Advance BPS loans in Scotland

Scottish farmers will be able to draw down their National Basic Payment Support Scheme payments through a loan once again. The announcement from Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing will see £340m injected into the rural economy from September.

The loan scheme provides Scottish farmers and crofters access of up to 95% of their 2020 CAP BPS and Greening payment, restricted to the scheme maximum of £133,638. Loan offer letters will be sent to eligible farmers and crofters from the beginning of August, with the first payments due the following month.

Scottish dairy numbers in decline

The last six months have seen a drop of 1,031 dairy cows, and a the loss of 17 dairy farms in Scotland, industry figures show. It leaves the total number of dairy units at 862, with a national herd of 177,459. Herd size is up by three to average 206 cows.

The south west corner from Glasgow to Dumfries and into Stranraer accounts for 77% of all the dairy cattle in the Scotland.