Kildalton College takes top prize at Macra Challenge Day

The 2022 Macra Na Feirme Challenges day ran in Gurteen Agricultural College, Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary on Wednesday, 27 April 2022. The overall winners this year were Kildalton College.

Teams of 12 students from Teagasc and Private agricultural colleges around Ireland competed in sport, presentations, and skills learned during the college year such as stock judging, welding, tractor driving and teamwork challenges all featured as part of the day.

Sponsors & Judges

This year National Broadband Ireland sponsored a new team technology challenge.  This required participants to present on the “technology that they would like to adopt in their future land-based work situations”. 

Continuing their long time affiliation with the Macra Challenges Day, FRS Networks renewed their sponsorship of a 3 month scholarship to FRS Networks.  This challenge focussed on Health, Safety and Welfare in the land-based sector.

Herdwatch Ireland sponsored the sport challenge and Women in Agriculture sponsored the workshop skills challenge.

The various challenges were judged by John Keane, Macra Na Feirme President; Dr AnneMarie Butler, Teagasc Head of Education; Siobhan Dooley from FRS Network; Mervyn Harvey of Herdwatch Ireland and Niall Beirne from National Broadband Ireland.

Team Challenge Winners

The winners of the different challenges were: 

John Keane, Macra na Feirme National President said; “All of the students here today were exceptional, well done to all that participated. Macra, Teagasc and FRS have a long-standing relationship and it is our pleasure to continue to participate in the Ag Challenges Day. Young Farmers play an important role in our organisation and it is great to see the up and coming generation of young farmers.”

Siobhan Dooley from FRS Networks said; “FRS are delighted to be associated with the Challenges Day and in supporting Teagasc and Macra na Feirme in land-based education and training.  The FRS sponsored competition is in memory of FRS staff who made an outstanding contribution to the organisation. FRS look forward to welcoming the winner of the competition to one of their offices later this year.”

Niall Beirne from National Broadband Ireland (NBI) said; “NBI are rolling out highspeed broadband throughout Ireland, and see technology as playing a major role in the agri-sector.  NBI are looking forward to further developing their association with the Challenges Day competition.”

Imelda Walsh from Women in Agriculture said that “It is testament to Gurteen College to see so many female students in the college.  Gender balance enriches interactions across all aspects of agriculture, and brings a much more rounded approach. It is great to see that the role of women is being recognised and brought to the fore”.  

Speaking after the presentations Dr AnneMarie Butler, Head of Education with Teagasc, thanked staff for organising the Colleges day. She acknowledged the support of the partner and sponsor organisations in making the event a success.  She wished all the students well in their future studies and careers.

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