John B
Dockrell,
Wexford
The Dockrells are large growers of carrots and lettuce for the Irish market, supplying their own carrots for 40 weeks of the year. The farm employs 31 permanent and 36 seasonal staff during peak times. The Dockrells are currently planning to install solar panels to provide the daytime energy requirements of the business. Further investment is being assessed for a new carrot grader to minimise wastage.
Key Sustainability measures on the farm include:
Soil compaction is minimized at harvest through use of a self-propelled harvester and custom designed and built rubber-tracked carrot chaser bin to transport harvested carrots to trailers parked on aluminium trackways at field entrance. This prevents soil compaction and reduces soil carryout to roads etc.Walking floor trailers are used for harvested produce to reduce breakages.Regular soil and plant tissue analysis is carried out to maximise nutrient management efficiency.All field operations are carried out using GPS-guided equipment including spraying equipment and variable rate fertiliser spreaders.
Gerard Reilly.
Reilly
Mushrooms, Westmeath
Reilly Mushrooms Ltd was established in 1988 by Gerard and Mary Reilly with four family members involved in day-to-day farm operations. The business has grown over the years and employs more than 50 people. Considerable investment and expansion has been undertaken, moving from three to 16 tunnels, making this a very modern and efficient farm. The farm produces around 50,000kg closed cup and flat white mushrooms per week. To ensure consistency and high standards are met daily, the team at Reillys have set out very clear procedures to meet customer and market demands. Biosecurity on the farm is a key management focus. With a recent investment in a €200,000 centralised piped steam sterilisation system, the Reillys have eliminated the need for any disinfectant use on the farm prior to house emptying.
Listen to "Mushroom farm runs on solar power" on Spreaker.
Key sustainability measures include:
The use of renewable fuel and solar panels for electricity production. Use of Lean management techniques.Reviewing options for alternative packaging and market diversification. Implementing a high level of health and safety on farm and close attention to staff welfare.
Martin Flynn.
Flynns Irish Tomatoes, Dublin
Flynns Irish Tomatoes is owned by Martin Flynn, a specialised tomato producer operating a modern and very efficient farm in Swords Co Dublin. Employing 10-12 staff throughout the year, the workforce expands to approximately 25 during the summer, when tomato harvesting operations peak. The site has excellent production, packing and staff facilities to ensure a good working environment that produces high-quality tomatoes. Martin has invested in both infrastructure and technology allowing him to maximise and monitor yield performance and predict production forwards to help manage the business.
Listen to "Re-using and recycling on award-winning tomato farm" on Spreaker.
Key sustainability measures on the farm include:
Customer and supplier relationship development.Water management practices include rainwater harvesting and recirculation of fertigation water.Nutrient management practices including regular balancing of plant nutrient inputs to match crop needs.Waste management planning including strategies to reduce crop wastage through late-season management of plant ripening.Use of high-efficiency boilers and extraction of CO2 from boiler exhaust used to feed plants.Use of farm management tools and software.Integrated pest management is imbedded in the farm operations, and includes environmental controls and use of advanced spraying technology.
Chris and John Fortune of Kilmore Potatoes. \ Patrick Browne
Kilmore
Potatoes Ltd, Wexford
Based in Wexford, John Fortune and his brother Chris grow a wide range of potato varieties to cater to a number of market segments, including the planting of salad potatoes to meet a growing market commonly met by imported produce. Kilmore Potatoes provide jobs to eight full-time staff and seasonal workers as required. The farm uses a fleet of modern efficient machines and John is also an advocate of changing energy supplier to get the best deals and reduce costs. Fertiliser use is based on soil sampling results, with nitrogen and phosphate applications during planting and potash applied with a GPS-enabled broadcast spreader. Integrated pest management is practised to reduce dependency on plant protection products.
Listen to "30ac for biodiversity on Co Wexford potato farm" on Spreaker.
Key sustainability measures on the farm include:
Biodiversity is encouraged with approximately 30 acres of land not cropped, across the farm, especially close to the shore and watercourses. Nutrient management practices include regular soil sampling and inputs aimed at addressing any deficiencies matched to crop needs.Precision use of inputs includes GPS-guided fertiliser equipment.Diversification of varieties grown to access new markets such as the salad potato segment.Waste potatoes that do not meet with customer specification are diverted for use as animal feed.
John B
Dockrell,
Wexford
The Dockrells are large growers of carrots and lettuce for the Irish market, supplying their own carrots for 40 weeks of the year. The farm employs 31 permanent and 36 seasonal staff during peak times. The Dockrells are currently planning to install solar panels to provide the daytime energy requirements of the business. Further investment is being assessed for a new carrot grader to minimise wastage.
Key Sustainability measures on the farm include:
Soil compaction is minimized at harvest through use of a self-propelled harvester and custom designed and built rubber-tracked carrot chaser bin to transport harvested carrots to trailers parked on aluminium trackways at field entrance. This prevents soil compaction and reduces soil carryout to roads etc.Walking floor trailers are used for harvested produce to reduce breakages.Regular soil and plant tissue analysis is carried out to maximise nutrient management efficiency.All field operations are carried out using GPS-guided equipment including spraying equipment and variable rate fertiliser spreaders.
Gerard Reilly.
Reilly
Mushrooms, Westmeath
Reilly Mushrooms Ltd was established in 1988 by Gerard and Mary Reilly with four family members involved in day-to-day farm operations. The business has grown over the years and employs more than 50 people. Considerable investment and expansion has been undertaken, moving from three to 16 tunnels, making this a very modern and efficient farm. The farm produces around 50,000kg closed cup and flat white mushrooms per week. To ensure consistency and high standards are met daily, the team at Reillys have set out very clear procedures to meet customer and market demands. Biosecurity on the farm is a key management focus. With a recent investment in a €200,000 centralised piped steam sterilisation system, the Reillys have eliminated the need for any disinfectant use on the farm prior to house emptying.
Listen to "Mushroom farm runs on solar power" on Spreaker.
Key sustainability measures include:
The use of renewable fuel and solar panels for electricity production. Use of Lean management techniques.Reviewing options for alternative packaging and market diversification. Implementing a high level of health and safety on farm and close attention to staff welfare.
Martin Flynn.
Flynns Irish Tomatoes, Dublin
Flynns Irish Tomatoes is owned by Martin Flynn, a specialised tomato producer operating a modern and very efficient farm in Swords Co Dublin. Employing 10-12 staff throughout the year, the workforce expands to approximately 25 during the summer, when tomato harvesting operations peak. The site has excellent production, packing and staff facilities to ensure a good working environment that produces high-quality tomatoes. Martin has invested in both infrastructure and technology allowing him to maximise and monitor yield performance and predict production forwards to help manage the business.
Listen to "Re-using and recycling on award-winning tomato farm" on Spreaker.
Key sustainability measures on the farm include:
Customer and supplier relationship development.Water management practices include rainwater harvesting and recirculation of fertigation water.Nutrient management practices including regular balancing of plant nutrient inputs to match crop needs.Waste management planning including strategies to reduce crop wastage through late-season management of plant ripening.Use of high-efficiency boilers and extraction of CO2 from boiler exhaust used to feed plants.Use of farm management tools and software.Integrated pest management is imbedded in the farm operations, and includes environmental controls and use of advanced spraying technology.
Chris and John Fortune of Kilmore Potatoes. \ Patrick Browne
Kilmore
Potatoes Ltd, Wexford
Based in Wexford, John Fortune and his brother Chris grow a wide range of potato varieties to cater to a number of market segments, including the planting of salad potatoes to meet a growing market commonly met by imported produce. Kilmore Potatoes provide jobs to eight full-time staff and seasonal workers as required. The farm uses a fleet of modern efficient machines and John is also an advocate of changing energy supplier to get the best deals and reduce costs. Fertiliser use is based on soil sampling results, with nitrogen and phosphate applications during planting and potash applied with a GPS-enabled broadcast spreader. Integrated pest management is practised to reduce dependency on plant protection products.
Listen to "30ac for biodiversity on Co Wexford potato farm" on Spreaker.
Key sustainability measures on the farm include:
Biodiversity is encouraged with approximately 30 acres of land not cropped, across the farm, especially close to the shore and watercourses. Nutrient management practices include regular soil sampling and inputs aimed at addressing any deficiencies matched to crop needs.Precision use of inputs includes GPS-guided fertiliser equipment.Diversification of varieties grown to access new markets such as the salad potato segment.Waste potatoes that do not meet with customer specification are diverted for use as animal feed. 
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