The price index for milk products sold at the latest Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auctions this week rose by 14.8 per cent, compared to the previous sale on August 6.
That welcome improvement in average prices broke a depressing run of declining prices at ten consecutive sales that began in March that left them at their lowest level for ten years.
Biggest price movement was for whole milk powder that jumped by 19.1 per cent, followed by butter that was up 10.8 per cent and skim milk powder that rose 8.5 per cent.
Separately, NFU Scotland is reminding its members who transport wide and abnormal loads to apply for an agricultural dispensation.
The new system was introduced in March this year following work with Police Scotland and in recent weeks NFUS has been made aware of farmers who have been stopped and have failed to apply for a dispensation for their machinery.
Farmers are now required to follow a standardised procedure and should only have to notify Police Scotland once every 12 months for up to a 20-mile radius. Previously farmers were required to notify Police Scotland of each individual movement of relevant machinery.
To apply, farmers can email abnormalloadseast@scotland.pnn.police.uk with their name, address and email, along with vehicle type and registration numbers and the width and length of the largest piece of equipment.
Police Scotland has discretion to offer dispensation for a shorter period and may choose to apply individual restrictions including not going on certain roads and avoiding certain times of day.
Market round-up
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 2872 store lambs in Longtown on Tuesday. Top prices and averages for selected breeds: Suffolks to £62 and averaged £53.66; Texels £65 and £51.82; Greyfaces £56.50 and £46.69; Cheviots £51.50 and £49.50; Blackfaces £47 and £45.50.
Wallets Marts sold 1783 prime lambs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £73.50 per head and 185.2p per kg to average 142.7p (-2.9p on the week).
A small show of 179 cast sheep saw ewes sell to £88.50 for Texels and £68.50 for Greyfaces.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1798 prime lambs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £75 and 182p to average 143p (-6.3p).
The firm also had 268 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £92.50 for Suffolk crosses and £66.50 for Blackfaces.
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