Oz beckons for Saintfield’s Mike

Oz beckons for Saintfield’s Mike

8 October 2014

A SAINTFIELD man has swapped the autumn chill of Down District for the blazing heat of Brisbane.

Michael Woodrow has been awarded the Thomas Henry Foundation Grant administered by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) to attend the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth’s (RASC) conference in Australia.

Before taking part in the 26th biennial conference, Michael, who is the only person from Northern Ireland in attendance, is spending several days touring farms in the Brisbane area.

Michael — who left for down under yesterday — holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Technology with Professional Studies from Queen’s University and is employed by Tullyherron Farm Feeds Ltd. as a Technical Sales Manager. He is also an A.I.C Registered Feed Advisor to dairy, beef and sheep farmers.

The Saintfield man has an extensive knowledge of animal nutrition and has researched sub acute ruminal acidosis. His substantial and diverse farming experience over the past 15 years has been on prestigious dairy farms in Northern Ireland, New Zealand and Scotland.

Michael is a member of the Ulster Grasslands Society, the RUAS and is an enthusiastic member of Spa Young Farmers’ Club where he achieved considerable regional recognition in beef, sheep and dairy judging. He has also represented the Spa club at the Ulster Young Farmer finals.

The Saintfield man said he’s “honoured and very excited” about representing the RUAS and Northern Ireland at the Brisbane conference and is looking forward to the opportunity to meet with fellow farmers from other Commonwealth countries to discuss topics and share ideas in the science and practice of agriculture.