Bord Bia announces shortlist for inaugural Origin Green Farmer Awards

Animal Remedy Record issues to be addressed during daily demonstrations, Bord Bia

President Michael D Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins pictured here with Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia and Joe Burke, Beef Specialist, Bord Bia at the National Ploughing Championships today.

September 20th 2016 As the nation’s attention turns to all things food and farming this week, Bord Bia today announced the shortlist for its inaugural Origin Green Farmer Awards. Origin Green is the world’s first national programme to address climate change and the broader sustainability challenges in food and agriculture. The new Awards recognise the exceptional performance being achieved by members of Bord Bia’s Beef and Dairy Sustainability Assurance Schemes, which are pivotal to differentiating Irish food and drink in the global marketplace.

Ireland is the first country in the world to audit and carbon footprint its farms, currently at a rate of 650 a week, on what is in effect a national scale and in a process of measurement, feedback and continuous improvement.

“The Origin Green programme, and our industry’s proactive approach to sustainability, sets us apart from our international competitors while also ensuring Ireland is showing leadership in response to one of the most significant challenges facing the world today. As our €11 billion export-led industry grows to meet the ambitious targets set out in Food Wise 2025, now more challenging in a post-Brexit environment, Ireland’s capacity to demonstrate its green credentials will prove critical” commented Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia today on the opening day of the National Ploughing Championship.

“It is important for Bord Bia to acknowledge, celebrate and showcase best practice, efficient farmers who continue to lead by example. In what is a difficult year for farm incomes, lowering the farm’s Carbon Footprint through efficiency gains will not only reduce production cost and improve on-farm profitability, but will also enhance returns from the marketplace” he added.

A total of 28 beef and dairy finalists (listed below) have been shortlisted representing the most efficient farmers in the country, producing what the market demands in a natural, sustainable manner. Over the next three days, Bord Bia will showcase the shortlisted farmers on its stand (Block 3, Row 11, Stand No. 269) at the National Ploughing Championship taking place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co.Offaly. Earlier today the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Sabina Higgins, visited the Bord Bia stand where Aidan Cotter briefed him on the finalists. The overall winning producers will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, 21st October 2016.

Bord Bia, in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Journal and ICBF, will also participate in a number of live cattle demonstrations. The theme of this year’s feature is “Sustainable Livestock” and will focus on sustainable, efficient livestock (beef & sheep) with market requirements in mind.

Carbon Navigator

Meanwhile, Bord Bia is encouraging all farmers, and in particular participants in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP), to visit its stand to learn more about the Carbon Navigator. Developed by Bord Bia and Teagasc, the Carbon Navigator is an online farm management tool that quantifies the environmental and profitability gains that can be made on each applicant’s farm. It is a highly impactful yet simple tool which allows an individual farmer to look at changes which can be implemented in areas such as the length of the grazing season or average calving rate. Importantly, it then illustrates what those changes would mean in terms of both reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the increased profitability associated with such a change.

Visitors to the Bord Bia stand will be able to use and engage with a large touch-screen tool to learn more about the Carbon Navigator, how to set targets for new on-farm efficiencies. All BDGP participants are required to complete a Carbon Navigator before October 31st to facilitate both timely payment and the avoidance of penalties.

Market Spec &Amp; Quality Assurance Workshops

A series of information panels and a fresh meat display within the Bord Bia marquee will focus on the export market requirements for beef, lamb, pigmeat, poultry and livestock, while Bord Bia’s Quality Assurance team will be on hand to answer queries or address any farmer concerns. To assist farmers with the task of completing Animal Remedies records, Bord Bia will host five workshops each day to provide practical tips on best practices with regards to storing, recording and uses of remedies.

Looking Ahead

A dedicated part of the Bord Bia stand will set out market outlooks for the beef, sheep, pork and livestock sector and these outlooks will also be distributed from the stand. The documents highlight the current European and International market conditions for beef, lamb and pigmeat.

Bord Bia Recipes &Amp; The Country Kitchen

Once again, The Country Kitchen, in association with Bord Bia, returns to the National Ploughing Championships with a variety of Bord Bia Quality Assured options on offer. This year’s menu includes freshly carved quality assured sirloin of roast beef, Prime 6oz Irish Beef Burgers, Quality Assured Roast Leg of Lamb and Honey Roast Ham. The Country Kitchen is located in the Livestock Area, Stand No 320. Finally, complimentary Bord Bia recipe booklets will also be available on the stand.

DAIRY SHORTLIST (18)

BEEF SHORTLIST (12)