A bigger and better Sustainable Livestock Village returns for 2025 with key agencies working together to deliver clear, practical advice to farmers on boosting the sustainability of their farm and highlighting supports available.
The village will also demonstrate the considerable efforts being made by farmers to enhance the sustainability of their enterprise, with a number of farmers sharing their experiences.
This year places a strong emphasis on the role of young farmers in delivering sustainable change, with Macra joining the village to highlight the importance of generation renewal and youth-led innovation.
The village will host an expanded livestock display, including sheep for the first time, to highlight the importance of breeding and animal health in boosting environmental and economic sustainability.
This year’s village is being powered by zero-emissions green hydrogen, delivered in partnership with Offaly County Council and the ESB to reinforce the village’s commitment to practical, low-carbon innovation.
Who’s taking part?
This year sees 10 organisations participating including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Bord Bia, Teagasc, ICBF, Animal Health Ireland, Dairy Industry Ireland, Meat Industry Ireland, Macra, FBD and the Irish Farmers Journal.
The village will be officially opened by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae at 10.30am.
Generation renewal
Macra will focus on the importance of sustaining the next generation to ensure we retain our unique family farm model. This will involve a number of former FBD Young Farmer of the Year winners sharing their experiences.
The day will start with a Speakers’ Corner discussion on farm succession involving Macra and Succession Ireland at 11am.
This will be followed by a livestock innovators session at 3pm with young farmers sharing their approach to adopting innovative practices to support sustainable farming systems, improve work-life balance and addressing the obstacles facing young people seeking to enter farming.
Outdoor water quality/nature feature
This year includes an outdoor water quality and nature display with Teagasc sharing advice on protecting water quality and enhancing farm habitats.
Dairy Industry Ireland, Meat Industry Ireland and processors will outline how farmers can apply and avail of supports through the €60 million Farming for Water programme.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will outline Government supports to protect water quality.
Reducing emissions
Teagasc will outline some actions that farmers can take to reduce emissions, focusing on topics such as earlier finishing, silage quality and the importance of liming.
Bord Bia, Teagasc and ICBF will outline how farmers can develop an AGNAV action plan for their farm focused on areas that can reduce emissions and boost farm economic performance.
Bord Bia will also outline the progress made by SBLAS members and how this is positioning Ireland strongly with evolving market demands.
Breeding and animal health for sustainability
ICBF will highlight the role of genetics in helping farmers make breeding and purchasing decisions that can increase profitability.
For example, the difference between the top 10% commercial beef value index and bottom 10% dairy steers processed in 2024 stood at 28kg, which equates to a €210 difference per head at current cattle prices.
Animal Health Ireland (AHI) will focus on the importance of parasite control in optimising farm productivity and outline supports available through AHI programmes.
A series of short talks from ICBF and AHI will run on the half hour from 11.30am to 2.30pm at the livestock display.
Photography competition
This year’s show will include a photography competition in partnership with the Irish Farmers Journal with €1,000 in prizes across two categories: Generations Working Together and Sustainable Farming in Action.
A photo wall will showcase entries with winners announced on the day.
The return of Speakers’ Corner
Speakers’ Corner returns with a series of short, farmer focused discussions to allow visitors hear from farmers, processors and experts on topics ranging from farm succession, protecting water quality, developing a sustainability plan and enhancing nature.
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