All successful applications are expected to be paid by the end of June. This year the payment rate is higher, with mainland claims being awarded £92/calf – which is £17 more than last year. Island applicants should expect £140/calf, a rise of £28/head.

The £38 million worth of payments will be made to around 7,000 beef farmers. A total of 393,500 eligible calves will be paid on. This is made up of 354,000 mainland calves and 40,000 island calves. There are 2,044 more calves claimed this year, compared to last year. The payment is for calves with at least 75% beef genetics and which are retained on the breeder’s Scottish holding for a period of at least 30 days from birth.

The falling value of sterling has helped significantly in boosting the value of claims.

Scott Walker, NFU Scotland’s chief executive, commented: “Payments are due to start once again and that is good news. However, a Scottish Government statement in April said Voluntary Coupled Support payments for beef calves and hill ewe hoggs would be made in May, so that means a deadline has been missed.

“Our information is that the timetable for paying the Scottish Upland Sheep Scheme payments, worth an estimated £6 million to hill farmers and crofters, has now slipped to the end of June.”