Summer 2014

Fane Valley Launch New Farmers Range Products Inside this issue... • Fane Valley Launch Farmers Range Meat Products • Long Service Recognition Awards At Fane Valley • Linden Foods Win Top UK Best Poultry Award • White’s Oats Invited To House of Commons • Getting Dry Cow Nutrition Right! By Dr Hazel Gilmore • New Ballymena Stores Gets Refurbished and Branded • New Additions To Fane Valley Feeds Team • Fane Valley Sponsor Local BTCC Motorsport Driver • Marian Makes Huge Charity Contribution • Linergy Staff Full Of Energy • Man Alive Van - Cancer NI Visits Banbridge Stores • GreenTrack Celebrate 1st Birthday At Linden Foods

Pictured: Trevor Lockhart - Fane Valley Chief Executive welcomes the first delivery of Farmers Range products to Fane Valley Stores at Armagh

Fane Valley launch new premium quality Farmers Range meat products from Fane Valley Stores. This exciting new initiative brings a selection of meat products from across the Fane Valley Group directly to your local store. An introductory range of products has been hand selected at the perfect point of maturation, shock-frozen to lock in the flavour and freshness and conveniently packed. The new meat offering went on sale from the Altnamachin, Armagh, Augher and Portadown stores at the beginning of June 2014. Speaking at Fane Valley Store in Armagh: Trevor Lockhart - Fane Valley Chief Executive said: “At Fane Valley we work with our local farmers to produce some of the finest meat products. We only source the very best stock allowing us to bring you the finest hand selected cuts of the highest specification from Linden Foods and Kettyle Irish Foods.

We are proud of the new frozen product range and are excited to bring this to our customers. Our specialised freezers allow us to shock-freeze the goods, capturing taste and nutrients that could otherwise be lost, ensuring we provide the highest quality product at all times.” Dessie Ferguson - General Manager, Fane Valley Stores commented: “We are delighted to be able to add to our vast product range. This new venture will certainly add a unique dimension to the Fane Valley Store network. We have chosen four locations to launch ‘Farmers Range’ with the intention to roll it out to all. The feedback from our customers in the build-up to our launch has been extremely positive. Like all our products we insist on quality and value and we believe that this new offering ticks all the boxes.”

Fane Valley Long Service Staff Recognition Award

Linden Foods Win UK Top Poultry Award

The 2014 Meat Management Industry Awards set a new record with over 600 products entered for evaluation. Publisher of Meat Management, Graham Yandell, hosted the Awards dinner on 4th June at London’s prestigious Connaught Rooms. Football legend and ex-England player Sir Geoff Hurst was the VIP guest speaker. Linden Foods won Best Poultry Product for their Morrison’s Salt & Pepper Chicken. Pictured L-R: John Mitchell - Fane Valley Feeds, Louise Windrum - Fane Valley Stores, Elaine McCann - Fane Valley & Allen Jones - Fane Valley Feeds

Fane Valley celebrate 25 years of service with four members of staff at their Annual General Meeting. At the Fane Valley Co-op Society Annual General Meeting, held at The Canal Court Newry, Fane Valley Chairman Mr William McConnell commented: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to present watches to four members of staff, John Mitchell, Louise Windrum, Elaine McCann and Allen Jones who have all completed 25 years long service with the Society.” “Fane Valley now employs more than 2000 people across the group with sites in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, England and Belgium in the processing of Dairy, Red Meat, Oat Milling, Animal Feed Manufacture, Farm requisite supplies. The employment offered in all our businesses is very valuable to the communities we work within and the local economy.” He continued.

“Fane Valleys’ most important asset is its people. Their knowledge and experience is of critical importance to our ability to serve customer requirements and move forward with our strategic development.”

Fane Valley Chairman Mr William McConnell welcomed guest speaker Mr Ian Marshall Deputy President – Ulster Farmers Union to address the AGM. Mr Marshall spoke with great detail on a variety of current issues affecting the Ulster farmer, such as Budget, Active Farmers, Regionalisation and Young Farmers. The UFU President also touched on more pressing local issues with Rural Crime, Farm Safety Partnership and Agri Food Strategy Board (AFSB) of main focus on the day.

Pictured: Sir Geoff Hurst, Pauline Gordon Marketing Executive Linden Foods and award sponsor Tony Chapman of MRC-The Flava People.

White’s Oats Visit House of Commons

In conjunction with Food NI, White’s showcased at a recent House of Commons Event in the Palace of Westminster, where along with other Food and Drink companies from Northern Ireland White’s sampled its range of porridge and Toasted Oats products. The event was sponsored and facilitated by Upper Bann MP David Simpson. Pictured L-R: Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson & White’s Oats Marketing Assistant Alison Harvey.

Getting Dry Cow Nutrition Right! By Dr Hazel Gilmore - Ruminant Nutritionist

“Cows that are either too thin or too fat at calving can have higher rates of metabolic disease, lower feed intakes, lower milk production and poorer fertility...”

The correct nutrition and body condition score (BCS) in dry cows can improve the transition into lactation. It is vital to get this important stage of the dairy cow production cycle correct in order to maximise milk production, cow health and fertility. Fane Valley Feeds’ Dry Cow Primer Nuts have been helping this transition due to their specifically formulated nutrient content and carefully balanced protected mineral pack, to meet all the requirements of the dry cow. Body Condition Score Cows that are either too thin or too fat at calving can have higher rates of metabolic disease, lower feed intakes, lower milk production and poorer fertility. Changing BCS correct cannot be done successfully during the dry period and should therefore be altered before drying off. Body condition score should be physically assessed 8 to 10 weeks before drying off and cows should be dried off at a BCS between 2.75 and 3.25 and be able to maintain this condition throughout the dry period. Cows that are not at this target BCS should be identified and then fed accordingly. Milk Fever It is estimated that for each case of clinical milk fever, lactation yield can be reduced by up to 1400 litres, creating a huge financial

impact from decreased milk yield alone. Clinical cases of milk fever are only the tip of the iceberg, for every one case of clinical milk fever it is suggested that there are up to 6 cases of sublicincal milk fever which can lead to retained placentas, poor transition into lactation, metritis, mastitis, reduced feed intake, fatty liver syndrome and reduced fertility. In Northern Ireland, potassium levels in forage is the predominant cause of milk fever. Where possible, late first cut silage that received little or no slurry should be harvested for dry cows to ensure minimal levels of potassium enter the dry cow diet. Nutrition Dry cows should be fed to meet their energy requirements and maximise rumen fill. Feeding excess energy should be avoided as it can lead to fatty liver syndrome and ketosis, causing lower feed intakes after calving and metabolic diseases. Adding straw to the dry cow diet helps to improve rumen fill and dilute both energy density and potassium intakes, however this will only work successfully in a TMR system where straw sorting is prevented. It is vital that adequate feed space is available for all cows and feed is provided fresh on a daily basis. Where dry cows are at grass cows should be batched according to calving date with cows 4 to 8 weeks pre-calving grazing the aftermath

of the lactating herd to limit excess energy intakes, cows 4 weeks pre-calving to the point of calving should be housed full-time on a ration such as that discussed above. Feeding Fane Valley Feeds Dry Cow Primer Nuts which includes Actisaf live yeast and balanced levels of fibre, starch and protein within the dry cow diet will help to ensure that the rumen bacteria that digest concentrate feed are present with the ability to cope with increasing concentrate intakes post calving. The growing foetus and regenerating udder cells have a huge protein demand, at 24% protein and featuring a high level of protected protein, Dry Cow Primer Nuts will ensure that this protein requirement of the cow is satisfied. Dry Cow Primer also includes a protected mineral pack featuring high levels of Vitamin E and Selenium to ensure that immunity, cow health, calf vitality and udder development are maximised. The inclusion of magnesium chloride reduces the incidence of both clinical and subclinical milk fever by offsetting the high potassium forages present on Northern Ireland farms. If you would like to know more about Fane Valley Feeds’ Dry Cow Primer Nuts and options for managing nutrient intakes of dry cows, please contact your local Fane Valley Feeds Sales Representative or Hazel Gilmore on 07714 950 584.

www.fanevalley.com

New Fane Valley Store In Ballymena Gets A Facelift!

New Additions To Fane Valley Feeds

As part of the continual growth and development of Fane Valley Feeds a number of appointments have recently been made to the team. (Pictured L-R:) Hilary Andrews Sales Support Co-ordinator, Benjamin Bingham Customer Services Advisor, Louise Fox Receptionist, Wayne Cunningham Ruminant Technical Sales Specialist for Co Down, Jemma Croskery Technical Assistant and Alan Thompson Product and Formulations Manager. Pictured L-R: Aine McClafferty - Store Sales, Dessie Ferguson - Stores General Manager & Jean McCurdy - Store Sales

The newly refurbished Fane Valley Stores located at Ballymena Livestock Mart open for business. The newly refurbished and upgraded Fane Valley Store located at Ballymena Livestock Mart at Woodside Industrial Estate will offer an extensive range of products to farmers and the wider rural community. The store will have new opening times and an enriched range of animal health and livestock products. Fane Valley Stores earlier announced details of their latest expansion of its store network through the acquisition of McCaughan Animal Health at Ballycastle, Ballymena and Omagh. The newly branded Fane Valley Stores pictured at Ballymena will now open from 9am 5.30pm Mon – Fri and open 9am – 12.30pm on Saturday. There will also be special opening times in conjunction with events at the Ballymena Mart. Dessie Ferguson – Fane Valley Stores General Manager remarked: “We are excited to be opening our re-designed and newly fitted Fane Valley Store in Ballymena. We have improved and strengthened the range of animal health products along with an improved variety of outdoor clothing and footwear. We carry all the leading products and cater for all your

livestock needs not to mention the new opening times. The Ballymena store will be the twelfth in our expanding network of stores. We pride ourselves on offering our customer’s unrivalled service and experience, primarily through the technical knowledge of our staff but also in the layout and display of our many products. Our replacement tag service provides convenience for the local community and all who attend the mart. These can be printed while you wait, making farming that little bit easier.”

Ballymena Mart Store Tel: 028 2563 7778 or Email: [email protected]

New Ruminant Sales Specialist At Feeds

Fane Valley Feeds is very pleased to announce the appointment of Wayne Cunningham as Ruminant Technical Sales Specialist for Co Down. (Pictured:) Wayne has recently joined the sales team at Fane Valley Feeds as a Ruminant Technical Sales Specialist having previously worked for Cargill in Canada, where he was responsible for the nutrition of some of the best performing dairy herds in Alberta. Wayne will be responsible for the Co Down area and will take over from Robert Campbell following his retirement at the end of September 2014. Wayne can be contacted on: 07711591600

www.fanevalley.com

Fane Valley Race To Support Turkington & eBay Motors

Marian Makes Huge Charity Contribution

Marian McGreevy has been working for ArmaghDown Creameries / Fane Valley Dairies from the mid eighties and in that time has coordinated and organised fundraising events and raffles totaling over £40,000 and counting.

Fane Valley announce new sponsorship with local Motorsport Champion Colin Turkington Fane Valley has announced that they have joined the privileged list of sponsors associated with Colin Turkington and eBay Motors for this seasons British Touring Car Championship. Portadown’s Colin Turkington is one of the biggest names in British motorsport. He has raced in the UK’s top motor racing series The BTCC - since 2002 and in that time has become one of the most successful drivers in its 50-year history. In 2009 Colin claimed his maiden BTCC title and became the BTCC Independents Driver’s Champion for the third year in succession. Last season Colin was once again a championship contender with 5 race victories in the BMW Series 1 and will be hoping to go one further this season. Speaking at the launch Colin said: “I am delighted to be able to team up with Fane Valley for what will be the most competitive season to date for the sport. I am proud to have a local company from home being represented in British Motorsport. Fane Valley is one of the biggest agri-food companies in Northern Ireland and has a proven track record and history, which is second to none. Their company ethos and values are very much how we at Team eBay Motors operate. I look forward to working with Fane Valley and I hope I can make this season a special one for them.”

Colin is riding high at the top of the driver’s championship and the very experienced chasing pack will be out to close the gap. So far this season Team eBay Motors have notched up four first placed finishes and several podium finishes. Fane Valley Chief Executive Trevor Lockhart commented: “I have followed Colin’s progress in the sport for many years. He has competed at the highest level and has earned himself the reputation of being one of the best British drivers in modern day racing. Colin is also an ambassador for GO Motorsport alongside legends such as Damon Hill, Jenson Button and Murray Walker, so we are extremely proud to be a passenger on this exciting journey with Colin and team eBay Motors. It is great to be able to support a local sports star and we all wish Colin the best of luck for the remainder of the race calendar.”

Marian has been the heart and soul of the canteen at the Banbridge based milk processing site, with Newry Hospice being the main recipient of her charitable work. However, The Gateway Club and Macmillan Nurses have also availed of the very generous efforts and many kind donations from all at Fane Valley Diaries. Pictured L-R: Marian McGreevy and Deidre Byrne from Fane Valley Dairies

Linergy Staff Full Of Energy For Charity!

Linergy the innovative renewable energy company which develops fuels from organic waste; based in Granville Industrial Estate, Dungannon recently teamed up with two charities. Three teams set out to take part in the Belfast Marathon with the aim to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support and Belfast Welcome Organisation. The staff raised over £3,000 to be shared equally to their charities. Well done to all the staff!

Man Van Visits Fane Valley Stores Cancer Focus Northern Ireland’s Man Van visited Fane Valley Stores in Banbridge recently to bring life-saving messages and health checks to men in and around the Banbridge area. To launch the Man Alive van visit local David Simpson Upper Bann MP, Councillor Seamus Doyle and MLA for Upper Bann Joanne Dobson were in attendance and were extremely impressed with the service provided by the man van and also the numbers of men that availed of the free health check on the day. The Cancer Focus Man Van is a mobile unit that delivers one-to-one health awareness sessions and health checks to men at various venues across County Down and Armagh. Pictured: (L-R) Dessie Ferguson - General Manager Fane Valley Stores, David Simpson Upper Bann MP, Councillor Seamus Doyle & MLA for Upper Bann Joanne Dobson with the Cancer Focus Man Van Team.

GreenTrack Celebrate 1st Birthday

Fane Valley Co-operative Society Ltd Alexander Road, Armagh BT61 7JJ T: 028 3752 2344 F: 028 3752 7876 E: [email protected]

Omagh T: 028 8224 3221 Newry

T: 028 3026 2305

Gerry Maguire, Managing Director of Linden Foods, commenting of GreenTrack’s achievements, said: “We have seen the business benefit through improved community relations, heightened staff and customer awareness, more efficient factory processes. All of these enhance our position as a sustainable and responsible business, one which staff can be proud to work for, that customers can be proud to trade with, and the community can be proud to call a neighbour.”

Armagh

T: 028 3752 0229

Altnamachin

T: 028 3087 8402

Augher

T: 028 8554 9330

Banbridge

T: 028 4062 8778

Ballycastle

T: 028 2076 8800

Ballymena Mart

T: 028 2563 7778

Lisbane

T: 028 9754 1087

Lane Ends

T: 028 3755 1223

Markethill Mart

T: 028 3755 2523

Omagh

T: 028 8225 5350

Omagh Mart

T: 028 8224 5361

One year on, the projects have encouraged biodiversity, reducing packaging and film use as well savings in two major cost areas – energy and water.

Portadown

T: 028 3839 4900

Pictured: (L-R) Trevor Lockhart - Chief Executive Fane Valley, Mael Wilford Environmental Manager - Linden Foods & Gerry Maguire Managing Director - Linden Foods Linden Foods, the red meat processor in Dungannon, part of the Fane Valley Group, reduced water usage by the equivalent of 10 Olympic sized swimming pools and three football pitches worth of plastic as part of its far-reaching GreenTrack sustainability programme in the last year. GreenTrack, launched in April 2013, pulled together the company’s long-standing focus on environmental stewardship with new initiatives in a fully co-ordinated campaign. The campaign also featured linkups with community groups, suppliers, customers and schools on co-ordinated measures. It has included working with farmers on embedding sustainable practices; with a local primary school on farming and food production; with staff on fund raising and health promotion. The commitment of Linden Foods to sustainability was recently rewarded in the Northern Ireland Benchmarking Survey by the ARENA Network in which it was accorded ‘Platinum’ status as one of the top 10 local businesses in the influential survey.

These achievements over the past year show significant progress on the four key pillars that underpin the overall GreenTrack programme - Environment, Colleagues and Communities, Agriculture and Customers. GreenTrack has formalised Linden’s commitment to sustainable practices and ensures that this approach is central to all strategic decision making.

Banbridge T: 028 4066 2742

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