“We believe the balance of challenges and opportunities facing our sector has now shifted back in favour of the opportunities,» according to Robert McCullough, head of agribusiness at Danske Bank.
He was speaking at the Clandeboye Estate in Bangor at the launch of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s (RUAS) 32nd Royal Ulster Winter Fair in association with Danske Bank, who’ve been sole sponsors since its inception in 1986.
The Winter Fair, the premier annual one-day dairy event in Northern Ireland, will return to Eikon Exhibition Centre at Balmoral Park on Thursday December 14 (9am to 5pm), and provides an opportunity to interact with dairy related trade exhibitors and hear about up to date technological advances, difficulties and solutions within the industry.
McCullough added: ‘‘Our close links to the dairy industry and Northern Ireland’s wider agri-food industry are important to us and we hope that our long-term investment in the Winter Fair has contributed to its undoubted success.
«With more than 200 trade stands focused on the dairy sector, and the very best dairy cattle from Northern Ireland and further afield, it really is a ‘must attend’ event for the sector, and we look forward to discussing the more optimistic outlook with farmers and industry representatives.”
The RUAS has confirmed that Hank Van Exel will travel from California to judge, and new for the 2017 fair (details at www.winterfair.org.uk) is a hoof trimming demonstration where Millfarm Hoofcare will share their knowledge with a presentation and practical display on the causes, treatment and prevention of lameness in cows.