Bord Bia’s information marquee at the 2016 National Ploughing Championships will be a must-see for livestock producers visiting this year’s event, taking place at Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from September 20th - 22nd. Centrally-located opposite the Irish Farmers Journal stand, Bord Bia’s marquee will focus on its key promotional programmes around the world for Irish meat, livestock and dairy products, along with up-to-date market insights.
A large refrigerated unit will display numerous examples of high quality Irish beef and lamb products being sold into premium outlets throughout Europe. Similarly to previous years, Bord Bia personnel will be available throughout the three-day event to speak with producers.
There will be a strong emphasis on Origin Green, Ireland's unique sustainability programme for the agri-food sector. Farms and manufacturers participating in Origin Green now account for over 90% of total food and drink exports. Visitors can use a major touch-screen Carbon Navigator tool to set targets for the improvement of on-farm efficiency and profitability. Participants in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) are required to complete a Carbon Navigator this autumn.
Bord Bia's Quality Assurance schemes will also be an important focus. Demonstrations will take place throughout the day on how farmers meet the schemes' requirements, including the storage and recording of animal health products.
The Bord Bia Country Kitchen restaurant will be alongside the Livestock area of the National Ploughing Championships and its menu features a variety of Bord Bia Quality Assured meat dishes, including sirloin steak, roast leg of lamb, honey roast ham: all freshly cooked and served with seasonal salad in a Ciabatta roll, or Prime 6oz Irish Beef Burger with Cheddar Cheese, or Breakfast Roll (served until 11am).