Good farming stock
Carlow's farmer of the year John Roche.
Tuesday August 31 2010
A DAIRY farmer from Hacketstown has been chosen as Carlow's Young Farmer of the Year. 29-year-old father of two John Roche from Ballyedmund is the vice-chairman of Hacketstown IFA and a member of Tinahealy discussion group.
He will compete against 21 of the country's other top young farmers in the national final, which takes place in the Tower Hotel in Waterford this week.
John, who says he's not one to seek out the lime light, was nominated anonymously for the title.
'I had no idea I was being nominated,' he said. 'I've been in anything like this before.'
His three biggest fans, wife Gillian and daughters Amy (5) and Niamh (3), are helping him prepare for his interview today (Tuesday) in Waterford.
John, who also works full time as a farm manager in Baltinglass, switched from suckling and sheep to dairy farming this year and plans to develop the farm to an 80 cow herd over the next six to ten years.
He also participates on farm walks when he can to learn from other farmers. Off the farm, he is involved in a local tug-of-war team and until recently, his local football team.
'Only for my father, Tom Roche, I would have to forget about it,' he added.
The aim of the Young Farmer of the Year competition, is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. Entrants are judged according to a number of criteria including farm business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency and enterprise quality, farm safety and environmental protection awareness, as well as agricultural knowledge and community involvement.
'Winning this award myself was a great honour, to compete against your peers and to learn from them is a valuable experience.,' said national president of Macra na Feirme Michael Gowling and the 2003 winner.
- LYNDA CONNOLLY
