The search is on for the 22nd FBD Macra na Feirme Young Farmer of the Year, a competition organised by Macra na Feirme and sponsored by FBD and supported by the IFA.
Young farmers involved in sectors such as dairy, drystock (beef and sheep), land mobility and other enterprises (including horticulture, pigs, poultry, tillage) are invited to enter and the winner of each sector will compete to be crowned the 2020 FBD Young Farmer of the Year.
The National Rural Network sponsors the award for biodiversity farmer of the year.
“FBD Insurance is delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with Macra na Feirme and the prestigious FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards.”
“We are proud to support an award that celebrates the achievements of young farmers and their contribution to farming.”
“I wish all of the applicants the very best in this competition and urge all eligible young farmers to take part and to showcase the next generation of farming talent in Ireland. Everyone at FBD is looking forward to seeing the levels of enterprise management and innovation on display from this year’s entrants” said John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Officer, FBD Insurance.
Awards
This year features awards for the best emerging young farmer, land mobility, the most climate change conscious young farmer, the best farm manager and the national rural network biodiversity farmer of the year award.
The land mobility category will focus on farmers who display innovative solutions to accessing and utilising land for farming.
This includes farming arrangements that best demonstrate the benefits of collaborations such as long-term leases, registered partnerships, share farming, share milking and contract rearing for all parties involved.
Macra na Feirme president, Thomas Duffy, said, “Every the year the standard and calibre of entries demonstrates the best in farming.”
“The proud tradition of the competition is in showcasing the best young people in farming and the challenges they have overcome.”
Prizes
The overall winner of the 2020 FBD Young Farmer of the Year will receive a travel bursary of €3,000 and each category winner will receive €500. All county winners will also receive an award for their accomplishment.
How to enter
You can nominate a young farmer for one of the categories or you can enter yourself by visiting www.macra.ie. The closing date for applications is August 25th, 2020.
