Silage success

Nick Rowsome (NFU Mutual Financial Advisor) and group member Willy Potter at family Breakfast meeting.

On Tuesday 10th December 2019 the group held their annual Christmas Charity Quiz and Raffle, raising £358 for Belfast City Hospital Cancer Centre. A sincere thanks to the members and local businesses who supported the event.

Friday 3rd January 2020, Members travelled to Kingspan stadium for the Ulster V Munster match. A great result with a win for Ulster Rugby on the night and all members really enjoyed this event.

The Group had success at the Annual Silage Competition with Robert Rodgers placed 3rd overall in Northern Ireland in the Alternative forage category. Many congratulations to Robert on your award and thanks to John Anderson of United Feeds for conducting the group judging for East Tyrone.

Lisa McCann (Ulster Bank) and group Member Sandra Bayne at Family Breakfast meeting.

The East Tyrone Group winners were as follows: Dairy Sector - Glen Faulkner; Beef & Sheep Sector - Robert Miller; Alternative Forage – Robert Rodger.

Our February meeting focused on Finance on the farm with Cormac McKervey, Senior Agriculture Manager, Ulster Bank, and Nick Rowsome, Financial Advisor, NFU Mutual addressing attendees. If any member would like any further information following this meeting, please call the office and request a free telephone appointment with Nick to discuss any queries you may have.

Our final meeting of the season was a family event at Bluebells Café, Cookstown on Friday, 6th March. Members enjoyed a delicious breakfast kindly sponsored by Ulster Bank. Lisa McCann of Ulster Bank provided members with information on funding available for local farming businesses and Victor Chestnutt, UFU Deputy president, provided a Rural Affairs update. The Farm Families Health Check van was also in attendance and this service was fully booked by members having a MOT throughout the Breakfast meeting.

The agriculture sector is facing stressful times following the Coronavirus Pandemic. Farmers have seen a reduction in prices and there is uncertainty on what the future post lockdown will bring. The UFU have produced a Frequently Asked Questions document to support members during Coronavirus, this can be accessed on the UFU website.

Victor Chestnut UFU Deputy President speaking to members at Family Breakfast meeting.

If you would like to speak to a member of the UFU team whether due to emotional or financial reasons please call the office on 02886762632 or UFU Headquarters on 02890370222 for support and guidance.

If you are not currently a member of the group or would like to join please contact the office and speak to Pamela or Judith. For members who would like to pay by direct debit there is a free bodywarmer available.

Finally, the East Tyrone Office is open for business, albeit in a different format. We are working remotely, you can still reach us on 02886762632, whereby we can deal with all queries over the phone.

If you are not receiving emails or texts from the UFU Group with regular industry updates, call the office and provide your contact details to receive these.

East Tyrone Group has its own Facebook page: East Tyrone Ulster Farmers’ Union. Please like and share this page to keep up to date with all UFU matters affecting both Northern Ireland and the local East Tyrone Area.

Wishing all members, a safe and productive summer on the farm.