The main political parties in NI have now published their manifestos ahead of the Westminster election on 7 May.

Looking through the various documents, some issues are common to all, including the position of NI within the EU. The nationalist parties, Sinn Féin and the SDLP, both put forward arguments to remain in the EU, while the DUP and the Ulster Unionists offer a more Eurosceptic view. Both Unionist parties generally support a pledge by British Prime Minister Cameron (if re-elected) to renegotiate elements of our relationship with Europe, ahead of a referendum in 2017.

That prospect has prompted Sinn Féin to call for a separate binding referendum in NI. In theory, it would mean if Britain votes out, NI could still stay in.

Among the other major policy priorities for Sinn Féin is that Stormont would have control over various taxes, including income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax. They also carry a picture in their manifesto highlighting their opposition to fracking, but in keeping with the equivalent DUP document, there is little mention of farming and the countryside.

In contrast, both the SDLP and the Ulster Unionists dedicate a significant section to agri-food. The Ulster Unionists plan to cut red tape and bureaucracy in farming, get market access to China and the Middle East for the local agri-food industry and campaign for a review into the decision to move DARD headquarters to Ballykelly. They put the value of the agri-food industry in NI at “well over £1bn a year”. The actual figure is around five times that amount.

The SDLP manifesto refers to the importance of job creation, public services and rural childcare provision. They also talk about promoting small-scale renewable energy projects, farm diversification and ensuring everyone has access to high-speed broadband.

On public sector job losses, they are critical of the proposed cuts to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), calling the decisions “misguided”. They also want to see more North/South co-operation on beef and EU intervention support for milk and pigs.

One commitment that might not be so popular with farming is the SDLP support for the introduction of a climate change bill in NI.

Top Charolais makes 3,000gns

Robert McWilliams of the Stranagone herd at Maghera received the top price of 3,000gns for his 18-month-old bull at the sale in Ballymena. Sired by Oldstone Egbert, he had above average figures in the Breedplan breeding figures. The next best at 2,800gns was Kells-based Brian McAllister & Son for an 18-month-old sired by Blelack Digger. M & E Murphy of Silverbridge got 2,400gns for a 17-month-old by Thrunton Bonjovi.

Gilbert Crawford of Maghera got 2,300gns and 2,200gns for two young bulls, both by the 12,000gns Maerdy Fiend, sire of the NI Charolais show senior champion, Coolnaslee Ivanhoe, who sold for 10,000gns in Stirling in February. The other eight bulls in the catalogue failed to find new homes.

Holsteins sell for 1,920gns

Holsteins from the Saintfield-based Oughley herd of Jim Prentice, who is retiring from milk production, made up to 1,920gns at the sale in Ballymena. This was for a heifer calved at the end of February and milking well. She was by the Manfred Justice son, Kelstein Kris who was widely used in the Oughley herd.

It was the recent calvers that made the best prices with 1,650gns, 1,500gns, 1,480gns (twice), 1,440gns and 1,400gns paid. A run of cows longer in their lactation made from 1,000gns to 1,200gns with older cows making from 800gns. Overall, the average came in at just under the 1,000gns mark.

Aberdeen Angus bulls to 3,800gns

There was a good trade in Angus bulls in Dungannon, with 14 selling (74% clearance) to average £2,614.

The top price was for the reserve male champion, Old Glenort Earthmover N065 from James Porter’s 70-cow herd at Upper Ballinderry. Sired by Luddenmore Eclipse J067, the 27-month-old is bred from the Netherton Fleur’s Legacy F390 daughter, Old Glenort Black Bianca J201.