Heydon all set for first Ploughing as minister

The National Ploughing Championships is a fantastic event to celebrate the Irish agricultural sector and our rural communities.

Every year, the Ploughing showcases the ingenuity and innovation of our agricultural sector and the vital contribution the sector and rural communities make to our country.

As a farmer, Ploughing has always been a significant event for me. I am particularly looking forward to attending this year’s Ploughing, as it will be my first as Minister for Agriculture.

My earliest memories of attending the Ploughing would have been going as a child and taking time off school to attend when it was hosted in Oak Park in Carlow.

I remember being struck by the energy and excitement at Ploughing and this is something I continue to be impressed by each year when I attend.

More recently, in my first couple of years of as a TD representing Kildare South, we had three Ploughing Championships in a row in Athy. This was a great opportunity to showcase Kildare agriculture to the rest of the country, as well as putting on a great show.

Ploughing is also an important opportunity to meet with farmers and others who are working in the agricultural sector, to discuss the challenges and opportunities that we face.

I hope everyone attending this year has a brilliant Ploughing. I would like to congratulate the National Ploughing Association on organising what promises to be another fantastic event this year.