Tullamore Show launches schedule of classes for 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has officially launched the 2025 Tullamore Show and the FBD National Livestock Show.
The minister attended the annual sponsors evening which took place recently on the banks of the Grand Canal at the Old Warehouse in Tullamore.
The 2025 Tullamore Show will take place at the Butterfield Estate, Blueball, Co. Offaly on Sunday, August 10.
Tullamore Show
The MC on the night was once again, Derek Nevin who along with his wife, Michelle Leaper Nevin, are co-ordinators of the canine section at the show.
Derek first introduced the new chairperson of Tullamore Show, John Keena who thanked all the sponsors.
'No matter how small or large the sponsorship is, it's what helps us keep the show running,' he said.
John also thanked the Minister Heydon for his presence and acknowledged his role in the farm safety live demostrations over the years.
(L-R) Mary Dunphy FBD, Pat Gilligan FBD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, Emer O'Byrne FBD and Amanda Brennan FBD
He also acknowledged title sponsors FBD, the landowners of the Butterfield Estate Anne Marie Butterfield and Stephen Mc Quade, along with the landowners who provided the car parks and access areas to the site.
The chairperson concluded his speech with a list of new attractions to the show.
One of the many new additions will be a display cow, which was sponsored by Cormac Tagging.
In collaboration with Offaly County Council and the ESB, Tullamore Show will have the Sustainable Livestock Village powered by hydrogen, which will be a first of its kind at an agricultural show.
Goats, Valais Blacknose Sheep and Fleckvieh cattle are also some new additions to the show, along with a VEX Robotics class in the inventions section.
Livestock
Pat Gilligan, FBD head of sales in the midlands and western region, said that the company is proud to the title sponsor of the Tullamore Show.
'It is the highlight of the FBD's busy summer calendar and one we look forward to each year.
'Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show is a wonderful reflection of all that is positive within Ireland's livestock and farming sector.
'FBD are proud to be involved in the Sustainable Livestock Village with the ever popular FBD speakers corner again this year,' he said.
During his speech, Minister Martin Heydon reminisced on the interaction he has had over the years with Tullamore Show.
Heydon noted that agricultural shows such as Tullamore Show play a vital part in exhibiting farming and all that goes with it, it is a way to synchronise rural – urban communities.
The speeches concluded with chair John Keena and show secretary Chelsey Cox McDonald making a presentation to Minister Martin Heydon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
9 hours ago
- Agriland
‘Transparency' must be instilled in Agri-Food Regulator
Transparency and confidence must be instilled in the Agri-Food Regulator according to a senator who has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, to grant the regulator additional powers. Senator Victor Boyhan told the Seanad that Agri-Food Regulator 'should be in a position to produce the price and market reports' of the agri-food sector. 'The food regulator must carry out its functions. 'There must be reliable and verifiable sources of information it can stand over, so data is critical with regard to analysing the supply chain and the engagement and collaboration of all sides. The point about all sides is important,' the senator added. He also warned that if the regulator is to carry out its functions 'it must have the right to compel all information that is accurate and verifiable'. Agri-Food Regulator Responding in the Seanad, Minister Heydon said that the Bill that established the the regulator performs two key functions. The Minister added: 'It enforces the law on unfair trading practices, UTP, and it performs a price and market analysis and reporting function. 'Section 12 of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 requires the regulator to publish analysis of information about price and market data relating to the agricultural and food supply chain. 'Currently, in respect of that function, the act provides that the regulator may seek from businesses … any data impacting upon price and margins considered necessary.' However Minister Heydon also highlighted that currently the act does not permit the Agri-Food Regulator to 'compel' businesses to provide financial information that is not in the public domain. But it does provide that the minister may make regulations on price and market information. The Programme for Government also commits to giving the Agri-Food Regulator 'enhanced powers to ensure transparency in the food supply chain with regard to providing market information'. Minister Heydon told the Seanad: 'I am fully committed to ensuring that the regulator is equipped with the necessary powers to fulfil its statutory function, subject to the legislative and consultative process. 'I need to ensure that the powers granted are proportionate. 'My department and I are in discussions with the Agri-Food Regulator and other key stakeholders to see how this can be achieved.'
Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
Fall in beef kill coming from cow and young bull categories
The drop-off in weekly beef kill supplies is coming predominantly from fewer cows and young bulls being slaughtered, latest Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) figures indicate. In the week ending Sunday, May 25, 28,800 cattle were slaughtered at DAFM-approved factories, which was 2,400 head below the kill from the same week of last year. The majority of this drop-off is coming from reduced cow and young bull kill numbers, with steer kill numbers on par with and heifer kill numbers down slightly on the corresponding week of 2024. The table below details cattle supplies in the week ending Sunday, May 25, compared to the same week of last year, and the cumulative kill to date this year compared to last year: Category Week ending Sunday, May 25 Equivalent Last Year Cumulative 2025 Cumulative 2024 Young Bulls 2,009 2,779 48,378 50,398 Bulls 539 637 10,068 10,587 Steers 11,249 11,244 266,467 256,035 Cows 6,059 7,195 162,817 175,043 Heifers 8,945 9,353 235,543 211,700 Total 28,801 31,208 723,273 703,763 The young bull kill has been in decline for several years now, and factories had been highly vocal in the past about the reduced interest in young bulls. While factories are not actively encouraging or discouraging young bull beef production, most of the major beef processors in Ireland are happy to accept well-finished young bulls from suppliers with which they have established working relationships. Beef kill numbers have been in decline since late February but had still been running above 2024 kills until May of this year, when weekly supplies dipped under weekly kills from May 2024. The graph below illustrates how weekly beef kill numbers this year have been comparing to last year: The drop-off in supplies has managed to edge the beef prices paid to farmers up slightly in the past two weeks. Most factories have reduced the number of days they are killing as supply forecasts indicate beef cattle availability to be reduced for the remainder of the year. Despite the drop-off in cattle supplies, the total number of cattle slaughtered to date this year is still 19,500 head above last year. The initial projection for the 2025 Irish factory prime cattle beef kill was a drop of 5%, but Bord Bia has recently revised this figure to 7-8% as a result of the strong supply in the first four months of this year.
Agriland
2 days ago
- Agriland
Is there a way to make farming ‘more attractive' to the next generation?
One of the big questions that Europe is grappling with at the moment is how to make farming 'more attractive' to younger people. We have had the Vision for Agriculture and Food, from the European Commission, which it claims is 'an ambitious roadmap on the future of farming and food in Europe'. In it the commission promises to set out a generational renewal strategy in 2025, which will include 'recommendations on measures needed both at the EU and national/regional level to address the barriers to young and new people' entering farming. The commission also plans to present a proposal for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which will include measures to support young farmers. Earlier this month the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, hosted a youth policy dialogue with young farmers in Brussels – all participants were below 40 years old in line with the age limit to qualify as a young farmer. One of the key discussions was the current profile and make up of the farming population in Europe. Source: European Commission The dialogue focused on the needs, aspirations, and barriers faced by young people entering or remaining in the farming sector and the commissioner was keen to stress that he is listening to young farmers and taking on board their concerns. What's stopping young people from farming in the future? We asked. They answered—with bold ideas, real challenges & clear demands. From land to credit and skills, they're ready to lead The is listening. The next generation is at the table. Let's keep the momentum going. Christophe Hansen (@CHansenEU) May 7, 2025 Closer to home the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has said that an independent commission report on generational renewal in farming here is set to be released before the end of next month. The commission, which was established last October, 2024, has according to Minister Heydon adopted an 'objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the complex factors involved'. Earlier this year the minister also awarded over €1.5 million for three new European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects on the theme of generational renewal. These projects include: Farm Forward: Connecting Generations and Farming for the Future – which is a partnership between Ballyhoura Development; Teagasc; Dairygold; some farm organisations; and Cork and Limerick county councils, among others; Renewal in Agriculture through Intergenerational Support & Empowerment' (RAISE), – operated by the Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council; the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS); Teagasc; Aurivo; and Dairygold, among others; Using Share Farming to Facilitate Generational Renewal – which is operated by the Land Mobility Service; Succession Ireland; Teagasc; Lakeland Dairies; and Macra, among others. But while discussions at home and further afield continue on the theme of generational renewal in farming a leading rural sociologist was in Ireland this week to share what he believes needs to be done to make agriculture 'more attractive'. Professor Frank Vanclay (centre) with Dr. Áine Macken-Walsh, Teagasc sociologist and Paul Maher, head of international relations and corporate strategy in Teagasc Source: Teagasc Professor Frank Vanclay from the University of Groningen shared a 'framework' which offers concrete guidance for designing CAP measures, extension services, and innovation programmes which he believes could reverse the trend of agricultural decline and 'youth disengagement' from farming. Speaking at Teagasc's Mellows Campus Prof. Vanclay said the framework revolves around four key principles including: Making farming attractive beyond economics ; Addressing structural disadvantages; Farmer-led innovation systems; Simplifying policy implementation. Farming and the next generation According to Prof. Vanclay getting young people into agriculture requires 'addressing emotional, cultural and identity' aspects of farming and not just economic incentives. 'Sustainability means staying on the farm', he said and policies should take on board the 'deep desire of farmers' to hand their farm over to their children – but at the same time there needs to be policies that appeal to women farmers and non-traditional farm workers. The leading rural sociologist also warned that complex and inflexible programmes reduce farmer trust and participation. He has called for 'simpler, context-sensitive programmes co-designed with farmers to enhance both legitimacy and effectiveness'. He also cautioned that while crucial discussions are underway in Ireland and across Europe to encourage younger people to go into farming and to stick with it, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to this issue. Instead Prof. Vanclay said 'differentiated support tailored to specific farming styles and local contexts' is crucial to attract the next generation of farmers whether this is in Ireland or other European countries.
