Top sustainable grassland farmers honoured at awards ceremony
The Overall Winner of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year award for 2023 is Patrick O’Neill from Co Longford. He is pictured receiving the award in Teagasc, Ballyhaise from Charlie McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Also pictured are Tom O’Neill, Sean O’Neill and Michelle O’Neill.
Longford dairy farmer Patrick O'Neill has been named the overall winner of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year 2023.
The Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year award is now in its seventh year and recognises the best grassland farmers in the country who are growing and utilising more grass on their farms.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., presented the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year awards today, Thursday, April 11, at the Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College. The awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with an overall prize fund of €33,000.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue congratulated all of the winners on their grassland awards.
He said; “You are a credit to your families and to the agri sector. I congratulate you all for being here today and well done to the overall winner Patrick O Neill and his family. You can all be really proud of your achievements.”
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. The Grass10 programme has placed an ongoing focus on improving nutrient management and efficiency on farms and clover establishment and its management.
- Patrick O'Neill, County Longford. Dairy Category;
- William Gilmore, County Galway. Drystock Category;
- Evan Hunt, County Sligo. Young Farmer Category;
- Kevin O'Hanlon, County Carlow. Organic Category;
- Killian Brennan, County Cavan. Nutrient Management Category;
- Michael Carroll, County Limerick. Nutrient Management Category.
- Mark Phillips, County Monaghan. Student Category Joint Winner – Ballyhaise College;
- Ronan Carroll, County Tipperary. Student Category Joint Winner – Kildalton College;
- Simon Biggins, County Mayo. Student Category Finalist – Mountbellew College;
- Thomas Mellett, County Mayo. Student Category Finalist –Pallaskenry College;
- Darragh Tattan, County Cork. Student Category Finalist – Clonakilty College.
