A UCD Sustainable Agriculture graduate has won FBD’s Young Farmer of the Year.
Cavan dairy farmer Christopher Cahill was recognised with the award for his dedication and passion to agriculture, having expanded a dairy enterprise in Meath from 110 cows to 250 crossbred cows in 2021 through a shared farming arrangement.
Christopher graduated from Ag Science in followed that up with a Masters in Sustainable Agriculture. As part of his degree course he had travelled to New Zealand in 2013 to see for himself how farms operated there, and brought home ideas he thought he could apply in Ireland.
“It was there that I learned about the concept of shared farming," he recalls.
“In 2015 when I was finishing college milk quotas were going and when I came back from New Zealand I decided I would work in the industry for a while. I worked in Lakeland Dairies for five and a half years with farmers both north and south of the border and saw lots of new ways to do things.”
Tomás Ó'Midheach, CEO, FBD Insurance extended his congratulations to Christopher Cahill on this well-deserved recognition on behalf of the entire FBD team.
“The FBD Young Farmer of the Year award is a reflection of Christopher’s unwavering dedication, passion, and hard work.
“We take great pride in supporting initiatives that celebrate the remarkable achievements of young farmers and their vital contributions to the farming community.
“We hope these awards will continue to inspire the next generation to build strong, sustainable farm businesses for the future.”
Christopher was one of several young farmers to be recognised at the awards for their business initiative, innovation and agricultural knowledge.
IFA President Francie Gorman said the energy and vision shown by the entrants to the FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards encouraging, showing “there was a wealth of talent in farming”.
“I hope those who took part will consider a leadership role in the future. They are already very accomplished with their own farm enterprise. From here, we would like to see them contribute outside the farmgate. It’s very rewarding and it’s an opportunity to shape the future for their families and their communities.”
As a competition, the Young Farmer of the Year aims to reward young farmers for their business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency, farm safety and environmental protection awareness and agricultural knowledge.
