Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year award-winners announced

The overall winner of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year 2024 is Michael Ahern from Ballyduff, Co Waterford

At the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards 2024 are overall winner Michael Ahern, Ballyduff, Co Waterford, his wife Anne, children Nathaniel and Jane, father Padjo, with sponsors Liz Hyland, Department of Agriculture; Colin Heaney, FBD; John Macnamara, chairman Grass10; Professor Frank O'Mara, Teagasc director; Donal Whelton, AIB; Liam Woulfe, Teagasc Authority and Grassland Agro; Aidan Brennan, Irish Farmers Journal; Enda McDonald, Grassland Agro; Noel Grealish, minister of state at the Department of Agriculture; and Michael Berkery, FBD. Picture: O'Gorman Photography

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Noel Grealish presented the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the year awards last Friday at the Teagasc Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork.

The Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year award recognises the best grassland farmers in the country, and is now in its eighth year. These farmers are growing and utilising more grass on their farms, contributing to sustainable livestock production systems. The awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture, with an overall prize fund of €40,000.

The Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year awards are 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 Grass10 programme focuses on promoting efficient nutrient management, high grass/clover pastures, routine grass measurement and overall good grassland management.

Farmer category winners

• 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 and Bernard O’Dea, Kilteely, Co Limerick;
• Finalist: Joseph Murphy, Bennetsbridge, Co Kilkenny.

Student section 

• 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.

Congratulating the grassland farmers and students, Teagasc director Professor 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.”