National Organic Conference

'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

Source: Teagasc - National Organic Conference