Kildare tillage farmer named Student of the Year

Danny Doyle from Rathangan, Co Kildare is the overall winner of the Teagasc/FBD Student of the Year 2023 award and was presented with the trophy by Liam Herlihy, Teagasc chairman with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Michael Berkery of FBD Holdings Plc. Picture: John Ohle Photography

A tillage farmer from Co Kildare has been named the Teagasc/FBD Student of the Year for 2023.

Danny Doyle from Rathangan won the title at a ceremony held this week.

The awards were presented to the top graduates of Teagasc level 6 agriculture, horticulture, equine and forestry training programmes in 2023.

Mr Doyle completed a level 5 certificate in agriculture and then a level 6 advanced crops and machinery certificate at the Teagasc Kildalton Agriculture College in Piltown, Co Kilkenny. 

He currently farms with his parents on a large-scale tillage operation near Rathangan. 

In addition to winning the overall award, he was successful in the full-time agriculture category award.

Cormac Rowe comes from a mixed dairy and drystock farm near Navan in Co Meath and won the part-time and distance education category.

Mr Rowe is a primary school teacher who farms part-time with his family and completed his practicals at Teagasc Grange.

Alana King from near Ennis in Co Clare was successful in the full-time other land-based enterprises category. 

She graduated from the QQI level 6 advanced certificate in horsemanship – equitation - from Kildalton College. She graduated with distinction on both her level 5 and level 6.

Dr Anne Marie Butler, head of education in Teagasc, said that the awards are a "wonderful celebration of Teagasc education, our learners, teachers and facilities right across the country".

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said that "young, enthusiastic, educated farmers are fundamental to the future prosperity of the agricultural sector". 

"The value and return from an agricultural education to the operation of modern farm enterprises cannot be overstated," Mr McConalogue added. 

"This is not only for the financial, technical, and environmental skills it provides, but also through the opportunity to see best practice in operation on host farms."