Dermot McAuliffe’s focus on detail wins overall Glanbia Quality Grain award 2015
The Cork-based farmer was one of 11 category winners recognised for the excellence of his crops at the annual event held in Kilkenny.
He farms 140 acres of land close to Castlelyons village in Co Cork, on the banks of the River Bride.
When asked for the secret to his success, he replied “attention to detail”.
It was this focus which won Mr McAuliffe the top Malting Barley prize with a sample of grain which analysed at 16% moisture, 67.4kph, screenings of 1.1% and protein at 10.1%.
Mr McAuliffe’s crop rotation includes winter barley, winter wheat, winter oats and spring barley.
High soil fertility forms the backbone for consistently high yields with an emphasis on potassium and sulphur. Winter barley and malting barley are both grown on contract for Glanbia.
Glanbia chairman Henry Corbally congratulated all winners on the high standards achieved.
“Quality, traceability and high standards are essential for the success of the Irish grain industry,” he said.
Guest speaker at the event was Co Meath native Ciaran Calvey, who is a buyer for global food company Kellogg’s.
“We demand high specifications for our grains,. that’s why we purchase from Glanbia,” said Mr Calvey.
“At Kellogg’s we also insist that all our grains are responsibly grown and responsibly sourced.
"It’s great that through Glanbia we have a supply chain that goes straight back to the individual farmer grower.”
