Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

455. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the carbon navigator requirements of the new beef data genomics programme, the estimated costs to complete a carbon navigator with an approved adviser; if a farmer can complete this requirement without an approved adviser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20866/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There will be no cost to the farmer to complete the Carbon Navigator with an approved advisor. The Department will pay for this element of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme.

The Carbon Navigator is a software tool developed by Teagasc and Bord Bia to help farmers engage with practical measures that can improve on farm profitability while at the same time enhancing environmental performance. Producing more from fewer inputs is central to global sustainability initiatives and the Origin Green Programme.

The Carbon Navigator, which is available via Teagasc and private farm advisors, looks at six practical measures that farmers will be considering as they run their enterprise:

- The length of the grazing season

- Age at first calving

- Calving rate

- Daily live-weight gain

- Fertiliser usage, and

- Slurry management.

The Carbon Navigator tool is a discussion facilitator to help farmers examine current practices and identify any areas for potential improvement. One of the main reasons the Department has required that the navigator is completed with an approved advisor is that by discussion with the advisor, realistic targets can be set and more importantly a clear outline of what needs to be done to achieve these targets can be agreed. By having an advisor involved it helps ensure that the targets set are appropriate for the farm.

The advisor will be available throughout the programme to help the farmer with any challenges they encounter in achieving their targets.

Farmers who complete the Navigator can see profitability gains from each element that the tool records:

- A 10 day increase in grazing season reduces costs by €25 per cow

- Reducing age at first calving from 29 months to 28 months improves returns by €50 per cow

- Improving calving rate from 80% to 85% lifts returns by around €45 per cow

- Increasing lifetime average daily gain from 900g to 1,000g lifts returns by around €63 per head

- Reduction in Nitrogen fertiliser use by 10kg per Ha reduces costs by €10 per hectare.