Search is on for FBD Young Farmer of the Year
The search is on for the 27th FBD Young Farmer of the Year. Applications and nominations are now open for the 2025 awards.
The FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards in association with Macra, 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 competition features category awards for Dairy, Drystock (Beef and Sheep), Other Enterprises (including Horticulture, Pigs, Poultry, Tillage, Equine, Forestry, etc.), Land Mobility (including Collaborative Arrangements, Shared Milking, Contract Rearing, etc.) and Career Farm Management. Young farmers in these sectors are invited to enter. The winner in each sector will compete to be crowned the 2025 FBD Young Farmer of the Year. There are also awards for Best Young Entrant (under 23 years of age) and the Macra Agricultural Skillnet Biodiversity Award.
Michael Berkery, Chairman of FBD Trust, said: “At FBD we are proud to collaborate with Macra and the IFA again in supporting the prestigious FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards. Having played a role in the inception of these awards, it’s a privilege to continue our support as we celebrate their 27th year. We look forward to meeting this year’s applicants and celebrating the passion, dedication, and innovation that is driving the next generation of agricultural leaders. On behalf of everyone at FBD, we extend our best wishes to all candidates in this year’s competition.”
As always, this year’s competition features exciting prizes. 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 2025 FBD Young Farmer of the Year Award will receive €5000, with each category winner and the Best Young Entrant Farmer taking home €1000. The Macra Agricultural Skillnet Biodiversity Award winner will receive €500.
Macra National President, Elaine Houlihan, stated that the competition showcases the progress made by young farmers. She said that the awards recognise those who stand out in their field and contribute to developing their sector. “Macra has been at the forefront of progression in the Irish agriculture sector for over 80 years, since our foundation in 1944”, commented 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 the competition has in store as we celebrate this year’s awards,” said Ms Houlihan.
HOW TO NOMINATE
You can nominate a young farmer for one of the categories or you can enter yourself by following the links below
Apply yourself: https://macra.ie/YFOTYapplication
Nominate someone else: https://macra.ie/YFOTYnomination
The closing date for applications is June 30.