Farmers showcase water quality action at Boyne catchment event as Teagasc launches new video series

Pictured at today’s Kepak/Teagasc Better Farming for Water Farm Walk were John Horgan, Kepak and Chair of Boyne Catchment Water Group; Noel Meehan, Head of Water KT, Teagasc; Fiona Doolan, Boyne Catchment Co-Ordinator, Teagasc; and farmers Godfrey Potterton, Co. Kildare, and Donal O’Keeffe, Co. Westmeath. Godfrey and Donal feature in the new video series From Fields to the Boyne, produced by Matthew Walker, also pictured.

Hosted on the Newgrange beef and tillage farm, the Better Farming for Water event brought together experts and farmers to demonstrate practical measures being implemented to improve water quality while maintaining profitable farming systems.
Attendees heard from a range of organisations working with farmers across the catchment and had the opportunity to visit demonstration stands covering topics including nutrient management, watercourse protection, farm infrastructure, advisory supports and farmer-led actions already delivering positive environmental outcomes.
The event also marked the launch of From the Fields to the Boyne, a new five-part video series developed by Teagasc that highlights the positive actions being taken by farmers throughout the catchment to protect and enhance water quality. Combining stunning landscape imagery with personal farmer experiences, the videos capture, not only the measures being adopted, but also the pride farmers have in their local environment and the legacy they hope to leave for future generations.
The series features farmers from across the region who have implemented practical measures on their farms and explores the relationship between farming, nature and the River Boyne through a distinctive storytelling approach.
The five episodes produced and edited by Matthew Walker from Mapped Meaning will be released every Tuesday evening at 8pm over the coming weeks across Teagasc digital channels, with each episode focusing on a different farmer and their individual journey towards improving water quality on their farm.
In the first episode of From the Fields to the Boyne, North Kildare farmer Godfrey Potterton reflects on a lifetime of farming, his family’s connection to the land, and the responsibility of protecting the waterways and habitats that begin at the farm gate.  In this episode, Godfrey shares memories of the stream from years gone by and explains some of the practical measures taken on the farm to protect water quality — from fencing livestock away from the river and providing piped water, to creating wider buffer areas, managing runoff and planting more than 300 metres of native hedgerow. The series will continue each Tuesday evening at 8pm with farmers:

• Kevin Dardis, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath
• Donal O’Keeffe, Graftonstown, Co. Westmeath
• Eamonn Gargan, Mullagh, Co. Cavan
• and Bartle & Renee Clarke, Teltown, Co. Meath

Fiona Doolan, Boyne Catchment Coordinator with Teagasc, said: “There is excellent work happening on farms right across the Boyne catchment and we wanted to create a platform that would showcase those positive stories. Farmers are central to improving water quality outcomes and this series gives them an opportunity to share their experiences in their own words. From the Fields to the Boyne’ is about more than just farm measures. It is about people, place and the strong connection farmers have with the land and waterways around them. We hope the series will encourage discussion, inspire action and highlight the important role agriculture has to play in safeguarding water quality for future generations.”
John Horgan, Chair of the Boyne Water Quality Catchment Group, welcomed the strong turnout and engagement from farmers at the event. He said; “The enthusiasm and participation shown by farmers on the day demonstrates the commitment that exists across the catchment to improving water quality. Events like this are important because they bring together farmers, advisors and stakeholders to share knowledge and learn from one another. The new video series is a valuable addition to that work, helping to shine a spotlight on the positive actions already taking place and encouraging others to consider measures that can make a difference on their own farms.”
The Better Farming for Water event was delivered through collaboration between Teagasc and Kepak, supported by Tirlán and Lakeland Dairies who are supporting water quality improvement initiatives throughout the Boyne catchment.
Farmers are encouraged to follow Teagasc online channels (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTzcVcEsw9Wg) over the coming weeks to watch and engage with the From the Fields to the Boyne video series as new episodes are released.

Notes to Editor
From the Fields to the Boyne is a five-part video series produced by Teagasc featuring farmers from across the Boyne catchment. The series highlights practical actions being implemented on farms to protect and improve water quality while supporting productive and sustainable agricultural systems. Episodes will be released on a staggered basis across Teagasc digital platforms following the Better Farming for Water event at Newgrange Farm, Slane, Co. Meath.