William Nolan, a farmer from Elphin, has been nominated for the first-ever Bord Bia Origin Green Farmer Awards, putting him among the most efficient farmers in the country.
Origin Green is the world’s first national programme to address climate change and the broader sustainability challenges in food and agriculture. Bord Bia is inaugurating the Farmer Awards this year to the exceptional performance being achieved by members of Bord Bia’s Beef and Dairy Sustainability Assurance Schemes, which are pivotal to differentiating Irish food and drink in the global marketplace.
Nominated in the Dairy Calf to Beef Production category, William Nolan manages a 32-hectare holding, including a small forestry plantation. The enterprise rears 70 calves a year, most sourced directly from farms.
Animals are fed an average of 35kg of milk powder before weaning, and the enterprise places a strong emphasis on maximising calf health and high weight gains from grass. The farm produces steers at an average finished weight of 290kg, and heifers at 270kg at 18-19 months.
A total of 28 beef and dairy finalists have been shortlisted for the Awards. These producers exemplify an environmentally conscious approach, producing what the market demands in a natural, sustainable manner. The overall winning producers will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, 21st of October.
