It’s a celebration!

Yes, you’ve guessed it – it’s National Ploughing Championships (the Ploughing) month. This year marks the 94th outing of this great institution, and with it comes a change of setting. We’re heading to Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from September 16-18, where gates will open from 9am to 6pm daily in the exhibition areas. Ploughing competitions run from 10.30am to 2.30pm each day, with over 350 skilled men and women set to battle it out across various classes all in the hope of progressing to European and even world ploughing championship level.
One of the things that keeps the Ploughing fresh is how it moves around every few years, giving different counties a chance to shine while also offering a real economic boost to those rural communities.
As Europe’s leading outdoor agricultural trade exhibition, the Ploughing is an absolute powerhouse – boasting over 1,400 trade stands (and growing), with millions in sales and an unrivalled platform to showcase what Irish and international agri-businesses and agri-services have to offer.
This year’s setup includes an agricultural zone featuring everything from forestry and farm buildings to renewable energy, while the rural lifestyle zone will feature food, drink, wellbeing, crafts and all things equestrian. The residential zone gives a taste of home improvement, landscaping and horticulture, while the motor zone will have all the latest on cars, vans, trucks and ATVs.
Of course, no visit would be complete – in my books, anyway – without a stroll through the machinery exhibition. There are some fresh faces joining the lineup this year, and who, we wonder, will take the coveted Machine of the Year Award? If livestock is your thing, then this area promises even more breeds and expert insight into breeding, showing, nutrition and genetics. Foodies are well looked after too, with a mouth-watering array of local and national produce on offer.
But perhaps the real jewel in the crown is Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena, where over 40 Irish companies will unveil cutting-edge research, AI developments and agricultural tech. I am excited to check all this out!
And here is an interesting tidbit for you – would you believe that around five per cent of the Irish population turns up at the Ploughing each year? That’s some pull!
But before all that kicks off, I want to share with you some details of a recent trip to the Netherlands with the team from Kverneland Ireland. We visited the European HQ of both Kverneland and Kubota, and were treated to an engaging presentation on their future plans, including a sneak peek at what they’re preparing to launch at Agritechnica. I’ll have the full lowdown on that in the October issue.

That evening, we also raised a glass to the legendary German machinery journalist Cord Lehmann, who was signing off after 45 years in the field. A true stalwart of the agricultural media, he bows out with the respect and admiration of an entire industry. We wish him every happiness in his well-earned retirement.

I had the chance to attend the official launch of this year’s Ploughing on the Co. Offaly site a few weeks ago. What a buzz. I met all the movers and shakers in the business the mood was really upbeat and positive. You ‘d barely drive a stake into the ground it was that hard after all the good weather – we hope that continues for the duration of the three-day event. And as I looked in the rear-view mirror as I left the site that evening, I have to say, I felt a little emotional. Isn’t it great that we can celebrate our passion for rural life, agriculture and machinery on such a large scale every year, to such a vast and varied audience? Book your tickets, polish your welly boots and whatever you do, don’t forget the suncream (if the weather is hot!)

Until next month – farm wisely, farm safely.