Sustainable Pasture Progress Awards
The Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year competition has run for 8 years as part of the Grass10 campaign, supporting improved grazing management nationwide. As part of Grass10 Phase 3, the competition has evolved into the Sustainable Pasture Progress Awards. The awards recognise ongoing improvement in pasture production and utilisation, using data from PastureBase Ireland and AgNav. Key criteria include pasture growth and utilisation, clover content, nutrient management, use of decision tools, animal output, nutrient balance, and carbon footprint.
A national event recognised achievements in sustainable pasture management, with awards presented by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. A total fund of €35,000 is awarded annually. County winners receive €1,000 each. Regional winners; Munster, Leinster, Connacht/Ulstr, receive an additional €2,000, with an overall national winner receiving a further €3,000.
Regional Winners
Liam Rochford, County Wexford, Leinster Winner
Liam Rochford, County Wexford, Leinster Regional Winner of the Pasture Progress Awards 2025, pictured at Teagasc Johnstown Castle with Daire Cregg, Farmers Journal, Stephen Carey, Grassland Agro, Michael Murphy, AIB Regional Agri Advisor, Liam Rochford, Regional Award Winner, John Macnamara, Teagasc Grass10, Nikki Kennedy, Teagasc Grass10, and Kenneth Barry of FBD.
The Regional Winner for Leinster is dairy farmer Liam Rochford from Co. Wexford. In 2025 Liam completed 41 pasture cover recordings growing 12 tonnes of DM/ha (Dry matter per hectare) in a year that saw many challenges with dry conditions. He completed an average of 8.5 grazing’s per paddock during 2025, and consistently grazed top quality pastures with an average pre-grazing yield of 1430kg DM/ha during the main grazing season. Cows performed very well on the farm achieving 500+kg MS (Milk Solids) in the season. Along with walking the farm consistently, Liam utilised management tools on PastureBase Ireland including the grass budget and the spring and autumn rotation planners. This ensures Liam is staying on track with growing and grazing the most quality pasture as possible, particularly in a difficult year like 2025.
Anne Keane and Esther Walsh, County Waterford, Munster Winners
The Regional Winners for Munster are dairy farmers Anne Keane, Esther Walsh and Oisin Shannon from Co. Waterford. In 2025 they completed 43 pasture cover recordings growing 12.5 tonnes of DM/ha in what was a very challenging year with dry conditions. They completed an average of 8.2 grazing’s per paddock and consistently grazed top quality pastures with an average pre-grazing yield of 1460kg DM/ha across the whole year. Soil fertility underpins top production on the farm with optimal pH achieved across the farm and good P and K indexes demonstrating the need to start pasture growth from below the surface. The team utilised the Nitrogen Plan Tool on PastureBase Ireland to make the most of nutrients across the farm. Cows performed very well delivering over 550+kg MS in the season. Along with walking the farm consistently, the team utilised other management tools on PastureBase Ireland including the grass budget and the spring and autumn rotation planners. This ensured the team stayed on track with growing and grazing the most quality pasture possible.
David Williamson, County Cavan, Connacht/Ulster Winner
The Williamson family. Glen Williamson, David Williamson and Ian Williamson pictured at the Connacht/Ulster Region Pasture Progress Awards in Ballyhaise College.
The Regional Winner for Connacht/Ulster is dairy farmer David Williamson from Co. Cavan. In 2025, over 50 pasture cover measurements were completed with the farm growing 12.2 tonnes of DM/ha for the year. David completed an average of 7.3 grazing’s per paddock and consistently grazed top quality pastures with an average pre-grazing yield of 1500kg DM/ha across the whole year. Clover plays an important role with some of the farm carrying high clover levels, with an aim to increase this in the coming years. Cows performed very well achieving 500+kg MS in the season. Along with walking the farm consistently allowing for timely management decisions to be made, David utilised management tools on PastureBase Ireland including the grass budget and the spring and autumn rotation planners to ensure the farm stayed on track growing and grazing as much quality pasture as possible.
County Winners
Leinster
Dublin — Jim Ryan
Laois — Seamus & James Bennett
Kildare — Sean Carpenter
Carlow — William Griffin
Louth — Peter White
Meath — Enda Horgan
Westmeath — Nigel & Eric Mills
Wicklow — David Ryan
Longford — John Payne
Wexford — Liam Rochford
Kilkenny — Leeson Neale
Offaly — Rob Stafford
Connacht/Ulster
Mayo — Alan & Craig McCormick
Sligo — Glenn Patterson
Leitrim — Keith Richardson
Donegal — David Lowry
Cavan — David Williamson
Monaghan — James & Anthony Meehan
Roscommon — Tommie Devine
Galway — Gerard & Enda Armstrong
Munster
Waterford — Anne Keane / Esther Walsh
Cork — Darragh Scully
Kerry — Donal Spring
Tipperary — Shane Kennedy
Clare — James Slattery
Limerick — Declan Flynn
The Grass10 campaign aims to increase pasture utilisation on livestock farms to 10 tonnes of dry matter per hectare per year, with 10 grazings per paddock annually. The campaign is supported by Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, AIB, FBD Insurance, Grassland Agro, and Irish Farmers Journal.