Agrovista UK has purchased a majority stake in South West Seeds.

Based at Closeburn, Dumfriesshire, the company is one of Scotland's largest independent seeds businesses and trades in Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, Lanarkshire and Wigtownshire plus the islands of Arran and Bute.

All staff will transfer to Agrovista through the transaction.

Market round-up

Wallets Marts sold 203 store heifers in Castle Douglas yesterday to a top of £1230 per head and 252.9p per kg to average £904.48 and 221.4p (+0.6p on the fortnight), while 292 store bullocks peaked at £1400 and 296.3p to average £1043.12 and 230.6p (-2.6p).

A small show of 31 OTM cattle sold dearer than the last sale to average £723.27 or 121.6p.

John Swan Ltd sold 66 prime heifers in St Boswells yesterday to a top of 250p and an average of 214.5p (-5.7p on the week), while 28 prime bullocks peaked at 244p and levelled at 217.7p (+8.8p).

In the rough ring 50 beef-type cows averaged 133.2p (-2p) and 4 clean OTM cattle levelled at 135.9p (-29.6p).

The firm also sold 2113 prime hoggs to a top of £112 per head and 232p per kg to average £89.01 and 200p (-1p).

The 268 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £129 for a Suffolk and average £90.01 (-£2.69), while light ewes peaked at £101 for Cheviots and levelled at £55.77 (-£2.76).

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 27 prime heifers in Carlisle yesterday to a top of 226.5p and an average of 189.6p (-21.2p), while 27 prime, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 227.5p and levelled at 201.4p (+3.3p). Four prime, dairy-bred bullocks sold to 157.5p and averaged 150p (-13.5p). Twenty-six prime, beef-bred bulls sold to 223.5p and averaged 190.7p (-4.6p), while 48 prime, dairy-bred bulls peaked at 184.5p and levelled at 159.4p.

In the rough ring 66 beef cows averaged 126.9p (-7.3p) and 182 dairy cows levelled at 101.8p (-2.1p). Seven bulls averaged 138.8p (+8.9p).

The firm also sold 1905 prime hoggs to a top of £120 and 254.5p to average 195.5p (-4.2p).

The 125 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £142 for Texels and £68 for Hill Cheviots.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1898 prime hoggs at Ayr yesterday to a top of £104 and 240.5p to average 191.6p (+0.2p). Included in that average were 927 Blackfaces that sold to £90 and 206.1p.

There were also 463 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £155 for a pen of Texels and £92.50 for Blackfaces to average £80.85 (+£1.14) overall.