News & Press Room

A young dairy farmer from Bantry, Co. Cork has won the top award at Macra na Feirme’s FBD Young Farmer of the Year. Following a challenging interview process, John Buckley, 27 years old, was announced as the winner by Edmond Harty, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012, and CEO and Technical Director of Dairymaster. Mr. Harty acted as Chair of the final adjudication panel and announced the winner on Tuesday, September 3^rd at an awards ceremony in the Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare, Co. Limerick. 

John has won a specially commissioned art piece by Irish artist, John Duffy, and a travel bursary worth €3,000. Substantial prizes were also awarded to second place winner Esther Walsh from Lismore, Waterford and third place winner, Peter Farrell from Kilmessan, Co. Meath.

Colm Stenson from Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim received the Special Prize for Community Involvement from Pat Smith, IFA Chief Executive, while Thomas Hassett from Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny, was presented the Award for Innovation in Farming by Edmond Connolly, Chief Executive of Macra na Feirme.

Macra na Feirme National President, Kieran O’Dowd, praised the young farmers who had made it through to the national final, "Macra’s 'FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards' showcases excellence among young, highly progressive farmers and recognises their commitment to both the agricultural industry and their local communities. To support young farmers the Government needs to facilitate and create the necessary supports in the current CAP and national budget process to encourage energetic and well trained young people to commence farming and support them in establishing sustainable and profitable farm businesses.  The supports and opportunities are now available under CAP for young farmers. However, success or failure of this potential golden era for young farmers will come down to choices by the Department of Agriculture on the provision of schemes and incentives to encourage the next generation of farmer to deliver growth and expansion in the agricultural sector and contribute to economic development.”

Twenty three contestants from all over Ireland took part in the 15^th FBD Young Farmer of the Year competition. The competition, run by Macra na Feirme in conjunction with the IFA, aims to recognise excellence in the agricultural industry and promote farming as a career with a bright future.

Speaking at the event, Conor Gouldson, FBD said:  “It has been our great pleasure over the years to support a competition that promotes the potential of young farmers nationwide.  The FBD Young Farmer of the Year recognises the ambitious, business-minded young farmers that are driving the agricultural industry in Ireland.”

Six overall finalists were interviewed by a judging panel chaired by Edmond Harty with Eoin Lowry, Irish Farmers Journal; Joe Burke, Bord Bia; Philip O’Connor of IFAC Accountants; with Joe Healy and Thomas Honner, both past presidents of Macra na Feirme.

IFA President John Bryan said, “The Association is delighted to partner with Macra na Feirme in recognising young farmers at the FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards.  Once again, we have an outstanding field of contestants this year, which underlines the calibre of young people in farming at the moment.”

John Bryan said the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney must deliver new investment for farming in next month’s budget and support farmers as they play their part in the expansion plans for agriculture. 

“As part of this, land mobility and restructuring remain important issues, particularly for new entrants. I would encourage the Minister to look closely at our pre-Budget submission and take on board the suggestions in the discussions at the cabinet table.”

The aim of the competition is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. Entrants are judged according to a number of criteria including farm business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency and enterprise quality, farm safety and environmental protection awareness, as well as agricultural knowledge and community involvement.