If you spend hours toiling to ensure your farmyard always look pristine, then why not cash in on it? The closing date for the FBD National Farmyard Awards 2015 is fast-approaching and this is a competition that shouldn’t be shied away from as there’s a prize fund of over €22,000 up for grabs.

While officially we’re looking for entries from three categories – livestock, dairy and all other enterprises – we’re interested in farmyards of all shapes and sizes.

In fact, we would love to see all enterprises represented in the entries, from smaller holdings to big dairy operations, from stud farms to artisan food producers, to the person who only keeps show cattle as a hobby or has chickens clucking around the back. The great news is that the deadline has been extended, so if you’ve been humming and hawing about entering, that’s no longer an excuse.

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FBD sponsors the awards and its generous prize fund, and has done so ever since the event first began eight years ago.

To enter, send a minimum of four photos, each photo named and related to the adjudication categories, and a cover letter of 200 words outlining why you should win the competition to farmyard@farmersjournal.ie

Alternatively, post entries to FBD Farmyard Competition, Irish Farmers Journal, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. Please include your name, address and phone number with all entries.

The closing date for entries is now Friday 7 August. In the meantime, take your cue from some of these previous winners.

Kevin Nolan, Kileen Lane, Grangeford, Co Carlow

Kevin credits his win in the competition with the focus on farm safety at his place.

“It’s a team effort. I’m the driver in encouraging safety, but I think when you encourage people they get into the habit of using safety goggles and ear muffs. When you go into the workshop all the safety gear must be there. If it’s not people won’t use it, but if, for example, the safety goggles are near the power tools then they’ll pick them up.”

This is very important on a farm such as Kevin’s as there are always people coming and going. Firstly, there is Kevin’s right-hand man Gordon Hanbidge, who is with him almost all-year round. Kevin also has a Teagasc student helping in autumn and another one in spring, as well as a handful of young people during the summer to help with all the work that comes with the harvest.

“I’m very cautious when it comes to everything. I got dash cameras for the tractors for safety because the roads are becoming more and more dangerous. It’s an independent witness of anything that happens on the road.”

The win meant a lot to Kevin Nolan and his family. He says his wife and kids “were buzzing about it for a long time”. So much so, that his son was caught taking the award to school in his bag.

“His attitude was: ‘daddy has the number one farmyard in Ireland’,” explains Kevin. “It’s a huge thing and we got lovely photos. We have the plaque in the office now and anyone that comes in sees it. It’s a lifetime achievement and it’s a measure of quality. It’s nice to get the acknowledgement of the hard work that goes in.”

Kevin’s advice for those considering entering is to not be afraid to step forward.

“There are many good farmers out there who are doing it every day. Don’t be afraid to put your name out there – it’s your time to shine.”

The Dalton Farmyard, Broguestown Stud, Rathmore, Naas, Co Kildare

It’s no surprise that Michael Dalton came away from this competition successful, given his farm is always kept in pristine condition and it was going to be hard to beat – competition or no competition.

He didn’t have to do that much preparation before the arrival of the judging panel (this made the cash prize of €3,000 all the sweeter). All it took was half a day of doing minor things to bring the place up to standard.

That is because Michael continuously maintains his yard. The lawns are mowed, the hedges are trimmed regularly and anything broken is always repaired.

“It takes plenty of time, and in some respect this time spent is not rewarded – except for the satisfaction you get from it,” notes Michael.

One of the few jobs Michael did undertake for the competition was erecting some extra signs.

He does note that an advantage for his taking part in the competition was that he felt health and safety improved. Everything that should be in place with regard to health and safety was there in time for the judging – he now has signs where they should be if the inspector comes in.