"Sustainability" - the buzz word of the last decade. A word used so much, I’m not sure if it is even a buzzword anymore. "Climate change", "Origin Green", "Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture", all terms farmers up and down the country have heard, or if not, will hear more and more of over the next decade and beyond.

My latest Bord Bia Quality Assurance Audit took place during the week. This is not something that concerns or bothers me in the weeks or days before, as I try to maintain up to date records through out the year so there is no last minute rush to update records.

Farm Safety and Quality Assurance signs visible, farm safety statement printed, bait points mapped out, footbaths at entrances, medicine cabinet in place and first aid box on site. All required to pass a Bord Bia QA audit and all part of good farming practice even without the regular visit from the inspector.

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A quick review of records, documentation and the report from the last inspection and we’re ready to go. As expected the audit passed off successfully and full marks were achieved in all areas.

Carbon foorprint

A big part of the audit nowadays is accessing and calculating an individual farm’s carbon footprint. The length of the grazing season, age at first calving, calving interval, daily live weight gain and fertiliser usage all have an impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, all these factors also contribute to a farm’s financial performance and profitability.

A longer grazing season leads to better farm performance and lower GHGs. Higher daily liveweight gain and lower fertiliser usage also leads to higher profitability and reduced GHG emissions. Lower age at first calving and shorter calving interval are targets to strive for with the added benefit of being good for the environment.

While the QA scheme has its criticisms, such as, why are all stock including cows and over age cattle not receiving the QA bonus, at least the measuring of our carbon footprint does not have a negative impact on our targeted increased output. The level of the quality assurance bonus and the specs required to qualify for the bonus is an argument for another day.

Real sustainability

Ireland has secured agreement with our EU partners to recognise our reliance on agriculture while using our forestry, bogs and grassland to offset against the GHG emissions from farming production.

So over dinner that evening, while contemplating the day’s events and successful completion of the Bord Bia audit, I surveyed my plate and its contents. Beef from a heifer born and reared on the farm, potatoes, cabbage and turnip from our own garden, and I thought; “Now that’s sustainability!”