First Milk has announced the appointment of Clive Sharpe as chairman from 1st february.

Mr Sharpe has had a career in food manufacturing spanning 35 years and is a former chairman of Quorm Foods and Burtons Biscuits, former non-executive director of Duerr's jams and Tangerine Confectionery, and former CEO of WT Foods, Golden Wonder and Homepride Foods. He is currently chairman of Peters Foods.

New Basic Payment Scheme year begins

NFU Scotland is reminding its members that the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme has started. That means, with regards to the Greening element of support payments, land selected to be used as Ecological Focus Area (EFA) field margins or buffer strips should now be out of production (as of 1 January) - so livestock must be kept off, and no agricultural activity on it until 31 December 2016.

Land to be used as EFA fallow should have been taken out of production by midnight last night. That means no livestock can be present until after 15 July 2016. In addition, crops cannot be present nor be planted on EFA fallow land and maintenance activities such as weed control and drainage are also restricted. Note should be taken of the change of rules on what temporary grass (TGRS) is eligible to be used as EFA fallow.

Market round-up

United Auctions sold 540 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 242.8p per kg and an average of 208.6p (no change on the week), while 608 store bullocks peaked at 264.2p and levelled at 203.9p (-9.1p). Twelve store, B&W bullocks sold to 155.1p and averaged 146.2p (+4p), while 49 store bulls peaked at 242.5p and levelled at 201.7p.

In the rough ring 141 beef cows averaged 116.3p and 30 dairy cows levelled at 74.4p.

C&D Auctions Ltd sold 20 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 218.5p and an average of 202.9p.

There were 104 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 108.6p and dairy cows levelled at 79.2p.

The firm also sold 862 prime hoggs to a top of £88 per head and 200p per kg to average 173.6p (+8.4p).

The 221 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £90 for a Suffolk and average £63, while light ewes peaked at £62 for Blackfaces and levelled at £43.08.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1217 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart to a top of £85.80 and 195.5p to average 167p (-2p).