Sustainable Farmer Award winners announced

Winners highlight benefits of implementing sustainability practices.

The winners of the inaugural Sustainable Farmer Awards, a partnership between the FBD National Livestock Show, Bord Bia, Teagasc and the Irish Farmers Journal were presented with their prizes by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. at yesterday's show.

The awards form an important part of the first ever Sustainable Livestock Village at the show and showcase the positive sustainability practices being implemented on beef and lamb farms across the country.

Commenting on the awards, Show Livestock Chairman, Michael Dolan said: “The award winners highlight the good work being done on farms to implement sustainable practices. They provide useful pointers for other farmers as they work to improve the sustainability of their enterprise.”

The awards recognise the achievements of winning farms across five farming systems: suckler calf to weanling/store; suckler to beef; dairy calf to beef; beef finisher; and lamb producer.

Jim O Toole, Bord Bia Chief Executive commented: “I’d like to congratulate the winners and thank all the finalists for their participation in this year’s Sustainable Farmer Awards. The finalists were selected from almost 56,000 members of our Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme using verified audit data.

"These farmers are among the top performers with regard to their carbon footprint, grassland and manure management and soil fertility. Farm sustainability is  increasingly important in driving the purchasing decisions of global buyers and through the participation of Irish farmers in Origin Green, we can continue to build on the positive reputation of Irish meat and dairy.”

Teagasc Beef Specialist, Aidan Murray said: “Livestock farmers are embracing technologies to farm in a more sustainable way. The finalists in this competition are excellent role models of how farmers are working with nature and using modern, science-based technologies to improve their economic and environmental sustainability. The Signposts Programme – Farmers for Climate Action, which is supported by over 60 organisations and 120 Signpost farms, is demonstrating best practice to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farming. A free Signpost Advisory service is available to all farmers who register with Teagasc.”

Commenting on the awards, Adam Woods, Deputy Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal said: “The Irish Farmers Journal is delighted to partner with the industry in this year’s Sustainability Farmer Awards. In a changing world, it has been never more important to highlight the huge amount of work that is already taking place on Irish farms in relation to climate change. We hope that this new initiative will give more farmers the confidence to make changes to their farms, which will leave them more profitable and lower their carbon footprint.”

Sustainable Farmer Awards Finalists:

• Samuel Hill, Corravilla, Sherlock, Co. Cavan - Beef finisher winner;
• Julie and James O'Brien, Cormeen, Mullagh, Co. Cavan;
• Jerry Casey, Elmvale, Brittas, Lombardstown, Mallow, Co. Cork;
• Margaret and Jack Stevenson, Greenleas, Castlefin, Co. Donegal - Suckler calf to weanling/store winner;
• Vincent Keane, Cappabeg, Kinvara, Co. Galway - Suckler to beef winner;
• Martin Kelly, Slaskaghmore, Dunmore, Co. Galway;
• Herbery and Ivan Austin, Glebe, Coolrain, Co. Laois;
• Michael Dunne, Cloneyquinn, Portarlington, Co. Laois;
• Michael Gleeson, Ballinlough, Hospital, Co. Limerick;
• PJ Finnerty, Kilcar, Brideswell, Athlone, Co. Roscommon - Lamb producer winner;
• Gerard Kelly, Ballaghaba, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon;
• Ray Tully, Dromore House, Dromore West, Co. Sligo;
• Edmond Phelan, Caher, Fenor, Tramore, Co. Waterford;
• Padraig Keane, Mayglass, Bridgetown, Co. Wexford;
• Catriona and Joe O'Meara, Camross, Foulksmills, Co. Wexford - Dairy calf to beef winner;
• Brian Mulligan, the Paddock, Kilmacanogue, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Photo caption. Pictured from left to right are: Aisling Molloy, Teagasc Future Beef Programme Advisor; Dr George Ramsbottom, Advisory Programme Development Manager, Teagasc Signpost Advisory Programme; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D.; Professor Frank O'Mara, Director of Teagasc; Aidan Murray, Teagasc Beef Specialist; and Méabh O'Hagan, Signpost Climate Advisor.