UFU

William Irvine

Wet weather 'has hurt morale of Northern Ireland's farmers'

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir is pictured with Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

UFU fears of EU blocking 50% of vet medicine from NI

Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture Brid Rodgers being interviewed in front of the crowd of farmers who were protesting at Stormont in February 2000. Picture: Stephen Wilson/Pacemaker

Bygone Days: UFU lands farm protest on the steps of Stormont (2000)

The catchment area of Lough Neagh; it is not yet known how far any curbs on fertiliser use would stretch - whether they would be local to Lough Neagh, cover the catchment area, or cover the whole of NI

NI government to consult over limiting the use of chemical fertiliser

The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) and Agriculture Minister appear to be on a potential collision course over a major badger cull to slash the huge impact of the animals passing TB to cattle. Photo: PA

UFU and minister on possible collision course over badger cull

William Irvine of the UFU

‘Deep concern’ around obtaining veterinary medicines as Assembly motion passed

The 155th Balmoral Show got underway at Eikon Centre site near Lisburn on Wednesday. Photo: Jonathan Porter/Press Eye

Balmoral Show: UFU chief's plea for big boost to farm support cash

The number of dog attacks on livestock in Northern Ireland doubled in 2023 with an increasing number of irresponsible people letting large dogs roam free right across the countryside. Photo: Stephen Barnes

Dog attacks on livestock double - 68% of owners allow dogs to roam free

Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) President David Brown has called for more clarity across a wide range of issues in the new DUP deal - but has welcomed the progress made by the party. Photo: MCAULEY_MULTIMEDIA

UFU seeks clarity across a wide range of issues in DUP deal

Dairy cows. Photo: Allan Hutchings

Milk costing more to produce than Northern Ireland farmers are paid: UFU

A tractor makes its way through flood water in Canal Quay in Newry Town, Co Down, which has been swamped by floodwater as the city's canal burst its banks amid heavy rainfall: Wednesday November 1, 2023

Big rise in number of insurance claims from flooded Northern Irish farms

Texel pedigree sheep were in brisk demand at the breed show and sale which was held at Automart, Portadown, in October 1981. Pictured is the judge Mr Patrick Niland, third left, from Galway with his wife, auctioneer Tom Clarke, and Robert Mulligan, NI Texel Club chairman. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

UFU chief tells of concern over the breakdown of EEC summit (1983)

UFU president David Brown says the BBC has devalued the farming community by cancelling a critical meeting with UFU representatives over plans to cut its farming slot from Radio Ulster.
Photo: MCAULEY_MULTIMEDIA

UFU slams BBC for cancelling meeting about end of Farm Gate radio slot

David Campbell

Unionist farm figure says DUPWindsor Framework stance on should be backed

Dundrod rider Joanne Jarden (left), pictured at the start of October, with former Irish International Jessica Harrington, from Kildare, and her horse Apple Shaw at Loughanmore. World class riders took part in the third annual Loughanmore international horse trials at McKean's estate at Templepatrick. The trials had 93 confirmed runners out of a total entry of 108 horses. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

UFU ‘does not take the YFCU seriously’ says frustrated president (1953)

YFCU members attending conference: Rebecca Clarke (Seskinore YFC), Ashley McConnell (Holestone YFC), Lynne Johnston (Randalstown YFC), Chloe Alexander (Clanabogan YFC), Sarah Spence (YFCU HQ), Andrea McFarland (Newtownstewart YFC), Sarah McFarland (Newtownstewart YFC) and Lucy-Jo McFarland (Clanabogan YFC). Picture: YFCU

YFCU attends UFU’s Women in Agriculture Conference
On October 19th, Sarah Spence, the membership and club development executive of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU), had the privilege of participating in the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) Women in Agriculture Conference held at the Greenmount Campus, CAFRE.
Darryl Armitage

Fred the donkey made such an obstinate ass of himself in August 1980 that he had to be withdrawn from the Strangford Festival donkey derby. It took the combined strength of Ciara Sampson and Maura Savage to get him out of the way. Picture: News Letter archives/Darryl Armitage

Bygone Days: UFU laments poor weather conditions and potato harvest (1926)

UFU President David Brown on his farm in Fermanagh. He has warned that The Windsor Framework does not resolve the pending "devastating effects" of disruption in the supply of veterinary medicines to NI. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

UFU: Framework doesn't solve ‘devastating’ medicine crisis

General image of a cow (public domain - Creative Commons - Openverse)

'The most cynical move in some time': Farmer's view on Sunak 'meat tax' axe

Dead black headed gulls at RSPB Belfast's Window On Wildlife reserve in Belfast Harbour last month. The RSPB NI said there had been an outbreak of Avian Influenza or bird flu at the reserve. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Bird Flu has morphed from 'winter only' to 12-month threat to farming

UFU deputy president, John McLenaghan, on his farm near Garvagh. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Dysfunctional food system is not sustainable for farmers says UFU

A leading veterinarian assocation has warned that a Northern Ireland Protocol block on bringing in 51% of animal medicines in from GB after 1 January could have serious implications for salmonella and eggs products in Northern Ireland. Esther Skelly-Smith says there are serious ramifications for public health and the wider agri-food economy.

Vets’ urgent public health warning on NI Protocol

Irish Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne spoke to the BBC about the Northern Ireland Protocol and farming in Northern Ireland.

UFU is 'surprised' Irish Minister is unaware of Protocol problems

William McKillen of Tullymar Agency discussing veterinary equipment at the pig fair in September 1982, with Jim Grant, Aghalee, and his sons, Thomas and Nigel. On the right John Neillis of Fisons. Picture: News Letter archives

Bygone Days: Welcome for EU funds as farmers face 'evil days' of bankruptcy

Letter to the editor

Ulster Farmers’ Union: The Queen gave unstinting service to Commonwealth

Susan Miller of Co Meath and Pennie Martin of Newtownards with Sukie the Poodle watching the competitions at the Ulster Pony Society Show at Balmoral, Belfast, in July 1982. Picture: News Letter archives

Bygone Days: UFU to raise CAP worries with Secretary of State

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots and UFU president David Brown

UFU announce new leadership team
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has elected a new leadership team (30 April) at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus, Cookstown, with some council members participating online.
Ruth Rodgers

The UFU has warned that the war in Ukraine has caused energy and feed prices to surge for chicken farmers.

Ukraine: UFU warns NI consumers must pay more for chicken and eggs

Victor Chestnutt among his beloved sheep on the family farm. The UFU president has had to step outside his comfort zone recently in order to participate in NI Protocol negotiations with EU representatives, the British Government and agriculture minister Edwin Poots, among others

Pragmatic solutions are needed to secure the future of farming life in NI

David McClure said that the infection is ‘probably the single biggest concern to the industry’ in Northern Ireland

UFU poultry expert: Highly potent bird flu likely to be an annual danger for NI

Kilkeel pig farmer Trevor Shields says the UK industry is in desperation due to a shortage of workers to process pigs.

Christmas ham and pork stocks won’t be normal despite migrant u-turn: farmer

David Brown

Ulster cattle can go to GB shows... but cannot come back afterwards

UFU chief Victor Chestnutt said: “There is absolutely no room for fraud, where the current compensation measures are concerned. In the first instance, the vet puts a DNA tag in all reactor animals, which means that there is no point in switching the animal’s original ear tags.”

UFU furious at ‘fraudster’ slur made against farmers

'Charolais heifer and herd' by JPC24M

UFU says plan to slash CO2 pollution would ‘ruin’ farming in Northern Ireland

Many thanks to Farming Life reader Jonathan McCullough for sending this brilliant old photograph. Jonathan writes: “Pictured at the front is Raymond Uprichard farming in the 1960s in Corceeny, using his donkey, which he did until a tractor became available. Also behind him, his brother Dynes, and Philip Smyth on top of the hay cart.” If you have an old farming photograph that you would like to share with Farming Life, get in touch via email at darryl.armitage@jpimedia.co.uk

BYGONE DAYS: UFU anger as LFA saga continues to ‘grind on’

Mark Carruthers hosts BBC NI's Sunday Politics Show with guests Seamus Leheny of Logistics UK and Stephen Kelly on Manufacturing NI on January 17. It was like a cosy consensus, writes James Martin, and the guests were not grilled on how business groups would not even accept a light touch land border

Business groups also have questions to answer on the Irish Sea border

NIFDA’s Executive Director Michael Bell

Capital grant for Northern Ireland food manufacturing is an urgent priority

A government image showing a blue, discoloured crest on an infected bird, next to a normal crested bird on right

UFU ‘deep concern’ over bird flu spread in NI: Here’s what you must do

News Letter editorial

EU deal is no cause for celebration but the least bad option

The chart for average temperature

NI almost 1C warmer than when records began – and experts predict major changes ...

Ms J Johnston and the Farmview crew interview Mr Maher at McGarvey's farm, Cranagh, Co Tyrone in the 1980s. Picture: Farming Life archives

BYGONE DAYS: Provisions of agri bill are heavily criticised by UFU branch

Declan McAleer with Minister Edwin Poots

UFU announce new leadership team

Patrick Campbell from Aghadowey at the Coleraine and District Ploughing Society at Limavady. Patrick was using his trusty 275 International tractor. Picture: Farming Life archives

BYGONE DAYS: Heavy rain threatens to spoil UFU horse show

The UFU said it had no comment on Moy Park's actions

UFU silent on how Moy Park has treated its farmers

Sammy Wilson

MP: Union leaders ‘are looking for excuses why teachers should not do their jobs...

Larne Port. There will now be a major internal UK frontier in the Irish Sea, and the UFU supported the backstop that paved the way for it

I buy British and do not need advice on what to buy from a UFU that supported th...

Allan Chambers said yields of his crops this year could be down by 50% if the good weather continues

Northern Irish farmers ‘facing worst drought-type conditions since 1976’

The UFU's public access information poster (image cropped for web publication purposes)

UFU creates public access info. poster

The current presidential team which willl remain in office for a further three monhts. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

UFU presidential officeholders to remain in post for further three months

Senator Ian Marshall with Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neil at the launch of a Sinn Fein anti sectarianism policy document in June 2018.
Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Former UFU president still hopeful of seat in Seanad

Nick Whelan, CEO of Dale Farm

Union meets with dairy processors

UFU notifies members of new slurry spreading rules

UFU notifies members of new slurry spreading rules

Ulster Farmers' Union president Ivor Ferguson. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

UFU calls for food marketing body

‘There is an endless stream of work to do’