The Avondhu rally committee has been working tirelessly since 2018 to ensure it leaves no stone unturned to host a rally to remember: the Co-Op Superstores “Let’s Avondhu It” Macra rally.

The Avondhu club has put together an exciting weekend beginning on Friday 25 October in Corrin Mart, Fermoy. The official opening of the conference is at 1.30pm and is followed by the national conference themed “Disruption in Agriculture – Thinking Smart”, which finishes at 5pm.

Conference speakers include Jim Woulfe, CEO of Dairygold, who will take part in a one-on-one discussion. There will be two panels discussing “inside the farm gate” and “outside the farm gate”.

Professor Donagh Berry of Moorepark, Dr Brendan Horan and a group of MEPs will be in attendance to name but a few. The conference is free to attend but booking is essential through www.macra.ie/macra-skillnet.

Friday’s next event takes place at rally headquarters for the weekend, the Radisson Blu, Little Island. The Irish Farmers Journal Know Your Ag quiz takes place from 7pm with teams from throughout the country competing for the coveted title.

The first of the weekend’s entertainment will take place following the quiz. Cork band Hell for Leather will take to the stage for the themed “traffic light night”. Red FM DJs will follow Hell for Leather, keeping the night going until the small hours.

Saturday boasts farm tours beginning at 10.30am. With three tours to choose from (dairy, beef and contractors) there is something for everyone. Farm tours are €25 and should be booked through www.macra.ie/macra-skillnet. There is an additional tour to Midleton Distillery departing at 11am. It costs €30.

Saturday afternoon sees the Imagine club of the year and best new member competitions with the Red FM roadshow at the Radisson from 3pm, while Saturday night we have the results of both club of the year and best new member, with music from Offaly’s own Ruaile Buaile and a Red FM DJ.

Sunday will see the Bord Bia beef and sheep stockjudging competitions at Corrin Mart in Fermoy.

While this is taking place, there will be chair yoga at 11am followed by a local band, which includes some Avondhu Macra members, The Fogues, in the hotel bar from 2pm.

At 5pm, the results of the beef and sheep stockjudging will take place in the lobby. The gala banquet begins at 7pm where there will be an opportunity to meet some of Macra’s past presidents.