The Scottish Government announced yesterday that rural projects that protect the environment and mitigate the impact of climate change will share £34 million.
A total of 472 businesses will benefit from the latest award of Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) funding, which promotes environmentally-friendly land management practices and looks to protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage.
This brings the total committed to rural businesses under AECS since 2015 to more than £211 million, benefiting almost 3,000 applicants. Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:
“Facing a global climate emergency, the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme has proven to be a successful way of supporting farmers, crofters and land managers to promote environmentally-friendly agricultural practices.
“This latest funding to 472 individuals and rural businesses will support and promote a greener and more prosperous environment, through improving water quality, managing flood risks, protecting natural habitats and promoting biodiversity.
“Rural Scotland holds one of the key assets we will need to tackle climate change and address biodiversity loss, our land, which is why I am clear that future agri-environment support will continue as we transition to a low carbon future.”
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson sold 128 prime and cast cattle at its sale at Ayr on Tuesday. Prime cattle maintained recent rates with 10 heifers selling to a top of 226p/kg or £1288 for a Limousin to average 218p or £1189.
Trade for all classes in the rough ring was good. Thirty-five beef cows sold to £1,170 for a British Blue or 157p for a Limousin to average 126p, while 63 dairy cows sold to £860 or 123p for a Friesian to average 95p. Seven cast bulls were topped at £131 or 189p for a Limousin to average 124p.
Eleven clean cattle peaked at £,1060 or 171p for a Limousin bullock to average 155p.
There was also a large entry of 41 dairy cattle which sold to a top of £2000 for a Holstein Friesian.
Lawrie & Symington sold 805 store cattle at its fortnightly sale at Lanark on Tuesday. Bullocks topped at £1,290 for a Limousin or to 263p/kg for another Limousin to level at 214p.
Heifers peaked at £1170 for a Limousin or to 233p for yet another Limousin to average 209p. Dairy bullocks were topped at £940 by a British Friesian.
C & D Auction Marts held its weekly sale of primestock in Dumfries yesterday.
Forty-nine prime cattle peaked at 226p/kg for a Limousin cross heifer. Dairy-bred OTMs sold to 120p and averaged 106p, while beef-bred cattle topped at 158p and averaged 119p.
There were also 1,182 prime sheep forward which sold to 255p/kg and £118 for Texel hoggets. In the cast sheep section heavy ewes sold to £175.
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