UCC Macra na Feirme will play host ‘Virtual Week on the Farm’ from Monday, March 8th to Thursday, March 11thof next week.
The week has a green and sustainability theme, tying into UCC Green Week and looks to be an educational and fun experience for all, according to organisers.
John Downey, chairperson of UCC Macra na Feirme Society, said: “Ordinarily we would host a farm trip, but due to obvious reasons, this has not been able to go ahead. Instead, we have decided to hold a week of events discussing and celebrating all-things Irish agriculture.”
“We will have a series of guest speakers over the week, including Cork farmer, Pat Aherne, Vincent Gorman from Glanbia, and dairy sustainability advisor, Aoife Feeney from Carbery Group.”
Pat Aherne on homoeopathy
The virtual week will kick off at 8 pm next Monday with dairy farmer Pat Aherne.
He will discuss how his homoeopathic remedies approach has transformed his herd health and fertility whilst reducing his antibiotic use. He will also discuss his own personal use of homoeopathy.
Vincent Gorman on dairying
On Tuesday evening (March 9th), Kildare dairy farmer, executive director at Glanbia, director at the National Cattle Breeding Centre and B&B owner Vincent Gorman will speak about the abolition of quotas in Ireland, and the associated advantages and disadvantages of expanding the national dairy herd.
Furthermore, he will also provide an insight into his own journey, expanding from 75 cows to almost 400 cows.
Aoife Feeney on sustainability
On Thursday night, dairy sustainability advisor at Carbery Group, Aoife Feeney, will discuss the environment and sustainability.
On the night, she will outline the many actions farmers can take to reduce their carbon footprint.
Also, she will outline the progress made by West Cork dairy farmers in recent years to work with the environment combating greenhouse gas emissions to make Irish dairy products world leaders in taste, quality, and environmental friendliness.
Social media takeovers
This initiative will involve a series of Instagram takeovers as well as a host of speaker nights.
During each day, Instagram takeovers involving UCC Macra members will cover an excellent range of including rotary milking parlours, grass measuring, lambing, beef farming, horses, tillage, dairy calf-to-beef and Wagyu beef in Kildare, among others.
“Be sure to tune in throughout the week and keep an eye on our social media platforms.”
Further information
To request a Zoom invite, contact UCC Macra on Instagram, Facebook, or email –[email protected]
Zoom links are available by contacting any of our social media: [email protected]
