Fittest farmer competition returning to national ploughing championships

The ‘Ireland’s Fittest Farmer’ competition returns to the Irish National Ploughing Championships this year.

The Ploughing Championships will take place in Ratheniska, County Laois, on September 17-19.

For interested farmers keen on taking part in the Ireland’s Fittest Farmer competition, they are encouraged to visit Zurich’s stand each morning from 10am-12am and from 2pm-4pm.

This year’s ‘Ireland’s Fittest Farmer’ contest will be presided over by none other than Ireland’s Fittest Family coach and GAA legend, Davy Fitzgerald, long term-ambassador for Zurich, and former Ireland and British and Irish Lions rugby player, Seán O’Brien.

The three-day event will see farmers from across Ireland compete to be named Ireland’s Fittest Farmer.

The contest is open to all ages and will be held as a fun way of sparking a vital discussion about the physical and mental health of the nation’s farmers, aiming to get all farmers thinking and talking about their health - physical and mental.

Davy Fitzgerald said he is excited to be attending the National Ploughing Championships: “I’m encouraging any competitive Irish farmers to come down to Zurich’s stand over the course of the Ploughing Championship to see if they have what it takes to be named Ireland’s Fittest Farmer.

“I’ll be coaching participants through the various activities, such as ‘Hang Tough’, which everyone is welcome to try, and I’m looking forward to once again seeing what Ireland’s farmers are made of!” said Davy.

With a full team of farm insurance experts on hand across the three days, visitors will also be able to discuss their farm insurance needs one-on-one and arrange a personalised farm visit.

Elaine Walsh, Head of Direct Farm Sales, at Zurich, said: “We are delighted to be back at the Ploughing Championships once again this year and look forward to meeting up with old friends and new contacts.

"At Zurich, we’re on a sustainability journey alongside many farmers across Ireland. Supporting farmers every step of the way is a key part of our mission. That's why we're excited to launch a competition at this year's event, where one lucky Irish farmer will win €10,000 to further enhance the sustainability of their farm. Entries for the competition start from the 1st of November.”

To enter next month, participants simply need to tell Zurich what they have done so far on their farm to improve sustainability, and what they would do with the €10,000.

To find out more about the competition launching on the 1st of November, farmers can visit Zurich’s stand at the Ploughing Championships.

Visitors can locate Zurich’s stand at Block 02, Row 12, Stand number 196 which will be open across the three days of the Ploughing Championships from the 17th to the 19th of September.