29 October 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
A successful weekend was had at the Rally in the Lee Valley last weekend. Hosts, Muskerry Macra, organised a fantastic weekend of entertainment, competitions and the annual young farmers conference alongside sponsors Coopsuperstores.ie.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Simon Coveney announced a top up payment for young dairy farmers from the EU Commission aid package for the dairy sector. Macra National President, Seán Finan, welcomed the announcement following his call for the measure at the dairy forum organised by the Minister in September.
The Macra coopsuperstores.ie annual conference, or rally as it’s fondly known, took place from the 23-26th October in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.
EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, addressed the young farmers conference on the Saturday. The theme of the conference was “Inspiration for this generation; taking the next step”. The conference was also addressed by beef farmer Tommy Moyles, Cork; dairy farmer, Kevin Moran, Galway; Macra National President, Seán Finan, and CEJA President, Alan Jagoe.
Rally Weekend Competition Winners
Competition finals which took place included the Irish Farmers Journal Know Your Ag quiz which was won by the team from Portlaoise Macra, Co. Laois; the Club of the Year competition, won by Donoughmore Macra, Muskerry, Cork; the Best New Member competition, won by Grace Corrigan, from Innishannon Macra, Carbery, Cork; the Best Emerging Club title went to Naas Macra, Kildare; and the Bord Bia stockjudging competitions, won by:
U 23 beef: Winner, Peter O’Dwyer, Dundrum Macra, South Tipperary. Runner Up, Martin Comerford, Slievebloom Macra, Laois
Senior Beef: Winner, Shane Healy, Crookstown Macra, Muskerry, Cork. Runner Up, Niall Nicholson, Carrigaline Macra, Seandun, Cork
Sheep: Winner, Breda O’Keeffe, Awbeg, Avondhu, Cork. Runner Up, Joseph Hughes, Johnstown Coolgreaney Macra, Wicklow
