Dairy farmers are furious that the UK Government's official guide about which foods we should eat to maintain a healthy diet, recommends nearly halving the proportion of dairy products in the diet to eight per cent, down from the previously recommended figure of 15 per cent.
The latest Eatwell Guide published yesterday recommends people should consume "some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) choosing lower-fat and lower-sugar options".
The guide, published by government agency Public Health England, represents a blow to the dairy industry after Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead's announcement on Wednesday - following a dairy summit at the Scottish Parliament - that he wanted to see sales of Scottish cheddar cheese double across the UK over the next five years.
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 772 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 268.9p per kg and an average of 217.1p (+3.9p on the week), while 1097 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 269.2p and levelled at 223.4p (+10.6p). One-hundred-and-ten store, B&W bullocks sold to 185.3p and averaged 133.4p (+18p).
In the rough ring 90 beef cows averaged 120.6p and 13 dairy cows levelled at 95.9p.
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 17 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 211.5p and an average of 192.7p.
There were 52 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 107.2p and dairy cows levelled at 83.6p.
The firm also sold 977 prime hoggs to a top of £103.50 per head and 223p per kg to average 188.2p (-0.3p).
The 242 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £110.50 for Beltex and average £81.95 (+£4.82), while light ewes peaked at £88.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £48.98 (-£2.91).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1151 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £103 and 220.9p to average 189p (+3.8p). That overall average included 841 Blackfaces with the 361 weighing 38kg and less averaging 180.9p and the 580 scaling 39 kg and more levelling at 190.2p.
Incorporated in the sale were 160 Blackface wethers in an open show organised by the Dumfries and Galloway Branch of the Blackface Breeders' Association. The championship rosette went to a pen of home-bred hoggs from N Hurcomb, Barnvannoch scaling 51kg apiece that went on to sell for the overall top price of £103.
A small show of 127 cast sheep saw ewes sell to £112 for Suffolks and £78.50 for Blackfaces.
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