I’ve been a regular at the Ploughing since I started working in the Irish Farmers Journal 17 years ago. In that time our stand has changed out of all recognition as we try to bring the pages alive with discussions and demonstrations.

I really enjoy Neven Maguire’s cooking demonstrations. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen him do his tricks with the spun sugar, and yet every time I still get a kick out of it. In the early days, Neven was working out of a tiny space at the back of the marquee and, to be honest, I don’t know how he managed. At least now he has hot and cold water, tables, a fridge and space in which to do his magic.

Each day he did three cookery demonstrations with three different recipes and all their trimmings at each one. The sheer logistics of having everything he needed for the three days is mind-boggling.

I love his demonstrations and the interaction between him and the audience. This year we introduced a chef’s table for the first time, where members of the audience were served up a three-course meal prepared by Neven. And they loved it. No doubt he will go down a treat at the Women & Agriculture Conference where he will have lots of good advice on how to prepare fast, nutritious meals for families.

Another speaker at the conference is Master of Holles Street Hospital, Dr Rhona Mahony. She doesn’t mince her words when it comes to the funding of maternity services in this country (pages 6-7).

“Birth is a women’s issue. It’s hidden, out of the way and women deal with it, hence we have had next to no substantial investment in maternity infrastructure since the 1930s,” she says.

Turning to the media, Dr Mahony says there needs to be more balance in how outcomes in maternity hospitals are reported. “Every day we wake up and there’s an adverse story in the paper it has a very demoralising effect on staff who feel very scared that they will become the next media sensation. There are no gods in medicine – just humans,” she says.

These issues which affect the health and wellbeing of mothers and their babies and women of all ages are a taste of the topics she will cover in her address at the conference. Booking details for the conference are on page 13.

But back to the Ploughing. For me, it’s not about the tractors or all the trade stands. It’s really about the people. I get to speak to so many loyal readers and do you know, a kind word really makes my day.

Most people find three long days at the Ploughing very tiring but I feel like I’m being recharged by all the goodwill and nice comments directed towards Irish Country Living and Irish Country Magazine. So thank you all very much for that support.

I had lots of chats with people; some were in good form but others were anything but. The weather, prices and outlook are putting huge strain on farming families. We don’t know the half of it. Thanks to everyone who got in touch in relation to Mary and her call for advice. Everything has been passed on to her and we will return to it at a later date.