{"id":1315436,"date":"2024-05-27T11:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-27T10:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriland.ie\/?p=1315436"},"modified":"2024-05-27T10:58:09","modified_gmt":"2024-05-27T09:58:09","slug":"applications-sought-for-2024-fbd-young-farmer-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsail.agriland.ie\/farming-news\/applications-sought-for-2024-fbd-young-farmer-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Applications sought for 2024 FBD Young Farmer of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The search is on for the 26th FBD Young Farmer of the Year as the application process officially opened today (Monday, May 27).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The annual awards, in association with Macra and sponsored by FBD, look to celebrate and raise the profile of young farmers in their communities by recognising their contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event is run by Macra in partnership with the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and Macra Agricultural Skillnet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FBD Young Farmer of the Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Launched in 1999, the FBD Young Farmer of the Year offered awards across the agricultural spectrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The competition features category awards for dairy, drystock (beef and sheep), other enterprises such as horticulture, pigs, poultry, tillage, equine and forestry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event also recognises land mobility, including collaborative arrangements, shared milking and contract rearing, along with career farm management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young farmers in these sectors are now being invited to enter and the winner of each sector will compete to be crowned the 2024 FBD Young Farmer of the Year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awards will be presented for Best Young Entrant (under 23 years of age) and Macra Agricultural Skillnet Biodiversity Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The overall winner of the 2024 FBD Young Farmer of the Year Award will receive \u20ac5,000 with each category winner and the Best Young Entrant Farmer taking home \u20ac1,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Macra Agricultural Skillnet Biodiversity Award winner will receive \u20ac500. Each winner will also receive vouchers from the FBD Hotel Group and FBD Insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2023, Dwayne Shiels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

National president of Macra, Elaine Houlihan said that the competition showcases the progress made by young farmers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe FBD Young Farmer of the Year is the annual platform to recognise and showcase the best of Irelands young farmers, I look forward to seeing what this year\u2019s competition has in store as we celebrate 25 years of the awards,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dwayne Shiels, a pedigree sheep farmer from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, was crowned the 2023 FBD Young Farmer of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to farming, Dwayne<\/a> is a lecturer in agricultural sciences at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Co. Donegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IFA president, Francie Gorman added that the competition offers an excellent opportunity for the next generation to showcase their talent, innovation, and drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Previous participants have spoken about how much they value the benefits of taking part. I would encourage anybody who has a passion for farming to get involved and interact with your peers,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Cahalan, chief commercial officer (COO), FBD Insurance said the company has proudly sponsored the awards since they began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards shines a well-deserved spotlight on the achievements of our young farmers. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

“It showcases the passion and innovation that exists in the next generation who are shaping the future of agriculture,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applications for the competition are available on the Macra website, with the closing date for nominations on Friday, July 19, 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n