Grassland Club honours prizewinning farmers with awards

The members who had entered the Grazing and Silage Competitions were rewarded for their excellence in management.

The grazing competition was judged last summer by a previous winner, Neil Brown and Gavin Duffy from DAERA. Neil explained that they had several enjoyable days visiting farmers in June, which had proved to be a tricky time for grass management as there had been some rain after a prolonged dry spell and farmers had to contend with a lot of growth.

He said overall the quality of grassland management was very high.

The results were announced by Alan Warnock, on behalf of the sponsors, the Vaughan Trust as follows;

Dairying section – 1 (Stevenson Cup), Colin Foster; 2, Trevor Dunn; 3(tie), James Murphy and Gordon Elliott.

Non-dairying section – 1 (Todd Cup), Stewart Brown; 2, Roy Mayers; 3. Robert Graham.

Overall grazing winner – Colin Foster.

The silage competition was sponsored by Barenbrug for the 20 th year and the competition was judged by a Barenbrug representative and a former winner, Robin West.

The results announced by David Linton were as follows:

Non -dairying section – 1 (Hermon Cup), Neil Cassidy; 2, Gordon Elliott; 3, Lee Beacom.

Dairying section – 1, Trevor Dunn; 2, Robin Clements; 3, Kevin McGrade.

All prizewinners receive a Vaughan Study award for a study tour or training course to the value of £500.

The final award was presentation of the Houston Trophy, regarded as the Club’s highest honour which is presented each year to a Club member “who has made a significant contribution to agriculture through their activities.”

Club Chairman, Connor Donaldson, announcing the winner, said this year’s recipient is known far and wide through his work in Fermanagh over many years.

“He got to know many farmers through his work as a Beef and Sheep Adviser from 2002 to 2018 after which he moved to his present role as a lecturer a Enniskillen Campus.

“This year’s winner, you’ve probably guessed is William Johnston, better known for his work to promote Fermanagh Grassland Club, having held the post of secretary for the past 17 years. During that time the Club has gone from strength to strength. Members have told me how he works quietly and efficiently behind the scenes to make sure everything is ready for meetings, trips and presentations of the annual awards such as here tonight. Some members have said they would not have become a Club member without William’s gentle encouragement.

“While the Club Committee discusses potential speakers and helps to arrange the programme, it is William who organises the speakers and researches them to ensure only the best speakers are available to our members. He organises the farm trips, which in the past have taken us to Scotland where William’s great planning skills ensured successful visits.

“There have been several words used to describe William; persistent, determined and a good organiser. And to those who have been elected Chairman, William’s support is invaluable as he prepares briefing notes and is the go-to person for advice.

“I know William works well with all the office-bearers and this teamwork is evident in the success of the Club. I am delighted to announce that William Johnston is this year’s winner of the Houston Trophy.”

William, accepting the Trophy, said the credit to the Club’s success is due to the members and hardworking committee.

The guest speaker at the dinner was Brian Rankin, a well-known dairy farmer from Limavady who was accompanied by his wife, Alix. He is well known as a poet and has published a number of books of his poems and recitations to raise funds for the Africare charity.

Brian explained that around 20 years ago he went on a mission trip to Uganda where he saw medical practitioners working with children to enable them to lead normal lives. When he returned home, Brian began fundraising for the charity and he is now a popular speaker at concerts and to various groups. He had raised a considerable amount of money for the charity. He sold a considerable number of his books to members on the night.

The next meeting of the Club is on Tuesday, 10 March in the Killyhevlin Hotel when the speaker will be Professor Patrick Wall, UCD, who is a qualified doctor and vet. He will speak on the theme, “Looking after yourselves and your herd.”