Rog Wood

Farming correspondent

Latest articles from Rog Wood

Heifers sell to top of £1,145 per head at Castle Douglas

Wallets Marts Ltd sold 105 store heifers in Castle Douglas yesterday to a top of £1145 per head and 204.5p per kg to average £833.81 or 188.6p per kg, while 153 store bullocks peaked at £1170 and 229.6p to level at £937.75 and 201.3p.

Controlling worms in sheep reduces methane emissions

WITH research suggesting worm burdens in sheep can increase methane output by as much as one third, the sheep sector is being encouraged to take a proactive approach to parasite control to help achieve the best possible environmental standards.

Feasibility of mobile abattoirs to be investigated

The Scottish Government is to investigate the feasibility of using mobile abattoirs in Scotland. Answering a question in Holyrood on the subject from SNP MSP Gail Ross, Environment Secretary Fergus Ewing said: "The Scottish Government recognises the importance local slaughter provisions can play in the red meat sector. As such, on the 16 January we invited applications through our Contract Research Fund Project to bid for a research project that will look to assess the viability and sustainabili

Market round-up

MESSRS Craig Wilson Ltd sold 11 prime heifers at Ayr yesterday to a top of £1,379.40 per head and 238p per kg to average £1,096.56 or 211.1p, while four prime bullocks peaked at £1,398.25 and 235p to level at £1,140.90 or 195p.

Store heifers sell to top of 241p per kg at Dumfries

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 92 store heifers in Dumfries yesterday to a top of 241p per kg and an average of 186.4p, while 105 store bullocks peaked at 253.5p and levelled at 204.3p. Forty-one store, B&W bullocks sold to 165.9p and averaged 138.4p, while 19 store bulls peaked at 244.3p and levelled at 213.3p.

Farmer's diary: Why the encyclopaedic knowledge of the "guid kenners" is awesome

MANY farm animals may look alike to the layman, but to an observant stockman each is an individual with its own appearance and personality just like us. There are big ones and wee ones, fat ones and thin ones, while some have big ears and others don't. They may have long shaggy coats or smooth hair, some are friendly or inquisitive, shy or timid, while others are greedy bullies. I could go on, but I am sure you get my drift.

First Milk makes second consecutive cut to its milk price

The latest sale of skimmed milk powder (SMP) out of intervention has all but cleared out stocks, leaving only 6 per cent of the total left to sell. Over 80,000 tonnes of the remaining stocks were accepted as sold at the 8 January tender, bringing the total product sold to date to nearly 358,000 tonnes.

Prime heifers sell to top of £1452 at Ayr

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 13 prime heifers at Ayr yesterday to a top of £1452 per head and 240p per kg to average £1142.66 or 211.6p, while 6 prime bulls peaked at £1111.25 and 175p to level at £874.08 or 163.4p.