Raymond Langan, a farmer from Ballina, Co Mayo has been named as the first National Rural Network Biodiversity Farmer of the Year. The award was presented during the FBD Young Farmer of the Year awards at the Castleknock hotel in Dublin on Tuesday night.

The award recognises a farmer who farms in a sustainable manner by encouraging biodiversity and protecting the environment. The judges believed Raymond stood out for his unwavering enthusiasm for protecting the environment.

Raymond farms 59 hectares of commonage as well as having 24 acres for 45 breeding ewes.

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Half of those 24 acres are low-input permanent pasture and traditional hay meadow. He has plans to establish bee hives on his land next spring.

Commenting on the announcement, Raymond said: “Ireland’s native wildlife is under threat and sustainable farming methods are essential to protecting and enhancing the declining biodiversity in rural areas. In the years ahead, sustainability will be part of almost every management decision made on farms.”

Philip Farrelly of the National Rural Network said throughout the selection process they engaged with farmers with a passion not only for farming but also for sustainability and biodiversity. He said they saw many examples of farmers working in tandem with the environment and Raymond stood out for his deep commitment to sustainable farming practises.

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