President Des Moore greets David Laughlin, with club members Derick Woods (L) and Graham Kane (R)

Coleraine Probus, down on the Organic Farm

Coleraine Probus were pleased to meet David Laughlin, a local farmer with his roots firmly planted in the past and a keen eye focused on the future.

David lives in Culmore House, near to Kilrea, which was built in the 1600’s by the Mercers Company. To set the scene for the club members, he outlined the development of farming from 1922 until the present day. With industrialisation and the use of agri-chemicals, farming has become more specialised and resulting in a negative effect on wildlife.

Silage Making

Some Culmore Apples

Culmore Organic Farm was established in 2008. This David defined as 'traditional farming using modern technology' and aims to follow closely the organic ethos of high animal welfare and sustainability. Which he applies to the production of milk and beef, potatoes, traditional Irish apples and pears, honey and vegetables. David has also undertaken numerous projects to lower 'the carbon footprint' of the farm.

Vale's Everest Potatoes

Members were particularly interested that he uses old style farming methods, but is not apposed to using modern technology. The milking at Culmore is totally robotic controlled with no human interaction. The cows have learned to go the milking stall when they want too. The milking cluster attaches its self and removes on completion, and then an electronic log is kept for each cow's yield.

Auto-Milking in action

All of which seems more like 'Science Fiction' than 'Farming Today', and had some members wondering if David could also train the potatoes to jump out of the ground and the money to grow on trees!

Seeing is believing, and this looks like a really healthy cow!

(With special thanks to Graham, Ken and David for the information, photos and use of the presentation)

We leave you with two Organic Farmers enjoying a chat!