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Articles by Richard Henderson
Defining the full extent of a farm business is important from an insurance perspective
Others may be active on a proportion of their holding, while renting out the remainder as conacre or on a longer-term leased basis. And then there are those owners who rent out land only. However, across all these scenarios there are public liability issues that can come to the fore in specific circumstances.
September marks the beginning of the new hedge cutting season
As with all activities involving highly geared machinery, it is important to think through the health and safety implications before any hedge cutting work gets underway. This needs to take account not only of the operator carrying out the work, but also of road users and pedestrians coming into the proximity of the operation.
Why machinery maintenance matters more at harvest time
Unlike cars and commercial vehicles, tractors aren't subject to MOT testing, so keeping them safe and roadworthy is left entirely in the hands of the owner or operator. Regular maintenance isn't just a health and safety essential, it's also key to keeping machinery running efficiently and lasting longer. Certain points in the farming calendar place extra demands on specific machinery, and farmers across Northern Ireland will know this better than most.
Conacre rents bring with them an important insurance liability for the landowner
Many landowners may assume there is no requirement for them to have any insurance cover in relation to these arrangements, with responsibility resting solely with the person renting the land. However, this is not the case. Should a member of the public injure themselves, for example while crossing the property in question, the issue of public liability will fall back on the landowner.
Attention required with extra tractors and trailers on the roads
Tractors are normally insured for any authorised and licenced driver, and it is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to ensure their machinery is roadworthy. With more tractors and trailers on the roads, one of the biggest issues is claims relating to vehicle lights and particularly indicators that are not functioning properly. A typical incident involves machinery turning right into fields or laneways while another vehicle attempts to overtake at the same time.
So much to look forward to at Balmoral Show 2026
Richard Henderson, Head of Agriculture, AbbeyAutoline The show represents a fantastic opportunity for AbbeyAutoline to catch up with existing customers, meet new faces and enjoy everything Northern Ireland's biggest agricultural show has to offer. As one of Northern Ireland's largest agricultural insurance brokers, AbbeyAutoline understands the unique challenges faced by local farming families.
Preparations for turnout bring their own unique insurance requirements
Richard Henderson, Head of Agriculture at AbbeyAutoline But as with so many aspects of farm management, the physical movement of cattle from sheds out to pasture brings with it a core insurance related dimension. And this reality kicks-in well before the trailer is hitched to the back of a tractor or pick-up.
AbbeyAutoline returns to Balmoral Show as proud sponsor of Beef Shorthorn Championship
Richard Henderson, Head of Agriculture, AbbeyAutoline Hosted by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, the 157th Balmoral Show will take place at Balmoral Park, Lisburn, from Wednesday 13th May to Saturday 16th May. AbbeyAutoline is delighted to confirm that our agricultural team will once again be at our usual spot, Stand B41.
Sheep worrying remains a key challenge for the farming sector
Richard Henderson, Head of Agriculture, AbbeyAutoline However, this is also a time of year when sheep are most exposed to the impact of dog attacks. Unfortunately, the financial losses for farmers, as a direct result of these incidents, remain very significant. Sheep worrying can be prevented. But making this happen will require all dog owners to always have full control of their pets. Insurance to cover the direct losses associated with a sheep worrying incident can be obtained.
Spring is on its way, lots to be done, but just take a moment
Field work is in full flow with lots of slurry spreading, fertiliser sowing and crop planting. In the busyness of work, it's very important to take a moment to check that the equipment you use is safe and properly protected. Guards need to be kept in good condition and used properly. Broken, damaged or badly fitting PTO guards are as dangerous as an unguarded PTO shaft and can easily give a false sense of security and so increase the danger.
Why an insurance broker is here to help protect your farm business
Richard Henderson, Head of Agriculture at AbbeyAutoline For farmers, the daily demands of running a farm can sometimes overshadow the importance of reviewing exactly the type of protection that is currently in place and understanding the financial consequences if cover is not adequate. For agricultural risks, there are two routes for clients to obtain insurance cover.
Industry employment and output projections to 2022
Article The health care and social assistance sector will account for almost a third of the projected job growth from 2012 to 2022. Employment in the construction sector is expected to see a large increase, while still not reaching prerecession levels. Manufacturing is projected to experience a slight decline in employment over the projection period. The recession that began in December 2007 and ended in June 20091 had a major impact on both real output and employment.
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