EDDIE GILLANDERS

A further £1.8 million of Scottish Government and EU funding has been awarded by the government to support 35 new farm businesses set up by young farmers and new entrants to the industry.

The funding is designed to encourage the next generation of farmers and increase opportunities for young people to establish a career in agriculture. It takes the total funding awarded under the scheme to over £7 million to help create and develop 140 new farming businesses.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity. Fergus Ewing, said supporting the next generation of farmers was a key priority to help build growth in the rural economy and create thriving rural communities.

“It is crucial that there is a steady inflow of young and new entrants to farming, not only to promote competition and encourage productivity, but also ensure the sector remains sustainable over the long-term,” he said.

“With the average age of Scottish farmers currently sitting at 58, it is vital that we provide support for entrepreneurs in the critical early stages.”

Following the EU referendum, Mr Ewing acknowledged that the industry is particularly concerned about what the result means for the future of farming and funding support.

“Today’s announcement I hope gives reassurance that we are getting on with the everyday business of government, providing certainty and clarity in very uncertain times,” he said.

The Scottish Association of Young Farmers welcomed the increased funding and the continued commitment of the government to the start-up scheme.

“This money will bring welcome support to fledgling businesses, utilising the talents of our young and dynamic farming newcomers,” the association said in a statement. “However, for this scheme to deliver true success, additional funds must be secured for the duration of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) to allow future businesses to similarly benefit from opportunities.”

Funding is linked to the delivery of a business plan with agricultural activities, such as the acquisition of land or livestock, as its core activity.

Stirling (United Auctions)

Aberdeen-Angus sold to a top of 8000gns for a six year old cow, with a heifer calf at foot, at the reduction sale of Aberdeen-Angus from the Logie herd of Scotia Homes chairman, Bill Bruce of Ellon, Aberdeenshire. This was one of nine purchases made by new breeder, David Stubbs, Milton of Collieston, Ellon.

Second top price was 4400gns for a four year old cow and heifer calf to a Welsh buyer, followed by 4000gns for the six year old stock bull, Blelack Elvril K554, to William Brown for his Turnberry herd at Laigh Drumdown, Turnberry, Ayrshire.

Newton Stewart (Craig Wilson Ltd)

213 store cattle at the centre’s first September sale. Averages (per kg) - 36 black and white bullocks 144p (£614.89), 81 beef bullocks 207.6p (£870.82), 96 beef heifers 206p (£850.05)

Tups sold to £700 for a Beltex x Texel shearling with 20 realising £500 or more. Averages – 56 Texel shearlings £336.79, 14 Texel lambs £297, 3 Suffolk shearlings £293.33, 6 Suffolk lambs £355, 3 Beltex shearlings £400, 5 Beltex cross shearling £536, 3 Bluefaced Leicester shearlings £326.27, 20 Texel gimmers £180.25

Carlisle (Harrison and Hetherington Ltd)

Prime stock (per kg) - 12 heifers to 232.5p to average 191.33p (-18.67p), 27 bullocks to 217.5p to average 192.61p (-5.99p), 14 dairy bullocks to 153.5p to average 142.35p (n/c), 108 young bulls to 220p to average 159.33p (- 8.78p), 226 cast dairy cows to 161.5p to average 87.35p (- 6.04p), 150 cast beef cows to 216.5p to average 126.7p (- 3.75p), 13 cast bulls to 181.5p/kg to average 121,8p (+0.9p). 1757 lambs to 241.5p to average 182.68p (- 9.75p), 237 lowland ewes to £91.50 to average £65.98 (- 3.81p), 58 hill ewes to £55.50 to average £38.46 (+ 0.43p)

Ayr (Craig Wilson Ltd)

1622 prime lambs (kg) to 209.5p to average 178.1p (-5.3p). 1308 cast ewes (including 794 Blackface) to £82.50 to average £47.03, cast tups to £112.