The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and the College of Agriculture and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) are delighted to announce their first poultry conference, taking place on Monday 5 December 2022 at 7pm in CAFRE, Greenmount Campus, Antrim, BT41 4PS. The three keynote speakers are John Kirkpatrick, agricultural manager for poultry and eggs at TESCO PLC, Robert Huey, chief veterinary Officer DAERA, and Richard Bell, founder, past owner and past managing director of Solmatix Renewables. The event will address key issues affecting poultry farmers in Northern Ireland at present – market trends, avian influenza and energy costs.
David Ramsay, chairman of UFU’s poultry committee is delighted to be involved in the event, adding, “This event will bring together three eminent speakers to address the pressing issues facing our sector currently. John will give us an understanding of the poultry products consumers are currently buying and predicted buying patterns as the cost-of-living crisis continues. Also, with retailers working towards becoming zero-carbon businesses, what this will mean to us as producers? Avian influenza has already been confirmed in Northern Ireland in captive birds. Does that now mean that the disease is endemic? We are delighted to have Robert Huey to cover this topic. Energy costs are crippling most farm businesses. Richard Bell will help us understand how energy audits can help us identify appropriate renewable technologies for our businesses.”
The event is free, but places are limited and booking is encouraged as soon as possible. You can do so by visiting www.ufuni.org/events.
Claire Anderson CAFRE pigs and poultry team, David Ramsey UFU poultry chair, David McClure UFU poultry policy officer and John McLenaghan UFU deputy president.
