Travel prize for top farmer

MICHAEL GOWING from Portlaoise, Co Laois, is the 2003 FBD Young Farmer of the Future.

He wins a travel bursary worth 2,000 and 1,000 spending money.

The announcement was made at a banquet in the Newgrange Hotel, Navan last week. The 25-year-old is a full time dairy and beef farmer who milks 100 cows with an average annual yield of 1650 gallons.

He also rears calves and finishes them to beef.

Speaking after the announcement Michael said he wants to promote farming as an attractive career for those who are willing to work efficiently and wisely.

“The farmers entering this competition are a good example of the types of young people that are making a career out of agriculture. A high level of technical and business skill is needed to master farming, which makes it a very challenging profession”.

“However, the right person can make it a great career and way of life.”

Pat Murphy from Ardrahan, Co. Galway came second winning a travel bursary worth 1,000 and 500 spending money and third place was awarded to John Downey from Thomastown, Co Kilkenny who also won a travel bursary worth 500 and 250 spending money.

Each county winner received a custom designed Thomond Crystal bowl and the three main winners were also presented with a unique specially commissioned sculpture designed by Irish artist Liam Butler.

31 contestants from all parts of Ireland took part in this year’s FBD Young Farmer of the Future final in Bellinter House, Co. Meath.

The competition, now in its fifth year, aims to recognise excellence in the agricultural industry and promote farming as a career with a bright future.