McGinnity collects Teagasc honour

THE 2007 Teagasc Student of the Year is Brian McGinnity, who farms 100 acres with 50 suckler cows and followers at Kilmore, Scotstown, Co Monaghan.

Brian, who represented Teagasc College Ballyhaise, also has a hatchery enterprise producing 7,000 broilers annually, which he aims to increase to 10,000.

Farming Minister Mary Coughlan presented him with the FBD Trust sponsored award at a ceremony in Dublin during which Teagasc director of training and development Donal Carey revealed that more than 1,000 part-time farmers completed the 100-hour and 80-hour courses last year.