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Emo Oil – Our Brand New Sponsor

Posted on 18/08/2021 by National Ploughing Association

NPA ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT EMO OIL WILL BE A BRAND NEW SPONSOR FUELLING THIS YEAR’S NATIONAL PLOUGHING COMPETITIONS

#Ploughing2021 is due to take place behind closed gates from September 15th to 17th in Rathenisa, Co Laois

This year the National Ploughing Association will celebrate its 90th Anniversary with the National Ploughing Championships competitions brining the focus back to its 1931 ‘ploughing’ origins. It is tremendous to have Emo Oil on board as the new Official Fuel & Lubricants sponsor who will provide fuel for all of the 350 competitors who will be battling it out throughout the 3 days.

At the launch Managing Director of the NPA, Anna May McHugh spoke of how she looked forward to working very closely with Emo Oil as a new National Ploughing Association sponsor. She said, “I am delighted that Emo Oil have come on board this year as sponsorship partners. Emo Oil are a very well-known brand throughout Ireland and instantly recognisable throughout the rural community.”

“As an organisation, they have a great appreciation of the importance and impact events such as the National Ploughing Championships have on both the national economy and the rural community.”

Managing Director of DCC Oil Ireland Andrew Graham said, “It’s fantastic to see the ploughing competitions back in action in 2021 for the 90th year anniversary, and we’re excited to be partnering as the new fuel & lubricants sponsor. We are proud to be a part of an event that brings the very best of Ireland’s agri sector together. “

“Emo Oil is a local Irish business that has been supporting farmers for over 40 years with quality agri fuels & lubricants – so partnering for the 90th running of the ploughing championships was something we didn’t want to miss. While unfortunately we cannot welcome any customers to the event this year, we will be fuelling all the competitors throughout the event and will be on hand to offer advice and support.“

#Ploughing2021

NPA cancel all ploughing classes except international qualifiers

Posted on 28/08/2020 by National Ploughing Association

The National Ploughing Association Executive made the difficult decision to cancel all National Ploughing Finals 2020 with the exception of Senior qualifier classes for 2021 which include qualification for the World Ploughing Contest scheduled to be hosted in Ireland next September. The qualifying classes have been postponed until 6^th – 7^th – 8^th October conditional on HSE & government recommendations at that time.

The NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said that “the Executive reached the decision to cancel the Trade Exhibition back in May in the hope that by September the National Ploughing Classes could go ahead behind closed gates, however as public health and safety is the NPA’s foremost priority and with the recent surge in Covid-19 cases the Association felt that the safest option for everyone involved was to cancel the competitions.
With visitor attendance last year of 297,000 and up to 1,700 exhibitors the full event was not an option in the midst of a global pandemic.

Exhibitors, visitors & patrons have all expressed their disappointment with “no ploughing this year” and the NPA together with a number of associates have planned a programme of online activations during what should have been “Ploughing Week” starting on the 14^th with the Enterprise Ireland and NPA Innovation Awards, Exhibitor promotions and activations on 15^th – 16^th – 17^th and the Aldi, NPA and ICA National Brown Bread Baking Competition finals on 17^th September. Follow #Ploughing2020.

With an annual economic impact reported to be in the region of €45 million the loss of this event is massively significant to the Irish Economy however the NPA are looking forward to September 2021 (15th-16th-17th -18^th) marking the 90th year of the NPA and Ireland will be hosting the World Ploughing Contest in tandem with the National.

National Ploughing Association Managing Director, Anna May McHugh said “when lives are potentially at risk then we all have to take stock and just limit our activities to an absolute minimum – we will see brighter days please god in 2021 and I look forward to getting back to “the ploughing” as we know it.”

We hope to return to normal services in 2021

Irish Ploughing Team’s Success in Russia

Posted on 09/07/2018 by National Ploughing Association

Welcome Home Reception in Dublin Airport to celebrate the Irish Ploughing Team’s great success at the recent European Ploughing Contest in Suzdal, Russia – Liam O’Driscoll from Bandon, Co Cork who beat off stiff competition to win first place at the European Competition and Dan Donnelly from Blackwater, Co Wexford who came 1^st the stubble ploughing and 4^th in the overall competition.

The team were managed by Laois man DJ McHugh and coached by Joe Slattery from Tipperary. The NPA President James Sutton also accompanied the Irish team to Russia.

Innovation Arena Awards open for applications

Posted on 09/07/2018 by National Ploughing Association

Total prize fund to the value of over €80,000

Embargo, Friday 6 April 2018

Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation ArenaAwards at the National Ploughing Championships, in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Journal, are now open for applications from Irish companies within the agri sector. The awards will take place within the popular Innovation Arena at the heart of the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, 18-21 September 2018.

The Innovation Arena is a unique platform from which Irish companies can showcase pioneering developments in the agri sector and related subsectors such as agri-tech and agri-engineering. This year’s arena will also feature a conference venue where companies can launch new productsand present to international buyers – over 100 buyers from all over the globeattended last year.

Judging for the awards will take place at the arena throughout the three-day event in categories including ‘Agri Engineering’ and ‘Agricultural Technology’. The overall start-up winner will be eligible to win up to €15,000 prize package.

In addition to propelling Irish innovations to a world stage, this year’s Arena will feature seminars on key issues affecting the sector including Brexit and Global Marketsand facilitate crucialnetworking opportunities for attending companies. Last year’s competition attracted 200 entries ; 69 were shortlisted as finalist exhibitorsat the Innovation Arena.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland said: “The Irish agri sector is a rapidly increasing contributor to the economy and the companies who display their innovations each year at the Innovation Arena are a stellar example of the innovative and revolutionary development taking place in this country. Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting companies with global ambition who have innovation at the core of their business, and for this reason, the Innovation Arena at the National Ploughing Championships, where the top innovations are showcased for international buyers, is a key event for us. I am also delighted to say that the ‘Innovation Boot Camp’ will once again take place on August 15. This Boot Camp will deliver advice, mentoring, and support for innovators in the agri sector.”

Eoin Lowry, Deputy Editor, Irish Farmers Journal said:“Ireland has a prominent agricultural industry and The Farmers Journal’s involvement with the Innovation Arena is reflective of our position as a driver of innovation within this space. Globally, Ireland has a reputation as an industrial leader and the Innovation Arena highlights the change and development occurring within the sector. The Farmers Journal is delighted to once again partner with Enterprise Ireland and the National Ploughing Championships to promote and support the companies at the forefront of sector.”

Anna May McHugh, Managing Director of the National Ploughing Championships said:“The National Ploughing Championships has been a focal point of innovation since its establishment. Agriculture is deeply rooted in Irish culture and is a significant factor in rural Ireland’s economic growth. We are again delighted to team up with Enterprise Ireland and the Farmers Journal to facilitate the Innovation Arena for 2018. I look forward to seeing the leaders in agri-innovation as they leverage the Arena to showcase all we have to have offer in terms Irish manufacturing and products.”

The 2018 NPA Innovation Arena prize fund equates to over €80,000 in supports. The overall award winner will receive a top prize worth €15,000 from Enterprise Ireland and The Irish Farmers Journal which includes advertising and PR support, mentoring and a cash prize of €5,000. All finalists will receive an advertising voucher to promote their innovation through the Irish Farmers Journal and a subsidised stand in the Innovation Arena for 2018.The final participants for the 2018 Innovation Arena will be selected on July 23.

To enter this year’s Innovation Arena Awards please visit: www.innovationarena.ie