Seated: Harry McGaffan, Andy Bryan, Ivan McMullan of Glen Tender Ltd.,

Standing: Prof. Gerry Boyle, Director, Teagasc, Michele Gildernew, M.L.A. Minister for agriculture & Rural Development, Northern Ireland, Peter Young, Farmers Journal, John Concannon, Managing Director, JFC Manufacturing.

Story:

Three northern beef farmers, Andy Bryan from Co Antrim, Ivan McMullan from Co Antrim and Harry McGaffin from Co Armagh have won the 2009 JFC Innovation Awards. They carried away the top prize worth €15,000 for their business Glen Tender Ltd. The business set up in 2007, is focused on creating a premium beef brand that allows them to have control of the price they get paid for beef.

Nicholas and Judith Dunne of Killowen Yogurt won the value added/speciality foods category worth €3,000. The couple produce the yogurt on their home farm outside Enniscorthy Co Wexford.

The Edwards family won the Services/rural tourism category, worth €3,000 for their impressive Hillsborough farm shop in Ramelton, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. The family, who have plenty of farming experience in rearing cattle, sheep, and growing potatoes, vegetables and herbs, opened the purpose built farm shop last September.

McMahon Eco fuels, set up by Michael McMahon in the old poultry plant in Kantoher, Co Limerick won the energy/manufacturing prize of €3,000. Michael became the first in the country to manufacture wood briquettes and is now also producing wood chips and shavings.

Brain Phelan, living in Tydnavet, Co Monaghan, won the young entrepreneur award for developing a business supplying duck eggs.

John Concannon, JFC congratulated Glen Tender, the overall winners, for taking a different approach to what many see as an insurmountable problem – the poor price they receive for their beef. “These three farmers, and all the farmers who entered, are an inspiration and show what can be done by adding value to the resources that they already have” said John.

He added by saying that the finalists are a reflection of the innovation that is happening in rural Ireland. Their energy, diversity and innovation is the future for what is needed for rural Ireland.

Presenting the awards, Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA said “This competition is all about encouraging and providing tangible support for Innovation in the countryside. “There is no doubt about the need for rural dwellers to continue to investigate different ways of using their resources.

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