The FBD Better Farming Awards held on November 7 at The Heritage Hotel in Killenard recognised over 200 attendees, highlighting exceptional contributions to sustainable farming. The night saw the West claim six awards, with standout achievements including Kevin Moran’s Agri Insider Young Researcher of the Year accolade for his study on young farmers’ financial challenges. His report, Access to Finance, highlight the difficulty young farmers in Ireland face in accessing affordable finance, especially those without land or guarantors.
David Dolan of Garrymore earned the Germinal Climate Smart Pasture Farmer of the Year award, promoting eco-friendly farming practices. David is embracing emissions-reducing technology and sustainable practices on his farm. These practices include his use of protective urea. His use of clover and of sexed semen.
Senus from Roscommon and Dolan Industries from Mayo won awards for their innovative Agritech solutions in software and hardware, respectively.
Sinead Moran from Mayo was celebrated as Dairygold Biodiversity Farmer of the Year for her sustainable farm practices, while the Roscommon group Ui Maine Kingdom was acknowledged for its community engagement in biodiversity protection.
Other key honours included Tom and Kathy Barry being named Overall FBD Better Farming Champions for their environmentally conscious farming ethos, and multiple awards going to Dairygold and David Walsh-Kemmis for sustainability and diversification efforts.
Liam Herlihy, Chairman of FBD Insurance, praised the winners for their impactful contributions to the agricultural sector and commitment to a sustainable future: “At FBD Insurance, we are proud to support these awards, which showcase the remarkable efforts of farmers and stakeholders across the agricultural sector. Their dedication is driving the industry toward a more sustainable future, and it’s inspiring to see such impactful work being recognised and celebrated. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists in the FBD Better Farming Awards 2024, we wish them every continued success’’.
The awards were founded in 2023 to recognise initiatives, research and practices that are helping Irish agriculture meet its economic, social and environmental challenges. They go beyond the headlines to identify the real difference being achieved by those who are excelling in the various areas of agriculture.
