Limerick farmer wins grassland award at ceremony

LIMERICK’S Michael Carroll was joint winner of the nutrient management category at the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year awards.

Now in its seventh year, the awards recognise the best grassland farmers in the country who are growing and utilising more grass on their farms.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, who presented the awards at the ceremony, congratulated all of the winners.

“You are a credit to your families and to the agri sector. I congratulate you all for being here. You can all be really proud of your achievements,” said Mr McConalogue.

Mr Carroll farms with his father Martin on their family farm in Granagh.

They milk around 150 cows on a milking platform stocking rate of just over three cows per hectare. Herd EBI is €175 and the average cow is delivering 542 kg milk solids for sale.

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.

Chair of the Grass10 committee, Knockainey’s John Macnamara said it gave him great pleasure to congratulate the farmers and students here today and especially their families. “Families are so important to successful farms, fulfilling a range of roles, and providing vital support.

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"This is the All-Ireland title for grassland farmers. You can be proud of being here today. You are all winners,” said Mr Macnamara.

Congratulating the grassland farmers, Professor Pat Dillon, director of research in Teagasc said: “You are all being recognised here today with these awards because of the exceptional job you are doing at home on your farms, in terms of growing and utilising grass in your production systems.

"This year’s awards place an increased focus on improving nutrient use efficiency on grassland farms; and also the adoption of Clover in grassland swards.”