UFU beef and lamb chair Pat McKay, discusses his agri background, passion for all things farming and representing beef and lamb producers in NI.
We farm dairy bred calves to beef on a small scale in a beautiful part of the country just outside Warrenpoint. 95 percent of the farmers in our area farm part-time and are mainly involved in construction related off farm employment to provide for their families.
Although I’m now on the wrong side of 60, I am just as passionate about farming as any young person coming out of agri college. I make a point of still learning from others through Business Development Groups and avail of every farm visit I can attend.
From a young age I would read about the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and would recognise the presidents of those passing years. Regrettably, I joined the UFU 20 years too late because since joining some 10/12 years ago, I have met so many great people and made so many new friends. Never did I think that I would be encouraged and trusted by my peers to the position of beef and lamb chair of this great organisation. It has been an honour and a great experience to represent all our beef and lamb members (and non-members) in trying to advance our part of the industry.
To any young farmers starting or progressing through this great farming profession, I would just say if you are lucky enough to ‘have a taste for it, then push on’. There will be so many challenges that you will have to face, but each one will make you better and stronger. Don’t make the same mistake I made joining the UFU later in life, get involved as soon as you can for the rewards are immeasurable!
The current challenges in our agri sector are quite stark. Climate change is an obvious one, but we also have future trade deals which, if not diligently put together, could grossly undermine our entire national food production system and food security could be sacrificed as a result. What a totally short-sighted policy that would be and one that we would live to regret.
With the urgent need to adjust our farming practices to offset climate change, we have recently purchased a new slurry tanker and dribble bar under the Farm Business Improvement Scheme – Capital (FBIS-C) which provides support to invest in low emissions slurry spreading equipment (LESSE). This year we are putting effort into increasing both red and white clover in our grass swards.
Cereals were never featured in our farming regime but this year we have added barley crop to our plans to alleviate a concentrate shortage this coming Autumn. We must do whatever we can in the face of unprecedented uncertainty while our world is in turmoil.
I hope and trust our consumers appreciate the abundance of such top-quality food that is produced right here in Northern Ireland (NI) to the very highest standards, all as it should be. The NI Farm Quality Assurance logo is consumers guarantee of responsibly produced beef. The NI Beef & Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme provides best practice for husbandry, health and welfare, nutrition, environment, farm safety, traceability and more important than ever, sustainability.
Our beef production systems in NI capture vast quantities of carbon and our grassland is so important to food security as it enables beef animals to turn grass into a great protein source for consumers. If recent happenings teach us anything, it should be that food security and our need for local produce in all industry streams is absolutely vital.
