The paper code cannot be redeemed when browsing in private/incognito mode. Please go to a normal browser window and enter the code there
This content is copyright protected!
However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the headline, summary and link below:
Title: Young Farmer of the Year final takes place next week
The Macra na Feirme/FBD Young Farmer of the Year takes place next Tuesday (28 November) in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Here, we profile the candidates.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to farmersjournal.ie on this browser until 9pm next Wednesday. Thank you for buying the paper and using the code.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact us.
For assistance, call 01 4199525
or email subs@farmersjournal.ie
If would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525
Reset password
Please enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password
If would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address.
Please click on the link in this email to reset
your password. If you can't find it in your inbox,
please check your spam folder. If you can't
find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
Email address not recognised
There is no subscription associated with this email
address. To read our subscriber-only content.
please subscribe or use the reader loyalty code.
If would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525
You have no more free articles this month
We hope you've enjoyed your 6 free articles. To continue reading, sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe for just €1 to get unlimited access for 30 days.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe for just €1 to get unlimited access for 30 days.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe for just €1 to get unlimited access for 30 days.
Young Farmer of the Year final takes place next week
The Macra na Feirme/FBD Young Farmer of the Year takes place next Tuesday (28 November) in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Here, we profile the candidates.
Thirty-two farmers will battle it out for the Young Farmer of the Year title on 28 November.
David Harney
Age: 24.
County/region: Galway.
Macra club: Caltra.
Enterprise: Sheep.
Background: ‘‘The farm is located in Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. I currently farm alongside my father and my brother on our farm. We run a mixed farm with purebred sheep, commercial sheep and sucklers. I sell the majority of my lambs by 1 October and I keep around 40 ewe lambs for replacement each year.’’
Martin Cole
Age: 29.
County/region: Carlow.
Macra club: Tullow.
Enterprise: Sheep.
Background: ‘‘I was involved in the family farm from a very young age. I have progressively increased my flock numbers and plan to lamb 328 ewes in spring 2018. The most positive aspect of farming for me is the ability to work outdoors.’’
John Flood
Age: 26.
County/region: Kilkenny.
Macra club: Cushinstown.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I was always interested in breeding cows and was encouraged to be out on the farm helping from a young age. I completed my level 6 certificate in agriculture at Kildalton College in 2012. Since taking over the running of the farm, I’ve steadily increased my cow numbers. The whole farm has been reseeded since 2010 with a strong focus on improving soil fertility and grass utilisation. This will improve efficiency and profitability.’’
Jonathan Dwyer
Age: 24.
County/region: Laois.
Macra club: Devil’s Bit/Templemore.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I have always been involved with the family farm from a very young age. I studied a degree in commerce and then went on to obtain a masters in international management. I am currently completing my Green Cert in conjunction with Gurteen College and I will finish this course in April 2018. I have been farming full-time on the family farm for over a year and half.’’
PJ O’Keeffe
Age: 31.
County/region: Kilkenny.
Macra club: Callan.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I have been involved in dairy farming for the past 10 years. In 2015, I decided to focus solely on dairy, moving from a beef and dairy mixed enterprise. I also enjoy running and cycling.’’
Neily O’Sullivan
Age: 27.
County/region: Kerry.
Macra club: Kenmare.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I got involved in farming from a very early age on the family farm and also through my off-farm job as an adviser with ICBF. Over the last couple years, I have introduced extra yard lighting to make the working environment safer and more efficient. The most positive aspect about farming is being your own boss, setting up your own targets and doing your best to achieve them. The quality of life is also a big advantage.’’
Adrian Claffey
Age: 21
County/region: Westmeath.
Macra club: Moate.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I attended Gurteen College in 2013/14 and completed the dairy and beef course. I have been farming on the home farm since 2014. I decided to travel to New Zealand in 2016 to experience the calving season over there. From this experience, I learned a lot about the New Zealand system of farming.’’
Colm Stenson
Age: 33.
County/region: Leitrim.
Macra club: South Leitrim.
Enterprise: Beef.
Background: ‘‘I am 33 years old, married to Brigid and have one daughter, Aoibhinn. I am a part-time suckler farmer and have pedigree Simmentals also. I am chair of my local GAA club and have been heavily involved with Macra over the years, winning a national leadership award in 2016.’’
John Cremin
Age: 28.
County/region: Limerick.
Macra club: Inse Ban.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I have been running the family farm since the year 2013. I completed a degree in conjunction with LIT in sustainable renewable electrical energy systems in 2013. I am currently completing my Green Cert through distance-learning course in Pallaskenry, which I will finish in spring 2019. I milk 88 cows and will have 100 calving in 2018. There is also 50 young stock on the farm at the moment. I have a milking platform of 81.5 acres.’’
David Harney
Age: 24.
County/region: Galway.
Macra club: Caltra.
Enterprise: Sheep.
Background: ‘‘The farm is located in Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. I currently farm alongside my father and my brother on our farm. We run a mixed farm with purebred sheep, commercial sheep and sucklers. I sell the majority of my lambs by 1 October and I keep around 40 ewe lambs for replacement each year.’’
Martin Cole
Age: 29.
County/region: Carlow.
Macra club: Tullow.
Enterprise: Sheep.
Background: ‘‘I was involved in the family farm from a very young age. I have progressively increased my flock numbers and plan to lamb 328 ewes in spring 2018. The most positive aspect of farming for me is the ability to work outdoors.’’
John Flood
Age: 26.
County/region: Kilkenny.
Macra club: Cushinstown.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I was always interested in breeding cows and was encouraged to be out on the farm helping from a young age. I completed my level 6 certificate in agriculture at Kildalton College in 2012. Since taking over the running of the farm, I’ve steadily increased my cow numbers. The whole farm has been reseeded since 2010 with a strong focus on improving soil fertility and grass utilisation. This will improve efficiency and profitability.’’
Jonathan Dwyer
Age: 24.
County/region: Laois.
Macra club: Devil’s Bit/Templemore.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I have always been involved with the family farm from a very young age. I studied a degree in commerce and then went on to obtain a masters in international management. I am currently completing my Green Cert in conjunction with Gurteen College and I will finish this course in April 2018. I have been farming full-time on the family farm for over a year and half.’’
PJ O’Keeffe
Age: 31.
County/region: Kilkenny.
Macra club: Callan.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I have been involved in dairy farming for the past 10 years. In 2015, I decided to focus solely on dairy, moving from a beef and dairy mixed enterprise. I also enjoy running and cycling.’’
Neily O’Sullivan
Age: 27.
County/region: Kerry.
Macra club: Kenmare.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I got involved in farming from a very early age on the family farm and also through my off-farm job as an adviser with ICBF. Over the last couple years, I have introduced extra yard lighting to make the working environment safer and more efficient. The most positive aspect about farming is being your own boss, setting up your own targets and doing your best to achieve them. The quality of life is also a big advantage.’’
Adrian Claffey
Age: 21
County/region: Westmeath.
Macra club: Moate.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I attended Gurteen College in 2013/14 and completed the dairy and beef course. I have been farming on the home farm since 2014. I decided to travel to New Zealand in 2016 to experience the calving season over there. From this experience, I learned a lot about the New Zealand system of farming.’’
Colm Stenson
Age: 33.
County/region: Leitrim.
Macra club: South Leitrim.
Enterprise: Beef.
Background: ‘‘I am 33 years old, married to Brigid and have one daughter, Aoibhinn. I am a part-time suckler farmer and have pedigree Simmentals also. I am chair of my local GAA club and have been heavily involved with Macra over the years, winning a national leadership award in 2016.’’
John Cremin
Age: 28.
County/region: Limerick.
Macra club: Inse Ban.
Enterprise: Dairy.
Background: ‘‘I have been running the family farm since the year 2013. I completed a degree in conjunction with LIT in sustainable renewable electrical energy systems in 2013. I am currently completing my Green Cert through distance-learning course in Pallaskenry, which I will finish in spring 2019. I milk 88 cows and will have 100 calving in 2018. There is also 50 young stock on the farm at the moment. I have a milking platform of 81.5 acres.’’
If our weather is going to continue to be as unpredictable as it has been in the last couple of years, the winter is going to be more of a slog than ever
Save to a collection
Recent collections
This article has already been saved
This article has been saved
Create a collection
Subscriber only
This content is available to digital subscribers only. Sign in to your account or subscribe for just €1 to get unlimited access for 30 days.SIGN INSUBSCRIBE FOR €1
SHARING OPTIONS: