Mackie’s event offers a great family day out
Aberdeenshire dairy farming business and well-known Scottish food brand Mackie’s of Scotland will open its doors this summer to host Royal Northern Countryside Live – A Family Day Out.
New technology to enhance crop growers’ experience
Two new one-pass seed drill / power harrow combinations are available this year. Peter Hill finds out more
‘Unique chance’ of buying high Texel genetics
High-value Texel genetics are up for grabs in a special auction to raise funds for the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET).
Study into cow-with-calf innovative dairy system
The potential benefits of an innovative “cow-with-calf” dairy system will be assessed in a new study.
North farmer to judge at Stirling Bull Sales event
Well-known Ballindalloch farmer Raymond Irvine is among the line-up of judges for next month’s Stirling Bull Sales.
UK-wide group formed to tackle endemic livestock diseases
Farm leaders have joined forces to tackle endemic cattle and sheep diseases across the UK.
Bid to improve monitoring of cattle methane
Scottish researchers are embarking on a £250,000 project to help mitigate and monitor methane production from grazing cattle.
John Deere tractors still most popular
John Deere remains the most popular brand of tractor in the UK.
Union urges farmers to report red diesel issues
Farmers who have experienced machinery problems due to issues with red diesel are being encouraged to log their problems with NFU Scotland (NFUS).
New app to help protect soil fertility
SoilEssentials has launched a new app to help farmers assess the health of their soils and cut carbon emissions.
Scottish land managers embark on environmental programme
Land managers from across Scotland will embark on a new leadership programme to tackle climate change next week.
Potatoes and parsnips ‘grow on trees’
One in 20 British adults believes potatoes grow on trees and 37% believe apples are a tropical fruit.
Plea to utilise data from pig sector against virus
One of Scotland’s pig industry leaders has called for governments to harness his sector’s world-leading data research systems to ensure any outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the UK is managed efficiently.
Farmers losing out to forestry investors, say land agents
Land agents Strutt & Parker have confirmed it is now “almost impossible” for farmers to compete with investors for hill land which has commercial forestry potential.
Helping upland enterprises to reach potential
Professor Davy McCracken of SRUC offers an insight into work at the rural college’s hill and mountain research centre
Jaegerbomb owner will hold herd dispersal sale
The Lancashire Limousin breeders who bought a bull at the centre of a high-profile breed registration crisis are to disperse their herd.
‘New projects brighten up dark January days’
It’s a time of year I usually struggle with, which I willingly share in these pages because I’m keenly aware it is a feeling experienced by many, particularly in the farming community.
Farm leaders plan national day of action
A national day of action is planned by the four UK farmers’ unions to counteract the misinformation and mistruths on farming and food production by those who want to do the industry down.
Ewing in direct subsidy support vow to farmers
The Scottish Government has assured farmers and crofters it has no plans to end direct subsidy support to the sector.
‘Some mystery’ for finalists in Lantra awards
Six agriculture trainees have been shortlisted in Lantra Scotland’s Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (Albas).
New tractor sales showing growth
Sales of new tractors in Scotland were up 7.4% last year, according to the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).
Insect farming could soon have sector buzzing
Insect farming could soon become commonplace in Scotland, according to Zero Waste Scotland, which has published a new how-to guide on the practice.
Loans will soon cover LFASS payments
Hill farmers and crofters will soon receive payments through the Scottish Government’s Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) of loans.
Scottish dairy farming industry loses 27 herds
More than 25 dairy farmers left the industry north of the border in 2019, according to the Scottish Dairy Cattle Association (SDCA).
Ex-banking boss heads up livestock auctioneers body
The former head of agriculture at HSBC Bank has been appointed executive director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS).
Major change to meat promotion may be in store
A major change of tack in the approach to promoting Scottish beef, lamb and pork is expected to be announced imminently by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
Campaign beefs up the benefits of red meat
A Grantown beef farmer will feature in advertising in gyms and health clubs across Scotland as part of efforts to boost the credentials of the Scottish red meat sector.
NFU Scotland seeks national fuel exchange
The farmers’ union has called on the government to implement a national fuel exchange scheme which would uplift “problematic” diesel currently in farm tanks and replace it with alternative supplies.
Farm subsidy simplification taskforce calls for changes to mapping
Alterations to online land mapping systems and the appeals process are among a list of recommended changes to the way the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) is delivered over the next few years.
Scottish cattle numbers down – but efficiency is up
The number of Scottish cattle has declined in the past decade but farmers have become more efficient, according to Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
Dairy farmers on brink of plant breakthrough
A group of north-east dairy farmers are on the brink of securing their futures this week as they attempt to nail down the final details of a milk processing plant in Aberdeenshire.
‘Loss of ocean currents could wreck UK arable farming’
UK arable farming could be decimated if climate change causes the collapse of a vital pattern of ocean currents, according to new research.