2026 Annual Conference

67^th Annual Conference, Dunadry Hotel, Templepatrick

Tuesday 20^th January 2026 at 09.45 am.

For this year’s conference the Executive Committee has arranged a programme with the theme “Inside the Farm Gate”.

The speakers are: –

Ian McCluggage will present an overview of the dairy industry looking at the upcoming challenges.  Ian was formerly head of Dairying & Pigs Development Branch at Cafre’s Greenmount Campus.

Emma Nelson is the Senior Commercial Manager – Meat – at Morrisons. She has 10 years’ experience in the agri food industry, spent mostly in red meat manufacturing, specifically agriculture, research and development, sourcing, commercial and operational roles.

GD Young has a unique background, having been a dairy farmer in Scotland and now in Ireland. He will compare and contrast the low-cost grass-based system he operates now with the high output/high input type system he operated in Scotland. GD will also outline what he’s done differently on his farm to manage tighter margins.

Shaun Diver, farm manager at the IFJ’s Tullamore suckler & sheep farm & John O’Connell a sheep farmer from Co Leitrim will be interviewed by UGS Incoming President Ivor Lowry on the management of their businesses.

You have to book to attend the conference.

Cost for non-members is £45.

Please book your place by Thursday 15th January 2026 at the latest (Booking Form is on right hand side ->

For further information contact the Honorary at secretary@ulstergrassland.co.uk or by phone 07920037910.