Young farmers are invited to participate in the competition, working in sectors such as dairy farming, cattle breeding (beef and sheep production), “land mobility” and in other areas (including gardening, pig farming, poultry farming, soil cultivation), each winner Sectors will fight to win the 2019 FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition.
The competition, hosted by the Irish Volunteer Rural Youth Organization Macra na Feirme and supported by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), this year offers seven additional awards along with a grand prize.
This year awards will also be presented in the nominations “Best Developing Farmer”, “Carbon Efficiency” and “Biological Diversity”. The Land Mobility category will be targeted at farmers who demonstrate innovative solutions for access to and use of land for farming.
This includes farm agreements that best demonstrate the benefits of collaboration, such as long-term leases, registered partnerships, joint farming, co-milking and contracting for all parties involved.
This year, with the support of the National Rural Network, a prize in the field of biodiversity will also be awarded.
The winner of the 2019 FBD Young Farmer of the Year will receive a travel scholarship and the opportunity to experience farming practices abroad, as well as improve their skills.
The deadline for submission of applications is Friday, June 21, and the final competition will be held on Tuesday, September 3, at the FBD Castleknock Hotel in Dublin.