Sadness at Greer McCollum death

The farming community is saddened by the death of highly respected County Londonderry farmer and former FarmWeek columnist Greer McCollum, OBE.

Greer was an influential figure within the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

He joined the UFU, starting off in the Macosquin Branch, where he became Secretary. He also served as Chairman of the Beef and Lamb Committee and Vice Chairman of the Seeds and Cereals Committee as well as becoming Group Chairman of the County Londonderry UFU group.

In 1979-1980, Greer served as President of the Greenmount Association and was also President of the UFU (1996-1997). In addition, he found time to serve on the LMC board 2003-2009.

His devotion to the industry gained him an OBE in 1997 for his services to agriculture. His passion, enthusiasm and dedication to the UFU and the industry was always immense.

Greer made many trips to Brussels and Europe on behalf of farming here. He was President at the time of the BSE crisis when beef prices collapsed and farmers were in despair.

On September 24, 1996, he led a delegation of farmers to join thousands of Southern counterparts laying siege to the Hotel Europe outside Killarney, where the EU agriculture ministers were meeting on the BSE crisis in the beef industry. He is well remembered for his passionate speech asking “is there a future for my son in agriculture”.

Greer was a cereal farmer but his real love in farming was for cattle. He had a great eye for quality cattle and kept the very best.

Indeed, he once stated that he hoped that he would die among a field full of cattle.

He always had a word for everyone he met and was a patient listener. His cheery smile endeared him to the whole world.

Greer had a deep faith. He was a devout member of Ballylagan Reformed Presbyterian Church, where his work and dedication were greatly appreciated.

For 23 years Greer suffered Parkinson’s with great courage and dignity. He carried on working up until a few weeks before his death even though he was prone to falling. The nursing and wonderful patience of his loving wife Rosemary was a source of comfort to him and eased his suffering.

Rosemary and son Mark, his daughter-in-law and two grand-daughters have our sincere sympathy.

Greer will probably now be judging cattle in the green fields of heaven.