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Dairygold Hosts Farming for Water Event to Highlight Sustainability Efforts
Dairygold hosted its “Farming for Water: To Protect Our Future” event on the farm of Dairygold Milk Supplier Raymond Goggin on Friday, 31st May. The event highlighted the extensive work being done by Dairygold Milk Suppliers to protect and improve water quality around their farms to ensure the sustainability of the dairy industry, which is of critical economic importance to both the local region and the national economy.
From a report commissioned by Dairy Industry Ireland and conducted by EY, Dairygold’s dairy-related business activity contributes €3.3 billion to the national economy and generates over 10,000 jobs through direct and indirect employment. With 2,500 family farms supplying milk to Dairygold and 60% of these farms benefiting from the EU Nitrates Derogation, making it a critical element in the structure of dairy farming in the Munster region.
Dairygold has demonstrated its commitment to improving the sustainability of its operations and the sustainability of the farms it sources its milk from, and we are making significant progress. Through the €10m Grassroots Milk Supplier Sustainability Bonus Programme, Dairygold is supporting Milk Suppliers’ transition to more sustainable farming, focused on environmental protection and efficiency on farm. Dairygold has put a dedicated water quality advisory team in place to advise farmers on measures to protect and improve water quality. In 2023, Dairygold carried out more than 700 farm visits and worked with Milk Suppliers to develop dedicated water quality plans.
Dairygold Chairman Seán O’Brien commented on the significance of the event: “Events such as this are crucial in raising awareness of the proactive measures our farmers are taking to improve water quality. It is essential that farmers are given the time and support to demonstrate that these initiatives are effective. The removal of the EU Nitrates Derogation would have a profound negative impact on our farmers and the broader rural economy. Farmers have worked hard to show they can make sustainable changes to their farm enterprises, and they now need to be given time for the results to speak for themselves.”
Dairygold Head of Supply Chain, Billy Cronin stated that: “Dairygold has established a dedicated water quality advisory team to advise farmers on measures to protect and improve water quality. In 2023, they carried out more than 700 farm visits. This is one element of Dairygold’s €10m Grassroots Milk Supplier Sustainability Bonus Programme designed to help our Milk Suppliers transition to more sustainable farming.
Dairygold Milk Supplier Raymond Goggin, on whose farm the event took place, has implemented many successful initiatives on the farm to improve water quality such as planting a buffer with native trees and fencing off approximately 3 metres from critical source areas. Raymond also increased clover in the sward thereby reducing chemical nitrogen and diverting clean water run-off. He talked through these successful changes with attendees on the day.
The event featured a range of speakers such as MEP Billy Kelleher, Dr. Frank O’Mara, Director at Teagasc and Conor Mulvihill, Director at Dairy Industry Ireland who provided valuable insights to attendees.
