ROG WOOD

Scotland Food and Drink is to conduct a study to trace the origin of dairy products on shelves in Scotland's supermarkets to improve transparency and help to identify opportunities to increase sales of Scottish products.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move yesterday at a meeting with representatives from the agricultural industry at South Slipperfield Farm, West Linton where she heard first-hand about the challenges they currently face and what actions would most help. A key issue was how to increase Scottish sourcing at home and abroad.

The study will be used as a basis for working together to achieve a step change, bring more Scottish products to market and improve access for shoppers to Scottish dairy products.

*Meanwhile, NFU Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates and Scottish Tenant Farmers Association have compiled a guide to rent reviews in association with the Independent Adviser on Tenant Farming, Andrew thin.

The new guidance is an interim measure until provisions arising from the Land Reform Bill 2015 come into force, and the industry bodies will review their position before that stage. It is underpinned by three core principles:

* Rent should be charged only on land and fixed equipment provided by the landlord, and should ignore any potential income contribution attributable to improvements or fixtures belonging to the tenant.

*Proposals and counter proposals should be presented in a form that is fully transparent, and they should contain sufficient detail to enable each party to understand and verify the other's calculations.

*Each party should be afforded sufficient time to give full and careful consideration to proposals (and counter proposals) tabled by the other.

Market round-up

Lawrie & Symington Ltd sold 63 store heifers in Lanark on Tuesday to a top of 294p per kg and an average of 205.4p, while 91 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 327.7p and levelled at 208p.

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 3220 North Country Cheviot Mule ewe lambs in Longtown on Tuesday to a top of £154 and an average of £99.67 (+£1.14 on the year), while 620 Hill Cheviot Mule ewe lambs peaked at £107 and levelled at £78.15 (-£4.20). There were also 1095 Cheviot Mule gimmers that sold to £188 and averaged £149.04 (-£4.40).

Wallets Marts sold 1126 prime lambs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £75 per head and 160.7p per kg to average 140.1p (-2.6p on the week).