Sheep and buildings specialist Peter Varley won the IFAJ-Rabobank Digital Media Award for his multimedia coverage of Sheep Ireland’s pilot laparoscopic AI on Brian Nicholson’s Co Kilkenny farm.

The judges said that the story combining text, photos and a step-by-step video of the insemination process was “an excellent example of sophisticated story telling in the digital medium, which produces a rich experience for audience”.

Digital editor Thomas Hubert came second for his report on the first Irish-made wind turbine installed on a farm in France.

The story included photos and video highlighting the economics of the project for Gilbert Cosson’s farm, the innovative technologies used and the risks associated with the investment.

Irish journalists secured more awards with RTÉ broadcaster and Irish Country Living columnist Damien O’Reilly winning first prize in the radio category for his Countrywide story on same-sex couple Orla Barry and Els Dietvorst who are visual artists and sheep farmers in Co Wexford.

Australian journalist Prue Adams claimed the top prize in the television category, followed by RTÉ One’s Helen Carroll and Paula Williams for their coverage of rural crime in Ireland.

The winner of the IFAJ-DeLaval Star Prize for Photography was Todd Klassy of the United States. Northern Ireland photographer Chris McCullough won the People’s Choice award.

Canadian journalist Laura Rance won the star prize for print journalism.