Michael Ward

Michael Ward

Farming in Clonee, Co. Meath, Michael was an intensive producer of beef cattle for factory slaughter and also engaged in a range of tillage enterprises, principally grain growing. Michael joined the IGA Council in the late 1960’s. He was active involved in the IGA preparations and planning for Irelands access to the new opportunities opening up in Europe’s high price markets at the time. The talk of the day was about farm expansion, silage making, slatted sheds, capital investment and access to finance. Consequently, the thirst for new information amongst IGA members and the exchange of ideas for lifting farm profits reached a peak. This was the context of Michaels’ role and the role of his fellow council members for the delivery of technology transfer and financial know-how into commercial practice during his time as President. Married to Terry, also a regular participant at IGA and Fam Study tours. In 1973 Michael travelled to Moscow on the occasion of the XII International Grassland Congress as Council member representing the IGA in its bid to bring the Congress to Ireland in 1977. But the deciding vote was taken with the massed Soviet delegates participating and Leipzig in East Germany was chosen. The IGA then activated an International Meeting of Temperate Grasslands in June 1977 as a follow-on event to the Leipzig Congress; 365 delegates attended.