Teagasc and Glanbia Ingredients Ireland launch initiative for sustainable farming

Teagasc and Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GII) have unveiled the new Kildalton open source sustainable farm initiative at the National Dairy Conference, which will demonstrate best practices to ensure sustainable farming systems in the future.

Ireland Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister Simon Coveney, with leaders of GII and Teagasc, Jim Bergin and Gerry Boyle, announced the details of the new initiative.

The initiative will look into resource use efficiency, land management, animal welfare and health and safety.

It will test the application of useful tools for farmers such as the carbon navigator, which is an online system to help farmers and advisors reduce the intensity of carbon in dairies and beef farms.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Coveney said: "I wish to acknowledge this leadership initiative by Glanbia Ingredients and Teagasc.

"Ireland is already recognised globally as a leading proponent of sustainable farming, and today’s announcement will ensure that our next generation of farmers are at the cutting-edge of developing and utilising new and emerging practices to secure Ireland’s leadership position in this area."

Earlier this year, Glanbia Ingredients introduced its Open Source sustainability and quality assurance programme, which involves around 4,500 farmer suppliers being audited to ensure they comply with core sustainability benchmarks.

Glanbia Ingredients Ireland CEO Jim Bergin said: "GII has made considerable strides in realising our comparative advantages in sustainability. Sustainable principles are at the heart of what makes us different on the global dairy stage and it’s a strategic imperative for us to drive future development and growth in this area.

"Through this new partnership with Teagasc, we are confident that we can bring real learnings and efficiencies from sustainable farming, thus ensuring it is relevant to our farmer suppliers."

This is the eight joint initiative between Teagasc and GII. Teagasc is Ireland’s national body for integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry.

Teagasc director Gerry Boyle said: "Irish agriculture is demonstrating its environmental sustainability. The Kildalton open source farm, with support from Glanbia Ingredients Ireland, will showcase best practices in producing food in a sustainable way, not just to the next generation of farmers, but also to the consumers of Irish food products both at home and on international markets."

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Image: Teagasc director Gerry Boyle and Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GII) CEO Jim Bergin discuss the new Kildalton open source sustainable farm initiative with Ireland Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister Simon Coveney. Photo: courtesy of Teagasc.