The Grain and Feed Trade’s cycle relay has been very well supported in Northern Ireland with £5,300 raised for Rural Support at their cycle event in July.
NIGTA president Michael Mc Aree congratulated the 34 cyclists from 13 supply businesses who participated in the cycle “ This is a tremendous effort from the trade and we are delighted to be able to make a significant donation to those in the farming community who are suffering difficult circumstances”.
Chief Executive of Rural Support, Jude McCann said, “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the cyclists, feed companies across Northern Ireland and the Grain Trade Association who took part in this tremendous effort. The funds raised are extremely important for our charitable organisation which assists farmers and farming families across the province. In the face of major restructuring within our industry the services of Rural Support are extremely important. This significant donation is very much appreciated at this particular time.”
The Northern Ireland leg was part of a 3,700 mile tour of the United Kingdom which has raised in excess of £60,000 in support of rural charities.
Grain and Feed Trade Cycle Relay 2018
The Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association have this year chosen Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI as the charity to benefit from the funds raised by members and their guests at their annual dinner held some weeks ago.
Further donations have been received since the dinner and Association president, Michael Mc Aree was delighted to present a cheque for the grand total of £6,770 to Joanne Badger, Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI.
In thanking NIGTA for their generous support Joanne highlighted the work of the charity in supporting life-saving research into Leukaemia, Lymphoma and blood cancers here in Northern Ireland.
These cancers can be diagnosed in both children and adults and through their support of the Haematology Research Group at Queens University the charity aims to ensure that in the future people of all ages survive blood cancers.
Sustainable intensification of farming and food production can be achieved - but only through commitment from all partners and the application of new research based technologies. This was the message from Patrick Casement when he addressed a recent meeting of the NI Grain Trade Association. Patrick is a farmer and environmentalist and is Chairman of NI Environment Link and a member of the National Trust's Rural Enterprise Panel. He said that farmers need to get recognition for what has already been achieved in areas such as carbon sequestration in hedges and trees. He predicted that agricultural support in the future will recognise and reward the contribution farmers make to the environment and management of the countryside.
The challenges are highlighted in the “State of Nature” report which highlights a wildlife decline in the UK with agriculture as the main contributor. Habitat quality and quantity have been affected; water quality has suffered from phosphate and nitrate enrichment while air quality has been impacted by ammonia emissions from agriculture – mainly generated by ruminant livestock. The net result has been abandonment of much of agriculture in the uplands and further intensification in the lowland areas. The success of agriculture in the future will depend on the ability of the industry to reconcile food production with care for the environment.
A new approach is necessary – but it must be evidenced based and supported by measures such as remote monitoring of habitats in order to assess change rapidly. A sustainable land management strategy must be achieved with the carrot rather than the stick if we expect farmers to respond. Government bodies setting rules and penalising farmers will result in a “them and us” scenario whereas knowledge transfer along with financial encouragement can create a team effort which delivers the desired results for everyone.
Achieving a balance of grazing in the uplands and intensification in an environmentally friendly manner in the lowland could have huge market potential. Sustainable intensification based on evidence and scientific research has the potential to provide a win-win result for the lowland areas while farmers in the uplands can continue to graze their livestock in addition to being rewarded for the care of the environment and wildlife.
Patrick added “This might sound like a pipe dream but is achievable if the industry accepts the challenge and the responsibility of reconciling food production with care of the environment – modern agricultural systems are unsustainable if we do not act”
He warned “As farmers we must remember that we rely on the rural environment, not just for food production, but for clean water, clean air, carbon sequestration, pollination and recreation.”
Patrick concluded by complimenting the NI Grain Trade Association on their most recent training module for farm advisers which focuses specifically on reducing the environmental impact of intensive farming.
NIGTA September Meeting 2017
Keith Agnew, President, Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association recently presented a cheque to Sandra Spence, Marie Curie, his chosen charity.
The sum of £6235 was raised at the recent NIGTA Annual Dinner in the Culloden.
The local feed trade turned out in force to support the round Britain cycle tour of feed mills and grain businesses throughout the UK.
The Northern Ireland section covered close to 300 miles on a 3 day circuit of the province – Starting in Belfast Harbour – via Newry, Armagh, Pomeroy, Omagh, Randalstown, Stranocum and finishing up in Larne.
A total of 33 cyclists from 14 local businesses enjoyed glorious weather as they travelled through some of the most scenic areas of Northern Ireland.
All funds raised in Northern Ireland will go to assist with the work of Rural Support NI. Jude Mc Cann of Rural Support was delighted with the efforts on behalf of his organisation “ Those in the supply trade see at first hand the pressures that many farmers face and understand the stress caused by financial and regulatory pressures - the sense of isolation and anxiety that can affect both the farm business and the farm household. Our work relies heavily on charitable donation and we greatly appreciate the continued support of the Grain Trade Association.”
Robin Irvine of NIGTA was pleased with the response from members – “We had cyclists volunteering from all parts of the province and from the small family businesses to large multinational companies. We are hopeful that this magnificent effort can translate into a significant contribution to the work of Rural Support.
To donate to the fund please go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GAFT
Local Grain Traders and Feed Merchants are pulling on the lycra and getting on their bikes to support farm charities as part of a UK wide cycle relay. The itinerary for this 3,700 mile marathon will take in the principal feed mills, ports, grain stores and supply trade business sites in the UK.
All the regional Grain and Feed Trade Associations have come together to support the farming industry through the Farming Community Network (FCN) with all funds raised in Northern Ireland going to assist with the work of Rural Support NI.
“Supply businesses play an integral part in the farming community and we see at first hand the pressures that many farmers face” according to Robin Irvine of NIGTA.
“The stress caused by economic and regulatory pressures, the sense of isolation and anxiety can affect both the farm business and the farm household”.
“We aim to help increase awareness of the issues facing farmers, while at the same time raising funds to provide on-going support for all members of the farming community and their families. Our team of riders include drivers, mill operatives, accountants, sales managers and chief executives and they are working hard to raise sponsorship for this very worthy cause” says Robin.
The Relay is already under way, having started outside the Houses of Parliament in London on 20th June and will visit over 170 different sites representing 75 companies before crossing the finishing line at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 31st July.
The relay moves into Northern Ireland on 17th July visiting businesses in Belfast Docks, Co Antrim, Armagh, Omagh and North Antrim between the 17th and 20th July Riders from at least 14 companies will be saddling up and visiting 14 sites, covering over 240 miles.
Companies supporting the relay in N Ireland include Tolland’s, Devenish Nutrition, United Molasses, United Feeds, W&R Barnett, Thompsons, Cefetra, Tullyherron Feeds, Gortavoy Feeds, Fane Valley, Moy Park, AB Vista, Chestnutt’s and Agri-Research.
To donate to the fund and support FCN in the invaluable work it does for the industry, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GAFT
The EU Office in Belfast is the eyes and ears of the Commission in Northern Ireland and is constantly alert to what the EU can offer here whether that is economically, politically or socially - but Northern Ireland must make its views known and negotiate through London, according to Colette Fitzgerald Head of the EU office in Belfast.
Speaking at a NI Grain Trade Association lunch, Colette referred to May 2007 and the signing of the Good Friday agreement when £2 billion European Peace Money was awarded to develop the economy in Northern Ireland and grow the private sector.
For the past seven years the EU office has been helping Northern Ireland to access the Horizon 20/20 fund of 80 billion euro. Northern Ireland has been awarded £175 million from this fund and Colette is very keen to increase Northern Ireland's engagement.
As head of the EU’s Belfast office Colette stressed that all of the Northern Ireland issues are reported back to Brussels on a daily basis and are considered along with those from all of the other member states. However NI is not a member state so has no direct voice – it must communicate with the EU through the UK's negotiating structure. For this reason NI must get its message across in London and hope to achieve a favourable outcome for Northern Ireland in the negotiated settlement.
Colette went on to point out that the EU negotiators understand Northern Ireland through involvement in the peace program and will be keen to see a solution which works for the whole of Ireland. While there is a two year window for Brexit negotiations each country will have to approve the deal between the EU27 and the UK and finally the EU parliament has to approve the deal.
It will be a lengthy process and it must be remembered Brexit is not as big an issue for the rest of the EU as it is for Britain - their attention is focused on the EU budget for 2020 which costs each country 0.9% of its GDP.
She finished by pointing out that the scale of what needs to be negotiated is mind boggling – everyone is in uncharted waters and the impact on Northern Ireland will depend very much on our ability to influence opinion in London.
NIGTA June Meeting 2017
The Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Keith Agnew, Chief Executive of United Feeds Ltd, as its President for 2017.
Keith's main area of interest has been nutrition and management of the dairy cow and he has held a number of nutritional and advisory posts within the industry. He was appointed Chief Executive of United Feeds in September 2013 and is a member of the advisory board for the Canadian company, Fermentrics. He is also current President of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science.
During his year as NIGTA President he hopes to assist in further development of training modules for feed advisers, trade awareness courses for new entrants to the industry, and support Food Fortress, the world leading quality control system for the feed trade. Keith is also taking a keen interest and involvement in Brexit negotiations and sits on DAERA's Brexit Consultative Committee.Partnerships and negotiations with other trade associations will also be a priority in order to support the local agrifood industry.
After graduating from Queen’s University, Belfast in 1989, Keith spent three years at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland (now AFBI) studying for a PhD in dairy cow nutrition. After this, Keith joined DARD (now DAERA) as a lecturer at Greenmount College (CAFRE) before entering the animal feed industry in 1995. In 2002 he took up a Business Development role with United Feeds.
United Feeds is part of the Dale Farm Group, which is the largest milk processor in Northern Ireland. Within his roles, Keith has been responsible for the commercial team as well as product development, R&D programmes and on farm support. During his career, Keith has presented papers at numerous international conferences and meetings in Europe, Canada and the USA.
Outside of work he is involved with the Replay Theatre Company, which produces work for young people from babies to 19 years old, particularly those with Multiple Learning Difficulties, He is also a keen Ulster Rugby supporter.t babies to the oldest teenagers, for children and young people with Profoun
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