At the launch of the 2017 Irish Hereford Agricultural bursary were, from left, Larry Feeney, Irish Hereford Breeders Association, which is based in Mullingar; Rory Fanning, MD, Slaney International, Liam Casey, commercial director, Lidl, Enda Rabbit, IHBS, and Willie Branagan, chairman Irish Herefor

Beefing up support for agri students

Published: Thu 22 Jun 2017, 3:33 PM

Last updated: Thu 22 Jun 2017, 4:40 PM

The Irish Hereford Breed Society, based at Harbour Street, Mullingar, in collaboration with Slaney Foods and Lidl is awarding five bursaries of €1,000 each to five applicants at the 86th National Ploughing Championships this year.

“Given the success last year, the first year of the programme, all the supporters are keen to build on that,” said Willie Branagan, Irish Hereford chairman at the launch of the 2017 competition.

It is expected that this year’s competition will again create wide interest from prospective and aspiring agricultural students wishing to go to agricultural college or study agriculture at third level in the Republic of Ireland this coming autumn.

Such students may have completed the Leaving Certificate, could currently be actively farming or may be actively involved in Macra or other agricultural activity.

A growing world population will require sustenance provided by the agricultural community, creating increasing demands on land and water resources, and a well-educated new generation of producers and agricultural graduates will be required to ensure such demands are met in a sustainable way.

To be in with a chance of winning one of these bursaries, candidates should submit an assignment entitled: ‘Ireland’s Green Grass – Our Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow: discuss’ (maximum 2,000 words), with name, address and contact number clearly displayed, by email no later than Friday August 25 to: herefordbursary@gmail.com.

Ten qualifiers will be contacted by phone on Monday September 11 and will be required to attend the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore on Wednesday September 20 and be available to be interviewed by a well-known figure in Irish agriculture, who will select the final five winners.

Rory Fanning from Slaney Foods International said: “Given the recent demand for the Hereford breed and the success of the multi award winning Certified Irish Hereford Beef, we are delighted to come on board and support the society, who initiated the project.”

Commercial director for Lidl, Liam Casey, added: “Hereford has quite quickly become a huge point of differentiation for Lidl and customers have responded exceptionally well to this premium product.

“We are delighted to support the Irish Hereford Breed Society and our supplier Slaney Foods International in offering financial assistance to five aspiring agricultural students.”