Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture have been called on to commit to dedicated, long-term research into farming in Ireland’s uplands and natura areas by Micheál McDonnell national chair of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA).
The call comes ahead of Teagasc’s hill sheep conference, which takes place next Wednesday at 7pm in Westport, Co Mayo.
“Our uplands are not wastelands – they are living, working landscapes shaped over generations by farmers who understand their land better than any textbook ever could,” McDonnell said.
“What we need now is research that reflects the reality on the ground and supports the good work already being done by hill and extensive farmers.”
McDonnell called on Teagasc to focus specifically on upland systems, including:
The environmental benefits of the out-wintering of cattle, which can reduce pressure on lowland housing, lower slurry storage demands, and help maintain open habitats in the hills.The correct grazing of sheep, ensuring balanced stocking rates that help maintain habitats such as heather, species-rich grasslands, and peatlands.Supporting upland farmers to identify and manage positive flora on their farms, empowering them to recognise the value of what they already have and to enhance biodiversity in a practical, farmer-led way.“Too often, upland farmers are spoken about as part of a problem, when in reality they are a huge part of the
solution.
“With the right research and advice, our upland farmers can continue to deliver for nature, climate, water quality, and rural communities.”
“Teagasc has an opportunity to lead here,” he said.
“By investing in dedicated upland research, they can help build farming systems that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially sustainable.
“That benefits not just hill farmers, but the wider public who rely on healthy landscapes, clean water, and thriving biodiversity.
“Upland farmers have now to be added to a protected species as they are falling in numbers on an annual basis.”
Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture have been called on to commit to dedicated, long-term research into farming in Ireland’s uplands and natura areas by Micheál McDonnell national chair of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA).
The call comes ahead of Teagasc’s hill sheep conference, which takes place next Wednesday at 7pm in Westport, Co Mayo.
“Our uplands are not wastelands – they are living, working landscapes shaped over generations by farmers who understand their land better than any textbook ever could,” McDonnell said.
“What we need now is research that reflects the reality on the ground and supports the good work already being done by hill and extensive farmers.”
McDonnell called on Teagasc to focus specifically on upland systems, including:
The environmental benefits of the out-wintering of cattle, which can reduce pressure on lowland housing, lower slurry storage demands, and help maintain open habitats in the hills.The correct grazing of sheep, ensuring balanced stocking rates that help maintain habitats such as heather, species-rich grasslands, and peatlands.Supporting upland farmers to identify and manage positive flora on their farms, empowering them to recognise the value of what they already have and to enhance biodiversity in a practical, farmer-led way.“Too often, upland farmers are spoken about as part of a problem, when in reality they are a huge part of the
solution.
“With the right research and advice, our upland farmers can continue to deliver for nature, climate, water quality, and rural communities.”
“Teagasc has an opportunity to lead here,” he said.
“By investing in dedicated upland research, they can help build farming systems that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially sustainable.
“That benefits not just hill farmers, but the wider public who rely on healthy landscapes, clean water, and thriving biodiversity.
“Upland farmers have now to be added to a protected species as they are falling in numbers on an annual basis.”
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