Phase 4 of Scotland's Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication scheme comes into play on June 1st, by which time all Scottish herds must have had their BVD status established.

The June 1st deadline introduces tough movement restrictions on herds "not-negative" for BVD, or holdings that have no valid annual herd status recorded.

BVD testing is already an annual requirement for Scottish cattle keepers and it is illegal to knowingly sell any animal persistently infected (PI) with the disease.

In herds with a not-negative status, animals will need to be individually tested before moving - unless that move is direct to slaughter. The 15 per cent of holdings that have a not-negative status have a limited window available to tackle the problem.

As a result of the new rules on BVD, Scotland's agricultural shows will also be required to establish the BVD status of cattle entered at events. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has included guidance on BVD in the show packs that it has sent to all show secretaries this year.

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 17 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1276.50 per head and 220p per kg (on four occasions) to average £1133.34 and 208.2p, while two prime bullocks peaked at £1322.25 and 224p to level at £1265.93 and 219.2p.

In the rough ring 47 beef cows averaged 130.8p and 114 dairy cows levelled at 108.9p. Eight bulls averaged 124.4p and 20 clean OTM cattle levelled at 142.5p.

A small show of 7 dairy cattle sold to £1580 for a freshly-calved B&W heifer and averaged £1189.

The firm went on to sell 511 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £75 per head and 145.7p per kg to average 132p (-42.1p on the week), while 198 prime lambs peaked at £92 and 202.4p to level at 180.2p (-22.8p).

There were also 237 cast sheep forward that were slightly cheaper on the week with ewes selling to £100 for Texels and £75.50 for Blackfaces.

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart sold 14 prime heifers in Dumfries yesterday to a top of 223.5p and an average of 206.4p.

There were 80 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 130.2p and dairy cows levelled at 106.9p.

The firm also sold 147 prime hoggs to a top of £79.50 and 188p to average 149.6p (-24.7p), while 168 prime lambs peaked at £90.50 and 223p to level at 192.2p (-13.4p).

The 172 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £114.50 for a Texel and average £87.90, while light ewes peaked at £94.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £65.46