The start of another new year provides an ideal opportunity to look back on the year that has just ended and perhaps look ahead to what the future might hold.
It is of course easier to look back and comment on what actually did happen rather than looking forward to make predictions on what can be expected in the year ahead.
Most would consider that 2011 was a reasonable year for farming in Northern Ireland although weather conditions for farmers in some areas were far from ideal. Most commodity prices have been good and there is a greater mood of optimism across most sectors within the industry than has been seen for some time.
But we all know that external factors can change the fortunes of local farmers very quickly - the unfolding eurozone saga; global supply and demand; uncertainty over EU support payments, disease threats and of course the weather, can all impact on farmers here - from Ardglass to Ardstraw, Ballycastle to Ballinamallard and Coleraine to Crossmaglen. And because of these factors, predicting the future is fraught with difficulty - that has clearly been demonstrated by the events of recent years.
Nevertheless we remain confident for the future of the well managed, family farm in Northern Ireland where generations of expertise and effort have combined to develop successful businesses which will be able to meet the challenges which will undoubtedly come in 2012 and in the years ahead.
So on behalf of Northern Bank can I wish everyone involved in the agri-food sector a happy and prosperous New Year.