A SURVEY on the condition of agricultural tenancy housing published this week at the Rural Housing summit in Perth has revealed that 14 percent of Scottish farm tenants described their houses as being in poor or very poor condition.

At the moment farmhouses are not covered by housing legislation, but the Scottish Government plans to take steps to ensure they meet the basic standard for living accommodation by 2022 and the higher standard demanded in the private rented sector five years later.

The cost of bringing the country's agricultural tenancy housing up to standard has been estimated to be in the region of £140 million.

NFU Scotland policy manager Gemma Cooper said: "The new report indicates a general need to improve the condition of tenanted housing on farms, but recognises that, given the size and age of many farmhouses, the cost of undertaking such work could be substantial."

Market round-up

Lawrie & Symington Ltd had 1,588 cattle forward at their annual autumn-born suckled calf sale when heifers sold to 290p per kg and averaged 217p (-4p on the year), while bullocks peaked at 271p and levelled at 218p (-7p).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold seven prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1,463 per head and 241p per kg to average £1,171.84 and 222p, while seven prime bullocks peaked at £1,328 and 231p to level at £1,086.34 and 210.9p.

In the rough ring 107 beef cows sold to £1,280 and 176.6p to average 118.6p, while 93 dairy cows peaked at £1,100 and 117.2p to level at 89.1p. Thirteen bulls sold to £1,440 and 160p to average 115p.

A good show of 24 dairy cattle sold to £1,900 on two occasions, both for Holstein Friesian heifers, and averaged £1488.

The firm also had 89 beef-breeding cattle forward at its monthly sale. Top prices and averages were as follows: Heifers with calf-at-foot to a top of £2,200 and an average of £1,564.81 for 27; cows with calves £1,500 and £1,084.66 for 15; in-calf heifers £1,700 and £1,437.60 for 20; in-calf cows £950 and £890 for 5; bulling heifers £950 and £849.47 for 19; three bulls sold to 3300gns for a Limousin and averaged £2,065.

Wallets Marts sold 702 prime lambs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £85 per head and 190.5p per kg to average £70.92 and 155.4p (-14.4p on the week).

Cast sheep were also easier on the week with 280 heavy ewes selling to £106 for Texels and averaging £58.08, while 410 light/export-type ewes peaked at £47 for Blackfaces and levelled at £27.58.