The Ulster Farmers’ Union is delighted to launch the 2026 cereals competition. This competition is a great opportunity for leading cereal growers across Northern Ireland to showcase their talent and celebrate the excellence within the cereals industry.
Commenting on the launch, UFU deputy president, Clement Lynch, said, “The UFU cereals competition highlights the high-quality cereals produced across Northern Ireland. This year, growers continued to face challenges. However, despite such difficult conditions, our farmers continue to demonstrate exceptional resilience in managing unpredictable elements. This competition serves to recognise and celebrate their hard work and expertise. Each year, the entries we receive are of an outstanding standard, reflecting the unwavering commitment and dedication of our members.
“We are also deeply appreciative of our sponsors, whose support plays a vital role in the competition’s success. Their enthusiasm and backing are invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our partnership as we anticipate another year of impressive entries.”
Why should I enter the competition?
With crops looking strong and conditions favourable so far in 2026, it’s shaping up to be a promising year for cereal growers.
We encourage every UFU member to enter this year’s competition. It’s your chance to showcase the hard work and skill that goes into growing top-quality crops. With fantastic prizes from our generous sponsors, there’s even more reason to get involved. Beyond the prizes, it’s about the pride, recognition, and celebration of farming excellence.
If you’d like to take part, contact your local group office today!
Our Sponsors
The UFU are delighted to be working with competition sponsors Bayer, Clarendon Agri-Care, Fane Valley, Origin NI, BASF, and Syngenta who have supported this competition for many years. Their commitment to the cereals industry is evident in their valued support of this competition and we are thrilled to have them on board again this year again.
Categories
The categories for the 2026 cereals competition are:
- Winter Barley, sponsored by Origin NI & BASF
- Spring Barley, sponsored by Syngenta
- Oats, sponsored by Clarendon Agri-Care & Bayer
- Winter Wheat, sponsored by Fane Valley & Bayer
Competition Format
Within each group office UFU members that enter the competition will be shortlisted by a group judge. This will result with one group winner to progress to the county level judging. All groups work to different deadlines and arrange their own judging so it is vital you get your entries in early to avoid disappointment.
Winter Barley group judging deadline: 11th June at 12 noon.
The deadline stated above is for the group offices to work to and to have their own group judging completed and all details sent across to HQ for the next stage.
At County level the shortlisted entry from each group goes up against those within their county, after which both 1st and 2nd place per county will progress onto the national judging. National judging looks at all entries within a category across all of Northern Ireland and will result in the chosen winner.
Spring Barley, Oats and Winter Wheat all follow the same rules and format but has a later deadline. Again, this deadline is for all groups to have their own group judging completed by.
Spring Barley, Oats, Winter Wheat group deadline: 9th July at 12 noon.
Get your entries in today!
