2020 winners of RDS Spring Awards Revealed

RDS celebrates innovative Irish farmers and foresters; Awards highlight climate-smart agriculture in practice

Three generations of the 2020 Award-winning Murphy family

Five livestock and three forestry award recipients were presented with their 2020 RDS Spring Awards on their farms and forests in recent weeks, as Covid-19 prevented the usual Awards ceremony in the RDS Concert Hall. The RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards have a total prize fund of €23,000, and they celebrate and promote the principles of climate-smart agriculture in Ireland. They were originally scheduled to take place in April, but the Covid-19 restrictions prevented this and has led to a further delay for the sustainability category, which will be awarded at a later date.

According to Michael Duffy, RDS Chief Executive: “It is more important than ever to recognise the work of our farmers and foresters who are contributing to the sustainable development of Irish agriculture, which remains the most important industry in rural Ireland. This year’s Spring Award winners have achieved a balance between the economic and environmental needs of the sector and are highlighting what is possible when experience is combined with innovation. Many of this year’s winners can trace the history of their family farm back to the first half of the 19th century. This longevity is fantastic, but it is important to recognise that this is only achieved through continuous innovation and adapting to the changing needs of the sector.” 

Michael Murphy of Coolnasoon, Crookstown, Co. Cork, received the 2020 RDS Economic Breeding Index (EBI) award for his pedigree Holstein Friesian cow, Coolnasoon Nuala 33. Michael, his wife Geraldine and son Jerry are farming in partnership, and milk approximately 370 cows across three milking platforms on mostly leased land. With an impressive economic breeding index figure of €208, Coolnasoon Nuala 33 has been rightly recognised for her superior efficiency and productivity. Coolnasoon Nuala 33 is having a big impact on the dairy sector through her progeny and grand-progeny. She is the dam of two bulls in AI Stud and is also the paternal granddam of five AI bulls in the top 70 of the ICBF active bulls listing.

On receiving his award Michael said: "The cow that turns grazed grass into high value milk is the foundation of the dairy industry in Ireland, and I am delighted to receive this award in recognition of my career focus on breeding profitable cows. When I began farming, the Spring Show at the RDS was the highlight of the farming calendar, with its promotion of excellence in all facets of farming. It is great to see the RDS continuing with that tradition by working with ICBF on these new awards. ICBF have contributed immensely to the improvement of breeding in Ireland over the last 20 years.”

The recipients of the 2020 LambPlus Award were Edmond and Paul O’Gorman, Lisfuncheon, Ballyporeen, Co. Tipperary. Edmond and Paul have a flock of 60 purebred Charollais ewes and they put great effort into producing animals that are of high genetic merit while also having the physical attributes to perform well in a commercial setting. Animals with high genetic merit produce more lambs and lambs that reach the desired carcass weight quicker from the same inputs meaning the production system is more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Edmond and Paul’s use of the Euro-Star values to select replacement females and breeding rams has resulted in their 2019 lambs having an average Euro-Star value of €2.18 on the replacement index and €0.99 on the terminal index placing the Lisfuncheon flock in the top 10% of all LambPlus flocks. The O’Gorman entered four rams into the Sheep Ireland LambPlus ram sale in August 2019 with two rams being in the top 1% and two being in the top 5% for Euro-star values demonstrating the high genetic merit of the animals being produced at Lisfuncheon Charollais.

Speaking on receiving the award Edmond and Paul stated: “We feel greatly honoured to have won the 2020 RDS LambPlus Award and appreciate the RDS recognising sustainable farming through its Spring Awards, considering its important historic role in the development of Irish agriculture. We try to improve our flock every year by using 5- star rams with a high genetic merit as identified by Sheep Ireland, and we are members of the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) which encourages good practice looking after the land. We also have 10 acres of forestry which benefits the environment.”

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. The RDS Forestry Award recipients are selected by a panel of experts based on site visits with shortlisted applicants. The judging of these awards was carried out before Covid-19 restrictions were introduced. The awards are a vital way in which the RDS mission of seeing Ireland thrive culturally and economically is realised.

The 2020 RDS Production Forestry Award went to Peter and Patricia Farrelly, Moynalty, Kells, Co. Meath. Located near the village of Kilmainhamwood, Peter and Patricia have a 46.2-hectare plantation that was planted between 1999 and 2001, comprising a mix of Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, Oak and Ash.

Peter and Patricia’s initial reasons for planting was to utilise the forestry premiums to provide a steady annual farm income. However, they have discovered the many additional benefits to having a forest that has also become home to a rich variety of wildlife. There are many unique features to their property such as the Whitewood river which flows through the forest, two ring forts, and an old farmhouse which the Farrellys have begun to restore. The Farrellys have also established a number of forest roads which provide access so the local community can also enjoy the scenic beauty and peace of being with nature in the forest.

Peter and Patricia’s story highlights that a productive commercial forest can have significant environmental benefits. In additional to capturing and storing carbon, the Farrellys are actively managing their forest to conserve and create habitats for wildlife, increase biodiversity, and provide a community amenity. 

Speaking on receiving the award Peter Farrelly, stated: “The forestry sector will greatly benefit from raised awareness and education into the future. Having someone as prominent as the RDS in helping to raise this awareness is a massive and timely boost. As governments and major groups worldwide begin to focus on environmental impacts and carbon emissions, the forestry sector will I feel, only become more important as the primary way of storing carbon in this country. Focusing on sustainability is the only way this can and will be achieved. Coming from a long line of farmers I have benefitted by inheriting sustainable methods which I would hope I am only improving on for future generations.”

This year’s winners include farmers and foresters recognised for employing the principles of climate smart agriculture on their land, including sound commercial management, environmental protection and the encouragement of biodiversity.

The 2020 RDS Spring Award winners are:

• Economic Breeding Index Award (Best Dairy Cow) – Coolnasoon Nuala 33 owned by Michael Murphy, Coolnasoon, Co. Cork
• Euro-Star Index Award (Best Beef Cow) – Castleview Camelia owned by Sean O’Sullivan, Castleisland, Co. Kerry
• Dairy Herd Index Award – James Barrett, Anaharlick, Co. Cork
• Beef Herd Index Award – Eugene McKenna, Ballinhassig, Co. Cork
• LambPlus Breeders Index Award – Edmond and Paul O’Gorman, Lisfuncheon, Co. Tipperary
• Production Forestry Award Winner – Peter and Patricia Farrelly, Kells, Co. Meath
• Teagasc Farm Forestry Award Winner – Ross Buchanan, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal
• Community Woodlands Award Winner – Rossmore Forest Park, Co. Monaghan

Michael Duffy added: “The genetic improvement of our national herd and increased carbon sequestration through effective forestry management are recognised as two of the most effective tools available in tackling climate change and in promoting sustainable agriculture. These Awards recognise the farmers and foresters who are setting the standard for others to follow in this regard. What they have been able to achieve is an inspiration to all involved in the future development of Irish agriculture.”

He continued: “The RDS Spring Awards are one of the highlights of the Society’s Foundation Programme. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to host our awards ceremony in the RDS Concert Hall this year, but it has been both enjoyable and educational to spend time with our winners on their farms and forests this summer.”

For more information on the RDS Spring Awards, visit: www.rds.ie/agriculture