Kildangan Stud Sustainable Farming and Biodiversity Farm Tour: Macra Agricultural Skillnet & Horse Sport Ireland

The aim of this farm tour is to demonstrate the various strands of Godolphin Ireland’s business and how sustainability and biodiversity underpin those activities.

Specifically, the presentation content will include:

• A history of the stud and how it currently fits into Godolphin Ireland’s structure and that of the global Godolphin group.
• The company’s stallion business including a tour of the relevant facilities and a show of some of the key stallions.
• The role of the range of agricultural activities taking place on the property and how they interface with the company’s bloodstock operations:
  • Beef cattle and their role in pasture management
  • Sheep and their role in pasture management
  • Composting of stable bedding and use of the end product as organic fertiliser
  • Rewilding and orchard plantations
  • Pollinator projects
  • Hedge management
  • Soil and water analysis
  • Haylage as a core source of nutrition
• Other sustainability initiatives currently under way or coming soon
  • Tree planting and management of trees with surveys and surgery
  • Recycling
  • EV charging points and plans to migrate to an EV fleet
  • Water harvesting
  • Carbon audits

Register here.

Background

Kildangan Stud is the headquarters of Godolphin Ireland and has a long history of thoroughbred breeding and racing success. The fertile limestone-based soil of Kildangan – with lush pastures, water rich in calcium and undulating grounds– provides the ideal environment for all horses. However, agricultural activities play an integral part of all the stud’s farming enterprises.

At Kildangan a sizeable herd of beef cattle graze the lush pastures alongside the horses, and acreage is devoted to making the stud self-sufficient in hay. In recent years the company has initiated a range of environmental diversity and sustainability projects. These include a pollinator programme with beehives located throughout the property and rewilding of grass areas using native wildflower seedings.

• This event is open to anyone interested, whether you’re a rider, breeder, employer, parent, coach or volunteer within the industry.
• HSI Coaches will be allocated 1 CPD point for this event.
• Cost: €15
• To book your place, please go to the Macra Agricultural Skillnet by clicking the link below:
  https://www.macraskillnet.ie/pages/courses
• “Please note that this part-funded training rate is only available to those working or living in the Republic of Ireland. Those outside of this region can still attend training at the full rate but should contact the Skillnet team on skillnet@macra.ie  or on  01–4268905 to arrange separate payment method.”