The Ulster Farmers’ Union has recently recognised Northern Ireland’s top silage makers of 2018.

This year’s competition saw a record number of entries from farmers and also included a new category.

Adrian and Ryan McFarland of the Mid Tyrone Group (Dairy), Gordonall Farms of the Ards Group (Beef and Sheep), Ryan Millar of the North Tyrone Group (Alternative Forage) and George Robson of the Ballyclare Group (Bale) were among those who took top honours in the competition.

The UFU and sponsors United Feeds hosted the Annual Silage Competition awards ceremony in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown.

This year saw the launch of the Bale Silage Award, which increased entry numbers greatly and proved a tight competition.

UFU president Ivor Ferguson said: “The UFU’s annual silage competition has always encouraged excellence and healthy competition among producers and once again the competition entries were to the highest standard.

“Our sponsors, CAFRE, UFU group managers and most importantly the farmers have worked hard on ensuring we had a great competition and I would like to thank them all.”

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors United Feeds Clarence Calderwood said: “We saw some exceptional silage from farmers in each of the categories. At United Feeds we aim to assist farmers in producing better quality silage every year which is why we support the Ulster Farmers’ Union competition.”

Alternative Forage winners

  1. Ryan Millar;
  2. Marcus McCollum.

Beef/Sheep winners

  1. John Martin of Gordonall Farms;
  2. Hilary Bell and Roger Bell;
  3. and John Fleming.

Dairy winners

  1. Ryan and Adrian McFarland;
  2. William Henderson; and
  3. Robert Angus.

Round Bale winners

  1. James Robson;
  2. Jonathan Crawford; and
  3. Stephen Smyth.

UFU