National Organic Conference

'Challenges and Opportunities for Organic Producers'

Overview

A variety of top-line speakers including international organic consultants, research experts and organic farmers will address this year’s Teagasc National Organic Conference. Focusing on some of the major opportunities and challenges facing the organic sector, the conference promises to be an informative and thought provoking day. We are approaching a cross-roads with regard to the future of EU and CAP organic policy. Mr. Christopher Stopes (EU president of IFOAM) will address the latest developments and will examine how these may affect the Irish organic industry.

Mr. Stephen Briggs, (Abacus Consultants, UK) along with a number of other expert speakers will address some of the key issues regarding soil quality and nutrition in organic farming.

Latest updates will also be provided on a variety of issues of importance to the organic industry including, selling the organic message, clover production, the environment, and health attributes of organic food. There will also be a session devoted to organic farmer producer groups, where farmer group members will discuss and share their experiences in developing links within the industry.

Organic certification bodies, government bodies, educational providers and other service providers will also be present on the day as part of an extensive networking and display area. This conference will be of interest to organic farmers, processors, advisors, students, researchers, industry representatives and anyone with an interest in organic production. We look forward to seeing you at the Tullamore Court Hotel on 11th September 2012.

Conference Programme

9.00am Registration & Coffee

9.45am Official Opening & Keynote Address

• Chair: Dr. Cathal O’Donoghue, Head Rural Economy and Development Programme, Teagasc
• Professor Gerry Boyle, Director, Teagasc
• Keynote Address:
• The future of CAP and EU organic policy - opportunities and challenges for Ireland
• Mr. Christopher Stopes, president IFOAM EU group.

11.00am Coffee & Networking

11.30am: SESSION 1:
Soil Quality and Nutrition - how to get it right
Chair: Mr. Frank Maken, DAFM, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford

• Soil quality indicators in organic farming systems
  Dr. Rachel Creamer, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle
• Nutrient supply and management on organic livestock farms
  Mr. Stephen Briggs, Abacus Consultancy, U.K.
• Soil biology and nutrient management – an organic farmer’s perspective
  Mr. David Farrell, Mayo Abbey Organic Centre
• Compost in Horticulture Crop Production
  Mr. Michael Gaffney, Teagasc, Kinsealy
• Questions and Discussion
• 1.00pm Organic Lunch and Networking
  Display and Information Stands

2.15pm: SESSION 2:
Rapid Research Updates
Chair: Mr. Paddy Browne, Head, Crops, Environment & Land Use Programme, Teagasc

• Making the case for organic
  Dr. Oliver Moore, Irish Examiner
• Clover research– latest update
  Dr. Patrick Conaghan, Teagasc, Oakpark, Co. Carlow
• Biodiversity levels on organic v’s conventional farms
  Dr. Jane Stout, School of Natural Science, Trinity College, Dublin
• Phytochemical content of organic v’s conventional food crops
  Dr. Kim Reilly, Teagasc Research Centre, Kinsealy

3.30pm: SESSION 3:
Organic farmers working together - producer group stories
Chair: Peter Young, Irish Farmers Journal

• Irish Organic Milk Producers
  Mr. Pat Mulrooney
• Organic Growers of Ireland
  Mr. Padraig Fahy
• Leitrim Organic Farmers and Growers Co-Op
  Mr. John Brennan

Date: Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Location: Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

4.15pm Summary & Close of Conference

Conference fee (including organic lunch): €50

Source: Teagasc - National Organic Conference

• < Prev
• Next >