THE Scottish Government has come under pressure to ensure recent improvements to the speed of its new online system, that has a total estimated cost for the five-year programme of £178 million, are maintained.
Following a meeting with Scottish Government officials this week, NFU Scotland has recognised recent attempts to improve the performance of the online system has resulted in some improvement in speed, but pressed the need for contingency arrangements to remain in place.
NFUS president Allan Bowie said: "Farmers and farm advisers have repeatedly complained about how slow the system operates and that it is difficult to use. The majority of SAF applications will be completed by farm advisers and they have been struggling to get through their workload because of the speed of the system."
He added: "Several attempts have been made to improve the performance of the system and it appears that in the last few days the most recent attempts to improve performance have borne fruit.
"These speed improvements need to stick, especially as we expect an increase in the volume of SAF claims submitted in the coming weeks."
Market round-up
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 55 store heifers in Lockerbie on Tuesday to a top of 246.3p per kg and an average of 200.8p (-24.6p on the previous sale), while 47 store bullocks peaked at 248.6p and levelled at 227.5p (-2.3p).
Wallets Marts sold 258 prime hoggs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £91 per head and 185.4p per kg to average 161.4p (-9p), while 12 prime lambs peaked at £91 and 201.3p.
A small show of 80 cast sheep saw ewes sell to £99 for Rouge and £75 for Blackfaces.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 16 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1316.45 per head and 233p per kg to average £1209.01 and 213.3p. In the rough ring 62 beef cows averaged 132.4p and 152 dairy cows levelled at 105.7p. Four bulls averaged 116.3p and 8 clean, dairy-bred OTM cattle levelled at 140.5p.
A small show of 8 dairy cattle sold to £1750 for a Holstein Friesian heifer and averaged £1191.
The firm also had 87 head forward at their monthly sale of beef-breeding cattle. Top prices and averages: Cows with calves-at-foot to £2200, averaged £1962.50 for 8; heifers with calves £2400 (x2) and £1895 for 22; bulling heifers £1360 and £1094.38 for 48; bulls 3500gns, £2485 for 9.
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