Value of native grains showcased

Representatives from the Teagasc Crops Department are telling the good story of native Irish grain, be it for inclusion in animal diets or its low carbon footprint, at this week’s National Ploughing Championships.

Teagasc staff are on hand to discuss the benefits of including native grains such as feed barley and rolled oats, along with legumes such as faba beans, in both dairy and beef rations. A 16% dairy ration and 14% beef ration have been formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of both while maximising the inclusion of native grains. At the display, Teagasc staff are encouraging farmers to look for a 65% native grain inclusion rate in concentrate feeds, noting that it can provide a balanced ration at no extra cost.

Next door is a Teagasc display on the carbon footprint of Irish grain, showcasing that native wheat, barley and oats have lower emissions than imports. Additionally, work conducted as part of the Teagasc/Tirlán pilot study in 2022 is also on show, illustrating that Irish oats – once straw is incorporated – are carbon neutral.

Representatives from the National Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Teagasc Oak Park are also present at the National Ploughing Championships, showcasing work from Ireland’s pilot‑scale hub for malting, brewing, distilling and dealcoholisation.

Outdoors, there’s a display on the benefits of organic manures for growing tillage crops, demonstrating how incorporations of farmyard manure and compost can benefit root and crop development.

For more, visit the Teagasc exhibit at this year’s National Ploughing Championships. The Teagasc stand is located at Stand 137, Row 7, Block 3.

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