Kilkenny farmer wins national beef farmer of the year award

Clara farmer and all round sportsman, John Phelan was a winner in multiple categories at the nationwide Zurich Insurance Farmer of the Year Awards, which were held at the Hudson Bay Hotel in Athlone on Thursday of last week.
John took home the award for Beef Farmer of the Year and also received the Excellence in Farm Safety Award.
The Awards featured six farming categories including Dairy, Beef, Tillage, Sheep, Rising Star and Farm Safety, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Gillian O’Sullivan, from Waterford, took home the gold receiving the Grand Prix 2018 Farmer of the Year Award, the title prize at the annual Zurich Insurance sponsored awards.
The Zurich Farm Insurance Farming Independent Farmer of the Year awards are in their fifth year and aim to shine a light on one of the most successful and important sectors within the Irish economy. P
Presented by Ear to The Ground’s Helen Carroll, where 180 people came together to recognise excellence in all areas of the Irish farming industry.
Having overcome tough competition to take home two of the top accolades, Beef Farmer of the Year, John, was presented with cash prizes of €2,000 during the awards ceremony.

“Winners have set themselves apart, particularly John Phelan and those who were shortlisted this year,” Graham Minogue, Zurich Insurance said.
Sponsors were Zurich Insurance, ICMSA, Teagasc, Irish Independent and Cormac Tagging.