Last year’s FAI summer tour took the association to north Cork, to the farm of Liam Roche, to learn about Dairygold Co-op’s focus on water quality, as well as the Signpost farm of John and Brendan Walsh, to hear about their successful adoption of clover.

Liam Roche milks 300+ cows across two milking platforms just outside Mitchelstown, Co Cork. On the day, Liam explained about the importance of water quality to his farm and how he feels that every farmer needs to do their part for water quality.

Dairygold’s Ciara Donovan and Philip Fogarty outlined the programme of work that is currently being undertaken by Dairygold Co-op to improve water quality across its catchment area.

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The FAI then visited John and Brendan Walsh, who are Signpost farmers and overall winner[s] of the 2024 Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards. The Walshes milk 170 cows just outside Cahir, Co Tipperary. On the day, they outlined the successful management practices they had undertaken in recent years to establish clover and reduce their reliance on chemical fertiliser N.

Liam Roche and Philip Fogarty Dairygold outline the potential benefits of the willow filter bed being installed on Liam's farm during the FAI summer tour.