Laois brewer steals the show yet again at big awards

Laois had a double winner at this year’s FBD Better Farming Awards held recently in Killenard.

Not for the first time in 2023, the Ballykilcavan Brewery outside Stradbally stole the headlines at the event on Thursday, November 30 at The Heritage Hotel.

David Walsh-Kemmis claimed the Kerry Dairy Environmental Farmer of the Year while Ballykilcavan Brewery won the Small Sustainable Food Producer of the Year award.

The Kerry Environmental Farmer of the Year award highlights a farmer who embraces best environmental agricultural practices within their commercial farm holding.

Complementing the entry, judges said: “The history combined with modern technology and commercial awareness on this farm is very impressive. There is a caring and love for the environment evident in all aspects of this farm.”

The award was presented to David Walsh Kemmis by James O’Connell, General Manager, Kerry Agribusiness.

Ballykilcavan Brewery claimed the Small Sustainable Food Producer of the Year award. The award recognises a food producer of under 20 employees who best embraces elements of environmental, social and economic sustainability for both themselves and their primary producer sources.

Based on Ballykilcavan Farm, the home of the Walsh family for 13 generations since 1639 and all Ballykilcavan beers are made with water and barley sourced from the farm.

This gives the brewery control over its ingredients and lowers its carbon footprint while helping to ensure the viability of the farm.

The judges said the farm is a mix of forestry and tillage and has a strong focus on biodiversity across it all. They said the farm is integrating regenerative agriculture practices into the tillage operation to improve soils, reduce inputs and sequester carbon.

The judges said he has reduced fertiliser rates by 17%, cut carbon emissions by 30% and does not use any glyphosate or insecticides.

The winner commented on the latest of a string of award brought home to Stradbally in 2023.

“This was the first time these awards have been run, but the standard of farmers and businesses was really high, so it’s fantastic to come home with the two wins. I’m really pleased to have been named Environmental Farmer of the Year.

“We do a lot of work on the farm to improve its sustainability and biodiversity and to try and keep to the very high standards that my parents set when they were here, so it’s lovely to see that being recognised.

“ Niall Clancy on the farm and Joe, Dave and Kate in the brewery are all fully supportive of everything we do, which makes it so much easier to implement these sustainability measures,” he said.

It was a busy day for David, who only just made it to the awards in time after being up in Dublin to receive the brewery’s Origin Green Gold status award for 2023. Origin Green is Bord Bia’s national sustainability programme, and Gold status is the highest award possible.

David says Ballykilcavan is one of only two breweries of any size in the country to have achieved it in 2023.

Brendan Guinan from Fiorbhia Farm in Portlaoise won an Honourable Mention in the Diversification Farmer of the Year category (sponsored by FRS Network). He was also really pleased with his award.

“We’ve always believed that what we’re doing, turning 26 acres of neglected forest into a regenerative agroforestry farm, is a good idea, but it’s still great to get some external validation. These awards are only going to grow in the future, so it’s lovely to be here at the start,” he said.

Other Laois finalists on the night were Maria Phelan in the Biodiversity Farmer of the Year award (sponsored by Herdwatch) and Trevor Cobbe, who was shortlisted for Sustainable Pasture Farmer of the Year (sponsored by Germinal).

The organisers said the judging process comprises a panel of 12 expert judges.

“The unique process is fully transparent, independent and thorough to ensure the best nominations are recognised and rewarded. Our panel of judges are all well respected and hugely knowledgeable individuals working in, with or advising the agriculture sector in Ireland,” said the organisers.

They also said the awards celebrate the initiatives, research and practices that are helping Irish agriculture meet its economic, social and environmental challenges.

“They go beyond the headlines to recognise the real difference achieved by those who have excelled in various areas of agriculture,” concluded the organisers.