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2010 Dinner Dance
“For the first time in a generation our government realises one of their basic duties is to provide a secure supply of food for the nation. Now fears over food security are set to become a huge concern world wide as projected increases in population may well double demand inside 20 years.” Ruth Rodgers also provided a positive perspective on political changes at EU level where MEPs at last have a key role in decision making. “Yes, there are challenges ahead, not least an expanding agricultural bureaucracy producing extra costs such as electronic tagging. There are also the age old concerns of coping with our changeable climate and ensuring primary producers receive a fair profit for their efforts and investments. Yet the ultimate positive is that those coming into farming will be supplying a rapidly growing market.” Congratulating the NI Blue Cattle Breeders Club on another year of success Ruth revealed her own high hopes for some Blue bred cattle being finished at home this winter! Only the third editor of Farming Life since the paper was launched in 1966 with William Warren as editor Ruth Rodgers paid tribute to David McCoy, who retired last spring after almost 25 years in the hot seat. “David did a superb job building Farming Life into a ‘must have’ for over 40,000 rural homes province wide every Saturday. Progress that continues in an era of rapidly changing media technology. “After almost 20 years as a journalist I still find the pace of change amazing since the days on my first paper where pages were made up using the original ‘cut and paste’ method with scalpel and wax! “Then came the brief era of fax machines and now today’s on screen page make up where an e mailed press release can go from computer inbox to Farming Life page inside five mins! “As in agriculture so in agricultural journalism coping with change becomes an ever more exciting challenge. A challenge I have no doubt both Farming Life and British Blue breeders will more than meet.”
LESS TAPE MORE TRADE! “LET’S have less red tape and more freedom to trade,” was the heartfelt call to farm ministers in Belfast, London and Brussels from auctioneer Willie Wilson at the NI British Blue Cattle Club annual dinner dance. “The sheer volume of rampant red tape produced by government does absolutely nothing to help the business of trade, the business of farming families making a living and the business of getting our economy back in business from a recession.” The Moira Arena auctioneer also congratulated British Blues breeders on building exports to the Irish Republic despite red tape seemingly designed to stymie building cross border business links. Club chairman Robert Johnston adding that the efforts of club members and office holders working with Moira Arena had paid off in making the autumn sale highly successful. Robert also noting that yet again the Calf Show and Young Handlers events at Moira Arena provided valuable experience for younger members and gave all ages an enjoyable day away from farm chores. Harold McKee as club secretary welcoming over a 100 members and guests also reflected on a year of success with NI stock selling to 10,500gns on the mainland as well as enjoying a lively demand at local spring and autumn sales. Adding that Blue breeders had also put huge efforts in fund raising for charity at the BBQ and auction on Martin Brothers farm.
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