On Thursday 11th December 2025, the 39th Royal Ulster Winter Fair in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank, returned to the Eikon Exhibition Centre with a tremendous array of leading dairy trade stands.
As crowds flocked to the Logan and Eikon halls, Rob Wills, Founding Director of UK Sires had the unenvious task of judging the 2025 Trade Stand Awards. Rob was thoroughly impressed and praised the exhibitors for their ‘vibrant and thoroughly engaging’ stands.
One of the many success stories from this year came from the winners of the Best Large Trade Stand Award, Eko Hoofcare. The Donegal based team have held hoof demonstrations at the Show for several years and always draw a crowd in the Logan Hall. Eko Hoofcare founder Francis Burns said, ‘We’re really surprised to have won this award and absolutely honoured. I’ve been coming to the Winter Fair since I was a youngster and to get the Best Large Trade Stand Award for what we do here is a real honour.’ Rob continued to sing their praises for their approachable and welcoming nature, how they thoroughly explained their scope of work, and he described their hoof trimming demonstrations as ‘worth their weight in gold for the dairy farmers in attendance’.
Best Large Trade Stand -
The Best Large Trade Stand at the 39th Royal Ulster Winter Fair, in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank, was awarded to Eko Hoofcare from Donegal.
Pictured at the awards presentation were Aidan Duffy, Francis Burns, Helen Burns and Cathy Menezes from Eko Hoofcare alongside Carol McMullan, Danske Bank Agribusiness Manager, RUAS President John Henning OBE and trade stand judge Rob Wills.
Reserve Best Large Trade Stand -
The Reserve Best Large Trade Stand at the 39th Royal Ulster Winter Fair, in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank, was awarded to ElectroMech Agri from Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone.
Pictured on the day were Danske Bank Head of Agribusiness Rodney Brown, RUAS President John Henning OBE alongside Gary McLean, trade stand judge Rob Wills and Scott Armstrong and Susan O’Neill from ElectroMech Agri.
Best Small Trade Stand -
The Best Small Trade Stand at this year’s Royal Ulster Winter Fair, in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank, was awarded to Botanica International Ltd.
Pictured at the awards presentation (L to R) were Danske Bank Head of Agribusiness Rodney Brown, trade stand judge Rob Wills, Sean and Proinnsias Cooney from Botanic International alongside RUAS President John Henning OBE.
Reserve Best Small Trade Stand -
The Reserve Best Small Trade Stand at the 2025 Royal Ulster Winter Fair, in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank, was awarded to Countryside Services, Dungannon.
Pictured (L to R) on the day were RUAS Trade Exhibits Chairman David Mark and trade stand judge Rob Wills alongside Andrew Kerr, Eimear McCann and Ronan Gourley from Countryside Services with Danske Bank Agribusiness Manager Carol McMullan.
Best Machinery Display -
The award for the Best Machinery Display at the 2025 Royal Ulster Winter Fair, in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank was presented to Cookstown Dairy Services.
Pictured on the day were Danske Bank Agribusiness Manager Carol McMullan, RUAS President John Henning OBE with trade stand judge Rob Wills and John Reid, Andrew Gorey, Gavin Connaughty, Sean Reid, Pat Ryan, Cathal Gibbons and Roisin O’Regan from Cookstown Dairy Services.
Most Festive Stand -
The Most Festive Stand at the 2025 Royal Ulster Winter Fair, in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank, was awarded to Farmcare Products, Enniskillen.
Pictured on the day were Simon and Mark Crawford from Farmcare Products alongside trade stand judge Rob Wills, RUAS President John Henning OBE and Danske Bank Head of Agribusiness Rodney Brown.
Honorable Mention -
This year the judge awarded an Honourable Mention to Rural Support at the 2025 Royal Ulster Winter Fair, in association with sole sponsor Danske Bank for their excellent engagement with Show visitors.
Pictured on the day were Gyles Dawson, Kevin Doherty and Samantha Booysen from Rural Support alongside RUAS Trade Exhibits Chairman David Mark and Carol McMullan, Danske Bank Agribusiness Manager.
