Limerick dairy farmer wins improving water quality award at Teagasc ceremony

A LIMERICK dairy farmer was honoured at  the inaugural Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards.

Popular Doon man Martin Crowe was the only Limerick farmer nominated and he was named the improving water quality category winner.

The awards aim to promote environmentally sustainable farming and highlight the progress farmers are making to lighten the load of farming on the environment, while continuing to produce high quality, nutritious food, in a profitable manner.

Martin participated in the Mulkear water EIP in recent years and with the funding provided, he has since implemented a number of actions to improve water quality, including bunded drains and riparian margins.

Other measures taken include increased slurry storage, creation of a wetland pond and lowering N surplus/ha on fields at risk for nitrate leaching.

Martin has also established a number of new hedgerows.

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Speaking at the awards, EPA director general, Laura Burke extended her congratulations, in particular, to the category and overall winners whose “commitment to developing a sustainable future for the agri-sector was so evident to the judges”. 

“It is very encouraging to see this group of farmers embrace the environmental challenges facing the sector right now and to see such high uptake of key technologies, including reducing reliance on Nitrogen, the use of protected urea, better management of our hedgerows and greater implementation of actions to protect our water courses,” said Laura.

On behalf of the overall sponsor, Michael Berkery, chairman of FBD Trust said the inaugural awards highlight farmers’ commitment to environmental sustainability. 

Professor Frank O’Mara, director of Teagasc, said the awards are a wonderful celebration of the progress farmers have made, and are making, to improve environmental sustainability on their farms while continuing to produce high quality, nutritious food, in a profitable manner.