Clover Takes Center Stage at Teagasc National Dairy Conference 2024
The 2024 farming calendar saw one of its most significant events unfold at the Teagasc National Dairy Conference, held at the Limerick Racecourse. Amidst a backdrop of snow-covered fields and tight silage supplies, the spotlight shone brightly on the humble yet transformative role of clover in modern dairy farming.
Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc, set the tone in his opening remarks, reflecting on a challenging yet hopeful year for dairy farmers. “2024 was in many ways another tough year for dairy farmers, albeit it is ending on a good note with increases in milk prices and good autumn grazing conditions,” he said. The year was marked by adverse weather conditions, with a harsh spring and summer complicating grazing and winter fodder conservation. However, O’Mara expressed optimism, noting that 2024 should see a recovery in dairy farm incomes from the lows of 2023.
Climate Change and Clover: A Winning combination
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One of the standout themes of the conference was the intersection of climate change mitigation and agricultural innovation. O’Mara highlighted significant progress in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture, with the EPA reporting a 4.6% drop in 2023 and a further 2.4% reduction in Q1 2024. “It is important too recognize that the actions of farmers have had a big effect,” he emphasized. Key among these actions was a 30% reduction in chemical nitrogen usage over the past two years, alongside a shift to protected urea, which accounted for 27% of straight nitrogen usage in 2024.Clover emerged as a cornerstone of Teagasc’s strategy to reduce chemical nitrogen dependency without compromising pasture production. “Clover is a big part of our advice to farmers who wish to reduce chemical nitrogen without impacting on pasture production,” O’Mara explained. Over the past 15 years, Teagasc has conducted extensive research on clover and multi-species swards across various locations, including Moorepark, Clonakilty, and Johnstown Castle. This research has yielded a robust dataset, enabling evidence-based recommendations for farmers across diverse systems and soil types.
To further refine their approach, Teagasc is commissioning an external peer review of its clover and multi-species sward research. “this will help to ensure we maximise the potential from our research programme and help to identify gaps where further research is required,” O’Mara added.
Practical Insights from a Multi-Award-Winning Farmer
The conference also featured insights from John Macnamara, a multi-award-winning farmer from Knockainey. Macnamara distilled his success into seven actionable messages for attendees:
- Grow grass with clover.
- Better control of nutrient application.
- get a weekly prediction of farm dry matter (DM) production and grass growth.
- Improve nature areas of the farm.
- Enhance the farm’s carbon footprint.
- Increase water quality awareness.
- Simplify farm operations with underpasses, bridges, and contractor usage.
These strategies, Macnamara noted, have not only boosted his farm’s productivity but also aligned with broader sustainability goals.
Key Takeaways from the Conference
To encapsulate the conference’s highlights,here’s a summary of the key points:
| Topic | Key Insights |
|—————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Clover’s Role | Reduces chemical nitrogen usage,enhances pasture production,and supports sustainability. |
| Climate Progress | GHG emissions fell by 4.6% in 2023,with a further 2.4% drop in Q1 2024. |
| Farmer actions | 30% reduction in chemical nitrogen usage; 27% of nitrogen now from protected urea. |
| Research Focus | Teagasc’s 15-year clover research to undergo external peer review for refinement.|
| Farmer Strategies | john Macnamara’s seven-point plan for enduring and efficient farming. |
The Teagasc National Dairy Conference 2024 underscored the critical role of innovation and sustainability in shaping the future of dairy farming. As farmers navigate the challenges of climate change and economic pressures, the integration of clover and multi-species swards offers a promising path forward.
For more insights and updates on the latest in farming innovation, stay tuned to our coverage of agricultural advancements.
Clover Takes Center Stage at Teagasc National Dairy Conference 2024
The 2024 farming calendar saw one of its most importent events unfold at the Teagasc National Dairy Conference, held at the Limerick Racecourse. Amidst a backdrop of snow-covered fields and tight silage supplies, the spotlight shone brightly on the humble yet transformative role of clover in modern dairy farming. We sat down with Dr. Sarah Brennan, an agricultural scientist and expert in sustainable farming practices, to discuss the key takeaways from the conference and the future of dairy farming in the face of climate change.
Climate Change and Clover: A Winning Combination
Senior Editor: Dr. Brennan, one of the standout themes of the conference was the intersection of climate change mitigation and agricultural innovation. Can you elaborate on how clover fits into this narrative?
Dr. Sarah Brennan: Absolutely. Clover has emerged as a cornerstone of sustainable dairy farming.Its ability to fix nitrogen naturally reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, which are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. At the conference, Professor Frank O’Mara highlighted a 30% reduction in chemical nitrogen usage over the past two years, largely due to the increased adoption of clover and protected urea. This shift not only helps mitigate climate change but also enhances pasture productivity.
Research and Innovation: The Role of Teagasc
Senior Editor: Teagasc has been conducting extensive research on clover and multi-species swards. What are some of the key findings, and how are they being applied in practice?
Dr.Sarah Brennan: Teagasc’s research over the past 15 years has been groundbreaking.They’ve demonstrated that clover can substantially reduce chemical nitrogen dependency without compromising pasture production.this research has been conducted across various locations, including Moorepark, Clonakilty, and Johnstown Castle, providing a robust dataset that supports evidence-based recommendations for farmers. To further refine their approach, Teagasc is commissioning an external peer review of their clover and multi-species sward research. This will help identify gaps and maximize the potential of their findings.
Practical Insights from a Multi-Award-Winning Farmer
Senior Editor: The conference also featured insights from John Macnamara, a multi-award-winning farmer. What were some of the key strategies he shared?
Dr. Sarah Brennan: John Macnamara distilled his success into seven actionable messages. These include growing grass with clover, better control of nutrient application, getting weekly predictions of farm dry matter production, improving nature areas on the farm, enhancing the farm’s carbon footprint, increasing water quality awareness, and simplifying farm operations with underpasses, bridges, and contractor usage. These strategies not only boost productivity but also align with broader sustainability goals.
Key Takeaways from the Conference
Senior Editor: To wrap up, what are the key takeaways from the Teagasc National Dairy Conference 2024?
Dr. Sarah Brennan: The conference underscored the critical role of innovation and sustainability in shaping the future of dairy farming. Key takeaways include the significant role of clover in reducing chemical nitrogen usage and enhancing pasture production, the progress in reducing GHG emissions, and the importance of farmer actions in driving these changes. the integration of clover and multi-species swards offers a promising path forward as farmers navigate the challenges of climate change and economic pressures.
For more insights and updates on the latest in farming innovation, stay tuned to our coverage of agricultural advancements.
