The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) has hailed the report on the Land Reform Bill published this week by the Rural Affairs Committee as a thorough, well-researched and thoughtful piece of work. In respect of agricultural holdings STFA welcomed the Committee's call for greater detail and transparency in many of the key areas of the bill such as rent reviews and end-of-tenancy compensation and a strengthening of the role of the Tenant Farming Commissioner.
STFA spokesman Angus McCall said: "Far from "laird-bashing", this bill aims at addressing the balance between landlords and tenants. For far too long the emphasis has been on protecting landlords' property rights, often at the expense of the interests of tenant farmers."
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 276 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 217p and an average of 192.8p (-19p on the week), while 292 store bullocks peaked at 251.5p and levelled at 215.9p (-9.2p). Thirty store, B&W bullocks sold to 145p and averaged 124.5p (-13.3p), while 20 store bulls peaked at 201.8p and levelled at 168.1p.
In the rough ring 177 beef cows averaged 89.5p and 22 dairy cows levelled at 73.4p.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd held their Christmas show and sale of prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday when the championship was won by M/s Young, Tormitchell Farms for a pen of 43kg Beltex that went on to sell for £130 or 302.3p per kg. The reserve ticket went to Mr J Wright, Pinmore Mains for a pen of 48kg Texels that fetched £118, while the 1st prize pen of Blackfaces was shown by Mitchell Familoy, Little Larg that made £85. The overall average for the 1598 lambs sold levelled at 150.5p (-8.9p).
There were also 171 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £76 for Texel crosses and £50 for Blackfaces.
C&D Auction Marts Ltd had 18 prime cattle forward in Dumfries on Wednesday when heifers sold to 225.5p and averaged 196.1p, while bullocks peaked at 193.5p and levelled at 187.8p.
There were 94 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 100.8p and dairy cows levelled at 76.2p.
The firm also sold 819 prime lambs to a top of £75.50 and 164p to average 147.6p (-9.7p).
The 307 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £81.50 for Suffolks and average £65.67 (+£4.52), while light ewes peaked at £58 for Cheviots and levelled at £43.24 (+£2.31).
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