NFU Scotland is reminding around 1,300 farmers, who have let their BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea) status slip, to get prepared and prioritise testing as the introduction of the next phase of the scheme draws closer.
BVD testing is already an annual requirement for Scottish cattle keepers and it is illegal to knowingly sell any animal persistently infected with the disease.
Phase 4 of the BVD eradication scheme in Scotland will be introduced in June this year and will bring restrictions for any holdings with a "not negative" status, or holdings with no valid annual status recorded. The BVD herd screen is an annual requirement and herds that have not carried out a test in the last 12 months should contact their vet or face restrictions come June.
Figures show that 17 per cent of holdings in Scotland currently still have a not-negative status and the Union is reminding them they have a limited window available to tackle the problem and achieve negative status before the June deadline.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 719 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £90 per head and 205p per kg to average 186.4p (-0.3p on the week).
There was also a small show of 148 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £126 for Texels, £96.50 for Mules and £80 for Blackfaces.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 35 prime cattle forward in Dumfries on Wednesday when heifers sold to 244.5p per kg and averaged 204.8p, while bullocks peaked at 203.5p and levelled at 193.4p.
There were 107 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 129.8p and dairy cows levelled at 101.4p.
The firm also sold 524 prime hoggs to a top of £95 and 212p to average 193.1p (+5p).
The 202 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £110 for Suffolks and average £81.29 (-£6.74), while light ewes peaked at £90 for Cheviots and levelled at £64.24 (+£1.22).
United Auctions sold 425 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 301.8p and an average of 235.3p (-2.5p), while 771 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 304p and levelled at 246p (-4.1p). Seventy-one store, B&W bullocks sold to 198.1p and averaged 179.3p (+5.4p).
In the rough ring 161 cows averaged 127.4p.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 185 store heifers at Ayr yesterday to a top of £1295 per head and 264.7p per kg to average £955.49 and 234.1p, while 267 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1310 and 287p to level at £1018.99 and 239.8p. Seventy-eight store, B&W bullocks sold to £1090 and 191.5p to average £877.63 and 175.4p.
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