Scotland's Tenant Farming Commissioner, Bob McIntosh, is encouraging landlords and tenants to take part in a survey of views and experiences of the conduct of agents engaged to act on their behalf in matters relating to agricultural holdings.
The survey is part of the review of agents which the Tenant Farming Commissioner is tasked to complete under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016. The Tenant Farming Commissioner must complete the review and make recommendations to Ministers to improve the operation of agents of landlords and tenants by March 2018.
The Scottish Land Commission has commissioned Research Resource, a social and economic research agency based in Glasgow, to carry out telephone interviews with a representative sample of tenant farmers and landlords. Tenants will be selected from the Scottish Government's agricultural census database.
Mr McIntosh said that participating in the survey is entirely voluntary and that information provided will be completely confidential. Research Resource will only report back results of the survey from tenant farmers and landlords overall and individual responses will not be traceable.
"The information will be collected and collated in an independent, open and fair manner and the findings will be discussed with key representative bodies before I make recommendations to Scottish Ministers," Mr McIntosh added.
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 325 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to average 205.3p per kg (+6.9p on the week) and 635 store bullocks to level at 207.2p (+5.1p). One-hundred-and-seventeen store, B&W bullocks averaged 137.7p (+0.9p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold a couple of prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 224p and an average of 215.4p, while 4 prime bullocks peaked at 208p and levelled at 199p.
In the rough ring 59 beef cows sold to £1366.70 per head and 173p per kg to average 119.7p, while 46 dairy cows peaked at £951.20 and 116p to average 91.2p.
The firm also sold 716 prime lambs to a top of £84.50 and 179p to average 168p (+4p).
A nice show of 476 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £147.50 for a Texel and average £69, while light/export type ewes peaked at £79.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £39.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 471 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £85 and 202.4p to average 164.5p (+0.9p).
There were also 95 heavy cast ewes forward that sold to £106 for Beltex and averaged £81.15, while 69 light ewes peaked at £84 for Cheviots and levelled at £34.17.
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