Smart Farming, the resource efficiency programme run by the Irish Farmers’ Association in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will host an online seminar “Sources and Solutions”: The link between our soils and water quality this Wed from 8.30pm.
During the seminar, a series of short information videos will be launched on how farmers can improve soil fertility, maximise soil carbon sequestration and improve water quality on their farms. The videos will feature:
- Méabh O’Hagan, ASSAP (Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advice Programme) Advisor on the steps farmers can take to improve water quality.
- Jenny Deakin, Manager of the Catchment Science and Management Unit in the EPA on accessing the Pollution Impact Potential Maps on www.catchments.ie and how farmers can identify pressures on water quality in their area.
- Karol Kissane, 2020 Smart Farming participant and dairy farmer, on how farmers can improve soil fertility and increase carbon sequestration in their soils.
Guest speaker, Dr. Paul Murphy, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science will discuss the relationship between soil type, soil fertility and water quality and how farmers can optimise production more sustainably. A Q&A session will also be held on the night.
IFA Environment Chairman and Smart Farming Leader Paul O’Brien encouraged farmers to attend the seminar to learn about changes they can make to improve soil fertility as well as improve water quality, reduce emissions and increase the carbon stored in their soils.
“Smart Farming provides practical tools to support farmers to reduce emissions and improve water quality. Smart Farming guidance sets out the latest information on the practical and routine actions that farmers can take to improve the environment,” he said.
Registration to attend the seminar can be made at https://www.ifa.ie/smart-farming-seminar-oct-2021/#registration.
