News – Agriguild

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)

Best News Story

Revealed: Coolmore’s extensive land empire – Caitriona Morrissey (Irish Farmers Journal)

Best Photograph

‘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)
‘Peter Sweetman: Planning campaign sparked by illegal slurry spreading’ – Caitriona Morrissey (Irish Farmers Journal)
‘Video: Cavan farmer ‘lucky to be alive’ after fall into slurry pit’ – Breifne O’Brien (Agriland)

Best News Story

‘Israeli dairy farmer recalls morning Hamas attacked his farm’ – Chris McCullough (Fence Post)
‘Revealed: Coolmore’s extensive land empire’ – Caitriona Morrissey (Irish Farmers Journal)
‘Nutrition shortfalls contained in 2019 ‘Planetary Health Diet’ – Charles O’Donnell (Agriland)

Best Photograph

‘Brazilian at Balmoral’ – Chris McCullough (Belfast Telegraph / Sunday Life)
‘Playing the Blues’ – Dan Linehan (Irish Examiner)
‘Flooded Farmers’ – Claire Nash (Irish Farmers Journal)

Best Targeted Campaign

Farmer Time – Elaine Crosse (Airfield Estate)
Learning Hub Series – Niamh Gunn (Bord Bia)
Collaboration Communications Driving Ireland’s Biomethane Future – Geraldine Kearney & Caroline Nolan (Authenticity)

Best Technical Article

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.

“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 28^th.

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 1^st, 2022 and August 31^st, 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.

There was great attendance by AgriGuild members at the All-Ireland AGM which was hosted at the Lakeland Dairies Killeshandra facility in Co. Cavan. The cross-border milk processor provided attendees with an in depth look at operations at the plant.

Chief executive of Lakeland Dairies, Colin Kelly told members of the guild that the farmer-owned co-op is going through a “transformation phase” with more of a focus on value rather than volume.

He explained that the co-op’s aim is to continue to process two billion litres of milk per year, but to do so “more efficiently”.

Lakeland also plans to “buy in” value with a focus on internationalisation. Like many other co-ops, Kelly said there will be a need for an increase in finance for sustainability measures.

Killeshandra is Lakeland Dairies’ main food service facility and the second largest operating facility owned by the co-op after Bailieboro, which produces milk powder.

Among the products produced in Killeshandra are milk, UHT, butter, cream, ice-cream, and casein. Airlines and hospitality are large clients for Lakeland’s food service products such as its milk ‘sticks’.

The co-op is investing €17 million euro to bring liquid milk to the Killeshandra facility.

The Guild of Agricultural Journalists – southern section held its annual general meeting (AGM) at The Heritage Killenard, Co. Laois on May 20, 2023 which included a lively debate between some European elections candidates.

Agriguild president Matt O’Keeffe moderated the panel discussion which included former general secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA), Eddie Punch who was running on behalf of Independent Ireland; Green Party senator Pauline O’Reilly; and Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher.

Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly was invited to attend, however unfortunately he cancelled on the day.

The three candidates all gave their views on generational renewal and the impact of climate change, and outlined their priorities should they be elected to the European Parliament.

MEP Billy Kelleher said he wanted to ensure live exports from Ireland continue and that Ireland maintains access to the single market. He suggested that there should be more financing options for medium-sized and small enterprises and the agricultural sector.

Kelleher said:

I don’t believe Irish banks are lending in the way that they should be to the agricultural sector in general.

Kelleher said he would also like to work on the Industrial Emissions Directive and other legislation that is “putting environmental obligations” on farmers.

Senator Pauline O’Reilly said she feels that Green Party members should be attending any event organised across the country where rural life or agriculture are being discussed. She said:

It’s dishonest to point the finger at people who care about the environment, because my experience coming from a farming background is that farmers care every bit as much about nature as everybody else. And I also think that Greens and environmentalists care every bit as much about rural Ireland as everybody else.

Eddie Punch contributed to the discussion by stating that Irish farmers and rural communities are “tired” of being dictated to by policy. He said:

People on the ground are tired of being told what to think, what to eat, where to go and what to drive.

Punch said that people across the country are “tired” of having carbon tax imposed on diesel cars when they have no alternative.

Punch also explained that farmers are finding it hard to plan or invest financially with some uncertainty over Ireland’s nitrates derogation, which is making farm profitability and sustainability very challenging.

The successful event concluded with lunch for members and guests at the Heritage Hotel.

The 155th Balmoral Show took place in spring sunshine from Wednesday 15th to Saturday 18th May 2024 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn. On the Thursday evening, RUAS President, and Guild member, John Henning welcomed members of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists Ireland to a special reception.

Northern members were joined by some southern members who had travelled north to enjoy the largest agricultural event in Northern Ireland. The two course evening meal afforded a welcome rest from a busy week photographing, reporting, filming and recording the livestock class results as well as industry launches and product updates.

Chairperson of the northern section of the Guild, Rebecca McConnell thanked the RUAS for their kind hospitality and wished John every success in his term as President.

RUAS President John Henning greets GAJ Ireland (Northern Section) Chair Rebecca McConnell, ahead of the reception in the President’s Lounge at the 2024 Balmoral Show.

esident John Henning chats to Bree and Darryl Rutledge at the reception in the President’s Lounge at Balmoral Show.

RUAS Communications Manager Gemma Dickey, Stacey Patterson, Patterson PR, Rachel White, Alltech Ireland Marketing manager, Aislínn Campbell, Alltech Ireland, GAJ Ireland (Northern Section) Chair Rebecca McConnell, and Sara McCracken, RSPB pictured at the RUAS reception during Balmoral Show.

Richard Halloran, Tomás Cooney, Agriland’s Commercial Manager, Sara McCracken, RSPB and Agriland’s Managing Director Cormac Farrelly enjoy a catch up at the reception for GAJ at Balmoral Show.

Communications Manager Gemma Dickey with Irish Farmers’ Journal reporter Tom Morrow.

Bree Rutledge and Darryl Rutledge chatting with Rachel Martin, IFAJ Delegate.

RUAS President John Henning chats with News Letter editor, Ben Lowry.

Basil Bayne, Liam De Paor, Brian Donaldson, Impartial Reporter and Kevin McAuley, McAuley Multimedia.

RUAS President John Henning makes a speech to the GAJ members gathered on Thursday evening of the 155th Balmoral Show.

The Guild of Agricultural Journalists hosted the biennial Michael Dillon Memorial Lecture in the grand setting of The K Club, Co. Kildare on November 24,2023.

The special guest speaker to deliver the lecture was former chair of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists, European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness.

The event, which was supported by Kerry Group, was well attended by AgriGuild members who had the opportunity to hear the commissioner recall her memories of Michael Dillon, the importance of agriculture now more than ever, and how she felt confident that Ireland would retain its nitrates derogation status.

McGuinness also referenced how important exports are for Ireland as an economic nation and the significance of ensuring it is on a sustainable basis both financially and environmentally.

She mentioned European soils and their degraded state during her lecture and outlined to those in attendance the enhanced gravitas agriculture now holds in the European Commission compared to times past.

Chair of the southern Guild of Agricultural Journalists, Stella Meehan welcomed guests to prestigious event and referenced the theme of ‘The Business of Agriculture’ during her address.

She explained that the ‘business of agriculture’ has never been as important as we strive to ensure food security across the world but also continue to support our rural areas and livelihoods.

Former IFAJ delegate Damien O’Reilly also addressed the gathering and participated in a questions and answers session with the commissioner. President of the All-Ireland Guild of Agricultural Journalists, Matt O’Keeffe and chair of Kerry Group, Tom Moran also addressed the event.