Big turnout as farmers plough through tough times

DESPITE the general economic doom and gloom, there was a spring in the step of the thousands of rural people who flocked to the national and European ploughing championships in Athy, Co Kildare, yesterday.

That’s because most farming sectors have performed better in 2010 after two difficult years of below-cost production.

However, people visiting the showpiece outlined their fears and worries to politicians and others over the impact the recession and credit crunch is having on their lives and future.