Payments for the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) 2013 will start to arrive in bank accounts from today with the majority to be paid by the weekend.

The Scottish Government has authorised payment of 10,400 claims, worth some £58 million. That equates to around 92% of potentially eligible claimants for the scheme, which is worth £65.5m in total.

Market round-up

John Swan Ltd sold 43 prime heifers in St Boswells yesterday to a top of 252p per kg and an average of 218p (+2.2p on the week), while 38 prime bullocks peaked at 244p and levelled at 213.9p (-12p). Two prime bulls averaged 171p.

In the rough ring 51 beef-type cows averaged 139.6p (+7.5p).

The firm also sold 2473 prime hoggs to a top of £120 per head and 246p per kg to average 206.4p (+4.8p).

The 602 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewe sell to £91 for Texels and average £76.83, while light ewes peaked at £87 for Cheviots and levelled at £47.98.

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 25 prime heifers in Carlisle yesterday to a top of 210.5p and an average of 171p (-24.2p), while 35 prime bullocks peaked at 235.5p and levelled at 195.3p (-8.4p).

Thirty-nine prime, beef-bred bulls sold to 225.5p and averaged 189.4p (-6.1p), while 36 prime, dairy-bred bulls peaked at 187.5p and levelled at 153.3p (+17.4p). In the rough ring 76 beef cows averaged 136.2p (+0.3p) and 170 dairy cows levelled at 106.3p (+0.3p). Eight bulls averaged 129.6p (-8.8p).

The firm also sold 1712 prime hoggs to a top of £118.80 and 291.8p to average 212.6p (+14.4p).

The 36 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £120 for a Suffolk.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1897 prime hoggs at Ayr yesterday to a top of £107 and 230.5p to average 197.8p (+7.8p). Included in that overall average were 873 Blackfaces that sold to £93 and 204.6p to average 193.4p.

All classes of the 494 cast sheep forward met a sharper trade on the week, especially Blackface ewes.

Rams sold to a top of £119 for a Suffolk, while ewes topped at £120 for a pen of Texels and Blackfaces peaked at £72.50.

Lawrie & Symington Ltd sold 12 prime heifers in Lanark yesterday to a top of 252p and an average of 231.3p (+1.1p), while 15 prime, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 238p and levelled at 208.5p (+4.8p). Nine prime, B&W bullocks sold to 175p and averaged 155.3p (+4.2p).

In the rough ring 34 beef cows averaged 126p (-5p) and 32 dairy cows levelled at 97p (-4p). Ten OTM cattle averaged 113p (+4p).

The firm also sold 2339 prime hoggs to a top of £110.5p and 235.4p to average 202.4p (+6.6p).

The 529 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £124.50 for Texels and £69.50 for Blackfaces, with the overall average levelling at £61.97 (+£3.94).