The Macra/FBD Farmskills title will remain in Cork for 2017, after Glanmire Seandun fought off the challenge of Kilmeen Macra, Carbery, who finished second and Portlaoise Macra in third, to claim the overall prize.
It was a hard-fought contest with six teams battling it out in front of a large crowd at the Tullamore Show last Sunday, competing in a variety of agricultural skills.
Competitors first had the tractor teamwork challenge using New Holland tractors supplied to Macra na Feirme by WR Shaw.
They then had a farming knowledge written assessment, with the final event being a race between the teams to construct a stock-proof fence and hang a steel gate successfully.
Pictured are Kilmeen Macra, Carbery, Cork runners up in the 2017 Macra na Feirme / FBD Farmskills National Finals at the Tullamore Show from left to right: Amanda Brennan, FBD Branch Manager Tullamore; Donal O’Leary; James Barrett; Tim O’Donovan; Pat Gilligan, FBD Head of Sales Midlands and West; and James Healy, Macra na Feirme National President
Larry Murphy of Carlow was the tractor judge and James Kennedy of Tipperary assessed the fences.
Fermoy Macra in Avondhu, Co. Cork, won the Safety Award prize on the day. Commenting after the event, Macra na Feirme National President James Healy said: “These were fantastic finals, that once again were a major attraction for crowds at the Tullamore show.
Pictured are Fermoy Macra, Avondhu Farm Safety Award winners at the 2017 Macra na Feirme / FBD National Finals at the Tullamore Show from left to right: Amanda Brennan, FBD Branch Manager Tullamore; Tommy Keane; William Keane; James Geary; Pat Gilligan, FBD Head of Sale Midlands and West; Brigid Quigley, Training Network Manager for Macra na Feirme Young Farmer Skillnet; and James Healy, Macra na Feirme National President
Well done to all teams who took part and for the great display of skill and effort they had on show.
The president added: “I’d also like to thank FBD for its continuing support of this competition and WR Shaw for supplying two fantastic tractors as well as the Tullamore Show for hosting this event.”