Wexford farmers capture grain awards

WEXFORD tillage farmers have again captured the two top awards for quality grain among Glanbia suppliers.

Peter Cummins of Ballykelly, New Ross, was the overall winner of the malting barley award and Martin McDonald of Templenacrow, Clonroche, Enniscorthy, was the overall award winner in the quality oats category.

Minister of State John McGuinness, who presented the awards at Glanbia House, Kilkenny yesterday, said quality assurance, traceability and high standards in the food and drink industry are essential for success.

“The award winners have yet again demonstrated why Ireland deservedly enjoys an excellent reputation throughout the world for its food and drink.

“They produced malting barley and oats to the highest standards and in a commercially efficient and environmentally friendly way, during what are challenging times for farmers,” he said.

Glanbia chairman Michael Walsh said the company is proud to be associated with a scheme that rewards growers who produce malting barley and oats under a quality assured system with excellent crop husbandry and farm records.

In 2007, Glanbia handled 185,000 tonnes of grain in its catchment area from Cork to Louth, he said.

Rory Bevan, of Beamish and Crawford, one of the competition judges, said: “The standards achieved also reflect the high level of traceability now required by the brewing and distilling industry.”