Wexford Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) branch launched its new feed grain quality awards this week.

The awards are being supported by AIB, Bank of Ireland, Enniscorthy Credit Union and Permanent TSB. They will supply a cash prize fund.

Grain from merchants across the county will be eligible for the award with a large number of private merchants signed up the new initiative.

Participants

The merchants taking part are:

  • Bolgers Agri.
  • Cooney Furlong Grain.
  • Doyles of Cooladine.
  • John Cullen Grain.
  • Kevin Cooney Ltd.
  • O’Sullivan Agri.
  • Rothwell Grain and Seeds.
  • Wallaces of Wellingtonbridge.

    • IFA national grain committee vice-chair and Wexford IFA grain chair John Murphy spoke to the Irish Farmers Journal about the awards.

    He said that there are grain awards out there for the co-ops and malting barley and that it is important to recognise the large amount of grain which is delivered to private merchants and is feeding the country’s livestock.

    There are four categories in the competition – wheat, oats, barley and beans.

    The top samples from different merchants will make it to the finals and, from this point, the finalists will be judged by a panel.

    Ciarán Hickey and John Pettit of Teagasc, along with former tillage editor of the Irish Farmers Journal Andy Doyle will judge the competition.

    Winners will be announced in late October or early November.