Young Laois man wins on the double at national awards

A young Killeshin dairy farmer has scooped two prestigious awards at the annual 2024 FBD Macra Young Farmer of the Year held in Killenard.

Martin O’Reilly, aged 25, was named the winner of the Dairy category and also won the Macra Agricultural Skillnet Biodiversity Young Farmer of the Year award at the awards held at the Heritage Hotel in Killenard.

The competition aims to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. Entrants are judged according to criteria including farm business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency and enterprise quality, farm safety and environmental protection awareness, and agricultural knowledge.

Martin was pleased and surprised to be recognised for his work on a farm which has been in the family for four generations.

“I was delighted and honoured especially to win the biodiversity prize which I was surprised by,” he said.

He said the strong competition from other dairy farmers for the young dairy farmer award.

 He told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that he jointly operates a 72-head spring calving heard with his mother Kathleen on free-draining dry ground. The mother and son partnership began in 2019 on the passing of his father Eamon. 

 The Killeshin man says the farm, which is near the Carlow border, had been stocked with British Friesan cows but was now moving to Holstein - British Friesan cross.

 “We are now in the top 3% in Ireland for herd fertility and in the top 10% for herd Economic Breeding Index,” he said.

Martin, who has a degree in Agriculture from SETU Waterford, sees sustainability, the environment, as well as rules and regulations as challenges but he adds that this requires farmers to do their research and stay up to date. 

 While dairy incomes have dropped, Martin reveals a mindset that belies his age when it comes to dealing with less revenue and higher costs.

 “Every year is different and you just have to adapt to change,” he said.

 While there is talk that farming is not attracting young people, Martin is happy with his choice.

“Everyone is different and you either like it or hate it and there is no in-between really.

Entering the Macra FBD Young Farmer Awards was also an ambition for Martin but it's not the only award he has entered. He was inspired to enter after making the final of the National Dairy Awards in 2024 where he finished in the top four.  

He said entering awards has helped him build a network of friends and contacts around Ireland. He says entering the awards has been added motivation.

Christopher Cahill from Co Cavan was named the 2024 FBD Young Farmer of the Year. Christopher is a 30-year-old dairy farmer and a graduate of the Sustainable Agriculture Master’s degree from UCD.

The other category winners: were David Melody originally from Clare but farming in Kilkenny was named Runner Up and won the Career Farm Management category; Sarah Kelly of Sligo was named Best Young Entrant; Séamus Leahy won the Other Enterprises category.

The other finalist was Jamie Hannon, a sheep farmer from Sligo. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: The finalists at The Heritage in Killenard.

Elaine Houlihan, Macra National President said the FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards recognises and celebrates the talent, dedication and hard work of young farmers and has always showcased the very best of Irish farming. She congratulated the winners and finalists.

“It is our young farmers who are the future of farming in this country and these awards ensure that the future of farming has its night in the spotlight,” she said at the awards.  

Ballinakill man and IFA President Francie Gorman said the energy and vision shown by the entrants is very encouraging for the future. 

 “There is a wealth of talent in farming and we’re delighted to be part of this competition with Macra. I hope those who took part will consider a leadership role in the future. They are already very accomplished with their own farm enterprise. 

“From here, we would like to see them contribute outside the farm gate. It’s very rewarding and it’s an opportunity to shape the future for their families and their communities,” he said.

Tomás Ó'Midheach, CEO, FBD Insurance, congratulated the winner and participants and said he was proud to maintain FBD's long-standing partnership with Macra na Feirme.

“ We take great pride in supporting initiatives that celebrate the remarkable achievements of young farmers and their vital contributions to the farming community. We hope these awards will continue to inspire the next generation to build strong, sustainable farm businesses for the future,” he said.

The awards were presented on Tuesday, September 10. This year marked the 26th  anniversary of the awards.