Farmers who are applying to the Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES) are being reminded of the upcoming deadline of 7 February for recording calving information.
The scheme, which is aimed at making the Scottish beef herd more efficient, requires farmers and crofters applying to upload information to the ScotEID database at certain intervals.
The deadline requires participating farmers to complete calving information for calves born between 2 June 2016 and 31 December 2016. The data required ranges from calving ease to the vigour of the calf in the first 24 hours.
Farmers are also being reminded that a calf must be weighed at least once before it reaches 400 days old, and this weight must be entered in to ScotEID before the calf is 415 days old, otherwise farmers may find they are in breach of scheme requirements. Weights from a mart can be used provided a calf is under 400 days old at the time of the sale.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 179 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1250 per head and 269.2p per kg to average £852.63 and 211.6p (-2.6p on the fortnight), while 222 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1325 and 269.6p to level at £958.69 and 223.7p (+0.6p). Fifty store, dairy-bred bullocks sold to £920 and 151.5p to average £638.60 and 141.5p (+3.1p).
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd had 360 store cattle forward in St Boswells on Thursday when heifers sold to a top of £1210 and 281.7p to average £929.68 and 216.7p, while bullocks peaked at £1370 and 286.7p to level at £1030.96 and 230.4p.
C&D Auction Marts Ltd had 5246 prime hoggs forward in Longtown on Thursday that comprised one of the largest shows of outstanding export-weight, best-quality Texel and Beltex seen in the centre for many years. Top prices on the day were £109 per head and 278p per kg, with the overall average levelling at 173.8p (+3.4p on the week).
The firm also had 3343 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £161 for Texels and averaged £79.30 (+£7.36), while light ewes peaked at £80 for Lleyns and levelled at £47.15 (+£12.09). Rams sold to £130 for a Texel and averaged £76.95.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 55 store heifers in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £1045 and 256.4p to average 212.4p, while 53 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1135 and 272.4p to average 218.6p. Eleven store, dairy-bred bullocks sold to £760 and 167.7p to average 150.5p.
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