Forestry Commission Scotland has opened up a new funding opportunity under the Forestry Grant Scheme to help hill and upland sheep farmers integrate new woodlands between 10 hectares (ha) and 50ha into their farms.

The Sheep and Trees Forestry Grants Package will enable farmers to apply for a woodland creation grant and the forest infrastructure grant for the same area at the same time. This allows farmers to build access routes whilst also getting grants to establish new woodlands.

A typical 50ha woodland could receive up to £200,000 for woodland creation and up to £40,000 in infrastructure grant aid. The funding will not affect an applicant's Basic Payments.

Jo O'Hara, Head of Forestry Commission Scotland said: "It is vital that farmers can continue to keep their sheep on the hills. Our new grants package can support this through helping them integrate woodlands into their business, increasing its commercial viability.

"Carefully managed woodlands can increase farm productivity and provide many other benefits too. The funding package creates an excellent opportunity to diversify and take advantage of land previously not considered possible due to a lack of access.

"Creating new woodland can offer sheep farmers an added flexibility to manage their land to its best potential and keep a regular income coming in."

NFU Scotland's Director of Policy Jonnie Hall said: "While blanket forestry on productive land remains a hugely contentious issue with our membership, for many of those who keep sheep on hills and uplands, this presents an opportunity to plant the right trees in the right place.

"Done well, it can provide valuable shelter belts grown on poorer areas, improve the overall health and management of the flock, be a route to upgrading fencing and access and provide a diversified income stream.

"From the Scottish Government's perspective, getting the right trees in the right places will also help it meet its own ambitious targets in relation to planting and tackling climate change."

* Meanwhile, Rod Mackenzie has been appointed as Convener of the Crofting Commission by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing.

A life-long crofter, Mr Mackenzie is one of the six commissioners recently elected to the board by crofters from across the Highlands and Islands.

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 7 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of 235p per kg and an average of 230.6p.

In the rough ring 23 beef cows averaged 135.6p and 97 dairy cows levelled at 116.4p. Twelve bulls averaged 132.1p.

The firm also sold 13 dairy cattle to a top of £1450 for a second-calved Holstein Friesian cow and an average of £1198.