Lismullin Farming conference to focus on environmentally sustainable production
This year the annual Lismullin farming conference will focus on ‘The Farmer’s Role in Sustainable Food Production and as Custodian of the Environment.” The conference will take place this Thursday the 21st of January. Keynote speakers will include Mary Delaney of Glanbia Agribusiness and Matt Dempsey of The Agricultural Trust.
Speaking about the event, conference organiser John Byrne said the main themes of the conference were sustainability and caring for the environment: “Focussing on these topics is crucial for farming to thrive, and of course they are interlinked. In order for farmers in Ireland to be competitive, quality and efficiency in our production has to be the main focus.”
“We are delighted to welcome Matt Dempsey Chairman of The Agricultural Trust who will comment on Pope Francis’ letter Laudato Si, which reflected on caring for our environment. Our annual farming conference will give farmers the opportunity to take a day out to discuss with a panel of experts key issues and opportunities for farmers and their families. The aim of these seminars is to provide talks and discussions that are insightful and practical, as well as containing useful and inspirational ideas that can benefit the lives of everybody”
Mary Delaney said she would be focusing on sustainability and the challenges that Irish Dairying faces in the context of Climate Change. “At the COP21 Climate Summit unanimous agreement was reached on commitments to reduce emissions. As agriculture in Ireland is a large contributor to emissions, this of course will have a significant impact on agriculture in the future and we need to work together to address this challenge. We must work towards identifying how farmers can contribute to the development of the economy and their communities while finding sustainable ways of farming while reducing emissions.”
Andy Doyle, Irish Farmers Journal, will look at the challenges and opportunities for tillage farmers. The experience and expertise acquired by Country Crest will be evident in the presentation on Sustainable world food supply and how farmers can prepare for coming EU directives that will affect agriculture in Ireland. Dorene Mallon of Liffey Meats will focus her presentation on marketing and its implications.
The conference will take place at the Lismullin Conference Centre, Tara, Co Meath, on Thursday 21st of January from 10.30 until 5.00pm. Bookings can be made at www.lismullin.ie or by calling Anne at 01 – 6760731.
Full conference schedule below
Morning sessions will be chaired by Larry O’ Loughlin Regional Manager, Teagasc Advisory Education Services, Portlaoise and afternoon sessions will be chaired by Dr Sean Brady, Independent chairman of the Monitoring Committee for the Farmers Charter of Rights.
10.15 Registration and Coffee
10.45 Sustainable World Food Supply, plus preparing for coming EU Directives,Country Crest panel
12 noon Opportunities and Challenges for a Future in Tillage, Andy Doyle, Tillage Editor, Irish Farmers Journal.
1.15 Dinner
2.30 Custodians of the Environment Laudato Si’ on the Care for our Common Home (Pope Francis), Matt Dempsey, Chairman, Irish Agricultural Trust.
3.30pm Sustainability – The Climate Challenge for Irish dairying, Mary Delaney, Glanbia Agribusiness
4.15pm Beef: What the customer wants? Dorene Mallon, Liffey Meats
5.00pm Conclusion