Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster

President Kristina Fleming

YFCU president launches 2026 Christmas Food Bank Appeal

Lauren McKeown, ruminant nutritionist with Fane Valley Feeds pictured alongside YFCU AERA committee member, Emma Ross

Committee explores industry insights and visits an innovative farming estate

William Sufferin, Amy Breeze, Victoria Minford and Derek Lough.

YFCU members prepare to showcase group debating skills

Allister Crawford (Seskinore YFC)

YFCU members Allister and Ashton receive prestigious Young Farmer awards

Back row (left to right) Andrew Reid, Ellen McAllister, Victoria Minford, Rachel McCracken, Middle row (left to right) Anna McCready, Erinn Braniff, front row (left to right) James Currie, Joshua Quail, Hannah Martin and Timothy Keys. Enjoying the views at Lake Moraine.

YFCU agri-study tour to Canada helps members gains a valuable insight

Stakeholder representatives from LMC, UFU, YFCU and ABP are pictured launching Love Lamb Week 2026 at Joshua Keys’ farm near Fivemiletown.

Industry unites to champion NIFQA lamb during Love Lamb Week

The UFU has relaunched the Next Generation Forum

UFU Next Generation Forum is now opening applications

Irish Moiled exhibitors Michelle McCauley, Dungannon and Ruby Delaney, Moira. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Antrim Show PICTURES - You are bound to know someone here

Judges Clifford Currie and Mark Hayes with Co Antrim chairperson Gareth Baird

A busy start to summer 2026 for Co Antrim Young Farmers

Andrew Muir joined by Derek Lough and presidential team

Minister Muir approves of the new YFCU strategic plan

Karen Walker assisting at YFCU event with Joyce Allen and Helen Laird

Karen Walker joins the YFCU presidential team for a second year

Lois McCurdy was named most promising actress (Three Act 2026)

Drama dinner and awards night recognises members’ creativity and artistic flair

Guests at the dinner

Killinchy YFC celebrated a major milestone with their anniversary dinner

Joshua Keys, aged 21, (front first from left) has been appointed as one of four vice presidents of the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster (YFCU), marking a significant milestone in his long-standing involvement with the organisation.

Joshua Keys steps into role as vice president role with YFCU

Ballywalter Young Farmers’ Club enjoyed a highly successful and memorable weekend at the AGM and conference 2026, held at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh, from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th April.

Ballywalter YFC enjoy highly successful and memorable weekend at YFCU AGM

YFCU membership development manager Roberta Simmons, along with the Poyntzpass Young Farmers’ Crew and principal, Mrs McAlister

YFCU supports new farming club launch at Poyntzpass Primary School
Poyntzpass Primary School has officially launched its brand new farming club, Poyntzpass Young Farmers’ Crew, with its first meeting taking place on Tuesday 14th April.
Darryl Armitage

Arts festival after party at Ballymena Rugby Club

Clubs from across Co Antrim enjoy a great start to 2026

Richard Beattie, Heather Martin and Eamon Duignan

Lakeland Dairies have come on board as the principal sponsor of YFCU AGM

Main picture - Current Harper Ireland Chairman Liam McKenna with the evening's speaker,the President of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster – and Harper Adams University alumnus – Richard Beattie,

Students in Harper Adams University will help build the ‘future of agriculture

Stormont

Apprenticeships in agriculture mooted with upsurge of ‘young people in farming’

Members from Moneymore YFC taking part in the arts festival

YFCU arts festival heats are now officially sold out ahead of this week's events

Gareth Jones. Pic credit: Lloyd Almond

Ulster Wool competition is open to YFC members aged 18–30

Team relay prize winners

YFCU swimming gala makes a splash at Queen’s University Belfast

Dylan, Katie, Emily, Linzi and Richard Beattie, YFCU president, representatives of Team NI

Collone YFC club secretary Linzi Kennedy looks back at her visits Slovenia

The YFCU delegation in Westminster Hall (left to right) Robin Swann MP, Harry Crosby, Richard Beattie, Joyce Allen, Adrianna Coulter, Karen Walker, Derek Lough and Kristina Fleming

YFCU delegation visits Westminster to champion the future of farming

Robin Swann is urging support for the UK's young farmers

Robin Swann MP has tabled an Early Day Motion to Parliament

Robin Swann MP (South Antrim, Ulster Unionist Party)

Swann presses Starmer on Family Farm Tax
South Antrim MP Robin Swann has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to change course on the Family Farm Inheritance Tax.
By The Newsroom

YFCU delegates Katie Witherspoon, Dylan Walker, YFCU president Richard Beattie, Linzi Kennedy and Emily Clarke

Youth advocacy and rural culture take centre stage at European Rally

YFCU CEO, Derek Lough pictured with Lantra All Ireland director, Paula Smyth

YFCU welcomes Lantra as a valued new sponsor

UFU president William Irvine and YFCU president Richard Beattie.

UK’s largest online celebration of farming and food productionb

Silage assessment winners - 14-16

Young farmers shine at stock judging, silage and soil assessment finals

YFCU members attending the Rural Youth Europe European Rally pictured with Rodney Brown, Danske Bank

Young farmers set to represent Northern Ireland at European Rally in Slovenia

Glarryford Juniors, first placed, at the tag rugby finals

Sun shines on final night of YFCU tag rugby tournament

Collone YFC members at their stand at the show.

In pictures: Collone YFC showcase their club at the Armagh County Show

Andrew Little and family

North Fermanagh UFU Group

Helena Caldwell (Calanabogan YFC) competing in the YFCU novice sheep shearing competition

YFCU in action at the Balmoral Show 2025

Newly elected Board Chairman, David Hodges (right), pictured handing over a gift to outgoing Chairman, Neal McGinley.

Launching the 116th Ballymoney Show

Representatives from the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster with members of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Members of the Committee for the Economy

Agri committee listens to the voice of young farmers at Balmoral Show

Winners Crumlin YFC with Caragh O'Neill from Power NI and YFCU president Richard Beattie

Crumlin YFC wins Power NI sustainability pledge competition

Wednesday 14th May - Sheep Dog Display

Think you’ve seen and ‘herd’ it all before?

Presidents Team 2025/26 – L-R Karen Walker (Vice President), Iain Wilson (Vice President), Adrianna Coulter (Vice President), Kristina Fleming (Deputy President), Richard Beattie (President), Joyce Allen (Vice President)

Six individuals in the YFCU Presidential Team appointed

Kathryn Walker and Tullaheady Blaze, Moneymore YFC, 65cm under 16 class

YFCU members enjoy a day out at the show jumping competition

Curragh and Kilrea YFC

YFCU entertain a sell-out audience at their annual arts festival gala

Ian Walker, Derek Lough, Richard Beattie and Mitchell Park

YFCU attend wide-scale tax inheritance protest in London on Pancake Tuesday

Randalstown YFC

YFCU clubs excel in the annual arts festival heats ahead of grand finale

Speakers at the conference

UFU agri conference a resounding success

Lauren McRoberts who is a member of Bleary Young Farmers’ Club during the summer of 2024 enjoyed an exchange trip to Canada

Lauren McRoberts says her Canadian exchange trip was a great experience

Stephen McCartney (Hyperfast NI), Derek Lough (YFCU) and Brooke Cameron (Hyperfast NI)

YFCU launches AGM supported by Hyperfast NI as principal sponsor

William Sufferin (SONI landowner engagement lead) and Derek Lough (YFCU CEO)

SONI proud to become platinum sponsor of Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster

Minister Muir addressing the Ulster Farmers Union and Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster conference. (Pic: DAERA)

Minister promises relentless efforts to find new opportunities for farming

Kristina Fleming (YFCU deputy president) and Lauren Hamilton (NFU Mutual)

Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster prepare to mark milestone anniversary

Stephen McCartney (Hyperfast NI), Derek Lough (YFCU) and Brooke Cameron (Hyperfast NI)

YFCU strikes success at annual bowling competition

Charlie Kilpatrick

Succession planning remains a critical issue for farm families

Richard Beattie, YFCU president, who recently attended the prestigious Oxford Farming Conference (OFC)

YFCU members experience the Oxford Farming Conference

UFU corporate sales executive Craig Scott pictured with YFCU chief executive officer Derek Lough.

UFU welcome YFCU as corporate member

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