The Ulster Farmers’ Union, along with Spring Barley competition sponsor Syngenta, is pleased to announce that Stephen and David Kane of the North West Armagh group has been awarded first place in the 2026 UFU Spring Barley Cereal Competition.
Second place this year was awarded to Ivor McKinney South Londonderry group, and receiving a respectable third place was Tom Wells of Lagan group.
The county winners were:
- Antrim – James Kyle, North Antrim
- Armagh – Stephen & David Kane, North West Armagh
- Down – David Cousins, Donard
- Londonderry – James Wray, North West Londonderry
- Tyrone – William Russell, NorthTyrone
Northern Ireland judge Ethel White said; “Judging the final of the spring barley crop this year was a pleasure, as the crops were coping extraordinarily well with this season’s challenging growing conditions. Weed problems were minimal although vigilance against wild oats continues to be needed. The traditional spring barley diseases, mildew and Rhynchosporium, were all but absent. However spotting, probably caused by Ramularia, was present on the upper leaves of several of the crops. Lodging was beginning in the taller denser crops and slight tossing was present in several crops. The crops were judged just as leaves on many of them were senescing. This reveals how ground conditions, in particular soil moisture this summer, have affected crop growth. All crops in the final were impressive in maintaining yield potential despite showing some signs of stress, and all are deserving of congratulations”.
UFU deputy president Clement Lynch said, “I would like to congratulate all finalists and entries of this year’s competition. The UFU Cereals Competition is important in acknowledging the level of talent and expertise of our cereal growers here in Northern Ireland. I would also like to give thanks to those who volunteered their time from group, county and Northern Ireland final level to judge many entries across the country.”
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.
