The scars created by debate during the passage the 2016 Land Reform Act, and particularly the issue of agricultural tenancies, continue to blight the sector three years on according to Gemma Cooper, head of policy team at NFU Scotland.
Ms Cooper welcomed the creation of a Tenant Farming Commissioner (TFC), currently held by Bob McIntosh, and the guidance he has generated in recent years. His most recent guide looked at the conduct of agents. The TFC’s survey showed that 17% of landlords and 17% of tenants were dissatisfied by the conduct of an agent employed to act on behalf of the other party in respect of an agricultural holdings issue.
Ms Cooper said: “It is a shame that the 83% of agents providing a good service are tarred with the same brush as the minority.”
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 7 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1345 per head and 249p/ kg to average £229p.
In the rough ring 29 beef cows sold to £1390 and 170p to average 130p, while 52 dairy cows peaked at £1090 and 140p to level at 107p. Ten bulls sold to £1950 and 182p to average 119p, while 6 clean, OTM cattle peaked at £1020 and 170p to level at 144p.
Seven dairy cows sold to £1750 for a Holstein Friesian heifer.
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 172 store heifers at Lockerbie on Tuesday to a top of £1165 and 293p to average 219p (+22p/kg on the previous sale two weeks ago), while 197 store bullocks peaked at £1240 and 265p to level at 226p (+36p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 443 store hoggs and cast ewes at Longtown on Tuesday.
Store hoggs sold to a top price of £96.50 for Beltex; Suffolks to £94, Texels to £91, Hill Cheviots to £78, Charolais to £78, Greyfaces to £63 and Blackfaces to £61.
Feeding ewes sold to £105 for Texels.
A much larger show of ewes with lambs at foot were forward with the sale topping at £97 per life for a Texel ewe with a strong single lamb. Ewes with twins peaked at £77 and shearling ewes with twins sold up to £69.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd had 637 prime hoggs forward at their weekly sale in Newton Stewart yesterday. Top prices on the day were £95 and 212p/kg for Beltex with the overall average levelling at 186p (-10p).
Cast sheep were a better show for quality with 31 heavy ewes selling to £110 for Suffolks and averaged £84.03, while 41 light/export-type ewes peaked at £63.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £56.52.
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