Limerick farmers are in clover after big win at grassland awards
‘This is the All-Ireland title for grassland farmers’: Former winner, John Macnamara, Hospital
THE GRASS is greener in Kilteely as proven by the O’Deas at the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards.
Siblings Robert and Bernard O’Dea and his son Denis were named clover category winners at the ceremony in Teagasc Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation centre, Moorepark in Fermoy. Donal Lyons, of Pallaskenry College, was a student category finalist.
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The overall winner of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year 2024 is Michael Ahern from Ballyduff, County Waterford.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Noel Grealish presented the awards.
The awards recognise the best grassland farmers in the country and is now in its eight year. These farmers are growing and utilising more grass on their farms, contributing to sustainable livestock production systems.
Congratulating the grassland farmers and students, Professor Frank O’ Mara, Teagasc Director, said: “It’s clear you and your families are all doing an excellent job on your farms, in terms of high levels of grassland management, running excellent farm enterprises.
“I congratulate you on your achievements in this year’s awards.”
Former overall winner, Knockainey’s John Macnamara, chair of the Grass10 committee, said: “Well done to all the farmers, students and their families here today.
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you all. You are the best grassland farmers. This is the All-Ireland title for grassland farmers. You can be proud of being here today.”
The Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year awards are part of the Teagasc Grass10 Campaign which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc, AIB, FBD, Grassland Agro and the Irish Farmers Journal. There is an overall prize fund of €40,000.
The Grass10 programme focuses on promoting efficient nutrient management, high grass/clover pastures, routine grass measurement and overall good grassland management.
The judging panel for the competition consisted of Liz Hyland / Jonathan Flynn, Department of Agriculture; John Maher, Teagasc Grass10; John Farrell, AIB; Colin Heaney, FBD; John O’Loughlin, Grassland Agro; Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal.