All farmers are being encouraged to attend Energy in Agriculture 2017 – taking place on August 22 in Gurteen College, Tipperary – by IFA (Irish Farmers’ Association) Renewables Chairman James Murphy.

Murphy said the Department of Agriculture Knowledge Transfer approved event – which is free to attend – will provide new information and ideas about the opportunities and issues that are present in the renewable energy sector to farmers.

Murphy said: “Farmers have made significant strides in improving the sustainability of their agricultural practices and can build on this.

Bioenergy and farm scale renewable projects offer farmers the chance to diversify their farm businesses and have the potential to improve farm efficiency and profitability.

“This event will demonstrate renewables technologies and provide technical and practical advice for farmers,” he added.

Murphy stressed that a policy framework is necessary to support and encourage farmer involvement.

The chairman said a National Energy Forum to develop coherent policy in this area has been long awaited and he called on Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, to put this in place immediately – as well as meaningful tariff supports for farm-scale and community-based energy production.

Energy in Agriculture will be of interest to any farmer considering renewable energy, the IFA has said. Further information is available on the event website.