NFU Scotland is appealing to the nation to #BackScotchBeef during the current price slump. It is warning that a prolonged three-year low in the beef price is seriously impacting the incomes of farms and crofters across the country.

As a result, the Union is stepping up action over the coming weeks.

This will include a #BackScotchBeef campaign to encourage more people to support Scottish beef farmers and crofters.

NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick commented: “The current price we are receiving for our beef is well out of step of our cost of production.

“Without a sharp turnaround in the beef price the viability of family farms and crofts across Scotland will be severely damaged, irreparably for some."

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson sold 16 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1,357 per head and 235p/kg to average £1,171 or 216p, while three prime bullocks peaked at £1,297 and 218p to level at £1222.7 or 207p.

There was a larger show of dairy cattle this week when 15 head in total sold to a top of £2,180 in the commercial section, while the pedigree section peaked at 2,600gns for a Holstein Friesian heifer.

Lawrie and Symington held its fortnightly sale of store cattle at Lanark on Tuesday with a smaller show forward this time compared to a fortnight ago. Bullocks were topped at £1,290 and 201p/kg for Limousin crosses to average 191p/kg. The heifers were topped at £1,270 and 211p also by Limousin crosses to average 185p overall.

Wallets Marts Castle Douglas had 604 prime and cast Sheep forward at their weekly primestock sale on Tuesday. The 528 prime lambs sold to a top of £100 and 215p for Texels to average 185p/kg overall. Only the very best lambs sold in excess of 200p. Cast ewes sold to a top of £112 for Texels.

Messrs Craig Wilson sold 799 Prime and Cast Sheep at Newton Stewart yesterday.

The 641 Prime Lambs sold to £100 for Lleyns and Texels. Top price per kilo was 196p for Texels and the lambs averaged £79 or 185p (-2p).

Cast ewes sold to £100 for a Texel. Mule ewes sold to £76, while Blackfaces were topped at £65.

C & D Auction Marts had 68 cattle forward at its weekly sale of primestock in Dumfries yesterday. Prime cattle were topped by a Limousin heifer at 230p/kg, while OTM cattle sold to £1076 and 127p.

There were also 407 prime lambs at the sale. Seventy-seven lambs (32-39kg) averaged 195p/kg, while 271 lambs (40-45kg) averaged 193p/kg and 59 lambs (45.6+kg) Ave 197p.

In the cast sheep section 285 cast ewes sold to £155 for Texels and Blackfaces made up to £73.