Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD launched the Grassland Farmer of the Year competition for 2022 in Johnstown Castle Estate yesterday. This is the sixth year of the competition, which recognises farmers who are achieving high levels of grass utilisation in a sustainable manner.
The Grassland Farmer of the year competition is part of the Teagasc Grass10 Campaign, which is supported by the DAFM, Teagasc, Allied Irish Bank, FBD Insurance, Grassland Agro and the Irish Farmers Journal.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister said: “Ireland and Irish agriculture have such a unique and distinctive competitive advantage. We are truly world experts at the growing of grass in a sustainable manner. The Grassland Farmer of the Year awards highlight the importance of grass in the sustainable production of milk and meat and recognises pioneering farmers who are achieving high levels of grass utilisation through excellence in grazing management, grass measurement and sward composition. The importance of grass utilisation has never been so evident in light of the current geopolitical climate, which has led to a significant rise in the cost of feed and fertiliser.”
There are seven additional award categories for best dairy enterprise, best dry stock enterprise, clover/sustainable farming, innovation, difficult soils, young farmer (<30 years) and organic farming. The organic farming category has been included for the first time this year. The competition is supported by the DAFM with an overall prize fund of €25,000.