Don’t miss out on conference, rally

IF you haven’t made up your mind yet about attending this year’s Annual Conference and Rally (sponsored by AIBP), here’s just some of the events and competitions you wouldn’t want to miss.

The rally is centred in the Fairways Hotel in Dundalk from November 21 to 24.

On Friday, November 21, there’s a farm walk in the Cooley Peninsula, which suffered so much in the foot and mouth scare in 2001.

After Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh opens the rally, the National Final of the Know Your Agriculture Quiz takes place.

Features of the Saturday Young Farmers Conference are provision for watching the Rugby World Cup Final in the Residents Bar, and web facilitation and access are offered as part of this year’s package in association with Louth LEADER and Digiweb.

A Business Showcase and Enterprise Opportunities Fair will exhibit the business successes of Macra entrepreneurs. This event has been kindly supported by the Louth County Enterprise Board.

Saturday is also Macra Oscars day with the AIB Club of the Year and Open Mic competition results.

The Sunday programme includes the National Volleyball Final, and the Cuchulainn Banquet (with guest speaker John McCallister, president of the Young Farmer Clubs of Ulster).

There’s late night entertainment throughout the weekend and another highlight is the conference debate on milk ring quota fencing between Gerard Mullaney, Vice Chairman of Connacht Gold Co-Op and Donal Kelleher, National Chairman of Liquid Milk Producers.