L-R: Francie Gorman, IFA President, Michael Berkery, Chairman of FBD Trust, Dwayne Shiels, Reigning Winner, Elaine Houlihan, Macra President, John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Officer, FBD Trust.

Applications open for 2024 FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards

Published: Wed 29 May 2024, 12:13 PM

Last updated: Wed 29 May 2024, 12:54 PM

The search is on for the 26th FBD Young Farmer of the Year as applications and nominations are now open for the awards.

The FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards in association with Macra na Feirme, are sponsored annually by FBD and run by Macra in partnerships with the IFA and Macra Agricultural Skillnet.

The competition was launched in 1999 and has been successful in raising the profile of young farmers within their community by recognising their achievements and contribution to farming.

The closing date for applications is Friday, July 19.

You can nominate a young farmer for one of the categories or you can enter yourself by visiting macra.ie/collections/awards/products/fbd-young-farmer-of-the-year

The competition features category awards for Dairy, Drystock (Beef and Sheep), Other Enterprises (including Horticulture, Pigs, Poultry, Tillage, Equine, Forestry), Land Mobility (including Collaborative Arrangements, Shared Milking, Contract Rearing) and Career Farm Management.

Young farmers in these sectors are invited to enter and the winner of each sector will compete to be crowned the 2024 FBD Young Farmer of the Year.

There are also awards for Best Young Entrant (Under 23 years of age) and Macra Agricultural Skillnet Biodiversity Award.

Chief Commercial Officer, FBD Insurance, John Cahalan, said: "The FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards shines a well-deserved spotlight on the achievements of our young farmers. It showcases the passion and innovation that exists in the next generation who are shaping the future of agriculture.

"On behalf of the team at FBD, we wish all applicants every success in the competition.”

National President of Macra, Elaine Houlihan stated that the competition showcases the progress made by young farmers.

“Macra has been at the forefront of progression in the Irish agriculture sector over the last 80 years, since our foundation in 1944,” commented Ms Houlihan.

“The FBD Young Farmer of the Year is the annual platform to recognise and showcase the best of Ireland's young farmers. I look forward to seeing what this year’s competition has in store as we celebrate 25 years of the awards.”

The overall prize fund includes a pot of cash prizes along with FBD insurance and hotel vouchers for category winners.

The overall winner of the 2024 FBD Young Farmer of the Year Award will receive €5,000 with each category winner and the Best Young Entrant Farmer taking home €1,000. The Macra Agricultural Skillnet Biodiversity Award winner will receive €500.

Each winner will also receive vouchers from the FBD Hotel Group and FBD Insurance.