By Sian Moloughney
The role of young farmers in delivering sustainable change will be central to the message of the Sustainable Livestock Village at the Tullamore Show FBD National Livestock Show on Sunday, August 10. Macra na Feirme will be joining the Village for the first time, this year, to highlight generation renewal and youth-led innovation, under the leadership of new Macra President, Kilkenny鈥檚 Josephine O鈥橬eill. The Bennettsbridge woman was at the launch of the event, with Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, and Research and Development, Noel Grealish, TD, on the farm of FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2024, dairy farmer, Christopher Cahill. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST IN KILKENNY SPORTS NEWS 鈥淵oung farmers are the heartbeat of Ireland鈥檚 agricultural future. Supporting them is central to achieving our sustainability goals while ensuring we maintain vibrant rural communities and a resilient food sector,鈥 Minister Grealish said. Michael Dolan, Chairman of the Sustainable Livestock Village said: 鈥淭he addition of features focused on young farmers, shared learning and innovation reflects what we want to achieve, a space that brings the farming community together to talk openly about solutions and supports. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 Village also highlights key areas such as improving water quality, enhancing nature on farms and supporting earlier finishing all while making sustainability more accessible to farmers on the ground.鈥 This year also features a Photography Competition held in the lead-up to the Show, with 鈧1,000 in prizes and winning entries will be on display in the Village. Categories include Generations Working Together and Sustainable Farming in Action, supported by the Irish Farmers Journal. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS An expanded Speakers鈥 Corner, in partnership with FBD Insurance, will run from 11am to 2pm with farmer-led talks on sustainability, succession planning and protecting natural resources. This is followed by a Livestock Innovators session in partnership with Macra na Feirme, where young farmers will present practical solutions and explore the use of innovative practices and technology to support sustainable farming systems, improved work-life balance, and farm succession.