Another year, another successful Women & Agriculture Conference, this time at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim. Irish Country Living and FBD may organise the conference and its speakers, but once again it’s the audience and their sheer enthusiasm which make it a fantastic day out.

It was very easy for us to pick a theme this year as 2014 is the UN Year of Family Farming, and after the conference the ladies couldn’t stop speaking about the stories of our regional winners, in particular the brave talk from Con Murphy, Munster winner, who spoke about his depression in 2009. His sheer honesty about the dark, dark place he was in was very worthy of the standing ovation he received.

Another lady who rightly deserved a standing ovation was Jenny Kent of Abbeyleix Manor Hotel in Laois. You could hear a pin drop as she spoke about her husband Bobby developing Alzheimer’s disease in his 50s.

She spoke of the bittersweet memories of him during those few years when his disease was developing. However, it was heartbreaking to hear of the day that their children took him to a nursing home, something she said she “just could not do herself”.

It wasn’t all sad stories, as the conference always embraces success stories of the farming community. No success story could really match that of Margaret Farrelly of Clonarn Clover and her family, known widely for her role on RTÉ’s The Secret Millionaire.

They started out in 1988 with 150 laying hens, but last year they made €13 short of €6m.

Comedian Oliver Callan was another highlight of the day with his amazing impersonations of top Irish personalities. However, it was definitely his skit on Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh and silage season that had the room rolling around laughing. And what a way to finish off the day with Mary Byrne of The X-Factor blowing our socks off with her powerful voice. Looking forward to seeing you all next year ladies.