Sustainable pasture progress awards launched with a prize fund of €35,000

As part of the Grass10 campaign, a new approach is being taken to the sustainable grassland farmer of the year competition.

The sustainable grassland farmer of the year competition has run successfully for the past eight years and has been a key pillar of the Grass10 campaign, according to teagasc.

The sustainable pasture progress awards will recognise farmers who demonstrate and continue to progress levels of pasture production and utilisation in a sustainable manner. It is open to all livestock farmers.

This is a national recognition event with a total fund of €35,000 per year. An award of €1,000 will be made to a farmer from each county in the republic of Ireland, based on the outlined criteria.

Regional winners will be selected from Munster, Leinster and Connacht/Ulster and these winners will receive an additional prize of €2,000.

An overall winner will be recognised and will receive an additional prize of €3,000. The awards will be presented by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Data collected on pasture base Ireland and AgNav databases will be used to select the winners.

The criteria will be assessment of applicants progression with pasture performance, level of pasture measurement, level of clover content, nutrient management and recording, usage of pasture base tools, animal output, nutrient balance and carbon footprint.

A spokesperson for Teagasc has said: “There has been sizeable progress made in pasture management, clover establishment and environmental footprint over the last eight years of the Grass10 campaign”

“Many farmers have made great progress and have become ambassadors for the Grass10 campaign. Further progress can still be made on the level of pasture production and utilisation.”