A survey conducted by Bord Bia has revealed that 79% of farmers feel that more guidance is needed on how to improve their environmental sustainability.
With over 650 participants, the survey - ‘Farmer Sustainability and Engagement Tracking’ - showed a strong appetite among farmers to improve the environmental friendliness of their farms.
Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed believe that farmers should do more to improve their sustainability and 88% are confident in their ability to adopt sustainable farming practices.
ADVERTISEMENT
Farm practices
The results show a reasonably high degree of adoption of sustainable practices, with 40% of farmers using water meters, 51% had soil tested in the last 12 months and 46% are using low emission slurry spreading.
The survey also captured the adoption of measures set out in the Teagasc MACC curve.
Nearly 60% of farmers surveyed are actively maximising the percentage of feed that is grass or pasture.
Over one third are undertaking silage quality and feed constituent assessments, with a further 41% stating that they are prepared to do so.
Two-thirds of dairy farmers are involved in a milk recording programme, recording at least four times a year, and over half are implementing a dairy EBI improvement plan.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
A survey conducted by Bord Bia has revealed that 79% of farmers feel that more guidance is needed on how to improve their environmental sustainability.
With over 650 participants, the survey - ‘Farmer Sustainability and Engagement Tracking’ - showed a strong appetite among farmers to improve the environmental friendliness of their farms.
Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed believe that farmers should do more to improve their sustainability and 88% are confident in their ability to adopt sustainable farming practices.
Farm practices
The results show a reasonably high degree of adoption of sustainable practices, with 40% of farmers using water meters, 51% had soil tested in the last 12 months and 46% are using low emission slurry spreading.
The survey also captured the adoption of measures set out in the Teagasc MACC curve.
Nearly 60% of farmers surveyed are actively maximising the percentage of feed that is grass or pasture.
Over one third are undertaking silage quality and feed constituent assessments, with a further 41% stating that they are prepared to do so.
Two-thirds of dairy farmers are involved in a milk recording programme, recording at least four times a year, and over half are implementing a dairy EBI improvement plan.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS