Describing the Northern Ireland poultry industry as “big business” – “it is no longer chicken feed” – Mr Harry West, the Minister of Agriculture, told farmers during week in December 1965.

Of this, roughly £18 million was accounted for by the poultry industry, of which £15 million comes from eggs alone, he said.

“Last year the figures were £15.7 million and £13.1 million respectively, so the increase in agricultural output for the last year £6 million, the poultry industry has contributed £3 million,” said Mr West when he presented cups and certificates to the winners of the Gosford poultry test, at Dundonald House, Belfast.

Mr West said he set great value on the Gosford tests which provided “a proving ground for an important part of our largest single industry”.

Judged the best pair of Blackface shearling rams were twins from the flock of Mr Patrick Harkin, Donemana, Co Tyrone. With the rams, one of which became the champion and set new record price for Northern Ireland, are the Harkin brothers – Charles, John and Jim. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

placeholder image — Judged the best pair of Blackface shearling rams were twins from the flock of Mr Patrick Harkin, Donemana, Co Tyrone. With the rams, one of which became the champion and set new record price for Northern Ireland, are the Harkin brothers – Charles, John and Jim. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

Pointing out that the trend for the breeding of the commercial layers to be taken over by the large breeding organisations had continued, Mr West said that a number of such organisations had introduced improved strains of birds during the year. All stock was imported through quarantine under the strict supervision of the Ministry’s Veterinary Division and would be entered for testing at Gosford.

“The Northern Ireland poultry farmer now has access to most of the leading strains of poultry in the world, and results from the Gosford tests of such strains can be studied in conjunction with results from other laying trials,” said Mr West.

“There has been a considerable number of modern poultry units established throughout Northern Ireland within the past year, largely brought about by the continued expansion of ‘poultry groups’. The number of flocks with more than 500 birds has increased from 841 in 1961 to 1,989 in 1964, an increase of 136 per cent. The modern poultry unit in Northern Ireland is as far advanced in housing, equipment, strains of birds and technical knowledge as that found anywhere in the world.”

He added: “This is the sign of the times but there is still a place for the efficient farmer in commercial poultry production. There always will be but we must remember that in this context we are talking about farms which are at minimum a one-man business.”

In September 1980 two hill sheep breeders stole the limelight in both the prizes and prices at the annual show and sale of Blackface pedigree shearling rams at Ballymena. Lined up for the judging of the Blackface rams at the show and sale. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

Stressing the importance of the Gosford tests, Mr West said they were provided for the benefit of the industry and while congratulating the winners he would encourage everyone in the poultry industry to refer to the results of these tests when buying new stock.

“After all, it was only common-sense as well as good business to take advantage of research,” he remarked. “In the final analysis all farmers wanted to make money as did everyone else and the difference of a few pence per bird might be the difference between profit and loss or between a good living and a mere profit.”

Introducing the minister at the outset, Mr N Bingham, who was in charge of the Gosford tests, commented: “This is our big day.”

Mr R W McCammond, director in charge of E F Fairbairn, Ltd, in Northern Ireland, who collected four cups, paid a tribute to Mr Bingham and the ministry staff for making the Gosford tests such a success.

Thanking the minister for presenting the awards, Mr Bingham said: “We appreciate the interest that he takes in the trials.”

The prizewinners of the Gosford tests were as follows: Ministry of Agriculture Cup for the pens showing the highest hen-housed average provided 70 per cent of the eggs were large and standard grade - Mrs M Alexander, Redhall, Ballycarry, Co Antrim with pen of White Leghorn. Hen-housed average 219.5 eggs per bird. Per cent large and standard grade eggs 74.3 per cent. Fairbairn Cup for most profitable entry as judged by the value of the eggs and carcase, less the cost of food, E F Fairbairn, Ltd, Portadown, with pen of White Leghorn. Margin £1 7s 8d per bird. Roundhill Cup for entry with greatest margin of egg income plus carcase value over food costs from flocks of from 100 to 1,000 birds, Sterling Poultry Products, Ltd (E F Fairbairn, Portadown) with a pen of White Link. Margin £1 11s 2d per bird. Average for test £1 2s 6d. Mitchell Cup for the entry from flocks of 100 to 1,000 birds producing the greatest number of large and standard sized eggs, Sterling Poultry Products, Ltd (E F Fairbairn) with pen of White Link. Total eggs produced 10,200 (test average 8,326). Number large and standard grade 8,448 (test average 6,439). Large and standard grade 82/82 per cent, (test average 77.36 per cent). Murland Cup for the entry with the greatest margin of egg income plus carcase value over food costs from flocks of over 1,000 birds (provided there are at least three entries), R A Wright (Chicks), Ltd, Newtownards, Co Down, with pen of Double A1. Margin £1 8s per bird. Average for test £1 2s 6d. Ministry of Agriculture Cup for quality, E F Fairbairn Limited, with pen of Medium Hycross.