Teagasc hold regular organic demonstration farm walks throughout the country. These events are an excellent opportunity for anyone considering entering organic production to see first-hand the differences in operating an organic system. Teagasc Advisors, DAFM representatives, the Organic Certification Bodies and of course the farmers themselves are all available on the day to answer questions and give guidance.
Joe Nolan is farming in Kilconnor, Fenagh, Co. Carlow along with his wife Clair and their son Ciaran. Joe began his conversion to organic farming in March 2022 and reached full organic status in March 2024. The farm of 98ha comprises of a mix of tillage and sheep production with 32.27ha in tillage and 65.7ha in grass/red clover/multispecies.
The sheep enterprise consists of approximately 550 ewes which lamb outdoors in March and April. The main breeds of sheep on the farm are Mule/Lleyn/Belclare/Highlander X ewes. Along with the main flock, Joe also has a pedigree flock of Charollais on the farm and sells grass fed hogget rams from this pedigree flock.
Joe makes red clover and arable silage to meet his winter feeding requirement along with growing Oats and Combi-crops. No concentrate feed is purchased for his flock.
Joe has expanded his tillage enterprise since his conversion to organics. He now grows oats for Whites Oats, Armagh. He also grows feed crops for other organic farmers and is very interested in building up farm to farm trading relationships.
A ‘Growing Organics’ farm walk was held on the farm on Wednesday, 17 July 2024.
Download the booklet
On Wednesday, 28th August a farm walk took place at Beechlawn Organic Farm, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, H53 K753.
About the farm
Beechlawn Organic Farm are producers and distributors of Irish grown and imported organic fruit and vegetables. Certified by the Irish Organic Association and Bord Bia Sustainable Horticulture Assurance Scheme, the farm comprises both field-scale and protected production of organic horticultural crops.
This farm walk is a chance to view at first-hand the experiences of one of the leading organic enterprises in Ireland. Everyone welcome.
On Thursday, 27th June an Organic Suckler Beef, Sheep & Tillage Farm Walk took place on the farm of John Hamilton, Tonyhabboc, Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal (The Outfarm). Eircode: F93 C598.
Download the farm walk booklet Growing Organics Farm Walk Booklet John Hamilton Donegal (pdf)
About the Farm
John runs a mixed farming enterprise, with a mix of Sucklers, Mid-season lambing flock of ewes and a Tillage enterprise. There is a herd of 20 suckler cows on the farm with all cattle brought through to finish and sold to Goodherdsman. The sheep flock consists of 50 ewes with a scanning rate of approximately 1.8 lambs per ewe. All lambs are finished on farm. The tillage enterprise consists of mixed cropping/combi crop, arable silage and also a pea bean mix which is being trialled on the farm for 2024.
John places a big emphasis on making good quality silage through the use of red clover, and focuses on having a good rotation plan for the tillage and grassland system for the management of weeds, plant pests and soil fertility. As part of the rotation on the farm a forage rape is established with the aim of managing weeds/rushes. The aim for 2024 is to incorporate a multispecies sward mix into the rotation also.
Discussion on the day included:
Farm walks as part of the Growing Organics Programme took place on four farms in 2023. Click on the links below to access the booklets from the farm walks.
Jason Stanley, Errill, Co. Laois – June
Oliver and Anna Dixon, Athena Organic Farm, Claremorris, Co. Mayo – July
Eanna Canavan, Clare – October
2022 Organic Farm Walks
