The jewel in the crown

Up next is Agritechnica in November, and we wait in anticipation of what’s on offer from the big European machinery players for 2024. Some of us have even booked our trip to LAMMA next January.
But back to the Ploughing. It is the jewel in the crown of agri-themed shows here and worldwide. It is unique and has become a celebration of Irish agriculture and all that’s good about our industry. The National Ploughing Association (NPA) saw potential in commercial activities back in the 1980s, with trade and machinery stands, food halls and government agencies increasingly populating the site. Financial institutions, political-party tents and a plethora of service industries, supermarkets and other commercial outlets all followed to the extent that the Ploughing has grown from 17 stands back in the day to 1,700 stands this year. Anna May McHugh and her team’s vision has developed an event to be proud of.

The NPA has hosted several World Ploughing Championships and our plough men and women regularly bring world ploughing honours to Ireland. 

This year brought changes. The decision to sell tickets online was inevitable. The NPA had no choice but to go down this route for safety and efficiency reasons. Many GAA fixtures use online ticketing and it’s a matter of time before agricultural shows follow suit.

Despite keyboard-warrior criticism, there is nothing the NPA can do about the weather and running an outdoor, mobile event is hazardous in the best of conditions. Heads and hearts sank among the exhibitors and NPA staff when the rain came to undo all the good work setting up the site and car parks, which had been completed in Mediterranean-type conditions in the previous weeks. I witnessed it all and felt the pain and disappointment of everyone involved as the heavens opened in the days leading up to the event in Ratheniska.

However, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, as I walked in the rain and short bursts of sunshine, business was being done and many companies felt it was one of the best ploughing championships they had attended. Despite the weather and carpark woes, the mood was upbeat with smiling faces consuming ice cream, burgers and more exotic food items; kids were splashing in the mud; and throngs of young and older people dancing away through it all. What’s not to like about the Ploughing?
Until next month farm wisely, farm safely.