The winner of this year’s FBD Young Farmer of the Year, in association with Macra, was announced at a celebratory dinner in the Radisson Blu Little Island, Cork, on Tuesday 29 November.

The overall winner is Christopher Tuffy.

Christopher is a spring-calving dairy farmer from Sligo, milking on a leased block. He farms alongside his parents, partner Eimear and baby Iarlaith. Christopher plays football with Enniscrone/Kilglass GAA.

Commenting on the competition and the winning entrant, chair of the judging panel Joe Healy noted: “There was an extremely high standard from all the contestants at semi-final and final level and their knowledge, and positivity, towards the challenges and the opportunities in Irish agricultural was second to none.”

Tomás Ó’Midheach, CEO of FBD Insurance, said: “On behalf of the team at FBD, I would like to extend our congratulations to Christopher Tuffy. This award is very well deserved. It is a testament to Christopher’s hard work, passion and dedication.

“FBD Insurance is proud to partner with FBD Trust to continue our long-standing relationship with Macra and the FBD Young Farmer of the Year awards. We are proud to support awards which celebrate the achievements of our young farmers and their contribution to farming.

“ Our hope is that these awards will inspire the next generation of farmers to build strong and sustainable farm businesses for the future.”

John Keane, president of Macra, added: “On behalf of Macra, I would like to congratulate our overall winner Christopher Tuffy. Christopher has demonstrated the skills and knowledge that it takes to be the pinnacle of Irish agriculture.

“I know that Christopher will inspire many young people to become farmers for the future but also inspire those already farming to improve and develop. I also want to thank all our members who entered the competition for putting themselves forward and standing out from the crowd. I hope that you are very proud of yourselves and have learned from the competition.

“Macra and FBD have long been close allies and this competition recognises the importance of youth in Irish agriculture, which is critical to support to develop our sector in the long term.”

The first runner-up was Bill Gleeson, a dairy and beef farmer from outside Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and the second runner-up was Edward Treanor, a dairy farmer from Co Monaghan.

Category winners

  • Dairy category: Christopher Tuffy.
  • Land Mobility category: Michael Quigley.
  • Drystock category: Edward Roe.
  • Other enterprises category: Frank Melody.
  • Best new entrant award: Kieran Dunphy.
  • Biodiversity young farmer of the year: Andrew McMenamin.