May 7, 2026
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At Fox Covert Farm, farming is about more than just producing crops. It is about quality, sustainability, innovation, and building a future for Irish agriculture. We are incredibly proud that the JHK Bracken Partnership at Fox Covert Farm was recognised at the prestigious Tirlán Quality Grain Awards, winning the Seed Barley category for 2024.
Our family farm, run by Joe and Helen Bracken alongside their son Kieran, has been farming approximately 300 acres in Offaly with a strong focus on sustainable tillage practices and crop rotation. Over the years, we have worked hard to combine traditional farming knowledge with modern methods that improve soil health, crop quality, and environmental sustainability.
Winning the Seed Barley category was a proud moment for our family and a reflection of the care and attention that goes into every stage of production. Our award-winning winter barley variety, Tardis, delivered exceptional results with strong specific weight, low screenings, and excellent protein levels.
At Fox Covert Farm, crop rotation plays a major role in maintaining healthy soils and consistent grain quality. Alongside winter and spring barley, we also grow maize, oilseed rape, hemp, and maintain a small area of grassland for summer grazing cattle. This diverse system allows us to naturally improve soil fertility while reducing pressure from pests and disease.
Sustainability is central to how we farm. We use both minimum tillage and conventional cultivation methods depending on soil conditions and weather patterns. This flexible approach helps protect soil structure while improving efficiency.
We also import slurry from local dairy and pig farms into a purpose-built lagoon located centrally on the farm. Using an umbilical spreading system allows nutrients to be applied more accurately and reduces reliance on mineral fertilisers. In addition, we have been using protected urea for the past seven years to help lower emissions and improve nitrogen efficiency.
These practices are part of our long-term commitment to farming responsibly while continuing to produce premium Irish grain.
One of the most exciting developments at Fox Covert Farm has been the growth of our hemp enterprise. What started as a rotation crop has now become an expanding business supplying hemp products to supermarkets and health shops across the Midlands.
The combination of traditional grain farming and innovative crop diversification reflects our vision for the future of Irish agriculture. We believe modern farms must continue to adapt, explore new opportunities, and create added value wherever possible.
Being recognised by Tirlán among some of Ireland’s top grain growers is a huge honour. These awards celebrate the dedication and standards required to produce high-quality Irish grain for food, brewing, and distilling industries.
At Fox Covert Farm, we remain committed to producing premium crops while protecting the land for future generations. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us on this journey and we look forward to continuing to innovate and grow in the years ahead.
