The Ulster Farmers’ Union, along with the Oats competition sponsors Clarendon Agri Care & Bayer are pleased to announce that Luke Dynes from the UFU Ards group has been awarded first place in the 2026 UFU Oats cereal competition.
Second place this year was awarded to Paul & Mark Russell from UFU North Tyrone group, and receiving a respectable third place was Jim Crothers from UFU SW Down group.
The county winners were:
- Antrim – None
- Armagh – Eugene McNally
- Down – Luke Dynes
- Londonderry – Andrew Blair
- Tyrone – Paul & Mark Russell
Northern Ireland final judge Cormac Mallon said, “Given the challenging growing year for crops, all entries were in comparatively good condition coming up to harvest, some fields having taller or lower shoots than others, nonetheless maintaining uniformity and good weed/ disease control. The top 3 entries were excelling more with yield potential, standing power and uniformity”.
UFU deputy president Clement Lynch said, “I would like to wish congratulations to all finalists and thank all those who entered this year’s competition and those who judged. The UFU cereals competition recognises the exceptional talent, resilience and skill of our cereal growers here in Northern Ireland.”
The awards for the Winter Barley, Oats, Winter Wheat and Spring Barley cereal competition categories will be officially presented at the 2026 UFU and sponsors cereals competition awards and lunch planned for later this year.
1st place winner: Luke Dynes from UFU Ards group.
2nd place winner: Paul Russell from the UFU North Tyrone group and group judge, Ali Craig.
3rd Place winner: Jim Crothers from the UFU South West Down group.
