Author: National Ploughing Association

Turning up the heat on pests!

To celebrate its pest control heritage and 80 years’ experience in providing professional pest control services throughout Ireland, Rentokil will unveil a ‘Pop-Up Pestaurant’ at the National Ploughing Championship this September 23rd to 25th at Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co Laois.

Over the three day event, which is the pinnacle of the Irish agriculture calendar, Rentokil will be serving up an array of exotic cuisine including edible insects such as Salted Weaver Ants, BBQ Mole Crickets and Chocolate-dipped Worms to celebrate the hard work that goes into keeping Irish pests under control.
The UN’s Food & Agriculture Organisation have tipped insects as a potentially valuable source of food for the world’s rapidly growing population.
Farmers may be interested to hear how insects also have a high ‘feed conversion rate’, meaning that they can be farmed using relatively little land, water and energy compared to livestock. Many insects are rich in protein, zinc, calcium and iron whilst also being low in fat.

Food at the Pestaurant will be free to all, and a number of Rentokil experts will be on-hand to discuss the food being served, answer any pest-related questions from members of the public and pass on their top tips for avoiding pest problems. Today Rentokil is the largest and most trusted provider of pest control services in Ireland.
Michael O’ Mahoney, MD Rentokil Initial Ireland, said:“The Pestaurant is all about celebrating the hard work that goes into keeping Ireland’s pests under control. Common Irish pests like wasps, mice, rats, bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas and pigeons can become problems for anyone, Stand Location: Rentokil Initial Block 3 Row 32 Stand 570 and can affect both the farming community and commercial and residential properties.

Much like the rest of us, they are focused on looking for food and shelter. Once they find a good supply of food and an environment where they feel safe, then they will happily set-up home indefinitely. The Pestaurant is here to raise awareness of common pest issues and demonstrate our commitment to keeping up the heat on Ireland’s pests.”

All of the edible insects and grubs are properly sourced and are nut-free and gluten free. However, some insects have been known to provide reactions among those who are allergic to shellfish and crustaceans, so people who suffer from this allergy are advised not to sample edible insects.

Foodie Facts about edible insects:

1. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, over two billion people worldwide already supplement their diet with insects
2. 100g of crickets contains just 121 calories, compared to 288 calories in the same amount of beef
3. Common house crickets contain four times as much protein as the same weight of chicken
4. Cattle require twelve times more feed to produce the same amount of protein as crickets
5. The correct term for eating insects is ‘entomophagy’
6. Many insects contain substantial levels of macro-minerals such as magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride. They are also good sources of the trace minerals of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium.

Pestaurant Menu in full:
Savoury:

• Salt and vinegar crickets
• Crispy BBQ mealworms
• Plain roasted locusts
• Plain roasted mealworms
• Plain roasted crickets
• Mexican spice mealworms
• Curry crickets

Sweet

• Chocolate-covered mixed bugs
• Chocolate bug bars
• Scorpion lollipops (assorted flavours)
• Mealworm lollipops (assorted flavours)
• Cricket lollipops (assorted flavours)
• Ant candy (Cherry flavour)
• Ant candy (Apple flavours)

#NDCDome at #ploughing: Block 3/ Row 21/ Stand 306

Rugby professionals Rob and Dave Kearney will join the National Dairy Council on the first day of the National Ploughing Championships, Tuesday 23rd September, 2014, from 12 noon to 2.30pm.   At 2.00pm Rob and Dave will judge the NDC Welly Line Out, charged with selecting unique, colourful or characterful wellingtons.

Rob and Dave Kearney are ambassadors to the NDC, helping to highlight the importance of starting good habits young in relation to diet and exercise; showcasing the natural goodness of Ireland’s pasture based dairy farming and promoting the positive role that milk may play in a number of aspects of sports nutrition, based on emerging scientific research in this area.    They feature in an NDC advertisement campaign (It All Starts Here) filmed on the farm in the Cooley Peninsula where Rob and Dave grew up.

NDC Supporting Era of Opportunity for Irish Dairy Sector

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the National Dairy Council says that it will continue to work with policy makers and stakeholders to promote the nutritional goodness and quality of our pasture based dairy farming produce.

“An era of unprecedented opportunity lies ahead for the dairy sector which will make a big contribution to our economic recovery,” says chief executive Zoë Kavanagh.

“The milk quotas which have been restricting dairy farmers will be removed in 2015. This is an exciting time as the body of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of dairy as part of a balanced diet is continuing to grow.  Evidence-based nutrition guidance, and the encouragement to put these guidelines into practice, can help result in a healthier population overall,” said Ms. Kavanagh.

“There are also innovative and expanding ranges of dairy products available to consumers, more opportunities for dairy ingredients and for Irish exports.   Ireland has superb standards of dairy farming, access to lush green grass which creates a sustainable grazing platform and a superb track record for quality dairy produce. These are solid foundations for the future.”

Dairy Diversity & Action Packed Programme at NDC Dome

Chef Phelim Byrne will showcase the many versatile ways we can enjoy Irish milk, yogurt, cheese, butter and cream in some tasty recipe ideas at four free cookery demonstrations each day of the ploughing.   They are taking place in the NDC Dome at 11.00am, 1.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm, with themes including “Baking Bliss,” “Love The Leftovers,”  “Meals in Minutes” and “Afternoon Tea.”

Broadcaster and designer Brendan Courtney will join the NDC on Day 2, Wednesday 24th September from 12 noon until 3.00pm.   He will launch two new NDC consumer leaflets on ‘Nutrition and You’, and will chat live in the NDC Dome with Dr. Catherine Logan, NDC Nutrition Manager, about being the ‘Best Version of You’ with guidance on healthy eating, activity, grooming, fashion and communication. ’

Wednesday 24th September is also designated World School Milk Day by the UN (United Nations) Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Food and farming broadcaster Suzanne Campbell and eight-time All -reland hurling Champion Eddie Brennan will be with the National Dairy Council at the ploughing on Thursday, 25th September, from 12 noon until 3.00pm.

You can find out more about the work of the National Dairy Council on its website www.ndc.ie.  You can also find the National Dairy Council on Facebook/NDCIreland or follow on Twitter @NDC_ie