The FBD/Macra Young Farmer of the Year 2020 competition was recently launched and will run over the coming months, searching for the top young farmers around the country, recognising the achievements, hard work and positive attitude of these young people. To be part of the competition is an honour and all aspiring young farmers should be encouraged to go forward with their best efforts to claim this coveted title. There have been plenty of unique challenges in 2020, but as Irish agriculture and Irish farmers have continued to provide food to the highest standards worldwide, so too will the tradition of this competition continue.

Having had the great honour of receiving this prestigious accolade last year, it has opened many doors and broadened my horizons far greater than I could have ever expected. I am farming in partnership with my parents, Willie and Catherine, in Doonbeg, Co Clare, milking 180 dairy cows in a spring-calving grass-based system. The key drivers of our farming system are high-EBI cows, combined with a major focus on grassland management to optimise milk output, while working in conjunction with the environment.

The competition has afforded me many opportunities, including the possibility to be part of the national ag affairs committee, with the great work of the national committees and national council requiring acknowledgement, not least the preparation of a very impressive pre-budget submission highlighting many issues facing young farmers and providing solutions to increase the vibrancy of rural Ireland.

While farm walks and other physical events have been put on hold for the time being, replaced by online calls and virtual events, they too will return in due course.

There are a number of stages and sections to the competition, all with their own individual challenges, but each one provides the possibility to learn while engaging with the coordinators, judges and the other participants. As we continuously gain knowledge and implement new technologies in our farming systems, we improve and fine tune our farming practices to ensure we can increase the efficiency of food production while protecting our environment and the many natural habitats that share the land we farm.

It is these practices that grant us the competitive advantage of producing grass-based products, which are sought after around the world. It is hugely important to maintain these levels of innovation in to the future, to increase the number of young farmers and maintain a vibrant industry.

The running of this extraordinary competition is only possible due to its core coordinators and sponsors, who deserve massive credit and should take great pride in what this competition achieves. The very best of luck to all of this year’s participants in the competition, and in their farming careers in the future.