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The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) officially launched the fourth Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships with Bank of Ireland returning as the principal sponsor.
This year, the coveted Championship will take place on Tuesday 23rd November 2021 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park. Entries are now open online at BEEFANDLAMB.ORG.UK and will close on Friday 29th October at 5pm.
As always, the prestigious show and sale includes a wide selection of beef and lamb championship showing classes that will culminate with the ever-popular auction in the evening. Following on from the success of last year, the event will also be streamed online as well as being open to the public.
Dr Alan Crowe, RUAS Chief Executive commented, ‘‘We are thrilled to have Bank of Ireland back on board for the fourth Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships.
“Last year, we adapted this event to be streamed online reaching audiences across the globe, bringing this fantastic show and sale worldwide. This year, we are delighted to welcome visitors back to the Eikon Exhibition Centre in November for what is set to be another fantastic Show and Sale.”
He continued, “We are extremely grateful to have the generous financial support of Bank of Ireland UK and it highlights our own and the bank’s support of the local beef and sheep industries.”
Richard Primrose, NI Agri Manager, Bank of Ireland UK added, “We are very proud to partner with The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society once again to host this prestigious show and sale. The local beef and sheep industry plays such a vital part in the local economy, and we look forward to connecting buyers and sellers, and welcoming people back to the event this year both in person and online.”
The Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships will take place on Tuesday 23rd November 2021 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn with showing commencing at 11:30am and auction kicking off at 6:00pm.
Conditions of entry (proof of COVID-19 status) can be found online. Admission is £5 for adults and under 12’s are free when accompanied by an adult. Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (UFCU) members’ admission is £2.50 and a valid membership card must be presented. Entry for RUAS members is free of charge. All tickets can be purchased on arrival.
To keep up to date with the latest news visit their website or follow the Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) have launched the 35th Royal Ulster Winter Fair in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank.
The Winter Fair makes a welcome return to the Eikon Exhibition Centre on Thursday 9th December as the premier annual dairy event in Northern Ireland. Livestock entries are now open, closing Friday 19th November at 5pm. All entries can be made online at WWW.WINTERFAIR.ORG.UK
The Winter Fair provides the perfect opportunity for farmers, enthusiasts and industry specialists to network and do business during this special one-day dairy event as well as observing top quality dairy livestock with exhibitor’s competing for the coveted title of Supreme Champion. This year the event will also be streamed live online.
Danske Bank has once again continued their support for the 35th consecutive year with Rodney Brown, Head of AgriBusiness at Danske Bank commenting, “The Royal Ulster Winter Fair continues to be the premier dairy event in the Northern Ireland agricultural calendar, and we’re delighted to play our part in its continued success. Our close links with the RUAS on this event reflects our commitment to long term partnerships with both the dairy industry and the agri-food sector as a whole. We believe that alongside the current challenges, the industry has a bright future with many opportunities, and we look forward to discussing how we can support both farmers and industry at this year’s Fair.”
Rhonda Geary, RUAS Operations Director added, “This year the Royal Ulster Winter Fair makes a welcome return to the Eikon Exhibition Centre. Last year we were unable to run this event and ran the Winter Fair Online, an online only competition to select the Champion of the decade, however, this year we are looking forward to welcoming visitors back through our doors on Thursday 9th December.
She continued “Year upon year the Winter Fair has grown in stature, and it has successfully established itself as the meeting place for the dairy industry in Ireland showcasing the latest technological advances within the industry. It also remains a firm favourite within the agricultural calendar in the run up to Christmas for farmers and industry enthusiasts.
“The Society would like to thank Danske Bank for their generous financial backing of the Royal Ulster Winter Fair. We are extremely proud of our ongoing partnership that highlights our own, and the bank’s support of the dairy industry.”
The Royal Ulster Winter Fair will take place at Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park on Thursday 9th December from 9am to 6pm. To keep up to date with 2021 Winter Fair news check out their website or follow the Winter Fair on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Conditions of entry (proof of COVID-19 status) can be found online. Tickets will be available to purchase online from Monday 1st November 2021. Admission for adults £10, 12-18 years £8, seniors (over 65) £8, under 12’s free when accompanied by an adult. RUAS members enter free of charge.
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Slieve Gullion Councillor, Oonagh Magennis has echoed the feelings of her party colleague, Declan McAleer MLA in welcoming £300 million direct to farm payments this week but highlighted concerns for the future of farm support.
Oonagh explained further “The Single Farm Payment is essential for the survival of many farm businesses, accounting for around 90% of farm income.
“While I welcome the allocating of over £300 million this week, I have serious concern for future years and whether the British government will honour this financial support, now that we are out of the EU.
“The fact that there has been no progress on the ‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund’ which was supposed to replace the lost EU funding, has done little to inspire confidence.
The Slieve Gullion Councillor added “In August the DAERA Minister published a future framework document outlining a vision for a new agriculture policy based around the broad themes of productivity, environmental sustainability, improved resilience and a responsive supply chain.
“The DAERA Minister needs to move swiftly to publish his policy proposals so that farmers can give their views on what these will mean for their businesses.
“I have met many farmers in recent weeks who have so many unanswered questions about the future of their entitlements and the shape of future farm support measures, and this uncertainty makes it incredibly difficult to plan ahead.”
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The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society is reminding livestock exhibitors that the close of entry deadline for the 2021 Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships is Friday 29October 2021 at 5pm.
With a full range of beef and lamb classes, the popular Show and Sale features a new Dutch Spotted class and welcomes back the return of the Young Handler competitions.
For more information on the event or to view a copy of the Prize Schedule visit BEEFANDLAMB.ORG.UK or contact RUAS directly on 028 9066 5225.
This year, the Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships in partnership with principal sponsor Bank of Ireland will take place on Tuesday 23 November 2021 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park.
The show of premier beef cattle and lamb commences at 11am, followed by the highly anticipated auction from 6pm.
The event which includes a wide selection of beef and lamb championship showing classes will culminate with the ever-popular auction in the evening. On the day, the live auction will be streamed online where buyers can bid for champion livestock.
Conditions of entry (proof of COVID-19 status) can be found online. Admission is £5 for adults and FREE for under 12’s when accompanied by an adult. Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (UFCU) members’ admission is £2.50 and a valid membership card must be presented. Entry for RUAS members is free of charge. Tickets can be purchased on arrival.
To keep up to date with the latest news visit their website or follow the Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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Farm businesses are already taking practical steps to help reduce emissions and tackle climate change, Agriculture and Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has said.
The Minister was speaking at the Agriculture and Climate Change: A Countryside COP event’ at CAFRE’s Greenmount campus, jointly organised by DAERA and the Ulster Farmers’ Union in advance of COP26.
Minister Poots said: “Next week the UK Government will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, also known COP26, in Glasgow. While COP26 will have a global focus, we all have a role to play when it comes to tackling climate change.
“Today’s conference participants heard about the work my Department and others are leading on to help support the industry on its decarbonisation journey and also the practical examples of ways farm businesses can and are reducing emissions, for example the ARCZero project and the work being led by CAFRE on carbon calculators.
“At this moment in time, agriculture, along with transport, energy and buildings are amongst the big emitters of greenhouse gases in Northern Ireland. Whilst this presents our industry with significant challenges, I believe there are also many opportunities - including the potential for the agricultural sector to contribute to address these challenges.
“The future is about delivering both food and environmental outcomes in a sustainable way. Our farmers are up for the challenge and, indeed, many have already invested in green technology and embraced environmentally-friending farming practices which we have heard some examples during today’s conference.”
Re-emphasising his desire for Northern Ireland to take full advantage of the opportunity to develop a sustainable agricultural industry, Minster Poots added: “It is my focus, and that of my Department, to ensure that we have sustainable agri-food, fisheries and forestry sectors; which help to create a clean, healthy environment that benefits people, nature and the economy in alignment with the Executive’s Green Growth approach.
“With this in mind, I am delighted to announce the launch of a new Soil Nutrient Health Scheme for Northern Ireland. This is an innovative and forward looking soil sampling and carbon analysis scheme aimed at building from the ground up by putting an increasing emphasis on improved soil nutrient health and farm carbon, and I will be making this scheme available to all farmers.
“When operational, the new scheme will - for the first time - provide farmers with detailed information on soil nutrient levels for every field on their farm – along with an estimate of the amount of carbon stored in their soils, hedgerows and trees.
“My Department has successfully piloted this concept, which is why I’m confident that providing farmers with detailed information specific to their own lands, will help them farm more sustainably. Further details on the soil scheme will be made available next month.”
Concluding, Minister Poots added: “To achieve success we must work together, not only across government – but also businesses, industry and civic society across all sectors. It is important that Northern Ireland plays its role in supporting the UK to deliver both a successful COP and achieving UK Net Zero.”
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The fourth Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships, in partnership with principal sponsor Bank of Ireland will be streamed online on Tuesday 23 November 2021 live from the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn.
Last year’s stream proved popular, reaching thousands of spectators worldwide and this year, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) will once again stream both the show and sale at the premium beef and lamb event.
On the day, visitors can watch the Championships live via a link posted on their website as well as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. They can also tune directly into the Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championship’s You Tube channel.
The showing of premier beef cattle and lamb will take place on Tuesday 23 November at 11am. This is followed by the highly anticipated auction taking place from 6pm.
This year the event will open its doors to the public and tickets will be available to purchase at the gate. Buyers can opt to attend the sale in person or they can bid for champion livestock online through Beattie Livestock Sales on MartEye. Conditions of entry (proof of COVID-19 status) can be found online.
Admission is £5 for adults and FREE for under 12’s when accompanied by an adult. Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (UFCU) members’ admission is £2.50 and a valid membership card must be presented. Entry for RUAS members is free of charge.
To keep up to date with the latest news visit BEEFANDLAMB.ORG.UK or follow the Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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Agriculture Minister, Edwin Poots MLA, has launched a consultation document on Northern Ireland’s first ever overarching Environment Strategy.
The Minister made the announcement during his visit to the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
The Environment Strategy will set out Northern Ireland’s environmental priorities for the coming decades and will form part of the Executive’s Green Growth Delivery Framework. As such it includes a mix of both existing and new environmental targets/objectives for DAERA and all Northern Ireland departments with a role in improving the environment.
Launching the consultation, Minister Poots said “I am delighted to be able to make this announcement at COP26. This Strategy will provide a coherent response to the global challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, which have been addressed at this important conference over the past two weeks. Our environment affects every aspect of our existence – it is central to all life, what we do, what we eat, how we work, where we live and play and is unquestionably our most precious asset. Northern Ireland faces a range of local environmental challenges, including habitat and species loss, agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, waste management, the development of a circular economy, soil quality, air quality and waste crime. In addition, the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union provides new environmental opportunities and, as environmental degradation poses an increasing challenge to all parts of our globe, there is a clear impetus for the first long-term, over-arching Environment Strategy for Northern Ireland.”
The Minister continued “Urgent action is required if we are to realistically respond to the challenges of climate change, the destruction of habitats, the loss of biodiversity and the impacts of pollution on land and at sea. Protecting and enhancing our environment also has an important role to play as we emerge into a post-Covid world and my officials have been working with key stakeholders, including other departments and external bodies, to develop a strategy that will help us deliver a better environment, which can provide great economic, social and health benefits for individuals and for society.”
Concluding, Minister Poots said “We all have a responsibility in meeting these challenges and it is incumbent on all of us to protect and preserve our local environment as we strive to protect and preserve our planet for future generations. This Strategy will form the basis for a coherent and effective set of interventions that can deliver real improvements in the quality of the environment and thereby: improve the health and well-being of all who live and work here; create opportunities to develop our economy; elevate Northern Ireland to an environmental leader; and enable us to play our part in protecting the global environment for many decades to come. I would therefore urge everyone to actively participate in this consultation”
The consultation will remain open for comment until 18 January 2022 and can be accessed at WWW.DAERA-NI.GOV.UK/CONSULTATIONS
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The Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships in partnership with principal sponsor Bank of Ireland will take place in less than a week on Tuesday 23rd November at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn.
This year the event has a record number of entries with over 250 head of livestock competing in the show rings for Championship titles. New to the Championships for 2021 will be the Dutch Spotted classes in the lamb section as well as the welcome return of the Young Handlers competition. Furthermore, a new trophy, the ‘Sam Milliken Perpetual Cup’ has been unveiled in memory of Sam Milliken, a former member of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS). This special cup will be awarded to the top priced animal at the Championships.
Richard Primrose, NI Agri Manager for principal sponsor Bank of Ireland UK commented, “With the beef and lamb industry playing such a vital part in the local economy, we’re looking forward to the show and sale taking place next week and the new online approach connecting the buyers and sellers with even more people this year.”
Rhonda Geary, Operations Director, RUAS added, ‘‘We are thrilled to host the fourth Royal Ulster Beef & Lamb Championship in partnership with principal sponsor Bank of Ireland in the Logan Hall at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn. This year we have over 100 entries, a record number for this popular event that showcases premium livestock.
“We are delighted to welcome visitors back to Eikon Exhibition Centre at Balmoral Park and due to the popularity of the live stream last year, we have taken the decision to stream the Show and Sale online”
She continued ‘‘Once again we are delighted to have the generous backing of our principal sponsor Bank of Ireland. Their support has played a central role in enabling us to deliver this event and the partnership highlights our own and the bank’s support of the local beef and sheep industries.”
Last year, the spectacular show & sale attracted an unrivalled selection of premier beef cattle and lambs. The highly sought-after title of Supreme Champion of the 2020 show was awarded to D & A McCrea from Bready while the coveted title of Best Butcher Pair was won by Tommy Jackson from Saintfield. Record breaking prices were received on the night with the reserve cattle Champion exhibited by Dermott Small & Blair Duffton, received the top price of £9,200 on the night.
The showing of premier beef cattle and lamb will commence on Tuesday 23 November at 11am. This is followed by the highly anticipated auction taking place from 6pm.
Visitors are welcome to the showground throughout the day and tickets will be available on the gate. Conditions of entry (proof of COVID-19 status) can be found online.
Admission is £5 for adults and FREE for under 12’s when accompanied by an adult. Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (UFCU) members’ admission is £2.50 and a valid membership card must be presented. Entry for RUAS members is free of charge. Tickets can be purchased on arrival.
On the day, the live show and auction will be live streamed online at BEEFANDLAMB.ORG.UK and buyers can also bid for champion livestock through Beattie Livestock Sales on MartEye.
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The agri-food company, ABP, has been awarded Platinum for the second year running in the Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey which is organised by the responsible business network Business in the Community.
The NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey is an annual event that scores organisations on the measures they take to improve their environmental impacts. 113 organisations from a range of different sectors measured and reported their environmental impacts this year with 33 achieving Platinum.
The survey is an important comparison tool and a way for organisations to identify areas where they can improve their environmental impacts, as well as be recognised for their efforts to prioritise sustainability.
George Mullan, Managing Director of ABP Northern Ireland which has sites in Newry and Lurgan said, “as a Business in the Community Climate Action Champion we are delighted to be recognised for our organisational commitment to sustainability. ABP’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). These targets address emissions within our business and across our supply chain. We are investing in ways to significantly reduce emissions and we are engaging with our farmer suppliers to support them on this journey as a matter of urgency.”
Recent programmes includes research at ABP’s R&D farms on ways to help beef farmers reduce their environmental impact. This work has been ongoing for several years using a data-driven approach to improving genetics available to the beef herd so that beef farmers can reduce their environmental impact. The research combines the latest sustainability thinking from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) and Teagasc in Ireland and Harper Adams University in the UK.
The study has demonstrated a methane emission reduction of up to 40% is achievable and this could have significant positive benefits across beef production on the British Isles. “Horizon, ABP’s dairy to beef partnership with Dale Farm in Northern Ireland is already putting this research into practice here,” explains George Mullan.
ABP is also collaborating with the Queen’s University of Belfast on ways to make beef farming more sustainable. EIT – C Neutral is a pan-European project working to develop a decision support tool that will be cost effective and easily adopted at farm level to enable a reduction in net GHG emissions from livestock. The research with Queen’s is being carried out at ABP’s Demonstration Farm in Shropshire.
“The idea is that our research pipeline and demonstration farms identify new thinking and innovative practices that can then be shared widely with the farming community,” continues George Mullan.
One way of sharing that knowledge is through the ABP Sustainable Beef Podcast. Hosted by the well known farmer and TV presenter Adam Henson, there have been two episodes to date. They feature conversations with leading industry minds including Jude Capper of Harper Adams University, Professor Temple Grandin, Colorado State University and Professor Chris Reynolds of Reading University.
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