Bell runs arable and sheep enterprises with winter accommodation for dairy heifers on his farm near Rathfriland, Co Down. He also grows willow and has a flower-growing enterprise.

As with normal convention, Bell was elected president by the council, having served as deputy president for the past two terms (four years). He takes over from Markethill farmer Ian Marshall.

Bell is also a former member of the UFU beef and lamb committee and seeds and cereal committee.

The new deputy president is dairy farmer Victor Chestnutt from Bushmills. The Co Antrim man ran for deputy president for the first time in 2014 and also has sheep, beef and tillage enterprises on his farm. The council voted Chestnutt in ahead of Hugh McCollum from Ballykelly and Andrew Addison from Upper Ballinderry.

Ivor Ferguson was also returned for a second term as deputy president. The sheep and tillage farmer from Markethill is in the process of retiring from a pig enterprise on his farm.