In October of last year, senior crop researcher Dr John Finnan of Teagasc, Oak Park, tragically lost his life in a light aircraft accident in Co Wexford. John was well known in tillage circles. After spending some time investigating the agronomy and use of energy crops in Oak Park, John’s meticulous research capabilities were transferred to oats. Little research had been carried out on the crop over the past 30 years, so John’s work on the plant’s physiology, production and husbandry provided invaluable information for growers across the island.
In October of last year, senior crop researcher Dr John Finnan of Teagasc, Oak Park, tragically lost his life in a light aircraft accident in Co Wexford. John was well known in tillage circles. After spending some time investigating the agronomy and use of energy crops in Oak Park, John’s meticulous research capabilities were transferred to oats.
Little research had been carried out on the crop over the past 30 years, so John’s work on the plant’s physiology, production and husbandry provided invaluable information for growers across the island.
In recognition of John’s contribution to the science of oat growing, White’s Oats of Tandragee has announced an annual growers award titled ’The John Finnan Oat Quality Award’. The award will be based on a combination of oat quality, grower participation in trials and events and environmental work.
White’s Oats
White’s Oats have been operating in the porridge business at their site in Tandragee for 179 years and they contract growers to produce the crop both North and South of the border. Over the past few years, they have been running field trials on growers’ farms to help improve their agronomy knowledge and advice on the crop. John was instrumental in providing input into these trials and was a regular speaker at the company’s annual oat growers meeting.
John was a true champion for growing oats and it is wholly appropriate that we recognise his immense contribution through this award
Sean Kane, agri supply chain coordinator with White’s, speaking about the award to the Irish Farmers Journal said: "John was a true champion for growing oats and it is wholly appropriate that we recognise his immense contribution through this award.
Throughout his professional career, John had a major impact on how growers approached the growing of oats – from benefits in the rotation, varietal performance and crop management.
He will be remembered as someone who was willing to share his vast experience with others
"Having been awarded numerous great taste and quality awards from the Irish Quality Food Awards and Blas Na hEireann, John’s specialism in the oat crop and his commitment to supporting the development of oat production within Ireland has and will continue to contribute greatly to White’s oat agronomy’,’ Sean continued.
Grower’s views
‘From the Tramlines’ farmer for 2018 and 2019 and White’s Oats grower Simon Best said: “John Finnan’s knowledge and passion for the agronomy of oats was unparalleled in Ireland and he will be remembered as someone who was willing to share his vast experience with others. A great communicator who was always interested and keen to tap into growers’ own field experience, it is a fitting tribute that White''s Oats should confer their annual Oat Quality Award in memory of John.”
The award will be made at White’s winter growers meeting, when the season trials and crop results are presented.
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