Farming

Uncertainty in sheep market as new lambs come through

18 May 2013

THE prime sheep market is currently going through that annual period of uncertainty as old season hoggs dry up and new season lambs pick up in volume.
£2m funding open to new entrants and deer farmers

17 May 2013

A new scheme offering financial support to new farming entrants and deer farmers currently excluded from receiving single farm payments (SFP) opened for business this week.
Lochhead rebuffs NFUS plan to free up grazing for livestock

16 May 2013

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has firmly rebuffed a request by NFU Scotland to consider relaxing the rules on some agri-environment projects to help free up grazing for Scotland's struggling livestock.

Fresh-calved heifer sells for 2500gns at May Friesian sale

15 May 2013

THE Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 167 store heifers in Dumfries on Monday to a top of 252.9p per kg and an average of 200.1p (-6.2p on the previous sale), while 243 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 268.9p and levelled at 212.3p (-7.3p).

Dairy herds suffer one of toughest years in memory, reveal farmers

14 May 2013

The 12 months to March 2013 has proved to be one of the toughest years in memorable history for many dairy farmers, with Kingshay Dairy Manager costings for conventional Holstein Friesian herds showing a margin over purchased feed down £17,775 on average.
£6m fund must go to neediest not greediest

13 May 2013

Following a meeting in Edinburgh last Wednesday, stakeholders in the farming industry have agreed initial proposals on how to distribute the £6 million weather aid package announced by the Cabinet Secretary.
Union reminds farmers to submit application for payments

11 May 2013

IT'S hard to imagine anyone forgetting, but NFU Scotland is reminding all farmers and crofters that the latest deadline is fast approaching for them to submit their annual application form for Scotland's various support schemes.

Farming unions join foreign peers in CAP battle

9 May 2013

The UK's four farming unions have joined those of Denmark, France, Germany, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands to demand that national governments co-finance any transfer of funds from the direct payments pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to the rural development pillar.
Total of 90 pedigree beef bulls are bought at United Auctions

8 May 2013

United Auctions sold 90 pedigree beef bulls at Stirling on Monday.
High leatherjacket populations threat to spring-sown crops

7 May 2013

Leatherjacket populations in many of Scotland's fields are exceptionally high, posing a grave risk to spring-sown cereals and grassland.

Elsewhere on Herald Scotland

£6 million recovery package for farmers hit by poor weather

2 May 2013

A £6 MILLION package has been announced by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead to provide badly needed assistance to those farmers hardest hit by the recent snowstorms and other severe weather in 2012/13.
Second wettest year on record hits bottom line for farmers

1 May 2013

The latest Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) figures have revealed a 14% decrease in the bottom line for UK agriculture – with the total income from farming down £737 million in 2012 to £4.7bn.
Sales boost for fresh meat as consumers snub ready meals

30 April 2013

Consumers are increasingly buying fresh meat and lamb to cook rather than ready meals, according to new figures.