UFU recognises top silage growers of 2015

The Ulster Farmers' Union have recognised Northern Ireland's top silage growers of 2015 as the UFU and Sponsors Ecosyl Products Ltd and John Thompson & Sons hosted their Annual Silage Competition awards ceremony in the Hilton hotel, Templepatrick.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Apr 2016, 12:20 BST
Updated 4th Apr 2016, 12:21 BST
Pictured are the winners of the UFU Annual Silage Awards sponsored by John Thompson and Sons and Ecosyl. Back row: Derek Nelson, Ecosyl (Volac International, sponsor), Barclay Bell, (UFU Deputy President), Jonathan McCaughan (John Thompson and Sons sponsor) and Alistair Boyle (CAFRE). Front row: Alan Wallace of the South Antirim Group (first place, Alternative Forage), Harold Johnston of the West Antrim Group (first place, Dairy), and Michael and Tony Griffith of the North Down Group (first place, Beef and Sheep)Pictured are the winners of the UFU Annual Silage Awards sponsored by John Thompson and Sons and Ecosyl. Back row: Derek Nelson, Ecosyl (Volac International, sponsor), Barclay Bell, (UFU Deputy President), Jonathan McCaughan (John Thompson and Sons sponsor) and Alistair Boyle (CAFRE). Front row: Alan Wallace of the South Antirim Group (first place, Alternative Forage), Harold Johnston of the West Antrim Group (first place, Dairy), and Michael and Tony Griffith of the North Down Group (first place, Beef and Sheep)
Pictured are the winners of the UFU Annual Silage Awards sponsored by John Thompson and Sons and Ecosyl. Back row: Derek Nelson, Ecosyl (Volac International, sponsor), Barclay Bell, (UFU Deputy President), Jonathan McCaughan (John Thompson and Sons sponsor) and Alistair Boyle (CAFRE). Front row: Alan Wallace of the South Antirim Group (first place, Alternative Forage), Harold Johnston of the West Antrim Group (first place, Dairy), and Michael and Tony Griffith of the North Down Group (first place, Beef and Sheep)

Harold Johnston of the West Antrim Group (Dairy), Tony and Michael Griffith of the North Down Group (Beef and Sheep) and Alan Wallace of the South Antrim Group (Alternative Forage) took top honours in the competition which saw a record number of entries from farmers in each of the UFU’s twenty-five groups.

UFU Deputy President Barclay Bell said: “The UFU’s annual silage competition has always encouraged excellence and healthy competition among producers and once again, the competition entries were to the highest standard. Our sponsors, CAFRE, UFU Group Managers and most importantly the farmers have worked hard on ensuring we had a great competition and I would like to thank them all for the positive way in which they participated.”

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Speaking on behalf of the sponsors Ecosyl Products Ltd and John Thompson & Sons Derek Nelson said: “We saw some exceptional silage from farmers in each of the categories. Good forage is crucial for our industry and the winners can be rightly proud of their efforts. We are delighted to be sponsoring such a progressive event.”

Competition judge Alistair Boyle from CAFRE stated: “It was really positive to see the enthusiasm and confidence on each farm which we visited and notably the number of young farmers making decisions and driving their businesses forward. The attention to detail on the farms was very impressive and despite weather difficulties, the winning farmers have excelled.”

The full list of winners is:

Dairy

1st Harold Johnston, Toomebridge

2nd Trevor Hanna, Dromore

3rd Robert Macauley, Rathfriland

Beef & Sheep

1st Michael and Tony Griffith, Saintfield Estate, Saintfield

2nd Roland Hadden, Dungannon

3rd Richard Moorhead, Ballyroney

Alternative Forage

1st Alan Wallace, Carmavey

2nd Kenneth Malcolmson, Donaghmore

3rd Richard Corrie, Ards

Related topics:UFUUlster Farmers' UnionNorthern Ireland