Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster, Northern Ireland’s largest rural youth organisation would like to congratulate Oisin McAteer and David Thompson from Randalstown YFC for winning first place for County Antrim in the Machinery Handling competition. Well done to Dean Lawson from Ballywalter YFC, and Nicholas Kerr from Spa YFC for securing second place for County Down.
The competition consists of two members from clubs in each of the six counties, selected from county heats, which make up the teams and there are three heats to determine which two teams take part in the final head-to-head. The Machinery Handling Final course was set up to test the member's manoeuvre skills against the clock. Members had to hook on a slurry tanker and manoeuvre around tight turns and with precision. CAFRE staff, William Richmond and Peter Verhoeven overseen the safety aspects and logistics of the whole competition along with the design of the course.
YFCU would like to show appreciation to Johnston Gilpin Ltd for their continued support and sponsorship of the YFCU Machinery Handling competition, along with the use of their excellent machinery and the design of the course.
The organisation would like to express gratitude to the Royal Ulster Agriculture Society (RUAS) for the use of the Cattle Rings at the Balmoral Show for competition use.
Winning first place for County Antrim in the Machinery Handling competition at Balmoral Show 2022. (Back row L-R) John Deere representative, Johnston Gilpin representative, Peter Alexander, YFCU President and Johnston Gilpin representative. (Front row L-R) William Richmond, CAFRE Representative, Oisin McAteer, Randalstown YFC, David Thompson, Randalstown YFC and Selwyn Graham, CAFRE Representative.
County Down securing second place in the Machinery Handling competition. (Back row L-R) John Deere representative, Johnston Gilpin representative, Peter Alexander, YFCU President and Johnston Gilpin representative. (Front row L-R) William Richmond, CAFRE Representative, Dean Lawson, Ballywalter YFC, Nicholas Kerr, Spa YFC and Selwyn Graham, CAFRE Representative.