French farmers visit N.Ireland

Ile de France Breeders visit N. Ireland

 

A group of Ile de France breeders from France visited N. Ireland when Jean-Pierre Josselin from Mery la Bataille judged the breed classes at RUAS, Balmoral. Also included in the party was Mr Andre Pery, a Texel breeder who exhibited this year’s Champion Texel at the Paris Show. All were impressed with the quality of the sheep on show at RUAS.

Jean Pierre chose an aged ram from James Donaldson, Newry as his Ile de France Champion and a one year old ewe from Mark & Samantha Robinson, Portadown as Reserve champion.After spending a day and a half at RUAS they did some sightseeing around Belfast, visited the north Antrim coast, which included the Giant’s Causeway. As all the party were farmers they had to see some farms in particular Ile de France breeder David Mulligan’s Glenhoy flock. They also called at Parklands Veterinary Clinic where they were impressed by the size and scale of the business. On Mr Noel Bingham’s dairy farm they had the opportunity to see a modern large scale dairy farm and while on the north coast they visited focus farmer Maurice McHenry where they saw a hill farm managing the environment to enhance the wildlife. This was a totally new experience as these farmers farmed on excellent arable land mostly in the north of France.At the end of the week many new links and friendships had been made between N.Ireland and French farmers.