Wising up to smart farming

AROUND 200 extra farmers are getting involved in the IFA 2018 Smart Farming Initiative that aims to deliver €250,000 in cost savings on farms nationwide while reducing climate impact by 10pc, writes Claire Fox.

Some 1,200 farmers across 50 discussion groups will take part in the initiative this year. This is up from 1,000 farmers across 38 discussion groups who took part in 2017.

IFA’s Environment and Rural Affairs chair, Thomas Cooney, says the aim of Smart Farming is to reduce the costs on each participating farm by at least €5,000 and climate impact by 10pc. “It focuses on eight key areas that have the highest cost savings on farms or that offer the greatest savings to farmers.

“These areas are soil fertility, energy, grassland, water, feed, inputs and waste, machinery and time management,” he said.

Speaking about the initiative, Environment Minister Denis Naughton said: “Smart Farming is making a real difference for farm families, their communities and the wider environment.”

An ‘Improve Your Farm Returns with Smart Farming’ event will be held in the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise on April 10. It will feature talks from IFA and Teagasc stakeholders, along with former Tipperary hurling manager, Liam Sheedy, UCD’s Karina Pierce, Clodagh Brennan of Abbey Machinery plus other agricultural stakeholders. Those interested in attending the event should contact Niamh Brennan on 01-4260347.