Sixty cattle have been compulsorily slaughtered following one of the worst outbreaks of bovine TB in Scotland in recent years.

The disease was confirmed in the dairy herd milked at Ballencrieff, Bathgate, West Lothian. Suspicious lesions were detected in a 13-year-old British Friesian cow at slaughter and were subsequently confirmed as TB.

Whole herd testing, both of the official skin test and follow up gamma interferon, have now been completed and a significant number of positive reactors were identified in both screens.

An NFU Scotland spokesman, speaking on behalf of the affected farmer, said: "This is a low-risk herd that has been operated on a closed system and tested regularly under the four-year herd testing designation.

"In these circumstances a TB breakdown is a savage blow that could not have been predicted.

"Scotland has been officially recognised as TB-free by the EU for more than two years, on the basis of sustained low disease incidence.

"This status has been achieved through a combination of routine herd and abattoir surveillance, and rigorous pre- and post-movement testing of animals entering Scotland from high-risk TB areas.

"TB inspection at slaughter is an important component of Scotland's surveillance and in this outbreak the disease was identified at this level allowing prompt action to be taken within the herd.

"The TB-free status of Scotland is unaffected."

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd had 66 grass-calving dairy cows and heifers forward at their annual sale near Ayr on Thursday. In-calf Friesian cows sold to £1780, £1650, £1550, £1520, £1450 and £1400, while in-calf Ayrshire cows peaked at £1000. In-calf Friesian heifers sold to £1700, £1680, £1600, £1580, £1550, £1500, £1450, £1420 and £1400, while in-calf Ayrshire heifers peaked at £850. The overall average levelled at £1242.47 (+£236.79 on the year).

United Auctions sold 4377 prime hoggs at Stirling on Thursday to a top of £112.50 per head and 262p per kg to average 204.3p (-10.7p on the week), while 22 prime spring lambs peaked at £120 and 245p to level at 243p.

There were also 729 cast ewes forward that saw Texels sell to £167.50 and Blackfaces to £83.50.

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 6621 prime hoggs forward in Longtown on Thursday that included 2540 weighing over 48kg that resulted in an overall sale average of 203p. Top prices on the day were £123.50 per head and 261p per kg.

Another excellent show of 4312 cast sheep achieved a record sale average of £104 per head. Heavy ewes sold to £162.50 for Texels and averaged £114.41, while light ewes peaked at £112.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £73.94. Rams sold to £186.50 for a Blueface Leicester and averaged £107.01.