Death of Walter Elliott

The former president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Walter Elliott, died suddenly at his home outside Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, on 11 March.

A well-respected beef farmer, he served as president of the UFU in the late 90s, and was awarded an OBE for services to farming in 1999. He was also a former director of Linden Foods, and of the National Fallen Livestock Company, and was the current chair of the board of UFU subsidiary, Countryside Services Ltd.

His funeral service took place last Wednesday at St James Church, Aughnacloy.

Schmallenberg virus

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) has confirmed that Schmallenberg virus has now been found in sheep located in all six counties of NI.

While the number of cases remains relatively low, and mainly confined to Tyrone (nine cases) and Fermanagh (eight cases), followed by Antrim (five cases), anecdotal evidence from farmers suggests that the problem has been much more widespread in early lambing flocks.

A single shot vaccine administered pre-breeding, and which offers protection for up to six months, is available, manufactured by Zoetis.

Plans for vet school

Proposals to open a veterinary school at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus have re-emerged in recent weeks.

If the plans come to pass, the facility would be the first vet school in NI and the 10th in the UK. There is only one veterinary medicine course in Ireland at present, delivered at University College Dublin.

Preparation work for developing a vet school at Ulster University first emerged in 2013, although a business case for the proposal was never completed. However, Professor John Callan from Ulster University told the Vet Record that preliminary work has now been completed and the University is ready to submit plans to a future NI Executive. He said that the university needs an extra £4m per year to establish places for 50 vet students.

“A vet school is badly needed in NI because we have no control over the supply of vets,” Callan told the Vet Record.

Red diesel prices

Red diesel prices in NI have fluctuated slightly in recent weeks and a significant variation currently exists in quotes from oil suppliers.

On enquiry by the Irish Farmers Journal, quotes for agricultural diesel ranged from 51p/l to 58p/l (excluding 5% VAT). Quotes change daily with market movements and can depend on the amount of diesel ordered, the delivery distance and the delivery date.