The EU has granted a derogation from implementing the Crop Diversification (three-crop rule) element of Greening requirements in Scotland for the 2018 scheme year.
With autumn plantings substantially down on the year and the cold, wet conditions this spring working against ground preparation and planting, the window of opportunity to plant and establish spring crops in 2018 has been narrow and meeting the three-crop rule for many farmers has been almost impossible. Although now late in the planting season, the derogation may help some growers whose planting schedules have been delayed.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 368 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1240 per head and 251.9p per kg to average £830.99 and 223.4p (+10.8p on the fortnight), while 386 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1435 and 281.5p to level at £938.86 and 233.7p (+8.3p). Thirty-nine store, B&W bullocks sold to £800 and 160.6p to average £680.83 and 160.3p (+3.8p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 2817 prime hoggs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £162 per head and 335p per kg to average 253.8p (+3.5p on the week), while 50 prime lambs peaked at £149 and 331p to level at 292p (+6p).
There were also 2638 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £176 for Texels and averaged £96.73 (+£1.61), while light/export-type ewes peaked at £86 for Cheviots and levelled at £53.01 (-32p). Rams sold to £158 for a Texel and averaged £112.07.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here