The 2019 RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards took place in the RDS Concert Hall on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.
With a prize fund of €22,000, the RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards celebrate and promote the principles of climate-smart agriculture. Building on a name from the past, but firmly focused on the future of the sector, the Awards will recognise the very best farmers, foresters and agri-innovators. RDS-Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards <www.rds.ie/forestry> The twin goals of promoting the economic and environmental benefits of good forestry and farming is the underlying motivation behind these Awards. All woodland owners and managers are encouraged to enter the Awards as all woodlands, large or small, are of merit. There are four categories which can be entered.
RDS Livestock Awards <www.rds.ie/livestock> The RDS Livestock Awards showcase the most efficient livestock producers in Ireland by rewarding and celebrating farmers combining the best science and best agricultural practices. These Awards build upon the RDS Spring Show which was known the length and breadth of Ireland for showcasing the best livestock in the country.
The RDS Livestock Awards are the only awards of their kind in Ireland that recognise the genetic merit of animals based on scientific indexes. The awards are linked to the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation (ICBF) and Sheep Ireland databases. ICBF and Sheep Ireland base their decision on the data available to them so the RDS are truly celebrating and highlighting the most productive, most efficient farmers and livestock in the country.
There are five awards presented in this category:
Economic Breeding Index (EBI) Award – Best Dairy Cow Euro-Star Replacement Index Award – Best Beef Cow Dairy Herd Index Award Beef Herd Index Award LambPlus Breeders Index Award
The goal of the RDS Agriculture and Rural Affairs work programme is to promote best practice and efficiency in farming to ensure farm household profitability and sustainability in Ireland; a work programme now influenced by the RDS / IIEA work on Climate Smart Agriculture. The Awards, which encourage innovation and improvement in the Irish cattle breeding sector have grown into one of the most prestigious awards in the cattle breeding calendar.
2019 Award Winners
• Economic Breeding Index Award – Liam Leahy, Co. Cork
• Euro-Star Replacement Index Award – Henry Noel O’Connor of Co. Roscommon
• Dairy Herd Index Award – Michael Bradley, Co. Cork
• Beef Herd Index Award – Patrick Drohan, Co. Waterford
• LambPlus Breeders Index Award – Jim and Frampton Jeffrey, Co. Cork
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RDS Sustainable Farming Sustainable Living Awards
In addition to the current livestock and forestry categories, the RDS is introducing a new category for 2019 focused on Sustainable Farming and Sustainable Living. This new category will celebrate the work of individuals, farm families, farm businesses and community organisations who are enhancing the economic, environmental and social development of Irish agriculture and rural communities. There will also be a special Ceres Sustainability Champion Award presented on the day to an individual or organisation who has made an outstanding contribution to climate-smart agriculture in Ireland.
Award categories:
Sustainable Farming
This award celebrates the efforts made by an individual or farm family who are adding value to their on-farm activities through entrepreneurship, new product development, and marketing.
Sustainable Living
This award recognises individuals and organisations who are making a significant contribution to the economic, environmental, and social development, of rural Ireland.
Agri-Innovation
The Agri-innovation award recognises individuals and companies who have applied science and technology to help deliver the principles of climate-smart agriculture such as greater efficiency, reduced waste and increased profitability.
Ceres Sustainability Champion
The Ceres Award will be presented to an individual, company or organisation who in the opinion of the Judges has played an instrumental role in the long-term sustainable development of Irish agriculture and rural affairs.
2019 Award Winners
Sustainable Farming Award – Ailbhe Gerard, Brookfield Farm, Co. Tipperary Sustainable Living Award – Leahy’s Open Farm, Co. Cork Agri-Innovation Award – Smart Farming Programme, the Irish Farmers Association Ceres Sustainability Champion – Self Help Africa date: April 24, 2019