Reducing Costs Improve Farm Margins in Longford

Members of the Longford Grassroots Discussion Group recently participated in the IFA led Smart Farming initiative. The aim of this on-farm cost saving study is to improve farm returns through better resource management in areas such as grassland and feed management, energy and soil fertility.

Andrew McHugh from Brianstown, near Newtown Forbes, who had a Smart Farming study completed on his farm said, “The cost-saving study was extremely useful; it identified potential annual savings of at least €5,000 by reviewing my energy cost, better targeting my fertilizer spreading, turning stock out earlier in the spring and increasing the area of land I reseed each year”.

Harold Kingston, IFA Environment Chairman & Smart Farming Project Leader added, “Smart Farming focuses on top-tips to save money on feed, energy and water bills and shows how waste can be reduced. It’s about saving money and it’s good for the environment too”.

He added, “IFA seeks to improve the incomes and livelihoods of farm families every day of the week. This Smart Farming cost-saving initiative looks inside the farm gate and tries to improve farm incomes by reducing costs, while safeguarding the wellbeing of the countryside”.

Smart Farming is a collaborative and voluntary initiative which is delivered by the IFA and supported by a large number of participating organisations including Teagasc, UDC, EPA and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes.  The initiative draws together the knowledge and expertise of key stakeholders in the agri-food industry to deliver on-farm cost savings, which improve farm incomes and enhance the rural countryside.