In the latest installment of Agriland’s Organics Series, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), we visit a farm in Co. Wicklow which is currently in partial organic conversion.
Liam O’Toole is a fourth generation farmer based close to Arklow in Co. Wicklow where he runs a tillage enterprise.
During a visit to the farm, Agriland tillage specialist Richard Halloren spoke with Liam about his decision two years ago to incorporate organics into his farming system.
The farmer outlined the environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits he has experienced as a result of partial conversion.
The video also features Teagasc organic tillage specialist Martin Bourke who discusses the potential for growth in the organic sector in Ireland.
You can watch the full video by clicking the link below:
Over the past two years, O’Toole has grown oats, wheat and a combination crop which incorporates legumes.
One of the main concerns that conventional tillage growers may have about converting to organics is controlling weeds.
O’Toole explained how he has addressed this issue on his land, including growing a crop of heritage wheat, which currently commands a price of €600/t, and using a mechanical weeder.
The farmer also said that he is importing slurry from neighbouring farms as a means of fertilising his organic ground.
Organics
Ireland’s Climate Action Plan has a target of 10% of land area farmed organically by 2030.
The government enhanced the budget for organics to €256 million in Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan, with increased payments on offer for farmers.
Over 1,000 farmers joined the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) this year and it is anticipated that a similar number will apply to join the scheme when it reopens for applications around October.
There are now over 5,000 organic farmers in Ireland, with around 5% of land (225,000ha) in the country being farmed organically.
The Organics Series running this week on Agriland includes interviews, a farm visit and a panel discussion in the Agriland studio. For more click here.