Killavullen tillage farmer, Tom Barry, is a finalist in two categories in this Thursday’s FBD Better Farming Awards, which are taking place in Killenard, Co. Laois.
Core to Mr Barry’s farming philosophy is soil health, structure and the use of embedded carbon; imports of organic materials from other faming sectors reduce his need for artificial fertiliser and helps his neighbouring farmers become nitrate compliant. He also practices crop rotation, is reducing his herbicide use and incorporates Integrated Pest Management (IPM), all sustainable methods which have led to his position as a finalist in both the Lely Innovator Farmer of the Year and Herdwatch Environmental Farmer of the Year.
This is not the first accolade for the Killavullen farmer this year, as in early October, he and his wife Cathy won the ‘Enterprise’ award in the Tillage category in the Teagasc/FBD Environmentally Sustainable Farmer of the Year awards.
Full story in this week’s Print & Digital Edition
