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Diversification of farm businesses can play a role in adding value to produce, the audience at the Energy in Agriculture conference in Gurteen Agricultural Conference heard.
The panel, all with specific and differing experience in the area of diversification, included artisan food specialist with Teagasc Eddie O’Neill; Bernadine Mulhall of Coolanowle Country House; JP Mulherin, LEADER with the Department of Rural and Community Development; and Noel Kennedy of Teagasc forestry department.
Chaired by Damien O’Reilly, it opened with a discussion on the much-lauded forestry solution.
Noel Kennedy stated clearly that although the country’s forestry was now 50:50 State-owned versus farmer-owned forestry, this was not a straight switch.
The Teagasc man said: “You are not talking about a farmer getting out of what they are currently doing.
"Forestry is a complimentary enterprise, so that you can concentrate production on your more productive land and get better output from trees on the areas that are poorer.”
LEADER
JP Mulherin has responsibility for the management and implementation of the LEADER programme which forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
LEADER is jointly funded with the EU and has funds of up to €250m to support community and enterprise development throughout rural Ireland.
He admitted that the programme got off to a slow start due to regulations, but was moving forward now, with funding of €90m committed.
“There is a strong trend of farmers coming in looking to diversify, but to qualify for this funding, the farmer must be looking beyond the farm gate.”
Country house
Glamping, caravan parks, self-catering accommodation or moving into the drink industry through distilleries may not be for everyone, but the third panellist Bernadine Mulhall from Coolanowle Country House, who diversified from dairy to tourism over 24 years ago, believes that this was the right way to go with their farm.
“We started with a farm B&B with four rooms, then converted some old buildings to self-catering and then moved the farm over to organic.
"With the help of LEADER funding, we started a mobile shop doing the farmers' markers. These things happened one after another, not altogether and through that we gained confidence.
“Yes we had failures, every decision that we made was not a good one.
"We put in a gym, as we thought that this was the in-thing, but found out really soon that people don’t want to exercise when they are away.
"We took it out after a few years and replaced it with a cutting room for our beef.
Marketing
“We are not getting any younger.
"Our daughter Lucille has come on board to do the marketing and our son is also on board.
"We have fostered a love for what we do into the next generation. You instil that passion into your children for the future.”
Local spending
Artisan food specialist with Teagasc Eddie O’Neill spoke about the importance of spending locally, referencing a study from the New London School of Economics which states that if you spent £10 in a retailer multiple it is worth £14, but if you spend £10 locally it's worth £24 to the economy.
“There is potential for small food producers to tap into climate change issues.
"Currently, we are developing a product for the German market.
"The Germans are interested in our clean green product, as their consumers are very concerned with what they are eating.”
Teagasc artisan products - Eddie O’Neill
There is a huge amount of experience in Teagasc. If you have an idea for a food venture, Teagasc would like to sit down and talk to you about it and the first meeting is totally free of charge.
Teagasc forestry - Noel Kennedy
Suitability, viability and sustainability are key to making a decision on forestry. If you do plant, stay in touch with your trees, as good husbandry of trees is as important as good husbandry for animals.
Coolanowle Country House - Bernadine Mulhall
Don’t leave yourself too exposed, start off small and grow it. Don’t take on too big a loan that you can’t manage. Reinvest and you will gain experience and confidence.
LEADER - JP Mulherin
There is huge potential and still a large amount of funding available. It is not possible for everyone to diversify, but in every county there is a LEADER development officer that will assist you to go through the process if you have ideas.
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