Scotland's meat sector leaders are trying to force their way into future consultations on tree planting proposals.
The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has written a letter to the director of Forestry Commission Scotland, Bob McIntosh, stating that meat plants are already operating on "crisis level" supplies of cattle and sheep, leaving absolutely no room for blanket tree planting on land which is more suitable for livestock farming.
The letter stressed the need for SAMW to be fully involved in the debate on future tree planting.
Market round-up
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 9125 store lambs forward at their weekly sale in Longtown on Tuesday that met a sharper trade.
Top prices and averages: NCC to £60 and averaged £50.20; Suffolks £62 and £50.10; Texels £68.50 and £48.64; Charollais £55 and £53.62; Hill Cheviots £56 and £41.72; Cheviot Mules £60 and £44.39; Greyfaces £56.50 and £43.61; Blackfaces £50 and £32.86.
Wallets Marts sold 1559 prime lambs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £80 per head and 185p per kg to average 158.2p.
A large show of 739 cast sheep saw ewes sell to £98 for Beltex and £60 for Blackfaces with the overall average levelling at £45.71.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 21 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of 225p per kg and an average of 205.3p, while 14 prime, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 222p and levelled at 209.2p. Eight young bulls sold to 210p and averaged 199.1p.
In the rough ring 183 beef cows averaged 130.7p and 169 dairy cows levelled at 100.6p. Seven bulls averaged 135.8p.
There were also 19 dairy cattle forward that were a mixed show for quality and harder to cash. Top price on the day was £1950 for a Holstein Friesian heifer with the 16 that were sold averaging £1393.12.
The firm went on to sell 1466 prime lambs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £82 per head and 200p per kg to average 156.7p.
The 445 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £80 for Texels and £60 for Blackfaces.
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 32 prime cattle forward at their weekly sale in Dumfries yesterday when bullocks sold to 224.5p and averaged 207.7p, while heifers peaked at 211.5p and levelled at 204.1p.
There were 82 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring with beef cows averaging 130.2p and dairy cows levelling at 97p.
In the sheep ring 1874 prime lambs sold to £82.50 and 188p and averaged 160.8p.
The 604 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £95.50 for Texels and average £58.87, while light ewes peaked at £60.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £38.94.
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