The UFU is backing annual #Farm24 and you can too!

Five UFU members, including UFU president Victor Chestnutt, are taking part in the online event and will use the power of social media to show the public a day in the life of a farmer in Northern Ireland, highlighting the hard work and dedication that goes into producing high-quality food.

UFU president Victor Chestnutt said: “By taking part in Farm 24 I aim to provide consumers with more insight into the dedication, care and effort that goes into farming seven days a week, with the hope that it will help to improve awareness among consumers about the safe food we produce, the importance of supporting Northern Ireland agriculture and safeguarding local food security.”

Victor is a fourth-generation livestock farmer based on the North Antrim Coast, near the Giants Causeway. He is married with two grown up children, Zara who works in CAFRE advisory service and David who works on the farm along with his wife Carol. Expect to see all the family out farming on 6 August!

Meet our other UFU members who are taking part.

David Matthews

UFU seeds and cereals chairman David Matthews, has been farming in partnership with his mother and father for 13 years since returning from university.

It is a mixed farm including beef finishing and cereals. Crops grown on the farm include winter barley, winter wheat, winter oats, winter oil seed rape, and spring barley. Oats are grown for human consumption and the rest is for animal feed.

David is looking forward to participating in Farm 24 to highlight the arable industry but also how it plays an integral role in his farm business, as well as the agricultural industry as a whole.

Freda Magill

Rural affairs committee member Freda Magill is a sheep farmer from Rathfriland in Co. Down. She is taking part in 24 Hours in Farming to highlight the passion and effort that goes into producing food for the nation 24/7 and how farmers are proud to uphold some of the highest food production, environmental and animal welfare standards in the world.

Alastair Armstrong

UFU hill farming committee member Alastair Armstrong of Leam Livestock in Co. Fermanagh, is taking part in 24 Hours in Farming for a second year in a row. Leam Livestock work with North Country Cheviot sheep, Limousin and Charolais cattle. Alastair will be using the power of social media to show you what a day on the farm is like for him. You will get a close look at their pedigree stock which highlights the quality livestock that we have in Northern Ireland.

Ian Robinson

A member of the UFU beef and lamb committee, Ian Robinson is a sheep farmer and he also grows a small amount of cereals. He diversified into fencing 20 years ago and this year, started to raise dairy heifers.

Ian wants to show consumers the passion and effort that goes into food production, how farmers care for the environment, protecting natural habitats and ensuring their livestock are healthy and happy.

24 Hours in Farming highlights the pride of the nation’s food producers and encourages farmers to show consumers a typical working day through the power of social media. 

To get involved all you have to do is post on a social media platform of your choice throughout the day, sharing what you are doing on the farm. This can range from doing basic jobs around the yard, feeding livestock, harvesting, or even enjoying a break at teatime because it is important that farmers take time out to reenergise throughout the day. Remember to use the hashtag #Farm24 on every post.

For more information visit the Farmers Guardian’s website.