Northern Ireland agricultural research body AgriSearch has warned farmers they must develop ways to prove and communicate their sustainability credentials to an increasingly sceptical public.
This week, the organisation announced plans to develop a network of up to 50 ‘Beacon’ farms across Northern Ireland.
Building on the success of AgriSearch’s GrassCheck programme, the Beacon Farm Network will include a range of dairy, beef and sheep systems from across the region which will be used to gather evidence for research into sustainable livestock farming systems.
Forming a key part of AgriSearch’s new strategy, the network will benchmark carbon sequestration on-farm, quantify the benefits of environmental services delivered by farmers, and encourage the development of innovative, resilient and sustainable farm systems.
Helping farming become part of the solution
AgriSearch chairman Seamus McCaffrey said: “The key challenge facing beef, dairy and sheep farmers over the coming years will be to continue producing high-quality, affordable food to feed a growing population while maximising animal welfare and environmental gains.
“Indeed, the government target for Northern Ireland to be carbon neutral by 2045 presents a challenge for all parts of industry and society as a whole.
“Farmers want to play their part in delivering these targets. For too long, agriculture has been presented as part of the problem, but we want to demonstrate through innovative practices and research how farming can be a big part of the solution.
“We have consulted widely in developing our new strategy, and our thinking has been shaped by the responses we have received from key stakeholders including farming organisations, policymakers, wider industry experts and of course farmers themselves.
A common finding throughout our conversations was the need to become more focused on farm-level response to economic, environmental and social challenges.
“To that end, we intend to create a new network of Beacon farms – beef, dairy and sheep farms that will lead the way in developing cutting edge, innovative farm systems.
“Building on the success of the GrassCheck project, and representative of all parts of the ruminant sector in Northern Ireland, the Beacon farm network will measure and benchmark levels of carbon sequestration on livestock farms and quantify the benefits of ecosystem services delivered by farmers.
“Another key element of our new strategy will be to pursue partnership opportunities with industry, policymakers and academia that will deliver additional value for our research projects and ultimately the primary producer.
“We want to demonstrate both to farmers and the wider community how farming systems can fit together to deliver for people and the planet, as well as for their individual farm businesses.
“I would encourage farmers to get involved in this exciting project which help future proof the industry in Northern Ireland by promoting and developing farm systems that are both financially and environmentally sustainable.”
Driving change
Welcoming the news, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Edwin Poots said: “Through the Science Transformation Programme my department is developing new science strategies, which includes new innovation, research and development, monitoring and surveillance, and estates strategies.
“I agree that driving behavioural and cultural change is fundamental in improving uptake of new initiatives in our farming sector and I look forward to seeing AgriSearch developing collaborative partnerships to help deliver results through this new approach in the future.
Getting the most from our grassland is a key priority for NI agriculture, and I know this farm and many others have benefitted from the information and advice AgriSearch has provided over the years.
“I look forward to seeing how AgriSearch develops ‘Beacon’ network of farms through the delivery of its new strategy.”
