NIGTA president

The chief executive of United Feeds, Dr Keith Agnew is the new president of the NI Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) for 2017, taking over from Cefetra’s David O’Connor.

Agnew has been CEO of United Feeds since 2013, having joined the company in 2002. He is also president of the NI Institute of Agricultural Science, and is the NIGTA representative on DAERA’s Brexit consultative committee.

Doran steps down at RHANI

Michael Doran has stepped down as both director and chair of the Renewable Heat Association for NI, the group representing non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive claimants. RHANI has said that Doran wants to focus on his role as managing director of Action Renewables. He has been replaced as chair of RHANI by Andrew Trimble, former chief executive of the Bar Council, the regulatory and professional body for barristers in NI.

Rabbit industry

The role of the rabbit in the financial welfare in every county of Ireland, north and south, is captured in a new book by Michael Conry: The Rabbit Industry in Ireland – 20th Century Snapshots.

This 528-page hardback with over 300 black and white (old) and colour photographs, maps and drawings, outlines the history of the rabbit industry in Ireland. It is available in local bookshops or direct from Michael Conry, Avila, Chapelstown, Carlow, Ireland, email: conrymj@gmail.com, price €30 (plus postage and packaging).