Wexford native Don Somers was named the overall winner of the inaugural Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Award 2025.
The tillage farmer from Oylgate, Co Wexford, took home the top prize at the ceremony in Co Laois on Wednesday night.
He also picked up the category award for improving water quality.
The Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards, supported by FBD Insurance, have a total prize fund of €30,000.
The prize is split between the overall winner and six category winners who represent a diverse range of farming sectors.
The aim of the category awards is to acknowledge the efforts being done in critical areas to increase environmental practices at farm level. These include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality, improving soil health, organic production and diversification.
Pick of the crop
Working alongside his uncle Jim, Don manages 183ha with a diverse crop rotation of oilseed rape, winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley, spring oats and some combi crop of peas and beans.
On his farm, there is a strong focus on soil health, water quality, biodiversity and reducing chemical inputs through crop rotation, organic manure and precision technology.
The judges praised his clear understanding of sustainable farming, innovative use of modern tools and a proactive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the River Slaney and local biodiversity. Don has reduced chemical nitrogen (N) use by 20% in the last few years.
The awards were presented by Minister of State with responsibility for the marine and fisheries Timmy Dooley.
Speaking at the awards, Minister Dooley congratulated the finalists and acknowledged the efforts being made on the ground to improve sustainability across farms.
“You are a great example of what farmers, as custodians of the land, do to protect and enhance the environment. I’m impressed by the standard of the finalists and the efforts being made by these farm families to address the environmental challenge while continuing to produce high-quality food.”
Category winners
Patrick and Margaret Dollard, Kilkenny (dairy beef) – reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Tom Tierney, Kildare (tillage) – enhancing biodiversity. Don Somers, Wexford (tillage) – improving water quality. Conor O’Brien, Galway (dairy) – improving soil health. Kay O’Sullivan, Cork (organic beef and sheep) – organic production. Emer O’Keeffe, Cork (organic beef and sheep) - diversification. Find out more about the overall award winner, Don Somers, and the other winners from Teagasc here.
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Wexford native Don Somers was named the overall winner of the inaugural Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Award 2025.
The tillage farmer from Oylgate, Co Wexford, took home the top prize at the ceremony in Co Laois on Wednesday night.
He also picked up the category award for improving water quality.
The Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards, supported by FBD Insurance, have a total prize fund of €30,000.
The prize is split between the overall winner and six category winners who represent a diverse range of farming sectors.
The aim of the category awards is to acknowledge the efforts being done in critical areas to increase environmental practices at farm level. These include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality, improving soil health, organic production and diversification.
Pick of the crop
Working alongside his uncle Jim, Don manages 183ha with a diverse crop rotation of oilseed rape, winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley, spring oats and some combi crop of peas and beans.
On his farm, there is a strong focus on soil health, water quality, biodiversity and reducing chemical inputs through crop rotation, organic manure and precision technology.
The judges praised his clear understanding of sustainable farming, innovative use of modern tools and a proactive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the River Slaney and local biodiversity. Don has reduced chemical nitrogen (N) use by 20% in the last few years.
The awards were presented by Minister of State with responsibility for the marine and fisheries Timmy Dooley.
Speaking at the awards, Minister Dooley congratulated the finalists and acknowledged the efforts being made on the ground to improve sustainability across farms.
“You are a great example of what farmers, as custodians of the land, do to protect and enhance the environment. I’m impressed by the standard of the finalists and the efforts being made by these farm families to address the environmental challenge while continuing to produce high-quality food.”
Category winners
Patrick and Margaret Dollard, Kilkenny (dairy beef) – reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Tom Tierney, Kildare (tillage) – enhancing biodiversity. Don Somers, Wexford (tillage) – improving water quality. Conor O’Brien, Galway (dairy) – improving soil health. Kay O’Sullivan, Cork (organic beef and sheep) – organic production. Emer O’Keeffe, Cork (organic beef and sheep) - diversification. Find out more about the overall award winner, Don Somers, and the other winners from Teagasc here.
Read more
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Orange and yellow weather warnings issued ahead of Storm Amy
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