Rally to attract hundreds for rural weekend

Teagasc Director Professor Gerry Boyle will tonight open the annual Macra na Feirme weekend conference in Tipperary, expected to attract hundreds from around the country.

Also known as the Rally, the event will give delegates the opportunity to attend seminars on local farms, including one on the theme of alternative enterprises on the farm.

There will also be the chance to visit the local Bulmers plant and to get a tour of Coolmore Stud.

Other events planned for the weekend include the national finals of the Bord Bia Beef and Sheep Stockjudging competitions, the ’Know Your Agriculture Quiz’ sponsored by the Irish Farmers’ Journal and the AIB Macra na Feirme Club of the Year competition.

And John Lonergan, the Governor of Mountjoy Prison, is to attend as guest speaker at the Gala Banquet on Sunday night.

Catherine Buckley, Macra national president, said: “The Rally is one of the most popular events in the Macra year and has been going from strength to strength in recent times.

“This year, again, sees a packed programme of activities planned for delegates and I would like to thank the organising committee in South Tipperary Macra who has already put in a huge amount of work in preparation for the event,” she said.

The conference, sponsored by Dairygold, will be held in the Clonmel Park Hotel.