Event Aims
The farm walks are designed to assist farmers to meet the requirements of their audit as members of the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS).
Farm walk attendees receive an SBLAS Information Booklet, outlining what is required of them to pass their SBLAS audit, with tips on how to accurately complete records.
Topics covered include:
- Origin Green – a full supply chain programme
- Requirements of the Bord Bia audit
- Animal remedies – purchase and usage records
- Farm safety risk assessment
- Farm sustainability
- Farmer feedback report
- Export market activity
Feedback Report:
Bord Bia auditors gather data during the audit process through the Sustainability Survey that enables Bord Bia to assess the environmental performance of quality assured farms via a carbon footprint calculation.
The data gathered is now being used to generate a farmer feedback report which includes a summary of farm performance under the following headings:
- General Farm Performance
- Carbon Footprint
- Greenhouse Gases
- Nutrient Management
- Grassland Management
- Farm Health and Safety
The reported data will compare current farm performance against changes since the last SBLAS audit and similar production systems.
The purpose of the new farmer feedback report will be to demonstrate to members how their farm inputs and activities contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) production and will contain advice and feedback on how to mitigate against these emissions and improve production efficiencies. The advisory feedback is formulated in collaboration with Teagasc and will focus on measures set out in the Teagasc MACC curve.
Previous Walks in 2019:
- 1st November, 2019 - Mountbellew Agricultural College, Co. Galway
- 23rd October, 2019 - Tullyvaragh Upper, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan
- 9th October, 2019 - Willie Kelly, Skreen, Co.Sligo
- 25th September, 2019 - Kildalton Agricultural College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
- 11th September, 2019 - Salesian Agricultural College, Co. Limerick
- 24th July, 2019 – Clonakilty Agricultural College, Co. Cork
Previous walks in 2018:
- 23rd July, 2018 - Tubberavine, Lahardane, Co. Mayo
- 12th September, 2018 - New Inn, Cahir, Co.Tipperary
- 26th September, 2018 - Ballymonis, Whitegate, Co.Cork
- 28th September, 2018- Carrigans, County Donegal
- 3rd October, 2018 - Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin, Co.Meath
Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS)
Through measurement and analysis the SBLAS demonstrates the sustainability of Irish beef and lamb farming at individual farm level and provides constructive feedback to farmers to help them with decision making aimed at improving their sustainability performance.