Earlier this year, Gerard and Martin Meegan took the Smart Farming challenge. The cost savings team completed a farm visit. They studied the Meegans' feed, electricity, fuel and fertiliser bills, soil samples and water quality results. They focused on where cost and environmental savings could be identified across the following areas: soil fertility, energy use, grassland management, water use, feed, inputs, waste, time and machinery management.
Let’s look at where the €8,100 savings were identified ...
SOIL FERTILITY
GRASSLAND
FEED
ENERGY
INPUTS & WASTE
During the Smart Farming cost saving study, a carbon reduction strategy for Meegans'
farm was developed using the Carbon Navigator decision support tool developed by Teagasc
and Bord Bia. Potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.8% was identified. Many of the measures, such as nitrogen efficiency and slurry spreading timing, will also lead to other positive
environmental outcomes and reduce risks to water quality. Let’s take a closer look at some
of the Carbon Navigator results.
The farmer speaks: Gerard and Martin’s view
Smart Farming was useful as it made us more aware of the key resources available on the farm and how more efficient we could be. The future of beef is challenging but it’s good to identify key issues which can be targeted or addressed on our farm. This should help us to reduce our cost of production while becoming more sustainable.
See you at the Tullamore Show
Smart Farming is heading to the Tullamore Show on Sunday 11 August. We will
be at the IFA stand. Why not drop by? Maybe even register your interest in taking the
Smart Farming cost saving challenge in 2020. See you there!
Smart Farming is supported by the participating organisations and brought to you by IFA in conjunction with the EPA
Email: smartfarming@ifa.ie