The members of South Tyrone UFU Group started their programme of winter meetings with a comprehensive talk from Mr. Nigel Young, Agricultural Banking Manager, of HSBC Bank. Mr. Young began his presentation with a discussion on global commodities and the increasing world population. As the world population increases so does living standards with an increasing middle class that can purchase food and not just subsistence farming. He said this was changing people’s eating habits. The supply and demand for food has changed and Mr. Young believed that global commodity markets led to volatility with the global agricultural sector. He said that agriculture follows a reverse cycle to the UK business cycle. As the economy declines, sterling usually falls which leads to an improved export market. The Northern Ireland agriculture sector is traditionally a good exporter of agricultural products. Mr. Young then went on to discuss the key requirements for a loan application. Members were certainly left with a lot of food for thought. South Tyrone UFU Group Chairman, Mr.Eddie Daly, also took the opportunity to thank Felix Mallon for his work as Group Manager over the past year and wished him well in his new position in the Mid Tyrone UFU Group The UFU are organising Farm Modernisation application clinics for their members. The meetings include those on Monday, November 8 at Todds Leap, Ballygawley. All the clinics start promptly at 8 pm. Members were also reminded that the Tyrone County UFU Dinner Dance will be held in The Silverbirch Hotel, on Friday, November 26 at 8 pm with tickets available in the office.

Members were also reminded that the South Tyrone UFU and Dungannon NFU Mutual office has moved to their new office premises at Annagh Centre, Ballysaggart Business Complex, Beechvalley Way, Dungannon. The new spacious office is located one mile from their old office, just off the Granville Road and is opposite Gormley’s Vauxhall Garage. The new office provides more space and customer areas with ample parking space. The telephone number remains the same at 028 877 25973.

The UFU are trying to contact members by mobile telephone numbers. The group is trying to complete their database to increase this service. If you are member of the group and do not receive notice of the group meeting by text message, please contact the Group office with the necessary details. The group would also like to remind our members that Leslie Craig is available to help individual members with issues.