A Laois family are among the winners at this year’s prestigious Tirlán Quality Grain Awards.
Paul McDonald and his father JJ, operate a mixed enterprise comprised of tillage, suckler to beef and sheep, at Barrowhouse in Laois.
They won out the Seed Wheat category. Paul focuses on soil health and fertility, and this is the cornerstone of his farming success.
McDonalds rotate grassland around their farm, giving them a great opportunity to sow premium grain crops such as basic seed.
Organic manures are integrated into the system and these have greatly reduced the farm’s dependence on chemical fertiliser.
Cover crops have been a mainstay on the farm for the last decade. This is enhancing soil health, while also providing fodder for their sheep flock.
Ploughing is currently the main establishment system used on the farm but min-till has been introduced in recent years when weather and soil conditions allow.
Paul grows a mix of crops, including seed wheat and barley, Cassia winter barley, oats and beet.
The farm’s focus for the coming years is to continue on their journey of improving soil health, while pushing crop yield to its highest potential.
This winning crop of seed wheat was the variety Graham; the crop averaged a specific weight of 76kph at a moisture of 17% across almost 80 tonnes. The McDonalds’ Tirlán agronomist is Barry Purcell.
Away from farming, McDonald is best known for his involvement with GAA.
He was on the Laois team that won Leinster in 2003 and played for decades with Arles-Killeen.
John Murphy, Tirlán Chairperson, said Tirlán remains Ireland’s largest buyer and user of native Irish grains and has paid a top price at harvest for the last five years.
He said: “There has been a significant increase in the quantity of barley going to the brewing and distilling industry from harvest 2024.
“It is wonderful to get the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the ‘cream of the crop’ among our dedicated and passionate growers here at the Guinness Storehouse.”
| CATEGORY | GROWER | ADDRESS | |||
| Winter (Cassia) Feed Barley | Art & Ann Murphy | Killabeg, Ferns, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. | |||
| Malting Barley | Kieran & Denis Fitzgerald | Lisnagar House, Rathgormac, Fermoy, Co. Cork. | |||
| Green Feed Barley | Shane O’Connell | Boulta, Ballynoe, Co. Cork. | |||
| Premium Spring Barley | Tom Short of SK Agri | NewtownmountKennedy, Co. Wicklow. | |||
| Dried Feed Barley | John Rodgers of JRS Farms Ltd | Murragh Farm, Oldtown, Co. Dublin. | |||
| Seed Barley | Joe Bracken of JHK Bracken Partnership | Foxcovert, Munny, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly. | |||
| Green Feed Wheat | Timothy & Edward Phelan | Grove, Dunbell, Maddockstown, Co. Kilkenny. | |||
| Dried Feed Wheat | Mervyn McCann | Bray View, Athy Co. Kildare. | |||
| Seed Wheat | Paul McDonald Ltd | Tankardstown, Ballylinan, Athy, Laois. | |||
| Food Grade Oats | Anne Cooke | Mullaghmoy, Suncroft, The Curragh, Co. Kildare. | |||
| Green Feed Oats | Pat Keenan of Conlanstown Farm Ltd | Conlanstown, Rathangan, Co. Kildare. | |||
| Green Feed Beans | Niall & Anne Deacon | Ballinlug, Killanne, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. | |||
| Green Oilseed Rape | Patrick Reynolds | Giltown, Garlow Cross, Navan, Co. Meath. | |||
| Sustainability | James English | Ballytrehy, Ballylooby, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. | |||
| Grain Grower of the Year | Art & Ann Murphy | Killabeg, Ferns, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford |
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