Scotland's farmers face a payment run lottery after Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead finally revealed the Scottish Government's plans for delivering CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) support in an update to industry representatives on the eve of AgriScot.

Mr Lochhead's announcement confirms what many suspected, that payments are running well behind schedule and will come as a bitter disappointment and leave all unclear on when support will eventually arrive.

Scottish Government has announced that payments under the new BPS (Basic Payment Scheme) are to be made in two instalments of 70 per cent and 30 per cent.

However, only a quarter of Scottish farmers will receive their first instalment by the end of December - the majority will receive their 70 per cent part-payment by the end of January and some will not receive the first tranche of BPS until the end of March.

The balance payment of 30 per cent is to be delivered to all by the end of April.

The Cabinet Secretary also confirmed that claimants will receive in December notification of the value of their payment.

That clarity will allow them to have a better-informed conversation with their banks or those who provide them with goods and services.

After many initial frustrating "teething" problems, Scotland's investment of £180m in a computer delivery system - costing nearly £10,000 per BPS application - has clearly failed. Speaking from AgriScot, at Ingliston on the outskirts of Edinburgh yesterday, NFU Scotland President Allan Bowie said: "The installation of a flawed computer payment system, and the lumbered approach to delivery, consigns farmers and crofters to a payment run lottery in which they may know what level of payment they will receive, but they have no idea if they will get it in December, January, February or March. That is categorically unacceptable and does nothing to assist those who face huge challenges to their cash-flows this winter, regardless of what sector of agriculture they are in."

Mr Bowie went on: "Simply pointing to the complexity of the scheme as a reason for delay is a red herring. Scottish Government made the necessary policy decisions 18 months ago. Other parts of the UK and other member states have coped with new schemes and complexity but Scotland's chosen delivery mechanism has not."

AgrisScot results

Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year: Kennetsideheads at Eccles near Kelso where Jimmy and Sandy Mitchell run 1019 cows.

Inaugural Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year: Joyce Campbell who runs 780 Lairg-type North Country Cheviot ewes on her 5600 acre hill farm at Armadale in Sutherland.

Scotch Beef Farm of the Year: Darnford Farm, Durris, Banchory where the Watson family run 426 Saler cross beef cows on 1350 acres of tenanted land and grass lets including 700 acres arable.

Business Skills competition: Claire Simonetta, a third year Swiss agricultural student at Scotland's Rural College SRUC in Ayr.

Dairy champions

Ayrshire heifer: McAlister & Sons and Lawrie Brothers, Brieryside, Monkton, Ayrshire.

Jersey heifer: The Hunter Family, West Tarbrax, Shotts, Lanarkshire.

British Red and White heifer: WJ Nadin & Co, Fermydale, Earl Stemdale, Buxton, Derbyshire.

Interbreed Super heifer: McAlister & Sons and Lawrie Brothers.

Ayrshire Cow: A&S Lawrie, Cuthill Towers, Milnathort, Kinross.

Holstein cow: C Laird, Blyth Farm, West Linton, Peebleshire.

Jersey cow: ME & AW Wright, c/o Blyth Bridge, Monkton, Ayrshire.

British Red and White cow: Adamson & Son, Swaites Farm, Pettinain, Lanark.

Interbreed Supercow: C Laird, Blyth Bridge Holsteins, West Linton.