There was smiles and excitement today as Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney TD launched the 2013 National Ploughing Championship due to take place in Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co Laois three weeks from now on the 24-26 September.

Minister Coveney said he is looking forward to spending three days at this year’s festival as he senses it will be the most successful Championships today and he believes the location at the crossroads of Ireland is perfect for those set to travel’.

The Minster congratulated Ireland’s World Ploughing Champions and stated the event, built on turning a sod, brings competitors from all over the country to the one spot. The minister took time to travel the entire site and hop on a tractor with local landowner David Carter who will soon play host to Europe’s largest agricultural event.

Exhibits

Providing a platform to showcase Irish food, farming and culture the event incorporates all sectors of agriculture and rural living from the latest development in machinery to a comprehensive exhibits of livestock breeds, animal husbandry, motors, forestry and trade tents with education and business services, craft stalls, food producers, health and lifestyle demos and tourism outlets with all the latest staycation bargains.

If it’s relevant to farming its relevant to the Ploughing with product launches, specialist’s talks, advisers across areas such as dog control, worming, gardening all on hand to answer queries.  Live Robotic Milking from Lely is a new feature for 2013 and the Vintage Live Tractor Build makes a welcome return.

Entertainment

If that’s not enough then take some time out to enjoy the packed programme of Ploughing competitions, live entertainment all day at the Bandstand, Sheep Dog Trials, Loy Digging, Hunt Chase, Sheep Shearing Competitions, Husqvarna Hurdle, Portwest Welly Throwing, Meggars, Outdoor Radio Broadcasts, Celebrity Visitors including sports stars and TV personalities, most Appropriately Dressed Competitions, Craft Demonstrations, Celebrity Chefs and much more.

The site located on the farm of the Carter family is currently under infrastructural construction to facilitate the 100 acres needed for the trade arena and demonstrations and 150 acres earmarked for ploughing. In addition to this more than 400 acres of the surrounding lands will be used to facilitate the free car parking sites by local land owners in the surrounding area.

Below is a slide show of the highlights the National Ploughing Championships Launch 2013

Our dedicated Agriland News Hub on NPC 2013  can be found here. Three weeks to go, the countdown is on!