News

County Down Farmer wins 2013 Spring Barley Competition

UFU Watch 

County Down cereal grower and Donard group member Edgar Carson has been announced as the Ulster Farmers’ Union 2013 Spring Barley competition winner.  Second place was awarded to Dessie Hinds from the UFU Ards group, and coming in third place was Sam Long from the UFU North Down group. Spring Barley growers across Northern Ireland entered the competition, which was sponsored this year by Syngenta.

The judges of the Spring Barley category were Dr Lisa Black (AFBI), Pat Turley (Farmer representative) and Raymond Hilman (Sponsor).

On behalf of all the judges Raymond Hilman of Syngenta said; “In spite of the difficult ground conditions and cold wet weather this year’s spring crops looked really well with grain quality being high. The competition was very tight with only one mark separating the top fields. However, the recent thundery showers had tossed some of the heavier crops. Disease levels were low across all crops maintaining green leaf area and allowing for a longer fill period. In spite of the difficult spring management of crops was of a very high standard with good establishments and excellent weed control was evident. The judges would like to congratulate the winners and all those who entered the competition and wish all a successful harvest and bumper yields.”

UFU President Harry Sinclair Said the Spring Barley competition had been closely fought between the top growers in Northern Ireland and he praised the efforts of farmers who had produced excellent crops despite a difficult growing season.  Mr Sinclair said; “I would like to thank sponsors Syngenta, the UFU members and Group Office teams who made the competition possible.”

The awards for the Winter Barley, Oats, Winter Wheat and Spring Barely cereal competition categories will be officially presented at the 2013 UFU Cereal Competition Lunch hosted by the sponsors later in the year.