In his farm funding update to the Scottish Parliament, Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead confirmed that:

"The new CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) to be implemented in 2015 is radically different to the existing policy. As well as big changes to the way farm funding is paid, we are also having to deal with cuts to Scotland's CAP budget which take effect in this financial year.

"As a result of the dreadful deal negotiated by the UK Government, single farm payments in Scotland will be reduced by an average of 12 per cent compared to last year. This reduction would have been halved if Scotland had received the €223 million convergence uplift that is rightly ours, substantially lessening the financial blow to our hard-working farmers and crofters."

Commenting on the EU budget deal that was hammered out in 2013, NFU Scotland chief executive Scott Walker said: "The effect of this cut will be felt for the first time by farmers when payments start being received in December.

"The headline budget has been reduced from €650m last year to €580m this year. This cut will not have been anticipated by many and could not have come at a worse time given that farm-gate prices have been down this year across all sectors."

MARKET ROUND-UP

United Auctions sold 504 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 319.4p per kg and an average of 214.8p (+2.5p on the week), while 697 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 314.8p and levelled at 224.6p (-2.5p). Ninety-three store, B&W bullocks sold to 174.2p and averaged 148.6p (-3.1p), while 52 store bulls peaked at 255.5p and levelled at 211p. In the rough ring 188 cows averaged 117.2p.

The firm also had 2,721 store lambs forward. Averages: Suffolks £61.64 (+£1.59 on the week), Texels £60.18 (-£1.29), Mules £58.81 (+£1.58), and Blackfaces £47.84 (-66p).

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 41 prime cattle forward in Dumfries on Wednesday when heifers sold to 230.5p and averaged 210.3p, while bullocks peaked at 231.5p and levelled at 215p.

There were 106 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 116.8p and dairy cows levelled at 79.1p. The firm also sold 1,159 prime lambs to a top of £84 per head and 199.5p per kg to average 175p (+0.6p). The 517 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £94 for Texels and average £70.16 (+£1.51), while light ewes peaked at £75 for Cheviots and levelled at £53.42 (no change).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1,070 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to £85.50 and 197.1p to average 172.2p (+5.8p). There were 181 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £94 for Texels and £56 for Blackfaces.