Young farmers are being urged to take part in the Macra/FBD Young Farmer of the year competition.

The deadline for applications is Friday 29 May, so little over a week remains to enter. Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, 2014 Farmer of the Year Sean O’Donnell said the winning title was an honour, and the substantial €3,000 bursary prize, was very welcome, but were a bonus on top of all gained from entering.

“Participation in the competition was a win in itself,” he said. “I gained so much from benchmarking myself against some of the best young farmers in the country, from the self-analysis of my farm system and my execution of my farm plan that was required as preparation, and from the intensive examination of my farm in the interview process”.

Sean strongly urged farmers to take part. “You won’t be sorry for entering, it’s certainly one of the best decisions I ever made”.

  • See www.macra.ie for further details.