Sustainable livestock village returns with focus on generational renewal
The Sustainable Livestock Village returns to the Tullamore Show FBD National Livestock Show on Sunday, August 10.
This year places a strong emphasis on the role of young farmers in delivering sustainable change, with Macra na Feirme joining the Village for the first time to highlight generation renewal and youth-led innovation.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, and Research and Development, Noel Grealish, officially launched the 2025 Village this morning on the farm of FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2024, dairy farmer, Christopher Cahill.
Minister of State Noel Grealish said: “Young farmers are the heartbeat of Ireland’s agricultural future. Supporting them is central to achieving our sustainability goals while ensuring we maintain vibrant rural communities and a resilient food sector. I’m delighted to officially launch this year’s Sustainable Livestock Village, which reflects a strong partnership approach across Government, industry and the farming community.”
Michael Dolan, chairman of the Sustainable Livestock Village, said: “We’re proud to see the Sustainable Livestock Village return bigger and better for 2025. The addition of features focused on young farmers, shared learning and innovation reflects what we want to achieve, a space that brings the farming community together to talk openly about solutions and supports. This year’s Village also highlights key areas such as improving water quality, enhancing nature on farms and supporting earlier finishing all while making sustainability more accessible to farmers on the ground.”
A wide range of hands-on supports are on display to help farmers reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, and boost farm profitability. A new outdoor nature and water quality zone, developed with support from Teagasc and DAFM, showcases biodiversity and nutrient management in action. The livestock display features beef and new sheep exhibits, highlighting genetics, animal health and the benefits of earlier finishing.
This year also features a Photography Competition held in the lead-up to the Show, with €1,000 in prizes and winning entries will be on display in the Village. Categories include Generations Working Together and Sustainable Farming in Action, supported by the Irish Farmers Journal.
An expanded Speakers Corner, in partnership with FBD Insurance, is running from 11am to 2pm with short, farmer-led talks on sustainability, succession planning and protecting natural resources. This is followed by a Livestock Innovators session in partnership with Macra na Feirme, where young farmers will present practical solutions and explore the use of innovative practices and technology to support sustainable farming systems, improved work-life balance, and farm succession.
In a first for the event, this year’s Village is being powered by zero-emission Green Hydrogen, delivered in partnership with Offaly County Council and the ESB to reinforce the Village’s commitment to practical, low-carbon innovation.
Organisations and state bodies, including, FBD, DAFM, Bord Bia, Teagasc, ICBF, Animal Health Ireland, Dairy Industry Ireland, FBD, Meat Industry Ireland, Macra na Feirme and the Irish Farmers Journal, are present in the Village to provide information and support.