ABP Food Group's farm liaison officer Jenny Cumiskey recently visited the farm to view the measures installed.

Jenny Cumiskey's role at ABP currently involves helping ABP suppliers that are interested in availing of the funding through the Farming For Water EIP to identify the measures most suited to their farms, as well as filling out the applications for the funding.

Jimmy Madigan, who is one of ABP's Advantage Beef Programme suppliers, recently implemented the measures on a 62ac out-farm in Co. Kilkenny.

His main farm is located in Ballyhale but the out-farm lies within the Nore Catchment, with the 'Nore_220' waterbody identified as the main one potentially impacted by farm activity.

Under the Farming for Water EIP, Madigan was approved for a total of €11,079.19 in grant aid under the initiative to support improvements across the farm.

The key measures include:

The installation of a solar-powered submersible pump in an existing well;
Five new water troughs;
A solar-powered fence and 370m of cattle fencing;
137m of hedgerow;
Nutrient management plan;
Nitrogen surplus plan;
Slurry testing.

An area of the farm was also reseeded with a white and red clover mix.

Beyond the Farming for Water scheme, Madigan also set aside 4ac of wetland for a pond and tree planting under the Woodlands for Water scheme, which he plans to develop over the coming year.

About the farm

Madigan is a well-known suckler farmer, having previously hosted the Irish Grassland Association (IGA) beef event in 2022 and also featuring on the Advantage Beef Programme series on Agriland.

He runs a mixed livestock enterprise and is a long-standing member of the Advantage Beef Programme.

Key figures from his farming system:

115 suckler cows;
50 spring-calving;
65 autumn-calving;
All male progeny finished as under-16-month-bulls;
40–50 bulls also bought-in and finished at the same age;
Heifers not retained for breeding finished at 20–22 months;
30 ewe flock;
237ac of land, with additional 15ac rented.

Madigan said he first heard about the Farming for Water EIP during a farm walk on an ABP supplier’s farm, hosted by Ruairí Cummins.

Madigan's farm is also participating in the EU-wide 'Climate Farm Demo project', reflecting his broader interest in climate-smart and environmentally-sustainable farming practices.

ABP's Jenny Cumiskey said: "ABP’s Advantage Beef Programme continues to support farmers like Jimmy across all regions and catchments.

"Through on-farm guidance, collaboration and knowledge-sharing, ABP aims to help farmers identify practical solutions that work both for the farmer and for the environment."

Farmers interested in exploring Farming for Water opportunities are encouraged to contact any of the ABP farm liaison officers located at each of ABP's seven processing sites across Ireland.