News round-up from NE Armagh

The North East Armagh Group arranged the Co Armagh cereal competition this year. There was a large number of entries from across the County in each category.

Congratulations go to the Cereal competition winners: Winter barley – Hugh McManus, Markethill group; Spring Barley – Campbell Kee, Portadown Group; Winter wheat – Victor & Richard Hunniford, Portadown Group; Oats – Thomas Gilpin, Armagh Group.

Well done to Thomas Gilpin who had his field of oats placed second in the overall Northern Ireland competition.

The group would like to pass on their thanks to David Johnston and Timothy Hunniford for giving up their time to judge the competition.

The group committee have put together a varied programme of events for the winter programme starting off with the annual day away on Thursday past. The group visited a large beef finishing unit followed by lunch at the Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown. After lunch the party had a tour of Linden Foods factory.

On Monday 14 November a meeting has been arranged where George Mullan, General Manager, ABP Group will give a talk on Post Brexit outcome in the beef industry and information regarding the Northern Ireland Suckler Beef Programme (NISBP). This programme is sponsored by ABP and CAFRE.

On Thursday 1st December the group in conjunction with the Armagh group are holding a “Farm Families Health & Welfare Day.” This event has become an annual event. The open afternoon will take place at John McCullagh’s, the group chairman’s farm, Mullantine Road, Portadown, from noon to 3pm.

This year stands will include Fire Arm Legislation, Rural Crime, Agricultural Vehicles on the road, Vulcan Inspection Services, Farm Families Health Check Van, Chain Saw Safety, Animal Rescue, Slurry Safety Equipment and Farm Safety to name but a few. In attendance on the day will be the UFU Technical team, PSNI and the Fire Service. The Group Managers will provide lunch by way of a barbecue. There will be a charity collection on the day with the proceeds being split between “The Brain Tumour Charity” and Marie Curie.

Wednesday 11th January 2017 – Meet your Presidential Team. 8.00pm Armagh City Hotel.

Monday 13th February 2017 – A meeting has been arranged with a local vet to speak on reducing antibiotics to comply with legislation.

Friday 24th February 2017 – Co Armagh Ulster Farmers’ Union Annual Dinner Dance. Tickets available from the local Co Armagh offices.