A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
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The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) and the Farm Safety Partnership NI (FSP) have launched their 2023 child safety poster competition.
We are urging all NI primary aged schoolchildren to get involved!
The competition involves children drawing and colouring a picture to illustrate a crucial farm safety message. The pictures should be drawn relating to the four key dangers on farms namely Slurry, Animals, Falls and Equipment, however, we welcome any other dangers the children may see on the farm, we love to see new ideas from our young people!
We hope then to be able to produce our 2024 Farm Safety Calendar, from the 12 lucky winners of the poster competition, with each winner receiving a £50 one for all voucher!
The competition has been running successfully for a number of years now, with huge support from our primary schools which we are extremely grateful for, so thank you!
Let’s keep the momentum going. We really need to ensure the safety of our children on farms and the poster competition is an excellent way to raise awareness of the dangers our children may face.
HSENI Chief Executive Robert Kidd, said: “The annual HSENI poster competition is an ideal way for parents and teachers to remind their children about how to stay safe on the farm. I would encourage parents and teachers to help their children identify dangers they face on the farm and illustrate their ideas to us.
“HSENI are continuing to highlight the critical need for farming families to ensure that children are kept safe on the farm. I would ask all our farming community to think about the risks and put simple practical measures in place to make sure their children are safe at all times, especially during busy periods such as the summer holidays. Remember, farms are not playgrounds, and farming is the only workplace where children continue to lose their lives.”
Competition terms and conditions can be found at: www.hseni.gov.uk/farm-safety-poster-competition-terms-and-conditions
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Over £64,000 has been raised in just four weeks in a raffle organised by the charity Rural Support in partnership with ABP. The money raised is for Rural Support’s Life Beyond bereavement and loss support programme for farm families. Life Beyond provides no cost emotional and practical farm mentoring assistance to grieving family members and those who have suffered loss.
The funds raised result from ABP’s decision to donate its Balmoral Show stand, an agricultural shed, or a cash equivalent of £20,000 as the prize for the raffle. ABP was instrumental in getting the Life Beyond programme off the ground in 2021 along with the then President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Victor Chestnutt and has been involved in the programme’s Steering Group ever since.
Commenting on the success of the initiative, Veronica Morris, Chief Executive of Rural Support said, “Life Beyond is helping farming families across Northern Ireland to face unspeakable trauma and grief after bereavement and loss. We are absolutely delighted that a massive £64,150 has been raised through this raffle. We would like to sincerely thank everyone at ABP, not only in helping raise this amount, but in helping us to promote this programme to our farming community across Northern Ireland through their high profile presence at Balmoral Show. Every pound raised will go towards supporting bereaved farming families across Northern Ireland. ABP’s continuous support is also invaluable in the delivery of the programme. As one of the main patrons, ABP is a key contributor, helping to guide the programme through our Steering Group, and for that we are very grateful”.
Thanking everyone who purchased a ticket to help raise the much-needed funds, George Mullan, Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland said, “ABP is grateful to every individual who bought a ticket and by doing so helping to raise this fantastic sum of money in such as short space of time. The current cost of living crisis makes it particularly hard for charities to raise funds so I would like to acknowledge everyone’s generosity and the commitment of my colleagues at ABP who got behind this initiative with such enthusiasm and energy. Together they have helped make a difference to those farmers and farming families who benefit from this programme.”
The winning ticket holder was Tony Hegarty from Co. Down. “I couldn't believe it when I got the call from Rural Support telling me I was the winner. It is just amazing for a young family like us. I don't think it's hit us yet but it’s going to be a tremendous help given the current cost of living pressures.”
For more information on the Life Beyond programme delivered by Rural Support in collaboration with Embrace FARM go to their website www.ruralsupport.org.uk or telephone the Support Line on 0800 138 1678.
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The Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland (GAJI) hosted their AGM today in Newry. The event followed a farm visit earlier in the day to the Acton farm of John and Simon Best.
Matt O'Keefe from County Kilkenny was elected GAJI President, replacing outgoing President Richard Halleron. Also present were the newly elected Chairperson of the GAJI northern section, Rebecca McConnell and GAJI southern section Chairperson, Stella Meehan.
Outgoing GAJI President, Richard Halleron found the farm visit insightful. Halleron said "We have had our annual farm visit and all Ireland annual meeting today. The farm visit was hosted by the Best family, John and his son Simon at Acton House.
"It was a tremendously insightful visit, we got a sense of the crops that are grown at the farm and the committment of the Best family to the highest environmental production and standards. Also present today was Professor John Gilliland, Chairman, ARC Zero Programme and John provided us with an insight into that programme, and how it is helping to evolve the strategies that will be put in place to allow agriculture in Northern Ireland to confront the challenge of climate change."
Speaking to Guild members at the event Trevor Lockhart, CEO, Fane Valley said "We rely heavily from an industry point of view on the work that you do to inform and disseminate knowledge transfer, to report and indeed challenge policy and regulation. Collectively you play a vital role in the development and advancement of the Northern Ireland and indeed the Ireland agri food industry."
Lunch in the Canal Court Hotel was kindly sponsored by Fane Valley.
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Local farms and businesses are finding it very difficult to find staff thanks to the restrictions imposed by Brexit. Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has requested an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State to address the labour shortages following a stark warning from The Northern Ireland Mushroom Growers Association (NIMGA) that the North’s mushroom industry will disappear unless migration rules are relaxed.
Mr. McNulty said: “In my own constituency of Newry and Armagh, current labour shortages and vacancy rates, coupled with increasing business costs, are creating circumstances whereby many local farms and businesses are facing the prospect of closure, or being forced to move their operations across the border. This would have a significant adverse impact upon local communities."
The MLA continued “Brexit has made it extraordinarily difficult for our farming industry and for many agr and horticultural businesses to find and attract staff. Poor foresight and preparation by the UK Government has created a crisis and urgent action is required to create a provision for visas that enable farmers and businesses to find and secure the workers they need.
“The long term-viability and competitiveness of our agri and horticultural industry is vital to the interests of rural communities and our society more generally. The resilience of our farmers and business owners is well known and deeply respected, but the UK Government needs to act now to protect the interests of our rural communities. “
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A whopping £10,000 has been raised in aid of the Air Ambulance NI by a small team from the farming world. Farmer and estate agent Libby Clarke signed up for the Belfast Marathon ahead of undergoing a hip replacement in December due to injuries received by an intruder attack on her farm nine years ago. Spurred on by this well known auctioneer Richard Beattie, John Long and Cappagh YFC members Adam Wilson, Matthew Wilson and Jason Sproule got on board with the idea of pushing a bed round the 8 mile route.
The team travelled to the starting point of Stormont Buildings, Belfast where the bed caused quite a stir! They were the last people to start the course, but they soon progressed through the field as the team kept pace at a spirited rate. The atmosphere on the day was just fantastic, with well wishers lining the route and cheering on competitors along the way.
From the moment the team announced their intention to take part in the Belfast City Marathon friends and family dug deep to support their chosen cause of the Air Ambulance NI. The final tally has been revealed at £10,000!
Libby told us "We are indebted to the overwhelming generosity of everyone who donated, it really is very humbling to see just how kind people are. What is perhaps not widely known is that the Air Ambulance NI is a charity, and relies heavily on fundraising to keep the service flying. It costs £2.5 million each year. The AW109 helicopter can reach anywhere in the province in approximately 25 minutes and the rapid response is vital in an emergency situation. If a patient reaches hospital within the Golden Hour (60 minutes after their injury) their chances of survival are dramatically increased. Given that farming is one of the most hazardous occupations, the agri community is grateful for the AANI on a regular basis with 3.5 calls per week to a farm in NI."
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Newry Show returns with more than a splash of colour and excitement
A combination of tremendous crowds and weather greeted the return of Newry Agricultural Show, after a four-year absence.
Last held in 2019, the 2023 version of the event has a brand new home on the outskirts of Bessbrook.
And given the success of the weekend just past’s festivities, it would seem obvious to suggest that here it should stay.
All the members of Newry Agricultural Show Society are indebted to the Cartmill family for providing this year’s site at, what was, very short notice.
It’s important for this commitment to be fully reflected in the reports emanating from what was a true celebration of farming and food in the South Down area.
Another factor that made a real difference in getting this year’s show off the ground was the tremendous support offered by Newry and Mourne District Council. Again, this commitment must be full recognised.
There was a tremendous cattle entry for Newry Show 2023.
The beef inter-breed championship was won by C & R Muholland, from Aghalee, with their very fancy Limousin heifer: Deerpark Shakira.
Inter-breed judge, Martin Kirk, described his champion as a tremendous example of the Limousin breed.
“She has everything: great length, style and truly excellent hindquarters,” he said.
Shakira is a daughter of the elite Limousin sire, Wilodge Vantastic. She had previously won the beef inter-breed championship at Armagh while also taking home the Limousin championship at Lurgan Show. This followed a good outing at Balmoral 2023.
Martin Kirk again:
“The overall quality of the cattle taking part in the show was excellent. All of this bodes well for the future of the beef industry in this part of the world.”
The dairy cow championship at Newry was won by a Holstein heifer in milk from the Bannwater herd of Andrew and Cameron Magowan.
Bannwater Undenied Sheba calved for the first time three months ago and looked an absolute picture in the ring.
Sired by the elite black and white bull, Our-Favourite Undenied, she is currently giving 40L of milk per day.
The show rings at Newry also saw a tremendously strong final class unfold to determine the outcome of the sheep inter-breed championship.
The accolade went to a truly eye-catching Charollais ewe, owned and bred by Diane Christie, from Comber in Co Down. She was shown in the ring by Trevor Bell.
The ewe in question lambed for the first time earlier this year. But make, no mistake, this lady has a real pedigree and a show record to back all of this up.
Trevor Bell explained “The ewe won the Northern Ireland Shows Association championship last year. She came through lambing well and is having another tremendous show season in 2023.”
Eamonn Convery, from Plumbridge in Co Tyrone, judged the sheep classes at Newry.
He referred to his champion as an excellent example of the Charollais breed, adding:
“She had tremendous in the ring and immense breed character. The quality of the sheep taking part in all the classes was excellent throughout the day.
“But it was impossible to overlook the real class of the Charollais ewe when it came to the final shake-up.”
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GPS equipment in tractors is attracting the attention of thieves in recent weeks and the PSNI are encouraging farming communities to carry out regular security checks to ensure their vehicles are secure. Write a comment
An eight-month long programme of workplace-based transport inspections on farms across Northern Ireland will take place from August. Spearheaded by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) it's part of an extensive drive to reduce the number of fatal incidents on farms involving vehicles, which over the last ten years has claimed the lives of 17 people.
Incidents involving vehicles and equipment remain one the biggest causes of death and serious injury on local farms. Between 2013 and December 2022 there have been 53 fatalities on farms, 17 incidents involved vehicles.
HSENI Principal Inspector (Agriculture and Food) Camilla Mackey said: “Each and every death is a tragedy for a family and community. All of the incidents we have seen could have been prevented.
“Often the older farmer or young children are involved in vehicle incidents on farms with tragic consequences.
“We have seen serious incidents involving vehicles as a result of inoperable or faulty braking systems, the lack of roll over protection, poor maintenance, failing to keep people and vehicles apart, and inadequate driver training.
“While we have been working closely with the farming community on a range of issues, this scheme is focused on workplace transport in three specific risk areas of safe site, safe vehicle, and safe driver.”
Typical items which will be addressed during inspections will include, but are not limited to:
Safe Site
Safe Vehicle
Safe Driver
Camilla Mackey added: “Farmers must also consider the safety of visitors to their site, for example veterinary services or DAERA staff, agricultural deliveries and collections, and contractors.
“We are calling on the farming community to work with us to help reduce the risks associated with farming by taking a few moments to think SAFE before every job.”
HSENI Inspectors will be providing information and advice during the inspection campaign. Where significant risks are found Inspectors may take enforcement action in order to achieve compliance with health and safety legislation to ensure that the risks are properly managed.
For more information on workplace transport safety in agriculture visit the HSENI website Agriculture
The inspections programme will begin in August and continue until March 2024.
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A specialist in farming regeneration has been appointed to a new role at leading trader of grains and animal feed raw materials Cefetra Ltd to increase levels of low carbon crops supplied to customers. Cefetra has a centre in Monaghan Street in Newry.
Jason Hayward-Jones has joined as Sustainability Specialist Agriculture to encourage more farmers to introduce environmentally regenerative practices tailored to their own farms.
Cefetra aims to reduce the environmental impact of its international supply chain whilst supporting farm profitability and the conversion to methods which enhance the soil’s ability to absorb carbon and increase crop yields.
Jason’s brief will include introducing digital platforms to document the levels of low carbon crops being generated to allow greater transparency.
A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Member of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants, Jason will draw upon more than 25 years’ professional agribusiness consulting experience.
Having worked in Africa, Asia and Australia during his career, he has led the roll-out of agritech platform Regenfarm, a regenerative digital farm design tool being implemented in Nigeria.
Jason said: “I am excited to join Cefetra to add to their drive to increase sustainability throughout their network of farmers, suppliers and customers in an exciting time of transition in the industry.
“We want to help farmers and grain consumers to be able to generate environmental benefits from the land and provide confidence in the ability to provide traceability and assurance a manner aligned with the Science Based Targets Initiative to ensure agronomy and science leads our efforts.
“Working with the team at Cefetra, we will attract more farmers to our programmes, significantly increasing the number of hectares being farmed in a manner which regenerates the soil and increases each individual farms biodiversity in a way that works for each individual farmer.”
Cefetra has a stated aim to “promote the responsibility of creating a balance between people, planet and profit throughout the supply chain”.
Cefetra, which has its HQ in Glasgow and sites across the UK, is part of the BayWa group, a leading trading and services group in Germany listed on the stock exchange.
BayWa develops projects and solutions for the basic human needs of food, energy, and building materials across 40 different countries.
James Neilson, Head of Supply Chain at Cefetra Ltd, said: “We are delighted to appoint Jason to play a leading role in shaping a bright future for Cefetra in sustainability by growing our eco services.
“Cefetra recognises our responsibility in creating an environmental balance in our dealings throughout the supply chain and will continue to progress toward that goal.”
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