Page 13 - Bord Bia | Dairy from Ireland
P. 13

11







                            64%                                     4th



             Grasslands                           Fresh Clean Air
             •  Ireland covers 6.9 million hectares.   •  Ireland’s PM10 levels are the
               64% is dedicated to agriculture.     4th lowest in Europe – PM10 is
                                                    particulate matter in the air that is
             •  81% of agricultural land is devoted    10 micrometres or less in diameter.
               to pasture, hay or silage.
                                                  •  Ireland is one of the seven countries
             •  Increasing use of multi-species     in Europe with PM 2.5 levels below
               swards for greater biodiversity
               and animal health.                   the limit set by the WHO.
             •  Its permanent pasture acts as
               a carbon store.






                                                              2,400mm

                                                  Natural Water Resources
                                                  •  A natural supply of water from the
             Ireland’s Mild Climate                 rain and ground provides sufficient
                                                    water for agricultural purposes,
             •  Influence of the Atlantic Ocean     therefore there is no need to irrigate
               prevents extremes of temperature so
               animals can graze outdoors for large   the land.
               parts of the year.                 •  Ireland gets an average of 1750-
                                                    2400mm of rainfall per year
             •  Hills and mountains, many of which   ensuring optimum grass growth
               are near the coasts, provide shelter
               from strong winds and from the       from February to November that
               direct oceanic influence.            will meet dairy herd requirements.
   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18