TWO Kildare farmers picked up awards at the prestigious Farmer of the Year Awards held recently in Dublin.
Paul Brophy from Naas and Darragh O’Neill from Clane have been named Alternative Farmer of the Year and Equestrian Farmer of the Year respectively.
The Farmer of the Year Awards, now in their second year, recognise the best farmers throughout the country and reward excellence in all areas of farming.
Having beaten off stiff competition to take the top prizes, Paul and Darragh were awarded €2,500 each at the special awards ceremony for their achievements.
Paul Brophy is Ireland’s largest broccoli grower and the judges were unanimous in their decision to select him as the winner in the alternative category.
Agricultural Consultants Association President, Tom Dawson pictured with Alternative Farmer of the Year winner Paul Brophy
Having started off in the 1980s with little more than two hectares, Paul has built up an enterprise that grows close to 700 acres of broccoli and cabbage. One of the most interesting innovations on his farm is his use of GPS technology to cut down on fertiliser and payroll costs.
His attention to detail, drive and love of growing plants has allowed him to grow a business of formidable scale without the benefit of either a family background or regional tradition in vegetable production.
The judges were impressed by Paul’s grasp of all the key performance indicators of his business, his proven ability to overcome serious setbacks, and his vision for the future of his enterprise.
The Equestrian Farmer of the Year is Darragh O’Neil from Clane who is the son of the late well-known horseman Charlie O’Neill. Darragh has a life-long experience with horses and runs Abbeyfield which is a busy equestrian centre outside Clane with his wife Grainne and his brother Alan.
Equestrian Farmer of the Year winner Darragh ONeill pictured with Landrover Irelands Melanie McCourt
The farm is set on 240 acres with several facilities including a 1.8 mile all-weather cross country course, all-weather gallops, an outdoor arena, indoor stables and numerous trekking trails.
Abbeyfield prides itself on its busy livery yard, with horse and pony owners counting on Darragh and his team to look after their animals on a weekly basis.
In addition to the equestrian centre, Abbeyfield offers other sporting activities such as archery and clay pigeon shooting, which makes the farm a popular choice for tourists visiting the area.
Speaking at the Awards, John O’Connor, Chief Financial Officer, Zurich General Insurance, Ireland said, “Initiatives such as the Farmer of the Year Awards highlight the dedication and innovation which has been witnessed in the farming community over the past few years, and celebrate the high achievers in the industry such as Paul and Darragh who have shown themselves to be the very best in the areas of Alternative and Equestrian farming.”
