The UK Government must compensate farmers in the event of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has said again yesterday.

A wealth of evidence now indicates that Scotland’s farmers would be worse off under every scenario when compared to the current trade arrangements, with some or all producers facing lower returns.

Mr Ewing stated that he thought sheep farmers are particularly at risk, with UK sheepmeat exports worth £390m each year, and with nearly 90% of this destined for the European market, the prospect of tariffs as high as 45% to 50% being imposed on these exports would be devastating for sheep farming.

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 15 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1452 per head and 240p per kg to average £1215.71 or 214.7p, while 4 prime bullocks peaked at £1278.75 and 208p to level at 186.0p or £1243.74.

In the rough ring all classes continued to sell well with a scarcity of well fleshed cows on offer. 67 beef cows sold to £1150 and 151.3p to average 115.4p, while 83 dairy cows peaked at £870 and 105p to level at 89.6p. Four bulls sold to £1630 and 149.5p to average 139p, while 6 clean OTM cattle peaked at £940 and 166.3p for the same heifer to level at 146.7p. Ten dairy cattle sold to £1700 for a very correct Holstein Friesian heifer and averaged £1409.

Wallets Marts Ltd sold 1438 prime hoggs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £107 per head for export weight Beltex hoggs and 258p per kg to average 188.78p (+1p on the week). A larger show of 375 Blackface hoggets this week sold to £83 for heavies with a lightweight pen selling to 205.7

A larger show of cast sheep saw 137 heavy ewes selling to £115.50 for Beltex and averaging £64.90, while 331 light/export-type ewes peaked at £56.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £46.91.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd had 1021 prime hoggets forward at their weekly sale in Newton Stewart yesterday when they would be very similar to last week’s rates. Top prices per head on the day were £95 per head on two separate occasions. Firstly, for a pen of Beltex lambs and then later for a pen of Texels. Another pen of Beltex lambs claimed the top price per kilo at 215.9p per kg with the overall average levelling at 185.4p.

399 cast ewes and tups were also forward with all types sharper on the week especially export ewes. 188 heavy ewes sold to a top price of £134 for a pen of three Texels and averaged £73.42, while 200 light/export-type ewes peaked at £56 for Blackfaces and levelled at £47.41.