Kimmins tells A5 officials to meet with the UFU

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has instructed her staff to meet with the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) to give an update about the A5 road scheme.

The UFU said it had sought an urgent meeting with Kimmins, but the Sinn Fein MLA was unavailable due to “diary pressures”.

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“While the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) pursues an appeal on the A5 High Court ruling, it’s still required to fulfil its immediate obligations and engage with landowners appropriately, providing essential information. The DfI need to ensure they are coming to this meeting with answers,” said UFU deputy president John McLenaghan.

Allspice tops the ‘Ladies in Red’ sale

The Ladies in Red Limousin sale at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Saturday saw 26 heifers sell to an average price of £7,386.

The January 2025 born Huntershall Nutcracker sired heifer Nugent Allspice ET was the reserve junior champion heifer and topped the sale at 25,000 guineas (gns).

The reserve overall champion went to Ampertaine Villie ET sired by Ampertaine Elgin and she went on to sell for 18,000gns.

The junior and overall champion was 12-month-old Draperhill Valarie. The Huntershall Rodman daughter sold for 16,000gns. Senior champion was 19-month-old Jalex Vivid ET, and she made 10,000gns.

See pedigree livestock p39 for more.

Co Down farmers to hold TB meeting

A public meeting about rising rates of bovine TB is being organised by a group of farmers from Co Down.

The event takes place at Seaforde Young Farmers Hall on Tuesday 16 September from 8pm.

“We are asking all farmers to attend the meeting where they can voice their opinions to the public representatives who will be in attendance,” said local farmer Ronnie Murphy.

Upland open day at Glenwherry

CAFRE and Teagasc will host an upland open day at the CAFRE Hill Farm Centre in Glenwherry, Co Antrim on Wednesday 3 September.

The event will focus on the upland livestock enterprises, habitat management, carbon emissions and peatland restoration projects.

Tours will take approximately 3.5 hours and will depart every 30 minutes from 10am to 4pm. Visit the CAFRE website to register.