Meet Russel Smyth, our 2025 FIELD OFFICER

As a way of improving member engagement in Northern Ireland, Ulster Wool has recruited Russel Smyth. A familiar face to many, is back working with us over the summer months as a Field Officer.

The key focus of the role will be to raise awareness of Ulster Wool by visiting auction marts and shows in key areas and also making contact with farmers over the telephone to discuss this year’s wool.  Gareth Jones, Head of Member Engagement, said:  “Engaging with sheep farmers to raise awareness of Ulster Wool activity and also on the improving wool price is key, and we felt that having a visible presence with Russel returning as Field Officer this summer was important in achieving this.”

Russel is married and a dad of 2 with another on the way, and farms 500 blackface pedigree ewes on the home farm in Coleraine with his father.  Russell is a keen shearer and has a local run and also enjoys the buzz of competition shearing.  Russel would say his best achievement on the competition stage would be winning the Royal Highland Show seniors’ competition.

In whatever spare time Russell has between being a dad, farming, and shearing, he enjoys football and watching Liverpool FC, and socialising.