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AGM Highlights Member Success and Community Impact

  • 4 days ago
  • 3 min read

The Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) held their Annual General Meeting on Saturday 25th April 2026 in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh. This event, in association with Lakeland Dairies, recognised the success and outstanding achievements of members across the province.

 

It was Randalstown YFC from County Antrim that picked up the prestigious ‘Ann Cameron’ cup for the ‘Club of the Year’ award, which is proudly sponsored by Power NI. This award is granted to the club that expertly maintains its accounts, is passionate about recruiting and retaining members, participates in events, demonstrates diversity in its programmes, is involved in the community, and demonstrates sustainability and promotional efforts for the club. Representing Power NI at the event was Marketing Executive Caragh O’Neill who announced and awarded the prize.

 

The ‘YFCU Top Officials’ and ‘Member of the Year’ awards were kindly sponsored by United Feeds. This group of awards recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of individual members across Northern Ireland who have significantly contributed to YFCU's growth and success in the past year. Alan Boyd (Sales Director) represented United Feeds and presented the prizes.

Top Official Awards

Prize

Name

Club

Top Leader

Jack Hunter

Moneymore YFC

Top Treasurer

Sam Blackwood

Newtownhamilton YFC

Top Secretary

Erin Crawford

Randalstown YFC

Top P.R.O

Zara Ratcliffe

Collone YFC

Member of the Year Awards

Junior Member of the Year

Emily Maneely

Moneymore YFC

Senior Member of the Year

Jack Hunter

Moneymore YFC

 

One of the most significant competitions in the YFCU calendar is “Ulster Young Farmer of the Year” which is proudly sponsored by Danske Bank. Rodney Brown (Head of Agribusiness at Danske Bank) was present at the AGM to present these awards. This award gives young people the opportunity to demonstrate their professionalism in the agricultural sector.

Ulster Young Farmer

Prize

Name

Club

Ulster Young Farmer Overall Winner

Ryan Rodgers

Annaclone & Magherally YFC

Ulster Young Farmer U21 Winner

Ryan Rodgers

Annaclone & Magherally YFC

Ulster Young Farmer Junior Winner

Robbie Linton

Ahoghill YFC

Ulster Young Farmer 25 – 30 Winner

Joshua McClements

Ballywalter YFC

Ulster Young Farmer Section Winners

Countryside Management

Helen Laird

Bleary YFC

Sheep Section

Helen Laird

Bleary YFC

Beef Section

Joshua McClements

Ballywalter YFC

Pigs & Poultry Section

James McConnell

Collone YFC

Grass Section

Joshua McClements

Ballywalter YFC

Arable Section

Joshua Moore

Artana YFC

Dairy Section

Helen Laird

Bleary YFC

Farm Safety Section

Sarah Ruddell

Bleary YFC

Innovation Section

Ryan Rodgers

Annaclone & Magherally YFC

Finance Section

Joshua McClements

Ballywalter YFC

The top achievers for this year’s ‘President’s Award Scheme’ were presented with plaques. This is a scheme that recognises members for participating in and contributing to competitions, events and activities that are hosted by YFCU.

President’s Award Scheme

Prize

Name

Club

Junior 1st

Emily Maneely

Moneymore YFC

Junior 2nd

Katie Rose Wallace

Crumlin YFC

Junior 3rd

Katie Mawhinney

Crumlin YFC

Senior 1st

Kerri Mullan

The Glens YFC

Senior 2nd

Jack Hunter

Moneymore YFC

Senior 3rd

Linzi Kennedy

Collone YFC

 


There were also several special cups awarded to clubs for their achievements throughout the year.

Special Cup Winners

Cup Name

Club

Ballyvester Cup (18-30 years)

Collone YFC

J.K Dobbs Cup (12-18 years)

Ballywalter YFC

Allen Cup (12-14 years)

Moneymore YFC

Limavady Cup (12-14 years)

Cappagh YFC

E.T Green Cup (14-18 years)

Collone YFC

Mulholland Cup (18-30 years)

Spa YFC

Alfa Laval Trophy (awarded for recruitment)

The Glens YFC

The Pam Robinson Cup (awarded to a club for their member retention)

Finvoy YFC

 

Our Sustainability Pledge competition, in partnership with Power NI, ran for the third year in a row and prizes were awarded to the Club’s that implemented commitments to change the good of the planet, people and environment around us. Caragh O’Neill (Marketing Executive at Power NI) awarded Crumlin YFC was first prize, stating “Crumlin YFC gave a fantastic presentation with very confident and relaxed delivery from all three members. The content was great, and showed a true understanding of sustainability and the challenges that we face. Slide design and animations were fantastic, and great to see photographic evidence of some of the activities completed. The members explained in great detail how they would use the £500 bursary, which we were delighted to award them with”.


President Kristina Fleming congratulates all the prize winners on their achievements throughout the year, commenting on their incredible contributions to their clubs and communities.

 

Chief Executive Officer of YFCU, Derek Lough, took the time to thank Lakeland Dairies and all competition sponsors for their continued support shown to the organisation. He proceeded to thank the judges for their time and expertise given to make these competitions successful and for encouraging the continued development of their members.



 
 
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