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.

Overall Winner

Liam Rochford, County Wexford

Minister Noel Grealish TD. is pictured presenting the award to Liam Rochford

Minister Noel Grealish T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, presenting Liam Rochford with the Pasture Progress Farmer of the Year Award

Student Winners

Student Category Winner: Glen Williamson, Ballyhaise College

Student Category Finalist: Emily Needham, Gurteen College
Student Category Finalist: Owen McCarthy, Clonakilty College
Student Category Finalist: James Lynch, Pallaskenry College
Student Category Finalist: Thomas King, Mountbellew College

Regional Winners

Liam Rochford, County Wexford, Leinster Winner

Liam Rochford, Co. Wexford, County. Wexford, Leinster Regional Winner of the Pasture Progress Awards 2025, pictured at Teagasc Johnstown Castle at the Pasture Progress Awards with are Daire Cregg, Farmers Journal, Stephen Carey, Grassland Agro, Michael Murphy, AIB Regional Agri Advisor, Liam Rochford, Regional Award Winner, John Macnamara, Chair of the Teagasc Grass10, Nikki Kennedy, Teagasc and Kenneth Barry of FBD.

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.

Anne Keane and Esther Walsh, County Waterford, Munster Winners

Pictured in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork at the presentation of the Munster Region Teagasc Grass10 Pasture Progress Awards are Waterford and Regional Winners Anne Keane and Esther Walsh, Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford with James Keane and Oisin Shannon.

Pictured at the presentation of the Munster Region Teagasc Grass10 Pasture Progress Awards are Regional Winners Anne Keane and Esther Walsh, County Waterford, with James Keane and Oisin Shannon.

David Williamson, County Cavan, Connacht/Ulster Winner

The Williamson family from Cavan are the Overall Winners front from left Glen Williamson, David Williamson & Ian Williamson. Photo: Lorraine Teevan

The Williamson family. Glen Williamson, David Williamson and Ian Williamson pictured at the Connacht/Ulster Region Pasture Progress Awards in Ballyhaise College.

County Winners

Mayo: Alan and Craig McCormick
Sligo: Glenn Patterson
Leitrim: Keith Richardson
Roscommon: Tommie Devine
Donegal: David Lowry
Cavan: David, Ian and Glen Williamson
Monaghan: James and Anthony Meehan
Galway: Gerard and Enda Armstrong
Dublin: Jim Ryan
Laois: Seamus and James Bennett
Kildare: Sean Carpenter
Carlow: William Griffin
Louth: Peter White
Meath: Enda Horgan
Westmeath: Nigel and Eric Mills
Wicklow: David and Peter Ryan
Longford: John Payne
Wexford: Liam Rochford
Kilkenny: Leeson, Edward and Leeson Neale
Offaly: Rob Stafford
Waterford: Anne Keane, Esther Walsh and Oisin Shannon
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.