Three Offaly winners at prestigious RDS Agricultural and Forestry Awards

Published 17th Jun 2023, 11:33 GMT

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Three outstanding Offaly businesses were among the winners at the prestigious RDS Agricultural and Forestry Awards.

Offaly company BiaSol received a Sustainable Rural Innovation Award, Fiorbhia Farm won a Special Commendation in the Sustainable Farming Award while Feighery's Farm Beetroot Juice won a Special Commendation Sustainable Agri Start-Up Award.

The 2023 RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards presentation took place today in Dublin. With a total prize fund of €31,000, the awards celebrate and promote the principles of climate-smart agriculture in Ireland. Thirteen Award winners were announced over three main categories: Forestry, Livestock and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development.

Speaking at the RDS, Minister Hackett said: “Sustainable farming and agriculture has a very bright future in Ireland and I am delighted to see the efforts of all the award winners here today at the RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards. As a proud organic farmer myself, I understand the hard work involved, but also the pride and satisfaction that goes with practising climate-smart farming and forestry. I want to congratulate all the award winners and indeed all those who participated.”

placeholder image — Speaking at the RDS, Minister Hackett said: “Sustainable farming and agriculture has a very bright future in Ireland and I am delighted to see the efforts of all the award winners here today at the RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards. As a proud organic farmer myself, I understand the hard work involved, but also the pride and satisfaction that goes with practising climate-smart farming and forestry. I want to congratulate all the award winners and indeed all those who participated.”

Niamh Dooley, BiaSol, winner of the RDS Sustainable Rural Innovation Award. Pic Orla Murray Coalesce

According to RDS President, John Dardis: “It is more important than ever to recognise the work of our farmers, foresters and agri-entrepreneurs, who are contributing to the sustainable development of Irish agriculture, which remains the most important industry in rural Ireland. This year’s Spring Agriculture and Forestry Award winners have achieved a balance between the economic and environmental needs of the sector and are highlighting what is possible when experience is combined with innovation and dedication.”

placeholder image — According to RDS President, John Dardis: “It is more important than ever to recognise the work of our farmers, foresters and agri-entrepreneurs, who are contributing to the sustainable development of Irish agriculture, which remains the most important industry in rural Ireland. This year’s Spring Agriculture and Forestry Award winners have achieved a balance between the economic and environmental needs of the sector and are highlighting what is possible when experience is combined with innovation and dedication.”

Pictured are Ann Marie and Billy Fieghery, Feighery's Farm Beetroot Juice, Offaly special commendation Sustainable Agri Start-Up Award. Pic Orla Murray Coalesce

placeholder image — Pictured are Ann Marie and Billy Fieghery, Feighery's Farm Beetroot Juice, Offaly special commendation Sustainable Agri Start-Up Award. Pic Orla Murray Coalesce

Brendan Guinan, Fiorbhia Farm, Offaly special commendation in the Sustainable Farming Award. Pic Orla Murray Coalesce

The 2023 RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Award recipients are:

RDS Forestry and Woodland Awards

Production Forestry Award – Des and Elaine Drew, Co. Dublin

Teagasc Farm Forestry Award – Sean Creamer, Co. Leitrim

Community Woodlands Award – Knockranny Woods, Co. Mayo

RDS Livestock Awards

Economic Breeding Index Award (Best Dairy Cow) – Brendan Meade, Co. Meath

Euro-Star Index Award (Best Beef Cow) – Gerard Collins, Co. Clare

Dairy Herd Index Award – Jim White, Co. Tipperary

Beef Herd Index Award – William McGrath, Co. Cork

LambPlus Breeders Index Award – William Hutchinson, Co. Kilkenny

RDS Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Awards

Sustainable Farming Award – Norman Dunne, Co. Kildare

Sustainable Agri Start-Up Award – Woolow, Co. Galway

Sustainable Rural Enterprise Award – Honestly Farm Kitchen

Sustainable Rural Innovation Award – BiaSol, Co. Offaly

Sustainable Rural Social Impact Award – The Grow Dome Project, Co. Dublin

For more information on the RDS Spring Awards, visit: www.rds.ie/agriculture

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