Mayo farmers encouraged to diversify into ancient Céide wheat growing

Small Mayo farmers have been encouraged to look to the past and move into less commercial farming practices to sustain a future.

The CEO of Mayo North East LEADER, Justin Sammon believes that farmers with small holdings in Mayo should look at less intensive farming and concentrate on older farming systems which he says will be more profitable in the future.

Mr Sammon made the comments to The Irish Farmers Journal in an article advocating the growing of Emmer wheat which is being trialled in the Mayo College of Further Education campus in Westport.

Emmer wheat which is associated with the wheat grown by ancient farmers of the Ceide Fields is regarded as having a high fibre and nutrient content with a premium retail price.

Mr Sammon and Michael Murphy, principal of the Mayo College believe there are opportunities for farmers to benefit from the increased demand for 'historic bread products' by providing a source of locally produced flour made from locally produced wheat.

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Patrick O'Reilly, founder of Cornrue Bakery in Westport made bread produced from a batch of Emmer wheat grown in Westport and commented that he was open to using more local grain if the supply could be guaranteed.

Another Westport-based baker, Karen O'Donoghue of Happy Tummy, which produces breads to alleviate IBS and other ailments, is a major user of stone ground Emmer wheat in its bread and believes growing it will benefit Mayo farmers.

“If there were more farmers across Ireland growing Emmer wheat we'd use it, and we'd be in a position to push it,” she told The Irish Farmers Journal.

“What we require is a grain with high fibre and nutrient content. Protein content isn't a very important issue for us,” she added while noting that she currently imports her Emmer from Northumberland in England which she says has a similar wet climate to Mayo.

As well as focusing on the growing of Emmer wheat, Mr Sammon also advocated that Mayo farmers should look at producing Maol cattle and traditional Cladóir sheep.