Offaly growers among the winners at prestigious awards event

OFFALY-based growers, JHK Bracken Partnership in Foxcovert, Munny, Kilcormac, have won the Seed Barley category at this year’s prestigious Tirlán Quality Grain Awards.

Joe and Helen Bracken and their son Kieran are farming 300 acres in a partnership. They grow a range of crops, including winter and spring barley, maize, oilseed rape, hemp and a small area of grassland which they summer graze with cattle. Both minimum tillage and conventional cultivation are carried out, depending on soil and weather conditions.

An excellent rotation, including break crops, allows them to grow seed crops of barley annually. Maize is contract grown for two farmers. Slurry is imported from dairy and pig producers onto the farm into a purpose-built lagoon located in the middle of the farm and this is spread using an umbilical system, allowing for a reduction in the use of mineral fertilisers. Brackens have been using protected urea for seven years.

Interestingly, the Hemp grown on farm is now being processed on the farm and being sold to supermarkets and health shops across the midlands with the aim to wholesale more to end users.

This winning crop of seed barley was the winter variety, Tardis, and produced an average specific weight of 69.8 kph at a moisture of 18.8% across almost 100 tonnes with screenings of 2.5% and protein of 10.3%. The Brackens’ Tirlán agronomist is Oisin Lacey.

Meanwhile, champion growers Art and Ann Murphy won the coveted Grain Grower of the Year title at the Tirlán Quality Grain Award for 2024 and have been singled out for their exceptional attention to detail in producing top quality grains on the family farm.

The Murphys, from Killabeg, Ferns, Enniscorthy in Wexford, also won the individual award for Winter (Cassia) Feed Barley for harvest 2024. The Murphy family was among 14 top grain growers commended at the highly competitive Tirlán Quality Grain Awards for 2024 ceremony that took place on Wednesday last, at The Guinness Storehouse.

John Murphy, Tirlán Chairperson, said Tirlán remains Ireland’s largest buyer and user of native Irish grains and has paid a top price at harvest for the last five years. “There has been a significant increase in the quantity of barley going to the brewing and distilling industry from harvest 2024. It is wonderful to get the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the ‘cream of the crop’ among our dedicated and passionate growers here at the Guinness Storehouse today.

“Innovation in the marketplace is key at Tirlán and we’re seeing significant growth opportunities for our oat-based drinks in Asia and the US in particular. Our functional oat flours are also gaining more traction in new markets. It is this commitment to investing in facilities and innovation that allows Tirlán to grow its premium grains portfolio to target new markets and deliver premium grains opportunities for our growers.”

Tirlán’s Oat-Standing™ portfolio has expanded with specialty oat ingredients used in beverages, chocolate, ice cream and so much more. The oats portfolio and plant-based offerings are sought after in the marketplace, offering strong traceability from Irish farms, and clean label benefits that resonate with health-conscious consumers.