NFU Mutual have launched the Tidy Farmyard Awards 2018 to give recognition to the safest farms in Northern Ireland.
The Tidy Farmyard Awards will choose a winner from each of Northern Ireland’s six counties, with the winners going through to the final.
First prize is £1000 with £500 and £300 for second and third places. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Balmoral Show in May with each of the remaining finalists receiving £100.
Entries will be judged on four submitted photographs which show how common farmyard hazards have been addressed to reduce the risk of an accident. These are:
- How the farm and home are separated
- How machinery and equipment are stored
- Are signage, warnings and marked routes clear
- Have potentially dangerous areas been fenced off
To nominate your own farm or another’s, you can enter online by filling in a short form and attach up to four pictures to support your submission.
To send a paper submission, you can pick up a form from your local NFU Mutual Agency or print one out. You can post your form and pictures directly to: NFU Mutual, Harvester House, 2-8 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8GE.
Alternatively, drop it back in to your local NFU Mutual Agency, who can submit it on your behalf. Entries close at 11.59pm on April 15th, 2018.
The President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Barclay Bell, said:
“We welcome this award which highlights the potential dangers on our farms for family members and workers. As farmers we are all well used to bumps and cuts, but when those become more serious, for example broken bones or life-changing injuries, they can have a serious impact on a farm business.
“They limit the ability of a farmer to work, and that automatically puts a strain on the business and on other family members who may have to look after the farm and care for the farmer.”
