Farming scotland Magazine (September - October 2017)

Tuathanachas Alba

magazine

Ploughs Grain Dryers -UCK 3PREADERS Scottish Ploughing Championships "RITISH 0OTATO Topics 21st Century Farming Protecting Scottish Wildcats %XOTIC &ARMING Orkney Buffalo by Janice Hopper World Farming Equador

Our Farm Shop Kilnford, Dumfries Interview Orkney Vet, Andy Cant Farming Travel Guide Scotland Orkney by Janice Hopper For Sale Collection of silver cow creamers Scottish Country Life with Linda Mellor Scottish Women’s Institutes introducing Linda Retson

In Focus Harbro Minerals for calves £3.50

october 2017

Scotland’s national farming & rural lifestyle magazine

plus &LAVOUR OF 3COTLAND s "EATHA AN %ILEAN "OOK 3ERIALISATION s !RABLE ,IVESTOCK s -ACHINERY s &INANCE including our regular news sections and columns

contents

october 2017

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45

MAIN FEATURES

IN FOCUS

18

British Potato 2017

46

30

Grain Dryers

48

Scottish Ploughing Championships

TOPIC

50

Ploughs

56

63

Muck Spreaders

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Scotch Lamb & Pork

OUR FARM SHOP 24

Kilnford Farm Shop, Dumfries

21st Century Farming

89

With Orkney vet, Andy Cant

WORLD FARMING 40

Equador

FARMING TRAVEL GUIDE SCOTLAND 44

60

Orkney Buffalo by Janice Hopper

Life on the islands

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE

INTERVIEW 39

EXOTIC FARMING

62

Limited Edition offer

TOPIC 26

A vast collection of silver cow creamers

BEATHA AN EILEAN

WHISKY 25

Protecting our Scottish wildcats

FOR SALE

FLAVOUR of SCOTLAND 20

Minerals for calves from Harbro

Orkney by Janice Hopper

EDITOR & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Athole Murray Fleming Tel. 01738 639747 E-mail: mail@farmingscotlandmagazine.com

With Linda Mellor

BOOK SERIAL 116 Part 5, “Living on the edge”

ARTWORKS 121 With artist Ian Alexander Montgomery

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SCOTTISH WOMEN’S INSTITUTES 124 Introducing Linda Retson, chairman

NEWS 6 13 28 29 43 58 73 76 81 82 84 90 92 94 96 98 100 118 125 127 128

Arable Potatoes EU News Organics New to Market Investing in People Beef Livestock Pigs Dairy Sheep Estate Forestry Horses Science & Technology Future Farmer Machinery Finance Lifestyle @Home Cars

COLUMNS

122 Maree MacKenzie

6 7 11 17

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Christina Fleming Email: christina@atholedesign.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER Barry Tweed Tel. 01738 550157 Email: barry@farmingscotlandmagazine.com

COUNTRY WOMAN

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Editor’s bit In my view Farming for the Climate R.S.A.B.I

21 23 29 41 75 79 80 83 85 91 95 97 99 119 123 126 130 130

61 Farmers Markets Let’s Cook S.O.P.A. Conservation Matters Quality Meat Scotland The Vet Crofting NFU Scotland NSA Scotland Scottish Land & Estates Equine Angle Scottish Government S.A.Y.F.C. The Money Man Southern Belle Rural Style People on the Move Book Review

SUBSCRIPTION 74

Order your own copy now

NEXT ISSUE Will be out on 1st November.

Featuring AgriScot Preview, ATV’s, Diet Feeders, LiveScot 2017, Lamma 2018, Milking & Dairy Equipment, Farm Security and our 2018 Year Planner Wall Poster. If interested in advertising or supplying articles, please call us on 01738 639747.

COVER IMAGE: Ploughing in the Scottish Highlands.

ADVERTISING MANAGER Trevor Knights Tel. 01738 447378 Email: trevor.knights@farmingscotlandmagazine.com

COPYRIGHT This publication has been produced and published by ATHOLE DESIGN & PUBLISHING LTD who are the copyright owners. No reproduction, copying, image scanning, storing or recording of any part of this publication without the permission of ATHOLE DESIGN & PUBLISHING LTD. Contents disclaimer: FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE is not responsible for any factual inaccuracies within press information supplied to us. Any concerns regarding such matters should be directed to the supplier of the materials.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE is designed, produced and published by Athole Design & Publishing Ltd., Tolastadh, 18 Corsie Drive, Kinnoull, Perth, Scotland PH2 7BU. Tel. 01738 639747 est 1994

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arable editor's bit

How can amino-acid based Biostimulants boost your crop performance?

800 + I am very pleased to announce that Farming Scotland Magazine is now on sale in over eight hundred locations throughout the country.

This growth in locations is all part of our continuing work to get the magazine on sale in as many places as we can.

We are speaking to newsagents in all corners of Scotland, from the smallest of rural villages, towns and even on a few remote islands!

Yes, Farming Scotland Magazine is spreading its wings across Scotland and reaching out to places where supermarkets don’t reach!

Farming Scotland Magazine is all about farming and rural life, so it is a joy to have the magazine being made available to our readers wherever they may be.

We are not finished yet though, this rural expansion work is on-going, and will be for quite a while, so perhaps another major milestone will be on the horizon soon.

We want Farming Scotland to be the best it can be, and we are working on that very ambition right now.

I also hope that you enjoy our new writers and features in this issue too.

SlĂ inte, Athole.

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Amino-acids are one of the primary building blocks of all life. No animal nutritionist would formulate a ration without optimising aminoacid levels, so why do we treat plants differently.

The theoretical yield of Winter Wheat is 22 tonnes ha and Oilseed Rape 9 tonnes ha, but we do well to achieve 50% of this!

Yield limiting factors include: nutrient availability, disease, insect damage, microbiologically compromised soils, weed competition, environmental stress waterlogging, drought, frost, poor photosynthetic conditions.

Correctly formulated and applied amino-acid based Biostimulant products can

help reduce these limiting factors by: stimulating root development, increasing the uptake of foliar micronutrients, priming the plant’s natural defence mechanisms also aiding the penetration and efficacy of fungicides and other agrochemicals. Whilst providing the plant with a readymade source of aminoacids essential for cell division and growth the production of which is limited under conditions of stress.

In replicated trials AminoA products have demonstrated significant yield and quality improvements. (OSR 250 kg -1.02 T ha WW 6-18%).

AminoA Flo treated Crusoe WW still green after senescence of untreated in dry conditions.

Which amino-acid product to choose?

AminoA Biostimulants (www. aminoa.co.uk) have a complete range of products to suit every grower and crop. But all contain L-isomer amino acids, the only form that plants can assimilate.

AminoA Plus and AminoA Pro water soluble powders extracted from human food grade animal material by enzymes. Approved for use in organic agriculture.

New Products AminoA Flo liquid product formulated for use in multiway tank mixes containing synthetics for optimum crop uptake.

AminoA Gro liquid product extracted from vegetable

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In my view

arable source material by enzymes.

Fully approved for use in organic agriculture.

Get your crops off to a flying start this Autumn by applying AminoA Flo in your tank mixtures from 1-2.5 litres per ha

from 1-2 leaves until the end of vegetative growth.

Contact enquiries@aminoa. co.uk or Richard Phillips 07837724860 for advice in incorporating AminoA products in your growing programme.

Union secures greening rule change commitment from Scottish Government NFU Scotland has secured a commitment from Scottish Government that several rules associated with the Greening element of farm support will be changed.

NFUS has regularly raised its concerns that Scottish Government interpretation of certain rules place Scottish growers at a disadvantage compared to farmers in other parts of the UK and Europe.

In a letter to the Union, Scottish Government has confirmed that changes to the rule book will be made and farmers informed of the new requirements in due course and in time for 2018 scheme year.

The changes will permit the following (see Notes to Editors for detailed explanation):

Field drains on Ecological Focus Area (EFA) fallow land can be maintained providing certain conditions are met.

Farmers will be allowed to establish EFA fallow on land claimed the previous year as temporary grassland in year five (TGRS 5).

NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick said: “We thank the Scottish Government for taking on board the arguments made by NFU Scotland on these points. I firmly believe these common-sense improvements on Greening rules will still deliver on all the environmental and biodiversity requirements set by Greening but give farmers greater flexibility on how they manage EFA fallow land.”

New varieties from Barenbrug on Scottish Recommended List Three new forage grass varieties from Barenbrug UK will appear on the new Recommended Grass and Clover List for Scotland when it is published later this year. Selecting products for its 2017/18 list, SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) included a hybrid diploid grass from Barenbrug plus two of the company’s late perennial ryegrasses: a diploid and a tetraploid.

The three varieties are: Barclamp – Barenbrug’s latest

diploid hybrid ryegrass. The result of a breeding programme in Holland and extensive UK trials, Barclamp heads on the 24th May, and offers high yields of good quality silage with an A rating for ground cover. Barclamp is also a new addition on the English and Welsh recommended list.

Barextend – a late heading diploid perennial ryegrass that has been extensively tested in the UK for the past seven years. Barextend offers excellent quality silage and grazing

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By John Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Fife

A few Sagas upon which to ponder Obviously we are no nearer a ‘Brexit’ agreement – but I will try to let another edition go by without getting bogged down on the subject – but I have to say the industry’s patience is wearing extremely thin – especially in regard to the ‘short term arrangements’.

I had been prepared to give our new DEFRA Minister – Michael Gove – a period of grace to find his ‘ministerial feet’. After all I thought he couldn’t be worse than his lady predecessor! Now I’m not so sure. His new so called adviser – Professor Dieter Holm hasn’t exactly endeared himself to the farming industry with his remarks that the present support system was “extremely wasteful” and that our industry suffered from ‘subsidy addiction’.

I’ve often felt that – as an industry – we haven’t done enough to clearly explain to the taxpayer just how much our subsidies are beneficial to the price of food – but for the new Minister to allow his adviser to make such unjustified statements does raise doubts about his industry experience!

The other saga which rumbles on is the proposal by the ‘Lynx Trust’ to release lynx in certain parts

of the country. We know the effects that sea eagles has had on extensive west coast sheep farms but it was the inference by the Trust’s adviser – Steve Piper – that sheep farmers were not taking all the steps they could to minimise losses in health and welfare.

Again like Michael Gove unjustifiable comments like that will not help the Trust to reach an understanding with the industry. The forth coming public meeting at Otterburn on the subject will undoubtedly be interesting!

Finally – and I hate to finish on a serious note – but the recent outbreak of TB on a farm on the Island of Skye – is something we have to ‘sit up and take notice of’ – particularly as there has also been a confirmed case in Cumbria. There are two urgent questions to which we need answers. Firstly how did the disease manifest itself in Skye with all the island elements of protection? Secondly, is our Scottish Animal Health Department confident with the cross border control requirements, bearing in mind the proximity of Cumbria to Scotland?

Meanwhile we sympathise with both these stockowners.

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arable with good yields, particularly under grazing management; 107% of control for early spring growth.

The dense growth habit means it is rated A for ground cover.

Ballintoy – a late heading perennial tetraploid from Barenbrug’s prolific breeding partnership with AFBI. Heading on the 1st June, Ballintoy

produces exceptional early spring growth under grazing (122% of control) and a first cut yield of 115% of control. Quality is also very high with grazing

over 75D and a first cut of 69.8D. Ballintoy is also listed in England and Wales and has been extensively trialled in Northern Ireland where it was bred.

Another strong year for hybrid yields Early indications suggest hybrid winter barleys have once again turned in some good yields this harvest, says Syngenta barley campaign manager, Mark Bullen.

Although some winter barley yields may be variable this season, he says newer hybrids in particular have performed well – comparing favourably with conventional tworow winter barley, following a similar trend to previous years.

“We had a difficult, dry spring this season, with many cereal crops struggling,” says Mr Bullen. “But I think we’re seeing the effects of good root growth from hybrids, with their hybrid vigour.

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“Bigger root structures are associated with improved scavenging for soil moisture and nutrients. We may also be seeing the effects of enhanced weed suppression with hybrid vigour, which is something we’ve seen before.

“Certainly, the new hybrid Hyvido Sunningdale has turned in some good yields. As too have Hyvido Bazooka and Hyvido Belfry.

“Previously, grain counts have found that hybrid barley produces high numbers of grains per ear – for example 61 compared with 26 in a conventional two-row winter barley,” Mr Bullen concludes.

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arable Be prepared to tackle high BYDV risk Cereal crops across the country are at higher risk of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) infection this autumn so every effort must be taken to mitigate any impact.

The threat follows a mild season just gone, which resulted in considerable winged aphid activity and widespread reports of BYDV infection in spring crops particularly, but not exclusively, across northern and western regions.

Furthermore, recent wet weather combined with generally milder conditions in southeast England is allowing a good flush of cereal volunteers and grass weeds that creates a “green bridge” for aphids to migrate into, and subsequently infect, newly emerging crops this autumn, warns Kent and

Sussex-based Hutchinsons agronomist Elle Pace.

“Aphids are around so growers have got to be vigilant and control any green bridge with cultivations or by spraying off with glyphosate.

Cereal volunteers are the main food source for aphids, but any new green plant growth can help them colonise.”

The two key species responsible for BYDV transmission are the grain aphid and bird cherry-oat aphid.

Strong case for seed treatment Crops can be infected with BYDV from emergence through to growth stage 31, so the most effective way to protect early growth is to use a clothianidin-based seed treatment (as in Deter),

Hutchinsons technical director Dave Ellerton says. “I’d do this as routine for any early-sown winter crops this year.”

Deter typically provides six to eight weeks protection, after which time he says a follow-up pyrethroid can be applied if required, depending on weather and aphid activity.

Ms Pace says many growers have learnt from recent highpressure BYDV years such as 2015 and are generally better prepared to manage the risk by using a seed treatment and well-timed follow-up pyrethroid spray.

The move to later drilling for black-grass control across many parts of the southeast has also helped mitigate BYDV risk, which is greater in earlysown winter crops, she says.

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arable Take-all impacting first wheats Take-all is noted as one of the main problems faced by arable growers, and this year high incidences of the disease have been reported in first wheats as well as second. Therefore, growers must stay vigilant and be proactive, ahead of autumn.

“As the take-all pathogen is active in the soil down to 10 degrees, the mild autumn this growing season has been a contributing factor to the increase in the amount of primary infection in first wheats,” explains Jonathan Blake, ADAS Principle Research Scientist.

“When this occurs, it can go undetected if rain throughout the rest of the season ensures water uptake is not limited.

“But with the dry conditions experienced at grain fill this year, this has left first wheat crops open to the effects of take-all,

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and even low-level root damage has impacted on water uptake and crop growth,” says Mr Blake.

“Additionally, in second wheat crops where take-all is known to be a concern, many growers will have attempted to offset these effects with an early nitrogen application to help roots grow away from the pathogen.

But, this year the nitrogen uptake was slow, due to the lack of rain, which would have limited the benefits of this cultural control measure.”

Mr Blake adds that, growers are generally aware of the risk factors associated with takeall infection, but one thing that is not commonly known is the importance of controlling host volunteers in break crops.

“If break crops are not kept free of volunteers, then they

will act as a host for the takeall pathogen, and carry take-all inoculum over into the next season.

“It’s important that growers realise that once take-all

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symptoms are evident in a crop there is nothing that can be done to reclaim yields. Therefore, having a proactive control strategy in place, is the best way to protect crops and profits.

arable Maize clamps can be opened after just two weeks with new silage inoculant A new silage inoculant – Bonsilage Speed M – which speeds fermentation and enables clamped maize silage to be ready to feed just two weeks after ensiling, has been launched into the UK by Realistic Agri.

Made by German manufacturer Schaumann Agri, Bonsilage Speed M contains a new hetero-fermentative lactic acid bacteria strain - Lactobacillus diolivorans – which is unique to the Company. Its unique metabolism and synergistic effect with the homo-fermentative bacteria reduces maturing time

in the clamp, with minimal losses and maximum energy retention.

It typically takes 6-8 weeks for maize silage to stabilise in the clamp after being harvested and ensiled. However, by treating maize silage with Bonsilage Speed M, farmers only need to wait two weeks before opening the clamp to start safely feeding it out.

Bonsilage Speed M is suitable for treating both maize and wholecrop silages.

To find their nearest supplier, farmers should contact Realistic Agri on 01952 433644 or email office@realisticagri.com.

New 12m Horsch Terrano FM expands CTF line up

The new 10m and 12m Terrano FM cultivators is the latest model in a growing range of HORSCH products aimed at farmers operating a controlled traffic farming system.

The tine-based trailed cultivator features the same 4-bar design and 28cm tine spacing as the smaller 5m to 7m Terrano FM models currently available, making it ideal for shallow and deep cultivation in a wide range of conditions, yet without a high power requirement. The high clearance prevents clogging even in large quantities of harvest residue and the second-generation TerraGrip tines have 570kg release force to provide precise coulter control.

The new 10m and 12m Terrano features the same Revolver

transport system as the larger Joker 10 and 12 RT, enabling it to be folded to a 3m transport width.

“Although a wide range of widths can be used in CTF, 9m, 10m and 12m CTF systems are proving the most popular, with combines, cultivators, drills and sprayers all working on common track width and spacing,” explains Stephen Burcham, General Manager at Horsch UK. “All of our 10m and 12m cultivators and drills are designed to be easily folded to a 3m, essential for flexibility when operating at these wider widths.”

The new Terrano joins Horsch’s leading range of 10m and 12m machines, which now includes the Joker disc cultivator, Sprinter tine drill and 12m Pronto disc drill.

Seeing both the wood and the trees Rebecca Audsley, SAC Consulting

With farm woodlands providing shelter for livestock, a source of wood fuel for sale or home supply, plus added wildlife and landscape benefits, now might be the time to reconsider the options for managing or creating new farm woodland. Two farmers spoke to Farming for a Better Climate recently and put forward their experience of additional woodland planting on the farm.

John French runs Kinstair Farm, an 83ha mostly arable unit as part of a wider farming and cereals business. The farm provided hill grazing for a suckler herd. In 2013 John decided to move the herd back to the home farm and plant 12ha of hill with woodland. John said “The grazing on the hill was hard to access and we were spending a lot of time just checking stock. Moving the cattle to the home farm and planting the hill with trees has saved us a lot of travel time and fuel while locking up large amounts of carbon”.

Craigengillan Estate near Dalmellington, Ayrshire is run by Mark Gibson as a mixed estate with hill farming, forestry, conservation management & diversification including holiday cottages and livery stables. It is also the site of The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory.

The Estate has 1,140ha of hill grazing, peatland, improved pasture, and young

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and established woodlands.

Through participation in agrienvironment schemes, Mark has been able to deliver many conservation benefits. Mark said “Our long term plan is to turn bleak hillsides back into a productive patchwork of native woodland and pasture. Willie Welsh the estate’s shepherd and I have worked closely together to plan the new woodlands to minimise conflict with the farming operations. Yes we have fewer sheep but they are performing better, lambing percentages are rising and the new woodlands will be sequestering around 65,000t of carbon dioxide in the years ahead.”

You can read more about John and Mark’s experience on the Farming for a Better Climate webpages in the Case Studies section. The Forestry Grant Scheme may be able to provide help with costs associated with creation and management of woodlands.

For more information on improving farm efficiency and reducing the farm carbon footprint, see www. farmingforabetterclimate.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter @SACFarm4Climate.

Farming for a Better Climate is funded by the Scottish Government as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service www.fas.scot 11

potatoes Stop PCN damage for even potato emergence Potato Cyst Nematode feeding activity on potato crop roots can severely delay emergence and, in pest hot-spots, result in patchy crops that never catch up, warns Syngenta Technical Manager, Douglas Dyas.

Demonstrating the effects of delayed emergence at Potatoes in Practice near Dundee this week (10 August 2017), Douglas highlighted that even a few days of difference in emergence can have a lasting legacy on potato crop productivity.

Rapid emergence assures the longest possible growing season to achieve high yields, whilst even emergence is important for consistent tuber size and maturity at harvest, he told visitors to PiP. “Stronger root systems of crops protected from PCN damage by Nemathorin nematicide treatment would also

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be more efficient at scavenging for soil moisture and fully utilising fertiliser nutrients,” suggested Douglas.

“Rapid ground cover from a fast growing crop can be extremely effective in suppressing weeds and ensure the best possible results from preemergence herbicide applications.”

Douglas pointed out that growers need to understand the differences between resistant and tolerant potato varieties – and their relative susceptibility to different PCN species.

“Tolerant varieties typically appear to be better able to withstand the effects of PCN in the field, but can still see large cyst populations multiply by the end of the season - that will affect future crops in the rotation,” he warned. “Resistant varieties have been shown to

reduce the build-up of PCN populations, but crops will be adversely affected during the

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growing season and require nematicide treatment to protect yield.”

potatoes Tong launches new Fieldloader options for loads easier transport

Tong Engineering is pleased to announce new design options on its popular Fieldloader, including unique automatic transport-mode features, allowing users to make the machine even more compact for road transport.

Designed to provide effective in-field cleaning and bulker loading in one mobile machine, the Tong Fieldloader is a mobile system which allows crop cleaning and inspection to take place straight from the harvester with direct loading

into bulker lorries for immediate distribution. “Our Fieldloader is increasingly popular with growers as it means soil is removed in the field and kept off the public roads, plus transport of crop is significantly reduced

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as there is a no need to transport crop to a central yard or location� explains Charlie Rich, Export Sales Manager at Tong Engineering. “It significantly reduces crop handling times, allowing growers to meet tight deadlines and deliver crop in

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potatoes optimum condition straight from the field.”

One of the key benefits of the Fieldloader is the fact that it incorporates a heavy duty infeed hopper, crop cleaner, inspection area and integrated extending elevator all in one mobile unit.

And the new options on Tong’s Fieldloader are set to offer even better transportability and manoeuvrability between fields and the farm.

“Whilst some growers choose to operate the Fieldloader in the yard, many customers move the machine between fields,” says Charlie.

“With this in mind we have designed a new model of the machine which incorporates a transport-mode option featuring a powered elevator section that automatically retracts back under the cleaning and inspecting sections of the machine, making the unit as short as possible when towing on the road. Foldable

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conveyors are also a feature on the transport-mode design to make the Fieldloader as narrow as possible too. The standard Fieldloader stands at around 22 metres long when in full operation, but reduces to just under 15 metres long when in transport-mode, reducing the length of the machine by over 7 metres. The new and automatic transport-mode design can also include further transport options including full suspension, brakes, machine lighting and steering where required.”

“The new options on the Fieldloader not only make the machine even easier to transport, but all the latest Fieldloader models are powered by our Blue Inverter Technology with all electric direct drive, meaning that the machine runs very efficiently, with minimal energy consumption; something which is a key consideration when using the machine in the field.

Nominations open for British potato industry awards Nominations for the coveted ‘British Potato Industry Award’ and ‘AHDB Above and Beyond Award’ are now open.

The Chair of AHDB Potatoes opened nominations in June praising the passionate and dedicated individuals in the sector.

Sophie Churchill OBE, said: “In my first months as Chair of AHDB Potatoes I have been struck by the skill and enthusiasm of those in our industry, growers and everyone in the supply and processing chain, to ensure we have a quality product meeting future market needs.

“The potato sector is a leader in UK agriculture and this is your

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chance to highlight individuals and show appreciation for their hard work.”

“We are looking for nominations for people across the industry – the many people who work tirelessly to make things work ‘on the ground’ and for the future.”

Nominations for both awards are simple and can be submitted via the AHDB Potatoes website potatoes.ahdb.org.uk/awards.

The closing date for submissions is Monday 16 October 2017.

For further information contact: Award committee secretary, Margaret Skinner, AHDB Potatoes, Tel: 0131 297 7460.

potatoes Trials put varieties head to head in PCN battle Growing potato varieties that are both resistant and tolerant to Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) holds the key to tackling one of the biggest threats to UK crops, according to leading agronomy firm Hutchinsons.

The firm is running a series of trials at its new Fenland potato demonstration site near Mildenhall in Suffolk to examine how 15 leading varieties differ in their resistance and tolerance to the pest under a high pressure situation.

The aim is to improve the limited information on varietal tolerance to PCN available from breeders and dispel some of the misconceptions around the role of “resistance�, says John Keer from Richard Austin Agriculture, who is managing the trial with his colleague Michael Rodger. “Resistance and tolerance are not linked. There is a crucial difference growers

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potatoes have to remember,” says Dr Keer.

Resistance is the ability of a variety to affect the multiplication of PCN. Full resistance prevents formation of cysts on the root system, while partial resistance reduces the formation of cysts. Either type has the effect of allowing a gradual reduction in PCN levels in the soil, he explains.

“But resistance tells you nothing about the crop’s ability [tolerance] to produce a reasonable yield when grown in the presence of PCN. Generally, tolerant varieties produce larger root systems and are more vigorous in their growth habit.”

[X-head] Varieties on trial Initial PCN counts from multiple samples taken across the trial site ranged from 36-53 eggs/g of soil, all of which was identified as Globodera pallida– now the most widespread PCN species in the country.

“Like many farms, the dominance of Globodera pallida is a legacy from years of growing Maris Piper, which is resistant to the other main species, Globodera rostochiensis.”

Replicated plots of the 15 varieties were planted on 10 May. The performance of each one will be compared with and without a nematicide (Nemathorin at 30kg/ ha) and taken through to harvest when yield, grade and final PCN count can be assessed.

“The black Fen soil on this site is very forgiving and all varieties look good at the moment,” says

Dr Keer. “However, it will be interesting to see if they remain as close when it comes to final yield and quality. The really interesting thing will be the final PCN count from soil samples

taken after harvest to see which varieties have helped reduce PCN pressure and which have not.”

Improving the understanding of varietal tolerance and

Crop desiccation integral part of precision crop management For Aberdeenshire potato grower Rodney Harrison, of Clarence Murray (Potato Growers and Farmers Ltd), variable weather conditions over his 420 acres of seed and ware crop can often prove testing, across an equally variable mix of soil types. With 300 acres destined for seed and a further 120 for the ware market, precision crop management is an essential and integral part of his remit and especially when it comes to crop desiccation and post-growth and harvest care.

Seed varieties grown by the company (a British Potato Trade Association BPTA member) include Maris Piper, Cara (for export to Egypt), Desiree, Charlotte and Maris Peer. Grown on a mix of clay, red clay and loamy soils that stretch down into Angus, irrigation can sometimes come into play especially in drier periods, but as a rule the crop is not dependent on it. “As soon as we get the irrigators out it tends to rain,” admits Mr Harrison.

Ware crops are graded on the farm at Laurencekirk and then transported to Airdrie-based Albert Bartlett for packing.

The variability of rainfall can often mean that potato crops need to be finished and the

PACKAGED POTATO & VEGETABLE COOLING SYSTEMS

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resistance to PCN is essential to improve cultural control in future and reduce reliance on chemical options, which remain under scrutiny from regulators and environmentalists, he adds.

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senescence managed evenly. As the crop is primarily destined for seed, quality is a priority and Mr

potatoes Harrison explains that accurate flailing to reduce the stems to between 20cm and 30cm in length, is essential, to allow accurate and even application of the product, to halt tuber growth and protect against further tuber blight infection.

If the flailing is carried out precisely enough, that makes it a lot easier for the desiccant to work,” he continues. “Following that operation we’ll apply a reduced rate dose of Reglone (diquat) to assist with any further green leaf desiccation and then within a week, follow up that application with second reduced dose of Reglone and a full-rate dose of Spotlight Plus (carfentrazone) at 1.0l/ha. In some situations and with certain varieties, a second application may sometimes be necessary at the reduced rate of 0.6l/ha just to finish the job off.”

Optimising its performance is crucial in order for Mr

Harrison to have the confidence that Spotlight Plus will deliver in its efficacy. A minimum water volume of 300l/ha is critical and accurate application essential for maximum coverage and penetration.

“Spotlight Plus gives us the perfect platform going forward, to ensure a quality and disease free sample that ticks all the boxes in terms of tuber damage or vascular browning. With a seven day harvest interval it also affords us complete flexibility and has proven to be a highly effective way of minimising any damage at harvest,” he adds.

The minimising of any potential spoilage during storage is another reason why Spotlight Plus is Mr Harrison’s preferred desiccant product.

“To be honest we’ve not found anything that’ll do the job any better,” he admits.

Potato industry unites to fund blackleg research A group of major potato business and public sector organisations including the Scottish Government and AHDB have sponsored a £242,000 research project aimed at reducing the impact of potato disease blackleg on the Scottish seed potato industry.

AHDB and Scottish Government joint-funded a project during 2013-2016 which provided significant new information on blackleg and its origins. It also highlighted areas where further investigation is required for improved management of the problem.

As a result, a second project will begin this September to identify the major routes of initial contamination of high-grade tubers and establish best practice for blackleg management.

Scotland is one of the leading growers of seed potatoes in the world, producing 75% of all seed grown in the UK. Scottish seed production underpins a domestic potato sector valued

at £167 million and provides the foundations for GB production that has a retail value estimated at over £4 billion.

Alistair Redpath, Chief Executive at Cygnet Potato Breeders, said: “Our seed trade is based on the maintenance of our excellent high-health reputation.

As part of maintaining this justified position the industry relies on AHDB research to inform further improvements to our practices.”

The project has been awarded to a consortium comprising James Hutton Institute, SAC Commercial Ltd, Fera Science Ltd, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), BioSS and Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research (SBCSR).

Financial and in kind support for is being provided by McCain Potatoes Ltd, Greenvale AP, Cygnet Potato Breeders Ltd, Agrico UK Ltd, APS BioControl Ltd, HZPC, Caithness Potatoes Ltd, Branston Ltd and Techneat Engineering.

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Help at hand for the farming community The volatility of agriculture is an all too familiar part of life to those in the farming community.

Unremitting issues faced by the sector, which have included in recent times low commodity prices and poor weather, can impact not only upon material circumstances but because of the unique way of life for farmers, also on their personal wellbeing.

Many in the farming community struggle in silence from difficulties which are out of their control and can shy away from putting their hand up for help and support – even when it’s most needed.

Over the last year RSABI has helped 850 people, a number of whom found the strength to call the helpline to ask for assistance.

What type of support can RSABI provide?

RSABI offers practical support and financial assistance - the helpline operates 7 days a week from 7am to 11pm (tel.

0300 111 4166) with trained

staff handling a wide range of enquiries and concerns from the wider agricultural community.

Help RSABI to continue helping those in need of assistance Running the helpline, operating a team of dedicated Case Officers throughout the country and providing financial assistance to hundreds of people involved in agriculture comes at a cost to RSABI totalling some £500,000 per annum.

The charity seeks to build up regular donor income from individuals and businesses with an interest in the health of the wider agricultural community and invites readers to do their bit to help too.

Individuals, businesses and organisations can join the RSABI Supporter Scheme by visiting www. rsabi.org.uk or by calling 0300 111 4166 - Help us help them

Call the helpline on 0300 111 4166 It is open from 7am to 11pm daily RSABI – 0300 111 4166 email: rsabi@rsabi.org.uk www.rsabi.org.uk

BRITISH POTATO 2017

Strong Scottish participation in key potato trade event Anyone who follows the Scottish potato industry will know that its long established pre-eminence in high quality seed production has been matched in recent times by strong growth in ware output.

According to organisers, these strengths are set to be reflected by record Scottish participation in the keynote ‘British Potato’ or BP2017 potato industry event in Harrogate this November.

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“Registration data shows that Scottish attendance, both in terms of exhibitors and visitors, has grown at each of the last three shows,” explains show organiser Steve Wellbeloved.

“Interestingly, this is one of the factors behind Harrogate remaining the venue of choice in follow-up surveys, as road and rail links are straightforward and Scottish participants, particularly seed producers,

also tell us they are keen to meet with their customers from throughout the UK. So a central location that’s accessible from all potato growing regions, be that Cornwall, Pembrokeshire, East Anglia or the Black Isle, is ideal.”

The data also reveals that numbers travelling from each farming business is rising claims Mr Wellbeloved. “Whereas we used to tend to see one

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representative from a farm, now the show has reached such a size, with so much to see, that more and more businesses are choosing to arrange a team visit with specialists such as potato store managers and sprayer and harvester operators all benefiting from seeing the latest technology in their main areas of interest.”

The same applies to the post farm gate aspects of the show he says. “A strength of the event is that it covers the whole supply chain from field to fork, so as the packing and processing side of the show has expanded, so has the number of engineers, marketeers and so forth travelling from Scotland’s key pack houses and processing facilities.

“Hotels also tell us that they’ve seen a growing trend towards more partners travelling too, whether that’s to attend the full show or to take advantage of Harrogate’s many other attractions.”

Among Scottish-based exhibitors at the show, there’s a predictably strong contingent of seed businesses with Agrico, Caithness Potatoes, Cygnet Potato Breeders and Grampian Growers all joining numerous other businesses, such as Branston, Greenvale and McCain, which have extensive Scottish seed production operations.

Meanwhile amongst other

BRITISH POTATO 2017

sectors represented, Glasgow based Simpac and Angus based LC Packaging will be promoting their packaging solutions, while Forfar based Scanstone will be taking advantage of both indoor and outdoor stands to highlight its award winning cultivation range. Angus based SoilEssentials will also be joining other precision farming specialists in showcasing how this technology continues to advance at pace.

They will all be joining record numbers of exhibitors from across the UK and further afield, meaning the show is continuing to consolidate its status as one of the world’s leading specialist potato shows and as an unrivalled ‘one stop shop’ for UK producers to see the very latest breakthroughs and make valuable contacts.

“The venue recently spent over £12M on upgrading and expansion, so that’s provided yet more space. As a result, 18% of this year’s exhibitors are entirely new to the show, while many regulars are also planning new product and service launches, so that underlines just how many fresh ideas there will be to see,” says Mr Wellbeloved.

“Among the growth areas is the crop protection and nutrition field. Here seven brand new exhibitors will be joining 14 regulars, so there’s clearly much new to hear about.

Agronomy-minded visitors will also benefit from the Continuing Professional Development knowledge trail being specially

prepared by BASIS who will also be represented in the special ‘New Entrants, Education & Skills Hub’.

“This is one of two exciting new hubs at the event, with Innovate UK, Department for International Trade and leading industry trade associations, such as the Dalkeith-based British Potato Trade Association, combining in a ‘Trade & Innovation Hub’, where the emphasis will be on informal discussion and practical help focused on growing business.”

This focus on international trade and cutting edge innovation will also be reflected by Scottish

Government/SASA’s presence and

by Dundee-based James Hutton Institute with its track record on pioneering potato research. Work to research into practice will also feature strongly including as part of Scottish Agricultural College/SAC Consulting’s official presence.

The trade and innovation theme is also echoed in the main seminar programme led

by AHDB Potatoes which includes keynote sessions on understanding and promoting to consumers, post-BREXIT opportunities, international competitiveness and seed exports, as well as more technicallyoriented presentations on

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subjects including soil health and decision support tools.

“All in all, it will be the biggest BP event yet, showing the sector is in vibrant health and determined to maintain its position as global leader in potato production, processing and presentation. So it’s an event not to be missed for anyone planning a future in potatoes,” concludes Mr Wellbeloved.

BP2017 will be at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate on 22nd and 23rd November 2017.

Visitor admission is free and preregistration to beat the queues, together with further information, is available at www.bp2017.co.uk

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FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Campaign Highlights Simplicity and Speed of Scotch Lamb Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is this week launching a high impact marketing campaign set to inspire millions of Scots about how easy it is to cook tasty, quick Scotch Lamb meals.

This year’s campaign builds on the success of the “Wham Bam Lamb” campaign which has over the past four years highlighted the versatility of Scotch Lamb PGI. The ten-week campaign aims to encourage shoppers to add lamb to their weekly shopping lists and promotes Scotch Lamb PGI as a versatile ingredient ideal for busy families to enjoy as a mid-week meal.

The Scotland-wide campaign is set to reach almost four million consumers and 92% of

Scottish families, highlighting Scotch Lamb PGI at its seasonal best. Among the quick and tasty recipes featured in the campaign are family favourites made with lamb such as meatballs, stir fries, biryani and kebabs.

The campaign will be supported by online activity as well as in-store sampling of a range of easy dishes by Scotch Lamb ambassadors who will be tempting customers in Morrisons, Aldi and Costco stores throughout Scotland.

The campaign will include billboard advertising using striking imagery of Scotch Lamb dishes located strategically around the country. There will also be an eight-week long radio advertising campaign to increase

understanding of how simple and quick lamb is to use as an ingredient for delicious, nutritious mid-week family meals.

This year the radio activity will feature an exciting new competition to temp listeners around the country who could win a lunch party for friends and family featuring tasty Scotch Lamb dishes and hosted by two special guests.

Last year the high-impact “Wham Bam Lamb” campaign saw the value of identified Scottishorigin lamb sales increase by 10.5%, a reflection of consumers’ increase awareness that lamb is a simple, easy-to-cook meat.

“Our campaign encourages shoppers to make the most of a meat which is bursting

with flavour and such a great ingredient for a whole range tasty dishes that can be cooked in under 30 minutes,” said Suzie Carlaw, Marketing Controller with QMS. “Scotch Lamb PGI as a brand is recognised by 79% of our target market and this year’s campaign is a fantastic opportunity to really inspire Scots about this national treasure of a natural ingredient which our farmers are very proud to produce,” said Miss Carlaw.

As part of this year’s Scotch Lamb campaign QMS is also supporting Love Lamb Week (1st – 7th September), a UK-wide initiative to celebrate lamb, as well as Scottish Food Fortnight (2nd – 17th September).

Farm shops welcome supermarket decision on ‘fake farm’ brands FARMA, the trade association for Farm Shops and Farmers’ Markets in the UK, with around 400 members, has welcomed the decision by Morrisons never to use ‘fake farm’ brands in its stores.

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It follows the results of a survey where 70 per cent of UK adults say they object to the use of fake farm brands and only want real place names or farm names to be used on packaging and branding.

Says FARMA chairman Milly Stokes, “Our members have been increasingly concerned at the way supermarkets are marketing their fresh produce under

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labels of non-existent farms and locations. It only serves to confuse shoppers, who our own research says are increasingly concerned about the provenance of their food.

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND FARMA member farm shops and farmers’ markets offer customers the ability to buy with confidence, safe in the knowledge that our members are offering locally sourced meat, fruit and vegetables, often grown on the farm where it is being sold.

We are grateful to the NFU for campaigning vigorously on this issue and making a formal

complaint last year to the National Trading Standards over the use of ‘fake farm’ branding by retailers.

Whilst the decision by Morrisons is good news, some of the UK’s biggest supermarket brands are still using ‘fake farms’ to market their produce.

We hope that increased pressure from consumers will help stamp out this confusing practice.

Local Farmer Supports “Do More With Pork” Sampling Activities

magazine Supporting

FARMERS MARKETS IN SCOTLAND Aberdeen Country Fair www.aberdeencountryfair. co.uk Alford Farmers’ Market www.spanglefish.com/ alfordfarmersmarket Argyll Country Markets katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk Ayrshire Farmers’ Market www.ayrshirefarmersmarket. co.uk Balerno Farmers’ Market www.balernovt.org.uk Blairgowrie Community Market www.strathmoreglens.org Cairndow and Loch Fyne Farmers’ Market katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk Campbeltown Farmers’ Market katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk Clarkston Farmers’ Market enquiry@ lanarkshirefarmersmarket. co.uk Cupar Farmers’ Market www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk Dundee Farmers’ Market lorna.mckenzie@dundeecity. gov.uk Dunfermline Farmers’ Market www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk Edinburgh Farmers’ Market www.edinburghfarmersmarket. com Edinburgh - Stockbridge Farmers’ Market www.stockbridgemarket.com

An Aberdeenshire pig farmer joined Quality Meat Scotland’s Specially Selected Pork ambassadors at ALDI’s Inverurie store recently to encourage shoppers to “Do More with Pork”.

Russell Rennie of Mains of Tillyangus in Clatt, was in ALDI to tempt consumers with tasty samples as part of a Scotland-wide QMS marketing campaign behind the Specially Selected Pork brand, which includes sampling activities across Scotland.

The eight-week campaign, which kicked off at the end of June 2017 reached over 1.5 million consumers, features four tantalising ‘Do More With Pork’ recipes, which are perfect for both delicious mid-week meals, as well as barbecues with friends and family.

The pig farmer, who runs 120 sows, lead Scottish farmers support for the campaign. Mr Rennie said the sampling events are a valuable opportunity for farmers to engage with consumers about what goes in

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Falkirk Farmers’ Market howard.wilkinson2@btinternet. com Fencebay Farmers’ Market fencebay@aol.co.uk Forfar Farmers’ Market www.angusfarmersmarket. co.uk Glasgow Farmers’ Market Mansfield Park www.citymarketsglasgow. co.uk Glasgow Farmers’ Market Queen’s Park www.citymarketsglasgow. co.uk

Greenock Farmers’ Market matthewmcs2000@aol.com Haddington Farmers’ Market pjdesign@dunbar.org.uk Hamilton Farmers’ Market www. lanarkshirefarmersmarket. co.uk Hawick Farmers’ Market eg.sangster@btinternet.com Inverurie Farmers’ Market e: ronreid2@aol.com Kelso Farmers’ Market www.kelso.bordernet.co.uk Kirkcaldy Farmers’ Market www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk Linlithgow Farmers’ Market forumevents@yahoo.co.uk Loch Lomond Shores Farmers’ Market forumevents@yahoo.co.uk Lochwinnoch Farmers’ Market david.oneill@clydemuirshiel. co.uk Lockerbie Farmers’ Market www.lockerbiefarmersmarket. co.uk Milngavie Farmers’ Market matthewmcs2000@aol.com Montrose Farmers’ Market www.angusfarmersmarket.co. uk Oban And Lorn Markets admin@lorn.org Overton Farm Farmers’ Market www. lanarkshirefarmersmarket. co.uk Paisley Farmers’ Market enquiries@ayrshiremeats.co.uk Peebles Farmers’ Market johnbolton1@btconnect.com Perth Farmers’ Market www.perthfarmersmarket. co.uk Portpatrick Farmers’ Market foodstore@auchenree.co.uk St Andrews Farmers’ Market www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk Stirling Farmers’ Market StirlingFM@aol.com.

Stornoway Farmers’ Market kennylhhp@btopenworld.com

For your market to be listed mail@farmingscotlandmagazine.com

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND to putting fresh, tasty Specially Selected Pork on their plates.

“We are extremely proud of the Specially Selected Pork we produce in Scotland which is produced from pigs reared to very high standards of animal husbandry and welfare which are approved by the Scottish SPCA.” “By giving shoppers a taste of this fantastic product, we hope to remind those who don’t regularly buy pork how budgetfriendly and versatile it is – perfect for a quick, tasty meal.

“These events are also the perfect opportunity to encourage a new generation to give Specially Selected Pork a try.”

Graeme Sharp, Marketing Executive with Quality Meat Scotland said: “Specially Selected Pork is a fantastic product combining quality, versatility and value for money.

“This campaign shows there is real potential for lots more of us to be making the most of this easy-to-cook product which is bursting with flavour and is such a great ingredient for a whole range of quick, tasty dishes.

ALDI have shown tremendous support of our campaign by hosting sampling of selected dishes in store.”

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director for ALDI in Scotland said: “At ALDI, we source the best Scottish meat to make sure our customers can buy quality, locally sourced products year round.

“The Specially Selected Pork approved by the Scottish SPCA is incredibly versatile and we’re delighted to support this summer campaign to help bring this delicious product to the forefront of shoppers’ minds.

“It is also very satisfying for us to be able to sell Scottish pork from sustainable and responsible suppliers accredited

by QMS”.

For more information on Specially Selected Pork, recipe ideas and inspiration, please visit: www. speciallyselectedpork.com or follow Enjoy Quality Pork on Facebook or Twitter.

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Scotch Lamb PGI Campaign in the Running for Top Awards

Quality Meat Scotland’s 2016 Scotch Lamb PGI public relations campaign has been short-listed for two awards in the prestigious Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards 2017.

The PR campaign, which supported QMS’s award-winning “Wham Bam Lamb” marketing campaign, is one of a very strong line-up of finalists nominated for best “Consumer Relations Campaign” and “Integrated Campaign”, respectively.

The annual CIPR Pride Awards recognise and reward “outstanding work in communications both in the private and public sector” and are judged by a team of leading industry experts.

The 2016 Scotch Lamb PR campaign, which was fronted by Double Olympic gold medallist and busy, working mum Rebecca Adlington, showcased the versatility, simplicity and speed of cooking with lamb.

Ms Adlington, a huge fan of Scotch Lamb PGI, paid a visit to a primary school to get some handson cooking experience and then visited a local butcher’s shop as well as a farm to learn about the quality assurance, traceability and animal welfare standards which underpin the iconic Scottish brand.

The campaign also included an exciting new component which saw QMS working with TV favourite Lorraine Kelly as part of the STV Children’s Appeal. Through the Scotch Lamb Kilt2Work initiative

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and Kilt Walk, the Scottish red meat industry rallied to raise funds for the worthwhile cause which supports children’s projects throughout Scotland.

Carol McLaren, QMS Head of Communications said she was delighted that the campaign has been shortlisted for the two awards.

“To be nominated for such respected industry awards is great recognition of the success of the campaign and the hard work of all of those who we worked with,” she said.

Winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony at Radisson Blu, Glasgow on 5 October 2017.

For more information about Scotch Lamb PGI, please visit: www. scotchkitchen.co.uk or follow Scotch Kitchen on Facebook and Twitter.

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Top Cyclist Urges Scots to “Do More with Pork” Classic Minestrone

Olympic Gold Medallist Callum Skinner was this week reunited with cyclists at his old club, Edinburgh Racers, to share his love of cycling and encourage fellow Scots to “do more with pork”.

Callum, who won gold in the Team Sprint at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, was in Edinburgh to lend his support to a new campaign highlighting the versatility and simplicity of cooking with Specially Selected Pork.

Speed is very much part of Callum’s lifestyle and during a day spent with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) he also filmed a series of videos highlighting how quick and easy it is to create delicious meals in minutes, using pork.

Callum, who was inspired to take up cycling by the performances of Sir Chris Hoy, rustled up a series of his quick pork dishes which he selected as being ideal for tasty post-training meals.

Among his favourites to prepare, and eat, are Pork Tikka Kebabs and Jerk Pork Chops, both of which feature in the short videos.

“I enjoy experimenting with pork in different recipes. It’s so versatile and it never gets boring so you can create perfect mid-week meals in a matter of minutes,” said Callum.

“My training schedule means I’m on the go a lot and I need to

keep my energy up but I don’t have the time or patience to cook complicated recipes to fuel me.

That’s why I’m a big fan of pork it’s lean and packed full of nutrients to ensure the balanced diet I need to maintain my fitness.”

QMS is currently running a six-week campaign set to reach over three million consumers which is showcasing the quality, affordability and versatility of Specially Selected Pork. The brand also has the benefit of being underpinned by quality assurance schemes which make animal welfare a priority.

Graeme Sharp, Marketing Executive at QMS, said: “It’s fantastic to have high-profile sportspeople like Callum lending their support to our campaign.

“We are keen to encourage more and more people to continue experimenting with contemporary pork dishes as it is perfect a perfect meat for everything from slow cooking to a quick fuel fix.

“The current campaign is very much about encouraging consumers to regularly put pork on their weekly shopping lists to create tasty, budget-friendly meals.”

For more information about Specially Selected Pork and to create Callum’s recipes, visit www. speciallyselectedpork.com or follow “Enjoy Quality Pork” on Facebook.

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1 tbsp olive oil Knob of butter 2 med carrots, cut into a small dice 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 celery sticks cut into a small dice 1 garlic cloves, crushed 1 med sized potato, cut into small dice 1 tbsp tomato purée 1litre vegetable or chicken stock 00g can chopped tomatoes 200g can butter or cannellini beans 75g spaghetti , snapped into short lengths 100g of cabbage, shredded Salt and pepper tsp of sugar Fresh pesto, parmesan and bread to serve Heat the oil and the butter in a pan, add the vegetables and sweat gently until soft. This will take about 10-15 mins.

Stir in the tomato purée, stock, tinned tomatoes, and sugar.

Bring to the boil, and then turn down the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 mins.

Tip in the beans and pasta, then cook for a further 10 mins, adding the cabbage for the final 2 mins.

Season to taste and serve with crusty bread. If liked stir a little pesto into each bowl of soup for a true authentic Italian taste.

Better the next day!

Serves 3-4 Classic Pesto 1 small clove of garlic, chopped sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 good handfuls of fresh basil, leaves picked and chopped a handful of pine nuts, very lightly toasted a good handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese extra virgin olive oil a small squeeze of lemon juice Place everything, but the olive oil and process in a food processor until chopped. With the motor running pour in the olive oil until it all combines and you have a smooth consistency.

Season with lemon juice.

Sarah Mellersh runs One Day, Two and Four Week Cookery Classes, just 10 minutes from Perth.

To find out more :

www.letscookscotland.co.uk Tel : 07932 642605

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O U R FA R M SHOP The Rome family have been farming around Kilnford for over 300 years, over that time they would supply essentials such as milk, eggs, meat and veg to the local community. Of course in more recent years this traditional way of shopping has declined rapidly after the growth of the multinational supermarket chains.

However Jock Rome had a vision which would attempt to reverse the trend; to transform the derelict barns that lay on the land at Kilnford farm into something that would change the dynamics of the entire community. On the foundations of heritage, integrity and the great desire to present local people with top quality produce, a new ‘food hub’ for Dumfries and Galloway was created.

Kilnford has become an integral part of the local

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Kilnford Farm Shop A family run business with a very long pedigree

community; supporting local producers as well as bringing a wide and exciting range of locally produced goods. The delicatessen counter offers a wide and unique range of cheeses, pates, freshly baked pies, quiches and an array of olives. The deli also boasts an impressive 21 varieties of Scottish Cheese.

The farm shop is something of a treasure cove for specially selected and top quality produce.

It hosts a section dedicated purely to Dumfries and Galloway where customers can find an array

of locally produced preserves, condiments, confectionary and beverages to name just a few.

The craft shop also presents an impressive range of gifts and toys produced by a range of talented local craftsmen.

Kilnford’s procuring policy is to buy local whenever possible, which is why they are extremely fortunate to have such a large bank of talented food producers on their doorstep. There is also a wide range of speciality food and drinks from all around the world. Above all else their number one priority is to provide their customers with the highest quality produce they can source.

However the top quality home reared beef, lamb and pork is arguably the main attraction of Kilnford. This comes as no surprise. Jock has spent many years nurturing and carefully rearing his herds of Galloway beef, Blackface ewes and Duroc cross bred pigs to produce the most tender and tasty meat possible.

Jock suggests the premium taste of the Galloway beef is a result of the slow and careful rearing along with many years of research and experimentation. Jock gains

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much satisfaction in the Kilnford moto ‘It’s the best I’ve ever tasted’, something heard time and time again from their satisfied customers.

Kilnford Farmhouse Kitchen Café is bustling on a daily basis providing customers with anything from a simple coffee and cake or satisfying hungry customers with the delicious offerings from their signature grill menu.

It is not limited to being just a shop, butchers or eatery but it has also become a popular day out for the families of Dumfries and Galloway. The natural play park and landscape garden is guaranteed to keep the kids entertained whilst parents look on from the outside eating area – weather permitting of course. Across the road the nature trail is home to a variety of local wildlife and also our Belted Galloways and Blackfaced sheep in the summertime. This is popular for families visiting Kilnford and a great place to let the children run and enjoy nature.

It is just moments away from the busy A75 euro route on the outskirts of Dumfries making it accessible not only to local people but also to the many tourists that visit Dumfries and Galloway every year.

Kilnford may have successfully started to reverse the trend in 21st century shopping however it is also dynamic and forward thinking business. In the New Year Kilnford will be launching their brand new website which will facilitate their expansion into nationwide delivery. This venture will offer the finest of Dumfries and Galloway produce to the rest of the United Kingdom at the click of a button.

For more information, you can visit their website: www.kilnford.co.uk

The perfect gift for farmers, whisky lovers & collectors We are delighted to announce our very own Special Limited Edition Highland Malt Scotch Whisky.

Tuathanachas Alba (Gaelic: Farming Scotland)

16 year old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Specially selected for

Farming Scotland Magazine. £75.00* (P+P is included, UK only)

Only 76 bottles available.

Each bottle is individually hand numbered within in its own silk lined presentation box.

Hand numbered tasting notes are included to enhance your whisky experience.

*We are delighted to support the RSABI Charity.

We will donate £5 to the RSABI from every bottle sold.

TO ORDER YOUR LIMITED EDITION WHISKY ✂

1) Order by phone on 01738 639747.

(To reserve your order and arrange payment).

2) Or fill in the form below (enclosing your payment) Please send me

bottles of Tuathanachas Alba.

£ Payment enclosed. (UK ONLY)

Name

(Payable to Athole Design & Publishing Ltd)

Address

POSTCODE

Tel:

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Send to: Farming Scotland Magazine, Tolastadh, 18 Corsie Drive, Perth, PH2 7BU

topic

The 21st century farm

By William Barne, a Director at Lycetts

Agricultural practices will need to continue to develop and become more efficient, if the findings of recent research pieces are anything to go by.

For instance, PwC has reported on expert views that agricultural consumption will need to increase by close to 70 per cent by 2050 to account for the world’s

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growing population — projected to hit 9 billion people in the same year. While not as high, the World Bank has predicted that those across the globe will need to produce 50 per cent more food by 2050 should global population continue to rise at its current pace.Fortunately, technology is constantly advancing, with

various developments being made to aid the agricultural industry. Two main areas of interest are that of drones and autonomous vehicles — this guide sets out how each could assist farmers in the future.

Farming drones Drones have become a very

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lucrative market, with global market revenue from the sales of such gadgets expected to increase by 34 per cent to reach over £4.8 million in 2017. US technology research experts Gartner has also predicted that drone production figures will jump by 39 per cent this year compared to the numbers recorded in 2016.

topic They offer numerous benefits for those in agriculture. Here are a few reasons why: They can be used for planting Drones can take the stress out of planting and looking after produce, thanks to systems which have been created by start-up companies that can achieve an uptake rate of 75 per cent and reduce the costs of planting by as much as 85 per cent.

The idea is that the technology sees drones shooting pods with seeds as well as plant nutrients into the soil, enabling plants to receive the nutrients they need to sustain life.

They can make the most of irrigation To avoid wasting water around a farm, drones can be fitted with remote sensing equipment — think multispectral, hyperspectral or thermal sensing systems. The idea is that the technology will quickly and easily identify the driest sections of a field and then allow farmers to allocate their water resources more economically.

They can be used to spray and monitor crops Crop spraying and crop monitoring are two practices that many in agriculture will already be very familiar with. However, drones can improve both of these common practices.

In regards to crop spraying, drones can effectively scan the

ground of a farm and then spray the correct amount of liquid once the distance from the ground has been modulated — even coverage will be achieved while the amount of chemicals penetrated into groundwater will be reduced.

When it comes to crop monitoring, time-series animations through the drones will be able to display the exact development of a crop and detail any inefficiencies with production. These kinds of insights would have previously only been gained by satellite imagery — while very advanced, this technique could only be used once a day. Monitoring through drones can be used whenever a farmer wishes.

Autonomous farm vehicles Just like drones, the market for autonomous vehicles is looking very bright. In fact, a comprehensive report by Business Insider Intelligence has forecasted that there will be close to 10 million cars available which will have either semi-autonomous or fully autonomous capabilities.

From a more general perspective, management consulting firm Bain has estimated that the global opportunity for assistive and autonomous technologies for the business-to-business market will be somewhere in the range of $22 to $26 billion per year by 2025.

Steps have already been made to showcase how autonomous

vehicles can assist those in agriculture. For instance, a team of agricultural engineers from the Harper Adams University in Shropshire have set about creating an autonomous tractor which can perform tasks like the drilling, seeding and spraying of land while being steered by a farmer who is positioned not behind the vehicle’s wheel but in a control room. The same team — made up of Johnathan Gill, Kit Franklin and Martin Abell — are also looking into how an automated combine harvester can be used to then harvest the same field.

Explaining the potential benefits of the developments, Mr Franklin told the Daily Mail: “These small autonomous machines will in turn facilitate high resolution precision farming, where different areas of the field, and possibly even individual plants can be treated separately, optimising and potentially reducing inputs being used in field agriculture.

“The tractor driver won’t be physically in the tractor driving up and down a field. Instead, they will be a fleet manager and agricultural analysts, looking after a number of farming robots and meticulously monitoring the development of their crops.”

Meanwhile in the Burgundy region of France, inventor Christophe Millot has been

successful in creating a vinepruning robot. Developed as a counter to a shortage in farm labour, the latest-generation model of the four-wheeled gadget is made up of six cameras, two arms and a tablet computer found inside the robot.

These features combine in a way that the machine can learn as it goes about its task so to trim grass around each vine with a cut every five seconds.

The importance of insuring farm equipment No matter if you choose to invest in farming drones and autonomous farm vehicles, or continue with tried-and-tested techniques in agriculture, it is important to ensure that the equipment is insured to avoid unexpected surprises from costing landowners and farmers dearly. Farm insurance from a leading insurance broker like Lycetts will give land owners and farmers peace of mind, as options are available to provide cover for everything from buildings and produce to machinery and office contents.

Sources https://www.technologyreview. com/s/601935/six-ways-dronesare-revolutionizing-agriculture/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ business-38089984 https://www.fginsight.com/ news/surge-in-drone-salessparks-farmer-concern-18916 h t t p : / / w w w. c r o p l i f e . c o m / equipment/farming-drones-thefuture-of-agriculture/ http://uk.businessinsider.com/ report-10-million-self-drivingcars-will-be-on-the-road-by2020-2015-5-6?r=US&IR=T h t t p : / / w w w. b a i n . c o m / publications/articles/anautonomous-car-roadmap-forsuppliers.aspx http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ sciencetech/article-4496498/ Hands-free-farming-usingautonomous-tractors-drones.html

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EU NEWS

By Chris McCullough

Egg scandal spreads to 17 countries worldwide Millions of eggs across Europe have been destroyed in the latest food scare caused by a pesticide that was sprayed on chickens in The Netherlands to treat them for ticks, flies and lice.

European Union leaders have stated they are going to hold an extraordinary meeting late next month over the scandal which has spread to 17 countries.

Since July 20, millions of eggs have been destroyed or taken off supermarket shelves as it emerged Fipronil, which is banned for use on animals for human consumption as it can be harmful to human health, was mixed in with another substance known as Dega 16 used to treat the chickens.

Tests have proven that very low levels of Fipronil, seven to ten times below the maximum limit, have been detected in

eggs from the treated chickens.

One test in Belgium, however, was above the European limit.

Poisoning by small doses has few effects and requires little treatment; however, heavy and prolonged exposure can damage the kidneys and liver or cause seizures.

Neighbouring countries Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany are all blaming each other over the incident alleging each of them knew about the problem but failed to announce it soon enough.

Understandably, it is the poultry farmers who have been hit the hardest, and are blaming the company responsible for mixing the chemicals.

According to the EU’s executive Commission, contaminated eggs have been found at producers in four countries; Belgium, France, Germany and The Netherlands.

Other countries who imported eggs or egg products from these producers include Austria, Britain, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and Hong Kong.

The talks will be head on September 26 between EU ministers and food safety agencies.

Commission spokesperson Mina Andreeva said: “The aim is to draw the relevant lessons and discuss the ways to continuously improve the effectiveness of the EU system to deal with food fraud.”

She added that the EU’s “priority remains to manage the situation, to continue to co-ordinate and to reassure our citizens.”

French Agriculture Minister Stephane Travert said that tests on imported eggs contaminated with pesticide show no risk to public health.

He added that around 244,000 eggs imported into France from The Netherlands and Belgium were affected.

France has also confirmed one farm in the Nord-Pas de Calais region was found to have used Fipronil, and is now blocked from selling eggs.

The Agriculture Ministry says the French farm reported on July 28, as the scandal was coming to light, that Dega 16 had been used on the farm by a Belgian subcontractor, and the ministry claims no eggs concerned have been sold.

In Denmark food safety authorities say 20 tons of boiled and peeled eggs linked to the pesticide scandal were sold in recent months to a distributor in Denmark, who sold them to canteens, cafés and catering companies in the country.

UK should say no to chlorinated chicken from the US The UK’s Environmental Secretary Michael Gove has said the UK should say no to importing chlorinate chicken from the United States following any Brexit negotiations.

The remarks were made following concerns that more chicken from the US could enter the UK in any trade agreements after Brexit.

Farmers and consumers have voiced concerns that Britain could be dropping its standards by allowing in more chlorinated chicken just to secure a postBrexit deal with the US. There has been huge controversy over the US 28

government approved practice of washing chicken in chlorinated water to reduce the risk of contaminated meat.

However, this is banned in the EU, which has prompted fears the practice could actually see a huge drop in food and welfare safety standards.

When answering a question on BBC whether the UK should allow this chlorinated chicken in, the UK’s Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “No. I made it perfectly clear, and this is something on which all members of the government are agreed.

“We are not going to dilute our high food safety standards

or our high environmental standards in pursuit of any trade deal. Our position when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, and our position now, is to be a leader in environmental standards.”

However, also speaking on the BBC, the UK’s International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said there was “no health issue” with chorine washed chicken.

Dr Fox said: “There is no health issue with that - the European Union has said that is perfectly safe.

“The issue lies around some of the secondary issues of animal welfare and it’s perfectly

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reasonable for people to raise that but it will come much further down the road.

“We will want to ensure that the scientific advice that we have ensures proper protection for British consumers because dropping our standards is not the way for Britain.”

He added: “But in terms of where we will be on specifics by the time we finish a free trade agreement which could be two or three years by the time it’s concluded and implemented depending on what happens with the rest of our relationship with the EU it’s too early to say.”

organics Value of organic materials revealed by research Yields increase quickly in response to annual applications of organic materials and the value of organic material goes beyond its nutrient value, according to a new report.

The latest research findings also suggest the role of organic materials in stimulating biological activity could be more critical than the amount (weight/ number) of organisms in the soil.

Based on the analysis of numerous field and pot trials across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the full report contains a wealth of information on the influence of organic matter on the yield and quality of cereals and oilseed rape.

Non-nutrient benefits Organic materials are a valuable source of plant nutrients and can be used to make large savings in the use of manufactured fertilisers.

The nutrient benefits of organic materials are well described in the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) but other benefits were poorly understood.

Dr Amanda Bennett, who manages natural resources research at AHDB, said: “To reveal the non-nutrient benefits of applying organic matter, you require trials that account for the nutrient effect and part of this work set out to do just that.”

Field trials were set up to produce full nitrogen response curves in the presence and absence of four organic matter amendments – anaerobic digestate, compost, farmyard manure and crop residues.

Each autumn for four consecutive years, amendments

were applied at several rates (0, 1, 1.75, 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes of carbon per hectare) in field experiments at Rothamsted Research.

Yields increased quickly in response to amendments. At the 2.5 tonne rate, for example, it took as little as two years for yield increases to become statistically significant, compared to the control.

Analysis of data, from multiple trials, also showed benefits continued (although at a reduced level) for at least two years after applications ceased.

Crops responded well to amendments and yielded more than expected in relation to the nitrogen applied, around 10 per cent more.

Despite considerable effort, no clear cause of the non-nutrient yield response was found.

Results, however, suggested the mass or number of soil organisms may not be as critical as the activity of the organisms present and this warrants further investigation.

Use of organic amendments was associated with a greater degree of yield consistency in trials, confirming they can be used as part of efforts to promote system resilience.

The full report, which includes information on the influence of tillage approaches, the effect of pre-treating crop residues before incorporation and guidance on costs and quality of amendments, can be accessed via cereals.ahdb.org. uk/organicmatter The research was funded by AHDB, Defra and the Waitrose Agronomy Group and was led

by Rothamsted Research.

Scottish Organic’s Low Input Systems Event A Success Earlier this summer the Scottish Organic Producers Association held the second annual Livestock in Low Input Systems (LILIS) event.

With over 40 delegates attending the day, speakers and attendees discussed a range of topics, from companion planting and nutrition to worms and weeds.

Following an introduction from host farmer and Nuffield scholar Gordon Whiteford, Andrew Howard captivated the audience during his talk on intercropping and pasture benefits.

Andrew drew a lot from the experience and insight he gained from travelling, referencing examples from farmers in Canada, Australia and the South of France.

Andrew’s talk gave delegates plenty of food for thought about the future, and how farmers can use the theories and ideas behind inter-cropping to benefit both their crops and their livestock. He even suggested that by inter-cropping, farmers could grow certain crops in Scotland that they would never have thought possible before.

Following the morning speakers, delegates then enjoyed a networking lunch, followed by the second two presentations of the day from Emily Grant of Quality Meat Scotland, and SOPA chairman Alexander Brewster.

Emily Grant discussed the QMS Grazing Groups Project, and how the farmers involved in the Project are making more from Scotland’s grassland. Delegates were shown the importance of understanding the biology of grass and learnt that, put simply; the most profitable systems know how much grass they have and how much they need, ensuring that they match the demand with supply.

SOPA Chairman Alexander Brewster then spoke about successfully introducing rotational

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grazing to his Perthshire hill farm and the control that they have gained over their pasture in the last three years by putting up electric fences.

Rounding up the day was a farm tour of Lower Mill of Tynet, where Gordon Whiteford established his poultry enterprise. Having first ventured into organics in 2005, he now has 4,000 Black Tail hens for organic egg production.

The main takeaway point from the day was diversity. Having diversity within your soil, your crops and your farming system is key to moving forward and working with your surroundings in a way that is beneficial to your product and your profit.

Debs Roberts, Policy Manager at SOPA, had the following to say about the day: “We’re thrilled with the success of this year’s event. It was great to see so many people networking and getting involved asking questions to our speakers.”

She continued: “Each of the speakers gave insightful presentations that all flowed together perfectly, and the delegates were certainly given plenty of food for thought! I’m looking forward to catching up with all the attendees to find out if they’re implementing any of the strategies we picked up on the day!”

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GRAIN DRYERS

GRAIN DRYERS

Providing solutions, service and savings Allmet Grain Dryers Allmet grain driers a division of JW Installations UK Ltd have more than 60 years experience working with a variety of trusted manufacturers, and offer advice to deliver competitively priced, high quality seed and grain conditioning solutions.

Director, Charles White said: “We only work with well known and well established brands including Tornum, Kongskilde, Westrup and our own brand of grain drier Allmet. Coming from a farming background ourselves, we understand the importance of working as efficiently as possible at the production

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stage and of meeting specific customer needs by ensuring we find the right machinery for their product.

Fellow director, James White explains how the latest dryers tackle these challenges: “Our Allmet range of grain dryers are easy to operate and benefit from the latest improvements in efficiency and low energy consumption. We provide a choice of heating sources from diesel, kerosene, gas and hot air furnaces to hot water coils.

To further improve efficiency Allmet also offer Tornum’s Heat Recovery (HR) dryer. This has been developed specifically

Allmet

by Tornum for the purpose of reducing the energy consumption of grain dryers. It makes use of

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the energy that would be lost in a traditional dryer, recovering up to 30% of the heat.

GRAIN DRYERS Once the grain is dry, the process of sorting and eliminating bad grains requires cleaning equipment that can be closely monitored and easily adjusted to adapt to changing crops.

Westrup are world-wide manufacturers of seed and grain conditioning machinery, they offer more sizes and types of seed machines than any competitor.

Attention to detail from Alvan Blanch

Alvan Blanch

When grain is ready to be harvested it may come in from the fields wetter than would be preferred. To cope with wet summers like 2017, farmers need to have the right solution to remove the high moisture content levels from their crops to ensure it is safe to store.

Knowing that whatever the UK weather, the equipment can cope is very reassuring. Continuous flow driers can handle moisture levels as high as 50%.

Two things are needed to dry grain: airflow and heat. Of these two, airflow is the key.

The higher the temperature the faster you can dry grain.

However, higher temperatures can scorch the bottom layer of grain closest to the heat source.

What helps to avoid scorching and also reduces thermal energy consumption is to have a high level of airflow and to ensure it is even, to all parts of the drier.

The greater the airflow the less thermal energy will be required.

These aspects of drying have

received much attention by Alvan Blanch engineers and designers over time.

Once dried it is vital to send the grain into storage efficiently and quickly. Equally no effort should be required in a continuous process to transfer wet grain to the drier. Handling the grain in and out of the Drier is made easy through choice of the correct conveyors and elevators. In alliance with Søby, Alvan Blanch offers a wide range of handling equipment with capacities from 5 to 120 T/hr with many options. This covers the drier range and offers storage solutions for any farm.

Comprehensive supply of the drying process and handling, enables Alvan Blanch to be the one stop shop for your processing needs. Get in touch with one of our drying experts who will advise you about the best proven solutions for your farm, can supply drawings and project manage the installation for you.

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GRAIN DRYERS

New BDC Sytstms grain plant keeps Svegma drier at full capacity Home to the 7th Duke of Sutherland, Mertoun Estate Farms Ltd, is located in the Scottish Borders and farms over 2000ha of land in total along both sides of the River Tweed.

Wheat is the estate’s main crop, accounting for over 700ha of production, with other crops including barley, oil-seed rape, potatoes, winter oats and vining peas. The remaining acreage is grassland which is let out to local livestock farmers and land in environmental schemes.

In 2012 a Svegma SVC 9/5 50tph continuous flow drier was installed on the site to replace a fire damaged drier which was part of the existing grain facility which had evolved over many years. The drier had been fed by the existing intake and handling systems which restricted the drier’s capacity.

Storage was also an issue with limited dedicated grain storage and potato buildings being used to hold grain.

With a change in management of the farms it was decided to build a new grain drying, handling and storage facility, developing a site at Ploughlands Farm. BDC Systems, in conjunction with local dealer DMI Mechanical Engineers, were appointed to design and install the new plant. The existing Svegma drier, supplied originally by BDC Systems, was to be moved and fed by new 80tph Skandia handling equipment.

The new storage buildings were designed and erected by Thorburn Duns.

A total of eleven Skandia machines were specified including industrial grade “I Range” chain & flight conveyors and belt & bucket elevators. The system

also included an Aagaard AF80 aspirator pre-cleaner, Zanin PRA 4/9 rotary cleaner and 105tph Jema belt conveyors feeding 7000 tonnes of floor storage Mertoun Estate’s Farm Manager, Jack Parsons, commented: “Having used Skandia equipment before we were confident that it was the right choice on this occasion.

The support and backup we receive from both BDC Systems and DMI is impressive and reassuring.” Mr Parsons went on to add: “We now get full capacity from our Svegma drier using the 80tph handling equipment.

Our intake capacity has been massively improved and allows us to keep up each day during harvest.”

BDC Systems

Dryer tips for harvest from Chief Industries The CD range of dryers has been developed to be exceptionally efficient and flexible, offering an extensive list of options to fulfil as many customer and legislative requirements as possible. These include multifuel options such as gas and steam; solid fuel and oil; direct or indirect firing; fire detection and suppression systems; dust suppression systems; additional 32

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silencing; heat recovery; indoor and outdoor applications; split columns; and stainless steel grain columns.

Our standard range is from 10-300 tonnes per hour, with a specification of fully galvanised bolted construction, pneumatic positive discharger, internal access, externally clad with thermal insulation, Weishaupt digital burners,

GRAIN DRYERS Schneider PLC and touch screen control panels with remote internet access.

Grain drying is an essential part of the grain management process that needs to be considered pre and postharvest.

Maintaining the moisture and the temperature of the grain as it is stored can heavily impact the length of time the grain can be stored, and its overall condition. Since Chief is in the business of manufacturing quality grain dryers we asked our dryer specialists to share their “Top 4 Dryer Tips for Harvest”.

Proper cleaning/housekeeping It’s imperative that your dryer is cleaned inside and out.

Make sure all grain columns and air ducts are clear from last season’s foreign material that may have collected during the emptying process. Also, the discharge system must be clear of foreign material and rotating freely. If you have a Maxon line

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burner, it will need to be cleaned out and check that the burner holes are clear.

Fuel Ensure there is ample fuel supply prior to harvest season.

Make sure all fill switches, temp sensors, starters, relays, modulating valves, etc. are working properly to avoid a delay in operation during drying season.

Start up Prior to harvest start your dryer to make sure it is runs properly.

Look for proper flame colour and pattern, and if fans and all moving parts are functioning correctly.

Ensure all safety features are working properly There are a few safety features that you will want to check before your harvest operations are in full swing.

Purging at start up, high temp limit switches, chain break sensors, and air prove switch are the main features you will need to check regularly.

Chief Industries

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GRAIN DRYERS

Kentra Automated grain dryer controller proves its worth in a wet harvest

Kentra

Automated dryer control using sensors to monitor incoming and out-going grain moisture has proved its worth this harvest as hard-pressed growers have contended with catchy weather and the need to dry much of their cereal and oilseed crops.

Barry Higginbottom of dryer maker Kentra Grain Systems says users of the new Dryer Master DM510 control system have praised the proven Canadian technology for its help in a busy season.

“It can save valuable time otherwise spent monitoring and managing a dryer manually and can bring about significant savings in terms of energy use and unnecessary weight loss resulting from over-drying,” he points out.

The Dryer Master system comprises two highly accurate

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moisture sensors – one usually fitted at the top of a continuous flow dryer to measure the moisture content of incoming grain and another in the conveyor line taking grain from the dryer.

Control software uses the readings from these temperaturecompensating sensors to calculate the ‘residence time’ – how long the grain needs to spend within the dryer to reach an average target moisture level – and to adjust the discharge rate accordingly.

“The ability to predict when, say, wetter incoming grain will fill the dryer takes all the guesswork out of managing the system and results in more accurate and consistent drying,” says Barry Higginbottom.

“Over-drying to ensure grain meets specification is a

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GRAIN DRYERS significant cost factor because of the energy consumed – bearing in mind it takes more energy to move grain from 14% to 13% mc

than from 15-14% – and also in weight loss.

“At £100/tonne, avoiding just 1% over-drying will regain

£20,000 in lost revenue on a 20,000 tonne harvest,” Barry Higginbottom points out. “A farm drying 4-5000 tonnes of grain a year would recoup

the £6,000-£7,000 all-in purchase of a Dryer Master DM510e in less than three years while also saving time and hassle.”

Recirculating batch dryers boost bushel weights Scottish farmers wanting to upgrade their drying facilities should look to recirculating batch dryers which have the added benefit of boosting bushelweights.

Two different dryer ranges are available from OPICO: the dieselfired Magna range and the gasfired GT range.

As well as drying, the mode of action of a recirculating batch dryer removes chaff, weed seeds and broken grains; grain is also cleaned and polished. This increases hectolitre weights giving an advantage over on-floor stores or continuous flow systems.

Farmers really looking to capitalise on the cleaning capability of their dryer and an even higher hectolitre weight, can opt for a Sky Vac dust extraction system.

The ‘clean and even’ drying heat of gas, makes the GT range popular with farmers who grow malting barley and milling wheat. Dryers are available with holding capacities from 9t to 21t.

Automatic versions of GT dryers are also available which can load, dry, cool and unload completely automatically allowing unattended drying.

Larger grain dryers with faster throughputs can be found in OPICO’s diesel-fired Magna range, where the biggest dryer has a holding capacity of 48t.

Magna dryers are capable of higher throughputs than similar-sized dryers thanks to their extra-large drying zones.

The most popular model is the 2910 (pictured), which has

Opico

a 29 tonne holding capacity.

This dryer is capable of drying nearly 300 tonnes in a 24 hour period.

Prices for the Magna 2910 dryers start from £62,308+VAT,

and for dryers in the GT range, from £31,158+VAT. For more information and details of local dealers, farmers should contact OPICO on 01778 421111 or visit www.opico.co.uk.

Savannah Series Driers from Perry of Oakley Ltd

Perry of Oakley

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Perry of Oakley Ltd are the UK’s most experienced manufacturer of materials handling & drying equipment.

Their latest grain driers, the Savannah series, have significant improvements from their popular ‘M’ Series.

The operation of the fans are now controlled by an inverter so there is the potential to save power and crop lift off by running the fans at reduced speed. Our unique crop set up page automatically selects the initial fan speed best suited to the crop.

The overall drier width has been reduced by 500mm which will help when fitting the drier into existing buildings.

The Savannah Series driers still have Perry’s own advanced PLC panel, which www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

is designed and programmed in house, and the auto control, which uses both the exhaust air temperature and hot grain temperature to give advanced control of the drier with feedback, to maintain a consistent moisture content of the discharged grain.

To ensure drier longevity they are built with a 2mm thick grain column, and 3mm thick top ducts in the to help prevent deformation and wear.

To promote consistent movement of the grain down the grain column, even in very wet conditions, all Savannah Series Driers are fitted with our pneumatically controlled Shutter discharge.

These improvements, and the other key features of the Savannah range, provide a

GRAIN DRYERS truly commercial specification grain drier for use on farms and commercial grain stores.

Perry of Oakley Ltd also manufacture a full range of 10tph – 1000tph handling

equipment including chain & flight conveyors, belt & bucket elevators, augers & screw conveyors, aspirator precleaners, belt conveyors & much more!

Stronga’s view on the future of drying

Turbodan Mobile Dryers

Stronga Turbodan

Having successfully commissioned the last of the pre-season ordered Turbodans for 2017 the possibility of further sales, in England at least, is fading with each fine day. Should conditions change however, they do have refurbished units available from stock.

The Turbodan has seen little change since its initial launch onto the market place in the early 90s. The ethos behind its invention was that it should not only be simple to operate but also offer great flexibility. Tey Farm believe it is those very principles which have helped it to maintain its unique position in an otherwise crowded marketplace.

Whilst it may be difficult to call the tradition tub dryer mobile given the array of intake

hoppers on offer and the fact that many are either gas fired or electric the Turbodan stays true to its roots as a mobile.

Based on a trailer chassis the Turbodan is quickly and easily moved between farmsteads, it requires no auxiliary power supply and has its own on board fuel tank.

Whilst it does not offer a bolt on pre-cleaner any dust and chaff is simply blow out of the trailer during the drying process.

It does not require any fixed handling equipment, you simply load it with a loading shovel or telehandler and unload it by tipping it up in the grainstore.

Turbodans can be, and indeed are, used for drying a great array of combinable crops from Quinoa to Wheat, Peas to Field Maize.

Order your FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Limited Edition Whisky See page 25 38

There are a number of important factors to consider when buying a new grain dryer because many changes have occurred in the market in the last period. The heat source for dryers has recently moved towards green energy. The UK Government’s continued support for Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) offers significant long term (20 year income stream) while reducing the expenses associated with drying.

Traditionally farms have installed expensive, singlepurpose grain drying equipment which has been largely underutilised, required only in certain weather conditions and seasons. Looking forward, many clients are now choosing multi-purpose continuous drying solutions like the Stronga FlowDrya system. FlowDrya optimises the use of subsidised heat, reduces carbon footprint in a move away from fossil fuels, while diversifying business away from cereals only providing new opportunities for farms.

New opportunities are arising for production of dry biofuels through drying wood

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chip, and for production of inhouse on farm animal bedding by drying paper pulp. These new applications extend the utility of the dryer; provide long term cost savings and additional streams of income. Farms should consider these important factors when choosing the type of dryer to install.

Stronga offer three different types of well proven multipurpose drying solutions which can be used to dry cereals and a range of other materials: Drying Stations – collect, dry and deliver solution comprising of the HookLoada trailer with multiple horizontal airflow units connected to a Heatex energy unit.

MultiDrya batch drying solution.

FlowDrya continuous drying solution - the most popular drying system available in the range.

Together with the client, Stronga consider minimising material handling in the arrangement of the drying system. Stronga have a long history in building handling equipment so can provide specialist, well informed advice in this field.

IN THE BEGINNING Q1) Where were you born?

In a Salvation Army Hostel for single mothers next to Edinburgh Zoo! (Influence on future career?)

Mum’s choice as you got to have a midwife of your choice – and she was married!

Q2) What is your earliest memory?

Being made to do the twist to the Beatles Yellow Submarine.

Q3) How would you describe your childhood upbringing?

Very lucky – brought up with two sisters in a loving caring family environment by parents that encouraged you to learn and experience the wonders of the world.

Q4) How was school for you?

Pretty good! Moved to live in Orkney when I was 8 years old so did most of my schooling there, at Papdale Primary and then Kirkwall Grammar School.

A new KGS was built which we moved into over 2nd and 3rd year so coal fires at the front of the classroom were a thing of the past and the teachers left behind their black gowns as well!

So we had good facilities and mostly good teachers too. I enjoyed it.

MOVING ON Q5) What were you into during your teenage years?

Sports wise I played rugby at school and later at college.

Sailing in the summer – Merlin Rockets - at that time the Orkney Sailing Club in Kirkwall had one of the biggest fleets certainly in Scotland. Orkney is also a great place for brown trout fishing and I did a lot of that with my Dad. I also spent a lot of time learning and playing bagpipes and fiddle.

Q6) Who was the first influence in your life?

Probably the Kirkwall Company of the Boys Brigade. We had a very strong company through my school years and it seemed like everyone was in it. It influenced a whole generation of boys at that time and the values, friendships and camaraderie that formed and were taught then, still exist today throughout the Orkney community.

Q7) College, University or straight into work?

I went to the Dick Vet College in Edinburgh after 6th year at

home some flown the nest. Still enjoy work, very lucky to have good clients and colleagues to work with.

Q15) What is the best advice you have given and would like to pass on to our readers?

The world is run by those who turn up!

THE INTERVIEW up close & personal

Your Name: Andy Cant Your job title: Veterinary Surgeon Company name: Northvet Veterinary Group Ltd What you do for the company?

Director and Clincal Vet

INTO BUSINESS Q16) Your current job, can you tell us a little more about what you do?

I mix my duties between clinical visits and managerial duties.

Northvet is a mixed practice looking after a wide variety of animals. Presently I spend most of my time on the large animal side. Orkney is famous for its spring calving beef suckler herds but also dairy cattle which produce milk for making the award winning Orkney Cheese.

Clinical work is split between emergency call outs, which is busiest in the spring with calving and neonatal calf problems, and routine visits for fertility, health planning etc. We also have horses, dogs and cats which I also enjoy attending to.

Q17) Is there a ‘dream job’ out there waiting for you?

I’ve got it – most of the time!

school. Best years of my life!

Thoroughly enjoyed student life and the vets were a close knit bunch who socialised intensely – it certainly wasn’t all academic.

After 6yrs they let me pass my final exams just to get rid of me I think!

Q8) Any unusual working experiences from those early years?

Grave digging and clearing blocked sewars were some of the varied tasks I used to do in summer student jobs with the local council.

GROWING UP Q9) What was your first car?

I learnt to drive in my Dads Morris Minor traveller – I remember it had no second gear, which made going around corners interesting . At my first job in Hawick I think I had a Datsun – hatchback.

Q10) Be honest now, did you pass your test first time?

Yes I did. It might have been a bit simpler in Kirkwall than some places – one stop sign and no traffic lights for a start (which

still holds true today apart from temporary roadworks).

Q11) Can you remember your first love or passion?

Collecting Corgi cars – still have them in a box, most in original packaging so can’t have played with them much! Or were you meaning girls?

LIFE & LEISURE Q12) Do you have a talent that you would like to share with us?

I play the fiddle and the bagpipes and have had great fun with that over the years. I’ve played with various bands from traditional through to country/rock and at various venues both home and abroad. I also enjoy writing traditional tunes some of which are popular locally.

Q13) Away from work, how do you like to relax?

Music mostly, holidays with family and friends, and I’m getting back to doing a bit more fly fishing again.

Q14) How is life today for you?

Very good. Some kids still at

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LAST THOUGHTS Q18) Is there was a single person (Alive or dead) you would love to meet?

Some of the characters from Orkneys past. Svein Asleifson, an Orkney Viking whose exploits are detailed in the Orkneyingasaga.

He farmed and entertained his men in his drinking hall on the island of Gairsay during the winter months and then sailed off for a bit Viking plundering in the summer. More recently John Rae from Stromness who became a surgeon then worked for the Hudsons Bay company and became the best arctic explorer of his day would be another good dinner guest. …..and if I’m allowed a third Stephane Grapelli Q19) And finally, is there one thing in the world you would like to change I would like to slow the world down, I’m not sure that instant media reaction to everything that happens is always helpful. We could start by switching off the internet at weekends!

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Equador A development dilemma WORLD FARMING Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America, lying on the Pacific west coast and bordering with Colombia to the north and north east and Peru to the south and south east.

It covers an area slightly larger than the UK, with a population of around 15 million, half of whom live and work along the Pacific Coast. Ecuador is divided into three continental regions-the Costa, Sierra, and Oriente areas, plus one insular region about 1000 km of the coast, the Galápagos Islands, well known for its unique range of wildlife species making it a huge tourist attraction.

Equador is one of the largest exporters of bananas in the world, with significant world exports in cut flowers, shrimp, cocoa and coffee. Other crops

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such as corn, barley, wheat, kidney beans, potatoes, peas, and soybeans, are mostly grown for domestic consumption.

More than half of Equador is covered in rainforest, which is home to around 45 amphibian species and the discovery of oil in the country in the 1970’s has had an adverse effect on the unique bio diversity of this South American county. Ecuador is losing 200,000 hectares of forest every year to illegal logging and deforestation for agricultural expansion.

Despite the discovery of oil in the country, which has now become its main expor and source of income, it is still predominantly an agricultural country, employing around 30% of the workforce and around a third of the 20% of the gross national product produced

By Fiona Sloan

from the industry, is in animal production.

Farming, in the main, is still practised in a very traditional way, with many of the farms only a few hectares, although beef and dairy farming covers nearly half of the national territory.

Most are grass-fed production on the fertile areas, particularly in dairy production but a distinctive characteristic of Ecuador, is the general predominance of dual-purpose systems. As in all other countries of tropical Latin America, these systems utilize crossbred cattle, resulting from miscellaneous, uncontrolled, crosses between the local Zebu and Creole cattle and the Holstein and Brown Swiss. In these small scale enterpises, practises are determined by the financial needs of the farmer, from time to

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time. Cows are generally milked by hand once daily, with the calf on foot. After milking, the calf is allowed to suckle and remains with the cow after the morning milking, until mid-afternoon when calves are yarded and cows generally left on pastures. The amount of milk seldom exceeds 5 kg per day, over lactations that may extend anywhere between 150 and 350 days or more.

Depending upon the financial needs of the farmer, the cow’s milk potential and the available forage resources, constitutes a very flexible system, in that, if milk temporarily cannot be carried to local markets or made into cheese, it is utilized by the calf to gain weight.

Not all farms in Equador are of a traditional type, with government having taken

WORLD FARMING significant steps, to encourage a further growth in the industry, with the introduction of various programmes to help with future development and increased production. Many of the peasant farmers struggle to tap into these however and with policies on minimum wage and pension programmes also introduced, which are of great benefit to the marginal urban workers, the smaller farmers are struggling to keep up with this social reform

and the increase in wages.

With such diverse systems of agriculture, dependent on country, where soil erosion, deforestation and changeable weather conditions are dominant, Equadorian agriculture is in a tug o’ war, between a will to move forward with practises and technology, in a country still heavily reliant on traditional and indigenous practises and pressure from the valuable oil industry on these native lands.

The Aberdeen-Angus overseas: a breed in high demand down under

Aberdeen-Angus is the most widespread and keenly sought after temperate beef breed in the world. Breed societies are present across the globe in order to represent and protect the much-loved breed whilst promoting and enhancing the value of the Aberdeen-Angus to society members and nonmembers.

Angus Australia is one of fourteen overseas breed societies, currently boasting a total of 3,756 members. The growth of the Aberdeen-Angus within Australia continues to

be unabated. In the seedstock realm, Aberdeen-Angus topped the list of breeds once again and has experienced a growth in registrations of 40% over the last decade. In 2016, a record number of bulls, amounting to 8,405, were sold at auction, a 128% increase from 1998. A total of 105,233 females were retained on the female inventory in 2016 and a total of 75,784 calves were registered.

The popularity of the breed within Australia is due to the greater profitability achieved from using Aberdeen-Angus

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School visits an important part of reducing our future countryside knowledge deficit

By Sarah Ballantyne, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust A recent report carried recently in the media resonates with some surprise – that 10 per cent of young adults have never seen a cow, and 20 per cent have never visited the countryside. These were just some of the findings from the Prince’s Countryside Survey 2017 that demonstrate that we still have a long way to go in raising awareness about what happens in the countryside and why.

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust does not have an education remit per se, but others such as the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) and the Royal Northern Countryside initiative (RNCI), for example, do and are working very hard at it.

Just because others lead the way does not mean that we can then ignore our individual responsibilities.

Educating youngsters about the countryside makes good common sense and, from our perspective, is a great way of raising awareness of the work of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Where we have on the ground conservation and research projects, and we can engage with local schools, we do. We have hosted school visits to the sites where we run projects at Whitburgh on the Midlothian/ East Lothian border, and to Balgonie in Fife.

The feedback that we get from children and teachers suggests that not only do the children enjoy their days out on the farm, but that they find them a great learning experience too.

At Whitburgh our young visitors saw during their day visit (and hopefully learned a little about) sheep and lambs,

cattle and calves, as well as crops, oil seed rape and silage, all of which are all grown on the farm.

We were able to highlight, to pupils from Tynewater Primary School, Pathhead and from Elphinstone Primary School, Tranent, conservation issues too showing what can done to help to protect nesting game birds (in particular Grey Partridge) and their eggs, and many species of song birds against predation from foxes, rats, crows and magpies.

Pupils of Milton of Balgonie School have their own handson project running at Balgonie Estate in Fife. In September last year they planted a new hedge and have been involved in protecting the young trees and plants not just from damage from animals like voles but also from damage from dogs and dog walkers, and have produced posters which are displayed at the site explaining their project.

They also planted wildflower seeds to encourage bees and other pollinators and are reporting their experience as part of the ‘Natural Connections Challenge’ outdoor learning project, the only primary school in Fife to be involved in this.

Every little counts, and every class that visits will be another rewarding - albeit often muddy - step in the right direction towards reducing our future knowledge deficit about the countryside. What could you do?

Further information from: Dr Dave Parish Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust T: 01738 551511 M: 07889 891956

WORLD FARMING compared to that of others, resulting in a price premium.

Diana Wood, marketing manager of Angus Australia discusses some of the reasons why beef producers are choosing Angus in Australia, ‘There are various reasons including superior fertility, maternal ability and their ability to consistently produce the finest high-quality beef. However, the breeds hardiness and efficiency, all-round balance and large

documented gene pool also heavily shapes the reasons why Australians love the Aberdeen-Angus breed.’

In Australia the market demand for Aberdeen-Angus is high and the cattle are well known for their tremendous market versatility and consistent performance across a range of Australian markets. The beef is widely used for domestic retail and quality food service markets, and is the preferred choice by many exporters.

Scottish venison producers supplying Chinese medicine market An important shipment of Scottish Red Deer antlers has started its 35-day journey from Dumfries and Galloway to the Far East.

The shipment, organised by Kirkcudbrightshire deer farmer Rupert Shaw, left Gledpark Farm, Borgue on Friday 11 August for Grangemouth before travelling by sea to Hong Kong.

Having identified a potential buyer for the antlers through his website, a year-long process saw Mr Shaw go on to secure the necessary export licence for the load and the complete the deal.

Most of the Red Deer antlers in the shipment came from Gledpark’s herd of farmed Red Deer with several other Scottish venison producers contributing antlers to fill the container.

Antlers, exclusively found on stags, are cast annually and can be collected. Producers of Chinese medicine have valued Scottish Red Deer Antler at up to £16 per kg in Scotland, depending on antler condition, colour, cleanliness and age. In an important development for the region, future shipments to Hong Kong are already being planned.

Mr Shaw, who is also NFU Scotland’s Regional Chairman in Dumfries and Galloway, said: “Although it is early days, the potential demand for Scottish 42

deer antlers in Chinese medicinal products could represent a very valuable market for those who are already producing venison, or are planning to keep deer in the future.

“At current prices of up to £16 per kg of antler, and many adult stags casting a set of antlers that could weigh more than 15 kgs, there is a valuable return to be gained if we can secure a foothold in this market.”

Scottish seed exporters set to increase tonnage to Brazil and Kenya Government representatives from Scotland and Brazil met in July to simplify the import classification requirements for seed potatoes. The gamechanging meeting was organised and funded by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Brazil produces circa 3.6m tonnes of potatoes a year according to UN figures, however in terms of productivity yields are only two thirds of what is achieved by UK growers.

Rob Burns, Head of Crops Export Market Development at AHDB said: “British seed potatoes are rightly renowned across the world. Not only for high health and high quality, but also for diversity, we have a great range of varieties which thrive in a range of conditions, be it damper cooler climates such as the UK, or warmer environments.”

This agreement could set the path for a significant increase

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in the tonnage of British seed exported to Brazil, which is likely to help increase yields for the growers that plant them.

Representatives from both countries will meet again in January to finalise discussions on removing requirement for disease testing on GB seed potatoes entering Brazil.

AHDB has also played a part in building trust among growers in the countries that have agreed bilateral agreements with the Scottish government.

One example is recent official seed trials in Kenya conducted with Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA).

Ten varieties have been sent for trialling, four free varieties - Atlantic, Cara, Hermes and Russet Burbank – and six commercial varieties provided by the James Hutton Institute.

The varieties selected are processing varieties that are expected to thrive in hot, dry conditions.

new

Tri-Lution® – A Natural Difference Tri-Lution® is a patented combination of lactic acid – producing bacteria, prebiotic nutrients, distinct yeast strains, and bio-active oligosaccharides.

By design, Tri-Lution®’s patented components are synergistically brought together to: establish and nurture a diverse population of beneficial

intestinal bacteria, strengthen the capabilities of the immune system, and enhance calf performance. The intestinal microbial population plays an essential role in nutrient absorption and in the health and well-being of the calf. It is important to recognize that a competent immune system

depends on the constant scrutiny and intervention of commensal bacteria, and that microbial community can be shaped to the betterment of the calf. The gastrointestinal tract of the calf is sterile at birth, but is quickly colonized by bacteria acquired from the cow and the surrounding environment.

Shaping the

to market intestinal microbial population through the designed introduction of Tri-Lution® favours the establishment of beneficial populations of intestinal bacteria.

Improved immune competency and bacterial population can reduce the need for the use of antibiotics, which animal agriculture is trying to diminish.

New milking sleeve keeps forearms warm, dry and protected Dairy Spares has introduced a new milking sleeve into the UK from New Zealand. Dry Cuffs are made from 3mm neoprene ‘wetsuit’ material, and fit closely around the wrist to keep forearms warm, dry and protected.

Dry Cuffs are ideal for milking and also for a range of outdoor activities where forearms benefit from protective or waterproof cover. They were originally designed to stop the arms of New Zealand crayfishers getting scratched when removing caught

crayfish from their pots. They have since become popular there with dairy farmers, gardeners and even mechanics and builders.

Dry Cuffs retail at £45+VAT per pair, and are available in five

sizes. Information on sizing can be found on www.dairyspares. co.uk, and for details of local stockists, call Dairy Spares on 01948 667676 or email info@ dairyspares.co.uk.

Order your subscription of FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE see page 74 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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Farming travel guide Scotland

A Farming Travel Guide to Orkney

By Janice Hopper Orkney is one destination where farming is celebrated, revered even, due to key archaeological finds and rich social history. It helps attract thousands of tourists to this northern archipelago every year.

The Neolithic period, roughly 5000 years ago, is the marker when mankind stopped living a mobile, transient lifestyle, and instead set down roots, farmed the land and built permanent accommodation. As Caroline Wickham-Jones comments in ‘Orkney: A Historical Guide’, “As the Neolithic farmers cultivated the land so nature could, apparently, be controlled and tamed. Permanent settlement and a more assured food supply meant a different outlook on the world and this in turn brought changes to the social order”.

This was a time when farming proved a seismic shift in how the human race operated, it was celebrated, it was the future!

Today thousands of visitors flock to Skara Brae, a coastal Neolithic settlement that reveals the homes of the world’s earliest farmers.

The guidebook puts Skara Brae’s age and historical significance into perspective,

Skara Brae (courtesy of VisitScotland)

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“People were living here before the pyramids were built in Egypt.

By the time Stonehenge was created in England, Skara Brae had already been abandoned, after about 300 to 400 years of continuous habitation.”

The early inhabitants grew barley, and then focused on domesticated livestock such as cattle, sheep and pigs, they harvested local plants, shellfish, birds and eggs. Partly due to the lack of trees and wood on the islands the Orcadians built their homes in stone hence the survival of this remarkable cluster of nine houses in Skaill Bay. If you wish to uncover early Scottish farming history then this is an excellent place to start.

A second way in which farming is pushed to the forefront in Orkney, and farmers gain status and renown, is through finding treasured archaeological sites on their land. A case in point is farmer Ronnie Simison, whom we have to thank for uncovering the wonderfully eery Tomb of the Eagles in South Ronaldsay.

In 1958 he spotted an unusual configuration of stonework protruding from the ground.

In 1976 the excavation work revealed a ceremonial mound, and when Ronnie crawled inside, and lit a lighter to reveal more, a room of skulls grinned back at him. It was a momentous, if slightly gruesome, find.

Ronnie considered these bones his relatives, farmers of the past who had worked the land just as he did. In total, around 85 skulls were discovered alongside a mix of bones which it’s thought points to a form of excarnation, where the bones of the deceased are picked clean by birds, and then stowed away ceremoniously within the tomb.

Today it’s possible to get a truly hands-on experience at the visitor centre where actual artefacts are carefully passed around the room. Milling stones, cutting tools, jewellery crafted from bone, all thousands of years old, circle the group. Three actual skulls, discovered within the tomb, have their stories told. Affectionately named by Mr Simison, the skulls, ‘Jock Tamson’, ‘Charlie-Girl’ and wee ‘Granny’, reveal a huge amount about the health, hygiene, diet and even social support networks within this community.

Kirkbister Farm Museum

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From the visitor centre it’s a short walk to the tomb through farmland, passing a Bronze Age settlement complete with its own midden, before reaching the tomb itself. Access, through a narrow entry, is possible by crawling, or using a simple but effective trolley and rope system. Once inside, although the bones have been removed, the atmosphere is quietly eery.

Mr Simison’s efforts were so valuable to British history, and even world history, that he received an MBE in 2008.

Today the site is run by two of his daughters, and it clearly demonstrates how farming the land in Orkney can lead to lifechanging finds.

For free attractions and ideal rainy day options Orkney boasts not one, but two farming museums on the mainland.

Kirbuster Farm Museum, on the west coast of Orkney, was resided in by Willie and Charlie Hay until they passed away in 1961. Here you see a traditional farming cottage, with the peat fire, nook bed, Orkney chairs, peat stack and dried fish. At Corrigall Farm Museum, in Harray, visitors can try their

Farming travel guide Scotland hand at turning the quernstone to mill barley. These sites present farming history frozen in time, as if the inhabitants had just walked out the door.

It’s clear from visiting the ancient sites of 5000 years ago, and the relatively recent 19th century relics, that farming heritage is held in extremely high esteem on the islands. But it’s not just about looking into the past, equally, it’s a case of looking forward whilst simultaneously holding onto traditional crops and pushing them back into modern dialogue and diets.

Barony Mill in Birsay is Orkney’s only running water mill.

As such it’s a piece of working history which is made more interesting by the fact it works with bere. Bere is a cereal crop that grows in Orkney’s colder climes, wheat struggles here and barley is a more commercially viable crop. But Orcadians, with the support of Orkney Food and Drink, are excellent at pushing and supporting their own quality

produce, especially if it has a rich story to tell. Bere has also been embraced by the Slow Food movement which prioritises the preservation of near extinct food production skill-sets.

Within Barony a tour guide explains how the mill works on a series of weights and pulleys, but this isn’t simply a historical attraction. Third generation miller Ray Phillips’ grandfather rented the mill in 1910 before buying it in 1924. Ray grinds the harvest of bere each year, and it’s possible to pick up a 750g bag beremeal for £2.40 for a spot of experimental baking at home. Bere bread is served in many quality Orkney eateries with pride: from Judith Glue in the centre of Kirkwall, to Orkney Brewery in Quoyloo.

And a new book, coming out in September, called ‘The Book of Bere: Orkney’s Ancient Grain’

by Liz Ashworth, contains around fifty recipes and will push bere into the spotlight once more.

As well as farming ‘attractions’ a selection of small operational farms in Orkney are keen to welcome tourists onto their land. Glamping is becoming an increasingly tempting revenue stream for farmers, and the small but fruitful Wheems Organic Farm in South Ronaldsay offers a self-catering cottage, glamping pods, a yurt and campsite with spectacular sea views and an honesty box for purchasing a range of fresh organic vegetables. And at Skate Rumple Farm tourists get up close and personal with a mix of alpacas, North Ronaldsay sheep, pigs and goats for what proves to be a remarkably family-friendly outing in Deerness. After four

days on the islands one thing is clear: if you’re passionate about food, food production, farming, agricultural history and heritage then you won’t find much richer soil than Orkney.

Janice Hopper is a freelance food and travel writer.

She ventured to Orkney courtesy of Northlink Ferries which source their food and drink from producers, suppliers or wholesalers with a head office within fifty miles of NorthLink’s operating ports. Janice stayed at Ayre Hotel, in Kirkwall, minutes from the ferry terminal, courtesy of the Digital Media Orkney project.

Discover more at orkney.com

Inside Barony Mill

Corrigall Farm Museum

Feeding the Alpacas at Skate Rumple Farm

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IN

Right Minerals Boost Calves for Aberdeenshire Farmers Father and son farming partnership, Dougie and Duncan Wilson, have been focusing on the mineral intake of their herd over the last two years to improve calving output

Doing what comes naturally

on their farm near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. Due to the low mineral element in the farm’s forage, the herd could have 25 out of 238 not in calf in an average year. Working

with nutrition experts Harbro, and introducing Harbro Super Suckler to the breeding cows, has significantly improved the performance of the Wilson’s herd, and this year only eight were not in calf.

Super Suckler, which is formulated to maximise health and fertility, boost calf vitality and help prevent grass staggers, was fed as a powder over the winter when inside and as a bucket when on grass. There was an increase of just over 7% in the calving rate in 2017, and calving also produced a record number of breeding stock.

Duncan Wilson, the son in the partnership, said,

Dougie and Duncan Wilson

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“Super Suckler is the only element we have changed, so it’s a good control test of the difference it has made. It has definitely been a game changer for us. The slightly higher input costs have been balanced out by the output - the gain is an extra 17 calves to sell this year. The higher proportion of breeding stock also means lower culling and replacement costs, and feed costs will be split between more calves, which all helps our bottom line.”

Super Suckler provides a full complement of key vitamins and trace elements, and this year the Wilsons removed the Hi Mag bucket they were using (from a competitor) as, in discussion with Harbro adviser John Taylor, they realised that the 12.5% magnesium in Super Suckler would be adequate to prevent against staggers. In fact, the higher intake of magnesium could have been having a negative effect on calving.

“The Wilsons had never seen this increase in performance, but it’s proof of how important minerals and nutrition are to overall efficiency. By working closely with farmers we can gain an exact understanding of the farm, analyse where there are deficiencies, and overcome the issues with appropriate mineral boosts. In the Wilson’s case, the protected elements in Super Suckler’s Sel-plex, Cutek, Zin-tek and its elevated levels of iodine made this the

IN

right solution for them. I was confident it would have great results, but you know when you’ve made a difference when the farmer contacts you to share the results before you contact them� commented John Taylor The Wilsons also finished calving much earlier this year, another asset of the Super Suckler which tightens the total calving period, improving overall performance and making it easier to manage for the farmer. Traditionally calving finishes late June for the Wilsons, but this year the final cow calved on 28thMay. Feeding Super Suckler pre and post calving ensures that the suckler cow is receiving a nutrient balanced diet during the vital period of production combatting any deficiencies in the available forage, contributing towards easier calving, less mortality, improved colostrum quality and milk production. Other assets of Super Suckler are reducing the

Duncan and his young apprentice

recovery period after calving in preparation for next service, improving first conception and restarting the oestrus cycle, helping to improve egg viability and

embryo survival. Every farm’s needs are different and the team of Harbro on-farm advisers work closely with Harbro technical team lead by Willie Thomson

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to analyse individual farms and find appropriate solutions for each one, with the ultimate aim maximise performance and efficiency.

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PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS

2017 Scottish Ploughing Championships The 55th Scottish Ploughing Championships are being held at Spreaderhill Farm, Crimond, Fraserburgh on 28th & 29th October by kind permission of the Cowie family.

Kverneland UK continue as main sponsor with Ravenhill Ltd of Elgin this year’s Platinum Sponsor. Gold Sponsors are Grampian Supermatch (supporting the transport costs of the Horse ploughers) and Friends of Ferguson Heritage (sponsoring the Ferguson class). Silver Sponsors are Amazone, Balgownie Ltd, Jacobsens-GFM and Alan Mackay Machinery (Forfar) Ltd. Bronze sponsor is A M Philip Agritech Ltd. This will be the first time that the Scottish Ploughing Championships have been held so

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far in to the North East corner and it is shaping up to be another great event offering good ploughing land.

At the Scottish Ploughing Championships AGM in March the members proposed a change to the classes with ploughers in the Classic Conventional, Vintage Mounted and Vintage Trailing joining the World Style Conventional and Reversible (Butts) all ploughing on the Saturday.

The top ploughers in each of these classes will go through to the Plough Offs on the

Sunday with the points scored each day added together to select the Scottish champions. The non hydraulic Classic Reversible class remains one day only (Saturday) with Horses, Juniors and Horticultural on both days.

Junior ploughers (under 26 years) have free entry in their classes - Conventional, Reversible Butts, Reversible Multi Furrow, Classic and Vintage and the option to have an assistant. The Young Ploughers Development Programme is now in its fourth year and the ploughers selected are from Caithness, the Black Isle, Laurencekirk and Dundee this year.

Young ploughers are nominated at the end of the year by societies affiliated to the Scottish Ploughing Championships (disappointingly none were put forward from the south of Scotland last year). The Executive Committee selects young ploughers from each area and an experienced plougher in their district is appointed as a mentor to work with them over the winter. The successful

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young ploughers also receive a contribution to their travel expenses to compete at the Scottish Ploughing Championships.

The last weekend in October will see over 150 ploughers compete in the different classes for modern, vintage and horse ploughing - conventional (general purpose), classic, multi furrow reversible butts, classic reversible, Ferguson TE20, vintage mounted, vintage trailing, high cut, horticultural, horses broken furrow and whole furrow, with the champions in each section going on to represent Scotland at World, European, Six and Five Nations championships around the globe.

At last year’s World Ploughing Championships held at Crockey Hill, York, hosted by the Society of Ploughmen, Andrew Mitchell Snr and Andrew Mitchell Jnr achieved an amazing double by both winning their respective World Championships. This was the sixth time that Andrew Snr had won the World Reversible title - an unrivalled achievement. Andrew Jnr lifted the World Conventional title for a third time.

Andrew Snr has competed at ten World Ploughing Championships, winning six World titles, three Reserve World titles and one Bronze Medal - a record unequalled by any other plougher at world level - an amazing achievement.

Andrew Jnr has competed at eleven World Ploughing Championships, winning three World titles, four Reserve World titles, one Bronze Medal, two 4ths and a 6th.

The Mitchell family’s consistently high standard and

PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS achievements at World level are truly remarkable.

The Scottish Ploughing Championships made a presentation to Andrew Snr and Andrew Jnr at Angus Show in June to recognise their achievements at Scottish and World level.

Andrew Snr has won the Scottish Reversible title ten times since 1996 and Andrew Jnr has won the Scottish Conventional title every year from 2005 to 2015. Both World Champions judged at the Scottish Ploughing Championships last year taking some time off from competition ploughing.

The European Reversible Ploughing Championships took place on 19th & 20th August in Diessenhofen, Switzerland.

Scotland’s representatives are Scott Alexander from Laurencekirk and Andy Greenhill from Perth.

(Results not known at time of going to press.)

The European Vintage Ploughing Championships take place on 2nd & 3rd September in Bavaria, Germany. Scotland’s representatives are Stuart Forsyth from Berwick Upon Tweed in the Classic; Raymond Middleton from Elgin in the Classic Reversible; Robert Rodan from Dumfries in the Vintage Mounted and Ed Bennie from Cupar in the Vintage Trailing.

This is followed by the Five Nations Challenge held in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales on 16th & 17th September running alongside the All Wales Ploughing and Hedging Championships.

Dave Carnegie from Laurencekirk will be representing Scotland in the Reversible section and Ian

Williams from Peterhead in the Conventional section.

Dave was the first Scot to win a World Championship - in 1996 in the Republic of Ireland.

The Six Nations Classic and Vintage takes place in County Down, Northern Ireland on 29th & 30th September organised by the Northern Ireland Ploughing Association alongside their national championships with representatives Ian Henderson from Melrose (Classic); Grant McDonald from Forfar (Vintage Mounted) and Michael Mackay from Castletown (Vintage Trailing) going over the water.

A training day was held in January at Bilbo Farm, Fraserburgh, by kind permission of the Cowie family and this was well attended with over 70 turning up in the morning.

Experienced ploughers were on hand including multiple World Reversible Champion Andrew Mitchell Snr and Scotland’s first World Reversible Champion Dave Carnegie to offer advice and information on improving their ploughing and what the judges are looking for when they award the marks. Kverneland also attended to demonstrate setting up and adjusting the plough. It was a very enjoyable day until heavy rain came on and cut the day a little short.

Points League trophies are presented at the social evening held on the Saturday evening of the Scottish Ploughing Championships.

The George Mutch Trophy is presented to the plougher achieving the most points in vintage and classic classes at

matches affiliated to the Scottish Ploughing Championships in the previous season. Gordon Hepburn Snr from Elgin was the worthy recipient for the 2015-16 season.

The Rab Birrell Conventional Trophy was presented to Ian Williams from Peterhead for gaining most points in conventional classes and the Dave Carnegie Reversible Trophy was presented to Scott Alexander from Laurencekirk for a second year for gaining most points in reversible classes.

Ploughing commences at 9.30 am each morning, and finishes at 2 pm, so make sure you go along early to see all the action. On Saturday there are the

Conventional, Classic, Classic Reversible, Multi Furrow and Reversible Butts, Horses Broken Furrow, Horticultural, Vintage Mounted, Vintage Trailing and Junior classes. On Sunday are the Plough Offs to select the Scottish Champion Conventional, Reversible, Classic Conventional, Vintage Mounted and Vintage Trailing ploughers as well as High Cut, Horticultural, Ferguson TE20, Juniors and Horses - Whole Furrow.

Alongside the competition ploughing there will be machinery stands, demonstrations by modern farm machinery and a display of vintage tractors and stationary engines on site.

The 55th Scottish Ploughing Championships take place at Spreaderhill Farm, Crimond, Fraserburgh, by kind permission of the Cowie family on 28th & 29th October.

Ploughing commences at 9.30 am and finishes at 2 pm each day.

Admission is £8 for adults, Concessions £6, accompanied children under 14 free and free car parking.

More information is available on the website at www.scotplough.co.uk and you can also keep up to date with the latest news via the Scottish Ploughing Championships Facebook page.

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PLOUGHS

The cutting edge in ploughs The technology of the fine line

Amazone Cayros ploughs are now out in the field

D-K-R

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD. Main Dealers for Gregoire Besson ploughs

Now nearly a year on from the takeover of Vogel & Noot’s plough business, the Cayros ploughs from AMAZONE are now out with customers and a full demo programme is under way around the country including a large presence this year, alongside local dealer A.M. Phillips, at the upcoming Scottish Ploughing Championships in Crimond, Fraserburgh, at which Amazone are a Silver sponsor.

The 5 model range of Cayros ploughs, from 3 through to 6 furrows and horsepowers from 80 to 350 hp, means that there is a plough in the range to suit most farming enterprises. And with Agritechnica, the German farm machinery show, just around the corner then the range could be about to expand yet further.

The beauty of the Cayros range is the comprehensive modular build potential that ensures the exact plough specification can be ordered to suit individual customer’s needs; no matter

whether a vari-width 3 furrow plough with hydraulic central stone release and disc coulters all round through to a 6 furrow fixed plough with trashboards or viceversa, the plough can be specced accordingly. Again depending on soil type and conditions, when it comes to making sure the plough does the best job possible there is a choice of 10 different mouldboards, three different skimmer setups and multiple disc coulter and point options. The dealer network is now geared up for the autumn ploughing season with wearing metal stock and a continuing parts supply is also offered for existing Vogel & Noot users so as to be able to service the pool of ploughs already in the field.

However, any plough is only as good as the way it is set up and, with the Cayros, all the adjustments are logically laid out and easy to set making sure that a tidy furrow profile is readily achievable.

Gregoire Besson RW6 Plough

D-K-R AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD. Westfield, Coulter, Biggar, Lanarkshire ML12 6HN 4EL s &!8 E-Mail: dkrcoulter@hotmail-com 50

Designed with user comfort, robustness and ploughing quality in mind, the Gregoire Besson RW6 mounted plough is suitable for 180 – 280hp tractors and available in 4 or 5 furrows.

The RW6 features an offset, curved leg, making it easier to pull, less wearing on metal parts and more fuel efficient. The 140 x 140mm frame features a suspended headstock to absorb the shock load from the three point linkage on headland manoeuvres. It also provides even weight distribution and allows for a smoother ride on

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field and headland. The width can be varied, hydraulically, from 12 to 20 inches on the move.

The model includes incab electronic controls to hydraulically adjust the depth and inclination for ease of use. A transport lock and variable front furrow width can also be engaged to adapt to all conditions.

In a bid to win the continuing fight against black grass, weeds and disease (mycotoxins) without the use of excessive chemicals, ploughing is still proving the most effective deterrent.

PLOUGHS

Available in 4-5 and 6 furrows the RW6 Mounted Plough from Grégoire-Besson offers high-performance ploughing through the use of the latest technology such as 3-point linkage suspension, angle adjustment, headstock-to-frame linkage via parallelogram, hydraulic independent front furrow adjustment and plough alignment.

To optimise traction and lateral forces, the R6 is equipped with new offset leg elements.

This technology combined with the new frame in “Z” design

allows a better wheel position, wheel track is ‘taken out’ and load transfer is optimised.

With compaction and ventilation key, soil erosion also needs careful consideration – especially went working light to medium land. The ANDPAK range of fully mounted rollers allows for consolidation of the soil directly behind the plough, limiting erosion whilst increasing moisture conservation. The result, an ideal structure for seedbed preparation or for sowing directly behind the plough.

Vari-Master from Kuhn

KUHN Farm Machinery offers a range of mounted reversible and semi-mounted reversible ploughs, all of which are available in a variety of working widths.

The Vari-Master range of reversible, variable working width ploughs is available in models with 3 to 7 bodies, all of which feature a robust one-piece headstock and large diameter turnover shaft. The adaptability

of each model is enhanced by user-friendly offsetting and angling facilities. Skimmers are fitted in a sheath to allow accurate adjustment in three dimensions of height, lengthways and sideways.

Working width is variable between 30 and 50cm depending on the model, with underbeam (75-80cm) and interbody (9096cm) distances providing exceptional clearances. All pivot

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PLOUGHS points are bushed to ensure great durability and the side-mounted triangular reinforcement adds further strength to the main beam where it is most needed.

The Vari-Master range offers the choice of traction (T-bolt) or non-stop hydraulic (NSH) auto-reset protection. On the NSH system, share point release pressure is easily adjustable and can be increased with the option of Maxibar: this system is particularly useful in heavy compacted ground. For instant control on-the-move from the tractor cab, the Varibar option can be used, with or without the Maxibar option.

The Vari-Master range has a maximum power rating of 105hp for the VM 123 3-body machine and up to 385hp for the 7-body VM 183.

Prices for the Vari-Master range from £12,685 for the T-bolt VM 123 (3 bodies) to £31,052 for the NSH equipped VM 183 (7 bodies).

Kverneland extends plough range with PN/M100

Kverneland Group UK has taken the wraps off an all-new semimounted plough series called the PN/RN100, available in seven-, eight- and nine-furrow builds.

Its No28 bodies are protected by shearbolt on RN100 models, and auto-reset mechanism on PN100 versions. The latter uses Kverneland’s proven multi-leaf

Dealers for RABE ploughs

spring design that affords nonstop ploughing.

Filling a gap in the range between the fully-mounted EO/LO seven-furrow and the flagship semi-mounted PW/ RW from seven to 12 furrows, the new plough delivers the convenience of a small plough in a high-output package.

Available with manual variwidth from 14-20in, and using a single-wheel format, the PN/ RN100 offers in-furrow and onland capability - the latter with enough offset to suit wheeled and tracked tractors up to 3.4m in width.

“This new plough has been developed for customers with 200400hp tractors on wheels or tracks, who frequently swap between

ploughing and cultivating,” explains Kverneland Group UK plough specialist Adam Burt.

“Those customers want to change implements quickly and easily, so it is more important to them to have a high-output plough that is mechanically simple to set-up and use,” he says. “Those customers also want the flexibility to use the plough on more than one tractor, and not be tied to one specific tractor for all the farm’s ploughing. The PN/RN100 is that plough.”

“All it needs is three doubleacting spool valves to operate,” he says. “Couple up, adjust the offset and front furrow, and away you go. It is that simple.”

Of heavy-duty construction, the PN/RN100 uses a 200x200mm main beam, and comes with a generous 80cm of underbeam clearance and 100cm of inter-body clearance.

Headstock options include Cat III and Cat IV fittings, and wheel options extend to a 400/55 R22.5 or a wider section 500/55 R22.5 tyre. Prices start from £38,360 for the RN100 shear bolt version, while the PN100 auto-reset model is priced from £42,165.

High performance and perfect ploughing from Lemken 0LANT (IRE s 3ALES 3ERVICE Agricultural Machinery Dealers

Middle Balado, Kinross KY13 0NH

Tel: 01577 863173 52

Varying soil, resistant grassweed pressure in arable rotations and unpredictable weather call for an easy-to-operate plough range, which makes a significant contribution to arable farming that is both environmentally friendly and economic. The entire LEMKEN plough range is available in versions from 2 - 12 furrows and working widths of up to 6.6 m for maximum acreage performance.

The Mounted reversible Juwel M and MV includes the innovative

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DuraMaxx plough bodies, which are available as full or slatted bodies in steel, plastic or hybrid versions to meet a wide range of requirements.

The slats and mouldboards are made of special wear-resistant tool steel without drill or punch holes, setting a new benchmark with a 150% longer service life compared to conventional plough bodies. As DuraMaxx bodies are not bolted, but clipped to the base body, they are quick and easy to replace and can be fully utilised as wearing material.

PLOUGHS

New range of ploughs from Maschio

The ISOBUS TurnControlPro in the Juwel 8 controls plough rotation and the settings for front furrow, working angle, working width and working depth via the hydraulic support wheel as standard. These functions are controlled via the CCI-200 terminal or the ISOBUS system on the tractor. Additional functions such as furrow press operation or settings for the Hydromatic overload protection are available as options.

LEMKEN has developed the semi-mounted Diamant 11 / 11V to meet the demands of high output ploughing in terms of handling and

quality of work. These ploughs are exceptionally manoeuvrable for rapid turning on narrow headlands and maximum acreage performance. Varying soil and weather conditions need an easyto-operate hydraulic ploughing width adjustment, which the V models provide.

For users wanting to ensure maximum traction with a semi mounted plough an additional hydraulic cylinder transfer’s weight to the tractor’s rear axle to boost its traction. This “smart ballasting” system reduces slip and therefore saves fuel.

A brand new range of Maschio mounted reversible ploughs was launched this summer in the UK, extending the brand’s already popular tillage range of power harrows, rotavators and drills.

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Well-established in Europe, the UNICO plough range has two models. The UNICO M is the midrange line suitable for tractors up to 200hp and running three, four or five furrows. The heavy duty UNICO L is built to cope with up

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PLOUGHS to 300hp and is available in four, five and six furrow formats.

‘Ploughing is still an integral part of many farming systems, particularly in the Borders and Scotland, commented Maschio Sales Manager, Robin Immink.

‘Despite an industry move towards minimum tillage, heavy soils and high weed burdens can make ploughing an essential tool in the armory of soil management and our plough offers a solution

which is well-suited to challenging ground.’

The Maschio plough is easy to set up and has many features which make adjustment and accurate depth control straightforward, even on the move.

Key is a hydraulic auto reset system. A centralised hydropneumatic circuit with piston nitrogen accumulator ensures a faster leg reset, with the first body being fitted with a larger diameter

cylinder, for a higher trip pressure, as the leading point goes into unbroken ground. This non-stop system is particularly useful in stony ground and can be controlled whilst mobile, allowing both vertical and horizontal movement.

In addition, front furrow width can be controlled through a hydraulically adjustable doublearm parallelogram linkage, ensuring the line-of-pull remains straight and true. This works alongside

the ability to vary the working width, either mechanically or hydraulically. Bolt adjustment provides fine-tuning in 5cm increments, between 27cm-54cm (depending on plough specification), whilst on the move hydraulic adjustment runs from 25cm-55cm.

Prices for the UNICO M start from £13,603 while the UNICO L starts from £18,961, depending on specification. A full range of optional extras is available.

Mouldboard ploughs from Ovlac Mouldboard Ploughs have been Ovlac’s flagship product for more than 80years. Ovlac Ploughs are distributed over five continents, and is present in more than twenty Countries, and is the Largest Plough manufacturer in Spain.

Popular choice for the Scottish Farmers, has been Ovlac’s 5 furrow mounted AV220.

With leafspring security system ,Hydraulic vari width, self aligning headstock, 78cm underbeam, 95cm point to point number56 wide tyre mould board, 800mm hydraulic front furrow.

The leafspring trip system has been used by Ovlac for over 30years and is a well proven system. In more recent times a hydraulic trip system has been introduced to the range which allows for adapting

release pressure according to soil conditions. One of few manufacturers who are able to offer the customer the choice of safety trip system to suit soil conditions.

This model is available in 4 and 5 furrow configurations, as a straight 5 furrow or as a 4+1.

Choice of depth/transport wheel. at the rear of the plough beam or advanced towards the tractor, which enables to plough tighter to field boundaries if required.

Horse power requirements 150-220.

Featured throughout Ovlac’s plough range are the 8mm case hardened mouldboards. The case hardening process gives the mouldboard increased strength and extended life. The number ‘56’ wide tyre mouldboard has been the popular choice on the mounted plough range and we are expecting the same on the semi mounted

range, where a 710mm wide tyre fits comfortably when ploughing in furrow with excellent inversion.

Double mouldboard support stays are fitted as standard due to the board’s length. A variety of other mouldboard’s are available to suit soil conditions including plastic and slatted.

Pottinger Servo 25 a plough for the smaller farm

Pottinger a name more readily associated with grassland equipment has been a plough manufacturer for more than 42 years, having acquired the German plough manufacturer Landsberg am Lech in 1975. The Pottinger name is synonymous across continental Europe with a high quality robust plough that could handle large amounts of postharvest trash with ease.

Today the Pottinger Servo plough range is manufactured at the company’s modern facility in Vodnany, Czech Republic.

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Hardox.

Extensively used in construction on all Ovlac machinery. Hardness is what gives Hardox its unique wear resistance and structural strength. Hardness minimizes wear since it is difficult for the ‘edges’ to be penetrated, and strength means you can minimize weight.

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Utilising precision manufacturing processes, high quality Austrian steel and the latest in carbonising techniques Pottinger can offer the very best in plough performance and longevity.

An area where the company offers a comprehensive choice is with its entry level Servo 25 plough range. Available in 2, 3 or 4 furrow formats for tractors up to 120hp this lower weight plough is ideally matched to 4-cylinder and smaller 6-cylinder tractors. The compact dimensions, low weight and close coupled headstock ensure the

PLOUGHS plough can be safely handled even in the steepest of conditions.

All models can be specified with either shearbolt or auto reset (Nova) protection systems. The Nova models feature a unique individual hydraulic furrow protection system that ensures break away pressure is maintained on all furrows whilst one or more furrows may be tripping. This does away with phantom tripping often encountered with mechanically sprung systems available.

Breakaway pressure can also be adjusted to suit conditions by the operator ensuring that ground penetration can be maintained in the hardest of conditions.

Retail prices start from ÂŁ9,995 for the Servo 25 4F plough equipped with 36W general purpose bodies, manure skimmers, rear disc and depth wheel.

You can see the Pottinger Servo range in action at this year’s Scottish Ploughing Championships at Fraserburgh on the 28th/29th October.

Rabe Albatros and Super-Albatros ploughs Rabe Albatros and Super-Albatros ploughs are well-suited for tractors of up to 200HP and 260HP respectively. These mounted reversible ploughs are available in four, five and six furrows.

The Albatros offers a robust four-step working width adjustment, while the Super Albatros V model provides a continuous working width adjustment from 33cm to 53cm.

Both models make use of separate hydraulic rams for frame alignment and working width adjustment, meaning there is no adjustment to the working width when the frame aligns before and after turning. The arched plough legs also provide a low centre of gravity and offer ease of use and manoeuvrability. The HydroAvant function available on both models offers hydraulic stone protection

with a cranked lever, hydraulic ram, accumulator and leg shear bolt.

Rabe also offers a wide choice of headstocks, elements, plough bodies and other accessories that provide excellent ploughing results in a range of soil conditions.

A depth wheel with a damper

and joint on the wheel stalk can be mounted further forward or rearward for even depth control. A combination wheel with a damping and swivelling ram offers even depth control, hydraulic working depth control which makes it easy to transport on roads.

WILKS BROTHERS Main dealers in Perthshire for OVLAC Ploughs

3ALES s 3ERVICE s 0ARTS Repairs for a wide range of Agricultural Machinery Murthly, Perthshire, PH1 4HG Tel: 01738 710381 Fax: 01738 710581

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topic

Protecting our Scottish Wildcats Farmers can play their part in helping to protect one of our most loved native species

* Photographs courtesy of Pete Cairns, Wildlife Photographer

If dogs are man’s best friend then the cat has long been the farmer’s equivalent, thanks to its ruthless efficiency in keeping rodent populations at acceptable levels.

Recent research suggests that a third of farms have cats prowling their perimeters keeping mice and rats at bay, but despite their handy killer instinct cats do pose certain risks if not properly managed.

One of the biggest risks to livestock is toxoplasmosis, a disease which can be passed from cats to sheep as a result of contact with cat excrement. One fifth of cats carry the disease, though the prevalence is higher for adult stray cats where over a quarter are infected.

Every year, sheep farms in rural Scotland are devastated by toxoplasmosis at lambing time, when cat populations reach

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unmanageable levels, and regular sheep vaccination has lapsed.

An outbreak of toxoplasmosis at lambing time also poses a high risk

to any pregnant women who are in contact with lambs or lambing ewes.

There is no question that cats can be great “mousers,” but large numbers of cats roaming on one farm greatly increases the risk of livestock being exposed to feed contaminated by cat’s faeces.

Another unfortunate consequence is that large numbers of un-neutered, farm cats pose a significant risk to the critically endangered Scottish wildcat. Un-neutered cats threaten wildcats through hybridisation and disease.

Hybridisation is perhaps the most difficult threat to address as it has probably been happening for several decades. Over this time the genetic make-up of cats living in the wild has gradually been invaded with domestic cat genes. The result is that the Scottish wildcat is undergoing a cryptic extinction with most wild-living cats now showing a combined ancestry from wildcats and domestic cats.

Scottish wildcats are better adapted to living wild in Scotland, but cannot hope to compete with the large numbers of well-fed domestic cats living in and around human settlements.

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Scottish Wildcat Action staff speak regularly with members of the farming community and often ask them if they’ve seen a wildcat recently. In many areas the most common response is that they have not seen a wildcat for over 20 years.

Scientific survey work backs this up, with a recent estimate by researchers at the University of Oxford estimating fewer than 300 Scottish wildcats remaining.

It’s more important than ever that we reduce the threats to our only remaining native cat.

Scottish Wildcat Action has been working closely with a number of farmers in its priority wildcat areas to encourage neutering of cats to help protect Scottish wildcats. This practice also happens to have a benefit of protecting the farm’s livestock.

Alice Bacon, a veterinary advisor to Scottish Wildcat Action, said: “When farms in rural Ross-shire experience toxoplasmosis outbreaks, we find this reminds them and other local farmers to control the cat population on their own farms’’. ‘’This has the added benefit of farmer’s doing their bit to protect Scottish wildcats.”

Historically farmers have allowed their cats to breed naturally so that they don’t have the perceived hassle of having to replace their prized mousers.

Alice added: “We accept that a cultural change is needed, but the most responsible approach is to have all cats neutered.

Recent questionnaire research in rural Scotland showed that the majority of farmers and crofters are already choosing to have their cats neutered. This demonstrates that attitudes are already changing.”

Farms without cats needn’t be complacent however. One of the other risks to the wildcat population comes in the form of accidental poisoning through the

topic use of rodenticides to deal with their mouse and rat problems.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, wildcats will scavenge carcasses, especially when breeding or during winter. Along with the risk of ingesting the treated bait, rodents that have succumbed to rodenticide present a risk to wildcats and other wildlife through secondary poisoning.

Scottish Wildcat Action Project Manager, Dr Roo Campbell, said: “Rodenticides can pose a danger to wildcats and we would recommend that it be used carefully. In particular, we suggest that farms follow the Think Wildlife code for rodenticide use including only using it for as long as necessary, ensuring bait is not accessible to non-target species and regularly collecting and disposing of rodent carcasses.

“Ultimately, ensuring feed storage facilities on farms are

rodent-proof reduces the need for both farm cats and rodenticide.”

It is important to ensure that rodenticides are used correctly and in ways that minimise the exposure of wildlife and other non-target animals.

It’s not just the farming community who can help save Scotland’s wildcats. Scottish Wildcat Action is urging everyone to become part of #GenerationWildcat by taking action today to save Scotland’s most critically endangered mammal.

Dr Campbell commented: “We will only regret the things we don’t do today – our time is now to save Scotland’s wildcats from extinction.

“By being part of #GenerationWildcat you can be proud in years to come that you were part of a generation whose efforts helped save Scotland’s tiger from extinction.”

He added: “The situation on the ground is critical and if we don’t work together now then we are in danger of losing this magnificent animal from our hills and glens.

“We would appeal to walkers, ramblers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts to report any potential wildcat sightings to us. And indeed any members of the public who think they have

spotted a wildcat are encouraged to get in touch.”

Scottish Wildcat Action is a partnership project that unites leading experts from over 20 key organisations including RZSS (Royal Zoological Society Scotland), Scottish Wildlife Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage. It is supported by the Scottish Government and Heritage Lottery Fund.

Always plan your approach Before treatment begins, a thorough survey of the infested site is an essential key to success when using any rodenticide Environmental changes which could be made to reduce the attractiveness of the site to rodents should be noted for implementing after the treatment.

Usually this will involve rodent proofing and removing rubbish and weeds that provide harbourages and cover. However, the site should not be cleared before treatment since this will disturb the rodent population and make bait acceptance more difficult to achieve.

Obvious food, such as spilled grain, should be removed as far as possible and any food sources covered.

Rodenticide baits should only be used for as long as is necessary to achieve satisfactory control.

In most cases, any anticoagulant bait should have achieved control within 35

days. Should activity continue beyond this time, the likely cause should be determined and documented. If bait continues to be consumed without effect, a more potent anticoagulant should

be considered. If bait take is poor, relative to the apparent size of the infestation, consideration should be given to re-siting the bait points and possibly changing to another bait base, as well

as making other environment changes.

You can read more about the responsible use of rodenticides here - http://www.thinkwildlife. org/about-crru/

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Investing in

People Quality Meat Scotland appoints new Health and Education Executive

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has appointed Mairi Sutherland as its new Health and Education Executive.

Mairi (25) has taken over the reins from Jenni Henderson and will be working with and inspiring young people, communicating positive messages about the benefits of eating red meat as part of a healthy balanced diet.

With a degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Edinburgh Napier University, Mairi, has worked in a variety of sectors, with companies such as Virgin Active, Baillie Gifford and most recently The University of Edinburgh.

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Mairi is also a Rainbow Guider and has volunteered for nearly 10 years in Girl Guiding, offering a wealth of experience in supporting and encouraging young people.

Carol McLaren, QMS Head of Communications said she is delighted to welcome Mairi to the team.

“Mairi brings a huge amount of practical knowledge and experience with her. This, coupled with a strong personal interest in health and nutrition, makes her a strong addition to the team and will undoubtedly strengthen our existing communication activities to promote the role of red meat in a healthy diet.”

Galbraith strengthens rural team with Ayrshire appointment

The rural business team at Galbraith has welcomed experienced land agent Alice Wilson to the Ayr office.

Alice joins the firm having spent the last three years working as a chartered rural surveyor in Yorkshire before which time she grew up on a family run dairy farm in South Ayrshire where her passion for rural affairs developed.

The Galbraith rural team specialise in helping clients with estate, farm and forestry assets, and provide advice on interests totalling some three million acres from their offices across Scotland.

Alice, land agent at Galbraith, said: “I’m thrilled to join the Galbraith rural team and make a return to Ayrshire.

Galbraith is a well-established and highly respected firm and to be part of a team that undertakes a diverse range of rural work across Scotland was an exciting

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prospect. My role will entail undertaking valuations, utility work and estate management amongst other general land agency work.

“Ayrshire is a particularly interesting region to be based from, with there being many ongoing rural issues such as the recent struggles in the dairy sector which have been most evident in the south west of Scotland. However, in the past few months we have experienced an increased interest in land and farms for dairy following a rise in milk prices during the latter half of 2016.

Ian Hope, partner at Galbraith, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Alice to the Ayr office and our rural team.

Galbraith continually invests in new talent and high caliber rural advisers and given Alice’s wealth of experience she is certain to be of real value to the company and our clients.”

for sale

Herd of Silver Cows Looking for New Home

Cows were domesticated around 10,500 years ago, providing us with beef, milk and leather, and about 1.4 billion cattle can be found in pretty much every corner of the world. Much rarer and only providing milk, is this herd of 112 cows – silver creamers which have been collected by one careful owner and are now up for sale with an asking price of £85,000.

The collection of cow creamers took the current owner many years to assemble, buying from auction, fairs and dealers across the globe, with many being sourced in the USA. They are weighing a collective 25 kg and are now being offered as a whole through Independent Antiques Valuer & Consultant Mark Littler, who is selling them on behalf of a client.

Mark, an Independent antiques valuer based in Cheshire, has valued and sold some strange items in his time.

From medieval rings to a first class railway carriage, 16th century German guns to casks of 21 year old Scotch single malt whisky. But the current herd of 112 solid silver cow creamers will be hard to beat.

Mark says “I couldn’t quite believe my ears when I had

the initial phone call from the vendor. I have sold silver cow creamers in the past, but most collectors only manage to find one or two. To have amassed such a broad range of creamers is testimony to the devotion of the owner.”

Considering all of the options for his client, Mark decided that a private sale would be best over auction owing to the considerable auction house commissions and the danger of flooding the market and breaking up the collection.

Mark says “selling the collection as a whole offers a unique opportunity to a collector or institution. The scope is really all-encompassing, featuring every known style of creamer, and even features some real rarities including bull creamers and even a creamer in the form of a goat. It has taken decades to acquire and it would be a real shame to see the collection broken down.”

Schuppe. Little is known about Schuppe other than that he was a Dutch immigrant and flourished in England c1753-1773.

However, his design captured the imagination of the upper classes, with hundreds of copycat creamers made all over the world in almost every material over the following centuries.

Although Schuppe was the first to make cow creamers from

silver, their form is much older.

To find the form in its earliest guise you would need to travel back to 4th century BC Egypt where pottery jugs in the form of cows first appear.

Mark Littler is an Independent Antique Adviser and Valuer. Based near Sandbach in Cheshire, he helps his clients navigate the often confusing and bewildering antiques trade in order to get them the best deal when they sell their antiques or collector items. Selling both through auctions around the UK and private sales, Mark is one of the first to act in such an intermediary role in the antiques trade.

Previous highlights include a 16th century carbine sold at auction for almost £30,000, three casks of 21 year old Scotch whisky for over £25,000 each and The Green Hammerton ring, a medieval marriage ring sold for a five figure sum to Mayfair based Royal jewellers Wartski.

To find out more and see images of all the cows, please visit Mark’s website: www.marklittler.com.

If interested? You can also contact the magazine office: 01738 639747

John Schuppe original cow creamer, goat and bull creamer Silver cow creamers, which are novelty jugs for serving cream with tea, first appeared on our shores in the 1750s and were made by silversmith John www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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exotic farming scotland

Island Beefcake with Orkney Buffalo

by Janice Hopper Rearing rare or exotic breeds immediately means that, as a farmer, you’re doing something special, and you’ll face unique obstacles and surprises. In this new regular column we’ll be meeting the farmers taking the path less trodden, sharing their stories, learning from their experiences and finding out what it’s really like to chase the exotic in Scotland.

Naomi Bremner and her husband Russell are one of only two buffalo farmers in Scotland.

They run Orkney Buffalo in Deerness, and brand themselves

as the most northern UK buffalo herd, a USP and easily memorable slogan. The other buffalo breeder, Steven Mitchell in Fife, holds the title as Scotland’s biggest buffalo farmer. Buffalo farmers in themselves are rare, and perhaps exotic?

The first thing that Naomi comments upon is the sense of community amongst the buffalo fraternity, she says “We sourced our initial fifteen cattle from Steven Mitchell who we found to be hugely supportive, full of advice and a bit of a mentor. We’re also

on a Facebook page of UK Buffalo Farmers where the vibe is about sharing information and advice.

Most farmers are still trying to raise the profile, acceptance and visibility of buffalo meat, so working together and encouraging growth in the sector is currently the way ahead.”

Russell’s background is in dairy farming on the Orkney island of Eday, but he knew he wanted to do something a bit different.

Naomi’s background was Head of Transport at Orkney Council. She still works as a transport consultant

Russell Bremner and the herd

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and is a non-executive director on the Orkney Health Board, jobs that helped the couple fulfil their aspiration of setting up their own farm.

The Bremner’s first herd of Asian Water Buffalo landed on the shores of Orkney in August 2013, and Orkney Buffalo now boasts fifty cows and a 150 strong herd. The animals have a calm temperament so Naomi noticed how smooth it was to transport live buffalo from mainland Scotland, north, to Orkney. They’re a relatively popular herd in Italy, due to the demand for mozzarella, and passports are required for each animal, as with cattle.

The beef is renowned for its health benefits so the farmers are pushing this message strongly.

“We’re always sharing the fact that buffalo meat is low in cholesterol and high in mineral content with less than half the total fat content of conventional lean beef’, says Naomi, ‘And the meat tastes a little richer and sweeter than beef.”

In the future the Bremners would like to consider milk production which again could be successfully marketed to the health food audience as Buffalo milk has “58% more calcium, 40% more protein and 43% less cholesterol than cow’s milk”.

The Bremners discovered plenty of challenges to deal with too. First up there’s an understandable lack of Scottish vets with in-depth buffalo knowledge,

exotic farming scotland

Naomi getting ‘hands on’

and the gestation period of buffalo is slightly longer at ten months, as opposed to the usual nine months in cattle, but the slaughtering has probably raised the biggest issues.

Naomi explains, “Due to their extremely tough skulls the usual practise of stunning the animal on the front of the head simply wouldn’t work on buffalo with standard equipment. As such, a dispensation is sought to stun the beast at the back of the head, but we discovered that our local slaughterhouse has state of the art boxes for cattle which don’t allow access to the back of the skull, therefore our buffalo have to travel to Speyside”. The meat is returned

The camera attracts attention

by a local meat supplier, butchered outside Kirkwall, and transformed into burgers onsite at Orkney Buffalo, but the additional time and cost involved in the journey to Speyside was an unexpected obstacle. The couple currently slaughter one animal a fortnight.

Another hurdle, particular to operating in the world of ‘exotic’ or ‘rare’, can be the categorisation of the meat you’re actually producing: when farming in unchartered territory classification can be an ongoing concern and debate. A further challenge is getting consumers to buy and taste ‘unusual’ meat but the Bremner’s burger van, with its colourful motif,

travels around Orkney events, and further afield, and has been booked for weddings and festivals. Naomi also regularly drops meet off at the various ferry terminals for people to take to the mainland or to neighbouring islands. One last trick Naomi uses is remaining active across social media. This showcases the products, taps into new markets with facts, wit and dedicated engagement.

The Orkney island location itself brings mixed blessings. The winter is notably long, sometimes up to eight months, so the beasts are brought in for extended periods and fed on silage and hay. On the other hand local restaurants

and cafes are particularly proud of stocking and serving island produce. Orkney Buffalo is available to order online anywhere in the UK, and Naomi says their repeat custom is growing steadily, but locally their beef graces the tables of eateries such as the Birsay Bay Tearoom, the Commodore Bar Restaurant in Holm, the Noust Bar in Orphir, and the Y-Not Inn in Thurso on the Scottish mainland.

It’s taken time to secure places on established menus.

Naomi says, “In the early days we would occasionally appear on ‘Specials Boards’ but we didn’t offer a steady and reliable supply of meat to secure a spot on a daily menu. Now that we slaughter fortnightly we guarantee quality meat on a regular basis. It’s solid progress.”

Orkney Food and Drink, sponsored by Northlink Ferries, is another local benefit promoting the development and growth of the islands’ food and drinks industry at a local and national level, but Orcadian support for local produce seems to come naturally. As a visitor it’s relatively easy to ‘eat local’ due to the common practise of producers mutually supporting one another by dishing up Orkney fare: from Orkney Cheddar, Orkney Fudge, Orkney Gin, Orkney Wine and Orkney Ice-cream to craft beers, seafood and beef, it’s now possible to add Orkney Buffalo to the particularly mouthwatering local larder. orkneybuffalo.com

Buffalo sirloin steaks ready to go

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Beatha an eilean CUIDEACHADH LE BEATHA NAN EILEAN A CHUMAIL SUAS Sgrìobhadair Iain G. MacDhòmhnaill Iar-Neach-gairm Coimisean na Croitearachd

Iain G. MacDhòmhnaill

Chuir Fearann Eilean Iarmain iarrtas a-steach gu Coimisean na Croitearachd airson croit falamh ann an Harapul san t-Srath anns an Eilean Sgìtheanachd, a dhichroiteadh. B’ e an t-adhbhar airson an iarrtais am fearann a reic ri Comann Taigheadais Loch Aillse ’s an Eilein Sgitheanaich airson taighean air prìs reusanta a thogail. Chaidh am fearann a riarachadh airson taighean ann am Plana Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd an Iar ’s nan Eilean agus bha an Comann Taigheadais air tairgse tabhartais fhaotainn bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba gus cuideachadh leis a’ cheannach.

Bha an t-iarrtas seo a’ coileanadh nan slatan-tomhais uile ann am Plana Poileasaidh Coimisean na Croitearachd: • Ùidhean nas fharsainge: Cha deach am fearann àiteach airson àireamh de bhliadhnaichean agus bheir gabhail ris an iarrtas seo cead seachad airson taigheadas air

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prìs reusanta a chruthachadh ann an coimhearsnachd dhùthchail far a bheil taighean gann.

• Ùidhean poblach: Cuidichidh taigheadas air prìs reusanta le taic a chur ri gleidheadh àireamh-sluaigh, agus on tha an talamh air a bhith bàn fad bhliadhnaichean cha bhi buaidh mhòr aige air an

fharsaingeachd de fhearann croite Ionadail.

• Leasachadh seasmhach: cuidichidh togail thaighean le cothroman cosnaidh agus seachnadh air talamh a bhith fàs.

• Ruigsinneachd: ged a tha an t-slighe a-steach air a chuibhreachadh gu làithreach gu frith-rathad garbh,

Harapul Mill Croft

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dh’fhaodadh an t-slighe seo a leasachadh.

Tha an t-iarrtas di-chroitidh seo na eisimpleir mhath air dè a ghabhas a choileanadh nuair a tha na pàrtaidhean uile ag obair còmhla gus toradh fhaotainn a bhios na bhuannachd don choimhearsnachd.

Sa chùis seo, le bhith a’ solarachadh taigheadais sòisealta ann an coimhearsnachd dhùthchail far a bheil taigheadas gann, tha e mar sin a’ cuideachadh dhaoine òga gu fuireach sa choimhearsnachd agus air an eilean. Chuir Fearann Eilean Iarmain, a’ dèanamh cinnteach gun robh an t-iarrtas a’ coileanadh plana poileasaidh a’ Choimisein agus Taigheadas Loch Aillse ’s an Eilein Sgitheanaich, taic ris an iarrtas agus bha maoineachadh aca na àite gus a’ phròiseact adhartachadh aon uair ’s gun robh an Coimisean air aontachadh air an fhearann a thoirt a-mach à croitearachd.

MUCK SPREADERS

Spreading it around A look at some of the best-known Muck Spreaders on the market

High Output Manure Spreader from Abbey When it comes to spreading farm yard manure the three key areas are (1) speed of application, (2) versatility of products that can be spread and (3) trouble free life of the machine. Many farms have various types of manures, from various animals (cattle, sheep, horses etc), that may be at various levels of maturity and decay. All these materials have different spread capabilities and pose various challenges to the machines that have to spread them.

Abbey Machinery are one of Ireland’s oldest and most respected

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manure and feed management specialists, with a legacy dating back as far as 1947. With that they have gained a wealth of knowledge around farm yard manure application.

Abbey have a range of six side spreaders. In addition to these they have an All-Purpose AP900 spreader. This 1650 gallon (9 tonne) spreader can spread materials an impressive 13-20m (depending on the type of material) and all with just a 100HP tractor.

It comes with hydraulic brakes, reversible gearbox, LED lights for

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MUCK SPREADERS improved visibility and 23.1 x 26 tyres.

Versatility and strength The sprung steel discharge paddles create an even flow of

material onto the discharge rotor to eliminate bridging and clogging.

The spiral on the rotor has 10mm fins for added workload. The double skinned floor is designed to increase the working life of

the unit. The steep tapered tub design and large diameter auger facilitate improved processing of materials, along with the unique floor design that has the added benefit of reducing small

stone blockages and enabling rapid and complete emptying of the machine. Materials move from the back to the front of the spreader which gives positive weight transfer to tractor.

Bunnings range of designs Throughout 2016, GT Bunning & Sons Ltd have been displaying and demonstrating a wide selection of Lowlander rear discharge spreaders models at all the major agricultural shows and events nationwide. Bunnings are the only outright spreader manufacture in the world, with all R & D, design and production effort being concentrated into the Lowlander spreaders. The range starts at 6 tonne capacity and goes up to 40 tonne with the addition of the Widebody 380 HD. Ensuring that customers get the very best results from their Lowlander spreader is at the heart of Bunnings manufacturing approach.

Although todays range of models are predominantly ordered with twin vertical

augers Bunnings are seeing a considerable increase in the number of machines for spreading wider patterns and more accurate application rates.

The former is achieved in a number of different ways depending on what is required; standard augers on the mk4 Range can be replaced with Widebody Augers, these help to improve the spread width and reduce emptying times and are mainly specified by customers with the majority of materials spread being cattle and pig manure or compost. A detachable spinner deck can be specified for vertical auger machines, this option has two 1.1 meter diameter spinning discs and can be taken on or off in under 5 minutes. It is best suited to chicken manure

and other products to be spread at wider and lower application rates.

Another alternative for vertical auger spreaders is the new simple canopy which hooks on to the rear of the machine and deflects material down onto

the bottom blades of the augers, ideal for spreading products like broiler litter and lime. The most effective and increasingly popular variation for wider spread patterns is Bunnings HBD design.

Fleming Muck Spreaders The Fleming range of Muck Spreaders come in a variety of sizes from the Minimuck with the capacity of 1 cubic yard all the way to the MS1000 with the capacity of 9.5 cubic yards.

The Minimuck is perfect for the smaller compact Tractors

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with a horsepower between 30 – 50. The Minimuck is the only model that does not come on wheels and is directly driven from the PTO and gives a smooth even spread.

The MS150 was specifically designed to fit between the

Minimuck and the MS450 models, this gives a good choice for the Small Holder, Equine or the Horticulturist Markets. The required horsepower is between 25 and 50 and like every Fleming Agri Machine manufactured, goes through a five stage paint

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and heat treatment for better durability and protection against corrosion.

The MS450 previously mentioned is the next in line, welded and painted inside and out, manual opening cantilever reinforced lid and a reinforced

MUCK SPREADERS

Harry West spreaders

loading edge makes this machine a suitable addition to the farm.

The next two Muck Spreaders in the range are the MS700 and the MS1000. These are designed for use on large farm lands. The MS700 has a 7 cubic yard capacity and a hydraulic galvanised heavy duty reinforced lid. The body is made from reinforced 4mm body again welded inside and out. An optional extra on this

model is the larger wheels, 550 x 45 x 22.5 and a large wash out bung comes as standard for easy cleaning.

The MS1000 is the biggest in the fleet of Muck Spreaders. 550 x 45 x 22.5 standard Wheels, reinforced 4mm body, welded inside and out with reinforced 6mm end plates, a pick up eye, shoe rest and PTO as standard, making this the perfect addition for a larger workload.

Harry West (Prees) Ltd. manufacture Spreaders, Diet Feeder and Trailers in its Shropshire Factory and are best known for its Dual Spreader range of models from 1300 gallons to 3000 gallons.

These spreaders will deal with slurry and solid material and having a machine in our range will suit most farmers and contractors.

With the design of the Dual

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taking the material forward keeping weight on to the rear of the tractor ensuring traction is maintained in difficult conditions, the low power requirement and low ground pressure large radius tyres will ensure fuel economy and create minimum ground compaction.

With their robust design and under slung rotor which brakes up the material and keeps it on a low trajectory and our unique

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MUCK SPREADERS moving wall agitator that works continuously to prevent material bridging and with the spiral auger insures a continues

and even feed to the discharge rotor They offer a wide range of options to suit individual requests

such as removable lids, rollover sheets, and various drawbar options including hydraulic and mechanical jacks swivel and bolt

on hitches including the k80 type This makes these machines very popular both in the UK and internationally.

New application rate control for Xcel spreader Hi-Spec Engineering has added the option of new weigh cell and application rate monitoring systems for the Xcel 1250 manure spreader, which will enable users to follow best practice and advice provided in RB209 when spreading solid manure, especially when working within an NVZ. The XCEL 1250 is unique in that it uses a rotary chain and flail system to achieve a good break up of material, which is then spread using a pair of spinning discs.

The XCEL 1250 spreader has a solids capacity of 12 tonnes, with a loading height of just 2.5 metres.

To ensure that an accurate application rate can be set and maintained, the Xcel 1250 can now be fitted with the ISOBUS compatible RDS iSOCAN Apollo spreader control system.

The required application rate is set and maintained using the iSOCAN Apollo colour touch screen terminal, which also allows work records to be stored, recalled and exported.

Weigh cells in the spreader ensure that the weight of manure in the spreader is constantly maintained and the speed of the heavy duty chains is also monitored and constantly adjusted to ensure that the correct application rate is maintained, irrespective of forward speed.

The Apollo system is also compatible with 3rd party precision farming systems to enable variable rate application and there is also the option of headland control that will automatically start and stop the spreader at the headland.

For those who just require a simple weighing system to monitor total application rate, Hi-Spec also offers the DigiStar GT400 weighing system.

The weight indicator allows the user to monitor each load and to

maintain a running total so that the total for each field can be quickly and easily recorded.

Other updates to the Xcel 1250 include the option of a sprung drawbar for greater shock absorption and operator comfort.

The Siroko from Joskin JOSKIN, a family owned business, designs and manufactures agricultural machinery since 1968. Our machines are today exported in more than 60 countries. World leader in the manufacture of slurry tankers (more than 35,000 tankers sold), we also offer a wide range of spreading implements, muck spreaders, agricultural tipping

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trailers, heavy duty dump trailers, a complete range for livestock (loaders, livestock trailers, harrows, toppers). Many models, hundreds of options and a mastery of the manufacturing and design processes from A to Z, this is how the JOSKIN spreaders got their reputation.

The standard equipment is complete and qualitative:

MUCK SPREADERS beaters with folded spirals for intense and large spreading width; control of the moving floor by regulator with constant pressure; moving floor with grade 80 shipping chains; easy to reach floor tensioners located outside the body; drawbar with a cross spring suspension, body in high tensile steel to decrease the empty weight and to increase the resistance of the assembly, etc.

Two models are particularly appreciated by the users in the UK narrow body, a low center of gravity and suitable for big wheels: - the SIROKO, designed for tractors up to 130 hp is available in capacities from 8 to 13m3 DIN. They are completely hot dip galvanized to protect them against corrosion and to guarantee their longevity.

- the sturdy TORNADO 3 offers a volume from 11 to 23 m DIN (single or twin axles) and is meant for intensive

works. His high load capacity requires minimum a 120 HP tractor. Standard fitted with vertical beaters, the Tornado3 is also available in HORZION

version with spreading table, especially for light manure, lime and compost.

On top of this, JOSKIN also proposes two other models

of muck spreaders with wide bodies: Ferti-CAP with a capacity from 9 to 12 m DIN and Ferti-SPACE who reaches 15 to 25m DIN on triple axle!

The K Two range K Two muck spreaders range includes the Eco, Duo, Evo and Bio each designed specifically for the modern farmers and contractors of the 21st century both here in the UK and Internationally.

K Two Sales entry level Eco range of rear discharge spreaders consists of three models with capacities ranging from 5 to 7.5 tonnes. Boasting many of the same features as its larger counterpart, The K Two Duo, including its single-piece Rรถgelberg rotor gearbox, variable floor speed controls and dynamically balanced twin vertical beaters.

As with all models from K Two the Eco offers excellent

performance, efficiently handling and quickly spreading a range of materials from fresh, rotted

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or partially solid manure or compost or other farmyard by-products in lighter duty

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MUCK SPREADERS situations.

Its fully welded construction promises excellent durability and longevity.

When More advanced control of spreading is required, the K Two Duo range offers an optional weigh cell system to control discharge rates from pre-defined application maps, making them the ideal choice for farmers and contractors that use GPS precision systems.

The Duos ability to handle all farm manures efficiently whilst achieving an even, accurate spread pattern, allows farmers and contractors to be confident that the farmyard manures nutrients are available for soil improvement and crop uptake equal to balanced artificial applications, helping offset the high cost of bought-in fertilisers.

Key to the Duos success is its to heavy-duty vertical rotors, dynamically balanced and fitted with long-life reversible teeth.

These spreading rotors rotates at

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a fast 417 rpm providing a wider, finer more evenly spread manure across the field. The hightensile open flight rotors permit

alternative spreading spinners, dramatically improving the spread of high water content manures.

Available in a range of capacities from 6 – 14 tonnes, complete with popular and useful options to satisfy individual requirements.

Marshall muck spreaders Marshall Trailers produces two ranges of muckspreader; the MS range of rotor-spreaders and the VES range of rear discharge spreaders. The legendary MS range has been developed over thirty years of production; with a number of unique design features and robust construction the MS range is built to last.

The 6mm ends and 4mm drum combined with a fully supporting chassis and the use of shot blasting in the paint process ensures a long service life. In addition, machined steel sprockets located by a 10 pitch spline and the mounting of bearings away from corrosive slurry reduce the chances of premature component failure.

Standard features also include a stainless steel lid ram to prevent corrosion and a lid design that allows it open almost vertically; allowing the spreader to be easily loaded. The generous capacities of the MS range mean

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each model can actually hold the stated volume; sizes are available from 4.5 cu.yds to 10.5 cu.yds.

The VES range of reardischarge muckspreaders is also produced alongside the

MUCK SPREADERS traditional rotor-spreader design; providing increased capacities, an improved spread pattern and quicker application. The unique feature about the Marshall VES range is the use of a fully speed controlled pushing ram to literally push the load to the rear beaters. This removes the maintenance and reliability problems that can be associated with traditional floor chains designs; there are no chains to stretch, wear or break.

Furthermore the use of a pushing ram allows a more compact design with the rear axle further back to reduce weight transfer during spreading. The build and design of the spreader is also extremely heavy duty, with fully balanced, in-house built rear beaters that have a close intermeshing for an improved spread pattern, a shock protected 165hp gearbox and a fully welded body constructed from 4mm steel with interlocking bearers for increased rigidity.

NC manure spreaders With years of experience and a reputation for quality NC have produced an extensive range of solid manure spreaders to include 7m3, 9m3, 11m3, 13m3 and 15m3 – suitable for small farmers to large contractors.

Build quality ensure low running costs, a consistent and even discharge, with the ability to handle virtually all types of waste, ie semi-solid, poultry litter, industrial sludges, waste products etc. The unique rotor design and blade pattern allows you to spread all types of manures without the trouble and fuss of changing spreader decks and the large ‘cubic capacities’ available are particularly suited to low density manures.

At the Grassland and Muck event held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire the NC Rear Discharge Manure Spreader consistently out-performed

all in their class with a wide, accurate, even spread. The machine is capable of spreading

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16 metres wide, using twin rotors with reversible and replaceable hardox bolt on tips.

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MUCK SPREADERS

Rolland’s latest muck spreaders

bearing blocks. A new rear door design all means there are no corners to resist flow when opening and the front viewing panel and been didened so that you can see inside the spreader beyond into the field when spreading.

A new A-frame drawbar also offers more strength and stability, and the drawbar can be specced with either spring or hydraulic suspension.

This also allows the operator to alter ride height, which in turn changes the spreading width.

The Slurry Kat range

Rolland replaced its Rolltwin series of muck spreaders last year with the Rollforce range, and they now have several models out throughout the country.

The Rolland range includes seven models offering 13cu m to 22cu m capacities with three different side heights to choose

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from. These being 1230mm, 1550mm or 1700mm.

Inside the spreaders there are no angles for material to get stock in as the strengthened 16mm thick chains are now closer to the sides, while channel slats make for smoother emptying.

The drive has also been strengthened with wider

SlurryKat is distinguished as the trendsetter in slurry handling equipment and slurry

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management solutions sector for agriculture and AD biogas digestate. Exporting quality

MUCK SPREADERS slurry tankers, umbilical slurry systems and farm trailers worldwide as well as locally.

They pride themselves in being able to produce exceptional slurry handling equipment and accessories, which are engineered with design and quality at the forefront of their minds. All products are thoroughly trailed and tested though their Contractor Division before market launch.

SlurryKat have 2 ranges of tankers; ‘The SlurryKat Super Tanker’ and ‘The Panterra’ which was launched last year as a budget range tanker, pioneered to offer less intensive clients a lower specification tanker range while still maintaining vital reputable build quality and reliability - a trait associated with all SlurryKat products.

The Super Tanker range is specifically designed for the spreading technology system. The engineers merge the chassis and spreading technology in a unique way so the slurry tanker fully

compliments the overall system.

Unlike other slurry tankers, the SlurryKat system provides a unique state of equilibrium, enabling a smooth on-road journey and optimum field performance.

Both ranges of tankers are made from 6mm mild steel and include anti implosion rings, antisurge baffle system, stone trap with discharge and 2 pack paint.

Every tanker is totally ‘bespoke’

to each customer’s individual requirements.

Range of sizes to meet the needs of small and large farms.

Models available range from 1600 - 5500 gallons.

Teagle Titan Rear Discharge Muck Spreader The focus of Titan development has been to ensure that users gain the greatest benefit from the nutrients in their manure by effectively shredding muck and evenly spreading it behind the machine.

The shallower pitch of the spreading augers ensures effective mixing and shredding prior to discharge. It is also important to have an auger with a smooth and continuous face to ensure a consistent and even spread pattern.”’ In addition the Titan range uses a beater system

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MUCK SPREADERS that is wider than the body of the machine to enable a greater diameter beater to be fitted.

This maximizes tip speed, again essential for effective shredding.

All models are well proportioned to ensure good

stability, manoeuvrability and ground clearance.

Loading remains easy thanks to the low height of the sides.

For greater driveline protection from foreign objects, a set of swinging flails sit at the

base of the beater and have been developed to fold back under shock loading.

For lighter materials such as poultry manure a series of paddles can be fitted in lieu of the beater tips which further

improve the discharge rate and spreading width.

As output becomes increasingly important for farmers and contractors alike, the tall beater system which is fitted as standard across all models offers a massive discharge rate.

The Storth approach

Ammonia Gas is a major contributor to air pollution across the globe and at Storth, we knew we could do more to help reduce air pollution. Following intense research, we designed

and produced a complete range of Slurry Handling Machinery, to suit the ever-changing needs of Farmers and Contractors worldwide. We listened to and responded to our customers and

designed a complete system, starting with the cow, ending back in the field.

As most Gas Emissions are released on the spreading of Slurry, Storth manufactured in our British based factory, a range of galvanised Dribble Bars to help assist with precision application, whilst meeting the most demanding needs of the agricultural market. This type of slurry application assists with the amount of nutrients available to crops, as traditional methods of spreading slurry see that most nutrients are lost in the atmosphere, releasing the harmful Ammonia Gas.

Our range of Dribble Bars reduce the surface area of which slurry is exposed to, lowering nutrient losses by as much as 5% in comparison to Spreader Bars.

Every farm is different, therefore Storth developed a range of Dribble Bars to help accommodate most farmers and as such, the Vertical Fold and Sequence Dribble Bar were made. The Vertical Fold Dribble Bar incorporates a close coupled central frame design, giving narrow transport width, as well as the strength to facilitate the optional HD Female A-frame.

Vogelsang lobe pumps Save money and time with a Vogelsang Lobe pump.

Digestate/Slurry is a valuable commodity, and if used correctly can bring economic benefits, Vogelsang offers everything you need for liquid manure management, reliable pumping and application technology that can be counted on day after day.

Vogelsang manufactured there first lobe pump in the 70s, over the years with improved technology have found they can offer the lobe pump to be used in numerus

operations around the farm or Biogas plants.

More operators are finding that using the lobe pump, instead of the centrifugal pump for umbilical cord supply, can save them time and more importantly money, with exciting users saving up to 10 litres an hour on fuel, compared to when they use the centrifugal pump for the same application.

Vogelsang Ltd have a high output PTO drive for demonstration please call Sion Williams on 07817 986561 for more information.

Look to the west try Harry West Maelstrom Rear Discharge Spreader

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s -ANURE 3PREADERS s $IET &EEDERS s 'RAIN AND 3ILAGE 4RAILERS s !GRICULTURAL AND #OMMERCIAL "UILDING ALSO Please check out the SEKO RANGE of Diet Feeders & eco line products Tel: 01948 840465 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Harry West (Prees) Ltd Lower Heath, Prees, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 2BT

beef New QMS Video Highlights Health Benefits of Red Meat Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has launched a new video highlighting the important role of beef, lamb and pork in a healthy diet.

The video, entitled “The Meat We Eat“ aims to dispel some of the myths about red meat and communicate, as simply as possible, the many nutritional benefits it offers.

“Eating a healthy balanced diet, including proteins such as beef, lamb and pork, helps keep us fit and active and our new video aims to explain that role in a simple and engaging way which all ages can understand,” said dietitian Jennifer Robertson, Health and Education Co-ordinator with QMS.

The video also helps people understand more about recommended daily intakes and highlights the fact that most people are eating an amount of meat which falls within the correct intake guidelines.

“Lean red meat not only tastes good, but is a great source of protein, b-vitamins, iron and zinc. With more than a third of Scotland’s young people lacking in iron, red meat is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet,” said Mrs Robertson.

The video also highlights the other nutritional benefits of red meat including the role of protein in building muscle, zinc in maintaining a healthy immune system and b vitamins in fighting fatigue. Red meat can also contain vitamin D which helps to keep

teeth and bones healthy and Omega 3 which helps to maintain a healthy heart.

QMS undertakes a range of activities throughout the year to help communicate the importance of a healthy diet and the role of red meat.

Among these is the QMS school voucher initiative which aims to support Scottish secondary schools to encourage pupils to

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learn to cook quick, tasty and healthy meals.

Every secondary school in Scotland is eligible to apply for a voucher worth up to £100 which can be exchanged at local retailers by the school for top quality meat such as Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork.

The scheme was developed by QMS in response to concerns that tight budgets mean many Scottish schools are unable to afford fresh, red meat products for cookery lessons and pupils leaving school without the skills to cook simple, healthy meals.

The new video can be viewed on QMS’s MooTube page on YouTube and also on the QMS Facebook and Twitter feeds.

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beef Feed Efficiency Programme progressing well A recent open day at one of the commercial farms chosen to host a data recording unit for the Defra/AHDB funded Beef Feed Efficiency Programme presented a great opportunity to see how Limousin cattle are being used in the important industry research.

This major industry project, which is progressing well, aims to demonstrate how feed efficiency traits can be measured and selected for in beef cattle. It will illustrate how the most efficient cattle will eat less than others but grow at the same rate. Attendees got to see the cattle in the unit up close and were shown some interim results, which already indicate a notable range of feed efficiency between different sire groups. To date, actual feed intake of the more feed

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beef efficient cattle has tended to be around 12% lower than that for the less efficient cattle, yet growth rates are similar.

Across 100 growing cattle gaining 200kg of liveweight, the resultant feed cost savings would amount to over £2,200.

While the initial focus is on recording Limousin-sired cattle, the aim is to develop a system for recording feed efficiency that can be extended to other beef breeds in the future. This

will undoubtedly provide significant opportunities for all beef producers to cut the cost of production.

Limousin sired calves are still required for the programme and can be purchased, or loaned via a retained ownership arrangement, from dairy or beef herds. Please contact Natalie Cormack on 07866 934563 / 01890 781006 or email natalie.cormack@ ahdb.org.uk if you have suitable cattle up to 8 months of age.

QMS Welcomes Opening of Key Export Market for Scotch Beef Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has welcomed the announcement that beef from the UK is set to be back on the menu in the Philippines.

The new export deal worth £34 million for the UK, was announced recently by UK Food Minister George Eustice.

QMS was one of the UK levy bodies which supported Defra, along with the Scottish Government and other agencies, with the work undertaken to progress the opening of the market in the Philippines.

The Philippines is the largest food and drink market in south east Asia with meat consumption expected to grow by ten per cent over the next five years. A delegation of inspectors from there visited the UK last year.

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of Quality Meat Scotland, said the announcement was excellent news for the Scottish red meat industry.

“The Philippines are a priority market for Scotch Beef PGI which has earned a global reputation for quality underpinned by one of the longest-running quality assurance schemes in the world.

“The deal announced today could also offer great potential in terms of maximising returns from the whole carcass.”

Mr Clarke added that there are substantial opportunities for the Scottish red meat industry to develop and grow business inside and outside of the EU. “We have also been working hard with other trade partners such as Scotland Food and Drink, Scottish Development International and the UK Export Certificate Partnership to open key markets such as the US, China and Japan which also offer exciting opportunities for the future,” he said.

QMS works hard to promote the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status of Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb at key overseas food events and showcased the guarantees of quality assurance, provenance and welfare that underpin the brands.

Increased meat exports in 2016 played an encouraging role in a record year for food and drink exports from Scotland.

Overall food and drink exports from Scotland grew by £421 million in 2016, to a record £5.5 billion, representing an 8% increase in the value of exports to Scotland’s successful food and drink sector over the past year.

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Strong Farmgate Beef Prices Set to Continue

By Stuart Ashworth, QMS Head of Economic Services

I am pleased to report that farmgate beef prices remain historically strong in the prevailing marketplace, reflecting the low numbers of prime cattle on the market coupled with low carcase weights.

According to the latest analysis by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), this situation is being driven by clear market signals over carcase weight and limited outlets for beef from young bulls.

Historically, young bulls contribute most to the supply chain during July and August accounting for 15% to 16% of the prime kill, while they fall to 8% or 9% contribution through the winter and spring.

This leads to the age of prime cattle at slaughter peaking in August and September. However, this year, the current availability of steers has been reduced as producers have reacted to the call for smaller carcasses by selling steers younger and lighter.

In short, through June and July, the UK prime beef market has seen a reduction in domestic supply.

Calf registrations show that in the second half of 2015 Scottish calf registrations were 1%

higher than 2014. This modest increase continued into the first half of 2016 which could suggest some small increase in stock availability as the year progresses. Overall GB calf registrations show a similar pattern. However, with a higher proportion of calvings in the second half of the year in England and Wales than Scotland, supplies may lift in England and Wales before Scotland.

While the current market is being helped by lower domestic beef production it is also being supported by Sterling’s weakness. This has encouraged greater export activity and reduced the competitiveness of imported product.

The latest customs data showed a three percent growth in the volume of beef exports during May with useful growth in shipments outside of the EU, although the EU remains by far our most important export market.

Across Europe producer prices are currently around 3-4% higher than this time last year, while after adjusting for exchange rate movement GB producer price is similarly around 3% higher.

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livestock New “Better Grazing” Initiative Launched by QMS Farmers across Scotland are being urged to get involved in the new “Better Grazing” programme launched this week

by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

The new grazing project, which is being offered free of charge, aims to help farmers identify opportunities to improve their utilisation of grazed grass and follows the very successful QMS Grazing Group project which came to an end in March this year.

This previous Grazing Group project attracted a huge amount of interest from farmers keen to increase their farms’ profitability by optimising their grazing management and making the best use of grazed grass as a low-cost feed option.

The new “Better Grazing” initiative will establish six regional groups in Perth, Inverurie, Inverness, Campbeltown, Lockerbie and Melrose. Each group will meet four times a year and will help livestock farmers find ways to improve the utilisation of grass on their farms and increase the kilogrammes of meat produced per hectare.

In a change from the format of the previous project, the new programme won’t be based around a host farm. Instead there will be farm visits to those who have already made changes to their grazing management or to new group members keen to make better use of their grass with the help and support of the rest of the group.

The topics to be covered over the course of the next three years include: grazing strategies; wintering systems; fencing and watering options; how to extend the grazing system; soil management; the control of internal parasites and ruminant nutrition.

The meetings will involve a range of expert speakers as well as farmers from around Scotland who will share their experiences of how they have 76

improved their grassland management and the benefits they have seen.

One example of the farmer speakers is Alex Brewster from Rotmell Farm, near Dunkeld, who will be speaking at the launch of the Inverness regional grazing group on 11 August.

He runs 800 Blackface ewes and 100 commercial Aberdeen Angus cows on his 986-hectare farm and hosted the previous QMS Perthshire Grazing Group.

He said: “There is no doubt the grazing group experience has put us on the right road to building a viable business in what is just now an uncertain farming industry.”

Douglas Bell, QMS Head of Industry Development, encouraged farmers keen to improve their output from grass to get involved. He said: “The Better Grazing” programme provides a great opportunity for livestock farmers to improve their current grazing management and the impact on their bottom line.

“Farmers involved with the original QMS Grazing Group project have shown that making changes to their grazing has led to an increase in their farms profitability, not only through reduced costs but also by increasing output.”

The first round of meetings will be held at the Gloagburn Farm Coffee Shop, Perth on Wednesday 9 August; the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Thursday 10 August; NTS Culloden, Inverness on Friday 11 August; the Ardshiel Hotel, Campbeltown on Monday 14 August; the Dryfesdale Hotel, Lockerbie on Wednesday 16 August; and Melrose Rugby Club on Thursday 17 August.

Places at these events are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For more information about any of the meetings and to reserve your place, please contact QMS on 0131 472 4040 or email info@qmscotland. co.uk

Regional programmes for BVD eradication learn from each other Legislative support, financial compensation, a proactive helpdesk and open access database were agreed to be the main factors needed for a successful BVD (bovine viral diarrhoea) eradication plan at the recent BVDzero Congress.

More than 70 people from the farming industry, each of the BVD eradication programmes, farming unions, tagging companies, laboratories, veterinary organisations, milk processors and retailers attended the recent congress for the UK and Ireland. The meeting aimed to allow policy makers and stakeholders to learn from each other and share information on critically important aspects of their programmes.

Organiser Matt Yarnall from Boehringer Ingelheim, makers of BVD vaccine Bovela®, said

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that the meeting was the first time representatives from the most established programmes (Scotland 2010 and Ireland 2012) could share successes and challenges with the newer and yet to be launched programmes.

“BVD remains one of the most financially significant diseases affecting cattle throughout Europe,” said Mr Yarnall. “And we know from the National BVD Survey that farmers are keen to make progress with its control. But progress with BVD eradication programmes where they are not mandatory is a challenge.

“It is also clear that there is conflicting advice out there on which testing to opt for, which vaccine to use and how, biosecurity and the extent of the benefits of BVD control,” he added.

livestock “The best advice is to work with your country’s eradication programme body, supported by input from your own vet,” Mr Yarnall concluded. “In England, where control is not mandatory as yet, policy makers won’t

consider financial compensation for the removal of PIs until at least 50% of farmers have registered in the voluntary phase.”

The regional programmes are:

• Scottish BVD Eradication programme www.gov.scot • Animal Health Ireland National Eradication Programme www. animalhealthireland.ie • Animal Health and Welfare NI BVD Eradication Programme

www.bvdni.com • BVDFree England www. bvdfree.org.uk • BVD control strategy Isle of Man www.gov.im • BVD control for Wales www. gov.wales

BLCS announces delivery of four new Maternal Genomic Breeding Values for the Commercial Sector The first Maternal GEBVs were released on Friday 14 July.

Following closely behind the introduction of Carcase Trait GEBVs last year, this development represents another important milestone for all users of Limousin genetics and reinforces the breed’s commitment to delivering performance within the sector. The traits focus on key economic drivers; Age to First Calving, Calving Interval, Cow Longevity and Calf Survival.

All are critically important as the industry continues to move to one being driven even more by efficiency and profitability.

The delivery of these GEBV’s represents achievement of another major goal of the BLCS’ Breeding Improvement Plan, the objective of which is to invest in targeted areas of the breed’s performance to ensure it delivers market-focussed genetics. The pathway these new GEBV’s offer delivers a valuable opportunity

to investigate and find breeding solutions for traits that have not been possible until now. Further development for the breed in to areas such as feed efficiency, meat quality and animal health are now possible & ongoing.

John Phillips, Chairman of the BLCS commented “Producer investment in the breed must yield a return and, through the ongoing roll-out of this Improvement Plan, the Society’s objectives are firmly anchored around this principal”.

The GEBVs can be viewed for individual animals and breeders by clicking on ‘Beef Search’ on the Limousin cattle database www.taurus.co.uk.

More information can be found for all Limousin EBVs and GEBVs on the Limousin website www.limousin.co.uk, click on ‘Performance Programmes’ The research was completed in partnership with SRUC and funded by InnovateUK and BBS.

Luing EBVs Launched at Perthshire Workshop 40 Luing breeders attended a workshop to see the first Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to be calculated for this native breed which is growing rapidly in popularity. Six years of data have been gathered on the herd at Incheoch, and visitors were able to view some of the yearling heifers with their corresponding figures on the day before these heifers went with the bull. Variations in the

genetic strengths for milking ability, calving interval and longevity were of particular interest, and it is hoped that this information will help with breeding decisions in the future among more of the 150 Luing herds.

Host farmer and Breed Development Officer Neil McGowan said “the time is right for Luing breeders to get involved with recording, www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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livestock Trial opens lid on effectiveness of disinfectants

as the range of maternal trait EBVs now available means that resulting figures were a good fit with the breed objectives of a hardworking, thrifty suckler cow.” A recent Nuffield Farming Scholar, Mr McGowan shared his experiences of visits to herds of many breeds across the world with similar breeding goals to the Luing, claiming “these herds were focused on breeding hardy, fertile, efficient cattle - and they all used EBVs to help maintain a balanced breeding programme.”

Ailish Ross from Signet talked about the genetic importance of things you can’t see. The breeding of superior maternal cattle is much more complicated than terminal sires, as many of the economically important traits within the suckler herd – milk, longevity and ease of calving are impossible to assess visually.

Ailish explained that with an accurate pedigree and information on performance, Estimated Breeding Values can be created for a range of different trait and combined into breeding indexes to meet a range of needs. This is extremely valuable information within a modern breeding programme, although a degree of caution and common sense is required when interpreting EBVs for maternal traits as accuracy values will always tend to be lower for those traits that are only expressed by a bull’s female relatives.

Sam Boon congratulated the breed for its rapid expansion, doubling its importance within the national cow herd in the last 8 years according to BCMS records – an expansion very much evident by the number of new faces attending the event.

Closing the knowledge gap on rumen fluke Traditionally regarded as being of minor importance in Europe, recent evidence suggests that the prevalence of rumen fluke infection is increasing in parts of the UK. But, with quantifiable figures of the exact impact to animal health, welfare and farm profits unknown, there appears to be a significant gap in the understanding of this parasite.

This knowledge gap has prompted a three-year study to promote a better understanding 78

Pig and poultry farmers have an opportunity to make dramatic improvements to their salmonella biosecurity at a couple of clicks of a button, says animal health expert Jim Bigmore. New official tests show the effectiveness of disinfectants under practical conditions and this could have far-reaching health implications.

A report* produced by the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) and published in Veterinary Microbiology, has revealed significant differences between commercially-available disinfectants but many producers are not aware of this valuable, free, source of information.

about the parasite and its exact impact on animal health and welfare.

Jason Rankin, COWS (Control of Worms Sustainably) representative and general manager at Agrisearch, explains that historically liver fluke has been the main focus for producers.

“In recent years however, there has been an increase in the incidence of rumen fluke infection, resulting in acute disease and death in young cattle,” says Mr Rankin. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

The links are: h t t p : / / w w w. s c i e n c e d i r e c t . com/science/article/pii/ S0378113516308677?via%3Dihub http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/ 10.1080/03079457.2010.537303 “Until now, farmers had only two ways of judging disinfectants — either believing the advertising of disinfectant manufacturers or looking at the DEFRA approvals list. The approved list showed the efficacy of products tested only at low temperatures for a short period of time which didn’t necessarily reflect practical farm conditions,” said Mr Bigmore, managing director of international animal health company Hysolv Ltd.

livestock “One contributing factor for this may be the changing weather patterns we’ve seen. The warm wet summers and mild winters are known to favour an increase in the number of snails, which act as the intermediate host, and facilitate the completion of the rumen fluke life cycle.

“Nevertheless, this theory has not been thoroughly investigated in the UK, hence the lack of industry knowledge about how to manage and control the parasite,” he adds.

“What remains unclear is to what extent rumen fluke infection can impair the animal in terms of causing pain, distress and the effect it has on the animal’s metabolic status and behaviour.”

The study, a major collaboration between Agrisearch, AHDB Beef and Lamb, AFBI and Queens University Belfast, will aim to determine the prevalence and distribution of rumen fluke in the UK, quantify the impact of rumen fluke infection on animal welfare and performance, while enabling the development of tools to aid early diagnosis.

“A lot of information is known about liver fluke, and there are several anthelmintics

which are effective against its infection. But, only one anthelmintic is effective against rumen fluke, and there are no authorised veterinary medicinal products in the UK indicated for the use against rumen fluke,” says Mr Rankin.

“We are at risk that with limited options to control rumen fluke, over or improper use of the only available anthelmintic could lead to the development of anthelmintic resistance.

“This is why it’s vital to correctly diagnose the type of parasite infecting an animal, which this research hopes to achieve, so that the right anthelmintic can be used, in line with the COWS best practice principles.

“If you are concerned that rumen fluke may be an issue on-farm, talk to your vet, SQP, farm adviser or veterinary pharmacist,” he says.

For more information on the sustainable control of cattle parasites, please visit the COWS website at www.cattleparasites. org.uk or follow us on twitter @ COWSworms and Facebook.

This study is being funded by the Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council, Agrisearch and AHDB Beef and Lamb.

New yearbook holds latest farm-to-fork facts and figures Livestock producers can now access a wealth of industry information collected from the 2016 beef and sheep industry in a new pocket-sized yearbook produced by AHDB Beef & Lamb. (Attached) Facts and figures have been compiled and updated to deliver key insights for industry from farm-to-fork.

Beef and veal exports were up ten per cent on 2015 at more than 110,000 tonnes, giving a return of £370 million to the beef sector.

However, issues around supplies, competitiveness and consumer demand have played

a significant part in driving up prices.

For the sheep sector, prices remained below average until May. June’s referendum led to a sharp decline in the value of the pound and consumer demand came under pressure due to rising retail prices and competitively priced alternatives such as chicken.

Duncan Wyatt, lead red meat analyst at AHDB, said: “The pocketbook provides essential information to our levy payers and stakeholders, helping them make informed decisions about their businesses.

The

VET If a Cat has Nine – how many has a Sheep?

By Andy Cant Northvet Veterinary Group Diseases arrive on farm in all manor of ways and we spend a lot of time talking about biosecurity and have plans in place to make our farms a fortress and haven of disease freedom. So often that then goes completely out the window as a replacement bull is “borrowed” in an emergency without any time for checks, or a replacement calf is bought in despite it not being your policy because “she’s a right fine cow”. It is not always human error that is the breakdown of biosecurity; some diseases lend themselves better to it than others.

A good example would be the top two causes of abortion in sheep, Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE) and Toxoplasmosis.

EAE is generally introduced by buying in infected replacements. Ewes and lambs pick up the infection from aborting sheep at lambing time and are latently infected through to the next lambing when they abort. Hence the common scenario of initially a few abortions in year one followed by an abortion storm the next. But although there is a time lag, infection is all sheep to sheep so standard biosecurity measures of either breeding

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your own replacements or buying in from accredited sources and investigating promptly any abortions that do occur, will work.

Toxoplasmosis on the other hand has intermediate hosts, which are more difficult to control. The reservoir of infection is in small rodents; these in turn infect cats, which are responsible for churning out the infective toxoplasma eggs. One gram of cat faeces can contain 1 million eggs – only 200 eggs are required to infect a ewe. The ubiquitous spread and contamination of the environment with eggs that resist destruction mean that standard biosecurity measures have little effect.

Vaccines are available for both the above diseases but for Toxo there’s a good argument for vaccinating as a matter of course - it may well save more than the nine lives of the cat that caused the problem in the first place!.

Cats are hard to control, I’m reminded of an old student song to the tune of A Scottish Soldier – “The was a Tom Cat a Scottish Tom Cat, who travelled far away, at home he wouldna stay” How true!

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crofting How to make the ewe hogg scheme work for crofters

By Patrick Krause, Chief Executive, Scottish Crofting Federation

“Having an insight into recent market trends ensures the industry is better prepared for what is to come. This is even more important with Brexit on the horizon, as levy payer businesses need to ensure they are equipped to

deal with the potential impact this may have.�

The yearbook can be downloaded from the AHDB Beef & Lamb website or a hard copy requested by emailing beeflamb.comms@ahdb.org.uk

Order your subscription of FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

The necessity to curb the excessive claiming on the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) by some large farms was highlighted by the NFUS recently.

This is a very significant scheme for crofters offering a chance to those on Region Three rough grazing to make up for their distressingly low basic payments. It has been misused though, with some large producers claiming not only on their replacements but on any number of ewe hoggs, the surplus then being sold off. This rapidly uses up the limited budget, depriving others of benefiting from it. This was not the intention of the scheme and it is appropriate that the NFUS have recognised this and are proposing a limit on claims of 20-25% of the breeding flock - equivalent to actual replacements.

Of course, the objective could be achieved most effectively by paying on those ewe hoggs that are being retained as breeding replacements or on the number of gimmers taken into the breeding flock. This would

allow for maintaining flock numbers in regular ages, or for growing the flock size. But the Scottish Government are unlikely to take such a bold step that could require more administration.

Paying on a percentage is a step in the right direction at least and should be relatively easy to accommodate.

However, the payment should be on 30% on the basis that those on Region Three land will likely have more losses, especially due to predation. 20% would do if you were taking 6 crops of lambs as lowland farmers might but most crofters would work to a 4 or 5 crop system. To facilitate those with small numbers or those building up their flocks, such as new entrants, for those claiming 50 or fewer hoggs the percentage criteria should not apply.

There are more issues and the scheme clearly needs to be revamped. It would be appropriate for government officials to meet with crofters and other upland sheep producers to discuss practicalities and the way forward.

see page 74 www.crofting.org 80

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pigs Pig Prices Ease but Remain Higher than 2016 European farm gate pig prices remain some seven per cent higher than they were a year ago, despite dipping more recently.

Major northern producers such as Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands have all seen producer returns fall in recent weeks. In contrast Spain and Italy, which have a seasonal influx of tourists, have seen prices stabilise or climb slightly.

European farm gate prices often plateau through the summer holidays before dipping in late September so this earlier dip in price may flag some changes in the supply and demand balance across Europe.

European Union production has been increasing seasonally and although currently at similar levels to last year, is forecast to be higher than 2016 in the final quarter of 2017.

European trade data shows a slowdown in exports which will have left more production on the European market. Trade data for the first third of 2017 shows European pigmeat exports dipping around six per cent, with the significant 23% decline in EU exports to China not being offset by growth in trade to Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Chinese trade data reported an overall decline of 23% in their imports during May and Chinese wholesale pigmeat prices have fallen around 20% since the Chinese New Year at the start of February.

Consequently, with a slightly better supplied market and lower Chinese demand leading to more competition in export markets, European producer prices have started to come under some pressure.

In contrast, although the rate of increase has slowed, UK and Scottish pig producers are still seeing some increase in farmgate prices with current prices some 28% higher than a year ago.

On a Euro basis UK prices are 23% higher than a year ago, and the UK price has gone from nine per cent below the EU average a year ago to six per cent above it currently. This, once again, opens

up the prospect of pork imports from the EU becoming attractive.

However, because UK prices are now higher than the EU average, the attraction of exporting to Europe, despite the weakness of Sterling, is reduced. Most notable this has led to some pressure on sow prices because the German market is an important outlet for UK sow meat. Unlike mainland Europe, the UK has continued to see some growth in pigmeat exports to China and Hong Kong.

Several UK pig abattoir operators continue to express a view that they could handle more pigs as demand for pork-based products remains firm. Indeed, UK weekly pig slaughterings have been lower than last year for some time with May and June slaughterings some 2.5% lower than in 2016 and throughputs at price-reporting abattoirs suggest that decline in numbers has continued into July.

However, with carcase weights reported to be slightly heavier, UK production has not fallen as much.

Looking ahead, while UK pig producers are continuing to benefit from firm demand and prices, the longer-term outlook looks set to be more challenging and farm gate prices may start coming under pressure. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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dairy Top 20 Scottish Dairy Farms revealed The top 20 farms, shortlisted for this years’ Ice Robotics sponsored, AgriScot Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year Award have been announced.

The top 20 list, revealed by independent assessor, Donald Millar – a member of the management team from Trailflat, Lochmaben, the 2016 Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year – was compiled by Mr Millar following detailed analysis of performance data from every milk recorded dairy farm in Scotland. Mr Millar was only given access to the raw data, without sight of any names or addresses.

Mr Millar stated: “This was a truly difficult task. There are a great many factors that I had to consider, and it is certainly not all about yield.”

“Basically, the top 20 list consists of dairy farms at the top of their game in terms of the factors which influence overall business performance. I paid particular attention to age at first calving, calving index, herd longevity and somatic cell count.”

Average herd size for the top 20 stands at 460 cows, reflecting the increasing size of all dairy herds. Notable other figures for the top 20, as a whole, include an average age at first calving of 25.2 months, calving index of 392 days, and an average milk yield of 10666 litres at 3.88%bf. and 3.22%protein. Across the

top 20 herds, almost 10% of cows completed their 5th. or later lactations. The top 20 also contained an above average proportion of EX and VG cows.

“The figures for all of the top 20 point to farms with well managed and happy cows, and I now look forward to meeting the people and cows behind the

figures, in September, when I visit the top 4 farms.”

Details of the top 4 farms will be released in September prior to their on-farm inspection

by Donald Millar.

The final award placing announcement and presentations will take place at AgriScot on Wednesday 15th November.

Recent milk price increases welcomed but more work needed, says union NFU Scotland has welcomed recent price moves by some milk processors, stating that it is a strong inference that milk prices are moving forward.

This week First Milk and Muller announced increases to their milk prices, following earlier moves by Arla and Grahams The Family Dairy and indeed the 12-month minimum price commitment by Lactalis.

The Union believes that as commodity prices remain strong, further moves like these are essential particularly the dramatic price levels for butter and cream, but also a strong cheese market.

The objective market indicators, AMPE and MCVE, which track dairy commodity values have continued to rise, now approaching the heady heights of 2013. Both indicators have now 82

risen to 36/37 ppl approaching 60 per cent on the year, whilst milk prices have risen to around 27ppl rising by around 30 per cent.

George Jamieson, NFU Scotland Milk Policy Manager, commented: “AHDB’s future milk price equivalent based on futures indicators suggests a strong market going forward into the winter months, and we strongly encourage milk buyers to acknowledge the market and the needs of their supplying farmer ‘partners’. Processors should pay as much as they can, rather than as much as they can get away with if they are to inspire loyalty.

“It cannot be stressed enough that the recent severe, extended period of very low prices has left serious and long-lasting damage to dairy farmers’ balance sheets and confidence, which has, and will

impact on future investment on farm, with long-term consequences on the competitiveness of the Scottish dairy sector.

“NFU Scotland has long promoted the undeniable case for more collaboration between farmers and the supply chain, more effective milk contracts, pricing models, volume management and risk mitigation for the benefit of all players in the supply chain. These fundamentals, more than ever before are essential.

“The inclination when price changes are announced is to compare milk buyers’ price moves, but more important is not merely the current price, but how it was set, how it compares over the year or several years to consider just how well the milk buyer values his supplying farmers and just how effective the processor

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is in adding value and managing milk supply. It is too easy for an inefficient processor to pass on the consequences of poor management to farmers.

“The Union continues to work with processors to promote our views and we believe current contracts for the most part are not fit for purpose, with pricing and volume management having significant room for improvements.

We need to develop more sophisticated risk management tools and we have more to do to develop effective collaboration.

However, we do see progress.

“There is good work going on by some processors and this must be commended - Yew Tree’s contract with its farmers is very transparent and the initiative offering fixed term pricing is excellent; Muller is working to

improve the position of its nonretail aligned farmers, who will also be offered the option of fixing a proportion of their milk based on futures markets; Muller has also committed to make progress on effective producer representation.

“Lactalis has made innovative progress in accepting producer collaboration and independent representation helping to deliver a welcome annual minimum price agreement. There are indications that First Milk’s new governance is willing to embrace all members’ interests more effectively. Arla has a well-established democratic

Tackling rural crime process, and an objective pricing model.

“These are all plus points, but there is an urgent need to build on these initiatives, as they are not in themselves enough to truly build trust that is essential for all in the supply chain, but particularly in the primary sector.

“Scotland lost another 33 dairy farms according to the recent SDCA report, with more losses likely. Scotland is an ideal place for dairy, we have efficient and committed dairy producers who need a similar commitment from all stakeholders.”

New Dairy Women network launched A new Dumfries and Galloway group, which encourages all women who contribute and play key roles in the dairy industry to come together and share their wisdom, produce ideas, inspire and support each other has been launched.

The network, which is supported by NFU Scotland, was launched at the Union’s stand at Stewartry Show on Thursday 3 August, with a strong turnout of women who work, manage and undertake roles within the dairy sector.

The network is open to all women involved in the dairy industry, from farmers’ wives, partners, daughters and vets to feed nutritionists, dairywomen and milk recorders.

Tracey Roan, a dairy farmer at Boreland of Colvend, Dalbeattie, and founder of the Dumfries and Galloway Dairy Women Network, commented: “I have often felt that within the dairy industry there is a lack of practical hands-on training for women who have married into the industry and have taken on roles on the dairy farm or for those who want to get into the industry.

The need for the network was highlighted in the recent findings of the Women in Farming and Agriculture Sector research from the Scottish Government, which identified a need for easier access to, and uptake of, practical training.

Currently, this can be very difficult

NFU Scotland

dairy

with many women juggling careers away from the farm, raising young families, working full time, bookkeeping, and any other farm related jobs that demand and take up their free time.

The Dumfries and Galloway Dairy Women Network is holding its first official meeting on Tuesday 26 September at the Laurie Arms, Haugh Of Urr, at 7pm with anyone with an interest in this group encouraged to attend.

Tracey Roan added: “Our first meeting is a taster session of what could be offered with Stella Milson from NHS Dumfries and Galloway attending to discuss the newly launched Health and Wellbeing in the Farming Community project.

We are hoping that ideas and suggestions will flow from women who are the backbone to many dairy farming businesses within Dumfries and Galloway.”

As well as meetings, the network will also be hosting events such as field days, will hear from industry speakers and will be utilising social media.

Teresa Dougall, NFU Scotland Regional Manager for Dumfries and Galloway, commented: “The Union is delighted to support the Dumfries and Galloway Dairy Women Network and work alongside Tracey and dairy women in the region to build a stronger network and support platform for those working within the industry.”

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By NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick Great strides are being made in tackling the blight of rural crime in Scotland and NFU Scotland is fully committed to making sure that crime in the countryside does not pay.

Every week of the year, NFU Scotland uses its communications channels

crime cost Scotland £1.6m in 2016, which is down an encouraging 32% from £2.4m in 2015. However, there are signs the cost of rural theft has risen sharply in the first half of 2017.

Working with Police Scotland, NFUS has held

– text messaging, emails, Facebook and Twitter – to alert farmers and crofters to criminal activity in the countryside and the need for vigilance and action on their part.

In the past few weeks we have been informing our members about quad bike and sheep thefts, poaching and hare-coursing incidents.

Given the blight that rural crime is placing on our communities, NFUS is working closer than ever with Police Scotland and local police forces to combat this – whether that be the theft of vehicles, livestock, fuel, tools or metal or incidents of livestock worrying and fly-tipping. The number of arrests and convictions shows that taking action does work and the cost of crime in rural crime in Scotland has dropped. But there is no room for complacency.

NFU Mutual’s annual Rural Crime Report shows rural

numerous on-farm events round the country in the past two years where members have received valuable tips on how to tackle crime and protect their property.

A few simple tips, such as moving fuel tanks indoors; security tagging equipment or padlocking gates and doors can be enough to keep goods safe.

Crucially, all types of crime and theft usually involve transport and the police are crystal clear that they want those who live and work in the countryside to report suspicious vehicles.

Calling the 101 number with the vehicle registration lets the Police decide if that lorry, van or car has a valid reason to be at that place.

But, if you suspect that a crime is in progress then you should dial 999 and not attempt to tackle these people yourself.

www.nfus.org.uk

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sheep Sheep Scab - A Major Pest for Scottish Sheep Producers

By Rachel Mallet Dipping ceased to be compulsory in 1992 leading to a greater incidence of sheep scab with an estimated 60fold increase in disease on UK farms1. Under the Sheep Scab Order (Scotland) 2010 sheep scab remains a notifiable disease in efforts to try and combat this parasite.

The notification statistics are available from the Scottish Government and show that between 2010 and 2016 there were 657 notifications of sheep scab with the highest incidence in Aberdeenshire!2 It is worth remembering that these statistics are likely to be under reported, as many farmers assume a diagnosis without confirmation from a vet and treat based on that assumption.

In spite of having 4 medicinal active ingredients available in Scotland to combat scab we are still struggling to get this disease under control.

What is Sheep Scab?

Sheep scab is a disease caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis which lives on the skin surface where it feeds. The faeces produced by the sheep scab

mite cause a severe allergic dermatitis resulting in the ‘scabby’ lesions which we associate with the later stages of the disease.

The mites are transferred from animal to animal by direct contact or on ‘fomites’; pieces of wool containing sheep scab mites. These mites are able to survive for 17 days without a host to feed from, making it challenging to control and the potential for re-infection high.

Infestations can be debilitating, have a detrimental impact on welfare and can lead to severe economic losses.

The Sheep Health and Welfare Group report 2016 states that the annual estimated cost of sheep scab in the UK is £8.3 million!

Clinical signs include: Restlessness, Rubbing against fence posts, Soiled/stained areas of wool, Head tossing/biting, Pulled wool appearance leading to eventual wool loss, Open bleeding wounds and ‘scabby’ lesions, Loss of condition, Death.

Diagnosis First and foremost get a diagnosis from your vet.

The clinical signs of lice and sheep scab infestation can be identical- particularly in the early stages.

The other complicating factor is that both diseases are contracted in the same way; through poor biosecurity.

Therefore this means there is nothing to prevent animals from being dual infected with sheep scab and lice. Just because you can visualise lice, it does not confirm that the animals are not also infected with sheep scab!

Your vet can perform skin scrapes on clinically affected animals or can perform blood samples to detect antibodies to infection before clinical signs become apparent.

Active Ingredients Licenced for the control of sheep scab

Treatment In the UK we have four options for controlling sheep scab (table 1). A key consideration for parasite control strategies is ensuring that we use the correct active ingredient at the correct time.

When we use dual endo- and ecto-parasiticides for sheep scab control (the macrocyclic lactones) we are targeting both internal and external parasites.

When we dip (using Diazinon) we only target external parasites.

The highest incidence of sheep scab occurs during the winter months. At this time of 84

year gastrointestinal roundworms are generally present in lower burdens and less likely to cause disease requiring treatment than during the grazing season.

To continuously expose these small burdens to anthelmintics (wormers) increases the rate of development of resistance.

The Scottish government mirror this sentiment: “Heavy dual use for endo and ectoparasites will increase selection pressure for the emergence of resistant nematode parasites, the consequences of which could be serious for Scottish sheep farming.”

Remember that the sheep scab mite can survive for 17 days without a host to feed from so reinfection must be controlled by using a product/protocol which provides protection for longer than this or by moving them to clean grazing/housing.

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Prevention Good biosecurity is the key to controlling this disease. It is impossible to tell simply by looking at animals if they have been recently exposed to Psoroptes ovis. In the early stages the disease can be asymptomatic with no visible evidence of itchy sheep. Just because the animals do not appear to be itchy and do not have pulled wool/bald patches/ lesions, it does not mean that they are not carrying sheep scab mites.

When purchasing new animals they should either be

sheep presumed infected and treated or an ELISA test should be utilised to assess the risk.

The flock should be kept separate from other sheep at the periphery of the farm (e.g. double fencing).

This editorial is brought to you by Bimeda- makers of Osmond’s Goldfleece sheep dip

About the Author Rachel Mallet is a Veterinary Surgeon, who now works as a Professional Services Vet providing technical support to vets, SQPs and farmers in the UK. Rachel is passionate about animal health and about promoting best practice and preventative medicine amongst farmers.

Ewe blood test results reveal urgent need for pre-tupping vaccination It’s likely that an insidious infectious disease was a significant cause of barrenness or abortion in ewes last year, according to an analysis of the latest diagnostic results released

by MSD Animal Health (known as Merck Animal Health in the United States and Canada).

Blood samples from UK sheep farms were tested during 2016 when the subsidised EXPERTIS® FlockCheck diagnostic service was made available to vets between March and July last year.

According to the data, 79 percent of the flocks tested showed evidence of exposure to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis. The data also show that 76 percent of flocks had been exposed to Chlamydophila abortus bacteria, the organism causing enzootic abortion (EAE); 60 percent of flocks had been exposed to both organisms.

“A preliminary analysis of 2017 data to date shows a similar overall disease picture, albeit with a slightly higher figure (81%) for exposure to Toxoplasma gondii,” says MSD Animal Health livestock veterinary adviser Stephanie Small.

Ms Small says this data highlights the continuing widespread prevalence of these financially damaging diseases in the national flock and is urging all sheep producers to discuss their individual farm situation

with their vet, well in advance of the upcoming autumn tupping season.

“Toxoplasmosis, in particular, remains a key cause of barrenness and abortion in UK sheep flocks. It also causes reabsorptions, mummified foetuses, stillbirths and weakly lambs, and as a result of the range of different disease pictures that can manifest, its effects on flock profits are often vastly underestimated. Toxoplasmosis is so widespread that the industry focus should be on preventing infection in breeding ewes and the best way to do that is to vaccinate replacements well before they go to the ram. The clear industry advice is to ensure every ewe is vaccinated before it breeds.

“Sheep pick up the infection from the environment and so normal biosecurity measures are not enough to control the disease.

Infected cats shed toxoplasma eggs in their faeces and sheep become infected when they ingest these eggs from contaminated pasture, feed and water,” Ms Small says.

Another underlying disease problem that often manifests itself as significant early lamb losses is enzootic abortion (EAE).

“EAE is caused by Chlamydophila abortus bacteria. The disease can cause devastating abortion storms affecting approximately 25 percent of ewes. Once a flock

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Trade most important

By George Milne As Brexit talks and discussions continue NSA is lobbying at every opportunity to remind Ministers and Government officials of the importance of trade for the sheep sector. The industry, quite simply, will be under severe pressure to continue as we know it without export markets. With 96% of all the UK lamb we export going into Europe the consequences of that market closing overnight is unthinkable. That is way the NSA is fully supporting a transition period in order to agree new deals for markets in Europe.

We are also encouraging trade deals to be done with countries out with the EU, whilst Scotch lamb is finding its way into Sweden for example markets need to be secured for British lamb, were discussion are taking place with the likes of Saudi Arabia, China and Japan. These deals take time to sort out, arrange and sign off and we are told that it is unlikely that some of these markets will be open until 2021 at earliest. This means that a transition period with Europe becomes even more important.

The UK produces a premium product, with full traceability, good health and welfare standards therefore we are in a good position to sell a high quality product we just need to ensure that trade negotiators fully understand the consequences of not delivering a good outcome for the sheep sector.

Ministers must also remember the vitally important role that the stratified sheep production system operating across the UK delivers for the social, economic and environmental benefits of rural areas. Where sheep are kept and managed it brings life and vital financial support to local businesses.

Without sheep we would have land abandonment in many hill areas and that is something no one wants to see happening.

The industry has a hugely important role to play, we are constantly bringing this up at every opportunity with government and trade negotiators in order to deliver a good outcome under Brexit to allow us to thrive in the future.

sheep has the disease it is likely it will never disappear due to its persistence in carrier sheep. The disease often arrives on farm through bought-in replacements and is passed on from ewe to ewe at lambing time. If an unvaccinated ewe is infected she will more than likely abort in the next pregnancy.”

Ms Small urges any sheep producers who recorded a flock barren rate greater than two percent last season to talk to their vet for advice well before tupping this year, even if diagnostic blood samples have not been taken. Ask for help too if any ewes aborted lambs during lambing, she says.

“If either toxoplasmosis or EAE has been diagnosed in a flock, vaccination is the most effective way to help protect against these diseases for future years. The TOXOVAX® toxoplasmosis vaccine is known to protect the ewe for at least two lambing seasons and, conveniently, can be given to

breeding females at any time between four months and four weeks before tupping.

“The ENZOVAX® vaccine helps protect the ewe for at least three years against EAE and all breeding females should be vaccinated any time between four months and three weeks before tupping,” Ms Small advises.

Lamb trade remains firm despite volumes starting to increase Despite the seasonal increase in the number of lambs reaching the market, farm gate prices for prime lambs are remaining firm according to Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

While there has been some easing in prices as more lambs come onto the market, prime lambs are currently trading around 10% higher than last year.

“This relative firmness in price is being reflected across Europe in the countries producing heavy lambs,” said Stuart Ashworth, Head of Economics Services with QMS. “The French producer price is 13% higher than a year ago, the Spanish price is 14% higher and the Irish price one percent higher.

“In contrast, the price for light lambs, defined as carcases of less than 12.5 kg, is struggling to match last year’s levels in the two main lamb-producing regions. It is nine per cent lower in Greece and six per cent lower in Spain although light lambs are selling well in Italy and Croatia.”

The firmness in the UK heavy lamb price is, observed Mr Ashworth, occurring despite modest increases in the volume of new season lambs reaching UK abattoirs compared to this time last year. In England the weekly kill during June reported by Defra was 3% higher than 2016.

“The current price behaviour we are seeing suggests a degree of positivity from the demand side of the equation, perhaps coupled with reduced supplies from outside the UK,” said Mr Ashworth.

In Ireland the volume of new season lamb is also currently running higher than last year but 86

they too have seen producer prices holding similar to 2016. Price movements in France, however, reflect a lower domestic supply.

French lamb slaughterings during May, for example, were two percent lower than last year and, with a ewe population reported in December 2016 to have fallen by 1.5%, reduced numbers remain likely.

“Deliveries from New Zealand to the UK and Europe are also running lower than year-earlier levels,” said Mr Ashworth.

“Over the past six months New Zealand reports around 20% less sheepmeat dispatched to Great Britain. On the basis of a 20kg lamb carcase, this shortfall in volume could amount to the equivalent of around five per cent of the UK weekly production at this time of year.”

With New Zealand deliveries into the mainland European market also falling short of last year, there is potential export opportunity for UK abattoirs, he added.

UK export statistics for 2017 up until the end of April show growth in export volumes to Europe compared with 2016, helped by exchange rates that make UK lamb competitive in European markets.

“The net effect of these trade patterns and opportunities is to boost competition in the market place and support price,” stated Mr Ashworth.

However, he said, one consequence of the current market situation is that the volume of lamb on the home market has declined but the level of self-sufficiency has increased.

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The decline in the total volume of lamb on the home market inevitably means that overall consumption has also declined and the retail price of some cuts has gone up.

“The volume of domestic lambs available on the market typically builds towards autumn with the UK weekly kill usually peaking in September or October when it is often 25% higher than the weekly kill in June,” added Mr Ashworth.

“This is the point where there is typically the greatest seasonal downward pressure on farmgate prices. However, the weakness of Sterling and low production in mainland Europe and New Zealand point to export opportunities which could, to some extent, mitigate the seasonal price fall this year.”

sheep Lanarkshire sheep farmer enjoys Black Blaze Bookkeeping business success A tax specialist turned pet services business owner and sheepfarmer has found the balance between her love of numbers and love of animals by completing courses at a specialist UK-wide e-learning college, Ideal Schools, which focuses exclusively on bookkeeping and accounting.

Her business, Black Blaze Bookkeeping, named after the Zwartbles sheep she raises on her South Lanarkshire smallholding, has 56 regular clients on the books.

Kathryn Cowin, 40, from Hexham in Northumberland, studied mathematics at the University of St Andrews and started her career as a tax consultant studying to be a chartered accountant. But her love of animals was calling, and she started her own pet services business in 2004.

In 2013, she was missing the intellectual challenge and joined 2000 other students at longestablished online college Ideal Schools – studying to become a member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB).

Mrs Cowin said: “I needed to find the balance between my love of numbers, and my love of animals. It’s taken a while, but I think I’ve got there. I’ve enough clients to keep my mind occupied, and looking after the animals and the sheep keep me moving.

“I found Ideal Schools online, and did a bit of research on a few colleges. It was when I spoke to Brian McVean, one of its tutors, when I really felt they were for me. The set up, the support offered, and the tutor put me at ease.”

Black Blaze Bookkeeping has been growing through the

South Lanarkshire business community by word of mouth and local advertising and now has four weekly clients, 30 tax completion clients, and 12 for quarterly accounts.

Mrs Cowin said: “I’ve found my happy balance now. I grew up on a farm and surrounded by greenery, but I needed a bit of brainwork to be happy and I’m delighted with both my businesses and the farm. “

Lamb Trade Remains Firm Despite Volumes Starting to Increase Despite the seasonal increase in the number of lambs reaching the market, farm gate prices for prime lambs are remaining firm according to Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

While there has been some easing in prices as more lambs come onto the market, prime lambs are currently trading around 10% higher than last year.

“This relative firmness in price is being reflected across Europe in the countries producing heavy lambs,” said Stuart Ashworth, Head of Economics Services with QMS. “The French producer price is 13% higher than a year ago, the Spanish price is 14% higher and the Irish price one percent higher.

“In contrast, the price for light lambs, defined as carcases of less than 12.5 kg, is struggling to match last year’s levels in the two main lamb-producing regions. It is nine per cent lower in Greece and six per cent lower in Spain although 88

light lambs are selling well in Italy and Croatia.”

The firmness in the UK heavy lamb price is, observed Mr Ashworth, occurring despite modest increases in the volume of new season lambs reaching UK abattoirs compared to this time last year. In England the weekly kill during June reported by Defra was 3% higher than 2016.

“The current price behaviour we are seeing suggests a degree of positivity from the demand side of the equation, perhaps coupled with reduced supplies from outside the UK,” said Mr Ashworth.

In Ireland the volume of new season lamb is also currently running higher than last year but they too have seen producer prices holding similar to 2016. Price movements in France, however, reflect a lower domestic supply.

French lamb slaughterings during May, for example, were two percent lower than last year and,

with a ewe population reported in December 2016 to have fallen by 1.5%, reduced numbers remain likely.

“Deliveries from New Zealand to the UK and Europe are also running lower than year-earlier levels,” said Mr Ashworth.

“Over the past six months New Zealand reports around 20% less sheepmeat dispatched to Great Britain. On the basis of a 20kg lamb carcase, this shortfall in volume could amount to the equivalent of around five per cent of the UK weekly production at this time of year.”

With New Zealand deliveries into the mainland European market also falling short of last year, there is potential export opportunity for UK abattoirs, he added.

UK export statistics for 2017 up until the end of April show growth in export volumes to Europe compared with 2016, helped by exchange rates that

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make UK lamb competitive in European markets.

“The net effect of these trade patterns and opportunities is to boost competition in the market place and support price,” stated Mr Ashworth.

However, he said, one consequence of the current market situation is that the volume of lamb on the home market has declined but the level of self-sufficiency has increased.

The decline in the total volume of lamb on the home market inevitably means that overall consumption has also declined and the retail price of some cuts has gone up.

“The volume of domestic lambs available on the market typically builds towards autumn with the UK weekly kill usually peaking in September or October when it is often 25% higher than the weekly kill in June,” added Mr Ashworth.

by Linda Mellor

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE It’s a highly sociable time of year, and that’s the way I like it. The game fair season is in full swing, and there are lots of local farm shows and regional country events to be enjoyed all over Scotland. I visited the Largs Show in early June; the one day show took place next to Inverkip Marina. It was a small event with stock classes, a dog show, horse and pony events, a collection of vintage tractors, and two or three stands selling their wares, and the Inverkip Hotel provided a pop-up bar. I met some gundog people I hadn’t seen in years.

The GWCT Scottish Game Fair was great fun. It rained heavily on Thursday, but the weather stayed dry for the next three days. I was on Venator Pro’s stand, and we were delighted to welcome lots of visitors eager to see and buy the new range of Hillman deer stalking clothing. Hillman’s hunting underwear for men received lots of attention with many looking forward to the range launch in September.

On Friday afternoon, I watched my dad compete with his new black Labrador bitch, Izzy, in the novice retriever class. He won third place. My dad (some of you will know him, Lawrie Robertson) is now 78, and has trained and worked gundogs for more than 50

years, he competed and won at the first Scone Game Fair 28 years ago. Well done, Dad! The game fair is a fantastic showcase of country sports and related businesses, everyone was well represented over the three days. There’s so much to see, we ate well, chatted lots and laughed a great deal. I’m eternally grateful to Hopetoun Estate’s Marketing Manager, Louisa Kerr; she was quick to dish out some high sugar sweets to keep our flagging energy levels up towards the end of the show, although I’m sure shooting coach/star Stewart ate more than his fair share!

After the game fair, I drove up to Dornoch, to spend a few nights in ‘Oran Mor’ a newly built, architect-designed eco house overlooking Loch Fleet. What a place! The

house is very comfortable and the light, inside and out, was fantastic. The sunsets and sunrises were magnificent.

I highly recommend the house to everyone, it offers a relaxing, peaceful setting with all the mod-cons, and it’s in a perfect location for sightseeing, exploring and fishing.

I enjoyed watching the local wildlife, seals basking on the sand at Loch Fleet, rabbits, all types of birds from red kites to wagtails and a fox walking through the garden at dusk. The bed has got to be the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. For more information visit: http://www. gaelholidayhomes.co.uk/ property/491484/oran-mor/ There’s an exciting new wave of entrepreneurial activity in Dornoch; Oran Mor’s owner has opened up a mini whole food store.

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Around the corner on the high street, Donnah Murray has collaborated with other local ladies to open up a pop-up shop called the Attic Salts Emporium. The talented group sell their range of goods, gifts and jewellery with a powerful eco twist; you can also find them on social media @AtticSaltsEmporium.

I love exploring the Scotland. I had a fabulous meal at the Kincraig Castle Hotel near Invergordon. A lovely setting full of character, excellent service and delicious, fresh, local food on the menu. Pop into Luigi’s in Dornoch for comfortable surroundings and beautifully presented food, and only a few steps from Dornoch Store.

A longstanding contact of mine is working with Fife based Estate and Asset Protection (http:// estateandassetprotection. co.uk/). Protecting our assets and preserving them for our loved ones are topics many of us are discussing as we get older and think about the future. If you would like to know more, contact Ian Paltiel, and mention my column.

Toyota kindly gave me their new Land Cruiser to try out. It’s a massive but agile vehicle that coped with every task admirably, read all about it in my review.

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estate Survey reveals grouse shooting millions for local economy Spending in local economies averages out at over half a million pounds per Scottish grouse estate before a shot is even fired, according to a survey revealed recently.

The figures were announced as over 350 gamekeepers, their families and traders from all over Scotland took part in a community March in Edzell in Angus, ahead of the 2017 grouse season.

Grouse shooting begins next Saturday in Scotland, attracting visitors from all over the world to the iconic heather moors.

But although the season lasts only 18 weeks maximum, the economic impact grouse estates have on local communities, all the year round, has been hailed as significant.

A survey of 45 grouse estates across Scotland, conducted by Scotland’s 7 regional moorland groups, has found that over £23 million flows directly into local businesses in trade generated by estate activity.

That sum, which does not take into account wages paid to gamekeepers or other staff, means downstream businesses, from local garages to building firms, benefit from business worth, on average, £514,886 from each estate.

The poll, which assessed financial accounts for 2015/2016, did not look at the sums accommodation providers receive from the influx of visiting shooters between August and December.

Holdings of all sizes across 7 moorland regions provided 90

accounts, with the results showing the highest local expenditure and most employment stemming from larger, commercial driven grouse moors.

Over the studied period, there was significant investment made in buildings, public path repairs and renewable energy projects as well as core grouse moor management.

“Grouse shooting attracts criticism in some quarters but the survey tells the story of the value of country sports to smaller rural communities,” said Lianne MacLennan of Scotland’s regional moorland groups.

“The results do not show the wages that keep the gamekeepers and their families in the glen villages. What we wanted to understand better is how the impacts trickle down. There is not a rural community in these 7 areas that could afford to lose either the number of jobs created by the grouse estates or the business people are deriving from all the work that goes on in these places.

“It is not just shooting-related businesses, either, it is everything from wine sellers to clothing companies, fencers, architects and garages. Those businesses are out in force today, standing shoulder to shoulder with the gamekeepers ahead of another busy season.”

Out of polled estates in Perthshire, canvassed by Tayside and Central Scotland Moorland Group, 3 respondent holdings generated local contracts totalling almost £2 million.

Businesses in Angus benefitted to the tune of over £4.2 million from 7 respondent estates while the Grampian region saw £3.1 million invested locally across 10 estates.

Trades and services around Loch Ness and Invernessshire secured trade worth £6.2 million from 11 estates providing accounts. Speyside saw local income of nearly £4 million from 6 polled estates and the towns and villages around the Lammermuir Hills in the Scottish Borders enjoyed over £2.7 million of business from 6 estates, with grouse shooting as their principal income.

The final total across all the estates who participated was £23,169 891.20, with two estates

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in the Tomatin area creating over £880,000 of downstream economic benefit.

Perthshire-based building company Frankerton work on moors from Morayshire to the Borders, with 75 percent of their businesses coming directly from grouse estates. Such regular contracts have enabled the firm to expand from 2 employees only ten years ago.

“We employ 9 people now and 6 of those are working full-time for estates, with the others working on other construction contracts such as wind farms. We, too, use local hotels and businesses when we are working. That is when you see how far into communities the work generated, goes,” said Frankerton’s Bryan Paterson.

estate Hedgecutting Innovations at Blaney Blaney Agri, UK based machinery manufacturer, are pleased to offer new control options on their Agri, Agri Pro and Contractor Series hedgecutter range. Blaney who showcased their new Compact series hedge cutter earlier this year are looking forward to a busy season ahead.

New ‘Soft Touch’ proportional control options have been developed in response to customer demand.

These advanced electronic proportional controls are more responsive to further improve finish and user comfort.

Over 10 years ago Blaney Agri developed their acclaimed Power ShredderTM technology which is incorporated in the business end of the Blaney hedge cutters as well as the Blaney Power ShredderTM mowers and excavator heads. The Blaney R&D team have taken some unique approaches to ensure there is more power to the head for increased rotor speed, a better cut and finish with improved efficiency saving time and fuel.

The new Blaney Compact hedge cutter is equipped with a fingerbar trimmer, featuring a low friction, self-lubricating design which is easy to drive and reduces wear and associated maintenance costs. This also gives enhanced performance even on older tractors with less oil flow. It is ideal for smaller or compact tractors for

lighter hedgecutting tasks where a flail head is not required.

Blaney as an independent manufacturer have no links to any other range and so have no restrictions in their design, giving them the ability to give experienced users exactly what they want. Blaney offer a range of impressive machines from the Compact trimmer to a telescopic Contractor machine with 6.5m reach, and a range of machines within the Agri and Agri Pro Series in between. For those who have special requirements and want a different combination of features, the Blaney hedge cutter is ideal since their efficient design and production techniques allow them to tailor machines for a custom build.

Blaney Agri recognises oil condition to be key to the lifespan of their machine. Their clever design promotes natural cooling in the system, with the use of special fittings to reduce pressure points and flow restrictions. Lifetime maintenance costs are reduced as a result of painstaking development within the drive system for optimum oil conditioning and low friction circuits reducing heat generation during use. This also reduces tractor power input requirements with greater rotor output due to lower energy losses within the system.

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Farming and forestry

By Anne Gray, Senior Policy Officer (Land Use & Environment) at Scottish Land & Estates With many concerned about falling incomes in traditional agriculture and uncertainty over future subsidies, many farmers and landowners are increasingly looking for ways to maximise the productivity of their land and diversify incomes.

Integrating forestry with farming may offer valuable opportunities to do just that.

Thinking about how trees might work alongside farming to benefit farmers is only one aspect of integrated land management, but it is one that can result in many more benefits than an eventual timber crop. A welldesigned woodland can provide shelter for stock, improve feed conversion rates and help to extend the growing season, not to mention producing a new and secure long-term, taxfree income stream.

Across different regions in Scotland, we are seeing different approaches to trees and agriculture. The Sheep and Trees initiative, launched last year, has been a tentative step to explore how farmers might use trees to improve their profitability. At Lymiecleuch Farm in the Scottish Borders, blocks of forestry have been linked to create large paddocks, which has been found to assist sheep management of the Cheviot flock. Since the least grazed areas were selected for planting, sheep numbers have not been reduced and

productivity has increased, due to better shelter, whilst income from timber has assisted capital investment on the farm.

The SRDP also offers an agroforestry option.

Agroforestry offers full integration of sheep and trees, with the sheep eventually grazing between, and under the shelter of, well-spaced tree cover, and this has been pursued by Carbeth Home Farm near Stirling. Whilst Carbeth Home Farm saw that trees could provide a source of income, agroforestry was also attractive as a method to dry up ground which is susceptible to liver fluke issues.

Following a successful approach to Forestry Commission Scotland to extend the tree species options available under the scheme to include fruit and nut trees, there is an option for the farm to not only get an income from a timber crop in the long term, but also explore options for a harvestable crop in a shorter timescale.

There are many useful sources of information for farmers who wish to learn more about tree planting, and Soil Association Scotland are planning a Woodland Expansion ‘funding and the fundamentals’ event this autumn in the Highlands.

For more information, visit their website at www. soilassociation.org.

For more information www.scottishlandandestates.co.uk Telephone : 0131 653 5400

forestry Först showcase full range at Confor Woodland The ST6 P, Först’s first sub 750kg woodchipper, was launched to the UK market earlier this year and is an extension of Först’s popular range of six-inch capacity machines. Powered by a 37hp V twin petrol engine, the compact and lightweight woodchipper matches the strength and performance that users have come to expect from Först’s diesel powered machines.

Visitors to brand’s stand were able to get hands on with the product and talk to the Först experts to discuss the benefits of switching over to a petrol machine.

Also on stand was the Först’s XR8 Traxion, an 8” x 10” tracked machine that can traverse banks due to its parallel linkage system, its original ST6 wheeled woodchipper and its high performance PT8 machine, alongside the ST8, TR6 and TR8 models.

Doug Ghinn, Director at Först, said: “We are very passionate about the Först brand

and how far we’ve come within the industry in such a short period of time. The diverse line-up of

machines we’re exhibiting at Confor Woodland demonstrates this, as we now offer the

complete range of woodchipper solutions to arborists, farmers, contractors and landscapers.

New video help to manage diffuse pollution A new video on aspects of good water management has been added to the suite of tools on the Forestry & Water Scotland web page.

Joining existing videos that deal with good water management during cultivation and harvesting operations, the new video - ‘Managing Diffuse Pollution‘ – gives real life examples of how to install sumps, silt traps and log bridges, and provides guidance on how to remove silt mitigation materials and how to deal with emergencies.

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The film has been produced

by Forestry Commission Scotland and SEPA, with support and resources from other forestry sector organisations.

Dr Julia Garritt, Land Use Practice Advisor with Forestry Commission Scotland, said; “Good water management helps reduce diffuse pollution risks from forestry operations. In turn this benefits the forest environment and wider landscape, helps compliance with water regulations and the UK Forestry Standard, and plays a key part in managing a forest sustainably.

“These accessible, easyto-download videos are great for Forest Managers looking to inform their teams about mitigation techniques and how they should be working on site when it comes to managing diffuse pollution.”

The latest film is presented in chapters – e.g. engineering, harvesting and forwarding, haulage etc. – with each of them designed to support training, toolbox talks and site briefings. They can be downloaded onto PCs, laptops and SMART applications for use in the office or outside.

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Forestry & Water Scotland is an initiative to bring together new and established resources to help forest owners, managers and practitioners follow good forestry practice to improve water management on their sites.

It is supported by various organisations involved in Scotland’s forestry sector and by the Diffuse Pollution Management Advisory Group (DPMAG), a partnership that focuses on protecting and improving Scotland’s water environment by reducing rural diffuse pollution.

forestry Bobcat Extends Forestry Cutter Attachment Range

Bobcat has extended the company’s new range of forestry cutter attachments with a third model – the new FRC150ST – for use on the smaller Bobcat S630/H and S650/H skid-steer loaders and T590/H and T650/H compact tracked loaders.

The new FRC150ST complements Bobcat’s recently launched FRC150HT and FRC200HT high torque forestry cutter attachments, which are compatible with the larger Bobcat T770H and T870H compact tracked loaders, S770H and S850H skid-steer loaders and the A770H all-wheel steer loader and provide cutting widths of 1.5 and 2.0 m, respectively, Based on feedback from the field, the 1.5 m wide FRC150ST incorporates many improvements over the previous FRC150 model.

Among the improvements, the FRC150ST is manufactured almost entirely from Hardox, with a specially designed new fixed motor offering greater output and efficiency. The enhanced design also offers a new, lighter drum,

with carbide teeth, new hose routing and greater performance and manoeuvrability.

The FRC150ST forestry cutter mulches trees and underbrush in minutes − leaving a carpet of mulch behind when clearing trees and bushes for any kind of application. The variable front gate can be adjusted to provide the coarseness or fineness of mulch that the finishing requires.

Providing a cutting width of 1.5 m, the FRC150ST forestry cutter is designed for continuous work on bushes and trees 100 to 120 mm in diameter, intermittent use for trees with a diameter from 150 to 200 mm and occasional use on trees 220 to 260 mm in diameter.

Applications are very varied and range from those in agriculture including vineyards, orchards, nurseries and tree care; forestry including cutting fire breaks in woods and forests, clearing work and removing unwanted undergrowth and trees; wildlife, national park and country estate management; perimeter

maintenance of facilities such as schools and military bases; to site development in construction; land clearing for landscaping and recreation projects; maintenance work on vegetation next to pathways and other right-of-ways, utilities, railway lines and roads as well as clean-up work after storms and floods.

Powered by a new high performance motor, the 1.5 m drum on the FRC150ST forestry

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cutter is equipped with 30 fixed long-life carbide teeth. Other new features include three rows of counter cutters; a new adjustable push bar configuration; a new reinforced chain protection system at the back; a new HD belt cover; new adjustable skid shoes; a debris and seal application kit; an automatic drum brake system; an ACD Control system and a patented fixed knife rotor with tungsten carbide tips.

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horses Harbro Reigns in Young Rider Ambassadors Equine nutrition specialist Harbro Ltd has announced the winners from its first ever Young Riders Competition, who will take up the place as brand ambassadors for the next twelve months. The competition saw over fifty entrants from Shetland to the Scottish Borders enter from a range of disciplines including eventing, show jumping and dressage.

A shortlist from the entries were selected by a panel of judges including equestrian expert and Olympic medallist Ian Stark, OBE, and Dr Vicki Glasgow, Harbro’s Equine Nutritionist, before a final public vote on Facebook to select two winners, one from the North and one

from the South of Scotland. The finalists with the most combined total likes and shares on their post uploaded to Facebook won the heat in their region.

There was overwhelming support for all the finalists, resulting in winners Leigh-Ann Allan (North) and Rosa Onslow (South).

Leigh-Ann, 21, from Perthshire competes in eventing at BE100 but her aspiration is to progress to novice with her overall aim to compete at a 1* level at Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

Rosa, 18, from Hawick is already achieving great things in eventing. She was longlisted for GB Junior Team 2016 and will

be competing in her first advance and 3* competitions in the coming weeks but her aspiration is to progress to the Olympics for eventing and to gain a place on GB teams.

The prizes will give these young riders who are brimming with talent some vital support, to help with the cost of feed for a year, clothing and merchandise, hospitality tickets to the Royal Highland Show 2018 and exceptional advice from Harbro Equine Nutritionist Dr Vicki Glasgow.

Managing nutrition and care is a vital aspect of a horse’s performance and wellbeing, and this input will help establish an appropriate feeding regime.

Talking about the result, Rebecca Ingram, Marketing Manager at Harbro, commented: “We are really pleased with the response to this year’s competition and the standard of entries was exceptional. We are delighted that we now have the opportunity to support two young riders as they progress within the sport and look forward to working with them both over the coming year. We would also like to thank all the entrants and hope to run a similar initiative in 2018/19.”

For further information about the winners please see www.harbro. co.uk. For further information on the new range of horse feed and nutrition see www.harbro.co.uk/ what-we-do/species/equine/

Great Britain retain their para-dressage team European title The Great Britain para-dressage team have retained their European title at the Longines FEI European Championships, after some fantastic performances from all four team members saw the allfemale quartet clinch the gold, ahead of Denmark and The Netherlands.

The team gold today means that as well as retaining their European title, Britain’s para-dressage team also retain their unbeaten record, having never been beaten at European, Paralympic or World level.

Performance Manager Sarah Armstrong commented: “I’m just over the moon. Every time any of them delivers their best in the arena it increases the thrill and privilege of working with them.

To have three of the team at their first championships and under such pressure, they’ve seriously delivered.

“We knew that the Danes would be exceptionally tough competition but we also knew that we had come here as prepared as we could have been. We have had total commitment from the entire team and there an immense amount 94

of work has gone into preparing the horses, with every small detail checked, which has allowed us to deliver performance gains and to be in this fantastic position.”

First up this morning in the Grade V class was yesterday’s Individual Silver medallist Sophie Wells MBE with Charlotte Hogg and her own C Fatal Attraction.

Producing some lovely work, the duo recorded a score of 73.58% to get the British team off to a great start.

Commenting, Sophie said: “I enjoyed that. I’m much happier today; I could show a little more of what he could do out there.

He came out in a different place today, he’s always got better with the more tests he does and he was a bit more at peace with his environment. I was excited to have Jorge here; the new challenge is nice and I think he’s a really talented horse. I love riding him; he’s like a ball of energy.”

Next up for Great Britain was Erin Orford, who with Annabel Whittet’s Dior, won her first championship medal yesterday, a bronze. Aboard the

striking Pimms, Erin had a great ride to see a score of 68.85% confirmed.

“I was really pleased with how she felt,” said Erin, “her way of going was much more spritely and had a little bit more ping. The quality of work felt better today than yesterday so I was really pleased with her.

Obviously disappointed with the mark, I wanted to put something a little bit stronger forward for the team, but it’s out of my hands.

“She felt a lot more confident in there and she seemed to enjoy

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it a little bit more and came into her own a little bit more.”

Individual Grade III gold medallist, Suzanna Hext, was on fine form once again with Charlie and Pammy Hutton’s Abira, as the pair produced yet another lovely test for a score of 72.088%.

Suzanna said: “I’m pleased with him (Abira), he felt much easier today, especially in the serpentine. I was slightly disappointed about almost going into canter during the walk pirouette, which probably cost us but I was really pleased with the rest of the test.”

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horses

Equine Angle

Team Gold and Individual Bronze for GB’s eventers

By Melanie Scott

• Rosalind Canter, Tina Cook, Oliver Townend and Nicola Wilson are crowned European team champions • Nicola Wilson and Bulana take the Individual European bronze medal • Four British riders finish in the top eight The final day of the eventing European Championships saw Great Britain crowned European team gold medallists. As the team gold was confirmed for Rosalind Canter, Tina Cook, Oliver Townend and Nicola Wilson, there was further delight for Nicola who also took an individual bronze with Bulana.

With two fences in hand heading into the final phase of the competition, it was Ros Canter with Caroline Moore and her own Allstar B who was first into the arena and delivered a stunning clear round inside the time to set the pace for the British team. Tina Cook aboard Billy The Red, owned

by Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson, were next up and recorded another superb clear round.

Final rider in for the team, Nicola Wilson with James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana, delivered yet another stunning round for GB, finishing clear inside the time to secure the European team title.

Unfortunately, due to a minor injury, Cooley SRS, ridden by team member Oliver Townend and owned by Angela

Hislop, was not presented at this morning’s horse inspection, and therefore did not come forward to contest the final showjumping round. “Everybody rode with great belief and Oliver took the ultimate sacrifice of going first (cross country) and his feedback was invaluable; he set the tone by having two blips but never gave up to the finish line and amazingly only incurred two time penalties. This was then replicated with the same fighting spirit through the rest of the team and our two individual riders’ performances in both the cross-country and jumping.

We are delighted, but this is the first stepping stone towards our ultimate dream.”

With Great Britain taking the team gold on 113.9 penalties, Germany took the silver on 123, with Sweden the bronze with 148.4 penalties. Individually, in was gold for Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and silver for Michael Jung, with Great Britain’s Nicola Wilson securing the bronze.

Final GB rider placings: 3rd Nicola Wilson and Bulana | 4th Tina Cook and Billy The Red | 5th Ros Canter and Allstar B | 8th Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook V | 28th Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo The British senior teams are supported by the BEF’s UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Programme.

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Scotland has been showing its strength in showjumping recently with wins across all levels.

Record breaking Grand Slam winner Scott Brash is riding on the crest of a wave and his win in the Global Tour in London with Hello Forever was sheer class. The horse is naturally talented but does not make it easy to ride but Scott has channelled the exuberance and they now have a great partnership and produced a masterful turn to come home in front.

Fraser Reed from Angus was selected to represent Great Britain and the Pony European Championships in Hungry. Weather more apt for Scotland saw the stables flooded but Team GB pulled out the stops to win a team silver.

On the national showjumping scene James Smith from Kirkcudbright is one of the countries hardest working riders.

He has a strong string behind him and the British National Championships at Stoneleigh won the international Horse of the Year Show wildcard qualifier with Twix de la Roque.

Also at the National Championships the South

West Scotland team of Michael Smith, Rommy Chassels, Amanda Creighton and Lucinda Stewart emerged victorious in the team competition giving a real boost to the grass roots riders.

Additionally Scotland’s pony riders did not disgrace themselves at the National Championships.

Banchory rider Nicole Lockhead Anderson was on fire, winning four classes over the three days with her strong string of ponies.

Finally the junior riders competed at the Inter Academy Championships at Weston Lawns near Coventry.

The region sent down eight teams to compete with all riders making a good account of themselves. There were wins in two team competitions 5r– Scotland Mull – Sandy McLean, Megan Morris, Jenna Ross and Charley Hamilton – winning the mature maxis pony class and Scotland Bute – Lucy Rennie, Fraser Sinclair, Sophie Scott an Karina Dunlop – winning the little grown-ups horse class. Additionally individual riders proved successful with Charley Hamilton, Katie McGregor and Sandy McLean also claiming individual titles.

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science & technology Cattle healthcare technology moo-ves closer to commercialisation Well Cow, the Edinburgh-based company focusing on cattle healthcare technology, and Ziconix have completed a trial of a new farm reader as part of a SMART:Scotland feasibility study project. The company was awarded innovation funding of £96,000 by Scottish Enterprise to progress the technology closer to commercialisation.

Well Cow currently offer a bolus sensor which stays inside the rumen of a cow (a part of the cow’s digestive system) and transmits pH/temperature readings to a handheld reader used by a researcher or farmer.

To fully commercialise Well Cow’s technology, it is necessary to enable the data from the bolus to be read autonomously and to be transmitted to the cloud where it can be analysed and the

dietary health of the animals to be monitored.

A new bolus and gateway reader has been developed, using the latest radio technologies to radically increase the sensitivity of the bolus to the reader transceiver and in a joint trial with Vodafone using its new NB-IoT network. This provides a simpler solution to allow farmers to track the wellbeing of their cattle and also allows wireless transmission of up to 30 metres of pH and other sensitive date from the cow’s rumen to the farm reader and then up to the cloud where the information can be stored.

Steve Sims of Ziconix said: “The technical challenges were very big, the rumen of a cow is not a nice place for any electronics to survive and establishing reliable radio transmissions to and from

the cow, through its body mass and achieving the distance required is very difficult and required us to use the most sensitive radio transceivers available and fine tuning of the antenna system to accomplish this.”

Malcolm Bateman of Well Cow said: “We’re very happy with the results of the project, this is a step change in our ability to offer farmers an automated system for checking the dietary health of their animals. It also opens up the possibility for us to monitor other aspects of animal health using the new sensors we have incorporated in our latest bolus.”

Jim Watson, Director of Innovation and Enterprise Services at Scottish Enterprise said: “Well Cow is creating an innovative product that meets a

strong customer need in the global marketplace, with data collection at the heart of its offering.

There’s an estimated £18 billion of productivity and innovation benefits to be realised, as well as an additional £500m annually in exports, for Scottish companies that embrace data to enhance their operations. With the help of our grant, we’re supporting this data-driven innovation to take place in Scotland and we wish the company every success with its growth ambitions.”

Well Cow Ltd is a subsidiary of Roslin Foundation and was established to provide a vehicle to introduce new technology to animal health monitoring. The company has worked closely with The Technology Partnership PLC and has been supported by the Genomia Seed Fund.

Synchrotron light used to show human domestication of seeds from 2000BC Scientists from University College London (UCL) have used the UK’s synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source, to document for the first time the rate of evolution of seed coat thinning, a major marker of crop domestication, from archaeological remains.

Writing in the journal Scientific Reports, the authors present evidence for seed coat thinning between 2,000 BC and 1,200 BC in the legume horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum), a bean commonly eaten in southern India.

By using the high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) technique on 96

Diamond’s I13-2 beamline, the researchers were able to measure for the first time the coat thickness throughout the entire seed.

“Seed coat thickness is a great indicator of domestication, as thinner coats will mean faster germination of a seed when it is watered,” explains Dorian Fuller, co-author on the paper.

“But conventional methods of looking at the seed coat require breaking and destroying archaeological specimens.”

“Being able to look at the seed coat thickness without breaking the sample is possible by other methods, but you can only look at a spot on the

seed,” adds Charlene Murphy, co-author on the paper. “The beamline at Diamond has allowed us to look at the entire seed, and has shown considerable variation within individual specimen’s seed coat thickness.”

This is the first time that HRXCT has been applied to entire archaeological seeds, with results suggesting that previous spot measurement thickness tests could be misleading. Of the twelve samples analysed, the seeds could be categorised into two distinct groups, thicker (wild type) seed coats, with averages thicknesses above 17 micrometres, and thinner

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(more domesticated) seed coats between 10 and 15 micrometres.

The results indicated that domestication of horsegram took place during the second millennium BC, with seed coats fair fixed in thickness by the early centuries AD. The findings also show the potential for HRXCT to be used to look at a variety of domesticated grains and pulses, such as peas.

Christoph Rau, Principal Beamline Scientist on I13, where the work was carried out, says “The beamline is a unique tool and is involved in a wide range of applications from high resolution imaging of biological tissues to palaeontological

science & technology research. In this case, the beamline has enabled the team to produce 3D images of the seeds with incredible micrometer scale resolution, without damaging their precious samples” “We’re continuing to work with Diamond to look at

other interesting archaeological seeds, and how they’ve become domesticated,” concludes Fuller.

“Peas are a great example of this – wild peas are ejected from their pods naturally, but domesticated peas only leave the pod when the cultivator removes them – a quite symbiotic relationship.”

Scotlands’ food and drink attraction

Agriculture’s connected future on show at ECPA The “Internet of Things” (IoT) is emerging as a significant opportunity for farmers, according to Craig Fleming of CENSIS, the Innovation Centre for Sensor and Imaging Systems.

Speaking at this year’s European Conference on Precision Agriculture (ECPA) in Edinburgh, Craig Fleming outlined how LoRaWAN™, or LoRa™ – a long range, low power communications platform for building IoT networks – can address some of the major challenges facing the farming sector, as well as wider society.

CENSIS and its industry partners are currently deploying a series of LoRa™ networks across Scotland in urban and rural locations. These are being used to tackle environmental challenges; monitor pollution; and track valuable assets, like grazing livestock.

Craig Fleming, Senior Business Development Manager at CENSIS, will say: “A number of farmers are already using IoT

technologies to monitor animal health and minimise the use of agri-chemicals through precise targeting. But the technology has restricted IoT to animals inside buildings or large pieces of machinery.

“Scotland’s LoRa™ networks are opening up so many more opportunities.

This technology removes the restrictions on range and power currently in place, giving farmers the opportunity to access and use huge amounts of data from across their entire farm.

The technology on show at our demonstration area lays out some of the pioneering propositions now on offer.”

To demonstrate the IoT’s potential for the industry, a consortium of companies, led

by CENSIS and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), will demonstrate how farms can measure and track a range of data using existing LoRa™ networks both at the event and further afield.

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Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity Every summer the population of Scotland swells with visitors from around the world, people drawn here to experience stunning natural landscapes, history and culture.

However, foremost among the reasons why Scotland appeals to so many is our world-renowned food and drink produce.

While Scottish salmon and whisky are rightly celebrated around the world, we have a varied natural larder. Our food and drink industry is diversifying, with new offerings coming onto the market every year.

I see huge potential here for growth and innovation.

Supporting our producers will boost our exports, our profile as a nation of food and drink, and improve our health by promoting locally sourced, fresh produce. It is also important that our primary producers, farmers and crofters derive a fairer share of the retail value of the food that they produce.

In June I launched an action plan to develop potential within our fruit and veg sector. This will boost skills, innovation, supply

chain and market development to grow markets both at home and abroad. Alongside this we are also supporting our aquaculture sector, along with meat, dairy and organic producers.

The food and drink industry as a whole are aiming to double turnover by 2030, which is evidence of the huge ambition that exists across the sector.

We are fully supportive of these ambitions which is why this summer we have awarded over £9 million to food and drink producers around Scotland to expand and diversify production.

These grants will help businesses across Scotland access capital to improve, extend or build new facilities and expand operations in response to growing demand for our wonderful produce.

This is a clear demonstration of our continued commitment to build our reputation as a land of food and drink. Food and drink exports from Scotland grew by £421 million in 2016, to a record £5.5 billion, which is evidence that the future is indeed looking bright.

futurefarmer

The Aberdeen-Angus Youth Development Programme: building for the future of the breed As with many other industries and lines of work, the cattle breeding industry is faced with an ever-changing landscape.

Breeders must be equipped to cope with and react to changes both seen and unforeseen in the near and more distant future, and part of that involves the effective development and nurturing of young talent to drive the individual breeds and overarching industry forward.

Since first coming into place in the 1990s, the AberdeenAngus Cattle Society has used its Youth Development Programme (YDP) as a platform for doing exactly that, providing youngsters with vital experience and the chance to work towards an industry recognised qualification in the City & Guilds award through Duchy Agricultural College.

The Youth Development Programme offers young farmers of all levels of ability from the ages of 8-24 a chance to gain hands-on experience in everything from preparing cattle for shows and sales to stockjudging, clipping, halter making and public speaking through their regular workshops and conferences which are run by some of the best stockmen and stockwomen in the business.

These workshops take place one or two times per month up and down the length and 98

breadth of the UK and Ireland, and aren’t only for those with Aberdeen-Angus backgrounds, offering a great programme for all industry youngsters. Each year, a YDP participant is also selected to study the AberdeenAngus breed abroad, with an official finale competition every year to help select who wins the trip.

The YDP provides a platform to assist the young people in carcase selecting, nutrition, fertility, and gives the opportunity to look around an abattoir and local beef units.

Participants are also chosen to shadow judge at major shows like the Stirling Bull Sales and get opportunities to travel to the World Angus Forums and compete against their peers from all around the world in the youth competition.

Gayle Bersey is the Aberdeen-Angus YDP Coordinator, having held this role since 2009 and being responsible for the organisation of workshops, conferences and qualification opportunities for the young people. When speaking about the YDP and why it is held in such high regard, Gayle said: ‘’The AberdeenAngus Youth Development Programme provides a great platform for youngsters to learn the skills they need for their future careers, whilst

having fun at the same time and making long lasting friendships. At the regular weekend workshop events and conferences, we have some of the best speakers in the industry presenting about all sorts of topics that can help the participants become better livestock farmers and wellrounded individuals.’’

Gayle continued: “With the average age of farmers sitting at the late 50s to early 60s, it is essential that we work to encourage the youth of today and provide them with the environment they need to develop and flourish.

In livestock farming, without those young individuals coming through we cannot move the breed and the industry forward.

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We also look at more efficient ways of farming to hopefully help our youngsters develop a profitable career path in the future.’’

The current programme boasts upwards of 300 young people taking part with around 15 workshops throughout the year and a larger weekend event which hosts the finale of the programme, where there is a £2500 cash prize fund and the opportunity for the seniors to win a study trip abroad. If you are yourself, or know anyone who is between the ages of 8 and 24 and might be interested in taking part in the AberdeenAngus Youth Development Programme, you can get in touch with Gayle Bersey directly at gaylebersey@outlook.com.

futurefarmer NFUS launches share farming project to address succession worries and new entrant barriers NFU Scotland has started a research project on the potential of share farming to assist both new entrants and farm owners worried about succession on their farm.

Earlier this week, the union’s New Generation Committee gave their support to this project which aims to inform members of the options available and connect potential new entrants to farming with farm and croft owners who are looking to relinquish some of the duties of every day farming and land ownership without having to sell on.

The project comes off the back of a recent New Generation survey which found that the price of land and land availability is preventing new entrants from entering and progressing in the industry.

This coincides with a wide concern among many farmers and crofters approaching retirement age about a lack of willing heirs to take over the operational side of the business, forcing a decision on the sale of the farm.

There are a huge amount of agricultural college graduates and young farmers coming through every year who are looking for a chance to build up their working capital and experience, and share farming is a unique opportunity for them to do so in tandem with a knowledgeable and experienced Scottish farmer.

Speaking after the New Generation Committee meeting in Perth earlier this week, NFU Scotland’s Food Policy and Campaigns Officer, Lindsey Macdonald said: “We recently

launched this project after it became clear that there were mutually beneficial issues among farmers and crofters at both ends of their career that had yet to be explored.

“On the one side, we have a generation of new and enthusiastic young farmers and crofters desperate to enter the industry and build their business; on the other side, we have a huge number of farm and croft owners reaching retirement age and looking to step back but with no willing family members to take over and a fear that the only choice they have is to sell the farm they’ve spent their whole lives building up.

“We realised there’s a unique opportunity to tap into this and match new entrants with farm owners via share farming. Share farming is an arrangement in which the new entrant and the farm owner carry out separate farming businesses on the same land with one party providing the land and often the machinery and the other providing the labour and expertise, while both share the profits.

“Each arrangement will be different according to the parties involved but this is an exciting opportunity for new entrants and farm owners alike to mutually benefit one another.

“We will be working closely with NFU Scotland members and the New Generation Committee in the coming months to provide information and advice on possible agreements and considering avenues to help facilitate share farming matches.”

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A common theme within farming is the importance of sharing opinions and providing support for each other, something that SAYFC are proud to promote to their members.

With membership on the rise, and a higher turnout at regional and national events, it is a clear indicator that farming interest has not fallen as some may suggest. Furthermore, the participation of people from non-farming backgrounds is also on the rise; demonstrating how SAYFC can attract new workers to the field and, through extensive training and initiative schemes, inject a positive outlook on a career in farming for the future generations.

SAYFC organizes an annual Agri and Rural Affairs Conference, which provides a great opportunity for members to come together from across Scotland to hear from inspirational speakers, visit local farms and participate in a variety of workshops that offer new and innovative farming techniques. The weekend is engaging, fun and provides a perfect environment to learn and network. This year’s conference takes place in Stirling from the 17- 19th November.

Whilst on the learning theme, SAYFC provides an array of courses, from

practical training such as spraying and trailer courses, to programmes that focus on business, accounting and succession planning (amongst others), which equips our members with essential skills to succeed in their chosen field. SAYFC continues to look at new ways to help members learn and prosper.

SAYFC also provides a voice to members, particularly through our dedicated Agri and Rural Affairs Committee, which focuses on helping young farmers speak up on farming issues, address challenges and press for change where it is needed.

SAYFC recently conducted a Brexit survey to gauge the opinions of members on the future of farming and to use this evidence to help inform discussion with the Scottish Government and Westminster. In the current political climate and the uncertainty within farming, SAYFC has increased its engagement with other farming organisations, environmental bodies, as well as politicians, to make sure the voices of young farmers are heard.

It is certainly clear that young farmers care about the direction of farming; ultimately, they are the custodians of Scotland’s farming future.

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machinery New generation of ARION 600 and 500 tractors The ARION 600 and 500 range from CLAAS are versatile, allround tractors with a high level of comfort and convenience which are equally suited to field and grassland work, transport and front-loader activities around the yard.

CLAAS has now introduced a new generation of these proven series with enhanced equipment options, a wider range of engines and many new features. These include the new CIS+ system, the new CEBIS terminal, updated HEXASHIFT and CMATIC transmission functions and the PROACTIV front axle suspension, newly developed by CLAAS. Thanks to the CIS, new CIS+ and the new CEBIS Touch, three different equipment options are now available for models in the AXION 800 and ARION 600 and 500 ranges for the very first time.

All versions are available with a HEXASHIFT powershift transmission; alternatively, the CIS+ and CEBIS versions can be supplied with the continuously variable CMATIC transmission.

The CIS version has been kept deliberately simple with mechanical spool valves and the CIS display, while CIS+ comes with electronic spool valves and the CIS colour ‘A’ pillar display

as standard. Both versions have the proven multifunction armrest with DRIVESTICK to operate the transmission.

The CEBIS version goes even further, featuring the fully redesigned CEBIS terminal with 12-inch touch screen display and intuitive DIRECT ACCESS, in addition to the CMOTION multifunction control lever,

which can be operated using just three fingers.

The power output range of the ARION series has been extended upwards and downwards and now stretches from 125 hp in the ARION 510 to 185, or 205 hp in the ARION 660 thanks to CLAAS POWER MANAGEMENT (CPM), which provides a boost of up

to 20 hp for transport and PTO work.

All ARION 500 models have a 4-cylinder engine, while the ARION 600 tractors have a 6-cylinder engine throughout. In the ARION 600 models the engine idling speed is automatically reduced from 800 to 650 rpm when the tractor is stationary, delivering additional fuel savings.

Deutz-Fahr expands six series range with four cylinder models DEUTZ-FAHR has added three new 4-cylinder models to its existing 6 series 6-cylinder range. The modular high tech system now includes a 6155.4, 6165.4 and 6175.4 as a top model.

All models in the range now feature higher permissible weights (11,500kg) and a longer wheelbase (2,543mm) for improved stability and a comfortable driving performance. Design features of the 4-cylinder models are similar to those of the 6-cylinder 100

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versions which were awarded “Tractor of the year for the design” last year.

The 156hp, 164hp and 171hp Deutz TCD 4.1 4-cylinder engines comply with the requirements for emissions Stage IV. The new engines offer a hefty starting torque and high torque reserves across a wide speed range. In addition to a compact cooling system, which can be opened completely and easily cleaned, the TTV models are also equipped with a new electric Visco fan.

machinery Three transmission variants are available: from the simple, manual five-speed powershift transmission with six forward powershift stages and three reverse stages (30+15 gears) and the newly developed fully automatic RCshift gearbox (30+15 gears, with creeper gear 54+27 gears), to the efficient TTV transmission for continuous driving and working from 0 to 50km/h. For all transmissions, the maximum speed is achieved at a reduced engine speed to save fuel. On the RCshift models, the top speed of 50km/h is reached with only 1,530 rpm, saving fuel and reducing noise.

Another unique feature of this tractor class is the front axle with independent suspension, which is equipped with an antidive and anti-rise control and a booster brake system. This ensures maximum traction and safety in all situations.

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FBP 3135 BalePack now available with film binding KUHN Farm Machinery has upgraded its fixed chamber round baler-wrapper combination machine by making its popular film binding technology available as an option.

Following on from the successful launch of KUHN’s film binding system on the iBIO+ last year, KUHN has now introduced the unique bale wrapping system on the latest version of its FBP 3135 BalePack machine.

KUHN’s twin satellite film binding system uses two film reels to bind the cylindrical side of the bale and offers several advantages compared to other film binding systems, not least the ability to use standard sized rolls (25µm, 1500m, 750mm) therefore eliminating the need to order separate binding and wrapping

film. The KUHN system reduces film usage by up to 30% by prestretching prior to application and boasts quicker and easier roll loading thanks to a user-friendly system which hydraulically folds the film reels into their loading/ unloading position.

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The FBP 3135 Bale Pack can also be used with conventional net binding: switching between film and net binding is quick and simple as the two systems are separate, making it easy to switch from one system to the other for different crops. In

machinery either specification, the FBP delivers high output productivity in conjunction with consistent bale formation and a reliable wrapping mechanism.

The FBP 3135 is available with two different intake rotors

– the OPTICUT 14 or OPTICUT 23 – both with Hardox tines.

Each version shares the same 2.30m pick-up which features cam-track technology for improved contour following for cleaner grass collection.

John Deere introduces new automated combines The most advanced grain harvesting technology from front to back is featured in the combines and headers John Deere is introducing for 2018. Four new S700 Series rotary combine models – the S770, S780, S785 and S790 for the UK and Irish markets – offer producers significant improvements in ‘smart’ technology, operator comfort and data management.

Building on the proven field performance of the S600 Series combines with variable stream rotor introduced in 2012, the S700 Series models incorporate the latest in automated harvesting technology. Many of the changes make it easier for the operator by allowing the combine to carry out the necessary adjustments automatically, on the go.

“These new S700 Series combines are the result of enhancements to our previous models that optimise and automate harvesting operations for both coarse and small grains,” says John Deere’s European combines product manager Carsten Heftrig. “We’ve increased the overall intelligence of these combines by automating more adjustments and calibration tasks. We’ve also improved the lifetime durability and productivity of our front-end equipment to create a high performance harvesting solution unlike any other on the market today.”

To make it easier for operators to maximise the performance of these new combines, John Deere has introduced the next generation of automation, Integrated Combine Adjustment (ICA2).

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machinery New eight-speed semi-powershift joins four-speed semi-powershift and CVX as transmission options for Maxxum tractor range

A new semi-powershift transmission offering eight powershift steps in each of three ranges is now available for Case IH Maxxum tractors, with the launch of the ActiveDrive

8 transmission. It joins the existing four-speed semipowershift and continuouslyvariable transmission options available on Maxxum tractors, which respectively have been

renamed as ActiveDrive 4 and CVXDrive.

Available on Maxxum Multicontroller models, ActiveDrive 8 provides a total of 24 speeds in both forward and reverse. The transmission incorporates a number of features designed to make the tractor more efficient and the driver more relaxed.

Covering speeds up to 10.2 km/h, range one is specifically designed for heavier draft work. For special applications requiring very low speeds, such as vegetable crop work, ActiveDrive 8 is also available with additional creep speeds.

Range two, the main working range, covers nearly 90% of all field, grassland and loader

application requirements, allowing the tractor to work under full load, without any torque disruption, from 1.6-18.1 km/h.

For road travel, the transmission is designed to start in range three, and a skip-shift function allowing quick progress through the powershift speeds. An auto shift feature means the tractor can be set to progress automatically through any set of eight speeds in the field, and through all 16 gears in the top two ranges on the road. A pedal kick-down function can be used to over-ride the transmission automation and cause it to downshift.

In terms of transmission operation, the clutch pedal is not required, meaning this transmission is suited to power-hungry tasks where momentum is important, such as cultivations or mowing with twin or triple mowers. A true power shuttle ensures no loss of drive or traction during changes of direction on slopes, while a ‘brake to clutch’ feature improves ease of stopping and safety at road junctions or when stacking bales with a loader.

Both shifting and shuttle can be modulated for a faster or slower response according to the task in hand.

Pink Valtra tractor attracts attention at agricultural shows A customised Valtra Unlimited N Series tractor has set off on a summer-long, tour of agricultural shows in the Highlands, with a mission to raise as much money as possible for the Breast Cancer Care charity.

Fiona McLaren a Director of McLaren Tractors decided 104

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to turn a tractor pink for the agricultural shows in the North, so she contacted Acorn Signs in Inverness, who turned the white tractor into a stunning Pink before the shows.

The Pink Valtra Tractor attended the Caithness Show, Black Isle Show and the Grantown Show. “People were

machinery so generous and the Pink Valtra was photographed by many passers by. A grand total raised from all three shows amounted to £5900” The tractor itself is a 155hp N154 – a fourth generation, award-winning model – which can be finished to the company’s individual specification at the Valtra Unlimited Studio facility in Suolahti, Finland.

This exclusive design option is available to Valtra customers

seeking an element of exclusivity when tackling their mainstream workload.

Each day, more than 140 women and men in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer, a figure that currently multiplies up to 50,000 annually. But it is predicted that, along current trends, the yearly total is likely to have reached 57,000 by 2030. Hence the need for as much fund-raising activity as possible.

Kellands launches new UK dealer network

Kellands has teamed up with Rickerby Ltd in its first move towards creating a comprehensive UK sales network. Creators of the Agribuggy low-ground pressure sprayer, and the Multidrive range of all-terrain multi-purpose load carriers, Kellands sees the move as crucial in boosting brand awareness and putting its innovative products in the ‘shop window’ with potential customers.

The deal will see Kellands machines available through Rickerby’s seven-strong chain of sales outlets in the North of England and Scotland.

A highly successful agricultural dealer with branches in Carlisle, Alnwick, Bowburn, Carnforth, Cornhill, Dunbar, Hexham and Penrith, Rickerby has established a reputation for excellent customer service and after-sales support.

Kellands director of sales and marketing Keith Pashley said: “We are delighted to build a partnership with Rickerby. They possess huge agricultural experience, have built strong relationships with 106

farmers and contractors, and have a successful track record for supporting customers from sales enquiries through to aftercare. “We feel confident this deal will offer extensive opportunities for both Kellands and Rickerby and give us a strong platform to be more proactive in getting the product out into the marketplace for potential customers to see.”

Kellands’ world-famous Agribuggy is a high-performance self-propelled crop sprayer that delivers a greater power-to-weight ratio and fuel economy than any of its rivals. Its unique low ground pressure design enables operators to go where other sprayers can’t - working in wet conditions and tough terrain and allowing safe, productive working earlier and later in the year than rivals.

Tough and versatile, the Multidrive series of machines offers a tank capacity of 9,000 litres or a maximum payload weight of 14,000kg and thrive as spreaders, sprayers, and allpurpose load carriers in even the most challenging terrain. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

machinery Amazone introduces the new XTender-T trailed hopper New from Amazone is the XTender-T, a flexible-application, trailed distribution hopper running on a single axle. The XTender-T has been developed for farms looking to simultaneously apply fertiliser and/or seed in combination with the soil tillage operation via a cultivator or compact disc harrow.

So, the XTender-T, for instance, can be utilised for the application of a compensation fertiliser to counteract Nitrogen removal by the straw rotting process or for sowing catch crops with or without the addition of a starter fertiliser.

Combining these passes with the soil tillage operation means a noticeable enhancement in efficiency.

The XTender is designed for operation behind tractors of up to 600 HP and, thanks to its

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own running gear, the hopper can be used also behind tractors with only limited lift capacity or no rear linkage at all. The XTender-T is connected to the following cultivator via a standardised either Cat. 3 or 4N lower link cross shaft. Via this linkage system, the XTender-T can also be used in conjunction with implements from other manufacturers. Just the supply pipes to the relevant implement must be made available or matched. As the maximum support load of the linkage is 4,500 kg, the combined operation with bigger machinery on the rear of the XTender-T is also no problem.

The hopper of the XTender-T, which, in its basic design, is available as a single

compartment hopper has a capacity of 4,200 l. As option, it is also available with a 50/50 division so that fertiliser and

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seed, or two different kinds of fertiliser, can be conveyed separately to each other without any problem.

machinery Massey Ferguson extends MF Activa S range of combines with addition of ParaLevel option Levelling up to 20% increases choice for farmers with sloping land.

Massey Ferguson is introducing its unique ParaLevel levelling system to its class-leading MF Activa S range of combines.

First seen on the MF Beta range, this robust, straightforward system is available on the MF Activa S 5- and 6-walker MCS (Multi Crop Separator) models.

It uses parallel linkage for machine levelling whilst allowing the fitment of wider tyres but maintaining the important 3.5m width for road transport.

“Equipping these utility combines with the ParaLevel system is a natural step,” says Adam Sherriff, Market Development Manager, Massey Ferguson Harvesting, Europe and Middle East. “The highlypopular MF Activa S 7345

and MF Activa S 7347 5- and 6-walker models will offer increased flexibility for costconscious farmers on sloping land who want the best value for money machine.”

“It’s surprising how much of our cropped land requires a levelling system to get the most from a combine harvester. The ParaLevel system not only improves safety but also enables the operator to really

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enhance performance by reducing losses and improving the sample quality from these hilly areas, rather than making compromises when operating on sloping terrain,” he explains.

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machinery Deutz-Fahr make strategic dealership appointment in Scotland DEUTZ-FAHR has appointed William Kerr Tractors Ltd as its main dealer for Ayr and the Stranraer area of Scotland.

Managing director Willie Kerr says the new 90 million euros that DEUTZ-FAHR has spent on its state-of-the-art factory in Lauingen, Bavaria, Germany coupled with the millions already invested on R and D to expand and develop its range of tractors, has given him the confidence to sell the brand in his area.

William Kerr tractors Ltd is an experienced and well respected dealership having built up a loyal customer base over many years.

Mr Kerr continues to have an involvement with the SAME tractor brand which began in 1978 and so has a well stocked inhouse parts department to ensure any service and maintenance issues relating to the DEUTZ-

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FAHR tractor can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

“We expect sales of the lower horsepower DEUTZFAHR tractors to be our mainstay of business, particularly from within the dairy sector for use on feeder wagons and for mowing,” says Mr Kerr.

“Dairy farmers in particular have been suffering from high second hand machinery values and from a poor milk price, so the arrival of a tractor manufacturer in the area that offers quality and reliability as well as high residual values and is supported by an established dealership has to be welcome.”

Since becoming a DEUTZFAHR dealership two months ago William Kerr Tractors has already taken delivery of its first 165hp RC Shift Series 6 tractor and has orders placed for a Series 6 165hp Powershift and a Series 5 5110 G.

Extra wide models extend PRIMOR feeder and blower range KUHN Farm Machinery has extended its range of dual-purpose trailed feeder and straw blowers with the addition of two extrawide models. The 15m3 PRIMOR 15070 M and 4.2m3 PRIMOR 4270 M both boast extra-wide, high-capacity bodies enabling them to handle the largest of round and square bales.

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The PRIMOR 15070 M is large enough to take up to four 1.30 x 1.20 x 2.70 metre rectangular bales or three round bales up to 2 metres in diameter. It can be customised according to the layout of farm buildings, with a side or multidirectional discharge chute (GL model variant) enabling straw to be blown to the left or right.

machinery New Quadtrac CVX brings operational and efficiency benefits of continuously-variable transmission to articulated tracked tractor market Performance has been a key focus throughout the development of the new machine, with two powerful intake rotors feeding the full 1700mm width of the turbine’s input area. A bank of six hydraulic tines above the feed rotors enables intake settings to be adjusted and regulated according to the type of product being used and to feed the turbine with an even supply of material. The turbine itself is capable of blowing to a distance of 18 metres and is fitted with eight bolt-on blades for pneumatic fodder separation.

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The PRIMOR 15070 M uses KUHN’s hydraulic unroll system to clamp subsequent bales in place and stop them from rotating while the first bale is being discharged. It is also equipped with an hydraulic tailgate with a 1.2 tonne lifting capacity for loading round bales.

The floor of the body is fitted with a 14mm diameter chain conveyor with an optional boost floor available to provide extra feed conveyor torque for the distribution of heavy products such as grass silage.

The name behind the world’s first articulated tracked tractor is launching the market’s first such machines with continuouslyvariable transmission (CVT), in a move designed to bring the benefits of improved fuel efficiency, ease of operation and reduced operator fatigue to the highest horsepower sector of the tractor market.

New for 2017 is a range of three Case IH Quadtrac CVX models which will complement the existing line of five models

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with the established standard powershift machines. The new CVXDrive transmission offers the advantages of stepless travel from standstill up to 40 km/h, and can be operated to work at a desired forward speed or engine speed, with Automatic Productivity Management software then able to adjust engine and transmission management accordingly, explains Hans-Werner Eder, Case IH Quadtrac product marketing manager.

machinery “At 613 peak horsepower, the 540 CVX, which is the flagship in the Quadtrac CVX range, offers the highest available power of any CVT tractor,” points out Mr Sommer.

“The other models in the range are the Quadtrac 500 CVX and Quadtrac 470 CVX, which have respective maximum power outputs of 558hp and 525hp.

“Case IH is a name synonymous with high-output equipment, and with a history in CVT development for midpower tractors that dates back 17 years, we are now bringing this technology to the top end of the tractor market, so that owners and operators on the largest arable enterprises can benefit from the same fuel efficiency and operational advantages.”

Case IH Quadtrac CVX tractors are powered by electronically-controlled 12.9-litre Cursor 13 six-

cylinder engines from sister company FPT Industrial, with a single-stage turbocharger on the two smaller tractors and a two-stage turbocharger in the 540 model. On this tractor, the smaller turbocharger delivers low rpm responsiveness, while the second, larger unit provides maximum boost at high rpm.

Each turbocharger has its own cooling system to provide 30 per cent faster response under load.

New Holland launches new specialist tractor offering to UK growers New Holland Agriculture launched its cleaner, quieter, more efficient T4 FNV tractors to the UK at Fruit Focus in July. The updated specialist tractor range benefits from more power and performance matched with economy and precision. Four

models offer a choice of engine sizes and three different widths, alongside a new best-in-class cab, providing superior operator protection and comfort.

New Holland’s exclusive Blue Cab™ 4 option provides

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the operator with best-in-class protection against dust, aerosols and vapours, by exceeding EN 15695 category 4 for filtration and pressurisation when required during spraying. The innovative double filtration system (two

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machinery the highest end of the specification the T4.110 offers 107hp.

Power is delivered by a 3.4 litre four-cylinder engine purpose-developed for tractor operation by FTP Industrial.

The T4.110 model produces

maximum power of 107hp at 2,300rpm and is the highest output ever offered by New Holland in a speciality tractor.

All models deliver constant max power between engine speeds of 1,900 and 2,300rpm.

Smyth Trailers Release High Capacity Silage Trailer filters in the same roof) allows the operator to switch to category 2, when category 4 is not required, at the press of a button. This prolongs filter life and reduces maintenance costs.

Blue Cab™ is also the quietest cab yet, at 78dB(A).

The T4 FNV tractor series is offered in three widths of 1.06m, 1.23m and 1.47m and high power

to weight ratios, to suit the needs of fruit, vineyard or other narrow or row applications.

Rated power outputs for the T4 FNV Series ranges from 75hp to 107hp. New Holland’s model naming system relates to the individual machines’ rated horsepower, with the T4.80 rated at 75hp, the T4.90 and T4.100 at 86 and 99hp respectively, and at

Irish based trailer manufacturer Smyth Trailers have just released a high capacity silage trailer to service the needs of modern day agricultural contracting.

The trailer was custom fabricated at their purpose built manufacturing facility in Garryhill Co. Carlow in response to customer demands for a high capacity trailer in order to move more material more efficiently.

Smyth Trailers founding partner Sam Smyth commented on the new development “customers have recently being enquiring about a trailer which can carry more material each time to tackle the problem of longer hauls during the busy silage season.

The main issue that arises when you produce a large trailer is that naturally manoeuvrability suffers; we are always listening

The Air Compressor and Pressure Washer Specialists

Manufacturers and suppliers, W Bateman & Co has an enviable reputation for manufacturing and supplying both domestic and industrial pressure washers and air compressors.

Nationwide DELIVERY on all orders

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01772 862948 email: sales@bateman-sellarc.co.uk www.bateman-sellarc.co.uk

machinery to our customers’ needs and are ready for an engineering challenge. We contacted Cathal Deacon and Colin French from Distag QCS who developed a bolt on forced steering tri axle system for us in order to keep manoeuvrability in line with that of a standard 20ft trailer.

This system not only steers while travelling forward but also steers in reverse further aiding its manoeuvrability”.

The trailer is based on the company’s popular SuperCube range which features a sloped front design for extra capacity.

The trailer in question is 25ft long (7.6m) and 8.3ft (2.55m) wide with an overall height of 12.8ft (3.9m) which gives it a payload capacity of approximately 50 cubic metres, other sizes are also available to suit the customers’ needs.

The entire body is manufactured from high yield steel and features removable silage sides as well

as a hydraulically controlled tailboard at the rear. The body is tipped by two high capacity hydraulic cylinders which are

chrome plated to reduce seal wear and increase reliability.

All of which is fitted onto a high strength chassis manufactured

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from 250x150mm box section steel in conjunction with 100x150mm box section steel floor runners.

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BOOK SERIALISATION

The battle to save Sally B For Anne Cholawo, living alone on Soay, buying a 20ft fishing boat in 1997 meant independence. Watching it sink the next year seemed to spell the end of her island dream. Unless, of course, she could possibly make it seaworthy again …

I was numb with shock. My boat, Sally B was far up at the head of the beach, lying almost completely over on her side amongst the big boulders.

Seawater was coming in over her gunwales and she was rapidly filling with water.

My first reaction was that nothing could be done, but then I thought I should try to rescue electrical equipment such as the radio and depth sounder. Also, I wanted to remove the compass and get my tools out of the forward cuddy. It felt the only positive action I could take.

The tide was coming in fast, so while I was wading about in the wheelhouse grabbing my toolbox and some floating cans of oil, Robert quickly pumped up the deflated dinghy. By now, I was up to my waist in water.

I found a screwdriver and was feverishly unscrewing the radio and any other electrical appliance I could get my hands on. The water was up to chest level and I was handing stuff to Robert through the wheelhouse door.

He had waded out to me towing the dinghy behind him so he could load it up with any items I managed to salvage. Finally, we swam away from Sally B to the shore and the pair of us sat on the beach side by side, soaking wet, watching her slowly submerge below the waterline. Eventually all that showed was a corner of the cabin roof and her aerial mast.

I was devastated. I felt as if I had just let my most loyal friend drown in front of me. Worst of 116

all, I knew it was my own fault. I should have made the extra effort to get the dinghy out to check the ropes properly last night instead of just giving the boat the once-over from the shore. I was really grieving; Sally B was my lifeline, my source of income and the symbol of my independence.

Robert put his arm round me and said all kinds of comforting, encouraging things: she would soon be back working again, better than before; we would work on that together. What was really amazing was that he genuinely believed what he was saying. And because he believed it could be done, I believed it too.

Even though I was completely wrapped up in my personal feelings of loss, failure and fears of what this meant for my future on Soay, I could still appreciate the huge support and empathy I had found in Robert.

Here was an honest, decent, kind and sincere man. I began to realise that the warm relationship we had both been so comfortable with for so long was much, much more than friendship. I had been a fool not to see before this moment that we were in love.

The ‘death’ of Sally B brought us together in a way that may have happened anyway in time, but it was certainly a catalyst to

a new and deeper relationship.

It also helped to galvanise my determination to get Sally B going again.

Working through the night, Anne and her neighbours winch the boat upright at ebb tide, then patch up the hole made by rocks in her hull A remote island is not the best place to resurrect an old boat, particularly one that has been totally submerged in seawater for at least eight hours. Finding a willing and competent carpenter to replace

Maintaining Sally B’s engine was a labour of love – and a necessity for Anne’s life on Soay

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BOOK SERIALISATION Sally B’s broken ribs and repair her splintered planking was the easy part. Sally B’s salt-damaged engine and electrics was a whole different ballgame.

I could not expect my neighbours to deal with her, nor was I competent mechanically or electrically and I certainly did not have the funds to have her towed to the nearest boatyard for a refit.

Her engine was really ancient and the best that I could expect would be that a boatyard might consider fitting another engine and rewire her. But, even if I had the money, the cost would be at least three or four times what she was worth.

I had only two choices: leave Sally B to rot where she was, or fix her myself. I couldn’t bear to walk away from her. She had given me so much and I had let her down very badly. Without my own boat I would be right back where I started, with nothing.

I relied on Sally B entirely for my income, supplies and general transport. My hard-won independence had disappeared overnight. She was my future on the island. I rooted out the engine manuals and tried to make some sense of them. The threat of having to return to ‘civilisation’ and the thought of all that my friends and neighbours had gone through to help rescue Sally B, spurred me on as nothing else could have done.

Months went by in uncountable man- and womanhours dismantling, unscrewing, cleaning, oiling and replacing salt-damaged parts. Slowly, by trial and error through nearly every hour of the day on her, I began to understand what was going on inside the engine.

Robert also spent long days when he was on Soay, helping me to remove badly corroded engine parts that had to be dismantled or our whole effort would have been pointless.

It is almost impossible to describe the series of dramas, despair, failures and sheer physical difficulties that we went through before finally reaching a point where I could reassemble the engine again. By this time I could talk about ‘compression’,

Anne’s neighbour Tex and his boat Petros. In their absence, she was totally reliant on repairing her own boat

‘injectors’, ‘ fuel pumps’ and ‘governor linkages’ and know pretty much what I was talking about.

A day came when I could turn the crank handle of my newly assembled, freshly oiled and primed three-cylinder aircooled Lister (with the valves decompressed, of course) and knew just by the feel and rhythmic ‘click’ of her brandnew injectors that she was ready to go. However, I had yet to learn about the vagaries of electricity and wiring to be able to start the engine. I was not strong enough to hand-crank it and still needed the power to run the lights and VHF. This was a huge hurdle for me to overcome and it was to be another whole year before I finally, and to a limited degree, cracked the code.

The following spring brought a fresh start. I went to tackle Sally B again with a clearer head. I stopped trying to make wiring connections based on wild hunches and started to record where I attached the wires more systematically. I had had to replace the ignition and all the other indicators that were on the control panel inside the wheelhouse as well

as all the wiring, alternator and starter-motor. Working out what went where without any kind of circuit diagram began with trial and error, often with alarming results. One day I hit on the right sequence almost by accident. I turned the key and the startermotor engaged with a terrific BANG. I nearly had a heart attack. I was so used to hearing just a feeble clicking sound or nothing at all it was not what I expected that afternoon. I had almost started to believe I would have to admit defeat.

On a second attempt the engine tried to turn, but the battery did not have the power to make even one revolution.

The engine had been idle for so long that it was unwilling to start. I knew that if I tried again the battery would simply keep losing power in its effort to turn the big, cold, unwieldy Lister engine. Then I had a brainwave: why not try to start it on just one cylinder? There would be less of a load on the battery and I could take the decompressor levers off the other two once the first one had started up (I do hope you are still with me).

I had nothing to lose.

Without much expectation,

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I decompressed the middle cylinder and the one nearest to me and then turned the ignition key. The engine turned once.

I held the key on, keeping the starter motor turning. Then it happened. A curl of smoke rose from the cylinder and it began to work on its own. I let go of the ignition key. The cylinder fired slowly at first and then picked up speed. Quickly, hardly believing what I was seeing, I flicked over the middle cylinder. It fired too.

Then the last one kicked in. I jiggled the throttle and the engine roared into life. After a little I eased the throttle and the engine fell into that regular throbbing rhythm I had thought I would never, ever hear again.

It was one of the most fantastic moments of my life. I had never experienced such a feeling of pure joy and triumph. Ever.

There was much more to be done before she was truly seaworthy, but the battle to save Sally B was won.

BOOK JACKET This is edited extract from Island the Edge: A Life on Soay Anne Cholawo, published Birlinn, price £12.99

an on by by

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finance Farmer co-operation drives growth Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd, the farmer owned marketing group and one of Scotland’s largest livestock co-operatives, has announced a record year for livestock throughput. The co-op, which is now in its 21st year of operation, handled a record numbers of sheep and cattle from April 2016 to March 2017. The number of cattle marketed was 6% higher than in the previous financial year, whilst sheep numbers, at over 162,000 animals, increased by

an impressive 14% in the same period.

Farm Stock Chairman, Ian Watson, commented on the growth of the co-op: “It is hugely encouraging, that more and more farmers are realising the benefits that co-operative marketing can bring to their sheep and cattle businesses.”

“Much of our increase in throughput has come from new farmers coming on board to sell their stock through us. As a coop, we are not in business to make

profit for shareholders – hence our very low commission rates -, but first and foremost we aim to maximise returns to livestock producers.”

“Our staff work to ensure the best achievable prices for stock on any given day. I am proud to say that this hard work has meant we achieved £2.30 per lamb more than SQQ price in 2016/17. That is a real boost to farmers profitability.”

Farm Stock’s roots lie in the Borders and southern Scotland, but recent expansion has seen staff and

farmer members recruited up into central Scotland and over the border in Cumbria and Northumberland.

The Milk Suppliers Association, a 150-strong group of dairy farmers in Ayrshire, Wigtownshire and Dumfriesshire joined the Farm Stock co-operative in early 2017 in order to achieve better returns from cull cows.

The increase in numbers traded by Farm Stock has led to a year-on-year jump in turnover of over 22%, to stand at £15.4M for year 2016/17.

Buccleuch publishes annual financial results Buccleuch has published group financial statements for the year ending October 31, 2016.

Major initiatives completed during the financial year – including an £8.9m retail and food destination.

Substantial energy projects remain key priorities for group.

Group income of £14.4m impacted by accounting revaluations. Excluding such items shows reflects an underlying loss of £592k.

John Glen, Chief Executive Officer of Buccleuch, said: “We have continued to implement a robust business strategy and remain wholly committed to achieving our ambitions in the energy, hospitality and

commercial property sectors.

In particular, Buccleuch is contributing to economic development in the South of Scotland and this is a priority area of activity.”

Group income for The MDS Estates Ltd., the parent holding company of Buccleuch, totaled £14.412m, while turnover was £29.986m. This figure reflects changes in financial reporting required under the Financial Reporting Standard 102. The reporting change had the effect of increasing the group income by £15.004m, suggesting an underlying loss of £592k compared with an underlying profit of £200k in the previous year, calculated on the same basis.

John Glen added: “Trading in our traditional areas of agriculture, forestry, rural property and heritage tourism has been challenging during the reporting period and, as expected, capital growth in the commercial property market slowed following a particularly strong progression the previous year.

“In contrast, our plan to create a major energy park at Glenmuckloch in Dumfries and Galloway continues to progress and planning consent was granted for an industrial-scale pumped hydro storage scheme up to 400MW. This followed the consent for 26MW of wind power on the same site last year.

We hope to progress this and

other renewable energy projects in coming years.”

Buccleuch completed the £8.9m investment in the development of the stableyard and park at Dalkeith, creating a high-end retail and food destination together with a major children’s play attraction on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

The project, combined with the development which has attracted more than 100,000 visitors since completion and has created 40 jobs in the local area.

In the commercial property sector, Buccleuch maintained profitability across its portfolio.

During the forthcoming year, it plans to accelerate its reinvestment strategy through existing and new joint ventures.

Bank of Scotland ‘bucks the trend’ with specialist finance for growing venison industry Bank of Scotland has launched a range of finance options for the flourishing UK venison industry to help farmers overcome the financial barriers 118

to establishing or growing herds.

According to the Venison Advisory Service (VAS), with which the Bank designed the

new products, the UK venison market is predicted to grow by 10 per cent in 2017, but high operating costs mean that many farmers struggle to grow their

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herds or start new ones and are failing to keep up with demand.

Around one third of venison sold in the UK is imported, although many processors and

finance buyers would prefer to source and stock home produced venison.

The new range of financial support from Bank of Scotland is designed to help farmers manage their income cycles that are unique to the venison industry. The products will be available to new or established farmers who might be considering alternative markets to grow or improve profitability.

The finance includes: Medium to long term lending to help farmers buy livestock, housing and equipment Asset finance to help with purchasing and upgrading facilities Working capital solutions – e.g. repayment holidays - to improve cashflow, meaning farmers do not need to pay for their livestock until they are producing income.

Venison finance is part of the Bank’s commitment to meet the specialist needs of specialist sectors. It follows the launch of Pullet Finance in 2016 – a range of financial support which helps to alleviate working capital pressure for UK egg producers and the poultry industry.

Sandy Hay, Agriculture Area Director, Bank of

THEMONEYMAN Scotland said: “The increase in demand for venison has created opportunities for UK farmers but starting or growing a farm is not always straightforward.

“There can be a period following the establishment of a new herd where the deer are calving, then maturing, but not yet generating income.

Our venison finance products will alleviate working capital pressure and free up cash that would otherwise be tied up in new livestock.

“Based on our deep understanding of farming and the nuances of the venison industry, we are meeting a specific need in a niche sector. We hope that this specialist finance will support and encourage farmers to expand in a growing market or start a new venture.”

John Fletcher, The Venison Advisory Service, said: “The UK venison market is growing significantly with demand currently exceeding supply. This has created a real opportunity for those considering setting up a commercial deer farm as a business venture or an additional revenue stream. It’s great to see Bank of Scotland creating tailored products to support these farmers.”

British Limousin chairman John Phillips reports on a strong year of performance Increased sale demand, increased clearance rates and averages, consolidation of market share, and major progress with ground breaking breed improvement initiatives are just some of the highlights from an upbeat report to members

from British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) Chairman and Carmarthenshire based breeder John Phillips.

Published within the Society’s recently released 2016 Annual Report & Accounts, Mr Phillip’s report outlines that the breed and

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Beware a storm cloud is coming

By Charlie Carnegie After a summer where in this neck of the wood we have already seen many storm clouds the cloud to which I refer is not full of rain but instead full of data sent to it via the internet. The storm of Making Tax Digital (MTD) is slowly heading towards us.

Most people will have heard about MTD and the end of the Tax Return but be unaware of what in practice that actually means.

In simple terms every tax payer will have a personal tax account in the cloud accessed by a ‘portal’. It wont just be the taxpayer however who accesses their own account as employers, banks and pension providers will be able to dip into your account and leave details of interest earned or pension receipts.

But what of the self employed people running their own business, what does MTD mean for them.

It will apply to all VAT registered businesses from April 2019 with some live pilot schemes starting in Spring 2018 and shall only be used for VAT purposes, not for any other taxes. The idea is to give the system plenty time to iron out any problems and then to apply it for other taxes no earlier than 2020.

From April 2019 when you are submitting your VAT Return you will now also submit your transactions for the quarter, not just total figures.

Once the system has been shown to be fully operational and works

efficiently then it will be rolled out to other taxes. For Income Tax purposes that will mean in addition to the 4 quarterly submissions a 5th submission will have to be made which will be the year end figures probably incorporating adjustments for debtors, creditors, stock and depreciation etc. It is anticipated that accountants shall be the ones making this submission.

It is at that point it shall effectively be the end of the Tax Return as by then all the relevant information for your Return shall in theory have found its way into your tax account through your portal. The way HMRC calculate your tax liability is not changing and neither is the timing of your payments to HMRC. Between now and April 2019 all VAT registered business need to ensure that their software is compatible with HMRCs system, and those businesses not using accounting software need to have access to someone who can make submissions on their behalf, which is where we accountants can help.

Charlie Carnegie is a partner in the Perth office of Campbell Dallas, LLP and can be contacted on 01738 441888 for any further information.

finance Society have had another solid year of performance and achievement. A summary of highlights included: • BLCS sales of pedigree Limousin cattle grossed over £5.6 million.

• Limousin breed gets a 94% approval rate from Bull Buyers’ Survey • Over 19,000 pedigree calves were also registered by the Society’s members – the sixth straight year that the 19,000 barrier has been broken.

• In a UK beef industry first, Genomic Estimated Breeding Values for a range of Carcase Traits were launched.

• Limousin remains the UK’s leading beef breed with a 29% market share • At the summer 2016 ‘Royal’ show majors, pedigree Limousin cattle secured 14 interbreed wins at the Royal Ulster, Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire, and Royal Welsh Shows. Limousin cattle again dominated the major autumn Primestock events held in the autumn of 2016.

As well as delivering Carcase Trait GEBVs, Mr Phillips notes that at the time of the report GEBVs for female fertility and calf survival traits had also just been launched, and that Limousin was the featured breed in the ongoing DEFRA funded feed efficiency project. The firm and long term commitment to breed improvement is a theme of the report and highlighted as being at the heart of the Society’s forward technical work.

Mr Phillips comments: “Over the years the Society has placed emphasis on meeting the needs of the commercial beef producer, and providing the Limousin cattle and genetics that meet and surpass their level of expectation in consistency, performance and profitability, and that are adaptable to meet current and changing markets.

This objective will continue to be one that the Society will readily invest in on behalf of its members and work hard towards for the future.”

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Reducing the Risks to your Business with Farm Insurance A farmer’s focus is on the efficient production of crop products and livestock, however, with so many variables involved - animal behaviour, machinery, the human factor, and of course, the weather - it is perhaps not surprising that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) considers farming a high risk area. It is recorded that 3% of farm workers suffer injury each year, and in the last 5 years there have been 160 fatalities.

Here, Gemma Rawlinson, Scottish Borders and North Area Manager from H&H Insurance Brokers looks at some of those risks and how planning and appropriate insurance, can prevent accidents turning into financial disasters.

Those working in agriculture are aware of the dangers and in recent years the industry has developed its professionalism and attitude towards Health & Safety, and the necessity of keeping their staff, animals, equipment and buildings as safe as they can make them.

Everyone is aware that there is always likely to be some level of risk, and that it makes sense to minimise this. Should the worst happen, insurance is there to protect against the financial consequences of accidents and losses. Although it is for each farm business to decide on the level of risk they want to have, it is critically important they fully understand the options and the consequences of not having full cover.

A lot of claims issues often relate to sums insured and brokers can work through this, and will if necessary, arrange a proper survey of equipment to get the values right.

If there is a claim this is important because it is not just the value of the buildings concerned, the loss adjusters will also want to satisfy themselves that the insurance is adequate for the total value of all buildings on farm. If not, they may scale the claim back.

Not so obvious is making sure the sums insured are adequate for

the replacement of buildings and farm machinery, and that their uses are properly recorded. This is particularly imperative if you are contracting for a third party as it can change the insurance requirements.

Another point not to overlook is the extra seasonal risks. As we move into harvest, there are more people on farm, and it is important that you have the right insurance in place to protect against claims from third parties. This is in terms of both paying out any claims and also having the appropriate legal protection. We live in a litigious world and unfortunately legal costs are often substantial.

Good legal protection insurance, which forms a relatively small

part of the premium, is definitely advisable.

H&H Insurance Brokers were established in 1897 and have a heritage in the farming community and understand the industry better than most.

They have now launched a free heath check for farm businesses which is available to all farmers and provides the chance for one of the H&H team, based at any of their three regional offices in Carlisle, Durham and Newtown St Boswells, to visit and talk though the insurance requirements for that business.

For more information about the services that H&H Insurance Brokers offer please contact info@hhib.co.uk or visit www. hhinsurancebrokers.co.uk.

Commercial vehicles, ie: pickups, vans, lorries from £175.00 on full fleet policies.

Private motor vehicles can also be added to such policies.

Inverness farmer reduced premiums from £2850 to £2123 Aberdeenshire farmer reduced premiums from £4208 to £3986

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ARTWORKS

Ian Alexander Montgomery Since he was a child, Iain Alexander Montgomery had always dreamed of becoming an artist. Having started out as an avid art student, he regretfully put away his brushes to follow another career path after completing his Design Degree at university. However, thirteen years later, Iain went on

to fulfil his lifelong ambition to be a professional portrait artist, capturing dogs, horses and livestock in chalk pastels and large-scale oil paintings.

“Art is my passion,” he said.

“It’s been my lifelong dream so it gives me so much satisfaction to permanently capture much-loved

animals and connect with people in a meaningful and emotional way. It’s incredibly fulfilling.”

Attending the Scottish Game Fair at Scone this year, he pulled in the crowds drawing dog portraits and livestock with an eye on many more shows in 2018.

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Today, he continues to market his work through his website www.iam-art.co.uk and on social media as IAM ART.

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country woman

Maree MacKenzie

By Linda Mellor

Twenty-nine year old, Maree MacKenzie was born and raised in Inverness. She moved to Cawdor with her ten-year-old daughter and springer spaniel seven years ago and currently works full-time as a Rehabilitation Assistant in the NHS. She spends all her spare time outdoors climbing the hills.

Maree shares her dad and granddad’s love of being outdoors on the Scottish hills. Maree said, “My dad has always been a Scotland fanatic, and from an early age, I have always felt an enormous amount of freedom when I am outside on the hills. It’s a place I feel connected, and there’s also a sense of peacefulness I don’t get from anything else.”

In addition to the therapeutic benefits of being outdoors, Maree says the landscape provides an ever-changing view, “if the weather is bad then the scenery can look very dramatic, but it changes so quickly, one minute it is dark with low cloud and the suddenly 122

it clears away to blue skies and sunshine.”

When growing up Maree’s enjoyed wild camping and wild swimming (when I spoke to Maree, she had recently taken her daughter out wild swimming after school), hillwalking and cycling in the Highlands with her family. They spent their time mainly on the West Coast near Poolewe, where her grandparents originate. She said, “I am named after the beautiful Loch Maree and have spent many a night camped on the shores underneath the majestic glory of Slioch.” Her late grandfather, Kenneth C. MacKenzie, wrote a well-known Scottish folk song “The Loch Maree Islands” and it is the lyrics to this song that are always in her mind when she is out in the wilderness. He also wrote a handful of books, and some are on sale in the shop in Poolewe.

“I was amazed by the tales my grandfather would tell me about being a stalker’s ghillie in the hills

of the west, this combined with my late brother being a gamekeeper, ultimately led me to a love of red stags. When I am in the hills I am constantly on the lookout for a beast, and I thoroughly enjoy wild camping during the rutting season, as the sounds are incredible! When you spot a stag, they look so majestic. I have such respect for them, and I have even got a big stag tattooed on my leg.”

Climbing Munros gives Maree access to a vast range of wildlife in addition to the red stags, on the rocky hillsides she has seen ptarmigan, grouse, red kites and ravens, and when she was climbing on Lochnagar in May she saw a ‘huge mountain hare’.

“My dog will alert me first, as he tends to see the birds before I do. On top of the Munros, I always see two ravens, it’s odd, but they’re always there.”

When Maree is not working shifts, she will be out walking the hills. “My favourite day would

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be not too cold or hot; a crispy winter’s day with clear blue skies, the sun quite low and a light dusting of snow on the mountains and no midges with the mountain perfectly reflected in the loch’s crystal clear, still water”.

“I have a love and appreciation for the Highlands of Scotland, so it is natural for me to spend most of my spare time getting out in the hills. The scenery, plants and the wildlife that surrounds us is never ending and gives me a sense of peace and tranquillity.”

“I don’t own a fancy camera nor do I use any fancy equipment when out in the hills. “I simply take my feet and my eyes into the wilderness and let myself appreciate every little essence of Scotland that I see, hear and touch. I believe that being in the Scottish wilderness is good for the soul and can be very healing for anybody who may be struggling with their mental health”. Maree has struggled with depression in

country woman the past but being in the outdoors is something that she credits for helping to battle through it.”

Maree is investing in her passion for the Scottish outdoors and wants to pour everything into something she has always wanted to do and has goals for the future.

She regularly goes to the gym, and has recently completed an outdoor pursuits course at the University of the Highlands and Islands. “I am working towards becoming a mountain guide and training through the Mountain Training Association. I hope to qualify for my international mountain training award so I can eventually start my own independent adventure business.”

“It would give me great pleasure to guide others into the wilderness and show them some of the scenery I have been lucky enough to experience so far. I have so much more to explore, and life is one big adventure.”

If you are interested in hill walking, Maree advises

looking after your feet. “Buy a good pair of walking boots and also walking socks. Good walking socks can make a huge difference to your feet, and many people don’t consider this. It is also important to have a plan, and to tell someone where you are going.”

Maree continues, “when you are out, and if it doesn’t feel right, then turn around and go home. I have done this many times, sometimes the weather changes, and the mist comes in far too quickly. You do not want to go off route, fall or get lost so you should always head home and decide to do it another day.

The mountains will always be there, and you can tackle them in more favourable conditions.

Maree was packing and getting ready for a trip to walk the hills on Skye, added, “ I would highly encourage everyone to pick up their walking boots and head for the hills. Just don’t forget the midge repellent!”

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Southern Belle Reflections of a woman of a certain age At the end of the show season, it is a time to reflect on a good summer tour, despite the weather and politics and all in all it is like a bad lambing..…you wouldn’t do it again, if you could remember half of it.

It is a place to renew old and make new acquaintances. A time for reliving our youth and remembering when we were able to stay up all night and still be fit for the next day. Playing rugby in the main ring after dark and finding that our memories of “the good old days” appear to be better than remembering what happened last week. We drink with the friends we’ve gained and toast the ones we’ve lost and all in all if we make it to next season it will be a result. As one old lady said to me this year. “Well, at least we’re here again and that’s what counts.”

The constants are the grand parade, which no one appears to have noticed has been replaced by social media and the state of showfield toilets

and showers which are consistently dire.

The additions are security and health and safety, which seems to improve in both incidences with the addition of a yellow jacket and a badge The real quality additions over the years for “the girls” are baby wipes, which will clean pretty much everything from your body to the caravan floor, the saddle, the kids and the sheep’s face. Dry shampoo, which in addition to baby wipes means you can avoid the showers for a few days and still look and smell great.

Also, good for chaffing on the inner thighs when wearing a skirt and spraying in your shoes to stop them sticking to your feet…oh and the sheep’s face. The most recent addition, is the Tena Lady. Important for those of us of a certain age, using as insoles when your shoes are rubbing and as a knee dressing for kids and late-night rugby players.

My three must haves for a desert island…oh and lippy of course!

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Linda Retson Welcome to our very first Scottish Women’s Institute page in Farming Scotland Magazine, and to the new chairman Linda Retson May 16, 2017 was a red-letter day for Linda Retson in more ways than one. As if it being her first day as national chairman of the Scottish Women’s Institutes wasn’t enough excitement, her fourth grandchild, Cameron John Retson, arrived weighing in at 8lb 12 oz … and he even had the good grace to time his entrance to the world after the Central Council meeting closed.

Indeed, it was family which led Linda to become a staunch member of the SWI in the first place.

“With three young sons, the meetings were the only times I ever had which were just ‘me time’ and I could be out of the house by myself. I really valued those monthly meetings,” said Linda.

“At the time when I joined, I was 22 and in our Institute there were about six of us who were newlyweds or had our first babies. It was a great way to meet people in the area and I believe that the organisation still fulfils this valuable function for women across Scotland.”

Of course, things have changed in the four decades of Linda’s membership. Her introduction to the SWI was in the form of an invitation from the minister’s wife to attend ‘the Rural’ as a form of welcome to the parish.

Fewer women in Scotland are introduced to the SWI by the minister’s wife these days, but the need for fun and friendship remains. It’s one of Linda’s goals during her triennium to find new routes to introducing younger generations of women to the organisation.

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Linda Retson, national chairman of the Scottish Women’s Institutes

She said: “The template exists in other organisations for getting younger members into a form of membership – or at least growing a connection with the SWI. Young Farmers has a well-established history of engaging with young adults as a route into other rural organisations and the Quilters’ Guild has its Young Quilters who are aged between five and 18.

They pay a nominal fee of £5, can attend their own events a couple of times a year, receive the Young Quilters newsletter and sewing guides and fabrics.

“If the SWI could start a similar scheme, we’d be reaching a much younger audience. And, whilst it’s true we might lose them in their teenage years, I think there’d always be a ‘pull’ back towards us in future years.

I’m delighted that Perth and Kinross is going to pilot a scheme like this.

“I sincerely hope that members will support this type of

initiative. I find it sad when I visit some Institutes where members tell me that they want to keep things the way they’ve ‘aye bin’.

It’s our responsibility to ensure that new and younger members are welcomed, kept engaged and encouraged to make our organisation their own too.

“Persuading some of our older members that we must welcome the younger generation’s ideas and take them on board is, I consider, our biggest challenge.

These women are our future. My generation, and many before us, have had many wonderful years in the SWI doing it the way we want, so now it’s their turn to do as they want. We can still be around to give advice, but only if asked.

“I recently met a member who was 101 who told me she thought it was great that we were evolving and encouraging a fresh, younger membership. Her words were ‘you’ve got to move on’.”

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Through her membership, Linda has had the opportunity to learn many new crafts. A quilter at heart - even having a craft shop, The Work Basket, in Blairgowrie at one point - she hasn’t stopped trying new skills.

“My proudest and happiest moment as a member was getting a call to say I’d been selected as an Evelyn Baxter scholar in 2007.

As I hadn’t had an interview for many years, I really thought I’d messed it up, so getting the call to say I’d been successful will always be one of my favourite memories. I did beadwork, jewellery and embroidery combined.

“I’ve also been to summer schools and weekend schools and loved every one. They give you the chance to shut off from the outside world; no meals to make, no telephones ringing. Everyone is there for the same purpose – to learn something new and have fun with fellow members.

“Another time I won’t forget is when I was entering the Federation Show with my friend who was a fantastic baker. I hadn’t had time to make pancakes. My friend said we had plenty of time to get them done, and that she’d show me how to make them. She gave me an express masterclass and I went on to take first prize … beating her.”

Linda has obviously moved on from pancakes, as her favoured bake today is a Victoria sponge with jam and cream.

Let’s hope she can find time to keep her hand in with her skills between her chairman’s and granny duties.

lifestyle A couple of stylish items for the ladies…

Style to keep you covered This gorgeous tweed Poncho from British tweed designers Timothy Foxx is styled in the brand’s designer Scottish Coral & Belle Tweed and follows the trend for draped and deconstructed dressing as noted on Balenciaga’s autumn/winter 2017 catwalk show.

Designed to drape beautifully over the shoulders, the poncho is fully lined: Designed to be worn in three ways with the buttons across the shoulder, the buttons at the back which creates more of a cape shape and if you put the buttons at the front it makes a thick scarf around your neck.

A lightweight addition you’ll be wearing now and well into next RRP: £149 www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

Blankets with style!

A touch of elegance from the Blenheim Collection Inspired by the horse’s beauty, confidence and mesmerised by their timeless appeal, the exciting new Blenheim Collection from Sylvia Kerr Jewellery brings together elegance, fashion and their passion for equestrian styling.

Featuring seven statement pieces, this beautiful well thought through collection offers individual pieces, which work beautifully alone or together to give the wearer the ultimate in luxurious jewellery design.

An elegant snaffle bit design is integrated into statement necklaces, earrings and a broach, while another pair of earrings takes a twist of stirrup leather and transforms them into a silver piece of wearable art.

Image shows Blenheim Tassel Neck Chain with detachable tassel detail that can also be worn as a stylish designer handbag accessory.

RRP: £446 www.sylviakerrjewellery.com

This gorgeous blanket scarf by Grace & Lace and available from The Spanish Boot Company offers a lightweight cover-up for summer.

Warm and soft, this Blanket Wrap can be draped fashionably around your neck, or folded, flipped and even toggled to give a different look with just one wearable wrap/poncho!

Being… well, blanket size, it can double as a throw blanket, shawl or picnic blanket, offering further versatility and style to impromptu alfresco dining!

RRP: £40.00 Size: One Size Only.

Available In A Variety of Patterns & colours. Image shows Grey & Navy. www.thespanishbootcompany. co.uk

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lifestyle And a couple of ideas for the men…

How about a nice Floral Tie?

RS rural

STYLE

By Helen Burness

Fashion that has gone to the hounds

Ties come in millions of different designs with rural themes and this floral pattern in muted colours will suit someone out there, that’s for sure.

So, with the dreaded “festive time’ beckoning in the not too distant future, we have given you a couple of stocking filler ideas for the lads on this page.

Price: £45 www.etsy.com

Gentleman’s pocket square

And how about this Pocket Scarf from Bhoid International nspired by life in the British countryside?

This rather dapper pocket square features pheasants and feathers, just perfect for the rural man with style!

100% silk. Measures 34 x 34 cm.

RRP: £40 www.bhoid.co.uk 126

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Fine jewellery designers Sylvia Kerr Jewellery take much of their inspiration from nature and wildlife, and their passion for animals is clear throughout their collection including our canine friends.

For the whole of August, the company will be donating 15% of every sale of their stunning new Hound Necklace to the British charity, The Blind Dog Rescue UK. This small but hugely valuable charity is dedicated to rescuing blind and partially sighted dogs.

“We rescue the most vulnerable dogs who have been subjected to the worst of humanity yet still have an astonishing capacity to adapt, love and become perfect ambassadors for blind dogs everywhere.” Explains Katy Orton, Chairperson for the charity.

The pendant is beautifully carved in silver and features an adjustable 18-inch chain.

RRP: £174 www.sylviakerrjewellery.com www.bdruk.org

@home Outdoor Delivita Pizza Oven Starting in the garden, this is the new range of wood fired pizza ovens

by Delivita. They come in four gorgeous colours, so you’ll be spoilt for choice in deciding which one is going to look perfect in your outdoor cooking area.

Perfect for all types of outdoor spaces from urban balconies to gardens, the Delivita range of ovens are wood-fired, meaning you can be cooking fresh pizzas in just 25 minutes from lighting your oven. Once to temperature, your pizzas will be ready to eat in around 90 seconds! Don’t panic that it’s all about pizza, you can also cook meat/fish & veg perfectly in our ovens too!

Price: £950.00 www.gardenhousedesign.co.uk

Sophie Allport Cows Tea Towel Versailles Gold Gilt Dressing Table

From the garden into the kitchen, how about this cow design tea towel by Sophie Allport?

Befitting any farm kitchen in100% cotton and measuring 45cm x 65cm, machine washable and stylish.

Also featured: double oven gloves, aga hob covers Price: £8.00 www.sophieallport.com

Mama Chair in deep blue

Moving out of the kitchen, how about this elegant bedroom piece?

This grand gold gilt dressing table is the perfect accompaniment to a gold schemed room.

It has intricate carvings, rattan detailing and ornate crests on the top of each of the three mirrors.

There are three drawers and the two side mirrors pivot so you can position them to get the perfect angle to see your face.

Price: £945.00 www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

When you get the time to relax, how about this comfy blue chair?

Available in leather and fabric options, the distinctive Mama is sure to make a style statement with its tall, solid upholstered structure and sumptuous cushions.

Price: £1070.00 www.natuzzi.co.uk

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cars SsangYong is introducing a ‘Choose your Offer’ offer across its diesel Tivoli and Tivoli XLV SUV range “Tivoli offers the best choice of options in the SUV B-segment - 1.6 litre petrol or 1.6 litre diesel engines, 6-speed manual transmission, 6-speed Aisin automatic, two-wheel drive or 4x4, and two distinctive body styles,” says Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK. “So we’re inviting customers to take advantage of these different features with our free upgrade programme. Whether you want automatic transmission, fourwheel-drive or the bigger boot of the mid-sized XLV, it’s yours

at no extra cost. Simply decide what extra feature you’d like, and it’s free!”

Customers can select from any vehicle currently in stock, and choose the upgrade that suits them best. Furthermore, if you decide to upgrade on certain models, you will get an additional £1,000 contribution towards the value of your old car.

Meanwhile, there’s also the opportunity to test drive a SsangYong Tivoli for 48-hours to really experience the car and see how it fits into your life.

Strong on style and safety, this contemporary B-segment SUV offers a comprehensive

specification and sectorleading prices from just £13,100.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross shortlisted for the 2017 golden steering wheel awards With its official UK launch still five months away, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has already been shortlisted for the prestigious Golden Steering Wheel Award in Germany.

The forthcoming model is nominated in the highlycompetitive Small SUV category of the annual awards, which are compiled by Auto Express magazine’s sister title, Auto Bild.

The Golden Steering Wheel awards identify the best new cars

across five different categories.

After the initial nominations, the public are invited to vote for their favourites. Following this, the finalists from each category are put through their paces by a panel of expert judges from the UK, Germany and France. After rigorous evaluation, the winners are announced.

People can vote for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, which has already attracted much attention for its style, performance and refinement

since its global unveiling at the 2017 Geneva International

Motor Show, by visiting www. autoexpress.co.uk/gsw

Mercedes-AMG announces pricing for new GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV and Coupé The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ is now available to order, with prices starting from £68,920 for the GLC 63 4MATIC+ SUV. The even more powerful S variant costs £75,670. As well as the SUV model, the sleek new GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupé is also available for £71,410, and the S model for £78,160.

Both models come with a handbuilt 4.0-litre biturbo V8 petrol engine, mated to an AMG Speedshift MCT nine-speed sports transmission as standard. Non-S 128

variants produce 476 hp and 650 Nm of torque, and can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just four seconds.

The GLC 63 S has an output of 510 hp and 700 Nm – it can reach 62 mph from standstill in 3.8 seconds.

All models have an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (although this can be increased to 167 mph or 174 mph).

Standard specification includes AMG high-performance braking system; AMG sports suspension; AMG mechanical rear axle differential lock; Comand Online infotainment system; AMG

sports seats with Nappa leather upholstery; ambient lighting; memory package (including electrically operated front seats,

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steering wheel and exterior mirrors); and 19-inch AMG 10-spoke alloy wheels in titanium grey.

cars Hyundai Motor’s Next-Gen Fuel Cell SUV Promises Range and Style Hyundai Motor has offered an early glimpse of its next generation fuel cell vehicle, well ahead of the hydrogen-powered SUV’s official launch early next year. At a special preview event held in Seoul, the near-production-ready version exhibited its impressive capabilities while revealing its futuristic design. The yet-to-benamed model embodies Hyundai Motor’s commitment to a new era for advanced eco-friendly vehicle development.

The new SUV shown at the special event previews Hyundai

Motor’s second commercially produced hydrogen model and uses the company’s fourth generation of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The vehicle, its capabilities and fuel cell technologies are an evolution of Hyundai Motor’s global research, development and real-world evaluation programs.

The new vehicle reinforces the company’s leadership in fuel cell-based electric-powertrain systems, created with expertise honed through the world’s first commercial production of a fuel cell vehicle in 2013.

The new fuel cell model was developed on four key pillars that focus on fuel cell

system efficiency, performance (maximum output), durability, and tank storage density.

Order books open for premium class Volkswagen Arteon An avant-garde gran turismo with svelte fastback styling, the new five-door, five-seat Volkswagen Arteon combines sports car detailing with luxury motoring in a muscular yet elegant design.

Sitting above the globally successful Passat in the comprehensive Volkswagen range the new Arteon brings more space, premium functionality and greater levels of autonomy than ever before.

With a length of 4,862 mm, width of 1,871 mm and a height of 1,450 mm the Arteon is

proportioned to carry five people in considerable comfort, while the generous wheelbase of 2,837 mm allows best-in-class legroom of 1,016 mm. Luggage space is 563 litres with the rear seats in place, rising to a cavernous 1,557 litres of available carrying capacity when the rear seats are folded.

Bristling with advanced technology, including the debut of a number of newly enhanced assistance systems, the Arteon is efficient and powerful with a distinct performance character,

yet it is also a comfortable and relaxing drive.

In the UK, the Arteon range will initially feature three turbo

charged direct injection engines: a 280 PS 2.0 TSI (petrol); and two 2.0 TDI (diesel) engines with outputs of 240 PS and 150 PS.

Vauxhall reveals new Brit-built Vivaros Debuting at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, this is the first picture of two new up-level Vauxhall Vivaro variants: the Tourer Elite.

Aimed at the business shuttle market, the Tourer Elite model will be available with a 1.6-litre CDTi BiTurbo engine with 125PS or 145PS, in either L1 or L2 body.

And designed for customers after a more generously specified combi, the Combi Plus is more

car-like, and less van-like than the standard Vivaro Combi.

With order books opening soon, both models will be built at Vauxhall’s manufacturing plant in Luton, Bedfordshire.

“These new top-of-the-range Vivaros offer our customers even more comfort and flexibility,” said Steve Bryant, Vauxhall’s Head of Commercial Vehicle Brand.

“The Tourer Elite is the perfect business shuttle and the Combi Plus is a more generously

specified version of our popular Combi. Both models expand our

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portfolio and take us into new areas of the market.”

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Lorne Scott The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) has announced the appointment of Lorne Scott as the newly appointed Commercial Director.

Joining from Media 10, Lorne brings with him a wealth of commercial and events expertise to the role, as RHASS look to develop their core assets for the future.

Lorne will oversee the strategic commercial direction of RHASS and it’s 280-acre site at Ingliston.

Andy Duncan & Ellis Mutch Aberdeen & Northern Marts, part of ANM Group – one of Scotland’s leading farming, food and finance businesses, is delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Duncan and Ellis Mutch as Livestock Fieldsmen.

Grant Rogerson, Chief Executive at ANM Group, said: “We are pleased to welcome Andy and Ellis, who further strengthen the livestock team and enhance our offering as a co-operative business. This is a positive step for the group, supporting our strategy to expand the geographical reach of our livestock division, and demonstrating our commitment to continue delivering a first-class service to our members and customers – ensuring we are fit for the future.”

James Sage James Sage has been appointed as the Hereford Cattle Society’s first Chief Executive James who joins from organic certifiers, James said “I’m very much looking forward to joining the Society and working with the team at Hereford House, the Council and the breeders who are the heart of the breed. This is an exciting era within UK and global agriculture and I believe there will be a prominent role for the Hereford to play in post Brexit UK agriculture.

Mike Bendall Mike Bendall has joined Vicon as key account manager covering the east of England and the South East regions. He brings a vast wealth of experience to the brand, having spent the last 37 years working for a major agricultural machinery manufacturer, initially in the sales office, and for the last 26 years as a territory manager.

Tim Eaton Certis welcomes new recruit, Tim Eaton, to their ranks as their new Key Account Manager for seed treatments. Bringing with him vast knowledge of the seed treatment sector, following a 12-year career at Anglia Grain Services, this new role will see Mr Eaton working closely with key customers across Certis’ seed treatment portfolio and wider.

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Page Turner’s

BOOK REVIEW The Hebrides

By Paul Murton, presenter of BBC TV’s Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands

‘Heading downhill, I joined Angus Smith, who was keen to show me his flock of traditional Hebridean sheep. Angus called to his flock in Gaelic: ‘Trott! Trott!’ and rattled a bucket of feed to encourage them. They appeared suddenly over the crest of a hill. And down they came in a breaking wave of wool and bleating.

They were so eager for Angus’s offerings that they leaped like springbok.’

And so Paul Murton, a face familiar from his BBC series of Grand Tours, introduces the story of the ancient breed of diminutive brown-wool sheep on the island of Coll, whose ancestors were among the domesticated animals brought by the first farmers when they settled the Hebrides. The Angus mentioned is the descendent of shepherds, living on a croft once inhabited by his grandfather.

He is a retired policeman as well as a shepherd himself.

Broadcaster Paul Murton has spent half a lifetime exploring some of the most beautiful islands in the world – the Hebrides – and his story, along with the story of the islands, is captured in The Hebrides a new book to be published

by Birlinn this Autumn just as a new series of Grand Tours starts again on our TV screens. The book is

part travelogue, part history, part photographic essay as he explores the islands by boat and by foot, with both camera and pen to hand.

More than eighty islands are explored within the pages of this mighty book, and the author takes in the unique scenery of the land and the seascapes, as well as the rich history, culture, myths and legends shared by the local inhabitants.

Some of the islands explored by Murton boast healthy populations but many are deserted or near to it. Many are hard to access and pose great problems for the inventive and resourceful residents who remain. On his travels Murton befriends crofters, fishermen, tweed waulkers, and clan chiefs, peat cutters, gin distillers, black pudding makers and even a parrot rescuer as he tries to uncover who makes these islands tick.

This is an affectionate portrait of a chain of islands that cast their fascinating lure well beyond Scotland – a love letter to the Hebrides – written by one who perhaps knows them better than most and illustrated throughout with stunning full colour photography.

The Hebrides by Paul Murton (Birlinn, £14.99 pbk) published in September.

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