News 2022 Archives - Page 3 of 4 - National Ploughing Association

Keeping You Safe Wristband Initiative

Posted on 14/07/2022 by National Ploughing Association

The hugely successful Ploughing & FBD: Keeping You Safe Wristband Initiative will return for this year's Championships

The Ploughing and FBD: Keeping You Safe child safety wristband project will be an important feature again at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, which will take place in its full entirety for the first time in three years in Ratheniska, Co Laois on September 20th, 21st & 22nd. This important endeavour will involve the distribution of over 40,000 white wristbands at all of the event entrances, which will allow a contact phone number to be written on the band in case the wearer wanders off amidst the large gathering.

“We are delighted to be partnering up with FBD again on this excellent safety concept as all can now rest assured that loved ones will be returned safely in case they wander away in the massive crowds that will be in attendance. With 300,000 visitors expected over the course of the 3 days these wristbands give reassurance and great peace-of-mind to all attending the event and add immensely to visitor experience”, said NPA MD Anna May McHugh.

“A day at Ploughing is a brilliant family day with something of interest for all ages & tastes and children are particularly well catered for with a Playground, Baby Changing Areas, Fun Fair, Pony Games, over 1,000 Animals of all types, Junior Baking Competitions, Sporting Heroes, TV Stars, Sweet & Toy Stands and much more,” she added.

FBD CEO Tomás O’Midheach said “Everyone at FBD Insurance is delighted to return and support Ploughing this year. We are especially pleased to continue our support for the wristband child safety initiative. Over the years, this important initiative has proved incredibly useful in protecting children should they become separated from their parents or

loved ones while attending the largest event in the Irish farming calendar.”

To get the best price and guarantee ticket availability on the day of your choice book now online www.npa.ie. This year there is a new family ticket on offer for 2 adults and 2 secondary school students for the special price of €80. And all children under 12 years of age are free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

EXHIBITOR BOOKINGS ARE POURING IN FOR THIS YEAR’S NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS AS BUSINESSES AVAIL OF THE SPECIAL EARLY BIRD RATE

Posted on 16/05/2022 by National Ploughing Association

There has been an immense trade interest in exhibiting at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, which will take place in Ratheniska, Co Laois on September 20^th, 21^st & 22^nd. 300,000 visitors are expected to attend Europe’s largest outdoor event, it is widely viewed as the gig of the year highlighting all that is great about Irish companies, food, farming and culture. To guarantee your space and to avail of a special early bird rate book before May 16^th.

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said, “It is wonderful to see all of the returning exhibitors and to welcome the large volume of new exhibitors, who will be partaking at the first ‘Ploughing’ in three years. We continue to make a determined effort to improve exhibitor and visitor experience alike, and again this year will be no exception with 30 kilometres of metal roadway, security, lighting, waste removal services, infrastructure and general facilities available on site.”

This year is a particularly exciting one, as Ireland will host the 67^th World Ploughing Contest. World Ploughing Organization General Secretary Anna Marie McHugh said, “it is with great delight that Ireland will welcome ploughing teams and their supporters from 24 countries all over the world where a true masterclass in ploughing will be on display with the most skilled international competitors battling it out throughout the event.”

To book your trade exhibition space or planning your journey to #Ploughing2022 please call 059 8625125 or email info@npa.ie.

National Ploughing AGM Focus On Plans For Return Of Exhibition & Hosting World Event

Posted on 27/04/2022 by National Ploughing Association

Date: Wednesday 27^th of April 2022

National Ploughing Association Directors from every county in Ireland attended today’s NPA AGM in Athy, Co Kildare, where a most powerful and productive meeting took place. A full progress report was presented to the meeting detailing the preparations for the 91^stNational Ploughing Championships and 67^th World Ploughing Contest taking place in Ratheniska, Co Laois on September 20^th, 21^st & 22^nd.

The focus of the AGM was firmly on plans for the return of the exhibition after a 2-year break due to Covid-19 and the last minute allocation of the 2022 World Contest to Ireland. The NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said, “At the moment it is full steam ahead for this year’s event with bookings pouring in as exhibitors are availing of the special early bird rate until mid-May. It is fantastic to see such a positive reaction from patrons as they are delighted to see the return of the National Ploughing – it’s a very challenging year for the Association with a huge workload ahead – but we are massively excited to be back with the added honour of holding a World Contest.”

To book your trade exhibition space for this year or planning your journey to #Ploughing2022 please call 059 8625125
or email info@npa.ie. Follow us on www.facebook.com/nationalploughing – www.twitter.com/npa.ie – www.instagram.com/nationalploughing

Agri-innovators and businesses invited to enter Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Arena Competition

Posted on 13/04/2022 by National Ploughing Association

The Annual Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena Competition returns to this year’s National Ploughing Championship in Ratheniska, Co Laois
Closing date for applications for the competition, in partnership with the National Ploughing Association, is June 1st

11^th April 2022– Enterprise Ireland’s Annual Innovation Arena Awards 2022 have today officially been launched, as the competition physically returns to this year’s National Ploughing Championship event.

The Innovation Arena Competition, which is run in partnership with the National Ploughing Association, is an annual competition that invites businesses and innovators in the agritech sector to enter their pioneering agri-related products and services for consideration.

For the last two years, the awards have been held virtually. However, this year will see the return of the hugely popular ‘Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena’ at the three-day National Ploughing Championship, which is being held in Ratheniska, Co Laois from September 20^th to 22^nd.

There are a number of prizes across several categories, and those who are short-listed will be invited to showcase their products and innovative agritech solutions at the ‘Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena’, alongside the winners from the virtual competition in 2020 and 2021.

Ireland has a long and proud history in the agricultural sector, and now global leaders are increasingly turning to Irish ag-tech innovators for solutions. At the Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championship, the future of Irish agritech will be on display, including a wide variety of future proofing solutions along with the latest advances in agri machinery.

Innovators and entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector are now invited to submit applications, and the entries have opened today. The closing date for applications for this year’s competition is June 1^st.

Last year’s competition attracted more than 50 entries, and the overall winner was Brandon BioScience, from Kerry, who developed a new seaweed-based bio stimulant, which is used in a new Terra range of granular nitrogen fertilisers that improve sustainable farming.

The award categories in this year’s competition includes the Established Company ‘Innovator of the Year Award’, the Start-up Company ‘Innovator of the Year Award’ 2022, the Sustainable Agriculture Award, Agri-Safety Award and Young Innovator of the Year.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar said: “The Innovation Arena Competition brings together some of the brightest minds in Ireland’s agricultural sector every year. I encourage all agri-innovators to enter and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity. Ireland is synonymous with agriculture, and it is our own entrepreneurs who are helping to shape the future of the sector.”

Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “We are delighted to launch this year’s competition and to return with our live Arena at the National Ploughing Championships, the flagship event in the Irish agricultural calendar. Agriculture continues to be a key pillar in the Irish economy, and the Innovation Arena Competition showcases the leadership Ireland provides on creating solutions to global challenges and opportunities based on our deep heritage and entrepreneurial culture.”

NPA Managing Director, Anna May McHugh said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Enterprise Ireland again this year to see the return of the tremendously successful Innovation Arena. The Innovation Arena Awards at the National Ploughing Championships are a wonderful opportunity for anyone who has a good business idea, product or service to showcase at Europe’s largest outdoor event with approximately 300,000 visitors and international buyers from all over the world. Throughout the years the Innovation Arena at Ploughing has seen some of the most groundbreaking technologies and amazing cutting-edge ideas, with previous winners going on to have serious success in business both in Ireland and on the global stage.”

To enter this year’s Innovation Arena Awards please click here.

Closing date for entries Wednesday 1^st June 2022.