The annual Agricultural Colleges Challenges Day is set to be held on 12th February in Clonakilty Agricultural College in County Cork. The challenges are based around leadership and teamwork and bring students together from seven agricultural colleges: Kildalton Agricultural College in County Kilkenny, Mountbellew Agricultural College in Co. Galway, Ballyhaise Agricultural College in Co. Cavan, Gurteen Agricultural College in Co. Tipperary, Clonakilty Agricultural College in Co. Cork, Botanic Gardens College of Horticulture in Co. Dublin and Salesian Agricultural College Pallaskenry in Co. Limerick. Twelve students from each college will participate in various competitions such as Simulator Challenge, Stock-judging, Fencing, Tractor Driving, as well as a Technology focused event.
The Farm Business and Technology Award sponsored by National Broadband Ireland, will return for a fourth year in a row. Niall Beirne, NBI’s Head of Corporate Communications commented, “NBI is delighted to again sponsor the Farm Business & Technology Award. This year, the students have been challenged with a very practical and hands-on task to research and identify areas at risk of water pollution, and to suggest methods of preventing environmental contamination. Central to the challenge will be the students use of the internet to research the problem, to identify multiple options for pollution prevention and to select a specific course of action – so the competition is a nice reminder of how the work we are doing at NBI enables the sustainable development of farms. In previous years of the award, we have always seen a high standard of entries, and we’re expecting the submissions for this real-life challenge to be equally good.”
In 2024, a team of three students from Kildalton college took the first place prize in the Farm Business and Technology Award, while Kildalton were also crowned the overall winners on the day.
Anne-Marie Butler, Head of Education, Teagasc commented; “Teagasc is delighted to work with Macra, FRS Farm Services and National Broadband Ireland for this prestigious event. Macra Challenge Day is a highlight of the academic year for all our learners and colleges. It’s great to see college teams working together, applying their knowledge and skills across a number of challenges and most importantly having fun. Congratulations to all participants and their mentors and good luck.”
Macra are delighted to be associated with the annual Challenges Day. Elaine Houlihan, Macra President, said; “Macra are looking forward to an exceptional day in Clonakilty Ag College and we would like to wish all the students the very best of luck on the day.”
