Following the growing success of their Livestock in Low Input Systems (LILIS) event, the Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA) have announced that this year’s conference will take place at Home Farm, on the Dumfries House estate near Cumnock in Ayrshire.
SOPA are once again joining forces with Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G) to host the LILIS conference, which will be held on Friday 7th of June from 11am to 4pm.
The new organic status of Home Farm marks the realisation of a major element of the vision of HRH The Prince of Wales, who saved the estate for the nation 12 years ago.
John Rowell, farm manager, said: "It's been a long road to reach organic status, but we're delighted with the accreditation by SOPA. We completed a two-year conversion period to attain organic status so the change in practice has been gradual.
“Even though this is a busy time of year for us, we're looking forward to hosting the LILIS event, which presents a chance to catch up with similar-minded people”.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 14 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1350 per head and 235p per kg to average £1220 or 222p, while 4 prime bullocks averaged £1119 or 198p.
In the rough ring 30 beef cows sold to £1530 and 185p to average 139p, while 61 dairy cows peaked at £1120 and 140p to level at 111p. Ten cast bulls sold to £1560 and 190p to average 135p, while 14 Clean, OTM cattle peaked at £1190 and 189p to level at 150p.
Six pedigree dairy cattle were sold at the firm’s May Show and Sale. The champion was a Holstein Friesian Heifer that went on to fetch 2200gns. The 4 commercial heifers peaked at £1750 for a Holstein Friesian heifer.
Wallets Marts Ltd sold 20 New Season prime lambs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £108 per head and 229p/kg. The 259 prime hoggs also sold to £108 and 229p to average 188p/kg overall. Cast sheep were topped at £96 for Texels, while light weight ewes peaked at £68 for Blackface.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd had 54 New Season prime lambs forward at their weekly sale in Newton Stewart yesterday. Top prices on the day were £106 and 248p with the overall average levelling at 228p. Prime hoggs were topped at £92 for a pair of Texels and top price per kilo was 222p for a pen of 26 Cheviots. The overall average was 175p (-13p)
In the cast sheep section 37 heavy ewes sold to £116 for a Texel and averaged £70, while 23 light/export-type ewes peaked at £63 for Cheviots and levelled at £54.
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