Drumfergus House Farm

Ballylisk of Armagh with their beautiful display at the World Sheepdog Trials 2023 of cheese biscuits, spiced pear and balsamic bramley apple chutney and their award-winning triple rose cream cheese.

🎤 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡 🎤

This year our Show will take place on Saturday 10th June and it is an honour for me to be Chairman and lead the team to what hopes to be another successful show.

As usual we have a wonderful team of committee members, helpers and volunteers who pull together to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Unfortunately since our last show two of our members, Jack Mcgowan and Brian Dougan have passed away and we offer our sincere sympathies to their families.

The time given by volunteers to all our show preparation is invaluable and we are especially thankful to the members of Collone Young Farmers some of whom now play an instrumental role on our show committee.

Our show is continuously growing and I would like to thank our headline sponsor Fane Valley along with the help and support of ABC Council and every other sponsor who contributes to making the show run smoothly.

We ask that while attending the show you be mindful of Health and Safety, animals and machinery all pose a risk and we ask that you be aware of surroundings especially if attending with young children.

We look forward to welcoming you all to Gosford where we hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable day and the sun shines on us all.

George McCall
Chairman

1,2,3 🙌🏻

Still time to book if you wish to attend our Autumn Meeting on the farm of John & Claire Beckett at Donaghcloney next Tuesday 18th October commencing at 11.00am
Their dairy farming operation should provide an interesting farm walk with excellent use of grass and attention to detail
Please contact Secretary George Reid on 07920 037910 to reserve your place and lunch following the farm tour

As we head into the start of a new month, there is no better time to start looking after yourself!

The Farm Family Health Check have a busy month ahead with mart visits, which is the perfect opportunity for you to go along and get yourself checked out.

If you are out and about this October make sure to call in with the team to get your check up. The girls would love to see you and It is so important to look after yourself.

🔸12th October Camlough Mart
🔸15th October Hilltown Mart
🔸20th Enniskillen Mart
🔸24th October Swatragh Mart
🔸26th October Lisahally Mary
🔸28th October Keady Mart

Staying safe during calving 🐮

💫Always plan an escape route and never turn your back on a cow around calving.

As the Autumn months are fast approaching, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) encourages farmers to stop and think before they carry out any task to ensure they are doing it in the safest way possible. Working with livestock can be dangerous and there is always a risk involved, particularly when working with livestock whether it be calving or housing livestock - It only takes a moment for a life changing or fatal accident to occur.

The UFU encourages the farming community to follow the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) advice this calving season.

Always:
☑️ Watch for warning signs of animal aggression, especially in cows and heifers around calving time
☑️ Work out an escape route or refuge in advance of handling livestock
☑️ Be careful around cows and heifers with newborn calves
☑️Remember, that cows that are on heat are unpredictable
☑️ Where possible use a head gate to restrain a cow or heifer when checking the calf
☑️ Try to have help available when calving a cow or heifer
☑️ Try to keep cattle calm when working with them
☑️ Aggressive and difficult cattle should be culled as soon as possible
☑️ Protect yourself against disease with proper personal hygiene

Never:
❌ Turn your back on a cow or heifer around calving time
❌ Put yourself or a colleague at risk with cattle
❌ Stress or arouse cattle unnecessarily
❌ Beat or shout at cattle unnecessarily – they remember bad experiences

For more information and guidance, visit the HSENI website (www.hseni.gov.uk/articles).

Check out our top tips to eating regularly! ⬇

FINAL CHANCE!! 💥COMPETITION TIME💥
WIN A PAIR OF Cheaney Shoes SUPER HAMPTONS! 🥾🥾

We have a fantastic competition for the month of September.
Simply: LIKE & SHARE THIS POST & COMMENT FANE VALLEY.

Draw to take place on Friday 30th September 2022. T&C Apply.
All the best... Get clicking!!! 😄
For a full range of footwear visit: Fane Valley Stores
https://www.fanevalleystores.com/.../cloth.../boots/dressed/

DAERA Minister announces re-opening date for FBIS-C tier one🌱👇

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) says the opening of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme Capital (FBIS-C) tier one tranche four on 27 September 2022, is good news that will be well received by its members. Announced by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Edwin Poots earlier today (22 September), he outlined that £10million has been allocated for this tranche of tier one, which will focus on higher input costs.

Tier one tranche four of the FBIS-C encourages smaller scale investments to improve the sustainability of farm businesses in Northern Ireland (NI). The scheme will support the purchase of equipment and machinery ranging from £5,000 to £30,000, from a list of eligible items.

UFU deputy president William Irvine said, “The fourth tranche of the FBIS-C tier one will be welcome news for farmers, particularly at a time with on-farm input costs continuing to rise. The scheme will enable family farm businesses across NI to help deliver on-farm developments, environmental practices and efficiencies which should help to reduce costs. In turn this will have positive benefits not only on the environment but our rural economy and the sustainability of NI’s agricultural industry.”

DAERA has increased the item mark on a number of items available in tier one tranche four. This is to help farm businesses manage the impacts of increased feed, fuel and fertiliser costs.

“The UFU had suggested that a number of additional items should be added to the DAERA list of equipment, and we are pleased to hear that a number of these have been accepted and will be eligible for grant aid. The focus of this tranche is on grassland management, silage quality, feed efficiency and precision farming, and will go towards helping some farmers to part address the rising costs on farms which will be beneficial for the industry.

“I encourage farmers to carefully consider the options available and to only apply for what they need. It is important that they give themselves plenty of time to carefully review all the options that would suit their farm business going forward and to ensure sure that they can meet all the necessary conditions,” said Mr Irvine.

The scheme will be open from 27 September to 11 November 2022. More information on the FBIS-C is available on the DAERA website, https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/farm-business-improvement-scheme.

Finished shearing?

Make sure you contact your nearest Drop Off Centre to book your wool in.

You can find your nearest drop off on our website
https://www.ulsterwool.com/ulster-depot-network

📍FARM UPDATE 📍When you’re planning your farm visits during Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend on Saturday 18 or Sunday 19 June, there is now a handy "PLAN YOUR VISIT" button on the Open Farm Weekend website with opening times. It is advisable to check this before you leave to avoid disappointment! https://openfarmweekend.com/plan-your-visit/

Participating (Sat & Sun) farms for 2022:

🔸Acton House Farm
🔸Armagh Apple at Ballinteggart House: Armagh Cider & Troughtons Premium
🔸Broughgammon: Broughgammon Farm
🔸Bullsbrook
🔸CAFRE Enniskillen: Cafre Enniskillen Campus
🔸CAFRE Greenmount Discover CAFRE
🔸Chestnutt’s Farms: Chestnutt Farms
🔸Churchview: Churchview Farm
🔸D&D Holland
🔸Jamison Farms
🔸Laurel View Farm: Laurel View Equestrian Centre
🔸Long Meadow Farm: Long Meadow Cider
🔸Millbank Farm: Millbank Farm
🔸Mullygarry Farm: Mullygarry Farm
🔸Seaview Farms: Seaview Farms

Ulster Farmers' Union| Asda| NFU Mutual| Beef and Lamb NII Moy Park Chicken| Fibrus| Irish Farmers Journal

Beautiful day with the ☀️ shining 🌱

UFU Next Generation meeting with Minister Poots 🖊👥

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) Next Generation Forum group met the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Poots during the week virtually, to discuss a wide range of issues, including TB, ammonia, future policy, land tenure, support for horticulture and Women in Agriculture amongst many more issues.

James McCluggage secretariat for the Next Generation Forum said, “One of the reasons the Next Generation Forum was created was for our younger farming members to put forward the next generations views. We would like to thank the Minister for giving up his time from his busy schedule to meet with the forum. We at the UFU hope that both the Minister and the forum members got a lot from the meeting.”

Minister Poots said, "I was delighted to meet with the UFU Next Generation Forum and I am encouraged to see the enthusiasm of the young people in the group, without doubt they will make excellent leaders in the future. It was also an excellent opportunity for wide ranging discussion on the key issues our agri-food industry currently faces.”

Daera NI

Want a Lift Wednesdays 🆙

Making a Change

A BIG “THANK YOU” to everyone who made Saturday’s “Looking After Yourself” event possible. Markethill Livestock & Farm Sales - Hampton and Amy’s warm welcome to their excellent facilities … Graham, Vicky and their wonderful team from Park Butchers & Park Catering for a mouth-watering fry … The amazing turnout of 50 farmers and farming family members who registered for the event! ... And the many folk who publicised it and invited others. Thank you! 👏

Thank you too, to the 8 agencies involved, getting out this vital “Looking After Yourself” message to farmers (like me) and farming families. Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, Farm Families Health Checks, Farm Safety Partnership, Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, Rural Health Partnership, Rural Support, Ulster Farmers' Union, Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster. Lovely to meet up with old friends and make new ones! And to all be working together for the blessing of farmers and farming families. 🤝

Most of all, thank You to God, for a real sense of His presence and abundant blessing. All the glory goes to Him. 🙏

Through this key "Looking After Yourself" message, we trust that farmers and farming families will make changes in our lives. Whether that's checking a PTO guard is in place, or taking time out to ensure our mental health wellbeing ✅

We all need to be changed in many health-giving ways. In some of these areas, we can make the changes ourselves, but with other aspects, outside help is needed. 🤝

However, in THE most vital way that we need to be changed, a DIY job just won't do. This "change" is deep-down and eternal-hope-giving. It puts right our broken relationship with God, our loving Creator and Father. And it puts an end to our fear of death - a fear which is proof positive all is not right in the world, or in us👍

The deep-down change we all need is only found in Jesus and His grace (love we don't deserve). "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). ✝️

Please accept God's gift of Jesus, to make the eternal life-change we all desperately need. ❤️

We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted in the 2021 Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence!

🌟Myrtle Irvine is on the shortlist for Volunteer of the Year
🌟Ryan Milligan is on the shortlist for Young Person of the Year
🌟AANI Agri-business Group is on the shortlist for Campaign of the Year

The awards recognise the professionalism, excellence and dedication of the air ambulance community. Good luck to everyone who has been shortlisted!

Drumfergus House Farm is now on WhatsApp.

Win ‘Hope’ the Heifer for just £10 Net proceeds in aid of Air Ambulance NI. Hope will feature in the Balmoral Show next week and we can’t wait for you all to meet her! In conjunction with Jalex Livestock, HVS Liquid Gold & Air Ambulance NI. BEST OF LUCK ☘️ - Please note Facebook / Instagram do not run, own or endorse this competition or business.

Following the recent government consultation, car drivers will be able to tow a trailer without a taking a test 🚗

This change will mean drivers who passed their car test after 1 January 1997 will be able to tow a trailer up to 3,500kg when the law is changed. This will be as soon as possible.

✔️Drivers who passed their car test before 1 January 1997 can already tow without a car and trailer test, so are not affected by this change.

This will allow us to offer more lorry tests 🚛

We still encourage you to have training before towing a trailer to keep you safe.

More info here ➡️ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021

All warmly invited to the COUNTRY GOSPEL SHOW next Sunday afternoon, 19th September, 4-7pm.
Another top class line up of performers- &
This event is in aid of all of our nominated charities for 2021: &
Tickets are only £10 per person and are available from Hill's Nisa and Courtrooms Restaurant, Main St., Markethill or committee members.



Usual covid restrictions apply.