MP demands milk price action
New Stirling MP Steven Paterson raised the challenges facing the dairy farming sector during business questions in the House of Commons yesterday (Thursday).
He said: “The sector is facing enormous challenges due to the collapse of milk prices and the failure of First Milk to properly represent the interests of dairy farmers.
“I requested that a debate be held or a statement be urgently made on this issue, in order that appropriate action can be taken to support the sector before the damage being caused to it becomes irreparable.”
He added: “There will be a further opportunity to raise this matter next Thursday and I will seek to push the UK Government to take the action necessary and investigate the systemic failures that have left so many dairy farmers struggling to make ends meet.”
Mr Paterson also attended Drymen Show with Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford and Councillor Graham Lambie, whose ward covers Drymen.
He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my first ever visit to the Drymen Show. It was great to meet local farmers and others involved in supplying and supporting the farming industry and we’re planning to follow this up with a meeting in a few weeks time.”
And his MSP colleague Mr Crawford said: “The Drymen show was a great opportunity to chat to people about some of the serious issues affecting our rural communities, such as CAP payments, dairy prices and land reform.”
Prime cattle
On Thursday, June 4, Caledonian Marts Ltd sold 256 live cattle at their weekly primestock sale, comprising 134 bullocks and heifers, 22 young bulls, five OTM clean and 95 cast cows and bulls.
At auctioneer Jim Dunn’s last sale an excellent show of cattle was forward with a sound trade throughout.
Once again there was a large number of heavy bullocks.
Bullocks (80) averaged 207p per kilo and sold to 234p per kilo, for a 544kg Limousin from Knockhouse Farm, Dunfermline or to £1660 per head for a heavy Simmental from Loanrigg Farm, Slamannan.
Heifers (54) averaged 214p per kilo and sold to 237p per kilo for a 558kg Limousin from Mains of Cultmalundie Farm, Perth or to £1515 per head for 698kg Charolais from Luckenburn Farm, Slamannan.
Butcher’s cattle (41) sold in excess of 220p per kilo to average 229p and sold to 234p per kilo for a Limousin heifer from Balquharrage Farm, Lennoxtown.
Young bulls (22) sold to 215p per kilo Bolfornought, 213p Carriston, 211p South Woodlane.
Also sold were 95 cast cows and bulls. All classes still easily sold and as last week the better kinds easily over 150p per kilo to a top of 181p per kilo from Dalfoil Farm, Balfron Station.
Beef cows per head to £ 1155 Classlochie, £1145 Templehall, £1115 Swinlees, £ 1085 Bankhead, £ 1065 Lochfield and Woodcockdale, £1035 Dyke.
Dairy cows to 141p per kilo or £915 per head Wharlawhill. Cast bulls to £1425 ( 138p) Lochfield and £ 1175 ( 141p) Killocraw.
Prime sheep
United Auctions sold 2103 prime sheep, including 606 spring lambs averaging 185p/kg and 894 hoggs and 603 ewes and rams.
Spring lambs (606): Pyeston (Suff ) £ 100; Mid Rotterns ( Tex) £ 94; Easter Ochtermuthill ( Btex) £ 90; Penston (Char) £85.
Spr ing lambs ( 606): Easter Ochtermuthil (Btex) 212p; Wester Mye (Suff) 205p; Head of Balglass (Tex) 202p; Penston (Char) 186p.
Hoggs (894): Mailingsland (Mule) £75; Snawdon (BF) £72; Snawdon (Chev) £72.50.
Ewes (560): Pyeston (Suff) £108.50; West Lundie (Tex) £102.50; Kilmux (BL) £89.50; Fulfordlees (Mule) £80; Clunskea (Cont) £77.50; Orchilmore (BFL) £74.50; Kirkettle (Chev) £74.50; Whitehills (Zwa) £73.50; Markethill (BF) £66.50.
Rams ( 43): Haggs ( Tex) £ 167; Orchilmore (BF) £73.