Moray Farmer becomes youngest judge at Royal Highland Show
A Moray farmer has been confirmed as the youngest judge selected for this year’s Royal Highland Show.
Farming
First Milk puts Scottish creameries up for sale
First Milk yesterday announced plans to put its creameries on Arran and in Campbeltown up for sale.
SAYFC survey reveals thoughts of young farmers on Brexit
More than two-thirds of Scottish young farmers voted remain in the Brexit referendum.
Scottish farmers awarded £250,000 to help with fallen stock retrieval costs
The Scottish Government last night announced plans for a new £250,000 fund to help farmers and crofters offset the cost of retrieving fallen livestock.
Irish farm minister calls for continued animal science collaboration after Brexit
Research funding and collaborations between animal scientists in Ireland and the UK should continue as usual post-Brexit, regardless of the trade deal eventually agreed between the two countries.
Crushing oilseed rape opens up new possibilities
Investment in an oilseed rape crushing plant to produce feeds for the agricultural and equine sectors is paying dividends for Scottish animal feed firm Norvite.
Dingwall prepares for bull sale and show
Dingwall and Highland Marts is preparing to host its annual show and sale of bulls next week.
Beast from the East makes lambing a challenge for Ian Blackford this spring
Wobbly newborn lambs gambolling in the fields are one of the traditional signs of spring.
NFUS accused of lacking understanding of crofts
The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) has launched an attack on NFU Scotland (NFUS) accusing the union of having a “fundamental lack of understanding of crofting”.
Farmers urged to beware of overhead cables and power lines
Farmers have been urged to look out and look up when working near overhead power lines and pylons.
Farm levy body merging knowledge transfer teams
AHDB is to combine its knowledge transfer (KT) teams for the cereals and potato sectors.
Hunt, shoot fish and, of course, farm
A small estate on the outskirts of Callander has come on the market.
Herbs and legumes boost lamb performance
Adding a mixture of herbs and legumes into grazing swards can help improve sheep performance and reduce the need to use wormers.
‘Maximum stocking density has no impact on pig performance’
Choosing to house pigs at maximum stocking densities in indoor herds has no impact on pig performance, scientists have discovered.
New range of tractors comes with satellite-based steering
The new X8 VT-Drive range of tractors from McCormick is now available to test drive and order.
3D cameras to save pigs’ tails
A new high-tech solution to the problem of tail biting in pigs has been devised by Scottish scientists and could become an alternative to the controversial last-resort practice of tail docking.
Ewing seeks 2018 break from three-crop Cap rule
The Scottish Government has written to the European Commission seeking a derogation to ditch the much-detested three-crop rule for 2018.
Business planning support on offer to farmers and crofters
Farmers and crofters have been urged to take advantage of free business planning support available from the government’s Farm Advisory Service (FAS).
Extra financial help for farmers may be on way
Additional support for farmers and crofters is being considered by the Scottish Government in the wake of exceptionally bad weather, a lack of fodder and straw, and increased livestock losses.
MSP encourages public to ‘act responsibly’ when walking their dogs
Members of the public have been asked to “act responsibly” when walking their dogs in the countryside.
Sheep producers told to cover flocks for dog attacks
Farmers are being advised to take out extra insurance to cover losses from sheep worrying – a growing problem which one insurer has described as “inevitable”.
Dairy farmers urged to check hygiene chemical compliance
Milk producers have been warned that farm hygiene chemicals are likely to come under the same scrutiny as glyphosate and neonicotinoids in future.
Lynn pushes family pig farming firm forward
A commitment to making use of new technology and improving efficiency is a key part of the business philosophy of 25-year-old Lynn Argo, who is making her mark on the pig industry.
ANM hails strong year with £36,000 members’ trading bonus
ANM Group has hailed a successful year with members set to receive their share of a £36,000 trading bonus.
‘Farmers have to stay positive about Brexit’
Every month we ask a young farmer for their thoughts on the industry. This time we caught up with Inga Kemp from Orkney
Arable farms launched to Aberdeenshire property market
Two Aberdeenshire farms with a combined total of just under 600 acres of prime arable land have been launched to the market this weekend by Aberdeen and Northern Estates (ANE).
Expert warns producers over food fraud threat
One of the world’s leading experts on food safety has warned Scottish food and drink producers that their industry is vulnerable to fraud.
Liver fluke problems highlighted
Advice on how to diagnose and treat liver fluke in sheep is the subject of a new video produced by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
Public given opportunity to see working farm
A desire to engage more with the public and teach them about the day-to-day workings of a farm was the impetus for one Aberdeenshire farming family to host a day of farm tours.
Daffodil producers lose out due to late season
Time is running out for specialist daffodil producers who are still waiting for their crop to ripen more than three weeks behind schedule.
Late planting delays Jersey Royal crop
The Jersey Royal season is at least three weeks late this year after the “Beast from the East” delayed the planting of the much-anticipated spring crop.
Farmers fork out more for straw as prices soar
Increased demand for straw, coupled with a shortage of the product as a result of last year’s washout harvest, has resulted in the spot price of straw rising by around £50 a tonne, claims a new report.