Remembering Guild of Agri Journalists stalwart, Colm Cronin
Colm Cronin passed away peacefully on September 7.
Colm was a valued member of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland (Agri Guild) for more than four decades, seven of which he served as secretary. He was also a key participant in the organisation of the Agri Guild’s biennial awards.
Colm was a former managing director of Pembroke Communications, where he was a consultant to many leading Irish and international companies. A proud Loughrea man, he attended Galway University where he studied sociology and politics.
Colm was a quiet and lovely man, and he will be sadly missed by his many friends in the Guild of Agricultural Journalists. We send our condolences to his wife Bernadette, daughter Kate, grandchildren, family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
A University College Dublin (UCD) student has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Communications and Agri-Innovation Award sponsored by the Guild of Agricultural Journalists.
Donegal native Catherine Grier, is a student of the MSc in Animal Science programme at UCD.
She was selected by the judging panel as the best in class for her project entitled: ‘Calcicare – precision calcium monitoring for healthier herds and higher yields’.
As part of her module in communications and agri-innovation, Catherine completed a project addressing the problem of subclinical hypocalcaemia in dairy cows.
A significant issue for Irish farms, catching the disease early is critical and she developed a business plan to provide enhanced early diagnosis for more effective treatments.
A key part of her proposal was the actual ‘road-testing’ of it with farmers in the area.
Sponsored by the Irish Guild of Agricultural Journalists, the prize fund of €250 was presented to Catherine this week.
Talent of the next generation
Chair of the Agri Guild in the Republic of Ireland and Agriland editor, Stella Meehan said:
The Agri Guild is delighted to sponsor this important award as it nurtures the talent of the next generation of farmers, entrepreneurs and communicators.
While there were so many excellent presentations of a high calibre, Catherine’s thorough researching of her idea including market research among a cohort of farmers really impressed the judging panel.
The Guild of Agricultural Journalists is set to hold both of its AGMs next week on Thursday, June 26 and and Friday June 27, 2025 respectively.
The All Ireland AGM
Date & Times:Thursday, June 26th from 11:00a.m until 3:00pm.
Location: AFBI (Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute) Large Park, Hillsborough BT26 6DR.
Activities: Presentation on latest AFBI research by Professor Elizabeth Magowan and Dr. Steven Morrison, Northern Section AGM & All-Ireland AGM.
RSVP: Please email the Agri Guild NI secretary Richard Halleron – richard@farm-link.com by Monday, June 23.
The Southern Guild AGM
Date & times: Friday, 27th June from 12noon until 2:30p.m.
12:00 – 13:00: Tour of Airfield Estate – which includes a working farm, a soil exhibition and updates on their work in education and research – all to bridge the urban rural divide.
13:00 – 13:45: Lunch.
13:45 – 14:30: AGM.
RSVP: Please RSVP by email to the Acting Southern secretary, Elaine Crosse – southernsecretary@agriguild.ie by Wednesday, June 25.
The current officers (bar the secretary) and committee are putting themselves forward for re-election. However, if any member wishes to serve as a committee member, please do put yourself forward at the meeting. It is a great opportunity to drive and promote the future of agri-communications and get better connected with your industry peers.
The Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland (Northern Section) will host an important seminar for its members, which will address the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) within journalism later this month.
The focal point of the event will be a discussion on the subject involving BBC Talkback’s William Crawley and the northern editor of the Irish Farmers’ Journal, David Wright.
There will also be an opportunity to involve attending members in a follow-up Q&A with William and David. There will also be a separate and bespoke workshop, looking at the role of AI in the media.
The seminar takes place on Thursday, March 27th, 2025 at the Clayton Hotel, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast.
The agenda is as follows:
1.00pm: Arrival and lunch
2.00pm: Discussion plus Q&A
3.00pm: AI workshop
4.00pm: Depart
If you would like to attend, please RSVP by email to secretary of the AgriGuild (Northern Section) Richard Halleron at richard@farm-link.com on or before Thursday, March 20th.
The Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland revealed the winners of the prestigious AgriGuild Awards 2024 at a black-tie ceremony in Dublin on Thursday night, November 28, 2024.
The event, sponsored by FBD Insurance, saw more than 100 attendees from the agri-media sector gather at the Castleknock Hotel for the biennial awards ceremony, regarded as the pinnacle of the sector’s year.
There were nine category awards presented with the overall prize, the bronze sculpture known as ‘The Bull’ presented to a category winner of exceptional merit.
The independent judging panel comprised: Former RTE editor Tom McGuire (chair); Maeve Dineen (communications consultant and former journalist); Joe Healy (former IFA president and chair of the Agri-Food Regulator); Michele Filippi (PR consultant) and Anne-Marie Butler (head of education, Teagasc).
From left: Chair of Guild of Agricultural Journalists, Stella Meehan, Editor Agriland; with the judging panel for this year’s AgriGuild Awards, Maeve Dinneen, consultant; Chair of the Agri-Food Regulator, Joe Healy; Michele Filippi, Communications consultant; Tom McGuire, chair of judging panel; Anne-Marie Butler, head of education, Teagasc. Image: Finbarr O’Rourke
All category winners were presented with a framed certificate and a cash prize, while the overall winner received ‘The Bull’ along with a cash prize.
The overall winner of the prestigious prize, The Bull, was named asCaitriona Morrissey (Irish Farmers Journal).
Winner of The Bull at the AgriGuild Awards 2024, Caitriona Morrissey, Irish Farmers Journal. Image: Finbarr O’Rourke
The other category winners are as follows:
Best Environmental Reporting
Anaerobic Digestion, derogations and dairy farmers – can they co-exist? – Stephen Robb (Irish Farmers Journal)
Best Feature Story
Video: Cavan farmer ‘lucky to be alive’ after fall into slurry pit – Breifne O’Brien (Agriland)
‘Playing the Blues’ – Dan Linehan (Irish Examiner)
Best Targeted Campaign
Farmer Time – Elaine Crosse (Airfield Estate)
Best Technical Article
The successful ‘back to basics’ approach of farming in the Burren – Anne Kinsella (RTE Brainstorm)
Best Use of Audio
‘We’re being left behind’ says farmer with learning difficulties – Louise Hickey (Agriland)
Best Visual Report
Livestream of Ploughing 2023 – Agriland Team (Agriland)
Rising Star Award
Anne O’ Donoghue (Irish Farmers Journal)
Chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists southern section Stella Meehan commented:
The quality of agricultural journalism and communications across the island of Ireland was very much on display on the list of finalists for this year’s awards.
I want to congratulate all of the winners on their exceptional achievement and in particular to the recipient of The Bull, Caitriona Morrissey who impressed the judges with her in-depth research and accessible writing style.
We are very grateful to FBD Insurance for their support of this event and we also look forward to seeing the ‘Rising Stars’ of agri-media continue to make their mark into the future.
The Guild of Agricultural Journalists has revealed the shortlist for its 2024 AgriGuild Awards, which will be held at Dublin’s Castleknock Hotel on Thursday next, November 28.
Kindly sponsored by FBD Insurance, the black-tie ceremony will recognise journalists for their outstanding work in national and regional media, along with consultants in the communications sector, across nine different categories.
These categories are: Best News Story; Best Feature; Best Visual Report; Best Use of Audio; Best Technical Report; Best Targeted Campaign; Best Environmental Reporting; Best Photograph and The Rising Star Award.
In addition to cash prizes for each category winner, a prized bronze trophy, ‘The Bull’, will be presented to the category winner whose exceptional merit will be recognised by the adjudicating panel.
This panel is chaired by former RTE Radio editor Tom McGuire, who is joined by Maeve Dineen (communications consultant and former journalist), Joe Healy (former IFA president and chair of the Agri-Food Regulator), Michele Filippi (PR consultant) and Anne-Marie Butler (Head of Education, Teagasc).
Chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists Stella Meehan said:
“The quality and calibre of agricultural journalism throughout the island of Ireland has been suitably recognised by this year’s shortlist.
The diversity of entries has been fantastic and we’re looking forward to celebrating the best of agri-media at the awards ceremony on November 28. We are, as always, grateful to FBD for its continuing support of these prestigious awards.”
The nominees on the shortlist are as follows:
Best Environmental Reporting
‘The successful ‘back to basics’ approach of farming in the Burren’ – Anne Kinsella (RTE Brainstorm)
‘By Degrees: How climate change is already affecting your farm’ – Caitriona Morrissey (Irish Farmers Journal)
‘Anaerobic Digestion, derogations and dairy farmers – can they co-exist’ – Stephen Robb (Irish Farmers Journal)
Best Feature Story
‘The dark side of Ireland’s holiday home boom’ – Ciaran Moran (Irish Independent)
The successful ‘back to basics’ approach of farming in the Burren – Anne Kinsella (RTE Brainstorm)
Era of the eco cow: Is it possible to breed for lower methane emissions? – Rachel Martin (Irish Examiner)
Mining bitcoin on top of an anaerobic digestion plant – Stephen Robb (Irish Farmers Journal)
Best Use of Audio
The Farmers Yard – Sally Ann Barrett (RTE Radio 1 Morning Ireland)
‘We’re being left behind’ says farmer with learning difficulties – Louise Hickey (Agriland)
Rutting Season – Damien O’Reilly (RTE Radio 1 CountryWide)
Best Visual Report
Livestream of Ploughing 2023 – Agriland Team (Agriland)
Remembering People and Places – Bernie Commins (Irish Farmers Monthly)
Farmers’ heartbreak over flooding at Lough Funsinagh – Colm Ryan (Agriland)
Rising Star Award
Noel Bardon (Irish Farmers Journal)
Sarah McIntosh (Irish Farmers Journal)
Anne O’Donoghue (Irish Country Living / IFJ).
A student from the MSc in Animal Science at University College Dublin (UCD) has scooped the ‘Communications and Agri-Innovation Award’, sponsored by the Guild of Agricultural Journalists.
Niamh Grimes Dooley completed the module in Communications and Agri-Innovation as part of her level 9 MSc in Animal Science at UCD.
Niamh’s business plan entitled ‘Sustainabull’ was chosen as best in class by entrepreneurs from the student cohort who all pitched a potential solution to an existing issue in animal science.
“As someone deeply passionate about sustainable agriculture, winning this award is an incredible milestone in my journey,” Niamh said.
“I didn’t come from an agricultural background, but my passion for the field grew during my studies in Animal and Crop Production at University College Dublin, where I graduated in 2023.
Niamh Grimes Dooley
“I have recently completed my master’s in Animal Science and am currently working as a research assistant at Lyons Farm, focusing on the Systems Herd,” she said.
Niamh’s research was centered around developing a profitable, high-output, grass-based spring milk production system.
“I also have a strong interest in sustainability across the agricultural sector, which inspired my business plan for Sustainabull. This is an educational and certification programme designed to help dairy and beef farmers adopt sustainable and ethical practices, particularly by turning the surplus of Jersey bull calves into a profitable revenue stream. The programme offers a blend of online courses, hands-on workshops, and tailored consultancy, supported by key partnerships with universities, animal welfare organisations, and industry stakeholders.”
Sustainabull’s aim is to empower farmers to improve profitability, enhance animal welfare, and meet growing consumer demand for sustainably produced food.
“I’m excited to continue exploring ways to drive positive change in agriculture,” Niamh added.
Chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists, Stella Meehan said: “Niamh’s presentation and project demonstrated her initiative and passion for the sector.
“We were impressed with such a proactive and plausible project to address one of the most topical issues for farmers at the moment. “We were delighted to be able to offer this opportunity for ag students and look forward to Niamh progressing her idea further and communicating a strong message about steps being taken within the sector to improve sustainability.”
The Guild of Agricultural Journalists will hold its biennial Agri Guild Awards, kindly sponsored by FBD, at the Castleknock Hotel in Dublin on Thursday, November 28th.
The black-tie ceremony will recognise journalists for their outstanding work in national and regional media, as well as consultants in the communications sector, across nine different categories: Best News Story; Best Feature; Best Visual Report; Best Use of Audio; Best Technical Report; Best Targeted Campaign; Best Environmental Reporting; Best Photograph and The Rising Star Award.
In addition to cash prizes for each category winner, ‘The Bull’, the prized bronze trophy, will be presented to the category winner whose exceptional merit will be recognised by the adjudicating panel.
‘The Bull’, the special trophy which will be presented to the category winner deemed to be of exceptional merit by the adjudicating panel.
This panel will be chaired by former RTE editor Tom McGuire, who is joined by Maeve Dineen (communications consultant and former journalist), Joe Healy (former IFA President and Chair of the Agri-Food Regulator), Michele Filippi (PR consultant) and Anne Marie Butler (Head of Education, Teagasc).
Michael Berkery, chairman, FBD Trust said:
FBD is proud to continue our long-standing support for the Guild of Agricultural Journalists. Journalists have an important function of exploring and communicating today’s issues with integrity. We are proud to partner with the Guild to sponsor awards that recognise and celebrate professionalism and exemplary standards in agri-journalism.
Chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in the Republic of Ireland, Stella Meehan said:
We are energised and enthusiastic to see what entries will be submitted to the various categories in the Agri Guild Awards this year.
Year on year, journalists and communicators working in the agricultural media sector demonstrate the high-quality journalism, expertise and communication they achieve within their field and consistently educate and inform audiences not just in Ireland but across the world.
We are grateful to partner with FBD again this year, which has been a consistent supporter of the Guild and its work and look forward to welcoming the industry to the awards ceremony in November.
Award entrants must be members of the AgriGuild while non-members are required to join the Guild prior to submitting entries by paying a fee of €90 which will provide full membership of the Guild, including all its benefits for a period of one year.
Applicants for this year’s awards may only submit one entry per category. However, this does not preclude multiple entries in each category from different staff members working for the same agri-media organisation. Each entry must have been published between September 1st, 2022 and August 31st, 2024.
The deadline for receipt of entries is 5:00p.m on Friday, September 27, 2024.
The launch of the awards coincides with the development of a brand new AgriGuild website, sponsored by Agriland Media Group.
For further details, or to submit an entry, please visit agriguild.ie
Entry to the awards for 2024 can be completed via the agriguild.ie website; members will be able to login in to the awards entry portal and non-members will also be provided with access once membership subscription has been paid.
For non-members who sign up and pay for membership, please ensure you complete the application form for membership and email it to the AgriGuild secretary.
All current members have been issued with a login and password for security purposes, therefore before beginning to submit entries to the awards, please click on the ‘forgot password’ button on the website when the login page appears, and follow the instructions to generate your own new password. The email address required of you is the email address the Guild currently has on file for each member.
Become a member
Working in agricultural media? Sign up to become a member of the AgriGuild today where
you will have access to a network of peers and opportunities for recruitment, education and awards.
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