Laois boasts five finalists in this year’s FBD Better Farming Awards, awarding the highest levels of achievement made in the industry’s move towards a more sustainable sector.
The awards reward initiatives, research and practices that are helping Irish agriculture meet its economic, social and environmental challenges.
They recognise the real difference achieved by those who have excelled in various areas of agriculture.
The inaugural Better Farming Awards gala evening presentations will take place in the Heritage Hotel, Killenard, on Thursday November 30.
The Laois finalists are:
Trevor Cobbe – Germinal Sustainable Pasture Farmer of the year
By measuring grass regularly and targeting fertiliser properly over the last few years, Trevor Cobbe has increased the productivity and sustainability of our grassland.
Making small changes such as protected urea, incorporating clover, using LESS, and using good grassland management are key to grassland management on the farm.
The award is pen to farmers from all sectors and all types of pasture based enterprises.
It recognises excellent grassland management while maintaining profitable production using regenerative and sustainable pasture practices with focus on soil health, outreach, climate resilience, carbon sequestration and long term vision. 
Brendan Guinan – FRS Network Diversification Farmer of the year
In four short years, Brendan took 26 acres of neglected 30 year-old planted forest and turned it into a thriving regenerative agroforestry farm.
Fiorhhia Farm is an example of how farming and food production can have a positive impact on nature, animal care, human health and environmental restoration of air and soil.
The award commends a farm’s exceptional efforts in establishing an alternative business or adding value with a commitment to sustainable farming, driving economic improvement and embracing a positive story for the industry.
Maria Phelan – Herdwatch Biodiversity Farmer of the year
Maria believes an organic system has many co-benefits that will allow biodiversity to thrive on her farm. Methods such as hay meadow plots, crop rotation, laying hedges and no use of chemical fertiliser or spray means that healthy and fertile soil provide a platform to promote and encourage biodiversity.
This award highlights a farmer who embraces biodiversity within their commercial farm holding.
Ballykilcavan Brewery – Small Sustainable Food Producer of the year (under 20 employees)
All Ballykilcavan beers are made with water and barley sourced from the farm. This gives the brewery control over its ingredients and lowers its carbon footprint while helping to ensure the viability of the farm.
The farm is a mix of forestry and tillage and has a strong focus on biodiversity across it all.
The farm is integrating regenerative agriculture practices into the tillage operation to improve soils, reduce inputs and sequester carbon.
The award recognises a food producer of under 20 employees who best embraces elements of environmental, social and economic sustainability for both themselves and their primary producer sources.
David Walsh-Kemmis – Kerry Dairy Environmental Farmer of the year
David Walsh-Kemmis is the owner and operator of Ballykilcavan Brewery, and has also been recognised individually.
David has reduced fertiliser rates by 17%, cut carbon emissions by 30% and does not use any glyphosate or insecticides.
This award highlights a farmer who embraces best environmental agricultural practices within their commercial farm holding.
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