Farming For Water EIP - Farm Event

“We have peace of mind now and the EIP process couldn’t have been easier,” Wexford farmer, Seamus Doyle, says

Tirlán supplier Seamus Doyle says making a Farming for Water EIP application “couldn’t have been easier”. He now has peace of mind that no matter how much rain falls, he has taken steps to protect water quality in nearby waterways.

“The whole process started with an informal chat with the Tirlán sustainability team, first about leaching and nitrates and they brought up about the EIP Scheme. I’d heard nothing about it up to that,” Seamus Doyle said as he opened his dairy farm near Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, to neighbours recently for the latest in a series of Tirlán Farming for Water: River Slaney Project events.

“We walked the farm during an arranged visit and the Farm Support Service team came back with suggestions. We discussed these and there was no pressure at any stage to do anything.  Any actions proposed are on a voluntary basis.

“Having a second set of eyes to look out for potential areas for improvement as we walked around the farm was fantastic. They suggested we put in a willow bed and sediment tank. They did all the paperwork, the project is now complete and I’ve peace of mind that no matter what happens down the line, we’re very well set up, we have peace of mind.

“I knew there were small issues with the management of water within the farmyard and that something would have to be done at some stage. The EIP I suppose gave me the push to do the work. It’s a simple process, I’d really advise anyone who has even the smallest concerns about potential risks to water to have that conversation.

“You’re not signing up to anything that you have to continue with by starting that conversation. I’m glad I did and I’d recommend others do it too. All of this was done without me hardly even noticing it was done.”

Neighbouring farmers who attended the event got an opportunity to  meet with Tirlán’s  Sustainability Advisors who are supporting growing numbers of farmers to put together applications under the €60 million Farming for Water EIP, where appropriate. They also heard about the actions being taken on farm, in the community, nationally and internationally by Tirlán to make the best possible case for Ireland’s retention of the Nitrates Derogation.

Ed Healy, Milk Solids Growth Specialist with Tirlán encouraged suppliers to engage with the team to increase milk solids production in a profitable and sustainable manner. He encouraged the group to use the milk solids tracker and engage with their Milk Solids Growth Specialist who will offer assistance with grass and forage utilisation to improve forage quality and soil nutrition.

Eoin Woulfe, Teagasc Climate and Sustainability Advisor, said how farmers grow grass for their cows is very important. He encouraged farmers to use lime, saying that for every €1 spent on lime, there is a €8 return and that 15 to 20 units of sulphur on land really improves nitrogen efficiency.

Francis Quigley, Farm Machinery and Milking Machine Specialist with Teagasc brought the group out into one of Seamus Doyle’s fields where Seamus spread protected urea. Test trays placed on the area covered were examined to check how well the spreader was calibrated. He also shared invaluable tips about buying and storing protected urea, maximising its use and minimising  its impact on the environment.

Thomas Ryan, Tirlán Head of Agri-Sustainability said: “This is a crucial year, as Ireland continues to put the best case forward to retain the nitrates derogation. The actions of Seamus and so many Tirlán farm family suppliers are having a positive impact, as can be seen from the recent positive EPA water quality results. Improvements in sustainability trends have taken place because of increased participation by farm family suppliers in the Farming for Water EIP programme, Slaney Project, Sustainability Action Payment and Sustainable Farming Academy.”

First Published 6 May 2025