Kevin Moran is the 2016 FBD Young Farmer of the year. The 23 year old dairy farmer came through a strong field to win the competition in Drogheda on Tuesday.

Moran is the second winner of the award from Co Mayo in three years, following in the footsteps of Sean O'Donnell in 2014.

Beginnings

Moran started farming in his own right as a 19 year old in 2013, leasing a farm from his uncle Joe in Caherlistrane, across the co Galway border.

He is already milking 220 cows on 79ha, having taken a second lease on an adjoining farm owned by another uncle, Michael. Moran is technically a superb farmer, is a Nuffield scholar, and an example of the young generation of farmers unleashed by the ending of dairy quotas.

He was announced as winner by chairman of the judging panel Michael Hoey, MD of Country Crest Foods, and receives a bursary of €3,000.

Sectoral winners

The sectoral winners were announced as Moran for dairy, Co Offaly sheep farmer Michael Kenny, Co Donegal tillage farmer Stephen Robb and Mattie John Kelly a sheep farmer from Co Roscommon. The judge praised the candidates for their positivity and ability, noting the young age profile and diverse background of the final shortlist of six, which was completed by Co Kildare beef farmer Brian Keegan and Co Cavan dairy farmer Thomas Duffy.

Moran has previously been profiled in the Irish Farmers Journal, click the links below to read more about him.

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The path to success for Kevin Moran

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