‘Challenges and Opportunities for Organic Producers’
Overview
Conference Programme
9.00am Registration & Coffee
9.45am Official Opening & Keynote Address
‘Challenges and Opportunities for Organic Producers’
Overview
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 horticulturalist’s perspective
Mr. David Farrell, Mayo Abbey Organic Centre - Soil nutrient management – an organic cattle and cereal farmer’s perspective
Speaker tba - Questions and Discussion
1.00pm Organic Lunch and Networking
Display and Information Stands
2.15pm: SESSION 2:
Rapid Research Updates
Chair: Dr. Maeve Henchion, Head of Agrifood and Spatial Analysis Department, Teagasc, Ashtown
- Making the case for organic
Dr. Oliver Moore, Irish Examiner - Clover research– an 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 crops
Dr. Michael Gaffney, Teagasc Research Centre, Kinsealy
3.30pm: SESSION 3:
Organic farmers working together – producer group stories
Chair: To be announced
- Irish Organic Milk Producers
Mr. Pat Mulrooney - Organic Growers of Ireland – tba
- Leitrim Organic Framers and Growers Co-Op – Mr. John Brennan
- Final speaker – tba
4.15pm Summary & Close of Conference
This conference must be pre-booked and closing date for bookings is: 4.30pm, Thursday 6th September 2012
Conference fee (including organic lunch): €50
Date: Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Location: Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
