DARD hours cut

Opening hours at DARD direct offices across NI are to be reduced by two hours each day from 17 May. Currently, offices are open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, but under the changes offices will open an hour later at 10am and close for lunch from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

Single Application Forms (SAF) will still be accepted at DARD direct offices this year with the new opening hours coming into effect the day after the 16 May submission deadline.

Phone

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, a DARD spokesperson said: “These revised opening times will apply to front-counter services only. Telephone lines will continue to take calls from 9am to 5pm.”

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has raised its concerns with president Ian Marshall questioning DARD opening a new headquarters in Ballykelly when daily running costs for the department cannot be met.

“We made clear the important thing for farmers was that frontline services were not affected. That is now exactly what is happening,” he said.

Shorthorn bulls

A bull exhibited by Duncan McDowell from Newtownards that sold for 2,800gns was the highest price at the beef Shorthorn sale in Ballymena mart last Friday. Castlemount Arthur is a 20-month-old bull and is sired by Kilfrush Roulette and from the dam Ballyvaddy Foxglove Flake.

Damian and Emmet McNulty from Gortnalee, Belleek, sold Gillaroo Jack The Lad for 2,150gns. The 13-month-old bull is a Creaga Dice son and from the dam Lougherne Your Twice As Nice.

Richard Henning from Newry had the next highest price of 2,000gns for the two-year-old bull Mullaglass Hector.