Category
- Ken Gill, Offaly, suckler beef farmer, Winner of the “Enhancing biodiversity” Category
- Martin Crowe, Limerick, Dairy farmer, Winner of the “Improving Water Quality” Category
Watch a recording of the webinar below:
Judges’ observations
Through the webinar, Dr. Siobhán Kavanagh shared some of the key observations of the judging panel of the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024, focusing on the elements of: technical efficiency and economic sustainability; motivation for action; progress in implementing the Signpost Programme’s 12 steps; diversification; education and learning; collaboration; family and future generations.
Dr. Kavanagh explained: “The judges were incredibly impressed by the high levels of technical efficiency paired with strong economic sustainability.
“It is essential that we recognise farmers who are making a good living while also caring for the environment. A key focus was on getting the fundamentals right – such as soil fertility, breeding, grassland and crop production. We also asked farmers to share their plans to ensure the long-term resilience of their systems.”
On the drivers or motivation for action, Dr. Kavanagh explained that farmers were motivated for many reasons, including: financial incentives; delivering the right product for the market; safeguarding the future for the next generation; and pride in where they live and wanting their kids to be proud of where they came from.
“Perhaps most striking was the recognition of the personal and family well-being that came from engaging in sustainable farming.”
Progress
The progress farmers are making in regard to the Signpost 12 Steps Programme became abundantly clear during the judging process for the Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2024, with Dr. Kavanagh discussing reduced chemical nitrogen use, increased clover integration and the utilisation of GPS and other technologies.
“Initiatives like reducing the age at slaughter, slurry analysis, better management of hedgerows, planting of trees, and biodiversity scoring are transforming these farms, showing real innovation in reducing environmental impacts,” Dr. Kavanagh added.
Progress doesn’t end there, with Dr. Kavanagh adding: “Many of the farmers we visited have gone beyond the Signpost Programme, diversifying into areas such as agroforestry, solar energy, biomass boilers, and rainwater harvesting.
“We’ve seen farmers exploring markets for Miscanthus bedding, collaborating in Galway lamb producer groups, and even developing wool marketing initiatives—the list goes on.”
Education, learning and collaboration
Dr. Kavanagh noted that a recurring theme noted by the judges was the commitment to continuous learning.
“Many farmers surrounded themselves with positive people and were eager to learn from others.”
She added: “That connection to people is so important, whether that be through discussion groups, farm advisors, joint programmes, down the mart or the local pub. The desire to give back by sharing their stories was palpable.”
Another important aspect noted was the level of collaboration happening between farmers, with Dr. Kavanagh adding: “Dairy and dairy beef farmers are working together to improve genetics, and tillage farmers are teaming up with livestock farmers to secure organic manure and forage. While we often hear about the importance of collaboration, seeing it in action is still somewhat rare—and all the more special when it does occur.”
Also read: Balancing sheep, beef and tillage – Brian Nicholson’s route to partial organic conversion
Also read: Championing environmental sustainability – what set the Walsh family apart
Also read: How this suckler farmer is going the extra mile to protect water quality
Also read: Award winning Meath dairy-beef farmer prioritises farm-to-farm sourcing
Also read: Edwin Thompson’s steps to reducing greenhouse gas emissions