IFA environment chair and Smart Farming programme leader Thomas Cooney said: “Each year, farmers participate in this voluntary resource efficiency programme and openly share learnings with their neighbours, with the ambition of reducing farm costs and enhancing the rural environment. It’s great to see the programme grow and develop, with increasing interest from farmers,” he said.

Farm costs

“On Tuesday, Smart Farming held a half-day seminar Portlaoise, where farmers and speakers from UCD, Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture highlighted ways to reduce farm costs while enhancing the environment.

“In 2018, participating farmers identified ways to reduce their costs by over €7,000 and their climate impact by 9%.”.

“This proactive engagement by farmers is what climate action at grassroots really looks like. Therefore, I am delighted for the hundreds of farm families that have participated in the Smart Farming programme that their hard work is recognised at the RDS Spring Awards,” Cooney added.

He concluded by acknowledging the considerable work of the IFA and EPA in developing the programme and the extensive knowledge and technical assistance provided by Teagasc, UCD, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, SEAI, FTMTA, the Fertilizer Association of Ireland and the Irish Grassland Association.