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Pointing the way to a low emissions agriculture

Increasing awareness of Climate Change and the Climate Change Challenge is one of the key priorities for the National Rural Network.

The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP) plays a pivotal role in providing funding for resource efficiency in agriculture.  Through the provision of funding and grants the RDP aims to address key issues and implement actions in a bid to halt and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Funding is provided for measures in schemes such as the:

  • Green Low-carbon Agri-environmental Scheme (GLAS);
  • Organic Farming Scheme (OFS);
  • Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMSII);
  • Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP);
  • Knowledge Transfer Scheme (KT); and
  • European Innovation Partnerships for Agriculture Productivity & Sustainability (EIP-Agri).

These schemes promote climate friendly agricultural practices, encourage more efficient use of nutrients, resulting in lower use of artificial fertiliser and in turn reduced run-off from the land leading to improved water quality. Implementing on-farm efficiencies contribute to reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions from agriculture.

The National Rural Network have teamed up with Teagasc ConnectEd, Dairy Sustainability Ireland and Food & Drinks Ireland Skillnet to host a series of Sign Post Webinars to point agri-professionals towards an understanding of how and why we need to reduce GHG emissions from agriculture.

You can watch / review each of the webinars below, as and when they become available.

2022 Webinars

Videos

Supporting Presentations/ Documents

Week 1 – Ecosystem services on CAFRE’s upland farm by Bryan Irvine, CAFRE, Greenmount College  Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 1 presentation here
Week 2 – Future Upland Management – Lessons from SUAS by Declan Byrne, SUAS Project Manager Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 2 presentation here
Week 3 – Managing Red Clover on Dairy Farms by Dr James Humphreys, Teagasc Solohead Farm Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 3 presentation here
Week 4 – Valuing Natural Capital for the future by Professor Jane Stout, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 4 presentation here
Week 5 – Carbon footprint of dairy farms along the Atlantic coast of Europe by Marion Sorley, Teagasc Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 5 presentation here
Week 6 – Ammonia emissions, impacts & solutions by Dr Dominika Krol & Dr David Kelleghan, Teagasc Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 6 presentations here and here
Week 7 – Nutrient tips to save money and reduce emissions on your farm by Dr Patrick Forrestal, Teagasc Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 7 presentation here
Week 8 – On-farm actions to improve water quality in Mulkear Catchment by Carol Quish, Mulkear EIP Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 8 presentation here
Week 9 – Fertiliser Programmes to save money and emissions on Dairy and Drystock farms by Dr Seamus Kearney, Training and Development Specialist, Signpost Programme, Teagasc n/a Download Webinar 9 presentation here
Week 10 – Meeting our Sustainability targets in agriculture: The Agri biomethane opportunity by David Hagan, Devenish & Russell Smyth, KPMG Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 10 presentation here
Week 11 – An overview of the Micro-generation Support Scheme by Rory Somers, Policy Lead on Micro-generation, Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 11 presentation here
Week 12 – 100th Webinar Episode: Carbon sequestration and water table on peat soils by Gary Lanigan, Teagasc Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 12 presentation here
Week 13 – Understanding social sustainability of farmers & Preventing Injury in Agriculture by David Meredith, Research Officer & Francis Bligh, Health & Safety Specialist, Teagasc Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 13 presentations here and here
Week 14 – Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Cattle & Pig Manure by Dr Stephen Nolan, PIGergy Project & Mr Shaun Connolly, GEBTech Project Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 14 presentation here
Week 15 – Danone Sustainability Story by Elaine Crosse, Corporate Affairs Manager, Danone Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 15 presentation here
Week 16 – Providing our partners with affordable sustainable food by Emer Fardy & Sean Leahy, Hilton Foods Watch Here

 

Download Webinar 16 presentation here
Week 17 (277 attendees) – The role of genetics in helping address GHG challenges in agriculture – 29th April 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 17 presentation here
Week 18 (223 attendees) – The added value of using high merit beef sires on the dairy herd – 6th May 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 18 presentation here
Week 19 (350 attendees) – Ireland’s 5th Nitrates Action Programme and beyond – 13th May 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 19 presentation here
Week 20 (387 attendees) – Biodiversity on farmland – 20th May 2022 Watch Here n/a
Week 21 – 285 – The Duncannon Blue Flag Farming and Communities Scheme EIP – 27th May 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 21 presentation here
Week 22 (224 attendees) – Measuring methane in Irish sheep systems – what is our carbon ‘hoof’ print? – 3rd June 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 22 presentation here, here and here
Week 23 (243 attendees) – Sustainability and what it means for Keeling’s – 10th June 2022 Watch Here n/a
Week 24 (241 attendees) – White Tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction to Ireland project – Phase I and Phase II – 17th June 2022 Watch Here n/a
Week 25 (291 attendees) – Incorporation and Benefits of Trees on the Farm – 24th June 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 25 presentation here
Week 26 (237 attendees) – Initiatives undertaken at Ballyhaise College to reduce emissions – 1st July 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 26 presentation here, here, here and here
Week 27 (272 attendees) – Reduce N surplus on an intensive dairy farm – 8th July 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 27 presentation here
Week 28 (268 attendees) – Glanbia Ireland’s Living Proof Sustainability Strategy – 15th July 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 28 presentation here
Week 29 (300 attendees) – The ecological value and condition of Irish uplands – 22nd July 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 29 presentation here
Week 30 (244 attendees) – Comeragh Upland Communities EIP – 29th July 2022 Watch Here n/a
Week 31 (261 attendees) Wild Atlantic Nature (WAN) LIFE IP – 5th August 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 31 presentation here
Week 32 (221 attendees) – Conservation grazing in upland habitats – 12th August 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 32 presentation here
Week 33 (244 attendees) – Traditional buildings and lime – 19th August 2022 Watch Here n/a
Week 34 (291 attendees) – Best practice hedge cutting and launch of Hedgerow Week 2022 – 26th August 2022 Watch Here n/a
Week 35 (327 attendees) – Hedgerows and Hedgerow Networks Biodiversity – 2nd September 2022 Watch Here n/a
Week 36 (382 attendees) – Organic Farming – 9th September 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 36 presentation here
Week 37 (309 attendees) – ASSAP Interim Review – 16th September 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 37 presentation here
Week 38 (297 attendees) – Farmers’ attitudes to results-based contracts – 23rd September 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 38 presentation here
Week 39 (247 attendees) – Starting an Agricultural – Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) – 30th September 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 39 presentation here and here
Week 40 (714 attendees) – ACRES – An Overview for Farmers – 7th October 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 40 presentation here
Week 41 (464 attendees) – First steps to achieving our emissions reduction target – Farmer experience of reducing N emissions. – 14th October 2022 Watch Here n/a
Week 42 (348 attendees) – An Update from Signpost & Launch of the Signpost Farm Sustainability Report – 21st October 2022 Watch Here n/a
Week 43 (287 attendees) – WaterMARKE – Mitigating Agricultural Impacts through Research & Knowledge Exchange – 28th October 2022 Watch Here Download Webinar 43 presentation here

 

2021 Webinars

Videos

Supporting Presentations / Documents

Week 1 – NFGWS Drinking Water Source Protection Pilot Project – Phase 2 by Patrick McCabe & Sean Corrigan, National Federation of Group Water Schemes

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 1 presentations here and here.
Week 2 – AgClimatise by Dale Crammond, Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Watch Here Download Webinar 2 presentation here.
Week 3 – Organic Farming – Steps to on-farm conversion and opportunities by Elaine Leavy, Teagasc

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 3 presentation here.
Week 4 – Development of strategies to reduce methane emissions from agriculture by Sinead Waters, Teagasc

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 4 presentation here.
Week 5 – Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions – New Zealand’s Story by Sinead Leahy, New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC)

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 5 presentation here.
Week 6 -Protected Urea: A Research Update by Patrick Forrestal, Teagasc

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 6 presentation here.
Week 7 – The Signpost Farm Programme: Teagasc Campaign for Climate Action by Tom O’Dwyer, Teagasc

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 7 presentation here.
Week 8 – The Impact of Climate Change on Smallholder Food Production in the Tropics BY Paul Wagstaff, Self Help Africa

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 8 presentation here.
Week 9 – Approach to Sustainability at Carbery by Enda Buckley Carbery Co-op

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 9 presentation here.
Week 10 – Low Impact Weed Control – Protecting Drinking Water Sources by John Keogh, Animal & Plant Health Association (APHA)

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 10 presentation here.
Week 11 – Multi-species mixtures increase yields and resilience to drought, with lower nitrogen inputs by John Finn, Teagasc

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 11 presentation here.
Week 12 – Working with farmers to improve water quality by Noel Meehan, ASSAP Programme Manager and Edward Burgess, ACP Specialist Advisor

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 12 presentation here.
Week 13 – Multispecies Swards – sward and animal performance under reduced nitrogen fertiliser inputs by Dr. Helen Sheridan and Prof Tommy Boland

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 13 presentations here and here.
Week 14 – Climate Mitigation Options through Afforestation by Tom Houlihan Teagasc and Dr. Kevin Black Forestry, Environmental Research and Services (FERS)

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 14 presentations here and here.
Week 15 – Context, Measurement, and Mitigation of methane emissions in Irish dairy systems by Laurence Shalloo, Ben Lahart & Katie Starsmore, Teagasc

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 15 presentations here, here and here.
Week 16 – The BRIDE Project, Results-based Payments and how farmers can be rewarded for environmental improvement by Donal Sheehan, BRIDE Project

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 16 presentation here.
Week 17 – Water Quality – National problems, local solutions by Jenny Deakin, EPA

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 17 presentation here.
Week 18 – Agri-food Strategy 2030 – The Environmental Ambition by Tom Arnold, Chair of the 2030 Agri-Food Strategy Committee

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 18 presentation here.
Week 19 – Water Quality: the challenge of understanding and valuing it! by Bernie O’Flaherty, LAWPRO

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 19 presentation here.
Week 20 – Celebrating our biodiversity and motivating farmers to address the climate and biodiversity emergency by Dr Brendan Dunford, Manager of The Burren Programme

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 20 presentation here.
Week 21 – Renewable gas and the Mitchelstown Central Grid Injection facility by Niamh Gillen, Innovation Engineer and Yvette Jones, Renewable GAS Project Manager Gas Networks Ireland

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 21 presentation here.
Week 22 – Farmland Birds and the Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland by Dr Anita Donaghy, Head of Species and Land Management, Birdwatch Ireland

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 22 presentation here.
Week 23 – A Farmer’s Perspective On Biodiversity, Emissions and Water Quality by Thomas Duffy, Dairy Farmer and Macra na Feirme past president    Watch Here Download Webinar 23 presentation here.
Week 24 – The All Ireland Pollinator Plan – Sharing stories to Change Behaviour by Dr. Una Fitzpatrick, Senior Ecologist, National Biodiversity Data Centre and Chair & Project Manager, All Ireland Pollinator Plan

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 24 presentation here.
Week 25 – Commercial dairy farming without fertilizer N by Dr James Humphreys Teagasc Moorpark

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 25 presentation here.
Week 26 – High Nature Value Farmland in Ireland: marginal farming or central role in combating climate change and biodiversity challenges?

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 26 presentation here.
Week 27 – Farmer Focus: “Protecting dung beetles while managing parasites, a positive feedback loop.” by Bruce Thompson, Dairy Farmer

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 27 presentation here.
Week 28 – Update on ASSAP and Water Quality restoration by Noel Meehan, ASSAP Manager, Joe Crockett, Dairy Sustainability Ireland

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 28 presentation here and here.
Week 29 – Recent policy developments for managing grazing livestock in New Zealand – some practical implications and future research needs to lessen farming’s impact on water quality by Ross Monaghan, Ag Research, New Zealand

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 29 presentation here.
Week 30 – The Hen Harrier Project, A landscape-level approach to Results-Based Agri-Environment Payment Systems by Fergal Monaghan, Project Manager for the Hen Harrier Programme

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 30 presentation here.
Week 31 – Managing Nutrient Runoff from Farmyards by Sara Vero, Assistant Lecturer, Agricultural Science, Waterford Institute of Technology

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 31 presentation here.
Week 32 – Archaeology and Farming by Hugh Carey, Archaeologist, National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 32 presentation here.
Week 33 – Traditional Farm Buildings by Anna Meehan, The Heritage Council

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 33 presentation here.
Week 34 – Refining fertiliser recommendations for extensively managed grassland by Suzanne Higgins, Soil Scientist, AFBI

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 34 presentation here.
Week 35 – Ireland’s Nitrates Review by Jack Nolan Senior Inspector, Nitrates and Biodiversity Division, DAFM

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 35 presentation here.
Week 36 – Combining catchment Science and agricultural advice to improve local water quality by Cathal Somers, Teagasc, and Philip Murphy LAWPRO Catchment Scientist

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 36 presentation here and here.
Week 37 – The Pearl Mussel Project EIP: A results-based payment scheme targeting an endangered species while delivering wider environmental benefits by Dr Patrick Crushell, Project Manager, The Pearl Mussel Project EIP

 

Watch Here Download Webinar 37 presentation here.
2021 Week 38 Agroforestry – multiple benefits for Irish agriculture by Dr Ian Short, Forestry Researcher Officer Teagasc, Professor Jim McAdam, Queens University Belfast and Mr. Eugene Curran, Forestry Inspector, DAFM
Watch Here n/a
2021 Week 39 What’s the Story with our Bogs? and European Carbon Farming Initiative by Dr Douglas McMillan, Chair of the Green Restoration Ireland (GRI) Cooperative & Eimhin David Shortt Watch Here Download Webinar 39 presentation here and here.

2021 Week 40 Implications of climate neutrality for agriculture, land use & forestry in Ireland by Dr. David Styles, University of Limerick

Watch Here Download Webinar 40 presentation here.

2021 Week 41 Farm Zero C Overview by Gavin Hunt, Farm Zero C Project Manager, BiOrbic & Cian White, Trinity College Dublin

Watch Here Download Webinar 41 presentation here and here.

2021 Week 42 Biorefinery Glas and the potential of the bioeconomy to transform grassland agriculture in Ireland by James Gaffey, MTU, Johan Sanders, Grassa and Wageningen UR and Bridget Lynch, Teagasc

Watch Here Download Webinar 42 presentation here, here and here.

2021 Week 43 Soil Fertility Trends in the Agricultural Catchments Programme by Edward Burgess, Agricultural Catchments Programme, Teagasc

Watch Here Download Webinar 43 presentation here.

2021 Week 44 Assessing Biodiversity Management Practices on Intensively managed farmland by Dr Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist

Watch Here Download Webinar 44 presentation here.

2021 Week 45 Farm Specific Mitigation Strategies and Practical Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Irish Farms by Dr Seamus Kearney, Signpost Programme and Jonathan Herron, Teagasc Moorepark

Watch Here Download Webinar 45 presentation here and here.

2021 Week 46 Managing the Risk of Phosphorus Loss from Slurry Application in Northern Ireland by Dr Donnacha Doody & Dr Russell Adams, AFBI

Watch Here Download Webinar 46 presentation here.

2021 Week 47 What are the implications of net zero for UK agriculture by Dr Bob Rees, SRUC Scotland

Watch Here Download Webinar 47 presentation here.

2021 Week 48 2021 Hedgerow Week launch by Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director & Planting Hedges by Dr Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist

Watch Here Download Webinar 48 presentation here.
2021 Week 49 2021 The value of native provenance trees and hedging stock by Joe Gowran, CEO, Woodlands of Ireland and Maria Cullen, Chair of the Society of Irish Plant Pathologists (SIPP) Watch Here Download Webinar 49 presentation here and here.
2021 Week 50 2021 Perspectives of Farm Sustainability ft. Mark Gibson, Head of Teagasc Outreach & Innovation Department, joined by Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and   and Professor Frank O’Mara, Teagasc Director Watch Here n/a

 

2020 Webinars

Videos

Supporting Presentations / Documents

Week 1 – Greenhouse Gases – Why all the Fuss? by Philip O’Brien, EPA Watch Here Download Webinar 1 presentation here.
Week 2 – Reducing GHG Emissions in Irish Agriculture by John Muldowney, DAFM Watch Here Download Webinar 2 presentation here.
Week 3 – Options to Reduce GHGs (The GHG MACCs) by Gary Lanigan, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 3 presentation here.
Week 4 – Feeding Management for Productive Ruminants by Dr Joe Patton, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 4 presentation here.
Week 5 – Land Management- Drainage / Water Table Control by Pat Tuohy, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 5 presentation here.
Week 6 – Maintaining the Derogation by Jack Nolan, DAFM Watch Here Download Webinar 6 presentation here.
Week 7 – Reducing Slurry Emissions by Dr David Wall & Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 7 presentation (2 parts) here and here.
Week 8 – Use of Protected Urea by Dr Patrick Forrestal & Dr David Wall, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 8 presentation here.
Week 9 – Low Carbon Dairy Farming by James Humphreys, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 9 presentation here.
Week 10 – Water Quality in Ireland; Where to from here? by Jenny Deakin, EPA Watch Here Download Webinar 10 presentation here.
Week 11 – Nitrogen- Interactions with soil and water by Dr Karl Richards, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 11 presentation here.
Week 12 – Phosphorus- Interactions with soil and water by Dr Karen Daly, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 12 presentation here.
Week 13 – Protecting Nitrogen and Phosphorus inputs on farms by Dr David Wall & Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 13 presentation here.
Week 14 – The Positive Role of Farm Forests in GHG Mitigation by Tom Houlihan, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 14 presentation here.
Week 15 –  The Water Cycle; Where does all the water go? by Prof. Owen Fenton & Dr Daire O hUallacháin, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 15 presentations here and here.
Week 16 – Water Quality – LAWPRO by Ruth Hennessy, Local Authority Waters Programme Watch Here Download Webinar 16 presentation here.
Week 17 – Water Quality – ASSAP by Joe Crockett, Dairy Sustainability Ireland and Noel Meehan, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 17 presentations
here and here.
Week 18 – The Impact of Climate Change on Our Weather Systems by Keith Lambkin Met Eireann Watch Here Download Webinar 18 presentation here.
Week 19 – Climate Adoption Policy by Damien Wise, DAFM & Dr Michael O’Donovan, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 19 presentations
here and here.
Week 20 – Carbon Sequestration in Temperate Grasslands by Donal O’Brien, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 20 presentation here.
Week 21 – Woodlands for Water by Kevin Collins, DAFM Watch Here Download Webinar 21 presentation here.
Week 22 – The role of renewable energy; How we can improve the efficiency of energy usage on farm by Dr John Upton & Barry Caslin, Teagasc. Watch Here Download Webinar 22 presentations
here and here.
Week 23 – Nature of Irish Hedgerows by Catherine Keena, Teagasc. Watch Here  Download Webinar 23 presentation here.
Week 24 – Supporting Pollinators through Agri-Environmental Interventions by Lorna Cole, SRUC, Scotland Watch Here Download Webinar 24 presentations here and here.
Week 25 – Biodiversity on farmland: current status, policy impacts, farm-scales responses by John Finn & Dr Daire O hUallacháin, Teagasc. Watch Here Download Webinar 25 presentations here and here.
Week 26 – Natural Capital on Irish Farmland by Jane Stout, Trinity College Watch Here Download Webinar 26 presentation here.
Week 27 – Semi-natural grasslands in Ireland – precious resources under threat by Maria Long, NPWS Watch Here Download Webinar 27 presentation here.
Week 28 – What impacts the quality of water in Agricultural Catchments Programme? by Per-Erik Mellander, Agricultural Catchments Programme Watch Here  Download Webinar 28 presentation here.
Week 29 – 11 years of Hi-resolution water monitoring by David Ryan, Technologist, Agricultural Catchments Programme Coming Soon Download Webinar 29 presentation here.
Week 30 – The Agricultural Catchments Programme assessment of the Nitrates Derogation by Edward Burgess, Agricultural Catchments Programme Watch Here  Not Yet Available
Week 31 – Animal breeding as a cumulative and permanent strategy to environmental stewardship by Donagh Berry, Centre Director, VistaMilk Watch Here  Download Webinar 31 presentation here.
Week 32 – The Economics of catchment management, linking science and farmer behaviour in the ACP by Michele McCormack, Agricultural Catchments Programme Watch Here Download Webinar 32 presentation here.
Week 33 – MCPA herbicide: New insights from catchment-scale research in North -West by Philip Jordan, Ulster University Watch Here Download Webinar 33 presentation here.
Week 34 – Creating & Shaping the development of Irelands Bioeconomy by Patrick Barrett, Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Watch Here Download Webinar 34 presentation here.
Week 35 – Smart Food Solutions – One Health…… from Soil to Society – Using Good Science to Proactively improve Human & Environmental health by John Gilliland, Devenish Watch Here Download Webinar 35 presentation here.
Week 36 – Growing Hedges for a sustainable future & the Launch of Teagasc Hedgerow week 2020 by Minister Pippa Hackett and Catherine Keena, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 36 presentation here.
Week 37 – Measuring & Mapping Hedges by Stuart Green, Teagasc Watch Here Download Webinar 37 presentation here.
Week 38 – Emerging trends in EU policy – CAP, Green Deal, Farm to Fork by Alan Matthews, Trinity College, Dublin Watch Here Download Webinar 38 presentation here.