Economic and environmental sustainability were the key themes of the RDS Spring Awards where 17 farmers and foresters were recognised for employing the principles of climate smart agriculture on their properties.
RDS chief executive Michael Duffy said additional steps had been taken to incorporate climate smart agriculture into the awards to better reflect the “changes that agriculture needs to ensure sustainable living and sustainable farming in rural Ireland”.
Beef award
Patrick Drohan, who passed away tragically following an accident on his farm in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford was awarded the RDS-ICBF Beef Herd Award to recognise his use of genomics and beef data.
It was accepted on Patrick’s behalf by his wife Jane at a ceremony on Wednesday 24 April in the RDS, Co Dublin.
Late last year Patrick was killed in fall while working on the farm. He was a very prominent suckler farmer in the southeast region and was actively involved in the Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal Better Farm Beef Farm Challenge.
Patrick Drohan's award was collected behalf by his wife Jane.
Forestry
Gerard Deegan was recognised for his “brave and successful” move into forestry in 2012. He received the RDS-Forest Service Teagasc Farm Forestry Award for his decision to convert his land’s use from livestock to forestry.
Gerard planted 75% of his 145-acre farm in Cooksborough, Co Westmeath with mixed woodland having previously been involved in organic diary production and a calf-to-beef system.
He said: “For the first time in my life, I feel that I am in charge of my time. Since planting trees, I feel my workload is more manageable and I can now fully appreciate and enjoy what my farm has to offer.”
Gerard Deegan received the RDS-Forest Service Teagasc Farm Forestry Award.
Sustainable farming
Ailbhe Gerrard, a recent entrant to farming, took home the Talamh Sustainable Farming Award. In 2010, she purchased a farm on the Tippearary side of Lough Derg, which now produces organically certified lamb and honey.
The Brookfield Farm visitor experience currently welcomes visitors for educational farm walks and talks and candle-making demonstrations. The next phase of development envisages developing a small visitor centre to allow more visitors to take part in candle-making demonstrations.
Ailbhe Gerrard took home the Talamh Sustainable Farming Award.
Sustainable living
The Talamh Sustainable Living Award went to Leahy’s family farm. It is an open farm which transformed the family’s dairy and pig enterprises into an agri-tourism model.
Leahy’s open farm first opened in 1996 displaying Eddie Leahy’s collection of vintage farm machinery, as well as turning a profit due to Eileen Leahy’s home bakery skills. It now provides employment for a number of their children, something which the traditional farming model would have been unable to do.
Leahy’s family farm won the Talamh Sustainable Living Award.
Read more
Societies' uproar over dropped RDS funding
RDS slashes money for livestock awards
Economic and environmental sustainability were the key themes of the RDS Spring Awards where 17 farmers and foresters were recognised for employing the principles of climate smart agriculture on their properties.
RDS chief executive Michael Duffy said additional steps had been taken to incorporate climate smart agriculture into the awards to better reflect the “changes that agriculture needs to ensure sustainable living and sustainable farming in rural Ireland”.
Beef award
Patrick Drohan, who passed away tragically following an accident on his farm in Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford was awarded the RDS-ICBF Beef Herd Award to recognise his use of genomics and beef data.
It was accepted on Patrick’s behalf by his wife Jane at a ceremony on Wednesday 24 April in the RDS, Co Dublin.
Late last year Patrick was killed in fall while working on the farm. He was a very prominent suckler farmer in the southeast region and was actively involved in the Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal Better Farm Beef Farm Challenge.
Patrick Drohan's award was collected behalf by his wife Jane.
Forestry
Gerard Deegan was recognised for his “brave and successful” move into forestry in 2012. He received the RDS-Forest Service Teagasc Farm Forestry Award for his decision to convert his land’s use from livestock to forestry.
Gerard planted 75% of his 145-acre farm in Cooksborough, Co Westmeath with mixed woodland having previously been involved in organic diary production and a calf-to-beef system.
He said: “For the first time in my life, I feel that I am in charge of my time. Since planting trees, I feel my workload is more manageable and I can now fully appreciate and enjoy what my farm has to offer.”
Gerard Deegan received the RDS-Forest Service Teagasc Farm Forestry Award.
Sustainable farming
Ailbhe Gerrard, a recent entrant to farming, took home the Talamh Sustainable Farming Award. In 2010, she purchased a farm on the Tippearary side of Lough Derg, which now produces organically certified lamb and honey.
The Brookfield Farm visitor experience currently welcomes visitors for educational farm walks and talks and candle-making demonstrations. The next phase of development envisages developing a small visitor centre to allow more visitors to take part in candle-making demonstrations.
Ailbhe Gerrard took home the Talamh Sustainable Farming Award.
Sustainable living
The Talamh Sustainable Living Award went to Leahy’s family farm. It is an open farm which transformed the family’s dairy and pig enterprises into an agri-tourism model.
Leahy’s open farm first opened in 1996 displaying Eddie Leahy’s collection of vintage farm machinery, as well as turning a profit due to Eileen Leahy’s home bakery skills. It now provides employment for a number of their children, something which the traditional farming model would have been unable to do.
Leahy’s family farm won the Talamh Sustainable Living Award.
Read more
Societies' uproar over dropped RDS funding
RDS slashes money for livestock awards
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: