Packed agenda for members in West Antrim

Evelyn Sloan getting the beef and sheep cup on behalf of Jonathan Sloan. Harold and Mark Johnston receiving the dairy silage cup.

The invited panel members were Joe McDonald from ASDA, Richard Halleron, agricultural journalist, and Roberta Simmons ,YFC President. There was a large attendance of members which created good, lively and valued discussions. Kevin added to the evening with witty banter.

The answers given by the panel left the members with plenty of food for thought.

The next date to put in your diary is our joint group annual day trip on April 19. This year we will be visiting the Downpatrick area, firstly visiting Patrick Magee’s dairy farm in the morning followed by a three course lunch which will be at Currans, seafood and steak house, then a visit to Mr John Carson’s beef farm in the afternoon.

If any of our members would like to go, please give your name to the Mid Antrim or West Antrim UFU office or as soon as possible.

The cost per person is only £25 which includes the use of a coach throughout the day. Our two day trip to the JCB factory and farm visit in England in September is now nearly fully booked.

In our annual 2016 silage competition the three winners were: Milk – Harold Johnston; Beef and Sheep – Jonathan Sloan; Big Bale – Graeme Campbell.

Congratulations to our winners and a big ‘thank you’ to all who entered. Harold Johnston then went on to win the Northern Ireland silage final. Congratulations to him and his family and also a big thank you to him for allowing us to use his farm for the recent David Cameron visit to Northern Ireland.

Congratulations also go to Randal Hayes on being elected as UFU County Antrim Vice Chairman.

Finally we want to wish Ivan Tierney a speedy recovery after his major operation and hope he will be back in action in the not too distant future.