Technology Demonstration Farms (TDFs)

Technology Demonstration Farms

Technology Demonstration Farms (TDFs) are part of the new Innovation Technology Evaluation Demonstration Scheme (ITEDS). The scheme recognises that early adopters of innovations and technologies play an important role in convincing their peers to take more innovative approaches to traditional systems.

Technology Demonstration Farms (TDFs) in Northern Ireland demonstrate innovative technologies. Visititing farmers to the TDFs will see technologies demonstrated, hear the experience of host farmers and question them about the financial impact of adopting the technologies. TDFs currently  exist across  the  dairy, beef, sheep,and pig enterprises , and CAFRE plans to recruit TDFs in crops enterprise and commercial horticulture. They cover a wide range of themes including feed efficiency, mobility improvement, grassland management and fertility.

What is expected of a TDF host?

A TDF host is expected to hold at least eight farm visits per year (4 for smaller sectors such as pigs). Group sizes are limited to 25 people to allow effective discussion and peer to peer learning while on the visit. In return each host farmer will receive a payment of £600 per farm visit. In addition, CAFRE will support TDFs by analysing the performance of their technology, providing appropriate diagnostic testing and arranging, where appropriate, for specialists to visit and speak on their farm.

There have been farmers appointed in each of the themes listed below. If you are interested in attending a should note that these will be available both online and on farm and booking will only be available for groups of farmers and not individuals.

At the moment CAFRE is taking group bookings only by emailing kt.admin@daera-ni.gov.uk.

DAERA invites applications for Crops and Environmental Technology Demonstration Farms

Crops

It is the intention to appoint two new crop farms. These will be people who enjoy welcoming other farmers onto their farm and can tell  their story of how they have introduced new technologies into their business.  Farms will be selected under two themes namely: Efficient Nutrition of Crops and Minimum Tillage Crop Establishment.

Applications for Crops Technology Demonstration Farms are now open and will close at 4.00pm on Friday 23rd April 2021

Environmental

It is the intention to appoint six new farmers to demonstrate environmental technologies. Farms will be selected under two themes namely: Farm Habitat Creation and Management and Efficient Sustainability.

Applications for Environmental Technology Demonstration Farms will open on Wednesday 7^th April 2021 and close at 4.00pm on Friday 30^th April 2021.

Beef

Crops

Dairy

Environmental

Sheep