Members Shine at YFCU Northern Ireland Finals in Stock Judging, Silage and Soil Assessment

The Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) celebrated the best of local agricultural talent last week at the prestigious Northern Ireland finals of the Stock Judging, Silage and Soil Assessment competitions, held at CAFRE Greenmount Campus. Proudly sponsored by Fane Valley, the event brought together over 350 of the region’s top young competitors for an evening of skill and knowledge.

With over 1,500 entries across the county heats, highlights the strength and enthusiasm within the YFCU membership.

These cornerstone competitions provide a vital platform for members to sharpen their technical and analytical skills in livestock evaluation, soil science and forage quality—practical disciplines that are critical to sustainable and successful farming. By encouraging hands-on learning and benchmarking, the YFCU competitions are equipping young farmers with the confidence and capability to shape the future of the agricultural industry in Northern Ireland.

Heats for the stock judging and silage competitions were held across all counties, with the top five members in each age category earning a spot in the final. Soil assessment finalists secured their place following a competitive heat at the YFCU stand during the Balmoral Show.

YFCU President, Richard Beattie praised the finalists:

“These competitions reflect the drive, talent and technical knowledge of our members. It's brilliant to see such strong representation from across the province, and we are grateful to Fane Valley for their continued support in helping our members grow in confidence and ability.”

Fane Valley, longstanding champions of local agriculture and proud sponsors of the event, also commended the initiative.

“At Fane Valley, we are passionate about nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Oonagh Chesney, Group Company Secretary, Fane Valley. “We’re proud to support YFCU in providing these competitive and educational opportunities, which not only recognise excellence but also help young people develop the real-world skills that will drive innovation and progress in our industry.”

The winners are:

Sheep Stock Judging Finals

12 – 14

1^st Lydia Lyons – Coleraine YFC

2^nd Jane Fenton – Glarryford YFC

3^rd Mia Sloane – Rathfriland YFC

14 – 16

1^st Oliver Patton – Ballywalter YFC

2^nd Kate Coulter – Ballywalter YFC

3^rd Amy Taylor – Ballywalter YFC

16 – 18

1^st Kerry Hayes – Spa YFC

2^nd Andrew Molyneaux – Donaghadee YFC

3^rd William Charles – Cookstown YFC

18 – 21

1^st Sophie McAllister – Lisnamurrican YFC

2^nd Cameron Glover – Spa YFC

3^rd Peter McAreavey – Crumlin YFC

21 – 25

1^st Anna Clements – Spa YFC

2^nd Hanna Miskimmin – Ballywalter YFC

3^rd Nicola Murray – Rathfriland YFC

25 – 30

1^st Claire Adams – Lisnamurrican YFC

2^nd Adrianna Coulter – Straid YFC

3^rd Rebecca Cromie – Rathfriland YFC

Beef Stock Judging Results

12 – 14

1^st Angus Callion – Clanabogan YFC

2^nd Sarah Pinkerton – Cappagh YFC

3^rd Ross Gamble – Spa YFC

14 – 16

1^st Grace Ross – Collone YFC

2^nd Isabella Taylor – Coleraine YFC

3^rd Robbie Linton – Ahoghill YFC

16 – 18

1^st Kerry Hayes – Spa YFC

2^nd Laura Neill – Spa YFC

3^rd Nathan Blair – Cookstown YFC

18 – 21

1^st Lucy Rodgers – Spa YFC

2^nd Neil McCrea – Holestone YFC

3^rd Craig Robson – Holestone YFC

21 – 25

1^st Anna Clements – Spa YFC

2^nd Jessica McConnell – Holestone YFC

3^rd Alexis Kidd – Lisnamurrican YFC

25 – 30

1^st Lynsay Beattie – Seskinore YFC

2^nd Claire Adams – Lisnamurrican YFC

3^rd Laura Fulton – Dungiven YFC

Dairy Stock Judging Results

12 – 14

1^st Bailie Anderson – Ballywalter YFC

2^nd Daniel Clougley – Collone YFC

3^rd Leah Preston – Cappagh YFC

14 – 16

1^st Isla Watson – Coleraine YFC

2^nd David Hamilton - Donaghadee YFC

3^rd Phillip McMullan – Moycraig YFC

16 – 18

1^st Max Watson – Coleraine YFC

2^nd Evie Morrison – Lisbellaw – YFC

3^rd William Johnston – Collone YFC

18 – 21

1^st Ailsa Fleming – Spa YFC

2^nd Emma Knox – Crumlin YFC

3^rd Steven McAllister – Annaclone & Magherally YFC

21 – 25

1^st Kirsten Henry – Moneymore YFC

2^nd Samuel McMurray – Annaclone & Magherally YFC

3^rd Kirsty Wallace – Lylehill YFC

25 – 30

1^st Matthew McLean – Moycraig YFC

2^nd James Orr – Moycraig YFC

3^rd William McCormick – Moycraig YFC

Silage Assessment Results

12 – 14

1^st Stewart Cochrane – Moycraig YFC

2^nd Ross Gabbie – Spa YFC

3^rd Jack Beattie – Cappagh YFC

14 – 16

1^st Grace Ross – Collone YFC

2^nd Phillip McMullan – Moycraig YFC

3^rd Zara Morton – Mountnorris YFC

16 – 18

1^st Laura Neill – Collone YFC

2^nd Kyle Allen – Collone YFC

3^rd James Patton – Ballywalter YFC

18 – 21

1^st Ben Allen – Bleary YFC

2^nd Ashley Neill – Collone YFC

3^rd James Morrison – Lisbellaw YFC

21 -25

1^st Alexander Mitchell – Annaclone & Magherally YFC

2^nd Jonny Agnew – Mountnorris YFC

3^rd Mark Rea – Lylehill YFC

25 – 30

1^st Chloe Alexander – Clanabogan YFC

2^nd George Porter – Mountnorris YFC

3^rd William Parkinson – West Fermanagh YFC

Soil Assessment

Juniors

1^st Lucy Stevenson – Moycraig YFC

2^nd Lauren Hall – Rathfriland YFC

Senior

1^st Rebecca Cromie – Rathfriland YFC

2^nd Gareth Ritchie – Ballywalter YFC