Memories from the Farmyard

Foreword by Robin Morrow, President Royal Ulster Agricultural Society - I enjoy reading Paul Callaghan's weekly editorials in Farm Week where he brings an insightful perspective on the history and development of Northern Ireland's agri-industries. So it was with some anticipation that I looked forward to this opportunity to review his new book, Memories from the Farmyard. I must say that I was not disappointed and that I very much enjoyed Paul's book. Memories from the Farmyard charts the development of all the principal cattle breeds in Northern Ireland across a period of just over one hundred years, and does so with remarkable flair and insight. The book reveals not just the methods used to create today's great breeds, but also gives flesh to many of the cattle breeders and characters from the past, whose vision and drive contributed so much to today's farming landscape. On a personal note, I have to say that as a retired dairy farmer, I have an innate interest in the history of cattle breeding in Northern Ireland. I was therefore particularly interested in the reference to the 'Ravenhill' herd, from which we bought our first Friesian bull in the late 1940s.This book is a valuable record of how farming has evolved in this part of Ireland from the mid-nineteenth century and I am sure anyone with an interest in the history of farming and cattle breeding here will find it interesting reading.Moreover, I consider it to be a document that is well worth having on the bookshelf for future generations. I have always believed that it is important to promote our farming industry to the consumer. Memories from the Farmyard is an important tool in this process. It shows the effort, work and vision that have gone into farming, particularly cattle breeding, over the generations. This legacy from our forefathers has helped to position us where we are today, with one of the most efficient dairy industries in Western Europe, possibly the world.