Ear To The Ground (Series 23, Programme 15) Tuesday 16th February 2016 RTÉ One 8.30pm
Brexit
As Britain prepares for a referendum to determine its future in Europe, we look at how the exit will impact on Irish agriculture, mainly the beef sector where the UK is our biggest customer and accounts for up to 50% of our annual exports.
Enda Kenny has warned of the risks we face if Brexit becomes a reality, and Helen Carroll goes to the border counties to investigate where the impact is likely to be most dramatic.
Warmonger
Darragh McCullough meets a dairy farmer who has swapped his milking machine for military memorabilia and traded his tractor for a tank!
William Sullivan has built the Irish Military War Museum on his farm across the river from Collon, in Co.Meath. A fascinating collection of guns, medals and uniforms from both world wars, brings history to life and gives visitors a hands on experience of the hardship of war.
Organic Dairying
Irish dairy farming sells itself on its green image and its environmental sustainability. But falling milk prices and rising fertiliser costs threaten the viability of many dairy farmers. With organic milk fetching more than twice per litre than conventional milk, could organic farming point the way to a more sustainable milk products system? Ella McSweeney meets two farmers who have taken the plunge into organic dairy farming.
Ear to the Ground is produced for RTÉ by Independent Pictures.
Series Producer – John Cummins
Presenters – Darragh McCullough, Helen Carroll, Ella McSweeney Directors – Paula Williams, Liam Lavelle Executive Producer for RTÉ – Ray McCarthy
TVPR
Ann Coughlan 00 353 87 6778045
Pauline Cronin 00 353 87 2629967