Buccleuch announced yesterday it is in advanced discussions with tenant farmers with regard to them purchasing the farms they currently rent.
The prospective sales involve 10 farms totalling 7,304 acres on Buccleuch's Bowhill, Eskdale and Liddesdale and Queensberry estates. The farms are currently occupied on Limited Partnership agreements.
Buccleuch is also in discussions with a number of other Limited partnership tenants with a view to converting agreements to long-term letting arrangements.
John Glen, chief executive of Buccleuch, said: "We are pleased to offer tenants the opportunity to buy their farms and have been very encouraged by the response from farmers keen to develop their businesses.
"Most of the farmers interested would like to purchase their whole farm, while others are interested in buying part of the land they occupy and the farmhouse. There are some farmers who will not want to purchase their farms and we will continue discussions with them to seek a satisfactory outcome.
"Several tenants have also indicated their willingness to move to new tenancy arrangements and we are in the process of dissolving the existing Limited Partnership agreements - a tenancy type that is largely being phased out across the sector."
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 261 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 311.7p per kg and an average of 231.5p (+8.2p on the week), while 327 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 374.3p and levelled at 234.3p (+1.5p). Thirty-four store, B&W bullocks sold to 187.9p and averaged 176.2p (+19.7p), while 20 store bulls peaked at 275.3p and levelled at 210.2p (no comparison).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 5 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 228p and an average of 219p, while 3 prime bullocks peaked at 216p and levelled at 177p. Six prime bulls sold to 155p and averaged 139p.
In the rough ring 25 beef cows sold to 183p and averaged 145p, while 38 dairy cattle peaked at 142p and levelled at 116p.
The firm also sold 276 prime hoggs to a top of £100 per head and 207p per kg to average 195p (+3p), while 265 prime lambs peaked at £108 and 255p to level at 239p (-21p).
The 282 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £125.50 for Texels and average £77.21, while light ewes peaked at £64.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £50.58.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 225 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £98.50 and 187.2p to average 167.7p (-22.4p), while 423 prime lambs peaked at £120 and 251.3p to level at 232.8p (-2.4p).
There were also 213 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £103 for a Texel and £60.50 for Blackfaces.
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