Macra na Feirme’s annual conference takes place this weekend, October 23-25 in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Co. Cork.
The annual Coopsuperstores.ie conference will aim to leave those attending in a positive frame of mind, psyched up and motivated to overcome the challenges facing them in their farming careers.
The event was opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney on Friday evening.
As part of the annual conference, Macra’s annual Young Farmer’s Conference is also taking place in the Riverside Hotel, Macroom, on October 24 starting at 2pm.
Contributors to the young farmer’s conference include EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan; CEJA President, Alan Jagoe; and Seán Finan, Macra President.
A panel of young farmers will also speak at the event which includes Nuffield scholars, Tommy Moyles and Kevin Moran, along with the 2015 FBD Young Farmer of the Year, Jonathan Marry.
Also Read: Louth Macra Farmer takes Young Farmer of the Year TitleThe conference is open to the public. The cost of the conference ranges from €15-25 which includes farm tours, lunch, entry into the young farmers Conference and transport.
Speaking at the conference’s opening ceremony, Macra’s National President Sean Finan said that it is a great time to be a young Irish farmer.
This is a great time to be a young farmer entering the industry or if you are established and trying to grow and drive forward your business. “Huge opportunities exist and the future is bright for young, trained, energetic, technical proficient young farmers”.
According to Finan, Ireland’s future farmers will have to be able to fully utilise tools to make them more efficient as farmers.
“We, as the new generation of farmers to the industry, will have to be technically proficient in our approach to the running of our businesses focusing on the drivers of profitability.”
Macra’s President added that the organisation continues to campaign and work on finding solutions to problems that young farmers and young rural people in Ireland face today.
We continue to push the boundaries and look for positive opportunities that young farmers may avail of.
Whether that is working with departmental groups, dealing with banks, involved in policy making or providing opportunities for young farmers to expand their skills and knowledge through involvement in our Young Farmer Development Groups or training programmes,” said Finan.