Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition
The Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year competition aims to promote grassland excellence for all Irish livestock farmers
The competition recognises farmers who are achieving high levels of grass utilisation in a sustainable manner. Irish agriculture faces serious challenges in trying to meet Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia emissions targets. Improved Nutrient Management and the use of clover are now more important than ever. The sustainability of our livestock production must improve.
Some farmers have to operate with difficult land and the competition recognises this challenge. Pasture performance is critical to the success of organic farming, there is a category for organic farmers.
Farmers who demonstrate excellence in specific areas of grassland on their farm are also recognised.
Categories
For 2023 the competition has a number of categories with an overall prize fund of €30,000
Awards: Six prizes will be awarded
Enterprise category awards:
- Dairy
- Drystock
Other category awards:
- Nutrient Management and Efficiency
- Young Farmer (under 30 years)*
- Organic Farmer
*The young farmer category can include entrants that are farm managers or farming in a collaborative arrangement.
Each category winner will receive €5,000. The overall winner will be selected from the category winners and will receive an additional €5,000.
Enter
Please complete the application form below or download the form Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year 2023 Application Form (PDF)
Closing date:
Friday, 7 July 2023
Competition Focus
Applicants should have established the level of grass production on their farm. Applicants will be prejudged on previous grass production and nutrient management data. A knowledge of farm soil fertility is essential. The sustainability of the pasture-based system of production will be assessed. The necessary grazing infrastructure on each farm will also be a focus for this competition.
Terms and Conditions of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Competition 2023
- The competition is open to all livestock farmers in the Republic of Ireland.
- Preliminary judging will be based on the information submitted on the application form and information from Teagasc, Bord Bia & Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine systems.
- Final judging will involve a panel of judges visiting farms.
- In the event of winning, the winning farmers are obliged to allow reasonable media coverage, to participate in the awards ceremony, host an Open Day on their farm to demonstrate the high levels of grass production and utilisation achieved in a sustainable manner, and participate in relevant promotional activity.
- The winners of the competition from previous years may not enter the competition in 2023.