News & Press Room

The national final of the Macra na Feirme and KW Forage Systems ‘Measuring Grass for Profit’ competition will take place on Tuesday, October 18^th in the Irish Farm Centre. Six finalists were selected during regional finals to go forward. They are:

Munster:

Brian O Mahony, Upton, Cork

Brian Harnedy, Youghal, Waterford

 Leinster:

Richard Dempsey, New Ross, Wexford

Kieran Bolger, Rathdowney, Laois 

North West:

Henry Gardiner, Ballisodare, Sligo

James Meenaghan, Ballina, Mayo

Each candidate will be interviewed and this year’s prize, courtesy of Grasstec, is a Rising Platemeter, mapping of the winners farm (up to 120 acres in size) and a half days consultation on grass measuring/ budgeting from a Grasstec Consultant.

Speaking ahead of the final, Macra na Feirme National President, Alan Jagoe said, “The partnership with KW Forage Systems has allowed for the delivery of a very practical competition for young farmers. It assists them in making important winter feeding decisions based on the requirements of their livestock systems and the quality of their grass silage.  The competition also provides valuable information on how to improve silage making while rewarding farmers who make the best quality grass silage”.

Managing Director of KW Forage Systems, Jim Buckley expressed his delight in sponsoring the competition again this year, “Grass assessment by the farmer is one of the key drivers of his day to day management. It is very important that a farmer know, not only what and how much grass they should conserve when grass is plentiful, but also when and how much he should supplement when grass is scarce. Managing these two key criteria correctly are the main drivers of profitability on beef and dairy farms. To this end, our competition this year is not only about silage but the quality and productivity of grass swards.”