A grain grower from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, Richard Thomson-Moore, has claimed the Glanbia Ireland grain supplier of the year award for 2018.

Thomson-Moore farms approximately 650ac of combinable crops on Barne Estate. The main crops grown on the farm are winter wheat, winter barley and spring barley, with all crops planted using a plough-based system.

The barley for which he received the award averaged 13.9% moisture, 11.5% protein and had a specific weight of almost 72kph across over 300t.

Market premiums

At the awards, Glanbia Ireland’s chief agribusiness growth officer Sean Molloy said the company’s strategy had been to move as much grain as possible from commodity to niche markets.

“Last harvest, over 40% of our total grain intake attracted a market premium above the base price,” Molloy said.

“These premiums deliver significant benefits to our growers and we understand that Glanbia has a higher proportion of its grain in premium contracts than any other grain purchaser in the country.”

Winners

A total of 10 farmers were recognised across several categories for the excellence of their crops at the event held in Kilkenny on Thursday 28 February.

  • Contracted winter (Cassia) feed barley – Richard Thomson-Moore, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
  • Malting barley – Neil Tector, Rathnure, Co Wexford.
  • Green feed barley – Philip and Helen Harris, Clane, Co Kildare.
  • Dried feed barley – John McCormack, Redhills, Co Kildare.
  • Seed barley – John Fletcher, Portarlington, Co Laois.
  • Green feed wheat – Sean Dunne, Maganey, Co Kildare.
  • Dried feed wheat – Pat McGuinness, Dunleer, Co Louth.
  • Seed wheat – Padraig Kehoe, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
  • Food grade oats – William and Mairead Holohan, Knocktopher, Co Kilkenny.
  • Equine/feed oats – John Morrisson, Lismore, Co Waterford.

    • Glanbia chair Martin Keane said: “The award-winning growers are great examples of the traceability and high standards that are essential for the success of the Irish grain industry. These growers set the bar for all other farmers to achieve.”

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