The percentage of agricultural land in Scotland used for organic farming has fallen by 4 per cent to 122,000 hectares, or 2.2 per cent, according to new figures published yesterday by the Chief Statistician of the Scottish Government.

This is the eighth consecutive fall in the area of organic land. The fall in area was seen in grassland and rough grazing down 4 per cent), and potatoes and vegetables (down 1 per cent), with a small increase in cereals (up 1 per cent). Pasture makes up 93 per cent of organic land.

There was an increase in the number of organic cattle (up 16 per cent to 29,000), but there were falls in the number of sheep (down 13 per cent to 115,000), pigs (down 75 per cent to 1,750), and poultry (down 8 per cent to 241,000).

There was also a fall in the area of organic farmland in the UK as a whole, with 2.9 per cent of agricultural land now organic. In Europe, however, organic production is increasing, with the latest available data, for 2015, showing over 6 per cent of agricultural land used for organic farming.

Market round-up

United Auctions sold 409 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 274.1p per kg and an average of 220.5p (-7.2p on the week), while 697 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 298.7p and levelled at 233p (-8p). Ninety-six store, B&W bullocks sold to 185p and averaged 154.9p (+8p).

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 11 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 237p and an average of 201p, while 9 prime bulls peaked at 169p and levelled at 159p.

In the rough ring 64 beef cows sold to £1193 per head and 207p per kg to average 138p, while 21 dairy cows peaked at £1011 and 136p to level at 115p.

The firm also sold 264 prime hoggs to a top of £117.50 per head and 203p per kg to average 185p (+5p), while 23 prime lambs peaked at £94 and 195p to level at 184p (+4p).

The 191 cast sheep on offer saw heavy ewes sell to £114.50 for Texels and average £74, while light ewes peaked at £69.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £46.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 262 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £90 and 194.6p to average 170.3p (-0.8p), while 57 prime lambs peaked at £110 and 238.1p to level at £97.72 and 217.2p (+5.3p).

A small show of 72 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £94 for Suffolk crosses, while light ewes peaked at £61 for Blackfaces.