A County Down farmer has won the Ulster Farmers' Union oats competition for the current season. Luke Dynes, from the UFU Ards group, took first place. Paul and Mark Russell from the UFU North Tyrone group were second, and Jim Crothers from the UFU South West Down group finished third.

Cormac Mallon, the Northern Ireland final judge, said growing conditions had been difficult but all entries were in relatively good shape at harvest. He noted that the top three entries stood out for yield potential, standing power and uniformity.

UFU deputy president Clement Lynch congratulated the finalists and thanked everyone who entered or judged the competition. He said the cereals competition highlights the skill and resilience of cereal growers in Northern Ireland.

The results were announced ahead of the formal awards ceremony. Awards for the winter barley, oats, winter wheat and spring barley categories will be presented at the 2026 UFU and sponsors cereals competition awards lunch later this year.