Enda Farrell from County Longford, is the 2019 Teagasc/FBD Student of the Year. The announcement was made at an online virtual awards ceremony on Monday, November 16th at 7pm.
Enda Farrell completed the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agricultural (Dairy Herd Management) in Teagasc Ballyhaise College.
He returned to a family farm partnership and established a dairy herd in 2020. Farrell found the course to be highly beneficial, particularly herd performance measurement, financial management and the need for work-life balance.
Through the course, he has become more keenly aware of sustainable farming approaches such as hedgerow and waterway management, protected urea, low emission slurry spreading and on-farm energy-saving measures.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, congratulated the finalists and particularly Farrell; “I would like to congratulate all of the finalists on your brilliant achievement.”
“You and your families can be very proud of what you have achieved. I wish you well in your future careers.”
Runner-up awards
The first runner-up award went to Michael Kennedy, from County Limerick. Michael completed a Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming. He originally worked off-farm, and having expanded the dairy herd, made the decision to go full-time farming.
Furthermore, the second runner-up award went to Máire Keohane from County Cork. Máire completed the Level 6 Advanced Dairy Herd Management programme in Teagasc Clonakilty.
She found the advanced dairy programme to be very rewarding and enrolled in the Teagasc Professional Dairy Diploma in Dairy Farm Management.
The awards, which are sponsored by FBD, are being made to the top graduates of Teagasc Level 6 agricultural training programmes in 2019.
John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Officer, FBD Insurance, said: “At FBD Insurance, we are committed to supporting the next generation of farmers and their families.”
“We are proud to be working with Teagasc on these awards for over 30 years to recognise and celebrate the outstanding students that complete their agricultural education each year. I congratulate all of the finalists and wish them every success.”
The other finalists in the competition were:
- Andrew Naughton, Co Clare
- David Crowe, Co Clare
- Jack Kingston, Co Kildare
- John O’Mahony, Co Cork
- Mark Drohan, Co Waterford
- Michael Cunnane, Co Mayo
- Michael Lavin, Co Sligo
- Patrick Prior, Co Leitrim
- Sarah Kearney, Co Galway
- Sean Quinlan, Co Tipperary
- Steven Ryan, Co Galway
Future leaders
Professor Gerry Boyle Teagasc Director said: “The 14 students recognised through these awards are the future leaders in Irish agriculture and I wish them well in their farming endeavours.”
“I would also like to thank FBD Insurance for their continued support, sponsoring the Student of the Year Awards since their inception over three decades ago.”
