Lynch and Orr to run for UFU leadership

Clement Lynch and Cyril Orr are to stand for election for the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) leadership team in April 2026.

At the organisation’s next AGM, current UFU president William Irvine will step down after completing a two-year term

Normal convention will see him replaced by current deputy president John McLenaghan from Garvagh.

The other current deputy president, Glenn Cuddy from Donaghmore, will remain in post for a second two-year term.

That leaves a vacant deputy president post and both Lynch and Orr have confirmed in recent weeks that they will be seeking election from UFU council members.

Lynch is a sheep farmer from Park, Co Derry, and Orr runs dairy, beef and sheep enterprises on his farm in Cloughmills, Co Antrim.

Red diesel quotes drop by up to 10p/l

Quotes for red diesel from some fuel suppliers in NI have fallen by as much as 10p/l over the Christmas period.

A price survey conducted by the Irish Farmers Journal earlier this week found quotes for 2,000l of red diesel ranged from 63.5p/l to 68p/l plus VAT.

The exact drop in prices over the past week appears to vary across fuel suppliers, so it is strongly recommended to price around.

The change has come as brent crude oil, the main benchmark for oil markets, hit a five-year low in December as hopes were raised about a possible Russia-Ukraine peace deal.

Oil markets have since edged upwards again, but the current price of brent crude oil in the low $60s is still significantly lower than where it has been for much of 2025.

Woodland scheme timing review

The application window for the Small Woodland Grant scheme is to be reviewed by DAERA, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said.

The scheme for establishing new native woodlands is currently open for applications and is due to close on 7 January 2026. The grant initiative provides up to £6,425/ha for establishment costs and annual payments over a 10-year period.

However, the timing of the application window has received some criticism as it leaves a tight turnaround for tree planting during the ideal time in the early spring.

In a recent written question, West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan asked Minister Muir if DAERA would consider introducing a rolling application window for the scheme. In response, the minister revealed that a new “tree planting action plan” is to be developed by department officials.

“This will consider how best to promote forestry grant schemes, including the timing of application windows,” the Alliance MLA said.

Farming morale has been tested – Irvine

A range of issues which have been facing the NI farming industry throughout 2025 has tested the confidence of local farmers, the president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union has said.

In his new year’s message, William Irvine described agricultural property relief (APR) for inheritance tax as “fundamental to the survival of the family farm”.

“When added to the weight of bovine TB, environmental legislation, and regulatory hurdles, it is understandable that morale has been tested,” he said.The Mountnorris dairy farmer said last week’s announcement that the APR threshold will be increased from £1m to £2.5m was “a positive and meaningful step forward”.

“However, while this progress is welcomed, it must not be seen as the final destination. More work will be done to deliver a long term, fair outcome,” Irvine said.