Judging by the crowds of farmers seeking information on how to grow elephant grass as an alternative fuel yesterday, one could be forgiven for thinking Irish farming may be rescued by the elephant in the future, writes Seán Mac Connell in Kildalton, Co Kilkenny
For years, Irish farmers relied on being able to produce bullocks to keep them alive.
But now in changing, challenging new times, that option is no longer enough to keep many farms going.
Yesterday, Teagasc hosted an open day "Agriculture and Food 06", billed as providing farming options for the future. Thousands of farmers, bewildered by the new era of European farming in which they can grow and rear what they like, attended.
A special plot of the grass miscanthus (elephant grass) had been planted to show farmers that they could one day be energy barons if they chose to grow the crop which is then pelletted and burned in special boilers to provide heat.
This plot was one of the most popular throughout the cold midsummer day which saw at least 25,000 make the journey to Kildalton in Co Kilkenny to look at the options and get more information on the old reliables.
But the "elephant" was king at the Teagasc-organised event which was revived this year after a 10-year absence.
There was also intense interest in growing other fuel alternatives such as oilseed rape and willow which can also be burned in homes or in electricity-generating stations.
Huge crowds were attracted to the forestry stands where, apart from information on forestry grants and profits which could be made, there was also information on the level of grants available for installing alternative heating systems.
However, the old reliables were not forgotten and the best of cattle, sheep and horses were on display at the 365-acre site near Piltown, on the Kilkenny/Waterford border.
In the village of tents, there was locally produced food on display, and crafts.
There was a heavy emphasis on the environment too, with displays of the latest technologies to deal with farm waste and specially laid hedgerows to demonstrate how things should be done by farmers joining the Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Another sign of the changing times was that the event ran until 8.30pm to facilitate the growing number of part-time farmers who could attend after they finished their day jobs.