The incoming President of Irish Grassland Association Philip Donohoe made a presentation of a painting to the outgoing President Andrew Cromie commissioned by well renowned Co. Meath artist Denis O'Toole.

A presentation of a certificate was then made to Andrew Cromie by Maura Callery secretary of the Irish Grassland Association which read "For his outstanding vision, leadership and work ethic whilst President of the Irish Grassland Association during which time membership of the association increased by 104%, corporate membership by 90% to 51 and 3 regional development officers were recruited; consequently ensuring the Irish Grassland Association remains dominant in the advancement and transfer of knowledge, and the forum for exchange of views, on all aspects of grassland for Irelands beef, sheep and dairy sectors".

Commenting on his term as president, Andrew Cromie acknowledged the work of the staff and council in delivering an excellent year for the association. “The fact that both our membership and corporate membership has almost doubled in the last 12 months is a direct reflection of the hard work and effort put in by council and staff, including our 3 new regional development officers. I would like to thank all those that made my term such a memorable occasion and to wish Phillip all the best for the next 12 months”

Profile of Philip Donohoe:

The new President of the Irish Grassland Association:
Philip Donohoe is the new President of The Irish Grassland Association, taking over from Andrew Cromie at the Associations AGM on 16th September. Philip is married to Michelle and they have two children Katie 12 years and Jack 7 years. Philip is dairy farming near Goresbridge on the Carlow / Kilkenny border, where he milks 75 cows and rears dairy replacement heifers for sale on the 48 Ha family farm. His farming system is very much a simple one which is grass focused and concentrates on maximizing the amount of quality grass grown and eaten while delivering the best and most suitable genetics to harvest this grass.

Speaking after the AGM the new President said ‘he was looking forward to his new role and was excited by the prospect of further expanding and developing the Association, giving a better service to all its members, hosting more topical events locally as well as nationally. Hopefully raising the profile of the Association and making it even more relevant than it is today.’

Profile of Padraig French:

The new Vice President of the Irish Grassland Association:

Padraig French is the new Vice President of the Irish Grassland Association. Padraig is married to Mary-Clare and have 2 young children Anna and Paidi. Padraig is the head of the Dairy Production Research Department in Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy Co. Cork.

His research has included
• dairy farm systems
• low cost wintering systems,
• grassland management
• animal nutrition.

Profile of Heinz Eggert

New council member to the Irish Grassland Association:

Heinz Eggert has been elected as a new member to the Irish Grassland Association council. Heinz was born in Northern Germany and came from a farming background. Heinz moved to Ireland in 1985. Heinz is married to Maeve and have 2 children Mary-Anne 16 and Sean 13.
Heinz manages Sheplands Farm Limited a 70ha all Grassland farm in Sallins Co Kildare. They keep 90 Limousin cross spring calving suckler cows bringing all calves to beef in addition to a small Limousin Pedigree herd. Their aim is to produce quality beef for the home market in an efficient, profitable and environmental friendly way and careful managing the farm to pass it on to future generations. Sheplands Farm is also part of the Teagasc-Irish Farmers Journal Better Beef Program.

Heinz is also farming a 40 ha grazing block in partnership with a farm owner in Straffen Co Kildare were they keep 55 limousin cross suckler cows selling the bull calves as weanlings and keeping the heifer calves for breeding or beef.

Profile of Pat Weeks,

New council member of the Irish Grassland Association:

Pat Weeks has been elected as a new member to the Irish Grassland Association council. Pat is married to Olive and they have 5 children and live in Kilfinnane, Co Limerick. Despite Pat having qualified and worked in engineering, Pat and Olive decided to concentrate on full time farming in 2007. A thorough evaluation of their circumstances by this able duo led to an aggressive expansion of the farm which is still very much in progress. Today the Weeks family milk 120 mainly jersey cross cows on the 44 adjusted hectare milking platform. All replacement stock are reared on outside blocks where silage is also harvested. Firmly focused on “the right cow and the right grass” the intention is to milk 200 cows stocked at 3.5 cows/ha producing 400kg milk solids per cow. Achieving these targets will require high grass utilisation per hectare, achieved through measurement and targeted annual reseeding.

We were delighted to have the Weeks Family as one of the host farmers for the very successful Irish Grassland Association Dairy Summer tour this year.

Stepping down from the Irish Grassland Association council were David McGilloway, Nicholas McGill, Jan Fredericks, Andrew Moloney, John Renehan and Michael Gottstein.

Click here to view the minutes from the 2010 AGM