Macra na Feirme is set for its biggest ever National Ploughing Championships this year with the launch of its inaugural tractor safety award. Over the three days, 60 young farmers will display their driving ability to the crowd in the hope of being crowned the Macra na Feirme/ Harry Ferguson Tractor Driver Safety Award winner for 2017.

Macra will also introduce some candidates for the Macra na Feirme/FBD Young Farmer of the Year for 2017, as well as unveiling participants in its Macra na Feirme Young Farmer Skillnet Beef Sustainability Programme in association with Dawn Meats.

The organisation will also have some entertainment on offer, in the form of its Tractorpool Karaoke. If it works for James Corden on the streets of LA, there is no reason why it won’t work for Macra in the fields of Co Offaly. Special commemorative Macra na Feirme Croke Park GAA jerseys will also be on sale at the stand.

Finally, the annual Macra ploughing class competition in association with the National Ploughing Association will take place on Wednesday 20 September.

Speaking about the upcoming Ploughing, Macra na Feirme president James Healy said: “As in other years, Macra will have a huge presence. It is one of the most important cultural events in the Irish calendar, worth over €35m to the economy.

“We are very much looking forward to the three days and can’t wait to welcome the public to our stand.”