Michael Ahern has been crowned the overall winner of the 2024 sustainable grassland farmer of the year.
The dairy farmer, based in Ballyduff, Co Waterford, was presented with his award by Minister of State Noel Grealish on Friday at the Teagasc animal and grassland, research and innovation centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork.
The award, now in its eighth year, aims to recognise the best grassland farmers in the country, who are utilising more grass on their farms and contributing to sustainable livestock production systems.
Ahern milks 286 cows on aa 144ha farm. Last year, the total chemical fertiliser applied on the farm was 189kg N/ha and currently he has 50% of the farm in either high or medium clover status.
Teagasc director Prof Frank O’ Mara 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.”
Prizes
The awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture with an overall prize fund of €40,000.
It is also part of the Teagasc Grass10 campaign, which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, AIB, FBD, Grassland Agro and the Irish Farmers Journal.
The awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture with an overall prize fund of €40,000. \ Donal O'Leary
The judging panel for the competition consisted of Liz Hyland and Jonathan Flynn from the Department of Agriculture; John Maher, Teagasc Grass10; John Farrell, AIB; Colin Heaney, FBD; John O’Loughlin, Grassland Agro; and Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal.
Aidan Brennan, who spoke on behalf of the competition judges, said: “We were impressed with the levels of grass management and reviewed the performance of the grass swards over a number of years.
“The use of clover has increased and farmers are making better use of nutrients produced on the farm.”
Awards
Dairy category winner: Arthur Sweetman, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co Wexford.Drystock category winner: Peter Byrne, Castledermot, Co Kildare.Young farmer category winner: Shane Hegarty, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow.Organic farming category winner: Ken Gill, Edenderry, Co Offaly.Nutrient management category winner: Michael Ahern, Ballyduff, Co Waterford.Clover category joint winner: Robert, Denis & Bernard O’Dea, Kilteely, Co Limerick.Finalist: Joseph Murphy, Bennetsbridge, Co Kilkenny.Student category winner: Edmund Motherway, Kildalton College.Student category finalists: Jack Stevenson, Ballyhaise College; Luke Hosford, Clonakilty College; Donal Lyons, Pallaskenry College; David Cassells, Mountbellew College. Read more
Beef Management: grass growth, buttercups and sowing kale
Putting multispecies swards to the test in Sligo
Michael Ahern has been crowned the overall winner of the 2024 sustainable grassland farmer of the year.
The dairy farmer, based in Ballyduff, Co Waterford, was presented with his award by Minister of State Noel Grealish on Friday at the Teagasc animal and grassland, research and innovation centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork.
The award, now in its eighth year, aims to recognise the best grassland farmers in the country, who are utilising more grass on their farms and contributing to sustainable livestock production systems.
Ahern milks 286 cows on aa 144ha farm. Last year, the total chemical fertiliser applied on the farm was 189kg N/ha and currently he has 50% of the farm in either high or medium clover status.
Teagasc director Prof Frank O’ Mara 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.”
Prizes
The awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture with an overall prize fund of €40,000.
It is also part of the Teagasc Grass10 campaign, which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, AIB, FBD, Grassland Agro and the Irish Farmers Journal.
The awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture with an overall prize fund of €40,000. \ Donal O'Leary
The judging panel for the competition consisted of Liz Hyland and Jonathan Flynn from the Department of Agriculture; John Maher, Teagasc Grass10; John Farrell, AIB; Colin Heaney, FBD; John O’Loughlin, Grassland Agro; and Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal.
Aidan Brennan, who spoke on behalf of the competition judges, said: “We were impressed with the levels of grass management and reviewed the performance of the grass swards over a number of years.
“The use of clover has increased and farmers are making better use of nutrients produced on the farm.”
Awards
Dairy category winner: Arthur Sweetman, Carrig-on-Bannow, Co Wexford.Drystock category winner: Peter Byrne, Castledermot, Co Kildare.Young farmer category winner: Shane Hegarty, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow.Organic farming category winner: Ken Gill, Edenderry, Co Offaly.Nutrient management category winner: Michael Ahern, Ballyduff, Co Waterford.Clover category joint winner: Robert, Denis & Bernard O’Dea, Kilteely, Co Limerick.Finalist: Joseph Murphy, Bennetsbridge, Co Kilkenny.Student category winner: Edmund Motherway, Kildalton College.Student category finalists: Jack Stevenson, Ballyhaise College; Luke Hosford, Clonakilty College; Donal Lyons, Pallaskenry College; David Cassells, Mountbellew College. Read more
Beef Management: grass growth, buttercups and sowing kale
Putting multispecies swards to the test in Sligo
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