Details of the 75th National Ploughing and 2006 World Ploughing Contest were announced today on site at Grangeford, Tullow, Co Carlow to a large number of guests and press.
The National Ploughing Championships and The National Ploughing Association celebrate their 75th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion are hosting the 53rd World Ploughing Contest.
Managing Director of the NPA, Anna May McHugh announced details of the VIP programme for the Championships which includes, Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan opening the National Event on Wednesday 27th, President McAleese will open the World Event on Thursday 28th, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be in attendance on Friday 29th and Minister Brian Cowen will present the World Champions with their prizes on Saturday night, the 30th at the Gala Banquet in The Mount Wolseley Hilton Hotel, headquarters of the Ploughing Championships. Anna May also said “we are very excited about the forthcoming Championships and the chance to promote our sport and country to our International visitors. We anticipate that the 2006 Ploughing Championships will certainly be one to remember”.
Attendance figures which were in the region of 150,000 last year are expected to be up with the event taking place over a four day period. Many more will want to attend and see the 327 top ploughmen and women from 28 countries around the world and the National Ploughing Finals compete.
Exhibition space has been booked up for some time now with in excess of 800 businesses taking stands. There is a massive cross section of businesses taking part at the Ploughing this year. One of the largest overseas property exhibitions comes to the ploughing for the first time, as well as home based properties. Government Departments, political parties, semi state bodies, sporting organisations, hotels and education are just some of the businesses attending. Finance is well represented with banks, stockbrokers and the Financial Regulator coming on board. Health will have a strong presence with respiratory screening, breast and prostate awareness and The Health Service Executive.
The National and World Ploughing Championships also boasts a whole host of new attractions specially to celebrate the 75th Anniversary and the World Ploughing Contest. Coming for the first time to the Ploughing Championships are the ‘JCB Dancing Diggers’ – the 10 tonne ballerinas. Limiting their appearances to 3 to 4 shows a year worldwide, they are sure to stun spectators. Visitors will be amazed to see a team of mechanical monsters weighing over 80 tonnes appear so elegant and light – even dainty! The Dancing Diggers have not performed in this country for approximately 30 years so it is certainly a spectacle not to be missed.
Another first for the Championships are the Land Rover Terrapod Experience who have come to Ireland for the very first time. Those who experience the challenge with a highly trained Land Rover instructor will see the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of 33 degree side slopes, a simulated ice track and huge pot holes easily manoeuvred by the Land Rover vehicles. Land Rover will also be unveiling their brand new Freelander for the very first time.
The forestry area of the Ploughing Championships is growing in strength every year as it becomes an integral part of our National farming programme. The Ploughing Championships will also see a major national campaign, highlighting the benefits to farmers of putting more land into forestry and these benefits will be emphasized in a major forestry display at the Championships. Coillte will be present again this year with a comprehensive display of products and services.
Bio-fuels and Renewable Energy with be “buss words” in the trade arena as this sector is fast becoming a vital element of future agriculture and lifestyles.
The Health & Safety Authority are preparing for the biggest ever Farm Safety Demonstration on show in Ireland highlighting the significantly high number of farm accidents in the country and showcasing how to farm safely.
One of the outstanding attractions at the National and World Ploughing Championships is the Livestock Exhibition, an arena that has always been immensely popular and this year will not be any different.
NCBC are planning four seminars each day covering such subjects as Dairy Breeding, Beef Breeding, Knowing your profitable cows and practices for improving cow fertility and controlling disease.
Breeds on display include Hereford, Shorthorns, Charolais, Aberdeen Angus, Parthenaise, Piemontese, Irish Blond d’Aquitaine, Belgian Blue, Salers, Irish Limousine, Montbeliarde, Simmental and Aubrac as well as the National Sheep Breeders Tunnel.
The cutting edge in machinery will be on a “World Showcase” with market leaders in the machinery industry displaying their latest technology. Case IH will be exhibiting the biggest tractor in the country the STX and other tractors on display will include New Holland & Case, McCormick, Landini, Lambourgini, JCB, Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Ursus, Kubota, Valtra, Zetor and Deutz.
With over 65 acres of exhibition space and a 20 acre of demonstration arena, you can rest assured that the biggest agricultural event in Europe will be an entertaining, educational and fun four days out!