Kerry farmer shortlisted for Bord Bia Origin Green award

THOMAS CULLOTY, a dairy farmer from Tralee, has been nominated for the first-ever Bord Bia Origin Green Farmer Awards, putting him among the most efficient farmers in the country.

Origin Green is the world’s first national programme to address climate change and the broader sustainability challenges in food and agriculture. Bord Bia is inaugurating the farmer awards this year to acknowledge the exceptional performance being achieved by members of Bord Bia’s Beef and Dairy Sustainability Assurance Schemes, which are pivotal to differentiating Irish food and drink in the global marketplace.

Mr Culloty is a supplier to the Lee Strand Co-op. He manages a herd of 60 cows on a grazing block of 55 hectares, producing an average yearly output of 5,500 litres per cow at 3.88% fat and 3.35% protein.

His farm exhibits a keen focus on soil fertility, with a nutrient plan taking regular soil samples into consideration. His nomination cites efficient use of slurry on grazing ground throughout the year.

The enterprise also has a notably low energy requirement. The ice builder from a previously built dairy allows chilled water to be used in the plate cooler, resulting in milk entering the bulk tank at 5oC, reducing the need to run the cooler regularly.

Speaking on the opening day of this year’s National Ploughing Championship, Bord Bia Chief Executive Aidan Cotter said “the Origin Green programme, and our industry’s proactive approach to sustainability, sets us apart from our international competitors while also ensuring Ireland is showing leadership in response to one of the most significant challenges facing the world today.

“As our €11 billion export-led industry grows to meet the ambitious targets set out in Food Wise 2025, now more challenging in a post-Brexit environment, Ireland’s capacity to demonstrate its green credentials will prove critical”.

Ireland is also the first country in the world to audit and carbon footprint its farms on a national scale, currently at a rate of 650 a week.

“It is important for Bord Bia to acknowledge, celebrate and showcase best practice, efficient farmers who continue to lead by example,” Mr Cotter continued.

“In what is a difficult year for farm incomes, lowering the farm’s carbon footprint through efficiency gains will not only reduce production cost and improve on-farm profitability, but will also enhance returns from the marketplace”.

A total of 28 beef and dairy finalists have been shortlisted for the awards. These producers exemplify an environmentally conscious approach, producing what the market demands in a natural, sustainable manner.

The overall winning producers will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, October 21.

Dairy farmer Thomas Culloty, from Tralee, has been nominated for the first-ever Bord Bia Origin Green Farmer Awards, putting him among the most efficient farmers in the country.