The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) raised the profile of farming in Northern Ireland during the Clogher Valley Show this week.
Victor Chestnutt, Deputy President of the UFU, speaking to guests as he officially opened the Glanbia Foodhall on the Tuesday evening, reflected on how farming enterprises have changed over the years. For example, 50 years ago in Northern Ireland there were 1.25 million pigs, today that figure is 633,000.
25 years ago there were 583,000 cows and today there are fewer cows at 566,000.
Since 1998 there has been a reduction of 89,000 suckler beef cows and during the same period the Northern Ireland sheep flock has decreased from 1.45 million to 956,000 head.
Mr. Chestnutt said that yet, farmers are expected to feed the world as the population increases significantly over the next few decades.
UFU said this week that it was increasingly concerned by the misrepresentation of Northern Ireland’s livestock industry and in particular the myth that livestock numbers have increased.
Another UFU Deputy President, David Brown was a guest speaker at a local community action group meeting in Fermanagh which had concerns regarding plans for a pig unit in the area. He said: “Agriculture plays a crucial role in Northern Ireland’s economy. We are the cornerstone of the agri-food industry which turns over £4.8 billion annually and accounts for 32 per cent of total manufacturing sales.”
He continued: “With the UK only 55 per cent self-sufficient in pig meat and 75 per cent in both poultry and beef, there are gaps in the market we can fill with our locally produced, high quality meat rather than relying on imports from countries that are possibly not required to meet our same high animal welfare and environmental standards.”
The full presidential team of the UFU attended the show. President Ivor Ferguson and the two Deputy Presidents were available throughout the day to speak to farming families. Mr. Chestnutt was the judge of the Champion of Champions in the cattle section.
Results:
CATTLE
Hereford
Champion – Robin Irvine; Reserve Champion - John Taggart
Cow or heifer – 1, Mark Moore, Aughnacloy; 2, Kathryn Greenaway, Portadown
Heifer born in 2017 – 1, John Taggart, Newtownards; 2, Mervyn Richmond, Derrylin; 3, James Graham, Portadown
Heifer born in 2018 – 1, Mervyn Richmond; 2, Simon Johnston, Bessbrook; 3, Jenna Hunter, Markethill
Bull born in 2017 - 1, Robin Irvine, Armagh; 2, James Graham
Bull born in 2018 – 1, James Graham; 2, Christopher McCrea, Strabane; 3, Mark Moore
Bull calf – 1, Mark Moore
Pair of Hereford cattle – 1, Mervyn Richmond; 2, James Graham; 3, Simon Johnston
Salers
Champion – C & A Kennedy; Reserve Champion - J & E.A. Elliott
Cow – 1, J & E.A. Elliott, Newtownstewart; 2, George McCall, Armagh
Bull or heifer calf – 1, J & E.A. Elliott
Heifer – 1, J & E.A. Elliott; 2, P O’Kane, Greysteel; 3, Patrick McGinn, Downpatrick
Heifer born in 2016 – 1, Patrick McGinn; 2, J & E.A Elliott; 3, P O’Kane
Bull – 1, C & A Kennedy, Ballyclare; 2, P O’Kane; 3, Patrick McGinn
Pair of Salers cattle – 1, Patrick McGinn; 2, J & E.A. Elliott; 3, P O’Kane
British Blue
Champion – Chelsea Best; Reserve Champion - Stephen Crawford
Bull – 1, Stephen Crawford, Brookeborough; 2, William and Gemma Hetherington, Sixmilecross
Heifer – 1 & 2, Chelsea Best, Portadown
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