The board of First Milk, the farmer-owned co-operative, decided at its meeting this week to cut the A price it pays for milk from September 1 by 0.3p per litre (ppl) for the four manufacturing pools, and by 0.2ppl for the three balancing pools.
The A price is paid on 80 per cent of a member's past two years' average production, with the balance of member's output paid at a lower, B price - which the board will confirm shortly.
The co-op started a nationwide round of meetings yesterday to update members on its turnaround plan and the current market situation.
NFU Scotland milk committee chairman Graeme Kilpatrick is urging all Scottish members of First Milk to try and attend the meetings at Campbeltown on August 31 at 7.30pm, Fenwick on Tuesday September 1 at 12 noon and later on that day at 7.30pm in Lockerbie.
Market round-up
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).
United Auctions sold 323 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 260.4p per kg and an average of 220.5p (+0.1p), while 781 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 265.5p and levelled at 223.2p (-0.7p). Two-hundred-and-forty-three store, B&W bullocks sold to 171.9p and averaged 154.7p (-0.8p).
In the rough ring 181 cows averaged 110.6p.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 3223 store lambs at their weekly sale in Longtown on Wednesday. Top prices and averages for selected breeds: Suffolks to £61.50 and averaged £55.12; Texels £65 and £52.53; Greyfaces £53 and £46.81; Blackfaces £43 and £35.36.
The firm also sold 10 prime bullocks at their weekly sale in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 224.5p and an average of 210.5p.
There were 96 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 127.6p and dairy cows levelled at 86.4p.
The firm also sold 430 prime lambs to a top of £72.50 and 180p to average 148.5p (+10p).
The 384 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £88.50 for Texels and average £63.35 (no change), while light ewes peaked at £63.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £46.74 (+£10.75).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 978 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £76 and 163.3p to average 142p (+1p).
A larger show of 568 cast sheep saw ewes sell to £109 for Texels and £54 for Blackfaces.
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