Union says cut in LFASS payments unacceptable
Scottish farm leaders yesterday launched an urgent call for an exemption from EU rules to try to prevent a 20% drop in Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) payments next year.
Farming
New wage rates for Scottish agricultural workers
All agricultural workers must be paid at least £8.21 per hour from April 2019.
£100,000 award for roll-out of mentor scheme
The Scottish Government has awarded more than £100,000 to Ringlink Scotland for a pilot scheme to roll-out its pre-apprenticeship programme across the country.
Blackcurrants could fall victim to warm winters
British blackcurrants could become a casualty of warmer winters as they may not get enough chilling to produce optimum yields and fruit quality.
Rules shake-up may see drones on UK’s farms
Drones to monitor wildlife schemes and local advisers to help farmers with issues like welfare should be part of future farm regulation, a review suggests.
Industry chiefs urge consumers to support local food producers
Farming leaders have launched appeals to festive food shoppers to buy Scottish when they do this year’s seasonal stock-up.
Severe penalties for polluting the environment
A reminder of the severe penalties farm pollution can incur has been issued by agricultural insurers, Farmers and Mercantile.
Tenants urged to make use of amnesty period
Tenant farming campaigners have expressed dismay that so few tenants have taken advantage of the one-off amnesty period for improvements.
Outlook shows we’ll eat less meat by 2030
Europe’s consumers will be eating less meat in 2030, according to the EU’s latest agricultural outlook report which shows poultry as the only meat set for a strong increase in demand.
Two 20,000gns sales top Texels event at Lanark
Two sales at 20,000gns topped the Texel Select Seven event at Lanark while the breed’s inaugural Lanark Crackers sale was headed at 7,000gns.
Guidance offered to help tree planting schemes
Farmers are being offered help to improve tree planting schemes to make them more effective at capturing airborne ammonia and reducing air pollution.
NFU Scotland announces wish list for Scottish budget
The Scottish Government’s spending plans for 2019/20 need to include policy support for farmers and the right financial tools to allow rural businesses to anticipate a prosperous future outside the EU, says NFU Scotland (NFUS).
North-east farming company fined £40,000 for health and safety failures after worker left severely injured following fall
A north-east farming company has been fined £40,000 for breaches of health and safety legislation which led to an employee being hospitalised after he fell while installing an electricity cable.
NZ farmers say they want to see emissions cut
The majority of farmers in New Zealand (NZ) believe agriculture should be taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) but, at the same time, most admit they don’t know the current emission rates for their own farms or what to do about them.
‘Planning for 2019 Royal Highland Show on track’
Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) chairman Jimmy Warnock is “100% certain” that the planning process for the 2019 Royal Highland Show is on track.
AHDB sounds warning over lowering import standards
Allowing imports of chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef in a post-Brexit trade deal could negatively impact the UK meat industry, according to AHDB.
‘Prophets of doom’ wrong over livestock prices
Demand for cattle has been better than expected in recent weeks despite a sharp increase in feed costs, according to the latest quarterly market summary from Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM).
Beauty’s not just skin deep for farmer’s wife
A move to make beauty products using as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible is paying dividends for Angus farmer’s wife Michelle Porter.
Farmers on alert for Bluetongue after virus found in imported cattle
Farmers have been urged to step up their vigilance for Bluetongue virus after the disease was found in three consignments of imported cattle from France.
Scots breeders take top prices at Carlisle sale
Scottish breeders enjoyed success at the Christmas Stars sale of in-lamb pedigree Texels at Carlisle.
Go-ahead for new £5m Highland Show pavilion
The go-ahead has been given for the development of a new £5 million conference and meetings structure at the Royal Highland Showground, replacing the existing MacRobert Pavilion in time for the 2020 show.
British lamb heading for India
British lamb could soon be served in restaurants in India.
Government to fund campaign for Scots pork
One of Scotland’s biggest ever pork marketing campaigns will kick off in the new year thanks to grant funding from the Scottish Government.
Prime cattle honours won by Baillie
A 19-month, 603kg British Blue cross heifer took the prime cattle championship at Caithness Livestock Centre’s Christmas show and sale.
Reintroduction of lynx to UK vetoed by Defra
Farm leaders have hailed the UK Government’s decision to reject plans to reintroduce lynx into the Kielder Forest in Northumberland.
New RL varieties give ‘exceptional untreated yield’
New cereals and oilseeds varieties with “remarkable untreated yields” feature in the latest AHDB Recommended Lists (RL).
‘Every penny’ of suckler scheme will be needed
Farmers and crofters have until the end of this month to submit applications for the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme.
Cost for milk to lower as Muller reduces standard litre price
Dairy farmers who supply Muller on a non-aligned contract face a price cut at the start of next year.
Pork production costs on the up
The cost of pig meat production in Great Britain increased by 8% in 2017, rising to £1.37 per kg, according to a new report from AHDB Pork.
Thainstone prime-time Christmas Classic day
Farmers and butchers gathered at the Thainstone Centre, near Inverurie, for the Aberdeen Christmas Classic earlier this week.
Prizes evenly spread at ‘best Bonanza yet’
Honours were evenly spread out at the 20th Black Beauty Bonanza which attracted an outstanding entry of more than 100 Aberdeen-Angus calves and yearlings from 30 herds from Clackmannan to Ross-shire.
Sue’s Tomahawk is right on target at trophy show
Three days of British Showjumping at Inverurie’s Cabin Equestrian Centre culminated in the hotly contested North Trophy Show.