The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) awarded £39,000 to agriculture students through its 2026 Industry Support Programme. Students on Ulster University validated BSc (Hons) Degree and Foundation Degree Agriculture programmes, and Queen's University Belfast BSc (Hons) Degree in Agricultural Technology programme qualified for the funds.

Twenty first-year agriculture students received bursaries totalling £31,500. Contributors included Abbey Autoline, Ai Services, Bank of Ireland, Calor Gas Ltd, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, Dale Farm, Danske Bank, Genus ABS, Gibson Trust, Irish Farmers’ Journal, John Thompson and Sons Ltd, Lakeland Dairies, Lantra, Livestock and Meat Commission, National Sheep Association NI, Tyrone Farming Society, Ulster Farmers’ Union, Ulster Grassland Society and Yara.

Three second-year agriculture students obtained scholarships worth £7,500 from ABP Food Group, Fane Valley Stores and Pilgrim’s Europe. Paul McHenry, interim CAFRE Director, stated that industry support aids new entrants to Northern Ireland’s agriculture sector and prepares students for sustainability, competitiveness, innovation and resilience.

Sharon McLaren, interim Head of Agriculture Education, noted new bursary providers Ai Services, Bank of Ireland, Dairy Council NI, Genus ABS and Lantra.

On 27 March 2026, CAFRE held a separate awards ceremony at Greenmount Campus in Antrim for veterinary care and nursing learners. The event recognised Level 2 and Level 3 achievements with families, industry partners and colleagues present.

Paul McHenry congratulated learners on their resilience and dedication. He pointed to rising demand for veterinary care support due to pet ownership in over half of UK households.

Claire Morris, interim Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing, explained that Level 3 learners complete employment-based training and 60 practical tasks across 12 stations in Objective Structured Clinical Exams to join the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons register.

Four Level 3 learners passed all 12 stations: Cleone Egerton from Lisbellaw, Tiffany Murray from Newry, Brenda Raven from Fivemiletown and Melinda Wallace from Newtownards. They earned VetSkill OSCE Star badges and Hall of Fame listing.

Thirty-three learners attained the VetSkill VTEC Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Sian Fletcher from Aghalee received seven Distinctions.