Laois farm harvests national Grain Growers of the Year title
Champion growers Bobby and Denise Miller, who won the coveted Grain Grower of the Year title, pictured with Tirlán chairperson John Murphy. Photo: Finbarr O'Rourke
TWO Laois farms have harvested top honours at the Tirlán quality grain awards, including the overall national title.
Bobby and Denise Miller of Rathmore, Stradbally were named Tirlán Grain Growers of the Year 2025 this week and also won the food grade oats category, while Eugene and Eimear Ryan of Ballycarroll, Portlaoise won the seed barley award.
They were among the country’s top tillage farmers celebrated on 10 February, when winners were announced at events in Castlemartyr Resort and Midleton Distillery Experience in Co Cork.
Bobby Miller was recognised for his ‘exceptional attention to detail, strong technical standards and consistent delivery of premium-quality gluten free oats’, which won both the overall award and the food grade oats category.
The awards recognise the very best of Tirlán’s grain suppliers and celebrate excellence across barley, wheat, oats, beans and oilseed rape. Twelve category winners were recognised for producing crops of outstanding quality last year.
Tirlán chairperson John Murphy said the awards provided an important opportunity to highlight the great work of growers, who supply the cooperative with high-quality native grains.
He said: “It is always a pleasure to recognise the growers who are delivering excellent quality year after year. The winners announced today reflect the high standards that exist right across our grower base.
“Our growers delivered outstanding crops and demonstrated remarkable professionalism throughout a highly concentrated harvest window. As Ireland’s largest buyer of native grains, Tirlán remains fully committed to supporting farm families and maximising the value of Irish-grown crops.”
Tirlán’s head of grains Michael Ryan said the group continues to focus on innovation as it develops and expands its ingredients portfolio, with ongoing investment in facilities and research and development.
He said: “Tirlán’s specialty oat ingredients are now used in beverages, confectionery, ice cream and other products, supported by the strong traceability and clean-label attributes that Irish grains can deliver.”
