Grain growers Ross and Alison Hendy of Cloncrane Farm, Co Offaly, have won the Glanbia Ireland Grain Supplier of the Year Award for 2019.
The growers from Clonbullogue, outside Tullamore, were among 10 suppliers honoured for their native Irish grain at the event held in Kilkenny on Thursday 20 February.
Glanbia chair Martin Keane said: “Grain farmers have had to contend with difficult weather conditions in recent years, and 2019 was no different. Yet, despite this, our award winners have continued to set high standards for others to follow. It is clear that the production of high-quality grains continues to be of paramount importance to our growers.”
Farm system
The Hendys farm approximately 450ac with their crop mix including winter wheat, winter barley, winters oats and grass. They operate a plough-based system on land types which vary from loam to heavy clay.
According to Glanbia Ireland, it is the attention to detail and the pride that Ross Hendy takes in his work that made him stand out as the overall winner, producing quality high-yielding crops and strong soil health.
The food-grade oats that the Hendy farm grows under contract for Glanbia Ireland won them the top prize. The winning crop, which was the variety Barra, averaged a specific weight of over 60kph at 16.3% moisture across 108t.
Glanbia Ireland is the largest buyer and user of native Irish grains. Their total grain intake for 2019 stood at 205,000t, almost 60,000t or 40% ahead of the previous year. They will also purchase in excess of 80,000t of dried grain from the 2019 harvest.
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