The semi-finals of the FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2015 are under way. The county finalists for each enterprise are taking part in the semi-finals.

Six finalists will then be chosen to go through to the national final in Mayo on 1 September. The total prize fund for this year’s competition is €10,000. Prizes will be awarded to the overall FBD Young Farmer of the Year, as well as enterprise prizes for dairy, beef, sheep and other (tillage, pigs, poultry, etc). This week, we introduce you to the beef category county finalists.

Francis Farrell

  • Age: 32.
  • County/region: Louth.
  • Macra club: Termonfeckin.
  • IFA branch: Monasterboice.
  • Enterprise: Beef.

    • Conor Lynch

  • Age: 24.
  • County/region: Cavan.
  • Macra club: Ramor.
  • Enterprise: Beef.

    • Chris Gethings

  • Age: 24.
  • County/region: Offaly.
  • Macra club: Tullamore.
  • IFA branch: Cappincur, Co Offaly.
  • Enterprise: Beef.

    • Adam Brownrigg

  • Age: 22.
  • County/region: Carlow.
  • Macra club: Kildavin/Clonegal.
  • IFA branch: Enniscorthy.
  • Enterprise: Beef.

    • Thomas O’Connor

  • Age: 24.
  • County/region: Kildare.
  • Macra club: South Kildare.
  • Enterprise: Beef.

    • Cian Burke

  • Age: 21.
  • County/region: North Tipperary.
  • Macra club: Nenagh.
  • IFA branch: Terryglass, Nenagh.
  • Enterprise: Beef. Niall Egan
  • Age: 25.
  • County/region: Roscommon.
  • Macra club: South Roscommon.
  • Enterprise: Beef.

    • David Mitchell

  • Age: 21.
  • County/region: Galway.
  • Macra club: Aughrim.
  • IFA branch: Killimor.
  • Enterprise: Beef.

    • Edmond Curtin

  • Age: 25.
  • County/region: Avondhu, Cork.
  • Macra club: Freemount.
  • Enterprise: Beef.

    • The All-Ireland final of the FBD Farmskills competition has been won by the team from Callan Macra, Co Kilkenny.

    The team beat off stiff competition at the final held at the Tullamore Show.

    Demonstrating that safety and efficiency go hand in hand, they also won the farm safety award in the competition.

    Whitechurch Macra, Seandun, Co Cork, came in second place, while the team from Kilmeen Macra, Carbery, Cork, came in third place in the competition.

    Academic test

    The teams completed an academic test, followed by a variety of farm tasks, including stockproof fencing, gate hanging and tractor skills.