Meet The Team - James Bickerton & Russel Smyth

James Bickerton - Member Communications Supervisor

Tell us about yourself

I have been working with sheep all my life, a farmer for 25 years before moving into the nutrition industry. Followed by 14 years as the specialist Sheep and Beef lecturer and third year course manager at Reaseheath College.

I am currently the NSA central region chairman and have been involved with the NSA young shepherd competition in many regions for many years.

I joined Ulster Wool in April having known Gareth for many years through shows, college and the NSA it didn’t take him much persuasion to get me to join the team.                                              

What are you looking forward to at Ulster Wool?

Seeing wool prices return to a reasonable value, for many years the return farmers receive for their wool has been nowhere near enough. We are finally seeing an upturn in prices, mainly due to Ulster Wool reducing overheads and adding value to your wool. Hopefully in a few years we will see a return to where wool not only covers the cost of shearing but also returns a profit. Working for Ulster Wool is about passion and belief, over my time in Agriculture I have seen the demise of several farming cooperatives the Milk board and the Potato board to name two that have affected me personally and the consequences are clear to see. Ulster Wool is a farming co-operative, owned by the sheep farmers and we must all pull together to keep the market safe. Farmers can rest easy knowing that Ulster Wool sell the wool on your behalf, deduct the cost of marketing & processing the wool and return the net proceeds to you. There is no profit for Ulster Wool, everything we achieve we return to our members.

What do you do in your spare time?

Family and the dog take up most of my time, I have a love for cooking both indoors and out. I am a passionate football fan but currently my team has been more disappointing than the 2019 wool price! I Love doing things around the house as a keen DIY enthusiast but as my wife would tell you I’m great but it would be nice if I finished one job properly before starting another!

What is the one message you hope to deliver to our members this season

Trust in Ulster Wool, we will do everything we can to maximise the value of your wool. Such as the continual cost savings Ulster Wool have made in its business over the last 18 months equivalent to 7p/kg or the promoting of Ulster wool in the market place and the innovation we support to find new uses for wool. Every extra penny Ulster Wool makes we return to our members.

Russel Smyth - Field Officer

Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m 30, married and have a young son George who is 1. I live on a farm outside Coleraine and farm 550 B/face ewes

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy football, going to shearing competitions & socialising after with some liquid refreshments.

What are you looking forward to in your role at Ulster Wool?

This is my 3^rd season now with Ulster Wool and every year it gets better, talking to farmers is always interesting and most know what Ulster Wool is about, there’s not many now that don’t.

What is the one message you hope to deliver to farmers, our members, this season?

Remember that Ulster Wool is working for you- we are not-for profit and market farmers’ wool to get as much return as possible.