North-east farmer terrorised wife in drunken rage
A north-east farmer who terrorised his wife in a drunken rage has been fined.
Farming
Farmers can be key to survival of wading birds
I am co-chairman of the Working for Waders initiative.
Tractor theft crimewave leads to fears of violence
A leading Fife farmer has warned that the spate of tractor thefts in the area by organised criminal gangs has the potential to escalate into a “danger to life and limb”.
It’s better to be SAF than sorry, advises NFU chief
Farmers and crofters have been urged to prioritise filling out their Single Application Form (SAF) online before the May 15 deadline.
Focus on roles for women in agriculture
An equality charter for Scottish agriculture to help develop fresh opportunities for women is to be rolled out this year in response to initial findings by a Scottish Government taskforce.
Apply seed at variable rates boost
Farmers using Väderstad Rapid trailed drills who want to apply seed and fertiliser at variable rates within fields can now do so without needing ISOBUS electronics thanks to new controller software.
Full-fat excitement froths over milk vending machine arrival
We are all very excited – the vending machine has arrived! We are now eagerly awaiting delivery of our branded glass bottles.
Barbara’s growth spurt as pumpkins farmer
A farmer’s wife and mum-of-three from Glenurquhart, near Inverness, is gearing up for her second season of growing pumpkins after being the first to establish a pick-your-own pumpkin patch in the Highlands.
Concern for sheepmeat exports after leaving EU
Concerns remain over the future of sheepmeat exports to Europe after Brexit, claims Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
Ewing sees two more farms join in agri-tourism
Two new Scottish agri-tourism monitor farms have been created.
Farmers and crofters to receive £39m in loan payments
Less Favoured Area Support Scheme loan payments will start arriving in bank accounts in the next few days.
Number of cattle keeps on falling
Scottish cattle numbers continued their long-term decline last year, according to the December 2018 Agricultural Survey.
Producers in fresh bid to sell more large eggs
Britain’s top celebrity chefs are being asked to help persuade consumers to buy all sizes of eggs, not just large ones.
Efforts to tackle BVD stepped up south of border
Efforts to eradicate Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) on farms south of the border have stepped up thanks to a £5.7 million project.
Supermarkets praised for use of UK products
NFU Scotland’s secret beef shoppers have given the majority of the country’s supermarkets a vote of confidence for stocking home-reared products, with only a couple of retailers identified as needing to improve their sourcing.
Learn the rules about drone usage
Farmers have been urged to familiarise themselves with the rules surrounding the commercial use of drones.
Call for major inquiry into land tenure system
A call has been issued for a major inquiry to be conducted into Scotland’s land tenure system to address the shortcomings of the agricultural holdings legislation included in the country’s 2016 Land Reform Act.
Dairy firm vows to become zero carbon group
Dairy giant Arla has announced ambitious plans to become a carbon net zero company by 2050.
Plan for 2,500 permits ‘nowhere near amount required’
The official launch of the government’s Brexit-inspired pilot seasonal workers scheme has been given a somewhat cool welcome in Scotland.
Land availability helping farmers to buck the trend
Farmers and crofters in the north of Scotland are bucking the trend with self-build homes.
Union warns of Brexit threat to organic exports
Organic farmers and growers run the risk of losing their organic premiums when selling products to Europe if no Brexit deal is reached, warns the NFU.
Poor growing season shown in figures
The latest figures on British grower-held potato stocks show the effects of the poor growing season in 2018.
Wishart fighting case for crofting
Crofting is the “lifeblood” of island communities and must be taken into account as part of any future post-Brexit policy, claims the chairman of Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee, Pete Wishart.
Fearless Attic ‘Frodo’ proves lord of the showjumping ring
Spring was in the air at The Cabin Equestrian Centre’s three-day British Showjumping Show.
Brexit aiding sheep meat market concerns in UK
Brexit confusion is adding to uncertainty in the UK sheep meat market, says Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) economist Stuart Ashworth.
VAT ruling encouraging for farmers, says expert
A farm buildings VAT-recovery ruling in favour of a farmer against HMRC has been welcomed as an “encouraging outcome” by chartered accountants Saffery Champness.
‘Next generation of talent’ gets moment in spotlight
Aquaculture apprentice Janis Brivkalns from Dunoon and agriculture apprentice Amy Park from Hawick have been declared joint overall winners of Lantra Scotland’s 2019 Learner of the Year Awards, the first time the competition’s top honour has been shared.
Agricultural leases covered by new code
A new code of practice for agreeing and managing agricultural leases has been issued by Scotland’s Tenant Farming Commissioner, Bob McIntosh, following full consultation with the country’s farming and landowning organisations.
Farmers warned to be aware after phone scam
Farmers have been urged to stay vigilant in the face of telephone scams after an Orkney producer was conned out of a five-figure sum.
Union unhappy over BSE costs falling on members
Farmers and crofters will foot the bill for BSE testing of fallen stock from April 1.
Former chief veterinary officer joins board at meat body
Scotland’s former chief veterinary officer, Charles Milne, has been appointed to the board of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
JCB holds high hopes for new Loadall range
British machinery manufacturer JCB has launched a new range of Loadall agricultural telescopic handlers.