Richard Mannion, Co Mayo said it was a shame that National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) can be financed by Government to buy up land in the uplands while Teagasc cannot get the money to purchase a farm for upland research.
“Having attended the Sustainable Upland Livestock and Habitat Management symposium and open day at the CAFRE hill farm in early September made it very clear to me what we are missing out on by not having an upland research farm.
“In my area, the last hill sheep research farm which closed down years ago is now for sale.
“As an INHFA representative, I have been pushing for an uplands module in our Green Cert.
“This is more important than ever now as habitat management, the delivery of eco system services and sustainable farming practices become more important.
“Research at Glenwherry could show the way for Teagasc and working together they could achieve so much.”
Teagasc should have an upland farm to be able to show farmers, Government and the European Union the good work farmers do in keeping the large areas of mountains in Ireland in good condition, John McNulty from Co Mayo said.
Marketing of hill lambs
Having an upland farm would also show improvements that can be made in the likes of climate change and environmental issues and market the hill lambs for different markets in Europe, he said.
“These mountains, if they are abandoned by the next generation of young farmers, we will have bigger environmental issues in the future on the hills, such as wildfires,” he said.
Niall Bryson, Co Donegal believes that upland farming can be a sustainable way to farm while also improving biodiversity.
Another farmer felt that Teagasc had deserted the area. \ Claire Nash
“It can also manage grasslands and peatlands to prevent the threat of wildfires. Supporting upland farmers through new technological measures and education is essential in the development and protection of our uplands and mountain area,” he said.
Mayo hill farmer Gary Ginty told the Irish Farmers Journal that targeted research is needed in the uplands to support upland farmers and to support and encourage sustainable land management at farm level.
“It is prudent that research must be in collaboration with active farmers who have managed these lands for generations. Traditions, science and good practice must be combined in a sensible and practical way which is led from the ground up,” he said.
Teagasc should invest in upland farming as these farmers that are left are the last caretakers of these valuable lands and investment would encourage new farmers to help and learn from these farmers, John McFadden from Donegal said.
“Also it’s the only area of farming that hasn’t got any investment from Teagasc. If we lose the upland farmer we lose generations of knowledge that can never be replaced.
“There is only so much that a book can teach compared to local knowledge,” he added.
Co Donegal
“Upland farming is one of the most sustainable farming systems we have with benefits in terms of quality food production, biodiversity enhancement, carbon sequestration, climate mitigation, water quality and flood mitigation to name a few and yet we have no research in an Irish setting to quantify these benefits.”
Co Donegal
“Upland farming is a vital cog in the overall farming sector and in preserving and sustaining our natural environment.”
“We need research in our uplands to support upland farmers and ensure sustainable land management in these unique areas by identifying and supporting best practice.”
“We need proper, reference-based upland research so that training and advisory services are relevant to upland conditions. Upland farming is a difficult enterprise but these systems play a vital role in protecting our environment and managing our landscape.”
“Knowledge is completely lacking since the farm in Leenane was closed. No knowledge of measures to undertake and no supports either. If we are to go the environmentally friendly route we need to get supports and correct ways and room to fail.”
Co Galway
“I would be in strongly in favour of Teagasc supporting upland and hill farming. I feel that Teagasc have deserted this area while powering ahead with research in other areas.”
Knowledge of hill farming is completely lacking since the farm in Leenane was closed, one farmer said.\ Michael McLaughlin
Richard Mannion, Co Mayo said it was a shame that National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) can be financed by Government to buy up land in the uplands while Teagasc cannot get the money to purchase a farm for upland research.
“Having attended the Sustainable Upland Livestock and Habitat Management symposium and open day at the CAFRE hill farm in early September made it very clear to me what we are missing out on by not having an upland research farm.
“In my area, the last hill sheep research farm which closed down years ago is now for sale.
“As an INHFA representative, I have been pushing for an uplands module in our Green Cert.
“This is more important than ever now as habitat management, the delivery of eco system services and sustainable farming practices become more important.
“Research at Glenwherry could show the way for Teagasc and working together they could achieve so much.”
Teagasc should have an upland farm to be able to show farmers, Government and the European Union the good work farmers do in keeping the large areas of mountains in Ireland in good condition, John McNulty from Co Mayo said.
Marketing of hill lambs
Having an upland farm would also show improvements that can be made in the likes of climate change and environmental issues and market the hill lambs for different markets in Europe, he said.
“These mountains, if they are abandoned by the next generation of young farmers, we will have bigger environmental issues in the future on the hills, such as wildfires,” he said.
Niall Bryson, Co Donegal believes that upland farming can be a sustainable way to farm while also improving biodiversity.
Another farmer felt that Teagasc had deserted the area. \ Claire Nash
“It can also manage grasslands and peatlands to prevent the threat of wildfires. Supporting upland farmers through new technological measures and education is essential in the development and protection of our uplands and mountain area,” he said.
Mayo hill farmer Gary Ginty told the Irish Farmers Journal that targeted research is needed in the uplands to support upland farmers and to support and encourage sustainable land management at farm level.
“It is prudent that research must be in collaboration with active farmers who have managed these lands for generations. Traditions, science and good practice must be combined in a sensible and practical way which is led from the ground up,” he said.
Teagasc should invest in upland farming as these farmers that are left are the last caretakers of these valuable lands and investment would encourage new farmers to help and learn from these farmers, John McFadden from Donegal said.
“Also it’s the only area of farming that hasn’t got any investment from Teagasc. If we lose the upland farmer we lose generations of knowledge that can never be replaced.
“There is only so much that a book can teach compared to local knowledge,” he added.
Co Donegal
“Upland farming is one of the most sustainable farming systems we have with benefits in terms of quality food production, biodiversity enhancement, carbon sequestration, climate mitigation, water quality and flood mitigation to name a few and yet we have no research in an Irish setting to quantify these benefits.”
Co Donegal
“Upland farming is a vital cog in the overall farming sector and in preserving and sustaining our natural environment.”
“We need research in our uplands to support upland farmers and ensure sustainable land management in these unique areas by identifying and supporting best practice.”
“We need proper, reference-based upland research so that training and advisory services are relevant to upland conditions. Upland farming is a difficult enterprise but these systems play a vital role in protecting our environment and managing our landscape.”
“Knowledge is completely lacking since the farm in Leenane was closed. No knowledge of measures to undertake and no supports either. If we are to go the environmentally friendly route we need to get supports and correct ways and room to fail.”
Co Galway
“I would be in strongly in favour of Teagasc supporting upland and hill farming. I feel that Teagasc have deserted this area while powering ahead with research in other areas.”
Knowledge of hill farming is completely lacking since the farm in Leenane was closed, one farmer said.\ Michael McLaughlin
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