Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Secretary Elizabeth Truss has announced that Scotland's share of the £26.2 million allocated to the UK from the EU's £367m aid package - that is mostly targeted at milk producers - is to be £2.3m. England is to get £15.5m, Wales £3.2m and Northern Ireland an enhanced payment of £5.1m.

The payments in England will vary and be based on a flat rate per litre of milk production in 2014-15 - thought to be worth £1820 per farmer.

Ministers in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have flexibility about how they wish to use their allocations to support their farmers.

According to Scottish Dairy Cattle Association figures there were 982 dairy herds in Scotland on July 1st. Using that as a rough guide, the average dairy herd in Scotland could receive a payment of about £2340.

NFU Scotland CEO Scott Walker commented: "Now we know our allocation the Scottish Government need to decide how this money is to be spent. While the total sum is significant if the money is distributed in the same way as England has chosen, the sum per dairy farmer is insignificant when set against the losses many dairy farms are making.

"The rest of the industry remains disappointed that the low prices and difficulties they are going through is not recognised by DEFRA or the European Union which to many farmers in Scotland appear to be solely focused on the problems in the dairy industry.

"If all farmers are to be helped the simplification process needs to be pushed on with a far greater sense of urgency. This means no gold plating of rules that increase costs, bureaucracy and makes farming more difficult than it needs to be."

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 300 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1240 per head and 246.9p per kg to average £921.52 and 209.5p (+0.5p on the fortnight), while 359 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1330 and 245.5p to level at £982.24 and 213p (-13p). Seventy-three store, B&W bullocks sold to £910 and 164.6p to average £749.18 and 148.6p (+3.5p).

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4772 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £80 per head and 180p per kg to average 145.4p (-1.5p on the week).

Another large show of 5910 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £127 for Texels and average £62.40 (-£4.41), while light ewes peaked at £69 for Hill Cheviots and levelled at £40.11 (-£2.73). Rams sold to £139 for a Texel and averaged £63.88.