Applications are now open for models for the Irish Farmer Calendar 2017, one of Ireland’s best-selling calendars since it first launched in 2010. The 2017 calendar will go on sale in September, and both full-time and part-time farmers are wanted to adorn the pages.

A quarter of calendar sales is donated to Irish farming charity Bóthar, which transports livestock to the developing world and enables families to overcome hunger and poverty. Costing €10, the calendar has raised just under €10,000 for Bóthar in the last seven years.

Ciara Ryan, calendar director, told the Irish Farmers Journal what you need to meet the modelling criteria: “You don’t have to be a full-time farmer; you can be a part-time farmer, or someone who grew up on a farm. You don’t have to have a six pack or wear fake tan – we’re just looking for farmers who are up for the craic, and relatively cute!

“A lot of farmers are very shy, so it’s actually a bit of a struggle to get models. The female attention is second to none – you won’t regret it,” she said.

Following the popularity of the calendar, a book titled Irish Farmers is also for sale, featuring the best calendar shots from the past seven years. The book is available in Easons and all independent bookstores, and is also being sold in the UK and the US.

“We’ve featured all sorts of animals in the calendar over the last seven years, so this year we’re looking to get a few new ones, like a snail farmer, for example – that would be interesting! It mightn’t be the sexiest, but we’ll give it a go!” Ciara said.

The closing date for applications is 15 June, and the photo shoot will be take place at the end of June at a location in Co Kilkenny. To apply now click here.