Farming Scotland Magazine (January - February Issue 2021)

Proud to support Scottish farming, and agriculture throughout the five nations

Tuathanachas Alba

magazine

Tractors for 2021 Agricultural Tyres Slurry Management Trailers #ULTIVATION %QUIPMENT

Articles Cover Cropping Farm Safety Flower Power!

The Forestry Grant Scheme Book Serial Part 1: The Cairngorms

Lemken UK 240th Anniversary In Focus Bailey Trailers

Travel Scotland Cullen and Fochabers

4OPIC Tractor Breaking Safety

Farm Diversification Get Fit on the Farm

Made in Scotland Scottish Sea Salt

World Farming Cuba

£3.50

plus

February 2021

.ORTHERN )SLES s "EATHA AN %ILEAN 3COTTISH #OUNTRY ,IFE s 7OMEN IN !GRICULTURE including our regular news areas and columns

contents

16 37 51 62 64

48

24

MAIN FEATURES 18 25

February 2021

Cultivation Equipment Lemkens 240th Anniversary Tractors for 2021 Slurry Management Agricultural Tyres Trailers

MADE IN SCOTLAND 44

Scottish Sea Salt

FARMING DIVERSIFICATION

ARTICLES

46

15 35 48 87

TRAVEL SCOTLAND

Cover Cropping Farm Safety Flower Power!

The Forestry Grant Scheme

56

Get Fit on the Farm

Cullen to Fochabers

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

NORTHERN ISLES NEWS

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58

Farm Shop Finalists

TOPIC 21

Tractor Breaking Safety

COOKING WITH BEEF 24

Aberdeen Angus Rump Roast

From Orkney & Shetland

WORLD FARMING 60

Cuba

TRAINVIEW TALK 80

A Livestock Diary

IN FOCUS

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

30

82

Bailey Trailers

All Editorial & PR enquiries EDITOR Athole Murray Fleming Tel. 01738 639747 E-mail: mail@farmingscotlandmagazine.com

The first AGM

All Advertising & Editorial enquiries ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Athole Murray Fleming Tel. 01738 639747 E-mail: mail@farmingscotlandmagazine.com

83 BEATHA AN EILEAN 92

Life on the Islands

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE 93

With Linda Mellor

BOOK SERIAL 94

The Cairngorms (Part 1)

NEWS AREAS 6 22 28 32 50 68 76 78 81 83 84 88 96 109 111

Arable & Root Crops Food Renewable Energy Environment Technology Livestock Dairy Sheep People Horses Forestry Estate Machinery Finance Clothing

COLUMNS 6 7

Editor’s Bit In my view

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

112 13 17 23 29 34 50 73 75 79 89 91 109 112 114 114

R.S.A.B.I. Scotland the Brand Crofting Hutton Institute Farming for the Climate Farm Advisory Service Scottish Government The Vet NFU Scotland Scottish Land & Estates Conservation Matters The Money Man Southern Belle People on the Move Book Review

SUBSCRIPTIONS 113 Order your own copy here.

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ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Please call 01738 639747 or email mail@farmingscotlandmagazine.com COVER IMAGE: Vintage Fordson tractor.

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PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Christina Fleming Email: christina@atholedesign.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 & root crops Light leaf spot identified in oilseed rape crops editor's bit from Scotland to Somerset The only way is up!

Apart from being a pop song title, I don’t think I have ever felt happier to see the back of a year like we have all just endured. “The only way is up” is so true right now!

We were lucky here though, Farming Scotland had a very steady last year despite the doubts and worries in the early part, and the loss of RHS and AgriScot of course – two great events which I hope to see back as soon as is safe as possible.

Expanding our reach throughout the UK and gaining new supporters and clients during 2020 has really meant a lot, and very much appreciated, but we are still far from finished.

Farming Scotland can now be read in all four home nations from Shetland in the north to Devon and Cornwall in the south.

For a small family business like us, I am quite proud of that.

We are working to expand more in 2021 and to see our magazine being available in even more places where our readers can have better access to pick up a copy, no matter where they live.

Anyone can call me, give me your postcode, and I will find your nearest pick up point.

Like I say, “The only way is up”.

Slàinte, Athole.

Bayer’s SpotCheck service has identified light leaf spot infections in oilseed rape crops across the length and breadth of the UK, indicating that growers should remain vigilant for disease onset this winter and consider a fungicide spray before Christmas.

Since the SpotCheck service re-opened for submissions in October, there has been an increasing number of leaf samples testing positive for light leaf spot. Samples of 30 leaves are sent in by growers or their agronomists to the SpotCheck team at ADAS, who incubate the leaves for three days at room temperature before assessing them for signs of disease.

By last 9th November, 50 out of 102 samples revealed 10% incidence of light leaf spot or more, after three days of incubation. Of these, 19 samples showed 50% disease incidence or more.

Positive samples were received from a very wide geographic area, from Scotland and the north of England, to the

southerly march of this disease.

All oilseed rape growers should be looking for signs of this disease when crop walking.

To use the SpotCheck service, growers should request a sample pack from ADAS Boxworth, collect 30-35 leaves from a single field in a ‘W’ pattern, complete the assessment form and send the leaves to ADAS. The results will be emailed within five working days.

For more on the SpotCheck initiative visit: cropscience. bayer.co.uk/spotcheck

Leading US potato processor chooses Tong for advanced grading and washing A custom-built potato grading and washing solution from Tong Engineering has enabled a leading US potato processor to increase

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East of England including Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Kent, and further West from Somerset and Wiltshire.

Ella Crawford, Bayer Commercial Technical Manager says these early results confirm that light leaf spot is no longer just a problem for growers in the North.

She says: “These light leaf spot infections in early November in crops in East Anglia, the South Coast and the West is further evidence of the

sizing potential of both dirty and washed crop, whilst maximising efficiency and minimising waste across its entire potato processing operation.

Based in Warden, in Washington State, Skone & Connors Produce, Inc. grows over 2,500 acres of fresh potatoes for Basin Gold, their sales and marketing group.

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arable & root crops With the need to upgrade current operations in order to achieve a broader range of size grades, as well as increase throughput, control and capacity, Bart Connors, President and partner at Skone & Connors, approached Tong to advise on the most advanced and efficient grading and washing system, which could be built with all the company’s current and future requirements in mind.

“We initially set-out our system requirements with Tong at the US Potato Expo in San Francisco. We knew what we wanted to achieve but it was important to work with an experienced manufacturer like Tong to ensure we were aware of all the latest equipment advancements that would allow us to get to our goal with a reliable and automated system. After speaking with the Tong team it was clear that their knowledge, expertise and proven equipment design was going to bring us a very progressive solution. The concept that Tong proposed incorporated design elements that surpassed our original brief and meant that we could really get the most from our crop.”

The new grading and washing line at Skone & Connors gently handles the crop from truck to bags and boxes. Featuring a high capacity intake system, crop is transferred to a 4-row model of Tong’s industry leading EasyClean separator, complete with full Auto-Touch HMI control, for unrivalled cleaning and control. They also opted for a 20-ton capacity accumulation hopper which allows the option

to simply intake, clean and hold crop in the hopper until it is called for.

Following the accumulating hopper is a series of Tong EasyGrade screen modules for gentle and accurate grading of dirty crop. The shed can choose to grade dirty crop at this stage or bypass straight to a Tong stainless steel next generation barrel washer, with custom-specification including an integrated destoner, powerspray booster bar, auger, sludgescraper and floating debris remover.

The flagship, 14-brush model of Tong’s low maintenance, high capacity TPS-PRO polisher is fitted after the washer for an enhanced and polished finish.

Crop is then dried as it passes over Tong’s latest direct-drive sponge dryer. Both the polisher and sponge dryer feature a motor on every shaft for maximum performance and minimal maintenance. Crop inspection is carried out on a 6-man roller inspection area and washed crop can then be split into 5 sizes with another series of EasyGrade screen modules, before it is packed into bags via a series of Tong big bag and bin fillers.

“The design and equipment within the line makes the flow of crop really efficient, and the technology on the Tong line is very impressive,” says Bart.

“We can control the entire line including making quick and easy changes for bypass and speeds, as well as washer and polisher control at the touch of a screen, or via WiFi on our tablet, it’s really user-friendly.”

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In my view

By John Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Fife

Only a deafening silence As I write this article the good news about the vaccine against Covid has just been announced. What a great lift it has had on everyone’s spirits.

Although the implementation of the vaccine may still be some time away it appears to have lifted a load from off our shoulders.

I can’t help thinking how equally uplifting it would be if we were to have a similar announcement in respect of Brexit! If modern Science allows a breakthrough in respect of a ‘Global Covid’ surely the politicians can achieve a breakthrough for Brexit.

Whilst I can understand the inherent difficulties in the Brexit negotiations what I cannot understand is the complete absence of policy statements on what the situation will be in the event of either a Brexit settlement or a ‘no deal’. I don’t make that statement just to be difficult – there is a world of practical and economic difference for the Agricultural Industry between ‘a deal’ or ‘a no deal’ but only silence on the implications of either outcome.

It is only in the last few days has there been some general reference or guidance of what changes our food importers and exporters might face in terms of administration requirements.

There has been substantial work and effort put into what

we should be doing to achieve new Climate Change mitigation targets, new so called Biodiversity targets and new requirements for soil conservation, - but as to what action the Government will take to support our market returns in the long term in the event of a no deal – only a deafening silence!

Don’t get me wrong – the work that all these various new groups are considering and recommending will – I have no doubt – be beneficial to the industry in helping it to achieve these new targets but the critical question here is – ‘will we continue to have a sustainable industry to serve as a base to achieve all these new and necessary requirements’?

Remembering always that the policy changes we will have to make on the ground may be long term before they come to fruition. And also remembering that as an industry we are not only primary producers but maintainers of the social fabric as well as providers of the so called ‘Public Goods’.

If we are to achieve this positive future for all concerned then we must have – and indeed we are entitled to have – detailed clarity from Governments now – whether it be Westminster or Holyrood – on the future agriculture and land management policy of our land.

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arable & root crops Unlock the potential of your crops with trial-backed bio-stimulants Visitors to the virtual CropTec Show 2020 discovered how growers can enjoy yield increases and efficacy improvements on crops whilst reducing fungicide inputs, with interventions of natural bio-stimulant products from AminoA. Latest trials are demonstrating how the AminoA range of biotechnology products are not only helping to build resistance to stress, whether from waterlogging or other causes such as heat, cold and drought, but are also improving crop quality.

During CropTec, AminoA also introduced its brand-new OF&G organic approved seed treatment, AminoA STAART, helping to maximise early

crop vigour and emergence, while increasing the uptake of available nutrients.

AminoA STAART complements the full range of new generation biological crop stimulants, alongside the established natural amino acid bio-stimulant, AminoA FLO. This highly concentrated l-isomer amino-acid complex, manufactured in the UK, contains synthetics and the latest crop penetrant technology, making it suitable for mixing with other agrochemicals.

The effectiveness of AminoA FLO, has been demonstrated on a series of independent trials and customer experiences across all crops, including cereals and legumes.

‘’Our products are deliberately designed to have broad spectrum activity, as they contain every essential aminoacid that plants synthesise throughout their growth cycle,” explains AminoA managing director Richard Phillips.

The most recent independent trials, conducted by NIAB on

Skyfall winter wheat, saw AminoA FLO produce a statistically significant yield increase above a reduced fungicide programme, and also a significant increase in green leaf retention. The findings back up a previous NIAB trial (2019) that showed that AminoA FLO can reduce reliance on fungicide inputs.

Consider early fungicide to keep a lid on barley disease Disease pressure in many crops of winter barley is very high this autumn, so growers should consider treating susceptible crops with an early fungicide to avoid compromising yield 8

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potential, advises leading agronomy firm Hutchinsons.

Mild, wet weather since September has favoured the development and spread of several diseases in early-sown

arable & root crops

crops across much of the UK, particularly net blotch, Rhynchosporium, powdery mildew and brown rust, the firm’s technical development director David Ellerton says.

Risk has been compounded by the large area of spring barley grown last season, which resulted in more barley volunteers emerging this autumn, from which infection can transfer to the new crop, he says.

“This combination of more inoculum on volunteers alongside mild, wet conditions, has been perfect for autumn barley diseases, although later drilled crops generally aren’t as badly affected.

“The situation is worst in varieties with low disease ratings of 4 or below (see box), and where there are a lot of volunteers from previous winter or spring barley crops.

Manganese deficiency can also make crops more susceptible to mildew infection.”

Dr Ellerton says this increased disease risk may well be enough to justify an autumn or early

spring fungicide application prior to stem extension, to prevent disease infections reducing the crop’s tillering capacity and yield potential.

Yield formation (tillers and subsequent grain number) in barley is determined much earlier in the season than for winter wheat, and several years of research shows that in high disease pressure autumns such as 2020, yield responses of over 0.5 t/ha are possible from an early fungicide, he says.

“It’s not something growers should do as routine, as on average you don’t get much of a yield response from an autumn fungicide.”

However, in previous seasons with high autumn disease levels, such as 2012 and 2015, the yield response to an autumn spray in trials averaged over 0.5 t/ha, he says. “In 2012 the autumn spray actually gave a bigger yield response than the T1 and T2, which just shows you really have to monitor crops closely and respond appropriately.”

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 113 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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arable & root crops Multi-site inhibitors vital to future-proofing cereal disease control With resistance to single site fungicides continuing to impede curative disease strategies and erode the protectant activity of existing chemistry, wheat and barley growers must use a diversity of active ingredients – including a multi-site – to ensure disease control programmes offer effective long-term protectant activity.

That is the latest advice from ADAMA UK, with the company’s Fungicides Technical Specialist, Andy Bailey, declaring that Arizona (500g/l folpet) will be crucial next spring, not only to provide adequate disease control in the coming season, but also to protect and prolong the efficacy of those actives which are threatened by resistance.

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“The key advice when it comes to controlling diseases such as septoria in wheat and ramularia and rhynchosporium in barley is to keep ahead of the game by ensuring adequate protectant control is achieved,” Andy explains. “The timing of applications is therefore critical, as is the array of active ingredients used and the rate and frequency at which they are applied.”

In wheat, the continued reduction in the efficacy of triazoles against septoria is further complicated by the decreasing sensitivity of an increasing number of septoria strains to azoles and SDHIs: only BASF’s new isopropanolazole fungicide, Revysol, offers

effective curative action against septoria. However, as this is a single site active, it too is at potential risk of resistance and therefore needs to be protected to ensure its long-term efficacy.

In barley, the position is slightly more favourable although the erosion in efficacy of azoles, along with SDHI sensitivity shifts and some resistance to strobilurin chemistry, means diseases such as ramularia and net blotch are becoming increasingly difficult to control.

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“2021 will be the first full year cereal growers have had to protect their crops without the protectant benefit of chlorothalonil, so it is important to build a robust programme on a field-by-field and variety-byvariety basis,” Andy continues.

“It is also important to ensure that fungicide programmes, as well as providing good protection against disease, also protect current and future fungicides against further erosion of efficacy.”

arable & root crops Tong’s new MonstaFill box filler transforms throughput for grower Two of the newest machines within Tong Engineering’s wide range of vegetable handling equipment are proving invaluable in transforming post-harvest operations for Hampshire-based potato grower, Whitewater Potatoes.

Both the company’s mobile cleaning and loading powerhouse; the FieldLoad PRO, and high capacity MonstaFill box filler were launched as part of a suite of new product developments from Tong throughout 2019 and 2020, focussing on streamlining the handling process with the gentlest handling, and maximum efficiency and throughput in mind.

And, during their first demanding season of 2020, both machines have come to the fore in making light work of cleaning and loading crop at very high

capacities, reducing manual operations by almost 50% for Whitewater Potatoes in Hook, Hampshire. The established potato company grows 1900 acres of potatoes both on its main farm at Lodge Farm in Hampshire, and on land in Scotland. With a farm team that plant, manage, harvest and store an impressive 30,000 tonnes of potatoes for the crisp market, Whitewater Potatoes relies on a swift and efficient post-harvest process that allows them to keep up with market demands.

“With the need to process high volumes of potatoes straight from the field, we decided to review our existing operations in order to maximise throughput and minimise labour requirements,” explains Gavin Janaway, Managing Director at Whitewater Potatoes.

“After our initial discussion with Tong, we could see that the EasyClean separator was going to provide the cleaning capabilities we need, and the FieldLoadPRO was the machine for us. After

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some consideration of the different box filling options, it was clear that the throughput capabilities of the MonstaFill would really take our capacity potential to the next level.”

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arable & root crops Haith’s 2021 polisher proving popular The innovative features found in the latest version of Haith’s class-leading root vegetable polisher are proving popular with growers and packers across the world.

With machinery exhibitions on hold, Haith hasn’t yet officially launched the 2021 polisher.

However, they have received several orders, including one from RS Cockerill which is buying four machines for use in its Dunnington packhouse near York.

Haith’s 2021 polisher includes several new and improved features, such as Cleaning In Place (CIP), which allows the operator to set the time when the polisher is cleaned by the detergent dosage system, which prevents bacteria from building up. CIP is complemented by an upgraded zero slip barrel drive system, an air-operated discharge door with finger-tip control and taper locks on all drive components.

“Our root veg polisher is an extremely popular machine probably owing to our unique direct motor drive system,” says Duane Hill, sales director at Haith. “The 2021 model cements the Haith Root Veg Polisher Pro’s reputation for being the ideal polisher for potatoes, carrots, parsnips, beetroot and celeriac thanks to its patented direct drive brush rollers and our innovations which allow the machine to keep

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running with minimal downtime for maintenance.

“We’ve not rested on our laurels since we introduced the previous version. We’ve looked

at every aspect of the machine and listened to feedback from customers who are running previous versions of our polisher.

We are very pleased indeed with

the 2021 model and think it will be a very popular choice with people looking for an easy to use, effective and reliable polisher that is built to last!”

Farm plastic warning popular Agricultural or farm plastic has become incredibly widely used across the entire agricultural cycle - it can increase yields and soil

temperature, reduce weed and pest pressure, aid moisture conservation, support soil fumigation and even keep silage fresh for much longer.

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The effectiveness of every single one of these is controlled by the vapour permeability of the plastic - not just for water

vapour, but also to control the flow of oxygen, carbon dioxide and ethylene, the gaseous plant ripening hormone. Using the right plastic in any situation is critical to optimise success and the way to do this is through testing - Versaperm’s latest permeability measurement and testing equipment is designed to do just that.

The system is optimised not just for traditional plastics but also for the modern multilayer “designer” plastics which can provide highly specific control over the diverse flows of different gasses. It is also important for the increasingly widespread photodegradable and biodegradable materials.

Some applications need to allow a gas, such as oxygen, to flow but prevent water vapour from flowing out. The exact mixture of permeabilities depends on the specific crop, season, climate and even daily diurnal changes in temperature.

Versaperm’s new single and multi-chamber ranges can provide measurements of vapour permeability for all farm plastics and gases, sometimes in as little as thirty minutes as opposed to the weeks taken with conventional gravimetric measurement systems. They can also, optionally, cycle through diurnal and seasonal changes.

The Versaperm system is typically accurate to a few parts Per Million (PPM) or even Parts Per Billion in some cases Also important is that the plastic tarps used to control emissions from soil fumigation have been shown to be permeable to fumigant vapours, resulting in escape to the environment.

Minimizing emissions of soil fumigants is critical for both protecting human and environmental health.

RSABI provides emotional,

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If you, or someone you know, is struggling call the RSABI helpline on 0300 111 4166

arable & root crops IPM is key focus for first year at Strategic Cereal Farm Scotland AHDB’s new Strategic Cereal Farm in Scotland aims to bring research and practical farming together with the aim of making farming more economically and environmentally resilient.

David Aglen, Farms Manager at Balbirnie Home Farms, Freuchie in Fife is hosting Strategic Cereal Farm Scotland from September 2020 to September 2026. His priority for the first year of the programme is to focus on baselining looking at soil, plant health, pests, pollinators and natural enemies and a running nutrition trial.

Soil baselining has just started at Balbirnie and David will use the AHDB and BBRO Soil Biology and Soil Health scorecard to understand the biological, chemical and physical status of the soil. As an advocate of regenerative agriculture and lowering inputs he will also explore how to use less chemical inputs while achieving the same crop yields.

He explains: “We are working with AHDB on soil baselining, assessing the soil via sampling to look at what resources we have available in the soil and the field margins so we can make plans on how to improve it. Ideally we are hoping to achieve lower inputs and higher yields.”

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David will also look at IPM aiming to understand the relationship between plant health and disease through tissue tests. He said: “Using tissue tests, we want to understand seasonal plant health changes and crops’ vulnerability to disease.”

Strategic Cereal Farm Scotland is following a collaborative approach that will draw on intelligence from industry to ground-truth novel management decisions. A steering group, made up of local farmers, agronomists, researchers, and advisors, will advise on and direct the work on the Strategic Farm. By using data to support decisions and ensuring the research trials are relevant to the farm business, the focus will be to determine viable options for a profitable business. This information will be shared with the wider industry to help give farmers confidence in making changes on their own farms.

Chris Leslie, Knowledge Exchange Manager AHDB, said: “We are working with David to look at how to make improvements on his farm that can be shared with the wider farming industry not just in Scotland but across our Farm Excellence network. We want to push the boundaries and see how far we can take plant health

and improve harvest efficiency at Balbirnie.

“IPM is the foundation of crop production and we are working with David to test his crops to monitor, change and reduce inputs where we can. Putting organic matter back into the soil is also key and we will be looking at composting, diverse rotation and cover crops to help do this. The priorities for the next six years also include reducing artificial inputs and offsetting carbon.”

The 1,200 hectare, mixed farm, comprises 800 hectares of arable crops and 200 suckler cows.

The diverse rotation includes oats, spring barley, winter wheat, spring beans as well as potatoes and brassica vegetables.

A series of on farm trials will be run collaboratively by ADAS and SRUC at Balbirnie with support from AHDB. These include: Soil health baselining Soil properties will be assessed on eight fields using the soil health scorecard, developed as part of the Soil Biology and Soil Health Partnership. Assessments will include soil nutrient analysis, earthworm assessments, visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) and infiltration rates. The baselining assessments will be repeated in the same positions

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later on in the six-year Strategic Farm project to see if management practices have had any impact on soil biology, chemistry and physics.

If you would like more information about Strategic Cereal Farm Scotland, please visit https:// ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/ strategic-cereal-farm-scotland

arable & root crops

Cover cropping should be more than an afterthought for potato growers

By Donald Paterson, Agronomist at independent farmer-owned cooperative, Scottish Agronomy Cover cropping should be more than just an afterthought and is an increasingly important part of the armoury for potato growers, according to Donald Paterson, agronomist at independent farmer owned cooperative, Scottish Agronomy.

Research and experience suggest that, done well, cover crops protect, improve and augment soil between cash crops but it does require a different mindset as it is function - not yield - that is key, he says.

“Evidence shows that cover crops, particularly when grown for a number of successive years across rotations, can result in improvements in soil physical, chemical and biological properties which benefits yield and quality, but you do need to focus on the full rotational and long-term benefits over shortterm financial gain.

“Sowing cover crops usually involves additional costs and workload for the grower, and the financial benefits can take several cropping iterations to be realised. This can be frustrating to implement and estimates suggest that few potato rotations currently include cover crops in the UK. “It requires a longer-term outlook, and those who have made a success of cover crops have found ways to overcome the barriers and effectively integrate them into their cropping systems.

A ‘whole system’ approach puts the priority on the success

of cover crops by focusing on multiple aspects of management.

“Any time soil is bare, there is potential for cover cropping but to work properly, it needs planning for maximum effect. Before you put the first plant in, you need to define the objectives and purpose of sowing the cover crops. This will guide what cover crop you sow and if it will bring the benefits you need.

“Is it to reduce soil erosion or mitigate water pollution and flooding? Is it about soil structure, nutrient recycling, disease or pest management? Or providing habitat and wildlife benefits? Then you need to decide if it is beneficial to replace a cash crop or to force cover crops between harvest and spring sowing.

“The key to success is the proper seed mix for your soil and timing to facilitate cover crops to grow for as long as possible to reap the greatest benefit.

“Growers should create a management plan that takes a flexible approach, start small and repeat, building on previous achievements.”

There is an increasing social responsibility for growers to look after their soils, apparent in government policy and the transition to greening payments, but the technical and financial benefits start on the farm, says Donald.

“It is not a binary choice, there is a win-win for all, and, post2024, there may be opportunity to offset growing cover crops costs through agri-environment scheme

Donald Paterson

participation. It will require a change in mindset, recognising that the future will involve delivery of public goods or ecosystem services. Growers need to start gaining experience now, as it will take several years to adapt, evolve and adjust cropping systems.”

Cover crop choice crucial to success Although there have been advances in understanding in recent years, there is still so much to learn about the best mix together with establishment and destruction methods.

It is important to match the individual attributes of a cover crop to the intended purpose taking into account how it might interact with other partners and any potential rotational conflicts.

To get the best results, assess your soil conditions on-farm before you start. The soils that see the greatest benefits from cover crops are those that are light to

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medium textured. Heavier soils are generally less suitable as they can be more difficult to establish and destroy the cover crop.

Choose your cover crop according what you want it to do. For example, soils with the tendency to compact can benefit from an oil radish cover crop.

It establishes and grows very quickly, developing a deep tap root and laterals that extend out and can help to break up deeper compaction down the soil profile, helping to improve soil structure as well as scavenging mineral N. Brassica cover crops are the most effective at taking up nitrogen and reducing nitrate leaching, but cereals and phacelia are also effective if drilled early.

Cover crop planting date crucial to success Timing is of the essence because of the need to establish them while soil conditions are still suitable.

Part of the problem is that most cover crops have a small seed and so an Autumn-planted cover crop should be sown earlier rather than later - before mid-August. Remember by growing a larger amount of biomass, you are increasing your own homegrown chemistry toolkit.

After that date you can still grow oil radish or winter rye, as they are frost hardy and can continue to grow over the winter period, but it is too late to establish vetches.

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FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Craigies Farm Shop announced as finalists in national Farm Retail Awards Craigies Farm Shop and Café have been announced as finalists in the ‘Large Farm Shop’ category in a national awards competition which celebrates the best in the farm retail industry.

Organised by the Farm Retail Association (FRA), the Farm Retail Awards are the only awards to be judged by fellow farm retailers and celebrate the best farm shops, farm cafés and restaurants, farmers’ markets and trade suppliers in the country.

The announcement comes as Craigies, based just outside Edinburgh in South Queensferry, anticipate their busiest Christmas yet, with customers new and old excitedly planning special family gatherings after an unprecedented year. When Covid-19 struck, Craigies pivoted to offer an enhanced online delivery and click and collect service for their customers, with their café and pick your own introducing an online booking system.

This is the second shortlist for Craigies in the Farm Retail

Awards, as they were also announced as finalists in the ‘Pick Your Own’ category earlier this year.

Craigies owner, John Sinclair, said: “To be shortlisted for not one, but two awards this year is a phenomenal feeling.

Despite the challenges we’ve faced, the whole Craigies team have worked incredibly hard to ensure we can still offer the best experiences to our customers this year, whether that’s in our farm shop, café, or out in the PYO fields.”

Chairman Rob Copley said: “We wish every finalist in the Farm Retail Awards the very best of luck. This year especially, farm retailers have helped to keep the nation fed, offering easy access to fresh, nutritious and affordable British food.

“Run by local families for local families, supporting local farmers and local jobs, farm shops are at the beating heart of communities across the country.

We hope customers keep coming

back to support them and local farmers for years to come.”

Farm retailers play a crucial role in the rural economy, providing welcome support for thousands of independent

suppliers, from family farms to artisan makers.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday 3rd March 2021 at a virtual awards ceremony.

School children set to explore Scotland’s red meat industry thanks to new online platform An exciting new digital platform all about the red meat industry has launched to support food education in Scottish schools.

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Geared towards secondary teachers and pupils and designed by health & education experts from Quality Meat Scotland

(QMS), Farming Foodsteps covers the journey from farm to fork and everything in between, including technology in farming, food production and health.

As well as introducing the red meat journey and livestock farming, Farming Foodsteps also covers important messages around sustainability, the environment, food safety, careers, and the role of red meat in a healthy diet. The preparation and cooking of red meat is also included.

Lessons within the free-to-use platform include presentations, games, worksheets, and activities, with each linked to the Curriculum for Excellence with Experiences &

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Outcomes (E’s and O’s) detailed.

Alix Ritchie, Health & Education Manager at QMS, who also works alongside her husband on their livestock farm, in Perthshire said: “We’re hugely excited to launch Farming Foodsteps, especially at a time when the importance of Scotland’s red meat industry has been highlighted and people are interested to find out more about the journey the food they eat has taken.

“The lessons all answer regularly asked questions about red meat production, sustainability and health, and we’ve consulted closely with teachers to create a

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND comprehensive picture of the red meat food system. Our hope is that Farming Foodsteps becomes the go-to place for information on Scottish red meat and the journey it makes from farm to fork.

“The digital nature of the platform means it can be accessed remotely and used for homework, home learning or for anyone interested to find out more.”

Kate Rowell, Chair of QMS adds: “Our industry depends on

the next generation and the new tool developed by the Health and Education Team will help continue to equip and educate young people with the skills and knowledge to make sound and informative decisions for our red meat industry.

“The more we can help educate students and young people about where their food comes from, how it is produced and the benefits of incorporating it as part of a healthy, balanced diet, the better decision makers they will become.”

Union raises a glass to school milk announcement

School milk is to remain on the menu for Scottish schoolchildren following NFU Scotland raising concerns about future support for this important scheme with Scottish Government.

Leaving the EU means local authorities in Scotland can no longer receive funding under the EU school milk scheme to subsidise their own local schemes for pupils, placing the scheme’s future in Scotland in jeopardy.

NFU Scotland is delighted that Scottish Government has stepped up to the plate and agreed to plug any funding gap should the UK Government fail to provide the necessary funds.

To provide certainty to parents, schools and local authorities,

the Scottish Government will commit funding of £722,000 this school year so this valuable scheme can continue.

Vice President Charlie Adam, who sits on the Union’s Milk Committee said: “Milk and dairy are a central plank in the health of Scotland’s schoolchildren.

NFUS wrote to the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP, in his role as Cabinet Secretary of Education and Skills voicing the concerns of our members in August when we first heard that the valued EU funded school milk project was to cease.

“We are delighted that Scottish Government has responded quickly to ensure the scheme continues.”

Scotland The Brand

What way, Scotland?

By Ruth Watson So, here we are, wherever here is. At the time of writing there still is no clarity about the Brexit deal which will have such an impact on our farming, food and drink sectors.

In October, Westminster MPs voted against a House of Lords amendment in the Agriculture Bill which would have protected animal welfare and food standards. Many of these standards already are enshrined in Scottish law but the Internal Market Bill – going through Parliament as I type – is designed to sweep away Scotland’s ability to protect our agricultural sector and our standards. The situation is one NFU Scotland Vice President, Martin Kennedy, describes as: “Very worrying. The U.S. not only wants to lower standards, but also wants to limit labelling so that consumers will not know what they are buying and eating. We cannot afford to give up on trying to put legislation in place that does not allow substandard imports into the UK that compromise our ability to feed our country, deliver increased biodiversity and do more to meet climate change head on.”

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Martin speaks with pride at the prospect of his daughters taking over the family sheep farm, in the Perthshire hills. He describes as “unbelievable” the comments made by DEFRA Secretary, George Eustice, that sheep farms hit

by Brexit could “easily adapt” by “diversifying into beef”.

So, what can those of us occupying the real world do?

Research shows a rising commitment among consumers to our food and drink sector.

The ‘20-minute neighbourhood’ is supported by the Scottish Government as part of the green recovery programme. A new initiative, Buy Social Scotland, connects social enterprises to customers.

“Buy Social Scotland is an online guide and outlet,” explains Chris Martin, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Scotland. "Local producers, who have social impact at their core, can use Community Interest Companies. We would urge rural and island communities to explore innovative ways of marketing their excellent products.”

As our export markets shudder in the face of the new realities, short-chain food sales to local communities might prove crucial.

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CULTIVATION EQUIPMENT

High capacity stubble cultivators added to Kuhn tillage range KUHN Farm Machinery has extended its range of independent disc stubble cultivators with the addition of the high capacity Optimer L. Available in 9 and 12 metre working widths, the Optimer L is designed for high quality shallow cultivation at operating speeds of 13 to 18km/hour. With a working depth range from 3 to 10cm, it is sufficiently versatile to fulfil a range of roles including enhanced crop residue management, stale seedbed creation and fine seedbed preparation.

Two rows of 510mm diameter discs operate with high rotation speeds and are set at 16˚ horizontal and 6˚ vertical for optimum tilth creation. Discs are available with small notches (for shallow cultivation) or

large notches (for deeper soil penetration) and are mounted individually on support arms with each having four integral polyurethane elastomeric blocks to provide protection and depth control. Each disc has a single maintenance-free bearing on the outer side, which – along with an underframe clearance of 55cm – ensures clear flow of residues through the machine and prevents disruptions due to jamming.

Working depth on the Optimer L is hydraulically assisted, allowing simple and accurate adjustments to be made.

This is maintained across the full width of the machine through hydraulically-controlled pressure on the extension cylinders (KUHN’s Steady Control system).

The Optimer L is fitted with KUHN’s Double-U self-cleaning and anti-clogging roller, designed to provide optimum soil tamping.

By turning on the roller at the headlands, the machine maintains stability and minimises any risk of soil compaction in these areas.

Machines fold into a compact (3m width, 4m height) transport position through a safe and secure four step process, activated by a mode switch on the control panel that also includes an operating depth indicator and an extension position guide.

Hydraulic folding extends Enduro cultivator range Kverneland’s Enduro compact tine cultivator range has been extended with the addition of

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hydraulic folding models that accompany existing 3m and 3.5m fixed-frame versions.

Available in Enduro and Enduro Pro specifications, an all-new folding frame design is offered in 4m, 4.5m and 5m working widths, with all folding models gaining an ‘F’ suffix. Using a two-piece frame that folds vertically through the centre-line of the implement, these models achieve an overall transport width of 2.85m.

All Enduro models use three rows of tines, with folding models achieving a 270mm tine spacing to encourage soil mixing and incorporation of residues. Tine choices include Triflex auto-reset tines with 700kg of release force, or shear-bolt protection versions.

Triflex tines also feature a dual working angle, for controlled

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soil movement, creating deep loosening and shallow mixing capability in one operation.

Where the Enduro Pro offers on-the-move hydraulic adjustment for working depth, and includes a parallelogram linkage to maintain machine attitude when the depth is adjusted, the lighter Enduro is manually adjusted with spacers on its hydraulic depth cylinders.

Both are able to work from shallow to deep but while the Enduro can operate from 5-30cm deep, the Enduro Pro can run deeper, to a maximum working depth of 35cm. The linkage-mounted 4m Enduro F is priced from £20,093, with the 4m Enduro Pro F priced from £21,639.

CULTIVATION EQUIPMENT

Speedy establishment service beats tight window Establishing oilseed rape with a Vaderstad TopDown tine cultivator and BioDrill seeder directly into stubble, has become a popular service for McIver Contracting Ltd in the Black Isle, a region traditionally wedded to the plough.

“We farm 500ha of our own land with another 340ha contract farmed, plus our contracting service,” he explains. “The majority of our own cropping

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is spring barley for malting and brewing, for which we prefer to plough, press and combi drill. We have used the TopDown to cultivate for winter wheat after oilseed rape and for some spring barley and it’s undoubtedly quicker.

“But its main use is for direct drilling the oilseed rape and after finding that a 3m model was a bit slow for the 400ha we need to cover, we traded up to a 4m TopDown and BioDrill seeder.”

Spring barley harvest in the Black Isle takes place through August, and where oilseed rape follows it needs to be in well before the end of September, says Mr McIver.

“We’ve essentially got to get 125ha of contract farmed and 300ha of customers’ land planted in two and a half weeks. As soon as the straw is chopped or baled, the TopDown goes in the field.”

He comments that he has seen little yield penalty; 400ha of oilseed rape established with the TopDown on his brother’s farm resulted in yields increasing compared to a plough-based system.

“The main benefit is the higher workrates and slightly lower costs; slug pressure is a little higher, although rolling helps. We also blow fertiliser from a front mounted hopper and put it down the leg to get the crop off to a good start,” says Mr McIver.

The seeding combination is pulled by a 400hp Fendt; if necessary the business’s 300hp tractors will pull it but the extra power helps keep forward speed up, he points out. “Vaderstad’s David Macgregor was extremely helpful with demos and getting set up, and we get good back up from dealer Alistair Young’s salesman Kevin Harper. But the build quality of the TopDown is exceptional and apart from wearing metal we’ve not needed any parts in two seasons.

The Marathon points are expensive but long lasting; with the sandy loams in the area, on the previous cultivator we were changing points every 20-25ha.”

So impressed has Mr McIver been with the quality of the TopDown and the service received that he will also be adding Vaderstad to his drilling armoury, having ordered a 4m Spirit for the spring.

topic

New guide seeks to improve the safety of tractor-trailer braking The Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) will publish an updated edition of the ‘Look Behind You’ guide to tractortrailer braking on Friday 13 November. The guide is aimed at farmers, tractor drivers, mechanics and technicians indeed anyone using, purchasing or maintaining tractors and trailers. It seeks to raise user awareness of what is needed from tractor-trailer braking systems, in order to obtain good performance and also to comply with the minimum legal requirements.

It will also help users to make informed purchasing decisions and to recognise shortfalls in the braking systems of their current vehicles.

Safety is a perennial issue for farming. That applies as

much to the use of farm vehicles on the road as it does on farm.

A key concern which comes up time and again is the safety of tractor-trailer or tractor-trailed implement combinations. Ten years ago, prompted by a spate of premature tractor brake failures linked to inadequate trailer brakes, the AEA published the first edition of the ‘Look Behind You’ guide.

Since then, much has changed. Tractors, trailers and trailed implements are bigger, more tractors can now reach 50 km/h (30 mph) and pneumatic (air) trailer braking systems are more common. Certain UK Legislation has changed and new EU Braking Regulations for agricultural vehicles have arrived.

Although tractor-trailer braking in the UK has improved, more still needs to be done - so the AEA Service Managers’ Group has revised and updated the ‘Look Behind You’ guide.

A comprehensive technical overview, the revised guide still provides the basic information but, importantly, it now also covers the increasingly complex braking systems found on modern tractors and trailers. The ‘Look Behind You’ guide provides the right level of information to raise awareness and highlight important features which, if addressed, will improve vehicle operation and enhance overall safety. Readers are also advised what maintenance activities may be performed On-Farm, following appropriate training,

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and where it is important to seek specialist help.

As well as bringing the content up to date, the advance of media technology since the first edition was published has allowed new features to be built into the new ‘Look Behind You’.

The online version of the guide includes a number of videos introducing the key topics and animations to help users to get an advanced understanding of some of the most important concepts.

This version can be downloaded, so all the features can still be used without an internet connection.

When it has been published, the ‘Look Behind You’ guide will be available to download from https://aea.uk.com/lookbehind-you/.

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food Butcher red meat sales growing faster than market average in Scotland Butchers remain one of the strongest red meat retailers in Scotland, even as consumers return to pre-lockdown shopping habits according to new statistics from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

Across Scotland, butchers have seen more than 20% increase in value in yearon-year sales, and reports from the last few weeks suggest that this continues to strengthen.

Large retailer figures also show steady growth in red meat sales.

The latest figures analysed

by QMS show that of overall unprocessed red meat sales, butchers are still seeing a 21.7% increase in value in sales and are up 13.2% volume over last year, compared to the rest of the market which is averaging +12.8% in value and 9.3% in volume*.

Gordon Newlands, Quality Meat Scotland Brands Development Manager, said: “Butcher trade peaked during the first lockdown in April and May and became the second highest retailer of red meat. This corresponded with more consumers choosing to buy local, whether to avoid the supermarket, for convenience or

having more time or inclination to go to the butcher. The trend has continued, even as shopping habits have seen more consumers returning to the larger retailers, and we anticipate it will carry on through Christmas. Although reports show that customer numbers have remained similar since June, spend seems to be higher per transaction especially since the tiered lockdown was announced.”

QMS figures show that there was an upward trend for buying red meat from a butcher this time last year but this was rapidly accelerated by the impact of the pandemic, reaching a high of 48.3% increase in value on yearon-year trade in the spring and promoting butchers to the second strongest retailer of red meat (in the 12 weeks to 17th May 2020).

IGD Research also reported a noticeable increase in younger shoppers, aged 18-24 and 35-44 years, in butcher shops.

Mr Newlands praised the butcher trade for working extremely hard to adapt and to keep customers in challenging times and for “not taking the foot off the gas” despite several months of extended hours.

“The butchery trade has shown its true craft, ensuring constant supply and very little carcase imbalance through being creative with cuts and upselling.

This comes with knowing the craft skills and the customer.”

Mr Newlands who trained as a butcher at 15, and has been in his career an assessor for Scottish Meat Training, highlighted the

superb opportunities for young people in the trade.

“The trade is thriving and there are not enough butchers to offer relief to those working long hours.

Some businesses are opening new shops. I always say that if you are a fully trained butcher, you can travel the world with that skill and be guaranteed to find a job. Not every trade can say that.”

Food manufacturers boost efficiency and sustainability with GEA refrigeration solutions Investing in the latest compressor equipment and refrigeration solutions has not only boosted the performance of two of the UK’s major food manufacturers with improved efficiency, energy savings and reduced carbon footprint, but also earned the supplier GEA four nominations in this year’s RAC Cooling Awards.

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GEA clinched the contract to supply a new, environmentally friendly refrigeration system – which will be Scotland’s first large-scale plant combining biomass heat and absorption chilling – at Mackie’s of Scotland, one of Britain’s leading ice cream producers.

As part of a multi-millionpound project, the luxury ice cream

brand replaced existing freezing equipment at its Aberdeenshire facility with GEA’s ammoniabased, low carbon, power efficient refrigeration unit that incorporates an Absorption Chiller supplied with the help of German company AGO – an innovative solution that will help Mackie’s to target ambitious CO2 reductions of 90% and energy cost savings of 70-80%.

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A specialist in supplying hightech processing, packaging and refrigeration kit for the food industry, GEA also won a contract from Quorn Foods to replace an obsolete compressor at the veggie food company’s North Yorkshire facility with a GEA Grasso Conversion Kit (GGCK), a larger compressor that increased the refrigeration capacity at the plant by an extra seven percent.

food Wyke Farms Take a Global View with Launch of New Export Brand

crofting Crofting trade and payment

By Patrick Krause, Chief Executive, Scottish Crofting Federation

Wyke Farms, the UK's largest independent producer of cheese, and renewable energy, today announces details of ‘London 1856’, a premium, aged British cheddar range, created specifically for the export market.

The ‘London 1856’ brand has been developed to target the emerging and rapidly growing Asian market, where Wyke Farms has carried out research to understand the needs of the shoppers and identify what it is they expect from UK food brands. It is the first cheddar from Wyke Farms to be launched on a global scale and represents further investment in the companies already successful export business portfolio.

The company has been working on the creation of an export brand suitable for global distribution since Brexit discussions began and is launching the cheese globally as we move closer to 2021 and trade opportunities arise.

“In many of the emerging regions we are seeing the first generation within families who are able to travel; the first trip is often London to experience the tastes and culture of the UK,” says Rich Clothier, 3rd generation cheesemaker and managing director at Wyke Farms. He continues: “Because of this and the success of the London Olympics, ‘Cool Britannia’ is a growing sentiment and one we have been market researching for a number of years. We are now ready with the right cheese, in the right place and at the right time.”

Wyke Farms has successfully been exporting cheddar to over 160 countries for the past 20 years. However, the move to launch a globally recognisable brand to formalise their offering has been part of the company's ‘Brexit proofing’ strategy. “This is the first brand we have ever launched that is targeted purely at export markets,” adds Rich Clothier.

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As I write the end of the transition period is near, - an’ forward, tho’ I cannot see, I guess an’ fear!

But as you read this the transition has passed and we should be clear about what this means for rural Scotland.

In these last days of December there been a flurry of letters from the governments of the three devolved nations (and MPs) to the UK government asking what the plan is. As yet, there has been no deal with Europe announced and if there is one as you read, I think it still very likely that there will be a negative impact on our livestock trade. It is perhaps not a surprise that a poll taken at AgriScot 2020 had 75% vote ‘Stay’ (and only 20% ‘Leave’), were the referendum to be run again.

Much to crofters’ chagrin it was announced that the promised reform of the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme wouldn’t go ahead after all and will continue to pay more per hectare, the better the ground. As most of Scotland is designated LFA this means that relatively good land in the Black Isle, Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire, for example, gets a much

higher per-hectare payment than that in the ‘Severely Disadvantaged’ areas of the crofting counties. Furthermore, the ‘convergence uplift’, a rebate meant to compensate those on very low payments, will be taken to cover the even higher penalty Scottish Government incurred for continuing to use LFASS this year.

The original intention of ‘External Convergence’ was to ensure a more equal distribution of direct agricultural support between Member States. Scotland has a low average due to very low per-hectare payments to crofters and hill farmers on rough grazing (Regions 2 and 3). There is no justification for any of it going to Region 1 land which already receives high payments - if we correct figures given by Scottish Government to be in line with the EU formula we find that Region 1 is about 111% of the EU average or 123% of the 90% threshold.

There is still considerable resentment in crofting communities about the way in which the uplift has been misused.

Happy New Year!

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COOKING with BEEF

Rump Roast with seasonal vegetables & Yorkshire Pudding

By Wendy Barrie

Ingredients: 2kg rump or similar joint to pot roast Scottish sea salt & freshly milled pepper A generous knob of our chive butter – or a small sliced leek Supernature rapeseed oil Cornflour (optional) For Yorkies: 75g flour, 75mls milk, 75mls water, 1 egg, Scottish sea salt & freshly milled pepper, 75-100g butter Kale sprouts Potatoes

Photograph © Wendy Barrie

Time for a treat on a wintry day with a fabulous pot roast and all the trimmings. After a wonderful meal there are always cold cuts, stovies, and rib-sticker soups to follow! This time our beef is Native Bred Aberdeen Angus from Hardiesmill.

Method: s 3EAL MEAT IN A HOT CAST IRON CASSEROLE DISH OR SIMILAR ON THE HOB with a drizzle of oil. Once browned on all sides, add a mug of water, seasoning, butter/leeks and transfer to oven with lid on, for 45 minutes if you prefer it pink or up to 1¼ hours at 190°C, depending on how well done you like your roast. The resting time when removed from the oven is critical – allow to rest for a minimum of 20 minutes, covered in foil. s 7HEN THE MEAT IS COOKING MAKE 9ORKSHIRE PUDDINGS BY WHISKING INGREDIENTS TOGETHER OMITTING THE BUTTER TO MAKE A SMOOTH batter, adding half the liquid at a time. Set aside to rest for an hour if possible. s 0EEL PAR BOIL AND ROAST POTATOES IN READINESS FOR SERVING s 4URN UP OVEN TO ª# WHEN THE MEAT IS RESTING 0LACE HAZELNUT SIZED KNOBS OF BUTTER IN EACH DIMPLE OF A SHALLOW BUN BAKING sheet and place in oven for 5 minutes. The butter will become brown and nutty. s #AREFULLY REMOVE FROM OVEN AND PLACE A SPOONFUL OF BATTER IN EACH n IT WILL IMMEDIATELY START SIZZLING s 2ETURN TO OVEN AND BAKE FOR MINUTES UNTIL RISEN GOLDEN AND CRISP s 7HEN THE MEAT IS RESTING THE JUICES CAN BE THICKENED IF WISHED WITH A DESSERTSPOON OF CORNmOUR SLAKED IN A LITTLE WATER AND blended in. Bring to boil, simmer for 2 minutes and set aside. Taste and adjust seasoning. s +ALE SPROUTS ARE A BRASSICA BEST SERVED STEAMED FOR MINUTES AND lNISHED OFF STIR FRIED BRIEmY TOSSED IN BUTTER TO BRING out the delicious flavours. s 4O SERVE CARVE ROAST AND SERVE WITH JUS 9ORKIES KALE SPROUTS AND ROAST POTATOES Serves 4-6 depending on joint. Makes 12 Yorkies.

Every ingredient here is bought locally and if you want to add another layer of goodness, then crack open your homemade rhubarb chutney or some fresh finely grated horseradish as an excellent condiment to your dish.

Scottish Thistle Award Regional Ambassador (2018/19) for Central, Tayside & Fife, Wendy Barrie www.wendybarrie.co.uk is a highly respected campaigner for local sustainable food, popular cookery show presenter and food writer.

Founder & Director of award-winning www.scottishfoodguide.scot & www.scottishcheesetrail.com Wendy is Leader in Scotland for Slow Food Ark of Taste & Member of Slow Food Cooks Alliance.

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Lemken marks their 240th anniversary A family owned business since 1780 When Wilhelmus LEMKEN established a small blacksmith’s shop in Xanten, on the Lower Rhine, in 1780 he laid the foundation for a highly successful company.

That business is LEMKEN, and today it is one of the leading suppliers of professional crop production technology, with more than 1,600 employees and 29 sales subsidiaries worldwide. This year, the family-owned business marks its 240th anniversary.

Wilhelmus LEMKEN started forging ploughs, cultivators and harrows for local farmers, and these early products have remained part of the product range ever since. In 1969, Viktor LEMKEN took over the management of the family business and drove its development through industrydefining innovation. As a result, LEMKEN is now the most experienced specialist for ploughs in all major agricultural markets around the world.

Stubble cultivation technology has come a long way from the renowned Smaragd model from 80 years ago to today’s flagship, the Rubin 10. At the same time, the company’s innovative plough technology ensured its breakthrough as the market leader and set the benchmark for the entire industry. Today the Juwel range of mounted reversible ploughs are market leading with the ability to use tractors with a maximum of 450HP with certain models. With an increasing focus on exports and the opening of eastern markets from the 1990s onwards, LEMKEN continued to experience strong growth. Its product range was extended to include seed drills and seed drill combinations, and employee numbers have grown steadily since.

Nicola LEMKEN is now the seventh-generation manager of the family business, and she continues to focus on professional crop production

Solitaire 9

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that’s characterised by innovation and high quality.

“We stand for efficient, sustainable agriculture and, together with our sales partners, we enable dependable, safe and efficient work processes for farmers and contractors all over the world in a wide range of applications and for highly diverse approaches to crop production,” she said.

“Our customers can always rely 100 per cent on exceptional implement technology and comprehensive service. To deliver on this promise, we work closely with specialist dealers and our highly qualified service team.”

LEMKEN focuses its product range on tillage, sowing and crop care. The company realigned its crop care segment earlier this year and now focuses fully on its strengths in cameracontrolled hoeing technology and the selective application of crop care products. Managing director Anthony van der Ley is looking forward to the company’s ongoing positive development.

“The LEMKEN brand enjoys an excellent reputation far beyond our home market in Germany,” he said. “Our goal is to lead this family business successfully into the next generation by offering innovations that benefit our customers optimally.”

Closer to home the subsidiary LEMKEN UK Ltd was set up in 2001 and has enjoyed growing business through those years, employing 14 people across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

“The dealer network covering the UK and Republic of Ireland has grown over these years and has become the mainstay brand for crop production machinery for their customer” comments UK General Manager Paul Creasy. “with 240 years of machine knowledge the future is exciting as we see where our machine portfolio will develop next for our market and importantly how these machines will enable our end user to

develop their business also” concludes Paul.

The responsible use of resources has played a key role at LEMKEN production sites for over 15 years. The company’s factory in Alpen is carbon-neutral in its consumption of electricity, thanks to on-site combined heat and power plants and extensive, smartly controlled energy cycles between administration and production facilities.

The LEMKEN business also includes a corporate culture that’s deeply appreciative of employees. The company values long-standing experience and sound staff development very highly. It’s only appropriate that LEMKEN focuses strongly on its employees while celebrating its 240th anniversary. Employees’ reminiscences have, therefore, been collated with highlights from the company’s history and information about current technological developments on the new website wwww.240lemken.com.

The result is a fascinating look at the company’s 240-year history, and customers are warmly invited to contribute their ideas and stories.

Polaris 14 spreader

Lemken Rubin 10

Lemken juwel plough

For more information visit: www.240lemken.com 26

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renewable energy

Peat document sets out wind farm benefits A new document showing the benefits of wind farms to Scotland's peatlands has been launched.

The easily-digested publication, titled ‘Wind Power and Peatland: Enhancing Unique Habitats’, looks at more than £2.5 million of work carried out by three renewable energy businesses at sites across the country.

The document, released as part of UK Wind Week, shows how wind farm developers are restoring peatland which has been damaged by forestry, over-grazing and drainage.

Peat plays an important role in the fight against climate change because healthy peatlands remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it.

The document sets out the four types of peatland found in Scotland – blanket bogs, raised bogs, fens and

bog woodland – as well as the plants and animals which live on them, including the rare Bog Sun Jumper Spider and carnivorous sundew.

It also includes 20 photographs, with detailed captions showing the role peat plays in the landscape and the various methods used to protect and restore it.

Scottish Renewables’ Director of Communications and Strategy, Nick Sharpe, said: “Both wind power and peatlands play a vital role in tackling the carbon emissions which cause climate change, so it’s only right that they complement each other. This publication shows how developers are caring for peatlands near their projects and spending millions of pounds correcting damage which has been done over many decades.

“The onshore wind sector is the backbone of Scotland’s

energy system, but the many benefits it brings to rural Scotland are often not fully understood.

This document goes some way to showing the renewable energy industry's role as a key partner in Scotland’s rural areas, delivering jobs and investment, protecting and restoring natural habitats and tackling the most serious threat to Scotland’s biodiversity: climate change.”

The document was produced with help from RWE Renewables, ScottishPower Renewables and SSE Renewables, all of which employ peatland experts to oversee work at wind farm sites.

It also contains detail on The Scottish Government’s Carbon Calculator, which is used to ensure that the carbon payback is taken into account during decision making.

Greater focus on economy in nation’s green recovery NFU Scotland’s President, Andrew McCornick, has called on Scottish Government to increasingly focus 28

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on the economy as the nation emerges from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, tackles the

renewable energy

climate emergency, and prepares for life outside the EU. Mr. McCornick, who steps down as NFU Scotland President in February 2021, said greater attention must be paid to Scotland’s economic recovery and called on the Scottish Government to ‘stop dithering and start delivering’ on future policy for Scotland’s farmers and crofters.

Speaking at an online debate, held as part of AgriScot, Mr. McCornick said: “We are dealing with Brexit, climate change, trade agreements and two agriculture bills. All that is taking place under a dark cloud created by this insidious Covid pandemic.

“The economy needs to be added to that list of emergencies.

There needs to be a lot of heavy lifting done in a very short time.

“By driving more on the economy, we can reverse or grow away from the ongoing damage of Covid-19 and deliver stronger, and better outcomes for the climate and our other national treasures like the food and drink sectors and public services.

“We as farmers and crofters, can and will, deliver for the economy, for the environment, for climate change, for biodiversity and for our communities but we need a much clearer steer on direction than that which the recent £10 million capital grant scheme from Scottish Government’s Agricultural Transformational Fund has offered. We need real tools with real purpose within a future agriculture policy.

“Scottish government has set challenging targets on climate change for 2030 and we have the same ambition of growing the value of our food and drink sector to £30 billion by 2030. These are admirable but useless until we have greater clarity on policy and a roadmap to deliver it.

“The Cabinet Secretary and Scottish Government must have

desks that are buckling under the weight of commissioned reports and stakeholder input promoting policy and a way forward. With still more reports in the pipeline to come, these many proposals must be stitched into pragmatic measures that put farmers and crofters ahead of IT system requirements to get the delivery on the ground that we need.

“The Scottish government has its own ‘stability and simplicity’ document which is a welcome transition position through to 2024. It creates the opportunity to develop and pilot future schemes that will be more aligned to what Scotland needs. But we must see stronger policy direction on this sooner rather than later.

“And the new Agriculture Act must be used in earnest through to 2024 to continue significantly changing existing policies to enable farmers and crofters to adapt and deliver on the new agenda of food production, climate change and public interest.

“That said, the potential role of Regional Land Use Partnerships in that future needs significantly more scrutiny. Our recent conference highlighted the massive gaps that exist in the concept of RLUPs. It feels like a whole new tier of bureaucracy is in the making and it is being built on sand. I urge government not to make the same mistake with RLUPs that was made with the beef efficiency scheme and rush out a programme and develop it on the hoof. It risks doing rural Scotland a massive disservice.

“Instead, what rural Scotland really needs now is a belief in the future for their industry from Scottish Government. It must deliver a credible and workable agriculture policy that will strengthen the economy, deal with climate change, biodiversity, and joint ambitions on growing the best food and drink industry in the world by 2030.

“I believe all the information needed to deliver that is piled on Scottish Government desks ready to be stitched together. The time is right to stop dithering and start delivering and NFU Scotland is fully committed to our part in that process.”

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HydroGlen: transforming Glensaugh farm into a renewable powerhouse The James Hutton Institute has been awarded funding from the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) to undertake a feasibility study for a green-hydrogen-powered farming community around its Glensaugh farm.

The study is the initial phase of the HydroGlen project, which seeks to transform the pioneering Aberdeenshire research facility into an energy-efficient, carbon-neutral hub powered entirely by hydrogen and capable of supplying energy to the wider local community.

The initiative hopes to provide a demonstrator for communities across Scotland about a new means of being energy-independent or even fuel producers themselves, offering an exciting, transformative model for contributing to Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.

Senior scientist Professor Alison Hester explains: “HydroGlen aims to accelerate decarbonisation and transition to net-zero through the uptake of community and locallyowned renewable energy, offering a viable alternative model to traditional utilitybased models for both urban and rural communities and potentially significant new community income streams.

“These include selling hydrogen fuel; using hydrogen to produce anhydrous liquid ammonia for fertilizer; and

potentially unlocking new capital investment models.

We aim to demonstrate that communities can achieve energy self-sufficiency from a triple energy vector perspective – electricity, heating and transport fuel and that additional associateddecarbonisation activities are possible and feasible.”

The HydroGlen feasibility study will be led by Hutton scientists and renewable energy consultants Water to Water, with findings expected in early 2021.

Glensaugh is managed as an upland livestock farm of just over 1000 ha, with sheep, cattle, red deer, improved and extensive pastures, moorland, and woodland. The farm is used as an open science platform for research, technological innovations, teaching and wider knowledge-exchange, and hosts academic, industry and community groups.

Work at Glensaugh on land management, rotational grazing, woodland management, agroforestry and demonstrating best agricultural practice regularly attracts visitors from across the UK and beyond.

For more information about the Institute’s Climate-Positive Farming Initiative at Glensaugh, visit glensaugh.hutton.ac.uk.

The James Hutton Institute is a world-leading scientific research organisation working to resolve global challenges in food, climate, energy and water security. The Institute works in partnership with people, organisations and governments to enhance sustainable environmental, social and economic development to deliver practical solutions for our shared future. www.hutton.ac.uk

IN

Tough trailers for tough conditions

The seaside town of North Berwick in East Lothian nestles into the south shore of the Firth of Forth approximately 20 miles east-northeast of Edinburgh. Set between the rolling hills and rugged coastline you will find West Fortune Farm.

J.Haig Hamilton have farmed the land around North Berwick for over thirty years and today the family’s arable business grows potatoes, oilseed rape, winter wheat and winter barley across 3,500 acres split between two farms.

For the majority of these thirty years the farm has relied on Bailey trailers to help bring the harvest in. But as anyone who farms on a coastline will tell you the biggest challenge for man and machine is the fluctuating weather, which can change at a moments notice.

With such extremes it’s fair to say that to stand up to

the job, farm equipment must be extremely robust as Haig Hamilton explains... “The biggest challenge for us in Scotland is the weather, one minute it can be sunny the next it can be chucking it down with rain.

“What we look for in a trailer is quality build, reliability and residual value. We certainly give the trailers their challenges in tough conditions, but the paint finish and the overall finish of the Bailey trailers is first class.”

The number of Bailey trailers on the farm has certainly expanded since the business took delivery of an eight box trailer in 1991. Today there are ten trailers in the fleet comprising of root trailers, flatbox trailers, a dump trailer and bowser’s for topping up with water and fuel in the field.

A major factor behind the business’s decision to run Bailey trailers is the attention to detail towards operator comfort and

safety that Bailey provides.

Sprung drawbars featuring leaf springs help to cushion the ride of the trailer in tandem with the tractor, whilst commercial axles and brakes ensure that the stopping power of the trailer is matched to that of the tractor.

Haig takes up the story...”We’ve been using the sprung drawbar now for a while and also the commercial axles and commercial brakes. The overall ride this gives to the trailer for the operator on the tractor is fantastic. For us operator safety is paramount and Bailey trailers deliver this.”

One particular feature introduced by Bailey earlier this year has certainly made life easier for Haig and his operators...

“We’ve been very impressed by the new Hydraulic Side-to-Side Rollover Sheeting System which is fitted to our Root Trailers. If the weather turns against us when

we’re in transit a flick of a switch in the tractor cab activates the sheet and the crops are covered in seconds. The time saved by not having to find a place to pull over and manually turn the sheet is immense and most importantly the crops are so much better protected.”

An extensive dealer network in Scotland backs up Bailey trailers. How does Haig rate the support his business receives?

“As I said, the trailers stand up very well to the challenges we give them. Apart from the odd minor part we’ve had to order, in the last thirty years we’ve never had any problems with any trailers.

So how would Haig sum up his family’s experience with Bailey Trailers? ”We’ve been running Bailey trailers on our farm for over thirty years, they do everything we ask for and that’s why we’ll be using them for years to come.”

For more information or to find your local Bailey dealer visit baileytrailers.co.uk 30

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environment SRUC courses well placed to meet climate challenge New degree courses that explore everything from land management change to electric tractors will help to address concerns outlined in the new Farming for 1.5°C Inquiry Interim Report, says Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

The Agricultural Technology Programme – to be offered from 2021 at SRUC Barony near Dumfries – covers the use and production of renewable energy and how it might be integrated into farms’ energy systems.

The course covers the potential electrification of

many aspects of farm motive power, with the limitations and advantages of electrification considered in detail.

A greater focus on precision agricultural techniques will also be required on farms in the future. And so how sensors and sensor systems work and, just as importantly, how the subsequent data streams can help inform farm management decisions are also key elements of the programme.

The Sustainable Food Production and Land Use Programme, meanwhile, develops an understanding of how Scottish

agriculture must change to meet the challenge of the industry being a mitigator rather than a contributor to climate change.

Programme leader Jeremy Taylor said: “The NFUScommissioned 1.5 report makes clear that a whole-farm approach should be adopted to provide a realistic pathway for change and to incentivise the adoption of best practice in production systems, soil carbon management, land-use and renewable energy technology.

“The Sustainable Food Production and Land Use Programme at SRUC does

precisely this, taking students through all the facets of change required in Scottish agriculture to meet the concerns outlined in the report: system change, whole farm change, and landuse change are explored throughout the programme and developed into a comprehensive management strategy.

“Both programmes develop the comprehensive management system farms will have to use to meet their climate obligations.”

To find out more about studying at SRUC, visit www. sruc.ac.uk/study

NFU Scotland welcomes farming for 1.5°c inquiry report on farming and climate change NFU Scotland has welcomed the publication of an interim report that maps out a ‘transformation pathway’ for Scottish agriculture to meet the challenge of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The report from the independent inquiry, Farming for 1.5°C, recognises that farming uniquely has the opportunity to not just improve its own performance by reducing emissions from agricultural activity, but to impact positively on wider societal emissions through good soil and land management, by locking up carbon in trees and soil, and by supporting ecosystems.

It states that without the engagement of the agricultural community, with its ability to absorb emissions and not just cut them, it will be impossible 32

for Scotland to deliver against its targets. This engagement must have political and financial recognition.

The interim report includes 15 key recommendations available to read at: https://www. farming1point5.org/reports NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick said: “NFU Scotland was instrumental in setting up the Farming for 1.5 °C independent inquiry, and we welcome its report which is underpinned by science and supported by a huge range of practical knowledge and expertise.

“I would like to thank all panel members, drawn from scientific, environmental, food and farming communities and including several members of NFU Scotland. Their work over

the past 18 months has mapped out a pathway for transformation in the industry and the Scottish Government support needed to drive that transformation.

“The report sets out principles that all sectors of Scottish agriculture need to adopt. NFU Scotland agrees that we need to improve agricultural and carbon efficiency, better manage our soils, and develop a new approach to sharing knowledge and technical support.

“What this report makes most clear is that we all need to act immediately to tackle the climate emergency.

“Scottish Government is now well equipped with advice to take action that will support Scottish farmers, crofters, and growers as they contribute to achieving our ambitious national

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climate change targets and reversing biodiversity loss.

“If Scottish agriculture is to play its part as a solution to climate change, it needs to see a long-term commitment set out by Scottish Government that encompasses all sectors across the industry.

The industry must be supported, guided by policy, and equipped with science-led advice if we are to reduce emissions while continuing to produce high quality food and drink.

“NFU Scotland is committed to continue working as an industry leader. Since 2016, we have made clear that leadership and direction are an essential part of the fight against climate change. We now expect to see this same leadership being delivered through effective policy and support measures as a matter of urgency.”

environment

Trust the incineration experts this winter Waste Spectrum Incineration Systems are one of the longestserving incinerator manufacturers in the industry. Behind our machines are over 25-years’ worth of UK manufacturing, expertise and market-leading technology.

We are proud to have developed a distinctive monolithic casting system that continues to lead the incineration industry and support the Great British agricultural industry.

After 25-years supporting the agricultural industry, we have developed industry specific technology to aide farmers quickly, securely and effectively dispose of animal waste.

We understand that the winter months can be a particularly difficult and stressful time of year for sheep farmers, with the harsh weather conditions and lambing season mortality

rates amongst sheep are at their highest, increasing as much as 10%. In the unfortunate event of fallen stock, a Waste Spectrum Incineration System is a quick, clean and cost-effective method for fallen stock disposal.

Our range of machines are suitable for a range of agricultural industries, from poultry, sheep and pig, through to cattle and equine. Throughout our 25 years in the industry our team have developed and improved designs, making machines specifically suited for those different industries.

The most recent addition to our machine range is our Volkan 401, designed specifically for use in the sheep industry. Sideloading for ease of use, with a chamber capacity of up to 240kg and a burn rate of up to 50kg per hour, the Volkan 401 is the

ideal solution for the disposal for fallen stock and waste disposal.

Waste Spectrum Incineration Systems provide a clean, cost-effective and 100% biosecure solution to animal waste

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disposal. Trust the incineration experts and speak to a member of our team to discuss your waste disposal needs.

Visit us at: www.wastespectrum. com

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environment

New project to circulate the success of Farmer Cluster approach across Europe A five-year project in which farmers will work together to enhance biodiversity across the landscape has been launched this month in nine European countries. In the FRAMEwork* project farmers will work together, alongside scientists and engineers, to increase knowledge and to find solutions to problems of managing biodiversity. They will also work with citizens, retailers, processors, government policy makers and others, to ensure that biodiversity sensitive farming is valued, and fair incentives are offered to drive adoption.

Using the farmer cluster model, which has been successful in the UK and elsewhere, the FRAMEwork project aims to develop solutions and approaches that will embed the benefits of managing the land for biodiversity into farming practices and policy, while limiting the economic risk to farming businesses.

This prototype project will be based around Advanced Farmer Clusters, which will see local farmers work collectively on landscape scale management, supported by a Cluster Facilitator with expertise in agriculture and the environment. The project will also focus on monitoring, allowing participating farmers and scientists to understand what works, adjust what does not and achieve greater successes in the long run.

Professor John Holland of the Game & Wildlife Conservation

Trust (GWCT) is leading the development of an Advanced Farmer Cluster Network, which is at the heart of the project.

“Groups of farmers will work together to build effective management plans across a local area with shared environmental aims, such as conserving certain species, improving local water quality or preserving unique landscapes” says John. “We will be evaluating 11 new and very diverse farmer clusters over five years. The approach will be different at each site, adjusted to the needs of the area and the aims of the farmer groups, but support is available from scientists and advisors, with financial backing coming through government Agri-Environment Schemes and other funds.”

Research has shown that healthy biodiversity is essential for sustainable agriculture and long-term food security. In recent decades management for short-term economic returns has taken priority in commercial farming over management for the environment. Current mechanisms for encouraging farmers to farm with biodiversity in mind are often inefficient and generic. Monitoring has also been sporadic and not standardised across, or even within, different countries.

More information on the FRAMEwork project is available at https://www.framework-biodiversity. eu/

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Focusing on farm soils

By Zach Reilly, Agricultural Consultant, SAC Consulting

Investigating your soils using a spade is a crucial management practice, pictured is a healthy soil with a friable texture from one of the farms participating in the Soil Regenerative Agriculture Group

From broadcast application of cover crops pre harvest, to assessing soil biological activity, five farmers in the North East of Scotland have been working together to explore soil regenerative techniques, and how focusing on farm soils can become part of their routine business practice.

Managing compaction can be a large issue on arable farms. One of the ways that soil structure can be protected is by using flexion tyres. The carcase of these tyres flex, causing the machinery to have a larger contact area with the soil, reducing ground pressure. Very High Flexion tyres or VF tyres, can reduce ground pressure by up to 40%, meaning that a larger weight can be carried or that a lower ground pressure can be achieved compared to standard tyres.

As a rule of thumb, a high weight with a low pressure creates a small problem deep down, whereas a low weight with a high pressure creates a large problem near

the surface. A target ground pressure of less than 10 psi should be aimed for, to ensure minimal crop loss. This is due to the fact many roots can survive when exposed to a pressure between 7 and 9 psi.

James Hopkinson at Cloud Farming has been using VF tyres for a number of years and says: “Using flexible tyres allows us to look after our soils, we have found that alongside our reduced tillage regime, these tyres have improved water and root movement within the soil and the pore space is much better within the soil profile”.

This problem is put into perspective when the area of field driven on for the production of one crop is calculated. For example, sowing a field can cause up to 85% of the field to be driven on depending on implement width and tyre size. When you consider the whole crop production cycle, from primary cultivation to harvest many parts of the field can be driven on several times.

For more on-farm efficiency ideas, and to keep up with the farmers in the Soil Regenerative Agriculture Group, visit www.farmingforabetterclimate.org 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

FARM SAFETY

Don’t risk it: keeping farm buildings safe and secure James Cuthbertson, rural insurance expert at Lycetts Edinburgh office and an arable farmer for 16 years, looks at the common risks associated with farm buildings, including fire and theft, and outlines how farmers can minimise chances of such events occurring.

Agricultural buildings play a fundamental role in farming operations, providing vital storage, shelter and security, so when these buildings are compromised, the impact can be profound.

The housing of expensive equipment, livestock and flammable goods, such as hay and fuel, means that farm buildings are at a particularly high risk of fire and theft.

The fact that these buildings are often timber-framed, isolated and lacking in robust security measures further compounds the risk.

Farmers already face a myriad of challenges, from subsidy withdrawal to the effects of climate change, so managing the risks that can be controlled is paramount.

Don’t light the spark Fire can have a devastating impact on farming businesses, resulting in loss of machinery, hay and straw stores, livestock and buildings.

A serious fire on a farm can threaten the financial stability of even the well-run business and farmers may struggle to recover from a blaze.

According to The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), there are more than 1,000 fires in agricultural buildings each year, many of which are preventable.

When it comes to why fires start in buildings, the reasons are many. Some fires are accidental, whilst others are deliberately started.

Whatever the root cause, farmers should aim to mitigate the

fire risks and deter arson attacks with improved security.

An abundance of combustible materials, the practice of ‘hot’ work, the risk of electrical faults in buildings and overheating machinery are just some of the fire risks farmers face daily.

The hot weather that has become the norm in recent summers accelerates this risk, with the contents of farm buildings in summer liable to dry out quickly and catch fire more easily.

Hay and straw bales are obviously a prime fire risk and care should be taken to reduce the likelihood of a fire starting.

Measures include keeping stacks separate from other buildings, particularly those housing fuels, agrochemicals, machinery and livestock.

It is also important to check if there is a stack limit on your insurance policy and if the limit is defined by value rather than volume.

If, for example, a stack with £60,000 worth of hay catches fire, there is a strong chance it exceeds the limit. Often there are distance limits written into policies too, which is usually 20 metres, but this can vary.

Unfortunately, due to their rural location, relative inaccessibility and often woodbased structure, when a fire does start in a farm building, the fire can be violent – and fast paced, even in modern steel portal frame buildings.

We know of one farmer who lost thousands after an inferno on his Scottish farm.

An electrical fault in a forklift sparked the blaze in a barn, which was also housing round bales and a recently restored John Deere 2140 tractor. Despite efforts to put the fire out, it quickly ravaged the entire building, destroying all of the contents. Although the farmer had a farm combined policy, he lost a significant amount on the value of the burnt-out vehicles and also lost out on recovering the cost of the hay and straw, due to gaps in cover.

It is expensive to replace produce which is needed to feed

livestock through the winter – and indeed valuable machinery – so ensure sufficient insurance is in place for this eventuality.

Take into consideration older tractors and machinery which, with a weaker pound, may now cost much more to replace than the sum insured stated on the schedule of insurance cover.

Fuel is also an accelerant, so it is imperative that petrol, diesel and other fuels are stored in secure areas and that storage tank outlets are padlocked.

James Cuthbertson

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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FARM SAFETY Arson is always a threat, but some security measures will help reduce risk, such as keeping buildings locked up, securing and maintaining perimeters, and installing security lights. Don’t forget temporary stacks in fields at harvest time, especially if farming on the urban fringe.

Also, remember not to overlook basic risk management.

The outbreak of a fire can cause panic, so ensure you have a fire action plan, which all farm workers are aware of and include an evacuation plan for family, workers and livestock. Make entrances to fields easily accessible for fire engines and ensure fire departments are aware of sources of water on the land.

Unfortunately, a lack of adequate fire extinguishers is a common issue on farms so take the time to invest in firefighting equipment. Check all firefighting equipment is in working order on a regular basis.

Finally, remember that good fire practice can result in lower insurance premiums – an additional incentive for keeping the risk of fire at the forefront of your mind.

Keeping thieves at bay Winter is an attractive time for thieves, as the darker nights offer the perfect cover under which to operate.

Farm buildings are a key target for thieves, due to their rural and isolated location, and the offer of expensive and in-demand agricultural machinery.

Police forces have reported a spike in rural crime since the

outbreak of the pandemic, with ATVs a key target, so it is even more critical that farmers have robust security measures in place and take the time to protect their buildings and boundaries.

Keep machinery and vehicles, such as 4x4s and ATVs, in securely locked sheds and consider installing security cameras, alarms, light sensors and security signage.

Immobilise farm machinery, where possible, ensuring that nothing is on display in the cab and always keep the keys in a secure location.

Where possible, GPS kits should be removed when not in use. To be extra cautious, farmers can fit tracker devices to vehicles and get machinery security marked. Trackers do not have to be hardwired into the machine electrics now and they have come down quite significantly in price in the last five years.

Forensic coding systems provide irrefutable, traceable evidence of ownership and has been proven by the police to be a powerful deterrent to thieves.

Criminals have also been known to target large quantities of fertiliser and other valuable chemicals, as well as equipment, such as generators and hand-tools.

These products are more easily transportable, so consider erecting a separate locked area within the secured shed to store these items when not in use, and security mark each one.

Diesel is a valuable commodity so ensure that tractors are locked up at night, to prevent thieves siphoning fuel, and consider fitting fuel bowsers with wheel clamps or hitch locks.

Shed on fire

Additional security measures include making sure that perimeters are well maintained, restricting access to the yard with locked gates and security barriers and erecting warning signs.

Motion-activated flood lights with hidden cameras are particularly useful. Dedicated camera systems are easily recognisable and circumvented by organised thieves.

Dogs and geese can give effective early warning of intruders

Farm buildings are an attractive target for thieves

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but guard dogs must not be allowed to roam freely.

Finally, consider becoming part of Farm, Country and Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Criminals generally target isolated areas, so these networks become a valuable asset in the collective fight against rural crime.

For more information on insurance for your farm, contact James at james.cuthbertson@ lycetts.co.uk or call 07825 411712.

TRACTORS

Tractors for 2021 A look at some of the models available for the coming year

New Quadtrac & Steiger AFS Connect™ Series AFS Connect™ technology will now be rolled out onto new Quadtrac and Steiger series tractors for the 2021 season, with specific features for the European market including similar cab comfort and control upgrades to those introduced initially on the Magnum AFS Connect last year.

AFS Connect™ enables secure two-way data transfer between the machine and the farm manager to allow them to manage their field operation, fleet information, agronomic data and more with precision - all in real time - from their office or mobile device. Case IH has also

announced a number of intercompany agreements designed

to simplify connectivity in mixed brand fleets.

AXION 900 Stage V from Class with CEMOS and CTIC Tractive power, efficiency and comfort - the AXION 900 large tractor series from CLAAS has been known for these three core attributes since its launch in 2011. Compliant with the Stage V exhaust emission standard, it now also combines CEMOS - the first interactive assistance system and the leader in this field

- with the factory-fitted CTIC tyre pressure control system.

Power and intelligence are thus combined at the highest level.

The Stage V models of the AXION 900 and AXION 900 TERRA TRAC use the proven 8.7-litre Cursor 9 sixcylinder engine from FPT. Emission control is handled by

a SCRoF system with AdBlue injection and enlarged filter and reaction surfaces. Exhaust gas recirculation is still not necessary. At 1,800 rpm, the power unit delivers a maximum of 325 to 445 hp, depending on the model. With the proven CLAAS low-speed concept, the peak torque of 1,600 to 1,860 Nm is already available at just 1,400 rpm. As there is no boost system, full power is available for every task, if required. The reliable and efficient CMATIC continuously variable transmission also ensures that the full torque can be called up at all speeds - from 0.05 to 50 km/h. Four automatically selected mechanical ranges allow high overall efficiency to be achieved. The top speed of 50 or 40 km/h can be reached with diesel-saving 1,470 to 1,400

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rpm. The idling speed is a low 650 rpm. The driver can choose from three virtual ranges for the task in hand.

The AXION 900 series has been able to operate with wheels up to 44 inches on the rear axle since 2017. Together with the long wheelbase of 3.15 m, this has always resulted in excellent power transmission to the ground. The front and rear axles are approved for operation with twin wheels as standard.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 113

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TRACTORS

2020, the year that brought Farmtrac to the farming world’s attention Tractors are a statement piece of kit in the farming industry due to their multi-functional capabilities, and 2020 brought a new option to the market for those who need a cutting-edge and cost-effective tractor.

Having reliable and economic tractors in the shed is vital, now more than ever, considering the unprecedented circumstances the farming community finds itself in. With British farms seeing more demand and increased pressure on the supply chain to food stores across the country, meeting that demand is a top priority. Something a productive and efficient tractor could help to do.

Farmtrac’s comprehensive and innovative nine-strong smart-looking 22-113hp range

offers a powerful, productive and versatile solution for a wide range of jobs, from ploughing, seeding and fertilising, to cultivating, harvesting and transporting.

The range includes the industry-first all-electric tractor, the FT25G featuring lithium-ion battery, bringing with it no more emissions and no more pollution.

The 72V lithium-ion battery powers a 18kW electric motor and is charged from a domestic socket from 0 to 100 percent in eight hours and able to run for up to seven hours.

Whichever model you opt for from the Farmtrac range, a robust warranty from UK distributor Reesink Agriculture supports them all, giving customers significant peace of mind.

Fendt Vario models ready to go a power boost called ‘Dynamic Performance’ which releases an additional ten horsepower on demand. The fourth generation 300 series is available with four power outputs ranging from 113 horsepower to 142

Fendt has begun to unleash its new range of tractors in the UK. The new and latest 200, 300 and 700 Vario models were launched during 2020 and will be fully available in 2021.

“The 200 Vario has been completely redesigned and shares many of the features with our larger machines, including the new FendtONE operating concept. This makes it an affordable way to become a Fendt 38

user, and benefit from all the rich features we have developed for the range,” says Fendt sales engineer, Peter Henson.

There are five models in the 200 range: the 207, 208, 209, 210 and top of the range 211. Power outputs start at 79 horsepower and extend to 124 horsepower.

All models are available as Power, Profi and Profi+ with AGCO’s three-cylinder 3.3 litre engine. The 211 benefits from

horsepower, whilst the 700 series has six models offering 144 to 237 horsepower. All new models are available with the New FendtOne interface which connects the tractors to a new Fendt farm management system.

John Deere 6M Series tractors go stepless Following their introduction at Agritechnica 2019, John Deere has announced several major updates to the 6M Series tractors.

The four-cylinder models are now available with the proven AutoPowr transmission plus a brand new and unique guidance solution, AutoTrac on Corner Post Display, as well as a number of other new options.

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Thanks to the sloping bonnet design combined with the corner post display, the four short-frame 6M models offer unobstructed visibility to the front. By adopting the popular 6430 Premium tractor wheelbase of 2400mm, they also deliver excellent manoeuvrability, with a tight turning radius of 4.35m.

Despite their compact size, the maximum permissible gross

TRACTORS

The 6H Series from Landini

weight of 10.45 tonnes on these models leads to an unmatched vehicle payload of up to 4.7 tonnes.

In addition to the 6M range’s existing gearbox options, the availability of AutoPowr now offers customers the largest choice of transmissions in

this tractor segment. Together with the full Auto mode and its automatic engine/transmission management, AutoClutch enables the operator to stop the tractor by simply using the brake pedal, which makes a huge difference when carrying out a lot of shuttle work for example.

Landini 6H Series is the symbol of versatility. With the ability to be customised to meet specific requirements, it is able to carry out a variety of work on the farm. The range is equipped

with Deutz 3.6-litre Tier 4 Final engines and includes the models 6-115H, 6-125H and 6-135H with maximum respective powers of 110hp, 119hp and 126hp

D-K-R

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD. Main Dealers for JOHN DEERE Tractors

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

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TRACTORS

New Holland Agriculture widens extensive T6 tractor ranges New Holland Agriculture has extended its acclaimed allpurpose T6 tractor range with a new 6-cylinder model, the T6.160 Dynamic CommandTM. This unique tractor combines the high performance of the proven NEF 6-cylinder engine with New Holland’s exclusive Dual Clutch and CVT technology to deliver high efficiency and productivity.

This comes in a compact package with a 2.6-metre wheelbase and 10.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight.

Benjamin Davies, T6 Series Global Product Marketing Manager, explains: “New Holland has a proud legacy in this segment that started more than 30 years ago, when we launched the first compact 6-cylinder tractor on

the market, the 7810. It was a true game changer, and the new T6.160 Dynamic Command builds on this rich heritage to offer farmers a compact low power Stage V 6-cylinder tractor with embedded technology for operator efficiency.”

The T6 range now offers two six-cylinder models with Dynamic Command: the existing 145-hp T6.180 and the new 135-hp T6.160 – the only compact 6-cylinder tractor on the market with rated power below 140 hp.

Christel Diebolt, Product Marketing Manager, Europe, adds: “The T6.160 Dynamic Command delivers all the benefits of the exclusive Dual Clutch technology, which made

Agricultural Merchants Main dealers for CASE tractors

its debut in motorsports in 1980, winning races thanks to the fastest gear changes on the track.

Customers will enjoy a full drive without loss of torque during the

gear change at the lowest fuel consumption rate.”

The T6.160 Dynamic Command will be available in the second half of 2021.

New JCB Fastrac 4000 series tractors with added productivity

Visit our website for new and used tractor & machinery stock lists and older model/refurb parts lists

www.jandwtaitltd.co.uk Sparrowhawk Road, Hatston Industrial Estate Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1GE

Tel: 01856 873003 / 872490 Email: info@jandwtaitltd.co.uk

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A refreshed range of JCB Fastrac 4000 Series tractors has been introduced with uprated axles for increased payloads and

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durability, along with new tyre options and a locking front axle differential for increased traction in the field.

TRACTORS The upgrades also include a factory-fitted precision guidance option and engines with an auto shut-down feature and extended service intervals that help further reduce total cost of ownership.

John Smith, Managing Director, JCB Agriculture said: “Fastrac 4000 Series tractors continue to win over new owners and operators with their unique combination of speed, comfort, road safety, field traction and four-wheel steer manoeuvrability – all of which contribute to increased productivity.”

Maximum power and torque outputs are unchanged at 175hp, 208hp and 235hp but running costs are reduced thanks to the new Auto-Stop feature, which eliminates unnecessary fuel use by shutting down the engine after a period at idling speed, and engine oil and filter service intervals extended from 500 hours to 600 hours.

Kubota (UK) introduces third generation M7 tractors Kubota (UK) Ltd has opened its order books for the M7003 tractor series. Now in its third generation, the latest M7 models meet EU Stage V emission regulations, and combine further refinements with enhanced functionality, and greater operator convenience.

New features across the range include Xpress restart, Multispeed steering, advanced LED lighting package and Tractor Implement Management (TIM), plus a greater range of optional extras.

The three-model range – M7133, M7153 and M7173 produces 130hp, 150hp and 170hp respectively from a 6.1-litre four-cylinder engine.

A 20hp boost is available on

the two lower powered models, with a 5hp boost for the flagship M7173.

Transmission options continue to include the stepless KVT and a powershift gearbox that uses six powershift speeds in five synchronised ranges.

The powershift transmission now benefits from additional

functionality, with the development of Xpress restart.

Activated by a switch, Xpress restart provides a braketo-stop function, which avoids the need to depress the clutch pedal to stop the tractor. This feature suits repetitive start-stop tasks such as round baling, and loader work.

WILKS BROTHERS Main dealers in Perthshire for DEUTZ FAHR Tractors

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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TRACTORS

McCormick X7.624 VT-Drive Stage V

With an increase in engine power to 240hp, this tractor represents the highest performance of the X7.6 VT-Drive Series which is characterised by a general increase in power starting from 180hp. Equipped with a 6-cylinder, 24-valve 6.7-litre Beta Power Fuel Efficiency

engine, the McCormick X7.624 delivers a maximum torque of 983 Nm at 1,400 rpm with the Power Plus system that guarantees maximum power and performance combined with fuel savings, lower tractor wear and a generous36% torque reserve.

THE NEW 8280 TTV from Deutz-Fahr The new 8280 TTV, made in the DEUTZ-FAHR Land in Lauingen, Germany, represents the most advanced technology “Made in Germany”.

Designed and developed for the most demanding farming applications, the new machine completes the high power range of the German manufacturer, concentrating on the new technologies at the farmer’s service: dynamic power, connectivity, comfort and reliability - the guidelines to engineer this project.

This innovative new tractor boasts a whole spectrum 42

Driving impression from Massey Ferguson

Massey Ferguson gave the MF 5711 M Dyna-4 to a farmer local to Naas, Co. Kildare to trial on the familyrun livestock farm and really put it through its paces earlier this month.

The business needed a tractor that has easy access to the cab, is comfortable and easy to maintain.

Currently the farm runs, amongst others, an MF 5713 S. The MF 5711 M is a smaller tractor than what would normally be used on the farm but “pocketrocket” style machinery is seeing a resurgence and the old adage “less is more” can definitely be applied to this tractor series.

of unique new content and capabilities that set it apart from any other tractor in this class, along with unrivalled performance figures.

The 8280 TTV is equipped with the 6.1 litre twin-turbo DEUTZ 6-cylinder engine stage V with a maximum power up to 287 HP and delivers impressive 1226 Nm of torque.

It is designed to offer great performance and a high level of efficiency: twin-turbo and CommonRail system at 2,000 bar ensures more immediate and responsive power and torque delivery. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

The MF 5700 M series boasts an AGCO Power Stage V “all-inone” system, 4-cylinder engine from 95 - 135hp. Everything has been designed to fit compactly under the bonnet so there’s no loss of visibility. The M series comes with a choice of 12x12 with brake-to-neutral or Dyna-4 transmissions.

Performance wise, it was impressive. Pulling 17 bales on a trailer on a 26-mile round trip with complete ease. The tractor set a smooth pace at 28mph and had no problems lugging the heavy load.

TRACTORS

Experience the new generation with the new Valtra G Series tractor The new Valtra G Series brings together compact dimensions and a lightweight, agile design.

It is the first in the 5th generation of Valtra tractors and at the same time a brand-new model series that fits between the popular A and N Series. It is also the first tractor in the 100–145hp range to offer SmartTouch controls as well as full precision farming capabilities. As a result, the popular SmartTouch armrest is now available on all Valtra tractors in the 100–400hp range.

Valtra Connect telemetry is also standard on Versu models of the G Series, while powerful loadsensing hydraulics are standard on Active and Versu models.

Valtra’s aftersales Connect, Care

and Go services make using the tractor predictable and carefree.

The G Series has been designed to be the ideal tractor for front-loader tasks. It offers excellent visibility, good weight distribution, front-loader that is integrated with the chassis, a hydraulics assistant that automatically increases the engine speed, and the Live 3 feature, which enables the simultaneous use of up to three different front-loader functions.

To find out more information on the G Series and to arrange a demo please contact your local Valtra dealer or visit h t t p s : / / w w w. v a l t r a . c o . u k / products/gseries.html for more information

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Made in Scotland Scotland is blessed with its fair share of the world’s best produce when it comes to natural heritage foods indigenous to our climate. We benefit, by enlarge, from steady rainfall and reasonable sunshine, the Gulf Stream and maritime breezes. Sure we have midges and haar but who has beef, lamb, shellfish, berries and game like us? Our dairy farmers are diversifying into high quality ice creams, cheeses and yoghurts and we have Scottish heritage grains grown commercially for the first time in over a century!

Indeed over fifty Scottish foods have been officially recognised as among the world’s valued heritage foods on Slow Food’s International website.

With such fabulous and intrinsically Scottish foods, past, present and future, this regular feature will focus on Scotland’s natural bounty and the folk who have used their ingenuity, passion and business acumen to use the produce in their own imitable ways.

Out of the Briny, into the Bowl: the Story of Scottish Sea Salt

By Wendy Barrie Scottish Thistle Award Regional Ambassador (2018/19) for Central, Tayside & Fife Director of Scottish Food Guide Many of us will have experienced trying, unsuccessfully, to pay a London taxi in Scottish pound notes – perhaps we should have tried salt? After all it was sometimes used as payment for Roman troops - whether they ever hired a chariot with salt we may never know but it’s certainly where the word salary comes from!

Salt serves us well in so many ways: invaluable for all our lives as a nutrient maintaining our fluid levels, a preservative, cleanser, flavour enhancer and seasoning every other

Sky Sea Salt

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dish we consume. In Scotland, and countries across the globe, salt was critical for food preservation to ensure our forefathers’ survival over the winter months: salting herring, cod and ling, in addition to the brining that took place prior to smoking meats, fish and even cheese.

Along the Firth of Forth we are reminded of the once-thriving salt industry with names like Limekilns and Prestonpans. The industry extended northwards to the islands, south to the Solway

estuary and west on the Clyde.

Although evidence exists of salt production many centuries earlier, it reached its heyday in the 17th and 18th centuries when Fife salt was even exported extensively to Netherlands, England, Germany and Norway. Almost all were essentially an offshoot of the long-gone coal mining industry, with peat used in the northern isles. Either way, a cheap heat source was essential.

Salt production also supported other trades, from the construction of saltpans and carts to essential repair work. Communities prospered and families settled. It would have been a dirty back-breaking job to keep the pans boiling, burning many tons of coal.

St Monans in Fife is fascinating as a reminder of our ancient salt production heritage. Its windmill is a striking local landmark and a trip

East Neuk Salt Co. logo

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to Google Earth will open your eyes to the landscape by the windmill with the remains of saltworks by the shore. Wind power would pump up the estuary water and a wagon brought along coal to heat up the pans. St Monans was a significant producer although its peak was short-lived as demand increased for imported salt. Even in those days Scotland was bombarded by cheap imports!

Darren and Mhairi Peattie have been hitting the headlines, bringing salt home to the East Neuk and are scheduled to start production early 2021 using the vacuum evaporation process. When out walking by the saltpans, Darren announced they were going to start East Neuk Salt Co and ran a successful crowdfunding campaign to do just that!

They wanted their young family to grow up by the sea, to run a family business, contribute to the local community, and restore St Monans’ long association with sea salt. Well aware from personal experience that many young people must leave the coastal villages in search of work, he is keen to provide local employment.

Their vision is a substantial modern commercial salt operation alongside a heritage company running an education centre and visitor attraction. St Andrews University are collaborating: testing

the water - with excellent results and establishing a zero-waste ethos.

It will be fascinating to savour a Fife sea salt once again after almost 200 years!

From the newest to the first pioneer, Chris Watts is the mastermind behind Isle of Skye Sea Salt. After impressive careers in sustainable development projects across the world, Chris and his wife Meena decided to buy a rural getaway and in no time Skye worked its magic and they decided to settle. Building their eco-home, thoughts turned to making a living on the isle: a sustainable venture their driving force from day one, environmental and pure. Together with local partners, Nanette and Robert Muir, they were producing salt by 2013 and soon won multiple awards, producing salt entirely by solar evaporation. From processing to packaging, everything has been carefully and environmentally considered.

Slow food in every sense, the pure sea loch water is drawn straight from Loch Snizort and piped into three polytunnels. Salt is gently revealed as the sun’s rays evaporate the water and natural humidity controls extract the moisture as it rises. When hot and sunny, salt crystals will form in around eight days but at can take much longer.

They may well be pioneers but evidence of salt production on Skye can be traced back centuries, in all likelihood using peat as the heat

Sky Salt tunnel

source. These days that would not be approved of, yet that history, the excellence of the product and the environmental nature of its production resulted in it receiving international Slow Food Ark of Taste status.

Isle of Skye Sea Salt has a distinctive flavour of the sea – a real zing and sparkle on the palate with beneficial trace minerals from the sea loch, appreciated by local cooks and Michelin starred chefs alike. The Muirs retired from the partnership in August 2020 but the Watts have more in the pipeline with their salt featuring in gourmet chocolate, artisan butter and more to follow.

Traveling doon the watter, you will see Arran in the distance and may be surprised to now glimpse a majestic structure looking out to sea. It is Scotland’s only graduation thorn tower, positioned at Ayr, on the appropriately named Saltpans Road, home of Blackthorn Sea Salt and within metres of at least eight historical sites of salt production.

Gregorie Marshall of all people should know his salt as his family has been in the trade for over a century and he is the fifth generation. Fascinated by the imposing towers of Poland and Germany, he decided, with his wife Whirly, to follow their dream and research this fascinating method of salt production. Unable to find someone who had actually built such a tower, they collaborated with

an enthusiastic group of craftsmen and the result is fantastic.

To build his tower, Gregorie first placed a call to action in the papers for blackthorn, also known as sloe. You need thick gloves before you approach these spiky bushes yet it is those very thorns, boosting the surface area, that allow the salinity to naturally increase as the 100% pure west coast sea water trickles downwards. They received calls, cleared bushes from several farms in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway and brought lorry-loads back to Ayr. It looked impressive but it barely scratched the surface of the task ahead, to pack their tower with branches! Plan B was required so additional supplies were imported from Poland. Back in Scotland there are plans afoot to encourage blackthorn hedging as an environmental project in readiness for replacements in due course!

Ascending the tower is simultaneously awesome and calming: the constant gentle sound and the strong wooden beams are reassuring and powerful. Food production using the elements! The water descends, the offshore sea

wind breezes through until only an intense briny liquid is left to collect at its base. A brief time in the panhouse to finish the job and the result is delicious sparkling sea salt: beautiful flakes with a wonderful sense of terroir. The crystals even have a tiny hint of golden hue from passing through the branches, trickling peacefully over the thorns and down the tower. Beside the wall-of-thorns sits a restored vintage passenger coach – Blackthorn HQ – where we sat by the log stove and talked of Sabbath salt, the larger crystals that form when salt is left to evaporate more slowly – originally over the Sabbath when keeping saltpans going was banned by the kirk.

As more Scots appreciate the unique qualities of our artisan sea salts, they no longer keep them for finishing but use them in cooking too. It is fantastic that our three 100% Scots sea salts are so fascinating and diverse, each with a story to tell and a missionary zeal. https://www.isleofskyeseasalt.co.uk https://www.blackthornsalt.co.uk https://en-gb.facebook.com/pg/ EastNeukSalt/posts/

Blackthorn salt bowl

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farming diversification

Get Fit on the Farm this Year

By Janice Hopper

Keep your 2021 New Year’s Resolutions by joining a Fit Farm. Two rural entrepreneurs reveal how they branched out into exercise.

FIT BODY FARM Farmer’s son Gavin Hogarth set up Fit Body Farm at Wheatrig Farm in Kilmaurs, Ayrshire in 2011. It currently offers three core exercise regimes: the Fit Body Farm Programme that helps people lose weight, get fitter and feel better; Fit Body Club, which takes things to the next level; and the farm obstacle course that offers everything from outdoor family fun to serious training for obstacle races such as Tough Mudder and the Spartan Races.

Gavin originally left life on the farm to study Sports Studies at the University of Stirling. After graduating and spending a year travelling the world, he started a local jogging club, then worked in a Kilmarnock gym, before setting up his own fitness business on his parents’ farm.

“It started out very raw’, says Gavin. ’Morning circuit training at 6am in my parents’ garden, taking

Fit Farm Obstacles

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cover in the barn in bad weather.

The barn backed onto the milking parlour so customers experienced all the noises and smells of the farm.

My clients enjoyed the experience so I simply developed things from there - creating a weight loss and fitness programme, and converting old bull pens into a modern group fitness facility.”

Gavin’s passion project is the obstacle course that started life in 2016 with a few objects, and now boasts forty outdoor obstacles and fifteen indoor pieces of apparatus.

“I personally compete, recently winning bronze at the Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships in 2019, and I'm the first officially qualified Obstacle Course Coach in Scotland,’ says Gavin. ‘I’m always reinvesting in new kit. I welcome kids aged from five upwards having fun with their parents, to grown adults pushing themselves

to the limits. It’s so rewarding. The main challenge was creating an obstacle course that worked with the landscape and didn’t block the farm’s view over to Arran.

The business site is my parents’ home so it’s important to consider noise levels, parking practicalities, people coming and going, and the impact that had.”

Gavin also has to be sure to invest in the right insurance, indemnity forms, and keep across the latest fitness and nutritional trends, but it’s worth it.

“The customers love the countryside; the private, discreet location,’ says Gavin. ‘Many of them say they find it less intimidating and more exhilarating than a gym, or bootcamp in a city park. I must admit the farm grounds are stunning and pretty immaculate, my dad keeps it all beautifully. My clients run past fields with cows in them, and I’ve

Fit Farm training

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also incorporated farm equipment into the experience. We throw spears into bales of hay, do log flips, bucket carries, we jump over tractor and dumper-truck tyres, and climb over and under logs traversing the burn. It’s full on down on the farm.”

Admittedly, Covid hit Gavin’s business harder than expected.

“We did much of the training programme online, but it felt like a long time before we could get groups of people back on the farm, even training outdoors. 2020’s race season was kiboshed, but I was proud that we still managed to host the UK OCR Time Trial Finals on the farm. Instead of competitors meeting in one site, 23 venues around the UK were selected to host time trials, and Wheatrig farm hosted the UK Northern Finals trials. The show must go on!” fitbodyfarm.com

farming diversification GOAT PILATES - We’re Not Kidding A Fife farm has taken rural exercise one step further by incorporating livestock into the classes. Meet the pygmy goats of Bellcraig Farm near Leslie.

Farmer, Dr Holly PatrickThomson works with pilates instructor Jo Munro to create an exercise class with a difference.

“I grew up on a Perthshire sheep farm, and my husband and I bought our own farm in 2017, rearing pedigree Suffolks,’ says Holly. ‘We got two pygmy goats as pets in 2018, and a further two in 2019. I’d heard about ‘goat yoga’ in the States and was intrigued. Jo Munro was a friend of a friend and a pilates instructor, so we started talking about goat pilates, and then made it a reality.”

Holly converted the farm’s original 1700s farmhouse, with its traditional sloping floor and stove, into a cosy indoor space to host the classes. As customers exercise the goats clamber, explore and frolic.

“They love to climb and jump and their little hooves provide a nice massage for your back and much hilarity when they jump on you,’ says Holly. ‘Exercising with animals promotes feelings of happiness and the release of ‘happy’ hormones such as oxytocin and serotonin. It’s all about increasing relaxation, lowering anxiety and blood pressure, plus clients get all the exercise benefits of pilates.”

As goat pilates was such a novel offering it received instant attention from the media.

“The BBC approached us and filmed our second ever class,’ says Holly. ‘Social media views went through the roof and bookings went mad. The goats have even been visited by the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ team.

It’s been fantastic but quite a whirlwind.”

Again, the key issues to consider when establishing a

business like this are health and safety, the relevant risk assessments, insurances and fitness/instructor qualifications, but also the staffing required to manage the classes.

“We run consecutive classes, so we have Jo as the instructor with one other person assisting with the goats inside the class, we then had one further person front of house, welcoming pupils, keeping an eye on parking and answering queries’ says Holly. ‘We also realised that a lot of our customers were somewhat relieved that our goats were pets rather than meat goats destined for slaughter, so that’s worth bearing in mind as well.”

Holly also required a ‘Performing Animals’ licence from the local council. The assessment they received looked into the health and wellbeing of the animals, their living quarters, what the animals were expected to do, and assessed/minimised zoonotic

risks. When Covid hit the classes were temporarily suspended goats aren’t renowned for social distancing!

‘We’re doing what’s right for now. The classes absolutely will

be back as soon as we feel it’s safe to get going again, so we advise people to get the latest update from our website pilatesattic.co.uk/ pygmy-goat-pilates. It’s such a fun and novel way to keep fit.”

Goat pilates!!!

Pre-Covid indoor exercise at the Fit Farm

Janice Hopper is a freelance writer based in Aberdeen who’s written features, copy and social media text for a range of publications and clients. Her Scottish family travel blog, Scots2Travel.com, covers child-friendly short breaks, attractions and activities. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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New industry takes root in Scotland Have you ever thought about where the flowers you buy in the supermarket come from? Ninety per cent of cut flowers sold in Britain are imported, grown in Africa mostly and shipped to Holland, then the UK. Yet have you noticed how well the flowers grow outside your house? It’s perfectly possible to grow flowers commercially here in Scotland, and now a group of growers and horticulture industry members is

getting together to promote what this little-known sector has to offer.

“Unless you’re driving up the A90 in April or May and notice the yellow fields, most people in Scotland are not aware that we grow daffodils,” says Mark Clark of farmer co-op Grampian Growers. Yet Grampian Growers unites 12 farms, with 1200 acres of daffodils between them, in Perthshire, Angus and South Aberdeenshire.

Dahlias in November at NJ McWilliam & Co

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Clark is working with eight other growers from elsewhere in Scotland in a Soil Association Scotland-led Rural Innovation Support Service (RISS) group, facilitated by Amanda Brown and Helen Glass of Scotland’s Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS). Through Clark the RISS members are linked to a horticulture industry group set up to increase knowledge of the sector amongst policy makers, working with Rural Affairs minister Mairi Gougeon.

“With Covid and with Brexit it’s all about the short supply chains and bringing people together,” says Clark. “Along with others in the RISS group I am passionate about flowers and bulbs, but as an industry it’s very much unknown

Flourish Ayrshire flowers with Karah

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– there is no association, no representative body.

“There is little data on the cut flower sector in Scotland, but the big florists say there’s not enough local supply for weddings and events, even during Covid, and they’re desperate to source locally. That supply chain doesn’t really exist yet.”

Microgrower and RISS group member Arianne Knowles, who runs Flourish Ayrshire from her 14-acre smallholding Roadinghead, near Cumnock, agrees. “Through selling at a local farm shop I’ve met a local florist who wants to reduce flower miles and loves the idea of sourcing close by,” she says.

“There’s a tale of old that somehow British flowers are

to wholesale or retail,” he says, “it requires temperature control, but if we do it through a transport hub we reduce costs. Same with labour.”

“There’s a story to be told about our produce that links up with the story about food and

drink in Scotland,” says Arianne Knowles. “Through the RISS group I’ve met a sheep farmer who’s wanting to diversify into flowers, for example. It fits in with what we should be doing – localising, and becoming more sustainable.”

Courtesy of Katie-Lee Arrowsmith

Covid means we don’t know what the future holds. Our sector is dependent on labour, for instance, and it’s really important we work together.”

It’s also about economies of scale, says Clark. “It’s expensive for small producers to transport

Mark Clark of Grampian Growers with Baxter

Courtesy of Kym McWilliam

wildflowers that wither quickly, but actually they have an excellent vase life. The imported ones you buy only last because they’re treated with a load of chemicals.”

“The climate in Scotland is actually conducive to growing flowers,” says Clark. “We have high quality soil, with fewer pests and less disease. Pests love warm and wet and we’re certainly not warm! So we need a third of the fungicide they might need in Cornwall, for example.”

RISS group member Kym McWilliam, of 500- hectare arable farm NJ McWilliam and Co at Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, was unable to sell her daffodil crop to Scottish supermarkets this year, because the late Easter meant their cold stores were already full of cheaper, English flowers. “It’s a thorn in my side,” she says, “because fresh flowers are 100 times better. Once they’ve been in a cold store for a month their vase life is much shorter and they look hellish, actually.”

She joined the RISS group because she wants a voice for commercial growers in Scotland.

“People don’t believe me when I say I’m one of ten large-scale flower growers in Scotland – they don’t think flowers are grown in Scotland, but I think the UK flower industry still has lot to give.”

She is experimenting with commercial peony growing, which is going well so far, and has given over a field for ‘Pick your Own’, which allows her to experiment further with varieties.

“We always admired my grandmother’s peonies growing outside the kitchen window and then I thought, if they can grow in the garden, why not the field?

We have beautiful dahlias still in the field now in November here in Aberdeenshire, but we’re importing roses from South Africa.

“Our flowers are grown not flown. You have to think about the carbon footprint. If we can chip away at the imported figure, so that even a quarter of flowers are grown in the UK, that would be something big. Brexit and

Kym McWilliam

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technology Quicke goes digital with launch of their Virtual Show

It’s been a strange year for agriculture, the world in lockdown, and yet business continues for many in a different way.

For the guys at ALO UK, they were not able to meet with friends, dealers and customers in person, meaning that they were unable to share the advances and developments which had been made across the Quicke range at the usual agricultural shows, in the yard or on the farm.

Not wanting customers to miss out on the ability to experience the products all together in a show environment the team at Quicke went Virtual.

Working from their Scottish distribution site, the team set up their stand to showcase the Quicke range of loaders and implements.

Filming team introductions and product walkarounds the team have launched their first Virtual Show.

Available to access free of charge Steve Hewitt, General Manager, introduces you to the UK team who will talk you through the range of marketleading loaders and implements for all sizes of farm.

Steve and the team look forward to welcoming you at www.quickehub.co.uk.

EU Settlement Scheme Deadline Approaching All EU/EEA or Swiss citizens who are currently living and working in the UK and wish to continue doing so must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. It is vital that EU nationals working on farms and rural businesses submit an application for themselves and their family in order to secure their status going forward. The Scheme is open for applications currently and those who are already in the UK are encouraged to apply now. EU Nationals and their families can continue to enter the UK up until the 31 December 2020 and the scheme will close for applications on 30 June 2021.

The European Economic Area (EEA) includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

The scheme is free to apply to and includes a 3-step application process.

The documents needed are as follows: s 0ROOF OF IDENTITY PASSPORT

or national identity card) s 0ROOF OF RESIDENCE .ATIONAL Insurance Number or alternative document) s $IGITAL PHOTO OF YOURSELF More details on the Scheme and the application form can be found here: https://www.gov. uk/settled-status-eucitizens-families All EU/EEA/Swiss citizens WHO ARRIVE IN THE 5+ BY 31/12/2020 must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30/06/2021 This includes s #HILDREN UNLESS THEY have a British passport) s 0EOPLE WITH A PERMANENT residency card s %5 CITIZENS MARRIED TO British citizens s .ON %%! FAMILY MEMBERS of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals The only exceptions are Irish Citizens and those with Indefinite Leave to Remain.

DataConnect goes live The cloud-based Data Connect system that enables machinery data to be shared between CLAAS, 365FarmNet and John Deere is now commercially available.

For the first time, this now enables users of mixed brand machinery fleets to exchange and view machinery data between the different manufacturer platforms.

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If you require any further information, do please contact Edward Miller at CLAAS UK on 01284 763100 or 07831 178578.

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

If you need help with emergency planning contact the FAS Helpline on 0300 323 0161 – they can arrange for some free advice from a consultant.

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SLURRY MANAGEMENT

Abbey Machinery Low Emission Slurry Spreading Technology Abbey Machinery manufacture a complete range of slurry applicators to meet customers specific requirements. The Abbey applicator range increase the utilisation of organic fertiliser, increase spreading window, eliminate odour emissions, reduce emissions all while eliminating a high percentage of artificial fertiliser costs and shorten the grazing cycle.

Abbey Machinery’s two brand new slurry applicators, the DM 10.5m Band Spreader and the 10.5m Tailing Shoe, are taking slurry management technology even further combining precision application with greater coverage to reduce spreading time by up to 35%.

The DM 10.5m Band Spreader is close coupled to the tanker without the need for

special bracketry resulting in a lightweight solution. A very important feature is that it is carried on the tanker chassis independent of back door. It is equipped with the Vogelsang distributor with 42 outlet pipes placing the slurry on the ground in neat rows at 250mm spacings, the optimum for best practice application.

This lightweight, fully galvanized applicator’s key features are its strength and design. The extended boom tips are hydraulic folding, which add the benefit of a break back system should the booms be positioned too close to field or paddock boundaries. 1.5m folding tips, which are inclined inward, create a compact machine behind the transporting tanker.

The new 10.5m Trailing Shoe reduces in field compaction while accurately placing nutrients precisely on the crop. The 10.5m Trailing Shoe is fitted with a Vogelsang macerator, evenly distributing the slurry over each of its outlets at 250mm spacings. All

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outlet pipes are fitted with steel wear points and rubber outlets feeding slurry in even lines behind the Trailing Shoe. These are independently sprung to ensure consistent soil contact. The machine folds into a neat transportable solution on the tanker.

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SLURRY MANAGEMENT

Prevent slurry spills

Tramspread has released two new slurry hose pinchers to help reduce the risk of slurry spillages. The lightweight ‘Handy’ is designed to be carried easily and is suitable for clamping hoses up to 6 inches in diameter. The larger ‘Heavy’ is for use with pressurised hoses up to 8 inches in diameter to stem the flow. Both can prevent slurry

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from being lost when breaking couplings or repairing hoses on the job.

Pollution, as a result of slurry spillages, can be damaging to the environment and could lead to legal action against those responsible.

When pumping slurry, leaks or blow outs can occur. “These pinchers are inexpensive and will

SLURRY MANAGEMENT prevent slurry being lost if a quick repair is needed when pumping or spreading,” says Tramspread director, Edwin Baker. “Now, more than ever, farmers need to demonstrate the measures being taken to reduce slurry pollution and safeguard the environment,” he adds.

The pinchers are both priced at £250. “This is a small price to pay for a device that can prevent unnecessary pollution. It is also useful to have a pincher when breaking couplings because there is no need to drain the pipe first,” says Mr Baker.

Whilst designed for use with umbilical slurry hose, the pinchers can also be used in other agricultural work. “Other applications could be for irrigation pipework or other water pipes on farms. However, we see the main benefit of these pinchers as saving land and water sources from the potential damage that slurry spillages can cause,” concludes Mr Baker.

Reliable and no fuss machinery drives plant hire success with Major Equipment Simon Williams started SWHire in 2003 with just one muck spreader. Today, the machinery hire business has an arsenal of more than 250 machines catering for agriculture, construction and industry from two locations in Wiltshire and East Sussex. Hire contracts range from one day to one-year or more, offering a variety of options and choices for more than 600 customers across the UK. The company has established a strong reputation for offering reliable machinery, on time, at competitive prices for customers including small farmers, larger holdings, local and major construction companies,

industrial corporations, government projects.

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and

“One of our areas of specialist customer support is in waste liquid

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SLURRY MANAGEMENT management,” continues Simon.

“We run fifteen Major Equipment slurry and liquid waste tankers.

We chose the Major brand because over the years, they have proven to be reliable, simple to use, cost effective and a great, long-term investment. Our customers love them because they are simple to use and don’t have complicated controls. They are excellent value for money. The build quality of the Major Tanker is far better than anything else out there, you only have to look at the construction to see that these are very durable machines. If a machine is durable and easy to use and is available at a reasonable price, then our customers are going to be happy. A happy customer will come back to us time and time again.”

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue out March 2021

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SlurryKat ups the ante with all new Premium Plus Super Tanker range Northern Ireland agricultural machinery manufacturer SlurryKat has introduced an all new range of its Premium Plus Super Tankers.

Based on the original range the new tankers now come with a host of new features included in the standard specification.

SlurryKat’s Premium Plus Super Tanker range includes models with capacities right through from 7,250 litres (1600 gallons) to 25,000 litres (5,500 gallons).

As SlurryKat CEO Garth Cairns explains, the new range of Super Tankers combine all the latest features introduced over

the past 12 months together in the latest machines.

Garth said: “During the past 12 months you may have seen some new novel features on our

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tankers that we have been slowly introducing since the autumn of 2019.

“Having been encouraged by the customer response to

SLURRY MANAGEMENT these new features we have now unveiled the new range of Premium Plus Super Tankers that incorporate all the new features.

“These features have all been refined to the exact requirements our customers are demanding and we are rolling them out as standard base specification on all SlurryKat Premium Plus Tankers from December 2020,” he said.

In addition to lighter booms, new braking system and new drawbar the new features also include a new pump.

Vogelsang launches new products for liquid manure spreading and pump technology Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG is launching new technologies on the market for precise spreading and pumping liquid manure.

With the compact UniSpread, Vogelsang is introducing another powerful system for spreading liquid manure close to the ground and with low emissions.

The BlackBird trailing shoe system with a 24-meter working width is the focus for larger working widths. Components such as SyreN and the new pump technologies enable optimal liquid manure utilization and pumping. “Our goal is to completely utilize the liquid manure, with all of its nutrients, save on mineralize fertilizer and reduce emissions. This not only makes the entire liquid manure management process more economical, it also boosts social acceptance and environmental sustainability,” says Harald Vogelsang, Managing Director of Vogelsang.

The newly developed products are intended to enable farmers and

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contractors to continue using their existing spreading technology and retrofit it for compliance with regulations, at a reasonable investment.

Based on this demand Vogelsang developed the UniSpread universal system.

With small working widths of six to nine meters and with a lower total weight, it offers the same precision and power as the Vogelsang spreading systems already established on the market.

The difference: The UniSpread system has a compact design that makes it easy to maneuver and can be equipped with various liquid manure outlets, such as dribble bar or trailing shoe technology, depending on where it is used.

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Travel Scotland

Food and Farms from Cullen to Fochabers

by Janice Hopper

Cullen courtesy of VisitScotland

If you like your food hearty, wholesome and Scottish, then you can’t go wrong with a weekend in Morayshire. Our base was the Cullen Bay Hotel on the stunning Moray coast.

The rooms are simple and comfortable, the sea views excellent, and the chances of spotting the Northern Lights are relatively high, but the food is notably good and well worth a pitstop.

As I sampled a Red Door gin from nearby Benromach Distillery, hotel owner and chef 56

Ian Watson was preparing his award-winning Cullen Skink that clinched the top prize at the annual Cullen Skink awards in 2015 and 2017. His ‘Cullen Skink with a Twist’, featuring a warming mix of sweet potato and rum, secured the top spot in 2014 and 2018. These awards aren’t merely a local affair, but attract competitors from right across Scotland. Ian keeps his recipes a secret, but confesses to using Rooster potatoes from Bloomfield farm in Findochty, haddock from Eat Mair Fish in

Buckie, and dairy from Graham’s Dairy in Nairn.

Another headline attraction on the menu is the Scottish Seafood Platter. Its slightly epic proportions are a sight for sore eyes. Alternatively tuck into homely favourites such as slow-cooked blade of beef, lamb shank, fish pie or Balmoral chicken. The majority of meat and poultry are sourced from McWilliam’s in Aberdeen, the ‘Highland Coo burgers’ and steaks come from Aberdeenshire Highland Beef in Banchory, and

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the salmon from Cluny Fish in Buckie. Further fruit and veg are sourced from Speyfruit of Elgin. Even the children’s menu has a taste of home: tattie and leek soup; sausages and mash; and mini bowls of Cullen Skink.

Scottish favourites left my entire family well fed and rested.

The following morning we were ready to explore. Our first stop was Byres Farm near Fochabers, a mixed arable and livestock farm on the banks of the River Spey. This four hundred acre farm makes up part

Travel Scotland of a bigger farming enterprise of approximately twelve hundred acres. Byres is home to around two hundred suckler cows, Red Angus, Simmental and Lincoln Red cattle are reared here, and weaner pigs are housed between three and eight weeks of age.

Another main business for Byres is barley that makes its way to Glenlivet and Aberlour distilleries. The farmers, Helen and Bill Smith, are certainly busy, but they diversified into education and tourism in 2016, welcoming schoolchildren and leisure visitors onto their farm.

Adults can book a Malting Barley Whisky tour, which goes one step beyond the distillery, explaining the role of barley in the ‘Water of Life’.

Alternatively, Tractor Driving Experiences are available (when Covid restrictions permit), ideal for those who’ve always wanted to manhandle powerful farm machinery.

As a family of four, we turned up for a child-friendly Farm Tour. Bill and Helen have worked to create a ‘down on the farm’ experience for children and tourists alike, with pre-school groups visiting the farmyard on a weekly basis to learn where their food comes from. Our mini farmers were delighted to grab bags of feed and provide snacks to goats Yoda, Bruce and Ruby.

Next up, two animated Cuny Cuny pigs called Pickles and Punk were gently fed by my enthusiastic youngsters. Ughea the Shetland Pony, a menagerie

Grocer's Shop - Museum at Fochabers

of hens, sheep and rabbits followed, before we entered the barn to meet the placid cattle.

Bill and Helen were on hand throughout, answering a riot of questions from our children, and any adult queries too.

Next up, the children visited Byres Farm’s outdoor play area, complete with mini straw bales, archery, an obstacle course, rideon tractors, a swing and several muddy puddles to do their worst in. The experience concludes with a self-led walk through the fields, armed with trowels and spades, enabling the children to dig for worms and learn about the part insects play in maintaining fertile soil.

Hungry from all the fresh air, our next stop was a dip into Baxters of Fochabers Highland Village, home to an array of soups, preserves and chutneys.

The traditional grocer’s shop/ museum is a wonderful curiosity.

Here, visitors learn how George Baxter left his position at the nearby Gordon Caste to open a small grocery store in 1868. In the back shop his wife Margaret started making jams and jellies, and thus the Baxters' story began.

The next generation left their mark by creating Baxters’ signature Royal Game soup, which has a remarkable story behind it. William Baxter literally tripped over bags of deer carcasses at Aviemore Railway Station, deer that had been shot on a local estate. A few prize animals were destined for London, but the remainder

would be buried as waste.

William bought a few of these unwanted carcasses for his wife Ethel (lucky Ethel) with the hope of creating a soup. Ethel rose to task, blending venison, grouse, partridge, pheasant and port wine to create the now famous Royal Game soup.

Visitors can buy the renowned Baxters products in the food halls (plus many other Scottish foods, gins, whiskies, and craft beers, alongside cookware and gifts).

Meals, snacks and an array of pancakes are available in Baxters’ Restaurant, but we were careful not to indulge in dessert, as our next appointment was with farmer’s daughter Sheila Gray who runs Fochabers Ice Cream Parlour on the High Street.

Sheila offers up 26 homemade ice creams every day: all made fresh on site, with flavours such as Granny Annie’s Honeycomb, Plum Crumble and a beautifully simple Condensed Milk flavour. Glorious ice cream cakes can be ordered for those special occasions.

Sheila grew up near Fochabers on a cattle and barley farm, opening the ice cream parlour in 2010. She takes care to source many ingredients locally, and gets her milk from Lower Mill of Tynet farm.

Unexpectedly, this farm is another curious for rural tourists and locals alike.

We pulled up the track at Lower Mill of Tynet to track down the drink that my children down by the gallon - milk! A

small, smart cabin houses a vending machine that sells eggs, honey, preserves and sterilised milk bottles. A second machines dispenses milk by the litre - bring your own container or purchase a bottle onsite for a glug of the white stuff.

With the kids’ tummies full and their faces donning little milk moustaches, we drove back to Cullen. For those who want a hit of natural coastal beauty you simply can’t go wrong. We parked up at Cullen Bay Hotel, before walking across the iconic viaduct taking in the sea views en route. Ascend Castle Hill for sweeping vistas over Cullen, before entering the town gates, through the main square with its mix of galleries, cafés and antique shops. From here, cut down to the small harbour, before quietly walking along the golden sand of the beachfront. When the golf course is in sight, return uphill to the hotel once more, with yet another appetite ready to be sated with home cooked food as the night falls over the waves crashing in the distance.

Fact Box Cullen Bay Hotel cullenbayhotel.com Byres Farm - byresfarm.co.uk Baxters of Fochabers - shop. baxters.com Fochabers Ice Cream fochabersicecream.co.uk Lower Mill of Tynet Farm lowermilloftynet.co.uk Discover more at morayspeyside. com

Vending machine at Lower Mill of Tynet

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NORTHERN ISLES News

Record sales for Lerwick Marts as they achieve their most successful sale season in almost 25 years Online bidding has helped the Lerwick marts achieve their most successful sale season in almost 25 years – with record numbers of livestock fetching impressive prices.

In what was soon shaping up to be a tremendously busy autumn season, one buyer bought almost 1,300 lambs.

And the advent of online bidding – which has grown as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, which discouraged buyers from congregating at the marts – is seen as having helped keep numbers up.

One buyer was bidding from as far afield as Shropshire.

Prices remained buoyant throughout, with fat lambs typically fetching £4.40-£4.50 a kilo, showing real confidence in the livestock sector.

Rod Mackenzie – recently appointed centre manager of Caithness and Shetland for Aberdeen & Northern Marts – said he had been hugely impressed.

“This was a record season for Lerwick Mart both in terms of prices and numbers sold,” he said.

“The sheep trade, in common with all livestock marts, have never experienced the level of sheep prices in the autumn sales period.

“August to October is the peak sales period for volume for lambs and cattle and this usually brings a downturn in the prime lamb price.

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“This season, however, prime lambs have kept their price throughout and indeed showed an increase. This in turn has driven the price of store lambs from the start to the end of the season.

“The numbers of sheep sold at Lerwick this season is the highest since 1996 with 51,340 sold up until the 7th November.”

He said the last time numbers even came close to that was as far back as 1996, when there was one of the highest numbers of breeding ewes in the isles – a product of the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme, a productionbased subsidy which was running at the time.

“In terms of numbers, Lerwick mart has actually marketed a higher percentage of the available sheep in 2020 than in 1996 when there were many more breeding ewes.”

Mr Mackenzie said online bidding had played a major role in the successful season.

“To coin the phrase, ‘it’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow someone a little good’.

“The online bidding technology was all available for some time.

“But until there was a need for it then it wasn’t really considered as a viable option for livestock sales. When Covid struck it set us thinking that, in a remote location like Shetland where it was already more difficult to attract buyers to sales,

it would be hugely beneficial to bring the sheep to the buyers, virtually.

“Buyers were understandably reluctant to travel to Shetland amid the crisis. Although we started live streaming the sales on the internet towards the end of the 2019 season we invested in a better camera placed at the ringside, better broadband and coupled it all to Aberdeen & Northern’s ‘Bid Path’ system.

“The beauty of being part of ANM’s online auction sales program is that Lerwick gets the same coverage across all of ANM’s customer base.”

He said some buyers were “understandably cautious” about buying sheep and cattle online.

But, after a tentative start, some were using the system weekly.

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“There was one buyer who bought nearly 1,300 lambs one day. Another from Shropshire bought a full lorry load of 580 over two days.

“There is no doubt that the system proved its worth and will be with us now at every sale most especially in remote locations like Lerwick.”

He added: “Lerwick Mart vendors have seen the worth and benefit of selling their sheep at their local mart for some time and this year, with the advent of the online bidding system, they have had the comfort and confidence that their stock is being marketed to a much wider audience.”

He said many had “growing trust” in the advancing technology, adding some might not have used it at all if the Covid crisis had not come along.

Orkney sales remain buoyant for Aberdeen and Northern Marts during 2020 Aberdeen and Northern Marts say they have been happy to support their customers in 2020, and have continued to operate their livestock auctions, throughout what has been a difficult year.

Livestock trade has been very buoyant, and the prices of cattle and sheep have been very good, in spite of the difficult operating conditions due to the COVID restrictions.

Robbie Stanger, fieldsman for Aberdeen Mart in Orkney said: “The trade in cattle has been exceptionally good, right through spring into the back end, and prices have continued to firm.

“The sheep trade has been described as tremendous, and fantastic for this early in the season, seeing Orkney producers benefit greatly, as this is when the bulk of our sheep are sold.”

The months of January, February and March were busy, as the livestock trade was improving after the slow 2019 prices. Then COVID hit, and the way that the auction marts had to go about their business changed.

Aberdeen and Northern Marts were able to continue with their live sales in Thainstone with social distancing put in place.

This still allowed a good large number of buyers around the ringside to bid on the livestock at the weekly sales, right through the busy spring period. The months from August to December have been busy too, allowing Aberdeen marts to increase the numbers sold, and strengthen their support for Orkney farmers.

Mr Stanger added: “Although we weren’t able to visit the farms, unless requested, we were able to ship and sell cattle and sheep pretty much as normal in April, May and June. “Things were back to a more normal situation for the back-end sales, albeit adhering to the COVID guidelines that were in place.

“Cattle numbers have been good too, possibly because less cattle go deadweight, and are now sold as stores, but the strong ring side of buyers in Thainstone creates an excellent place to sell all types of cattle which gives folk the confidence to ship to Aberdeen.”

The live auctions have been supported by the online bidding system which Aberdeen and Northern Marts have been at the forefront of developing.

This has proved and is still proving to be a huge success.

A considerable percentage of stock has been bought through this system, giving Aberdeen and Northern Marts more options for more buyers to purchase stock.

The ability to trade as normal as possible for the whole year has seen cattle numbers from Orkney increase, as people took advantage of the Thainstone Mart’s services and strong trade.

John Angus, head of livestock, explained: “We are delighted that so many Orkney livestock producers have chosen to market their stock through Aberdeen and Northern Marts. Good numbers of cattle have been forward for sale, and we feel the benefit of selling in front of so many potential buyers

in Thainstone, is what makes us such a strong option.”

Colin Slessor, deputy head of livestock, said “Sheep numbers sold have remained similar with previous years, as the live ring is proving to be the system that is setting the price of sheep. Demand is remaining strong, even with the Brexit uncertainties. Numbers would suggest that there will be shortage of sheep to market in the springtime and looks like maintaining these great prices. We are grateful for the support we get from all our Orkney customers, their stock is always sought after at our weekly sales.”

Tim McDonald, prime auctioneer, says: “Demand for cast cows and bulls has been strong all year and the Orkney consigned stock is a significant part of our business each week. Orkney cattle regularly top the sale on a Thursday!

“We are very pleased to be able to market Orkney stock and thank them for their custom.”

As 2020 draws to a close, Aberdeen and Northern Marts are looking towards the new year.

Sales dates are being organised and planned around the continuing covid-related guidelines that are in place.

There will be the usual regular weekly sales of cast cows and bulls and prime sheep on Thursdays, store and breeding sheep on Tuesdays, with Friday being the day for the store cattle sales.

The new year will see Aberdeen and Northern Marts starting early by holding their Anniversary Store Sale on Friday, January 8, with shipping out from Orkney on the Monday, January 4.

The following Friday, January 15, will see the store sale include Aberdeen Angus and native cattle from the islands, with shipping on Monday, January 11.

The management and staff wish all Orkney customers a Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year.

In association with

www.shetlandtimes.co.uk Tel: 01595 742000

www.orcadian.co.uk Tel: 01856 879000 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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CUBA .From Crisis to Confidence

By Fiona Sloan

WORLD FARMING With more than 11 million inhabitants, Cuba is the second largest island in the Caribbean next to Haiti. It covers around 42,500 sq. miles, with around 33% arable.

Like most of the Caribbean islands, its main agriculture was traditionally based around sugar cane, maize, rice and roots crops like casava. Casava is a tuberous root crop, which is present in many Caribbean dishes. Used like potato it can be mashed, used in casseroles, made into bread or fried as chips/ crisps. Despite its blandness, it is a staple of the Caribbean diet in its many forms but must be eaten after being cooked, as it is poisonous when raw.

Cuba has had a varied political past which has directly affected it agricultural production. Having been a Spanish colony from the 16th century until becoming Spanish-American in 1898, it was allowed some limited democracy by America until Fulgencio Batista became the elected President from 1940-1944 and thereafter a military dictator backed by the US. That was until he was overthrown during the Cuban Revolution of 1959 following years of open corruption and oppression, and was famously replaced by Fidel Castro, who made Cuba into a communist state which was backed by the then Soviet Union.

Cuba’s proximity to American made it an important 60

Russian stronghold and nearly resulted in a nuclear war in 1962 during the stand-off that became known as the Cuban missile crisis.

With Soviet backing, Cuban agriculture concentrated on its traditional sugar cane and rum production, most of which, together with much of its other produce, was exported direct to Russia and in return Cuba became reliant on the machinery, petro-chemicals and fertilisers for the sugar industry. However, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1989, exports dropped by more than 80%.

Coupled with a US trade embargo and foreign aid termination, the country found itself unable to feed its people and the sugar processing plants all but closed.

Like many of the Caribbean islands that relied on monoculture, once the fertilisers and pesticides suddenly stopped, that left ill-informed farmers – with an average holding of around 40 acres – having to revert to traditional organic growing methods to feed a hungry population. This couldn’t happen overnight and many suffered starvation, with thousands of livestock dying of hunger without the feed imports they had come to reply on.

However, Cuban farmers and scientists rose to the challenge and resurrected, largely unused scientific developments in

agriculture and turned a variety of traditional alternative and renewable technologies, into a government policy on sustainable food production.

This resulted in a move from a reliance on a sugar alone, to the additional production of world class tobacco and coffee.

Previously highly mechanised farming methods and the monoculture of foreign crop species, were replaced with crop and pasture rotation and Cuba became a leader in biopesticides and biofertilisers, including

Casava

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Rhizobium inoculants for leguminous crops, as well as free living, nitrogen-fixing bacteria for use with non-legumes and solubilizing bacteria that liberated phosphorus for uptake by plants.

Cuba also produces a wide variety of formulations of bacterial and fungal diseases that attack insect pests and these are applied to crops in place of chemical insecticides. More than 200 biotechnology centres are located on agricultural co-operatives and industrial production of these biopesticides

WORLD FARMING is now underway for large-scale production of export crops.

This sustainable agricultural approach has revitalised rural communities and together with the introduction of government allotments in the capital,

Havana, where 20% of the Island’s population live, helped to encourage people to grow their own food.

Cuba has thus used its chequered history, to come to a place where its people are

becoming self-sufficient from being wholly reliant on outside influences. The tourism is now opening up and with it comes the demand for quality food from its visitors. The challenges of feeding its own population as

well as those that it relies on so heavily to support its economy, is a difficult balancing act but is a positive recognition that things had to change, both politically and agriculturally and has been a huge step in the right direction.

Minimized water usage and emissions – 100% quality Asia’s largest milk powder plant AmulFed focuses on sustainability with efficient GEA technologies India’s largest dairy cooperative, Amul, started producing milk products for people in the Gujarat state, and beyond, in the 1950s.

Heralded as the pioneer of India’s ‘white revolution’, Amul has been instrumental in making India one of the world’s largest producer of milk and milk products. After competitive bidding, GEA being a global technology leader and long-term partner of Amul was the obvious choice to plan and build Asia’s largest milk powder plant at its AmulFed site in Gandhinagar.

The focus at the new AmulFed site in Gandhinagar was set on sustainable production with innovative and future proof GEA technologies. GEA was responsible for the complete turnkey project, from milk processing to powder packing and including auxiliary systems, electricals, utilities, piping and automation. The plant was completed in record time so that it could be commissioned in time for this year's flush season, the peak milk production season in India.

The scale of the powder plant, which covers 26,000 m2, and is eight stories in height, was unprecedented in the Indian dairy sector. The automated GEA facility can produce 150 metric tonnes per day (TPD) of skimmed milk powder and 120 TPD of dairy whitener. The plant sits on the same site as Amul’s existing 60 TPD and 100 TPD powder plants, which were also supplied by GEA, in 1994 and 2004, respectively.

“The three plants together mean that AmulFed is now the largest single-site skimmed milk powder facility with capacity of 310 TPD in Asia,” explains Rajesh Golani,

Head of Sales Support and Offer Management, GEA India.

“We had series of interactions with AmulFed during the planning phase on the selection of suitable technology, superior features regarding energy efficiency, productivity, sustainability, plant and product safety, eco-friendliness, hygiene, zoning concepts and product quality, so that everybody was able to evaluate every aspect, and efficacy of the new plant at par with global standards,” Golani says.

The AmulFed plant had to be completed in record time, and within a very tight timescale. “The biggest achievement is that we could complete this whole project within 20 months. Our flush had started and we needed this capacity. We are thankful to GEA that they completed this project on time," explains Dr. Rupinder Singh Sodhi, Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, Amul.

Production 24/7 with minimized water usage and emissions Hygienic design principles and advanced, integrated processing solutions ensure sustainable and future-proof milk powder processing at the AmulFed plant.

Built to operate 24/7, the 150 TPD processing and packaging line can handle the highest volumes of milk arriving from dairy farmers throughout the region during the ‘flush’ season.

The highest capacity and quality manufacturing at AmulFed mean that milk at peak loads is processed and converted into valued-added products, including skimmed milk powder, dairy whitener, and whole milk powder.

The end-to-end solution includes GEA’s energy efficient separators with integrated direct drive, bacteria removing clarifiers, high pressure homogenizers and hygienic valves for the liquid milk processing, as well as the largest GEA MVR evaporators delivered to India to date. These evaporators require typically 30% less space than conventional systems, and help to cut energy use and costs, and reduce CO2 emissions.

Three sets of reverse osmosis polisher units treat condensate from the evaporation plant and reuse the water, which makes AmulFed nearly a zero-water plant. “Impressively, one hundred percent of evaporated water is condensed and reused in the dairy plant.” comments Dr. Rupinder Singh Sodhi.

After evaporation, the milk concentrate is transferred to the spray dryers. GEA supplied its largest multistage MSD® Spray Dryer for the AmulFed plant. The MSD® Spray Dryer is equipped with a dual feed system to allow 24/7 operation. Because drying is carried out in three stages, it results into higher energy efficiency. The exhaust air from the dryer passes through four cyclones to GEA’s largest available SANICIP® bag filter, and the fines discharged from the bag filter are then returned to the drying chamber, saving product and enabling nearly zero emissions.

AmulFed also operates an automated, high speed 25kg bag filling line, supplied by GEA, which features total bag control, and an enclosed filling area. With this system, manually handling of unfilled bags is no longer necessary,

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which minimizes contamination risk and helps to ensure complete safety. The plant also operates retail and jar filling lines, so it can be used flexible to match changing market and consumer demands.

Advanced safety features Importantly, the AmulFed facility has been configured with advanced safety features.

“The plant is equipped with an advanced level of safety, including a CO detection system, explosion suppression system as well as nozzle camera to monitor the atomizer cloud,” notes Golani. Systems for monitoring and regulating the entire plant operation, help to ensure top quality production, optimise the use of resources, minimize waste, product loss and emissions, and reduce time and unnecessary stoppages.

AmulFed plant delivers the highest quality products “We looked at the competency of GEA to provide us with a fully automatic plant. We aimed to look for the best technology that could deliver a very good quality product, very good efficiency, environmentally friendly, and also deliver a high level of productivity," explains Anilkumar Bayati, General Manager, AmulFed Dairy. "It’s a completely integrated setup right from our milk processing to our packaging.

The products manufactured are of global standard and the products produced by the plant fetch the best price in the globe, because of the quality of the milk and the technology that we have adopted.

This has really helped us in achieving our target."

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AGRICULTURAL TYRES

Goodyear launches innovative R14 Farm Tyres An innovative tyre for compact tractors and suitable for any job on the farm has been released to the UK and European agricultural market.

Goodyear Farm Tires has taken the wraps off its R14T, a hybrid of agriculture, turf and industrial tread patterns.

The R14 is designed to provide maximum performance in all conditions and will be available in 17 different sizes with radial and bias options.

Lindsay Hart, Goodyear Farm Tires European Sales Director, said: “Since we reintroduced Goodyear Farm Tires into Europe last year, we have constantly been seeking to evolve our product range and this is a significant development.

“The R14 is a versatile, crossover tyre for multi-

application tractors which delivers outstanding performance, whatever the conditions.

“It’s a unique product because we are combining features from tyres used in agriculture, turf and industrial.

“The hybrid ensures the R14 will stand up to the most rigorous test, saving farmers both time and money.

“Combining the three different designs means that farmers no longer have to change their tyres for different applications - it is as comfortable operating out on the open road as it is in the field.”

The R14 builds on the existing Goodyear Farm Tires’ Optitrac R-1 agricultural tread which provides outstanding traction and clean-out, resulting in a longer-life tyre.

Features of the R-4 allpurpose industrial tyre designs – including strong durability, wear and hard surface performance – are also key components of the design of the R14, which also includes a high lug-to-void ratio, making it perfect for turf and hard surface applications.

A distinctive centreline also delivers exceptional stability and road performance.

Lindsay added: “The key focus with the R14 has been to create a product which provides the most versatile solution possible for farmers across Europe.

“Whether the terrain is a hard, concrete surface or a soft soil and whatever the weather conditions – even if it is snowing – the R14 will provide excellent all-round performance.”

The R14 is available from Goodyear Farm Tires’ strong network of distributors across Europe.

Sprayer pioneer fits new intelligent tyres from Continental New pressure and heat sensing tyres have been fitted to a sprayer for the first time in the UK. The Continental VF tyres have been fitted to a SAM Horizon 4000 self-propelled sprayer.

“This is the first time the new VF tyres with pressure sensors have been fitted to a sprayer in the UK and we hope that other sprayer operators will want to introduce this technology to help reduce soil compaction,” says Continental agricultural tyre specialist Richard Hutchins.

ContiPressureCheck™ is a new system that monitors the pressure and temperature of tyres to provide the operator with the information to prevent tyre related issues such as underinflation or overloading.

“VF tyres with sensors are the 62

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AGRICULTURAL TYRES future for farming. On the road these tyres enable the vehicle to carry forty percent more load than a standard tyre at the same pressure. Alternatively, in the field, the pressure of VF tyres can be lowered by forty percent compared to standard tyres, even when carrying the same load. This spreads the

weight of the vehicle over a larger surface area and reduces soil compaction,” explains Mr Hutchins.The sprayer is owned

by James Goodley, who runs an arable farm in Norfolk. The tyres are helping him to adapt his farming methods as part of a move to a zero till system. “I want my sprayer tyre pressures

as low as possible to maximise the footprint and minimise compaction. My concern has always been to not run them too low, and that is where the tyre monitor comes in, because it can tell the operator if the pressure is safe and correct,” says Mr Goodley.

The Continental VF TractorMaster 600/60R30 162D/159E tyres are

part of a larger range that is now available in the UK. “Demands to reduce the impact of heavy machinery on our soil are being met with new technology. Our hope is that others will choose to invest, in the way that Mr Goodley has, to help improve farming methods in the future,” concludes Mr Hutchins.

Continued expansion on cards for Goodyear Goodyear Farm Tires has outlined plans to continue its European expansion next year after more than doubling its sales in 2020 compared to the previous 12 months. As the end to its first full year of trading since its return to Europe with a strong radial range draws closer, Goodyear Farm Tires has confirmed its market position has remained resilient despite the coronavirus crisis. Boosted by a significant rise in the sale of both radial and bias tyres plus the introduction to Europe of eight additional tread patterns and 65 new tyre sizes, Goodyear Farm Tires has seen its volume of product sold in Europe double in 2020.Lindsay Hart, European Tyre Sales Director for Goodyear Farm Tires, said: “We are living through an exceptionally difficult period and, in all walks of life, everybody has been tested to the full.“From a business perspective, we have worked as hard as possible within the guidance and restrictions to maintain the momentum we have seen behind Goodyear Farm Tires since we returned to the UK and European markets last year.“Thankfully, demand for our products amongst the farming community has remained high throughout the crisis and we have been able to maintain the levels of supply required.“Farmers have continued to go about their daily work and, in good numbers, have continued to rely on Goodyear Farm Tires for their

machinery.“We are continuing to expand our product range and that will be a big feature of 2021.”

The release of new products is being headlined by the R14T, an innovative tyre for compact tractors and suitable for any job on the farm with its hybrid of agriculture, turf and industrial tread patterns.

Also on the agenda for Goodyear Farm Tires is an

expansion to the number of countries it operates in. A dozen distributors in five different countries have already been added to the network in 2020, and further increases are on the cards.

Lindsay added: “We are delighted with the progress we have made, particularly in the difficult circumstances of this year, but we don’t want to get complacent.

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“We have consolidated our dealership network in a number of countries, including the UK, Poland, Italy, Spain and Ukraine and we are pleased with our offering in these regions.

“There are other countries in both western and eastern Europe that we class as key to our network growth and overall brand success. It is these areas with strong potential where we will focus our attention in 2021.

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TRAILERS

Trailers range from Harry West The Harry West trailer range comprises of 14 Tonne and 16 Tonne rated units available as a grain/ utility trailers and with added extensions a quality silage/ high volume trailer.

With the 14T unit we have a healthy 19m3 that can be increased up to 28m3 with detachable extensions to both sides and the rear door plus a mesh extension at the front. The 16m3 machine starts with an impressive 22m3 increasing to a extensive 32m3 with the same combinations of extensions as the 14T. When approaching the West trailers it is clearly a compact machine with a 5.6m / 6.3m long body, 2.1m wide and 1.5m high. This gives us a very manoeuvrable trailer when turning into field gate ways or moving around buildings in tight farmyards. Visibility is improved during manoeuvres or when working with a standard

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forward window made from a heavy duty polycarbonate. This tough material doesn’t require

additional support and it’s large size gives very good vision.

An external access ladder is a standard fitment also including an internal ladder which allows safe and easy access around the trailer.

In keeping with the safety ticket we at Harry West also fit a swivel hitch as standard on the draw bar preventing both tractor and trailer heading in the wrong direction if the operator gets into difficulties.

A large body prop is fitted onto the chassis and is easily pivoted up into position to allow those daily checks to be carried out in safety.

Once the body is raised up it is now easy to see the quality and strength in both the design and construction with the use of 250 x 150 x 8 box section in the trailer build. Add to this the ADR supplied parabolic spring sets, 420mm x 180mm brakes/ hubs, 127mm diameter axle beams it is easy to see why the Harry West trailers are considered some of the most robust and functional units available in the UK. Add to the structure list an adjustable multi leaf sprung

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drawbar and it’s understandable why most operators of these Harry West trailers voice their enjoyment at running these comfortable units behind their tractors.

Practical describes the extensive list of standard items supplied with the Harry West trailers, mudguards/ mudflats, LED lights, hydraulic back door, parking skid & stowage and side/rear reflective markers.

Along side the long list of standard items we can also list an equally extensive list of options, air brakes, ABS inc ESP facility, hydraulic load sensing for the braking, roll over sheets, grain chutes, high line lights, beacons and working lights. Side load kits are available for the silage trailers to make loading that bit easier. Also an extensive choice of tyre sizes and brands can be included in the trailers specification.

With the Harry West seal of approval and the Tilly certified inspection (Head to Tow) we can give all our customers and operators the assurances they are operating one of the safest and reliable trailers on the UK farms and UK roads.

TRAILERS

Joskin has got a wide range of trailers available on single, twin or triple axle to meet all type of needs Three types of tipping trailers are available at Joskin. First, the threeway tipping trailer with drop sides ideal for quick and easy unloading in all circumstances, starting from 3m3 to 31m3. Whatever the model, Trans-EX, Delta-CAP, Tetra-CAP or Tetra-SPACE, their body are made of high tensile steel and high end green paint fixed to a galvanised chassis.

They are suitable for grain, muck, silage... Different options of tyres, running gears, braking systems, extensions… are available to meet your needs.

The last type of tipping trailer is the dump trailer. Available from 9t to 27t the Trans-KTP is made of

HARDOX and have been designed for heavy duty work. Available with different types of running gears, braking systems, extensions to meet your needs.

Another popular trailer at Joskin is the DRAKKAR. Available from 23m3 to 41m3 this trailer is a multi purpose trailer suitable for grain, silage, muck… This trailer is fitted with a conveyor belt fixed to a front wall which will bring the matter to the back of the trailer without pushing it, therefore you do not dommage the matter. As it is not tipping, you can unload where a tipping trailer couldn’t because of the height of the shed.

The last trailer available at Joskin is the silage trailer called the Silo-SPACE. Available from 44m3 to 60m3 this trailer comes

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with a moving floor made of two chains driven by two hydraulic motors and a front wall that will bring the matter to the back

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TRAILERS without compaction. Suitable for silage and wood chips, its body is mostly made of plastic to be as light as possible in order to maximise the payload.

At Joskin all the machines are convered by a 3-year warranty and the customer has got a customised parts book including all the components of his machines for an excellent aftersales service.

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Ktwo announce 5-year partnership with North American importer Ktwo are a leading British manufacturer of farming machinery

and they have now secured a 5-year export partnership to

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continue to serve their growing audience across North America.

Ktwo saw an opportunity in the North American market for strong high-quality agriculture trailers after being approached by several companies across America and Canada in early 2020. They needed a manufacturer with the capacity and experience to fulfil their need for strong, large silage trailers to hold volumes up to 75m3.

“We see big potential for our machines across North America,’’ explains Robbie Polson, Ktwo Managing Director, ‘’and we are very pleased to announce we have secured a 5-year partnership with an experienced and reputable importer to cover the region and grow our dealerships.’’

Ktwo has already grown their dealership network in North America in the recent months with new dealers now covering Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec states.

“We’re excited to have Ktwo in Michigan. The innovative, yet simple design of Ktwo products will make them successful with our customers.” Says Blake Laethem of the Farm Depot which has locations across Michigan. ‘’When we choose new product lines to carry they are carefully vetted by our sales, service and parts teams. It is important that we can support buyers from the first handshake to the field. We are confident that farmers will be excited to get to know Ktwo in 2021.’’ Says Cameron Currie of Delta Power Equipment which has multiple locations across Ontario.

Ktwo developed their popular Ktwo Roadeo Curve Trailers and increased the width from 2.5m to 3.2m wide specifically for North America in

TRAILERS the summer. The largest Roadeo Curve Trailer being developed has four axles and two steering axles to cope with the larger size and capacity.

Along with their large tipping trailers, Ktwo already has examples of their UK leading Roadeo Compact and Push trailers operating in North America and they have developed a greater range of their manure spreaders. Their larger spreader range includes tandem axle horizontal and vertical beater machines which are being well received across America and Canada.

For more information on the Ktwo North American range and their growing dealership locations visit their North American website: www. ktwomachinery.com

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livestock Scottish poultry keepers urged to prepare for new housing measures NFU Scotland is urging all poultry keepers - large or small - to put in place appropriate measures to house their birds following the Scottish Government announcement that new housing rules are now in place.

It is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures to limit the spread of Avian Influenza and eradicate the disease.

NFU Scotland’s Poultry Policy Manager, Penny Middleton said: “In light of a number of confirmed Avian Influenza cases south of the Border, the introduction of these new housing measures is the

Made in Britain

sensible next step to best protect Scottish poultry.

“Giving poultry keepers due notice of these new measures coming into force on 14 December will allow them to prepare and implement the housing order to the best of their ability. In recent years, the industry has had to respond to heightened AI risk at this time of year and many will have contingency plans prepared for this eventuality.

“Every poultry keeper, whether you have one hen in the back garden or a large poultry business, must house their birds and I would urge everyone with poultry to take these measures seriously.

Standard Spec: - Tanalised wooden floor and sides - Aggressive auger beaters - Hydraulic control of floor and XC belt - NEW wider 24” XC belt - Increased auger speed from beaters for greater chopping and mixing

Foster's range of Forage Boxes come in 3 sizes on farm from under £14k. For feeding clamp silage and additives for beef, dairy or sheep.

Simple to use, easy to maintain.

D750 feeding clamp silage

&OR A LEAFLET OR MORE INFO AND ADVICE CONTACT Sales Tel : 07901 338473 email: sales@fostersalescompany.co.uk website: www.fostersalescompany.co.uk

“It’s crucial that everyone remains vigilant and reports any

signs of disease in their birds at the earliest opportunity.”

New mineral range for alkalised ruminant diets FiveF Alka Limited has launched a range of bespoke mineral supplements formulated specifically to complement alkalised ruminant rations including Alkagrain or Alkalage.

All the new in-feed Alkaboost minerals contain additional sulphur to help ruminant livestock utilise the excess non protein nitrogen (NPN) produced in the rumen by alkalised diets.

The sulphur allows animals to build usable protein from the available nitrogen.

The range includes bespoke formulations for various dairy and beef rations, a mineral specifically for growing lambs and a specialist Alkaboost product that combines the inorganic supplementary elements with a high purity yeast culture and micro-encapsulated plants and spices.

“Alkaboost Lamb also includes increased levels of selenium, vitamin E and additional iron to support immune function, muscle development and rapid growth.

This is recommended for lambs being finished on a high cereal content alkalised ration. Feeding rate is 15-20g per head per day,” explains Rob Smith from FiveF Alka.

“Specialist new Alkaboost plus Rummisentials has been shown to be particularly complementary for alkalised diets. The addition of a yeast culture and non-medicated plant spices helps to improve rumen pH regulation and increase propionic acid production, which together boost intake and available energy. The plant spices also help to increase (continued on page 70)

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livestock protein availability from the ration.”

The dairy and beef minerals should be fed at the rate of 100-150g per day. Any farmer

making alkalised rations is advised to talk to their usual merchant about appropriate supplementation using the Alkaboost minerals.

Scotland’s Auction Markets Play an Essential Role in ‘Whole Chain’ Assurance Over 2.7 million head of livestock were sold through Scottish auction markets in 2019, with a large proportion destined for the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork brands.

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Neil Wilson, Executive Director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) highlights that Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) Auction Market

livestock Virtual tool launched by Quality Meat Scotland to help farmers ‘Meat the Grade’ Livestock farmers will now have access to a free online tool which will help them to boost their bottom line by improving livestock selection and management for slaughter.

Developed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and launched at this year’s online AgriScot event, the practical Meat the Grade virtual tool will highlight key factors that need to be considered by farmers to ensure that livestock meet target carcase specifications required by processors and consumers.

Beth Alexander, QMS Cattle and Sheep Specialist, said that the tool will provide producers with the skills and knowledge to maximise their returns and minimise the risk of condemnations and carcase downgrades.

“Our aim is to help Scotland’s livestock farmers optimise their returns and understand carcase grading, and presentation to ensure they hit the correct specification for their chosen market. Hitting target specifications means more return for the producer and less waste for the processor.”

“The Meat the Grade tool will demonstrate how the EUROP grading system works as well as providing valuable market driven insights to stock selection, carcase specification and grading techniques to ensure that livestock meet target carcase specifications required by processors and therefore maximise the best price for farmers.”

Developed to complement the successful face-to-face Meat the Market events held earlier in the year; Meat the Grade will allow farmers to access the same information from the comfort of the farm office 24/7.

The tool will also give producers an opportunity to learn more about the whole supply chain, the hygiene requirements, and insight into

the products consumers want to buy.

Approximately 40% of lambs and 20-30% of cattle failed to meet market specifications in 2018, with overfat and overweight being two of the most common reasons for ‘out of spec’ carcases.

Adrian Crowe, South East of England Divisional Manager from Meat & Livestock Commercial Services Ltd (MLCSL) - the only independent provider of abattoir authentication and classification services to the British processing industry has worked alongside the QMS Industry Development team to facilitate Meat the Market workshops Mr Crowe highlighted how the tool will help farmers understand stock selection based on handling them correctly to assess fat cover.

“Many farmers will select stock based on what they weigh and, although they may receive good conformation grades, many will find they are not achieving the correct fat class.

“The tool will demonstrate to farmers ways they can select stock by handling them to assess fat cover and conformation to help hit market specifications.”

Bruce McConachie, QMS Head of Industry Development said: “Although focusing on cost of production is fundamental to improving farm profitability, there are opportunities to maximise returns through careful selection and presentation of stock.

“This may mean producers are not hitting the maximum price per head each time but can help increase the gap between the cost of production and the income from livestock sales.”

Meat the Grade is now available to access by visiting the Quality Meat Scotland website: www.qmscotland. co.uk/meatthegrade

Assurance Scheme plays a vital role in ‘whole chain’ consumer assurance with specific codes of practice for handling and selling of livestock developed as the scheme has evolved.

“Whether it be the small traditional facilities situated on the islands or the large mainland auction markets, they are all part of the scheme and play a key role in minimising the stress involved to livestock which are traded.”

Joining the QMS Auction Market Assurance Scheme when it was established in 2003, Lawrie and Symington has a long and proud history spanning more than 150 years in Scotland’s red meat supply chain. Constituted in January 1862, the firm has developed to become a major marketing force selling prime, store, and pedigree livestock

from its centres at Lanark and Forfar.

“We are proud to sell some of the best quality livestock in the country, produced to the highest of welfare standards,” says Willie McCulloch of Lawrie and Symington.

“Being members of the QMS assurance scheme enables us to play our part in the Scotch assured brand and helps promote the whole of life assurance scheme that exists.”

With just under 10,000 farms in Scotland operating under the QMS beef, sheep and pig assurance schemes, which this year celebrates 30 years in operation, auction markets across the country recognise the importance of whole chain assurance, with all 26 markets operating under the scheme.

Heightened risk of iodine deficiency when outwintering cattle on kale With around 42% of outwintered heifers being grazed on kale, producers are being alerted to the potential risk of iodine deficiency.

“Outwintering cattle on brassica crops is becoming an increasingly popular option, particularly for replacement dairy heifers, offering a good way to reduce costs over the winter period,” says Tom Butler, technical manager at the Denis Brinicombe Group.

“However, additional supplementation with minerals is crucial to maintain key targets for growth, performance and fertility, especially when grazing on kale. This is due to it containing a high level of goitrogens, which negatively impact the bioavailability of

iodine and can subsequently induce a host of problems.”

Mr Butler explains that goitrogens found in kale work antagonistically with iodine, influencing the metabolism of the mineral in the animal.

“Kale contains a type of goitrogen, thiocyanate, which originates in glucosinolates found in plant matter. This interferes with the uptake of iodine into the thyroid when consumed.”

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livestock The problem can be further compounded in areas with acidic soils. “Soil pH, which varies regionally, can also affect the uptake of iodine into the plant tissue itself. This, combined with a high level of goitrogens, significantly reduces the availability of iodine in kalebased diets.

“If cattle become deficient in iodine, their health, growth and performance can be compromised, and lethargy and poor eating habits may be noticed,” says Mr Butler.

Hormone production can also be affected with an iodine deficiency impacting thyroid function.

“Fertility can be significantly affected by reduced iodine availability during the winter because a hormone imbalance can cause stillbirths and prenatal mortality.”

Mr Butler says bolusing outwintered heifers is a good way to supplement minerals as it can provide a sustained supply of micronutrients for six to eight months.

“Administering a bolus high in iodine, such as EnduraBol, will provide an accurate and consistent release of micronutrients and help avoid any issues related to an iodine deficiency when outwintering cattle on kale or other brassicas,” concludes Mr Butler.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 113 Next issue out March 2021

Working with Scottish farming for a better future

By Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing “Speaking out when faced with financial, emotional or any other kind of hardship is often one of the most courageous and difficult things an individual can do.

We as individuals, are too often afraid of putting our heads above the parapet for fear of how that simple action will be received and interpreted by those around us.

“Listening to the various individual stories at a recent roundtable hosted by RSABI, it is absolutely clear to me that the most important thing an individual can do when faced with any form of hardship is to put up your hand up and say I need help.

“With the nature of rural life often meaning that individuals can be isolate This winter, farming faces a potential perfect storm of issues – COVID-19, Brexit, and of course, weather.

Whatever the weather this winter, farmers and crofters will still be working to put food on our tables, and I thank them for that commitment.

As with other industries, farming and crofting needs to change, to become more resilient and sustainable.

Scotland is committed to world-leading climate change targets to cut net

carbon emissions and while emissions from agriculture are falling, we need to do more.

At the same time we are committed to continuing to support farmers for farming and producing high quality food. These are the two objectives to which I believe we should commit for the future of Scottish agriculture and it’s not a case of either/or.

Scotland’s updated Climate Change Plan has new and boosted policies for farming and land use. It puts us on a pathway to our new, ambitious targets to 2032, as well as sets out how farming can contribute to a green recovery from the pandemic.

Key to our approach is to work alongside the industry to establish what needs to change in different sectors and how to achieve that.

After all who knows better than the people who do the work, run the farm or croft, and who have spent a lifetime doing it. The farmerled approach is the right one.

The first planned farmerled group was the Suckler Beef Climate Group chaired by former NFUS President Jim Walker and we’ve already seen hugely positive response to their report. I am now co-chairing the Programme Board with Jim

to turn the report’s recommendations into actions.

We’ve also announced that Andrew Moir will chair the Arable Sector Climate Group.

Andrew brings huge experience and knowledge to the role. His group will be asked to identify measures to help the arable and cropping sectors to cut their emissions – by changing practice, but also deploy more and better technology and identify how to produce more of our own food needs, while diversifying into other crop uses, such as bio fuels.

Our Programme for Government also pledged to set up groups on hill farming and the role it can play in particular in high nature value farming in the future, and in dairy. Recent engagement with the pig sector has resulted in them wanting to get involved and get a group going.

We know many farmers and crofters are already acting to cut emissions – it also helps cut costs! – and to farm more sustainably. What we now need to do is pick up the pace and learn from all the good practice already going on.

We have a big challenge ahead and very stretching targets to meet to cut emissions but I know by working together, we can all move forward to a more sustainable future.

livestock Virtual tool launched by Quality Meat Scotland to help farmers ‘Meat the Grade’ Livestock farmers will now have access to a free online tool which will help them to boost their bottom line by improving livestock selection and management for slaughter.

Developed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and launched at this year’s online AgriScot event, the practical Meat the Grade virtual tool will highlight key factors that need to be considered by farmers to ensure that livestock meet target carcase specifications required by processors and consumers.

Beth Alexander, QMS Cattle and Sheep Specialist,

said that the tool will provide producers with the skills and knowledge to maximise their returns and minimise the risk of condemnations and carcase downgrades.

“Our aim is to help Scotland’s livestock farmers optimise their returns and understand carcase grading, and presentation to ensure they hit the correct specification for their chosen market. Hitting target specifications means more return for the producer and less waste for the processor.

Meat the Grade is now

available to access by visiting the Quality Meat Scotland

website: www.qmscotland.co.uk/ meatthegrade

UK Government announces consultation to ban live exports - 50 years after RSPCA campaign began The RSPCA has welcomed a UK Government consultation to ban the live export of farm animals after campaigning on the issue for 50 years.

Every year thousands of farm animals are exported from the Port of Ramsgate in Kent to be driven across Europe to be slaughtered, or fattened for later slaughter. Most commonly sheep and dairy calves have been exported from the UK overseas on gruelling journeys that can last tens of hours, exhausting the animals and causing suffering and even death.

These long journeys can cause animals to suffer from fear, exhaustion and dehydration, temperature extremes and lack of food, water or rest. Their welfare is also no longer protected by the UK’s standards once they have left the ports, and they may be fattened or slaughtered in systems that would be illegal here in the UK. 74

RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said: “We

welcome and share the Government’s goal to ban live

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exports. There is absolutely no reasonable justification to subject

livestock

The

VET

Followed to the Letter COVID-19, HPAI, BRD

an animal to an unnecessarily stressful journey abroad simply for them to be fattened for slaughter.

“Banning live exports for slaughter and further fattening would be a landmark

achievement for animal welfare.

We’re also encouraged to see that the Government will also consult on reduced maximum journey times for all transported animals as well as tighter rules in extreme heat or cold.

By Andy Cant Northvet Veterinary Group You would be forgiven for thinking there was only one disease in the world that mattered at the moment, namely COVID-19. However as I write this highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in rearing turkeys in parts of England and the risk of spread from the wild bird population to domestic poultry is presently high. Housing of domestic poultry is about to become mandatory in an attempt to control this outbreak.

The highly pathogenic strains of AI can kill birds but as the virus mutates, the concern is that it could affect humans, so control is driven from concerns over animal health and public health. The media’s obsession with COVID-19 seems to have swamped any coverage of this latest HPAI outbreak in the national press. Perhaps one benefit of this obsession is that we are all now armchair experts on the spread of viruses and how vaccines work. When discussing bovine respiratory disease (BRD) outbreaks on farms the analogies with COVID-19 are quite useful in explaining the three areas we need to get right to avoid outbreaks.

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1. Have healthy animals with a naturally robust immune system. This means a good balanced diet, and removing underlying problems that compromise the immune system eg BVD virus, parasites, trace element deficiencies.

This equates to those of us at higher risk of COVID 19 due to underlying conditions such as asthma, cancer or just plain old age.

2. Get the environment right.

Housing, ventilation, stocking density, mixed age groups.

This equates to our social distancing, wearing masks, meeting outdoors, not moving between different tiered areas 3. Find out the pathogens causing the problem and vaccinate against them.

This equates to the test and trace and the huge effort that has gone into developing a vaccine.

With bovine respiratory disease only getting one or two of the above factors right doesn’t make the problem go away; you need to make progress in all three. Which is something perhaps the media could help the generals public understand when it comes to COVID 19.

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dairy Milking the opportunities of soya alternatives in dairy rations With soya sustainability a growing concern for consumers and retailers, SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has been exploring the use of alternative proteins in dairy feed rations for farmers looking for high-performing substitutes.

Marks & Spencer recently announced that it is banning the use of soya from the production of its milk as part of its commitment to end deforestation in its supply chain, and SAC Consulting notes that other retailers may follow suit.

This year, SRUC removed soya from three of its dairy herds and analysed the impact of protein alternatives on their productivity.

The three herds, based in Dumfries and Galloway on Arla contracts, are SRUC Crichton

Royal Farm, home to the Langhill Research Herd (200 cows); Acrehead (210 cows); and, SRUC Barony Campus dairy herd (200 cows).

Lorna MacPherson, Dairy Consultant with SAC Consulting, who supports farmers across Scotland with their herd nutrition, said: “Farmers shouldn’t be afraid of not using soya in their rations.

There is now plenty of evidence and trials being conducted showing that protected rapemeal is a viable alternative to soya and can be used with no detriment to milk yield or quality.

“The SRUC dairy farms stopped feeding soya in the total mixed ration (TMR) to both milking and dry cows in April this

year with new diets formulated with more rapemeal and distillers wheat dark grains, with protected rapemeal added to provide quality by-pass protein.

“We monitored output over three months with our data showing that there wasn’t much change in milk output or milk composition after excluding soya from their diet.”

New three-way crossbreeding programme for spring-grazing dairy herds VikingGenetics has launched a new, three-way crossbreeding programme in the UK, suited in particular to spring calving herds on grazing systems.

The programme, called VikingGoldenCross, brings together the Holstein, Jersey and VikingRed breeds in a rotation which delivers efficient, high-

quality milk production from fertile, high-health cattle.

The system achieves this by using breeds developed in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Here, farmers have measured and improved their herds’ health and fertility through national genetic programmes for over 40 years.

VikingGoldenCross also optimises the benefits to be gained from heterosis (hybrid vigour).

This gives the programme a particular relevance to dairy producers already crossing with two breeds.

By introducing a third breed, hybrid vigour produces greater long-term benefits than a twobreed cross. These benefits

– which give the progeny of unrelated animals better performance than the average of their parents – are seen in health, fertility and lifespan more than any other traits.

Matt Stott, VikingGenetics country manager says: “The first cross between two unrelated breeds will give the benefit of 100% heterosis. However, when the first (F1) generation is bred back to either of the same breeds, heterosis levels out at a lower level. Over the generations, a backcrossing, or two-breed system, levels out at 67% heterosis.

“However, when a third breed is introduced to the rotation, heterosis stabilises at a higher level, at 86%.”

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dairy One of the World’s Highest Ranked Genomic Heifers Found on Scottish Farm A UK heifer has been identified as one of the highest-ranking genomic Holstein females in the world and the highest in the UK after being assessed using the genomic test CLARIFIDE® Plus.

April 2020-born Netherside Gail 141 owned by Scottish dairy farmer Tom Yuill, West Newton Farm, Strathaven, has the highest Dairy Wellness Profit (DWP) index of any female tested in the UK of 1027 and a £PLI of 688.

DWP is a bespoke selection index included in CLARIFIDE Plus that is based not only on lifetime productivity but also health, giving an overall view as to how profitable a heifer could be. It incorporates traits for production, fertility, and health, among others. With a particularly strong emphasis on wellness, it is designed to select for longer lived animals that succumb to less disease and deliver more profit over their lifetime.

Deosan Foot Care Product Wins Innovation Award The 2020 AgriScot Product Innovation Award has been awarded to Diversey, with its new Deosan HH+ hoof care product that aims to target the costly issue of lameness in the UK dairy herd, while also removing the negative impacts on the environment or the animal.

This is the second time in three years that the company has been crowned the winner of innovation at the AgriScot event, demonstrating its success in developing new and groundbreaking products for the dairy industry.

Deosan HH+ is a strong mineral acid that crucially supports the reversal of the hoof degradation process, supporting the strength of the hoof in a

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 113

similar way that toothpaste acts to support tooth enamel.

Its extremely efficient formula means that only a smaller amount is needed, 100% of which is soluble, requiring no need for residue dispersal. Its soluble nature also means there is no environmental impact, aiming to solely optimise hoof hardness to reduce lameness and improve animal welfare.

Globally, Gail 141 ranks in the top 1% for DWP and was No. 23 on the July proof in the USA. She also ranks in the top 1% globally for Holstein Feed Efficiency Index, in the top 5% for fat solids and the top 20% for health traits such as metritis and calf respiratory disease.

The heifer was tested in the spring along with a further 106 females at Strathaven Farm. DWP results ranged from -69 to 1027, with an average of 406. This is well above the UK average of 270.

Optimising milk from forage to increase margins requires precision feeding Latest Trouw Nutrition silage watch indicators suggest dairy farmers have an ideal opportunity to increase milk margins by applying precision feeding, according to nutritional supplement manufacturer UFAC-UK. According to Trouw, although this season’s early maize silage has analysed well, in general there is reduced digestibility,affecting the energy available to the cow. With considerable variation in samples analysed also, it is critical to balance each diet individually.

“With plenty of forage on most farms this year of variable quality, it provides an ideal opportunity to increase margins by ensuring optimal DMI of available forages, hence increased milk from forage,” explains UFAC-UK ruminant technical manager, Mike Chown.

“To do this we must balance the forage correctly, remembering ‘feed the rumen, the rumen feeds the cow’.”

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Mr Chown explains that to maximise forage DMI, the first step should be to regularly analyse all forages being fed and balance them with correct nutrients, including sugar, starch, fibre and protein.

“We need to ensure they are matched in speed of break down, and we need to pay attention to acid loading and rumen pH. This will optimise rumen microbes, to promote fibre digestion and intakes, most cost effectively,” he says.

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sheep Pastures new - Innovis nucleus flock relocates to Scottish borders Innovis’ nucleus flock has made a 300 mile journey from west Wales to its new home, Southfield Farm near Hawick on Buccleuch’s Borders Estate.

The performance recorded flock comprising 800 ewes and 600 ewe lambs is made up in equal numbers of Aberfield, Abertex, Abermax, Aberdale, Highlander, Primera and Cheviot. Innovis ram production manager, Hamish MacDonald, who is relocating to his home area, will oversee the flock’s day to day management.

Innovis chief executive, Dewi Jones will continue to head up Innovis and provide the exact same customer service from its Aberystwyth headquarters located on a 120-acre lowland unit used for ram growing and

sales. The unit is also home to its genetics breeding team, accounts and marketing.

Dewi Jones explains: “We established the nucleus flock 10 years ago on Mynydd Gorddu, an upland unit near Aberystwyth which has proved to be a great testing ground to select for commercial traits especially lamb survival and mothering ability. During that period, we have also transformed the farm through nutrient management and sub-division.

“However, we have taken the decision to relocate one of the UK’s most intensively recorded performance recorded flocks to the Scottish Borders to improve Innovis’ overall efficiency,” he says.

“Southfield has greater stock carrying capacity providing the opportunity to expand the flock on its 630 acres, it will offer us a more central location from which

to service customers in Scotland and the north of England, who in turn will have access to some of the highest performing genetics in the Innovis breeding programme.”

Managing ewe nutrition in late pregnancy essential to flock performance Supplementing with a digestible undegradable protein block will support colostrum production while helping to meet increased energy requirements leading up to lambing In the six weeks leading up to lambing, 75 percent of foetal growth takes place, significantly increasing metabolisable energy

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(ME) and protein requirements for ewes. According to Dr Alison Bond, nutritionist for Rumenco, sheep farmers must ensure these increased nutritional demands are being met to protect the longterm performance of their flock.

“Not only are ewes partitioning energy towards

rapid foetal growth in a very condensed period, but they are also starting to develop colostrum while maintaining their body condition,” says Dr Bond. “If these increased protein and ME requirements are not met and ewes are left malnourished, lamb birthweights will be reduced which will go on to impact growth rates. Lambs will also be at greater risk of hypothermia and can even suffer from fertility issues later in life due to the impact on foetal ovary and testes development. Ewe performance can also be harmed, with an increase in pregnancy toxaemia and delayed onset of lactation.”

When it comes to determining a ewe’s increased nutritional requirements, Dr Bond recommends that ME is increased by 0.24MJ for each 10kg of bodyweight. The

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number of lambs carried and the proximity to lambing also impacts ME requirements. These varying factors make it essential to sort ewes based on their energy needs, keeping first-time lambers in separate groups to adult ewes.

“For example, a 70kg ewe carrying a single, three weeks pre-lambing has a ME requirement of 12.6 MJ/day, which increases to 16.7MJ/day with triplets – that’s a pretty substantial difference in energy demand,” she says. “Sorting doesn’t have to be overly complicated or a huge burden on infrastructure. If you have a thin ewe needing extra nutrients, stick her with higher demand ewes. So, a thin, single bearing ewe would go into the same group as your twin bearing ewes.

A thin, twin bearing ewe would go into the same group as ewes carrying triplets.”

Drive flock performance, urges RH&W

The voice for farming

By Charlie Adam, Vice President, NFU Scotland Sheep farmers collect a lot of data about flock performance and could make far better use of it to improve health, welfare and productivity.

According to Nigel Miller, chair of the new Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) group, producers naturally collate information about their flock – and analysing that information in conjunction with their vet or adviser will help to focus on key areas to improve.

Speaking at the SHAWG (Sheep Health & Welfare) conference last month, he said: “On-farm recording can provoke an immediate management response but then is often sidelined in a file. Perhaps there is real value in pulling back that key data and making time to review performance strengths and weaknesses.”

A poll of delegates at the conference revealed that the top three measures used to assess flock performance are scanning (21%), ewe or lamb mortality (19%) and daily liveweight gain (17%). And the top single measure of performance was identified as lambs sold (50%).

“But performance is not just about output, it is also about efficiency, which can be a key factor in determining profitability.”

Mr Miller suggested looking at the full spread of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and then to focus on one area to improve. “Often that will have a knock-on effect to other KPIs too. And if you have a particular goal it’s easier for your adviser to help you. Having a good adviser can be a real game changer.”

NFU Scotland may not be perfect but without the union our voice wouldn’t be heard.

So my parting message, leaving after ten years on the Board, is join up and join in!

Throughout that time, with help from Clare, my wife and farming partner, we’ve managed to get the work done on our farm at home, albeit not without some moments of stress and maybe even the odd cross word!

It’s difficult for smaller scale farmers without employed labour or family working at home to find time to take on Union positions, particularly at national level and even more so if located a long way from Edinburgh.

It is essential that all parts of the country and all farm sizes and types are represented and that has been a major driver behind taking on my NFUS roles.

With virtual meetings and modern communication, age, gender, location and time will no longer be such a barrier to participation and will lead to new and diverse people coming forward. If policy and lobbying are to be truly representative, more members from all backgrounds need to participate and speak up!

Looking back over the last ten years the political agenda has been dominated firstly by CAP reform and more recently

by Brexit. Now climate change and environmental issues are foremost and pressure on our industry to adapt and change in order to meet the ever increasing and varied demands of different sections of society has never been greater. That those demands are sometimes based on questionable science, political expediency or just plain ignorance only adds to that pressure.

These objectives simply cannot be achieved without the active co-operation of progressive farmers and land managers as willing participants. If they are to be met, government will have to firm up policy direction and put their money where their mouth is so that we can deliver what’s required.

Involvement of knowledgeable and practical land managers is also essential in deciding the direction of Scotland’s land use strategy if we are not to succumb to the wishes of those advocating misguided and ill-informed changes in land use and farming practice.

While, given the right support, we can address

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NFU Scotland

sheep

these environmental challenges, producing food of the highest quality and provenance is what most Scottish farmers and crofters see as our principal activity. It is our unique selling point and something we take great pride in.

Our farming practices are streets ahead of production methods in large parts of the rest of the world. This must continue if we are not to end up relying on imported food often not produced to our exacting standards.

For our part, as well as continuing to try to improve our performance and efficiency through science, technology and innovation, we need to understand and meet market and customer demands more than we do at present. We want the buying public to have a better understanding of what we do, but equally we must accommodate and satisfy the wishes of modern diverse consumers rather than just expect them to buy whatever we produce.

There’s an education job to be done in both directions and with so much misinformation and ‘fake news’ circulating on social and other media it’s big challenge but one we must tackle.

TRAINVIEW TALK

Valerie and the boys are away so I have been allowed the pen back! They have decamped to Northern Ireland to sell Christmas trees and wreaths at her parents farm leaving me in charge on the home front.

To sum up our transition from Autumn to Winter I think it’s a case of ‘Could do better’. The day we brought most of the cows and calves in actually couldn’t have gone smoother. With the help of friends and neighbours we walked one bunch a mile over the hill from their grazings straight to the shed.

However we believe putting everything straight into the shed in one batch was one of main causes of a pneumonia plague through most of the calves. No social distancing!

Despite vaccination well in advance of housing our best explanation for such a bad go is that the calves picked up a strain of something from the cows. We have fans and even added easy breather licks but despite the prevention the only cure was bottles of drugs from the vets. What we saved by not creep feeding has now most certainly gone. In hindsight perhaps we should have taken some samples but next year we will try and wean the calves direct at housing and ‘self isolate’ them!

Thankfully the drugs did their job and we sold a batch of calves off their mothers.

The current restrictions means no day out to the market but there’s something to be said for the convenience of loading them onto a lorry to UA Stirling and waving them off. They sold well up to weight and the limousin steer 80

DIARY

Autumn days Diary page

By James Cameron made £870 for 370kgs but a shorthorn 2 months older and 4 kgs heavier only made £610, makes you question the beef shorthorn scheme giving a premium however the limousin was horned and was highly strung and was a job to load so for all his extra money his company isn’t missed. Docility and ease of handling is a premium hard to quantify.

We turned to social media to market 2 of our Irish Moiled x Beef Shorthorn heifer calves and they where shipped off to Ayrshire. Despite being pleased with the calves you are always nervous sending them off bought unseen however their new owner is delighted with them and has already his name on more if we have some next year.

We didn’t want a repeat of events housing the last batch of heifer calves so we opted to try out the Quiet Wean nose tags to wean them. It fits into the calves nose making them unable to suckle but still have the bond with the dam and after four days the flap is removed and cow and calf are separated without a note of complaint from either party. The cow and calf get on with life with out any stress or a check on the calves. Big thumbs up from us.

One bit of light relief is a new Facebook page called Top Lines and Top Tales started by the well known Andy Frazier, former freelance stock man and author on the livestock industry. The current chat focuses on photos and stories on Royal Smithfield

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and winter fatstock shows.

There are definitely some excellent tales emerging and some great beasts too, it’s great to document some of this knowledge. Many nights are passed with head scratching on what beast is what and turns out some people are older than they let on when they admit to remembering certain shows they were at.

The page has brought home how much we have missed the show scene this year. We have a bull for the February Bull Sales but fear even with the vaccine roll out starting this one will be far from back to normal so we will keep everything crossed for the summer shows.

Very sadly a man I once worked to has died at the age of just 41 leaving a young family behind. He had recently built a new farm steading and has a super herd of Saler cows. In a heart beat its all gone for him, life is very unfair at times and we need to grab it and make the most of it even on the bad days.

My December dare I say is peaceful with everyone else away. When asked if he would miss me there was a pause afore our eldest, Alec replied that he would miss our neighbour and his John Deere tractor...no word of me! Despite that we look forward to the facetime chats and hearing tales of John Deeres and dinasours.

It's hard watching the boys grow form afar even if its only for 5 weeks but given what others have endured this year I am hardly in a position to complain...although that rarely stops me!

People Willie Bilsland Celebrates 60 Years’ Service with Hamilton Brothers

Willie outside the Glasgow Road Garage in the 60’s

Willie Bilsland is celebrating his Diamond Anniversary with Hamilton Brothers after joining the company in 1960.

Willie started his career with Hamilton Brothers in November

Willie outside Bishopton Depot

1960 when he joined their original depot on Glasgow Rd as an Apprentice Agricultural Engineer, aged just 15.

Having grown up on a farm, Willie developed a passion for

Paul Jackson retires after 50 years with Farm Electronics Farm Electronics Production Director Paul Jackson is retiring after being at the forefront of Farm Electronics for close to 50 years! Paul started at Farm Electronics at the start of the 1970s as a Saturday worker, when the business was known as Chandler Farm Electronics. Over the years Paul progressed through the business and eventually took over the ownership along with Tim Dudfield and Charlie Taylor, who have both since retired.

As well as managing the complete Production process, Installation and Service side of the business, Paul was also the leading designer of many of the current product lines including the Farm 81

Electronics Louvre, which has sold more than 8000 Worldwide.

During Pauls leadership, the business has achieved growth and a fantastic reputation throughout the Crop Storage Industry for representing the very best of British Engineering and design.

Pauls in depth product knowledge will be surely missed.

In the background, Paul has been mentoring his successor Joe Sambridge for the last 3 years.

Although retiring, Paul will be remain a consultant to Joe and Farm Electronics throughout 2021.

On behalf of all Farm Electronics Staff and customers, we wish Paul all the best in his retirement.

all things agricultural at an early age. Willie even completed his apprenticeship in just two years something that would usually take four years back then.

When Hamilton Brothers moved to the Abercorn Street Workshop, Willie was promoted to Field Service Engineer where he carried out repairs on farms in Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire and Argyll and the islands.

In the 1980s, Willie took on the role as Service Manager. During this time Willie won Merit Awards, including the ‘Master of Service Award’ from Massey Ferguson in 1985-1986 and Kubota Tractors ‘UK Service Manager of the year’ in 1991.

In 2001, Willie moved back to the workshop as a Service Engineer and has worked in this post up to the present day, servicing and repairing tractors and groundcare machinery.

Farm Electronics Production Director Paul Jackson

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Women in Agriculture Scotland have formalised and held their 1st AGM! Women in Agriculture Scotland has evolved since 2015 and now thanks to the help of various committee members and friends, we have formalised and held our first virtual AGM on 24 November 2020. Thank you to everyone who applied to become a committee member for the Women in Agriculture Scotland Group. We were blown away by the number and standard of applications - 29 nominations for 10 posts with 210 members voting! We also launched membership with 500 members signed up within two weeks. If you would like to join us sign up here: https:// www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ HRLZ9Z8. It is only by the willing participation of volunteers that associations and groups such as this can successfully work.

The AGM election was held by ballot through survey monkey and resulted in the 10 committee members being announced with office bearers being appointed at the first committee meeting.

Katrina Barclay Katrina is one of our original committee members.

Raised on her family’s mixed farm in rural Aberdeenshire, she has worked for SOPA, Soil Association and the National Trust in the Lake District in food and farming education. She has been employed to lead and develop RHET to achieve their charitable goals.

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June Geyer June is a co-founder and chairman of the Women in Agriculture Scotland group. She has been in the farming industry all her life, daughter of a meat wholesaler, worked for the SMMB, SAYFC, RHET staff member, Golden Shears Coordinator at RHASS and now actively involved in the family’s third generation engineering business near Dunfermline.

Claire Hodge Claire grew up on a dairy farm in the Scottish Borders, where her parents encouraged their three daughters to follow their interests with no expectations of where their careers would take them. She started with Greenvale AP, the local potato packing and growing business, then Branston before joining the Potato Council in 2012 and going on to work with AHDB. Lizzie McLaughlin Lizzie works as a Graphic Designer and Marketing Exec at Vencomatic UK, working closely with women across different sectors, from farmers to project managers, and shared their story through editorials, videos and social media. She’s looking forward to being a voice for the younger generation and continuing to highlight the fantastic work of women in the industry.

Lucy Mitchell Lucy is currently Vice Chairman of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers

Clubs (SAYFC) East Region and works as a Logistics Manager with WN Lindsay, grain merchants.

As a farmer’s daughter, she has a passionate interest in agriculture and has attended many of the Women in Agriculture Scotland events and relishes the opportunity to promote and drive the organisation forward.

Emma Patterson Taylor Emma is a co-founder of Women in Agriculture Scotland (WiAS) and has worked hard to help build the association, leading on the process of formalising the group. She feels strongly about the importance of increasing representation of women in agriculture and is excited about what this next stage of the association may bring.

Aylett Roan Aylett has worked as treasurer and looked after the social media for WiAS. After working on a farm she studied and worked on farms throughout Scotland before working at Lloyd’s Register (formally SFQC). She now runs the doorstep milk delivery business of Roan’s Dairy and farms with her husband and family; they also starred in the BBC’s This Farming Life (2017/8 season).

Eilidh Robertson Eilidh lives on her husband’s family farm near Pitlochry and runs her photography business alongside her sister, specialising in rural weddings, families and businesses

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across Scotland. She’s followed the Women in Agriculture group since attending Lindy Nelson's inspirational presentation in 2018.

She feels that women’s skills could be harnessed to really help to improve the agricultural industry.

Catherine Sloan Catherine is also a former WiAS committee member. She is an agricultural and rural property solicitor at Turcan Connell and is actively involved in her family’s arable farming business at home in Perthshire. She has a strong interest in agricultural policy as Chairman of SAYFC Agri and Rural Affairs Committee and is also a member of NFUS Legal and Technical Committee.

Heather Wildman A Cumbrian farming woman who has worked in Scottish agriculture for 20 years. She started up her own business Saviour Associates Ltd in 2014 after completing a Nuffield Farming Scholarship on “Communication how to influence change”. She loves to help people to embrace change and hopes to bring to the team a broad experience and perspective of challenges facing farming families.

For more information womeninagriculturescot@gmail. com website www.womeninagriculture.scot facebook Women in Agriculture Scotland

horses

Horse welfare crisis likely this winter Equine welfare charities have warned that the UK faces a horse welfare catastrophe this winter, as Covid-19 restrictions and its effect on the economy continues.

Between the start of lockdown in March and September, 5,444 equine incidents were responded to by the RSPCA across England and Wales.

In a survey by the National Equine Welfare Council, equine rescues reported a drop of more than 50% in donations.

Consequently, the majority are reporting they only have enough funds to exist for another six months.

“We fear equine rescues may go under as the financial situation bites, and increase the burden on the RSPCA,” said the RSPCA’s chief executive Chris Sherwood.

Dr Mark Kennedy, equine welfare expert for the charity said rehoming was holding up well, but the organisation was very concerned about the impact of the financial consequences of the pandemic on both owners and equine rescue organisations.

“Sadly we anticipate a perfect storm where many more horses fall into situations of neglect and suffering over the coming months at the same time as their own finite resources are ever more stretched,” he said.

Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, was also “gravely concerned” about the impact of the pandemic on equine welfare this winter and beyond.

“The true financial consequences of the recession are playing out before us and that will place significant additional strain on horse owners,” he said.

“The key message is for owners who are struggling to seek advice before problems spiral out of control.

“We urge them to contact charities, such as World Horse Welfare, as we are able to offer advice on cutting costs without compromising equine welfare.”

Blue Cross’ Home Direct service provides horses with a new home straight from their current one, taking pressure off charities.

“We understand the struggles owners maybe going through as the pandemic continues,” said Vicki Alford, rehoming centre manager at Blue Cross, Burford.

“We encourage them to approach us while their horses are still healthy.” www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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forestry

NatureScot sets the records straight!

The story published in our last issue – “Foresters question open licence to knowingly kill protected species” – contained a number of inaccuracies. Here, we are happy to let NatureScot explain. (Editor).

From NatureScot : To suggest this licence could “decimate” red squirrel populations is completely false. And to clarify we have

given the licence to Forestry and Land Scotland, not the other way around as stated. Also Forestry Commission Scotland no longer exists. In addition we are unclear what statement they are referring to as NatureScot has never used the term ‘collateral damage’ re this licence.

“NatureScot licences Forestry and Land Scotland to carry out

forest management activities that may affect red squirrels on the national forest estate provided the activities contribute to significant social, economic or environmental benefit.

“Detailed mitigation to minimise the impact on individual squirrels forms part of the stringent licence conditions.

This is not a blanket approach,

but one that ensures FLS operate effectively while protecting wildlife.

“FLS and NatureScot are partners in the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrel project, a multiagency partnership that is taking action to conserve red squirrels and to maintain, enhance and extend red squirrel habitat across Scotland.”

Dunvegan Castle & Gardens secures £1 million grant for ambitious native woodland creation scheme Dunvegan Castle & Gardens awarded a £1 million grant from the Scottish Government and EU for an ambitious native woodland creation scheme at Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye.

After over a year and a half in development, the MacLeod Estate’s new native woodland creation scheme has been awarded a £1million grant from the Scottish Government and EU. The project is being overseen by Scottish Woodlands Ltd, who will plant the scheme on the estate’s behalf by the end of 2021.

This native woodland creation scheme is the first phase of the MacLeod Estate’s evolving rewilding strategy which Hugh MacLeod, Estate 84

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forestry Director, has been working on for the last few years. It is one of the most ambitious projects of its kind on the Isle of Skye, with this first phase focusing on transforming the marginal land of Dunvegan’s former home farm, Totachocaire, into a 240 hectare native woodland area that will be treble the size of the existing contiguous woodlands around Dunvegan Castle & Gardens.

A total of 372,000 trees will be planted with different species mixtures to suit the land’s terrain and ecology. The carbon offset is estimated to exceed 40,000 tons over a 65-year period. This is in addition to the 60,000 native trees planted by the estate in 2010, to replace a monoculture coniferous plantation dating back to the post-war years, with further rewilding and peatbog restoration plans in development.

As one of the largest native woodland projects on the Isle of Skye, this will bring the

total number of native trees planted on the MacLeod Estate since 2010 to 432,000. This is a modest start, but our sincere hope is that this will encourage others to take on rewilding initiatives to restore Skye’s unnatural ‘wet desert’ landscape which is a legacy of centuries

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of depredation caused by over grazing. In common with other Highland areas, some aspects of Skye’s current lunarscape appearance may be beautiful, but it is not natural. The extensive peatbog on the island is clear evidence of ancient and extensive woodlands. This

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forestry

Trees: the root to securing environmental support payments?

When it comes to the public goods cited as objectives for almost all agri-environmental schemes, trees tick just about every box.

Cleaner air? Check. Cleaner water?

Check.

Encouraging wildlife, improving the beauty and heritage of landscapes, mitigation and adaption to climate change?

Check, check and check.

Trees have also been linked to increased agricultural productivity.

As shelter for livestock, they can reduce incidence of mastitis in ewes and hypothermia in lambs.

Trees can also reduce wind damage to arable crops.

It was this unique mix of benefits that led John Lamont, a farm manager in Aberdeenshire, to plant over 11,000 broadleaved trees last year.

“It was a joint decision with the landowner, Mr Mitchell,” says John. “We’re both keen on encouraging wildlife and wanted to further diversify habitats on the farm. We also had some fields that would benefit from that shelter trees offer, as well as some damper areas where trees could help with drainage.”

West Crichie, the 525 acre predominantly arable - unit near Stuartfield also finishes beef cattle and lambs.

“We were nearly entirely advised by SAC Consulting [part of Scotland’s Rural College

(SRUC)]- from the funding application to what to plant and where,” explains John. “We spent half a day walking around the farm, discussing my ideas.

“On the whole we didn’t change much, but there were a few surprises. Altering the angle of a fence line, for example, increased the amount of shelter the trees would provide and I was surprised that beech wasn’t recommended as a species.”

“Beeches are not currently considered a ‘native’ species for new plantings,” explains Ben Law, a forestry consultant with SAC Consulting. “Though that definition may change in light of recent genetic research by the University of Stirling..

“While they are fantastic trees with a number of benefits, beech trees colonise rapidly and shade out other species, potentially threatening more sensitive ancient native woodlands.

“Though they can support struggling red squirrel populations, beech trees are not suitable for planting where grey squirrels are present.”

Oaks, elms, alder and two varieties of birch were among the species recommended for planting at West Crichie farm.

“Oaks are amazing trees,” says Ben. “They used to form a third of all tree cover in Britain but can

be quite picky about conditions.

Elms are brilliant too, but Dutch elm disease has ravaged the UK population so it’s not a species we plant regularly. Birches are very tolerant and hardy trees, they are a ‘pioneer’ species, fast growing and offer dappled shade.

“When it comes to recommending what to plant and where, there’s a huge number of factors to consider.

Every landowner has their own objectives, and each site is unique.

Soil type, exposure to wind and rain, wind throw risk and altitude, are just some of the factors we’ll think about.”

Planting started in October last year and was completed in December by experienced contractor, Gary Davidson.

“In total we planted 15 different sections in a random pattern for a more natural look, with trees fitted with tubes and stakes to protect them from deer,” recalls Gary.

Gary has been tree planting for over 12 years and his enthusiasm is infectious.

“Trees are mostly planted at the same depth. Whether it is a bare root tree or cell-grown, just cover the roots with only a centimetre or two of soil up the stem.”

“Then there’s staking and tubing, as I did on John’s farm.

Whichever method is used, it’s important to prepare the ground,”

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says Gary. “Not only does that make my job quicker and easier, it helps the growth of the trees.”

Once protected, trees require maintenance such as weeding and replacement of any failed trees, and tend to establish well.

“The Forestry Grant Scheme, from Scottish Forestry, covers five years of maintenance as well as the cost of the trees, the planting and some of the fencing costs,” explains John.

“It helps with replacing dead trees, wind damaged stakes and broken plastic shelters, as well as controlling weeds. Those guards are essential to protect the trees from deer and rodents.

“We’ve had a few trees die over the last year. Some are now emerging from their tubes already and most will come through in their second year.

“It’ll be another four of five years before we really see the shelter benefits and seven to ten years before we see the impacts on those damper areas of the farm. It’s a long-term project but I’m delighted to be given something back to the land and those that will care for it after me.”

For more information about improving existing woodland or creating new woodland, contact the SAC Consulting Forestry team on 01786 450 964 87

estate Excellent rural development opportunity in Angus Galbraith is bringing to the market an excellent opportunity to develop an idyllic family home alongside a diverse rural business in the rolling Sidlaw Hills in Angus.

Wester Keith includes land extending to about 330 acres (133.5 hectares) in total and offers the potential to create one or two

bespoke residential dwellings, rural business premises and a separate two-bedroom cottage all set within an area of productive farmland complemented with blocks of native woodland and a beautiful, rural outlook.

Ian Hope of Galbraith, who is handling the sale, said: “The sale of Wester Keith represents

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an excellent opportunity for the purchaser to continue the farming business or to create a rural business hub. The farm buildings could be developed for use by local businesses, following the example of other landowners who have successfully established commercial lets of this kind.

There is a substantial demand for compact rural business units from start-ups and small businesses in a variety of sectors across Scotland, most specifically from those wishing to enter into the expanding agri-tourism market.

The property is situated in a very scenic but accessible location, with Coupar Angus 9 miles away, Dundee about 7.5 miles and Perth 22 miles distant.

Wester Keith is offered for sale as a whole for offers over £1,620,000 or in four lots. For further details please contact Galbraith.

Lot 1 - Wester Keith Farmhouse - plot with full planning consent for a 3-bedroom house; modern

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07763 953489

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*AKEDDAVIES 96@hotmail.com

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farm building, traditional farm building; 18.41 acres (7.45 ha) permanent pasture; 3.61 acres (1.46 ha) woodland. Opportunity to create a smallholding, or to create a family home as part of the whole landholding. Offers Over £450,000 Lot 2 - Wester Keith Cottage.

Charming traditional 1-bedroom cottage. Planning consent and building warrant to extend. Offers Over £175,000 Lot 3 - Land extending to approximately 292.28 acres (118.28 ha) including woodland, farmland, permanent pasture and hill ground; Offers Over £800,000 Lot 4 - Plot at Wester Keith; opportunity to develop on the site of the former farmhouse subject to planning consent. Paddock extending to approximately 8.72 acres (3.53 ha); Native amenity woodland extending to approximately 5.16 acres (2.09 ha); Offers Over £195,000.

The Whole - offers over £1,620,000.

estate Scottish wildlife accreditation to flourish beyond EU exit Wildlife Estates Scotland celebrates 10 years with 2.5 million acre target for 2023

Robbie Douglas-Miller

Scottish estates have vowed to continue driving forward an international wildlife and habitat accreditation scheme beyond the UK’s new relationship with Europe.

Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES), which builds information on species and land use in order to improve Scotland’s biodiversity, is based on a European scheme implemented in 19 countries across the continent.

WES celebrated its 10th birthday recently and Scotland currently sits second in the league table of accredited land, with only Spain ahead on approximately 1.6 million acres. WES aims to double the accredited land to 2.5 million acres by 2023.

Robbie Douglas-Miller, who owns The Hopes Estate in East Lothian, has been closely involved in WES since its inception and believes the scheme is more vital than ever in helping Scotland’s wildlife to flourish. Originally

accredited in 2013, The Hopes comprises 4,200acres of land, primarily open hill and moorland.

Over the past five years the estate has been heavily involved in significant peatland restoration and woodland creation. In 2016, Hopes won the Golden Plover award celebrating the best sustainable upland management.

Robbie said: “An accreditation scheme such as Wildlife Estates Scotland has never been so valuable given the loss of wildlife and habitat that we are seeing across the world.

We are celebrating 10 years of WES and during that time it has helped farms and estates take account of the effect their work has on wildlife. All too often we see farming, forestry or county sports labelled good or bad with regards to wildlife – the reality is far more complicated and each can produce great outcomes through sharing knowledge via a scheme such as WES.”

Wildlife Estates Scotland

By Rebekah Strong, Environment Assistant at Scottish Land & Estates Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) was established in late-2010 to promote sustainable land use and wildlife management and now as it celebrates its 10th birthday, hopes are high for the future of the scheme.

Based on a European scheme implemented in 19 countries across the continent, Scotland currently sits second in the league table of accredited land, with only Spain ahead on approximately 1.6 million acres. WES aims to double the accredited land to 2.5 million acres by 2023.

WES was developed in Scotland by rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates and was launched by Roseanna Cunningham MSP (then Environment Minister).

Financial support has been provided by NatureScot (formerly SNH) and the scheme’s Advisory Board and Technical Committee has a broad spectrum of representation from organisations including the Cairngorms National Park Authority, RSPB, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust as well as the Scottish Government.

Sixty five farms and estates have now reached the scheme’s ‘gold standard’ level 2 accreditation. One of the newest additions to the WES initiative is Attadale estate in the North West Highlands. This large estate has been doing excellent work collaborating with their neighbours and the local university to restore the

River Carron and have seen an impressive increase in salmon catch numbers.

They are also felling all non-native conifer woodland to be replanted with native species, expanding Caledonian pinewoods and ancient semi-natural woodland across the estate.

Joanna Macpherson at Attadale estate commented: “It is encouraging for all of us to have recognition for the effort and investment we have put into so many areas of the estate. These include our consideration of red deer impacts through habitat management and our deer management plan, our long-term forestry plan for broadleaf trees, the restoration of the salmon in the River Carron, and last, but by no means least, the red squirrel release provided

by Trees for Life into Attadale Gardens. The significant increase in red squirrel numbers has certainly proved an additional incentive for visitors to the gardens.”

Wildlife Estates Scotland has come a long way in the past 10 years and is continuing to grow. As the scheme modernises and improves WES continues to attract land-based business who wish to make a positive contribution to biodiversity and sustainability. Through continual collaboration WES is working to ensure these businesses are celebrated, encouraged and supported to do what they can for the sustainable future of land management in Scotland.

For more information www.scottishlandandestates.co.uk Telephone : 0131 653 5400

estate Union welcomes future commitment to less favoured areas but calls for 2020 rates to be fixed NFU Scotland has publicly welcomed the Scottish Government’s recent announcement that it will retain the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) from 2021 onwards as fantastic news for farmers and crofters working more challenging land in Scotland.

The Union has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy Fergus Ewing welcoming the legislation that will allow LFASS payments to be made in further scheme years from 2021 to 2024. The Scottish statutory instrument will also see the payment rates for each future scheme year fixed at the 2018 rate – thereby implying a return to the traditional budget of some £65 million per year.

The retention of the vital LFASS support has been the priority for the Union’s Less Favoured Areas Committee and a central plank of the Union’s 2020 policy documents ‘Stability – The Platform for Change’ (launched in March) and ‘Less Favoured Areas – Delivering for Scotland’ (launched in October).

However, in the letter, NFU Scotland also states that an area of outstanding concern remains 2020

LFASS scheme claims and the associated ‘shortfall’ in payments.

NFUS is demanding the full reinstatement of 2020 payments back to 2018 levels. The Union has also redrawn its red line that any shortfall in the budget for this Pillar 2 scheme should not be made up by raiding hard won Pillar 1 convergence funding.

President Andrew McCornick said: “Both Scottish Government and NFU Scotland recognise the need for active farmers and crofters to be supported in tackling climate change and delivering for biodiversity, whilst producing high quality food and underpinning local economies and communities.

The LFA Support Scheme is specifically intended to help achieve those ends.

“The LFASS claims made in 2019 were paid at 80 per cent of 2018 levels, as necessitated by the EU’s LFA ‘parachute’ regulations.

In lieu of the shortfall, farmers and crofters in receipt of LFASS then received further funds via the ‘upland support’ component from the first tranche of the convergence payments.

“As we know, EU requirements would see LFASS

NFU President Andrew McCornick

2020 payments drop to 40 percent of their 2018 value.

If the Scottish Government’s intention is to pay 2020 claims at 40 percent of 2018 levels complemented by an increase in ‘upland support’ convergence payments, then this would entail a significant re-distribution of support as ‘upland support’ payments fail to reflect the costs of remoteness or the value of mixed livestock enterprises.

“Our LFA Committee has been crystal clear. They want to see 2018 rates fully re-instated for 2020 claims to

ensure this potentially damaging redistribution can be avoided.

We believe that can be done by redefining the ‘upland support’ payment to include the LFASS fragility markers and cattle multipliers creating a like-forlike ‘LFASS’ payment.

“With the second tranche of convergence to come, worth some £70 million, NFU Scotland’s position remains solid.

Convergence was won through Pillar 1 and should be delivered through Pillar 1. Convergence funding should not be used to resolve the LFASS shortfall.”

Kuhn launches telescopic arm hedge and verge cutter KUHN Farm Machinery has strengthened its position in the long reach hedge and verge cutter market with the launch of its first telescopic arm machine.

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With a fully extended horizontal range of 7.4 metres and maximum vertical height of 8.4 metres, the Multi-Longer GII 7457 E-TPAL is KUHN’s

estate longest reach hedge cutter yet and significantly enhances its offering in the sector.

Designed to meet the needs of the professional operator, the Multi-Longer GII 7457 E-TPAL has a parallelogram pivot-mounted straight arm configuration, with the heavy duty frame and main boom robustly constructed of high yield steel. With a 57hp hydraulic motor and 21kW aircooled radiator with double heat exchanger, this machine has a recommended annual use of up to 1,500 hours per year.

As with other models in the KUHN range, the Multi-Longer GII has a 1.2 metre reinforced belt drive flail head as standard, with 240-degree flail head rotation. There is also the option of a 1.5 metre flail head with hydraulic roller.

Operators have the advantage of a 4-function joystick with electric proportional control, with a range of features including ground following aided by hydropneumatic lift control.

The Multi-Longer GII 7547 E-TPAL benefits from having KUHN’s Stabi-Link quick hitch axle mounting as standard, offering increased stability as well as fast mounting/uncoupling to allow the tractor to be quickly freed up for other work. This hedge and verge cutter is recommended for use on tractors with a minimum 120hp and 6.5 tonnes in weight. The standard machine has a recommended retail price of £46,993.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 113 Next issue out March 2021

Get set for the Big Farmland Bird Count 2021 More than 1,500 farmers across Britain overcame challenging February conditions last year to make the 2020 Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) the biggest across the UK since it was launched in 2014.

More than 120 bird species were recorded across 1.4 million acres in the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) initiative. Because of the February storms the BFBC organisers extended the count window by a week in response to calls from farmers who wanted to take part but couldn’t do so as thousands of acres were inundated with floodwater.

The UK wide 2020 count recorded an impressive 25 red-listed species. Of these, fieldfares, starlings, linnets and lapwings were the four most abundant, with over 67,000 spotted in total, equating to 24% of all species recorded. The five most abundant birds seen overall across the UK were woodpigeons, starlings, lapwings, black-headed gulls and rooks.

In Scotland 60 farmers took part and recorded 81 species across 81,362 acres.

19 of these species were red-listed, with the five most commonly seen farmland species in Scotland being blackbird, pheasant, robin, blue tit and carrion crow.

The next Big Farmland Bird Count takes place from 5 -14 February 2021 and, as in previous years, it continues to offer a simple means of recording the

effect of conservation schemes currently being initiated by farmers and gamekeepers on their land such as supplementary feeding or growing wild bird seed crops and game cover crops. It’s also a good way to assess the overall health of our farmland bird populations.

Dr Dave Parish, Head of GWCT Scottish Lowland Research, says: “Farmers and gamekeepers are vital in helping to ensure the future survival of many of our most cherished farmland bird species such as skylark, yellowhammer and wild grey partridges.

They manage the largest songbird habitat in this country on their land but frequently their efforts to reverse bird declines are largely unrecorded. The Big Farmland Bird Count can help to remedy this.

“From our research at our Allerton Project farm in Leicestershire and now at our Scottish Demonstration Farm at Auchnerran in Aberdeenshire we are gainingagreaterunderstanding of the needs of farmland game and wildlife and the importance of the combined benefit for example of habitat management, winter feeding and targeted legal predator control in the breeding season. We have also come to understand the benefits that can be gained from long term monitoring of bird numbers in order to identify trends in wildlife populations.

“We want to give farmers and gamekeepers

an opportunity to show what their conservation efforts deliver on the ground, not just for game but for many other farmland species and allow farmers to discover the different and often extensive range of birds that are on the farm.”

How to get involved?

Visit the GWCT website and download and print the count sheet https://www. bfbc.org.uk Then between 5 and 14 February spend about 30 minutes recording the species and number of birds seen on one particular area of the farm. You can choose your own location but somewhere with a good view of around 2 ha of the farm is ideal.

You should record the types of habitat and cropping on and adjacent to your count site to help provide GWCT with more detail about your count location.

To see the highest number of birds we would recommend that the site includes or is close to an area of game or wild seed mix or somewhere that supplementary feeding takes place.

Ideally, counting should take place at first light as this is when the birds are most active. However, it is more important that you manage to take part and submit a return, so timings should suit you.

Then send in your results online – more detail at www.bfbc.org.uk.

Beatha an eilean “Is e riatanas bun-adhbhar innleachd” le Rod MacCoinnich Neach-gairm, Coimisean na Croitearachd Tha an t-àm seo den bhliadhna an dèidh ùine dhripeil obrach as t-fhoghar, an-còmhnaidh a’ toirt dhomh cothrom air meòrachadh air na beagan mhìosan mu dheireadh.

Tha fèilltean-reic chrodh is chaorach air a bhith sàr-mhath sa h-uile dòigh. Tha na prìsean a ràinigeadh don dà sheòrsa stuic anns na h-ionadan-margaidh uile a tha stèidhichte taobh a-staigh nan sgìrean croitearachd, air a bhith nas fheàrr agus nas seasmhaiche na bha iad airson mòran bhliadhnaichean.

Is e an abairt “ ’S e riatanas bunadhbhar innleachd” a tha a’ tighinn gu inntinn an seo agus le riaghailtean is cuibhreachaidhean teann Covid do luchd-ceannach agus luchd-reic a bha an làthair, ghabh na h-ionadan-reic uile ri àrd-ùrlaran malairt air-loidhne far am faodadh luchd-ceannach cunntas air-loidhne a chruthachadh agus tairgsinn airson stoc agus a cheannach air astar. Is toigh le luchd-reic gu h-àbhaisteach a bhith an làthair gus toradh an saothrach fhaicinn ga reic sna beagan mhionaidean a tha sin a’ toirt, ach ged a bha e ceadaichte dhaibh a bhith an làthair le an còmhdach-aodainn orra, roghnaich a’ mhòr-chuid fuireach aig an taigh agus logadh a-steach do phortal nan ionadan-reic agus amharc air an fhèill bho chofhurtachd an dachaighean fhèin.

Tha a bhith a’ siubhal tro na sgìrean croitearachd an-còmhnaidh a’ toirt orm smaoineachadh mu dheidhinn an eadar-ghluasaid bho chroitearachd ghnìomhach a bhith na roghainn seach a bhith na riatanas. Tha na croitearan a tha a’ cumail suas an croitean ’s gan cumail làidir agus ann an suidheachadh math a’ faotainn duais am-bliadhna le bhith a’ reic 92

Rod MacCoinnich

an toraidh aig prìsean nas àirde.

Tha an seòrsa cleachdaidh air fearann anns na srathan agus na glinn gun choimeas, a tha bitheanta don chruth-tìre croitearachd an seo agus is e croitearachd fhathast a tha a’ cumail nan sgìrean sin beò. Tha raointean ann a tha air an trèigsinn agus dh’fhaodadh nach gabh an suidheachadh seo a leasachadh ach tha na sgìrean sin fhathast umhail do dhleastanasan agus riaghailtean croitearachd.

On a thòisich cùis-èiginn Covid sa Mhàrt, tha luchd-reic agus àidseantan fearainn air bòcadh fhaicinn ann an ùidh ann an croitean agus tacan beaga taobh a-staigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean. An t-adhbhar airson seo? Tha daoine ag iarraidh

air falbh bho strì beatha agus dùmhlachd sluaigh a’ bhaile mhòir ’s na sgìrean mun cuairt gus tlachd a ghabhail à càileachd beatha de nach eil a leithid ann.

Tha seo a’ tarraing 2 dhuilgheadas ge-tà, chan eil gu leòr chroitean gam fàgail falamh gus an t-iarrtas a tha a’ sìor fhàs a choileanadh, agus mar thoradh air an sin chan eil e comasach do na daoine òga a rugadh agus a thogadh sna sgìrean croitearachd, air prìs sònrachaidh gabhaltas croite a mhaoineachadh, gun luaidh air ceannach iomlan air croit seilbhe.

Tha sgioba dhleastanasan Coimisean na Croitearachd ag obair cruaidh air an seo. Gu làithreach, tha mòran chùisean “briseadh dhleastanasan” a’ dol

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air adhart ach mar thoradh air a’ phròiseas reachdail a tha an lùib nan achdan croitearachd, tha seo a’ toirt ùine. Tha raonama àbhaisteach a thaobh cùis dhleastanasan, le ùineachan fios gan amharc cuideachd, timcheall air 24 mìos bho thoiseach gu deireadh. Is e an dòigh as fhasa agus as sìmplidhe air croitean a “shaoradh”, nan toireadh na croitearan sin nach eil a’ còmhnaidh no ag obrachadh na croite aca, suas an gabhaltasan gu saor-thoileach do chuideigin a tha airson fuireach an sin, a’ chroit obrachadh agus cur ris a’ choimhearsnachd. San dòigh sin, faodaidh an croitear a tha a’ falbh prìs fhaotainn fhathast airson a’ ghabhaltais.

Ma ghabhas Coimisean na Croitearachd os làimh e agus gu bheil iad soirbheachail ann an crìochnachadh a’ ghabhaltais, mar sin caillidh an croitear a tha a’ falbh an cothrom air an gabhaltas a reic air a’ mhargaid fhosgailte.

Tha mi a’ cur ìmpidh air neach sam bith nach eil a’ còmhnaidh no ag obrachadh na croite aca, fios a chur gu Coimisean na Croitearachd oir tha mòran dòighean timcheall air gnìomh sparraidh dhleastanasan agus is urrainn don luchd-obrach againn iad sin a mhìneachadh. Tha Bòrd nan Coimiseanairean dealasach a thaobh na h-iomairt seo agus ged a tha e “riaslach” an-dràsta, tha e a’ togail cumhachd gluasaid fad na tìde. Dh’aontaich am Bòrd ri a phrìomhachasan airson obair dhleastanasan a leudachadh aig a’ choinneamh san Dùbhlachd, agus neartaichidh fastadh air luchdobrach a’ Choimisein stèidhichte ann an Steòrnabhagh agus Beinn na Fadhla mar a chaidh ainmeachadh nas tràithe am-bliadhna, an obair seo.

by Linda Mellor

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE 2020 to 2021: it was out with the old and in with the new.

What’s ahead, who knows?

The mode I adopted was to carry on as best I could within the realms of government guidelines.

One of my 2020 highlights was stag stalking in October. I found it particularly rewarding as it was part of a managed cull. I did not go out to stalk the finest stag, the monarch of the glen with the biggest head of antlers. Nope. I was out to identify an old beast: one beyond his prime or a younger stag in poor condition.

We started early to get out onto the hill, I stalked with seasoned deerstalker, Richard MacGregor. On the lower ground it was clear but as we climbed, a mist drifted in on the wind. We carried on hopeful the very same wind would clear the skies for us.

On higher ground, it is always

cold, and I had forgotten my gloves but improvised with a pair of disposable ones that gave some protection against the cold air.

We crossed an old but sturdy bridge, and made our way over the grassy tussocks, mud, heather, and moss, and followed a burn uphill, crisscrossing when the sides got too steep.

We headed up towards the back of Corrievarkie always with an eye on the mist as it moved on the breeze. As the land opened up to a view of never-ending peat hags we stopped for a breather.

Grouse flew back and forth, cackling to one another and Ravens squawked overhead (a stalker’s sign of good fortune).

Richard led the way through the maze of peat hags, as we got closer to the top, we heard stags roaring in the mist. We stopped, spied,

and waited, and waited. The wild and ancient landscape looked spooky as the mist blew through quickly revealing then cloaking the peat hags.

A small hawk hunted close to us. We waited. Suddenly, the mist cleared and uncovered blue sky. We carried on. In less than five minutes, we had stopped as the mist had closed in around us. ‘It’s no good, this mist isn’t going to clear,’ said Richard, ‘we’ll go back down, and we can try again tomorrow.’

The following day, the wind direction had changed so Richard had advised a different approach from the other end of the estate.

We hadn’t been out long when a stag suddenly let out a roar ahead of us. We quickly crouched behind a grassy knoll, Richard was in front, he looked through the binoculars and studied the stag. ‘A perfect cull stag,’ he whispered. ‘You can take him.’ He slid the .270 rifle into position. I crawled forward, nestled the rifle into my shoulder, and studied the stag through the rifle scope.

We were hidden, the stag had no idea we were there as he chivvied a few hinds around (it was still the rut), he looked thin. ‘Take the shot when you are ready,’ said Richard, quietly and calmly. I took a deep breath, exhaled, and took the shot. An instant death. The stag rolled down

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the steep-sided banking and landed by the burn on a bed of fallen birch leaves and heather. It was a rather beautiful and fitting location for a wild beast that had roamed the hills for his entire life.

Upon closer inspection, the stag was not in good condition and would not have survived the winter. He was getting on as well. Richard checked the stag’s bottom row of teeth and said he had to be about nine years old. I gave the stag his last bite of heather (a respectful ritual) before he was gralloched. The beast was dragged closer to the track allowing an easier extraction by Argocat. The drag ropes were left on the carcass to ward off the Ravens. Usually the spent shell is left on a carcass when the stalker goes to fetch his ATV, but I had that in my pocket as a memento of the occasion.

Each stalk is a memorable occasion, and the details stay etched in your mind.

This one was special for lots of reasons, one of them was experiencing the weather and how you can’t fight it. Mother Nature will always win. But with persistence, on another day, we were able to complete a stalk and finish the cull. It is a privilege to stalk deer, and to take part in a managed, professional process that safeguards the health and quality of Scotland’s wild deer.

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BOOK SERIALISATION

The Cairngorms River Dee, mountain high In the first of a series of exclusive extracts from his book ‘The Cairngorms: A Secret History’, Patrick Barker traces the Dee back to its source – the highest river springs in the British Isles I had walked the Lairig Ghru several times before. Each time, I had made the mountain-pass trek from north to south – Speyside to Deeside. To arrive from the south however, wandering upstream, was to witness the full panoramic sweep of the valley: the deep glacial trench of the Lairig Ghru and its kilometre-wide opening in the plateau. At the southern end of the glen reared the Devil’s Point, the pass’s imposing gatekeeper.

I cut left from the established track, stumbling steeply uphill over thick heather and ankle-twisting boulders. There was nowhere else in the British Isles where I could have been surrounded by greater height. Encircling the skyline above me were four of the five highest mountains in the country.

I was heading for Garbh Choire Mor, the north-east face of which collects and retains more snow than anywhere else in Britain.

Huge quantities are blown from the surface of the plateau, emptying over the cliff-face in wind-driven torrents and deposited in deep slabs

at the base of the corrie. In the later stages of winter, colossal cornices also form here on the plateau rim, protruding deceptively above the vertical drops, deadly balconies of friable snow.

Such is the amount of snow that collects in Garbh Choire Mor and the nature of its sheltered position that snow can often be found here at any time of the year. Yet, in an augury of shifting environmental conditions, these year-long snow packs have been disappearing.

During the last century the snow only completely melted on three occasions. In the first decade alone of the twenty-first century, the thaw had already happened twice.

In the upper reaches of An Garbh Choire, the stream split into two smaller, feeder burns draining down from each of the corries. I stayed with the right-hand division as it sloshed meekly down from the Garbh Choire Dhaidh corrie, and I entered into a more mineral realm. Plant-life and groundcover were replaced by scree-runs and rock falls, the greens and browns

of the lower valley giving way to monochrome greys and the glinting of quartz.

Ascending into the corrie felt like accessing a secret room.

The area opened out into a large area of flat ground, perched high above the valley like a mezzanine floor, concealed within the wider architecture of the mountain.

Boulder-strewn and bordered by a cirque of broken granite slopes, the corrie felt utterly remote. At the far side, carving down the centre of the corrie wall, the Falls of Dee descended from the plateau in a 60-metre ribbon of whitewater. It was here, in 1810, that the first climb ever recorded in the Cairngorms took place: a Church of Scotland minister, the Reverend George Skene Keith, made a daring scramble on the steep rib of exposed granite and grass that ran adjacent to the waterfall.

I chose not to follow this precarious route. Instead, at the corrie’s eastern rim I found an alternative entrance onto the plateau. The barbed skyline of

Winter wonderland: The Cairngorms. Only a few places on the massif retain snow all year round

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the cliff edge rounded to a steep, scree-covered slope that slid beneath me in clattering footfalls of rock. I summited near the peak of Braeriach, and then circled back across the plateau in search of the Dee. A stiff breeze angled in from the west and, on the strippedback surface of the plateau, moss campion grew in dense clumps of pinks and greens, as soft and bouncy as pin-cushions. Tiny springs leached from the granular soil, bubbling upwards in shallow puddles of clear water.

Ahead of me, half a kilometre in the distance, silhouetted against the late afternoon sun, I saw the outline of a large deer herd. Within minutes, three of the herd broke ranks and cantered towards me, their shape and pelts becoming more apparent: long spindly limbs and brindled coats. I had read about this herd, they were reindeer that had been introduced, or more precisely reintroduced, to Scotland in 1952 by a Swedish reindeer herder, Mikel Utsi. The deer now roamed freely across the tundra of the Braeriach plateau, perfectly suited to the cold conditions and high, open spaces. The rest of herd soon wandered down, thirty or forty in total, gathering around me, inquisitive and friendly, sniffing at my rucksack as I moved among them.

I stayed with the most prominent flow of water as it retreated back into the plateau. The small stream soon fissured into a meshwork of even smaller streams, each reducing and eventually disappearing into the coarse soil. These watery tendrils, I realised, were the Wells of Dee. There was no one definitive start point, no single place of derivation; I was standing amidst the assorted

BOOK SERIALISATION wellsprings of the River Dee, the highest river source in the British Isles.

I quickly explored each spring in turn. Most appeared just to seep out through the sandy ground, filtering up into small patches of sodden ground, then trickling downwards to form tiny rivulets and conjoining burns. Only the largest of the springs was different; it issued forth from a wide circular crater, recessed deeply into the surrounding landscape, ten feet or more in diameter and filled with lime green mosses and long grass.

The water pooled inside the hollow and formed a ready-made stream, at least a foot wide, fully formed and utterly transparent.

In her extraordinary 1977 character study of the Cairngorms, The Living Mountain, Nan Shepherd writes in beguiled tones about the riverhead.

‘It lies like a broad leaf veined with watercourses,’ Shepherd wrote.

‘Astonishingly, up here at 4000 feet, it is already a considerable stream.

The immense leaf that it drains is bare surfaced with stones, gravel, sometimes sand and in places moss and grass grow on it . . . Like all profound mysteries, it is so simple in frightens me. It wells from the rock, and flows away. For unnumbered years it has welled from the rock, and flowed away.

It does nothing, absolutely nothing but be itself.’

It was true; there was an intriguing permanence to the Wells. The continuous murmuring and surfacing of water within each spring marked an everchanging, but ceaseless renewal.

It was a process which made everything else in the landscape, by comparison, seem ephemeral and transitory. I thought back to the deserted townships of the previous night; to the flitting buzz of life I had witnessed in the glen earlier that day; to the remnant pines; and the forest buried beneath the peat bog.

I thought also about the floods of 1829, which swept away even sturdy bridges and ruined vast tracts of fertile land, and how, at some point in the future, this would one day happen again.

The reindeer eventually moved on and the sun dipped below the horizon. As the temperature dropped and the wind increased, I climbed inside my bivouac bag, grateful for the shelter and the rest.

I spent a cold, fitful night on the tundra and woke at first light to a silver-grey dawn.

I left for home, following the rim of the plateau eastwards, reaching the top of Cairn Toul just after six o’clock in the morning. The cloudbase had descended, cloaking the upper landscape in mist. From the summit cairn, I dropped southwest, moving over rain-slickened boulders. In the breaks in the cloud, I was able to make out the glen far below. I saw the River Dee, appearing and disappearing through the fragmenting mist: dark and hard-edged, ghosting in and out of view.

This is an edited extract from The Cairngorms: A Secret History by Patrick Baker (Birlinn, £9.99pbk). Readers can buy it and/or Unremembered Places: Exploring Scotland’s Wild Histories, also by Patrick Baker (Birlinn, £14.99 hbk), with 15% off while stocks last. Both free p&p in the UK. To order, phone 0845 370 0067 or log on to www.birlinn. co.uk . Quote code CAIRNFS2020.

Offer ends 31 December 2021.

Garbh Choire Mor: Snow here lasted all year round every year but three in the last century, but it has already been snow-free twice since 2000

Looking north at the Lairig Ghru – Scotland’s best-known mountain pass – with the Devil’s Peak in the centre

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machinery Skandia H-Line next-generation elevator from BDC Systems Ltd raises the bar for efficient grain handling BDC Systems Ltd, Skandia Elevator’s sole UK agent today announces that Skandia’s H-Line, next-generation grain handling elevators are now available for delivery in the UK and Ireland.

“Skandia Elevator has worked closely with its customers to understand exactly what they need from an elevator to improve the efficiency of grain handling within both commercial grain storage operations and larger farming enterprises,” said Andrew Head, Managing Director of Wiltshire-based BDC Systems Ltd. By listening to its customers Skandia H-Line next-generation of elevators meet their requirements by delivering optimised flow, less wear, simpler and easier maintenance plus the ability to increase the overall height up to 70 metres.

Skandia has focused on simplifying service and maintenance of the H-Line. Its elevator hood is now a two-piece unit, the inspection hatches in the legs are larger and the boot has two extra cleaning hatches, as does the drive head. These smart solutions provide convenient

access, simplifying the working day and significantly reducing downtime.

In addition, to meet customers’ requirements to improve maintenance the H-Line’s head pulley, bearings, top shaft and drive can now all be removed as a complete assembly.

The H-Line’s new elevator hood and head design has been developed using extensive simulations and calculations.

The result is that the hood follows the trajectory of the grain minimising wear and importantly, damage to the grain.

All internal contact surfaces are fitted with plastic wearing plates.

The increased dimension of the H-Line’s new and stronger legs mean that the elevator can withstand higher loads and by optimising the power requirements, the H-Line can be built up from 50 metres to now reach 70 metres. The H-Line’s Very Low Elongation (VLE) belt means that although the elevator is higher the belt stretches considerably less so has a longer service life, reducing the need for re-tensioning – saving both time and money.

Automatic wheel following system for Kuhn trailed sprayers KUHN has introduced an automatic steering axle system as an option on its Metris 2 and Oceanis 2 trailed sprayers to enable more precise driving and reduce crop damage when spraying.

Fitting a machine with steering axle technology is

usually a time-consuming task, with brackets to make and the linkage to attach to the rear of the tractor. The Track Assist system greatly simplifies the process by replacing the mechanical connection with a gyroscopic sensor, which is simply fixed (continued on page 98)

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machinery The DalBo Greenline

to the rear of the tractor with a magnet. The gyroscopic sensors detect the steering angle of the tractor and the sprayer follows the tractor’s trajectory.

Simple to fit and easy to use, Track Assist has a wide operating angle of 23 degrees (28 degrees on the Oceanis 2).

The system also activates across a wide forward speed range, from 2km/hr up to 22km/hr, to ensure efficacy working at the headlands and safety when in transport mode. The Track Assist system also realigns the sprayer with the tractor when reversing, to increase the ease of manoeuvrability.

Track Assist is priced the same as a mechanical wheel following system for these KUHN sprayers.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue out March 2021

TRACTORS & BALERS WANTED International 430 / 440 / 435 / 445 Massey Ferguson 120 / 124 / 128 / 220 224 / 228 Claas Markant 55 / 60 / 65 RING George on

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At Dalbo they offer a range of grassland management systems with the Greenline. Not only can DalBo offer a Greenline ballast roller, they can transform the DALBO Greenline to a roller which can do multiple applications at once. With the ability to add a seeder on the Greenline it can rejuvenate, re-seed and consolidate in one pass. The DALBO Greenline is available in 6.3 and 8.3m working widths, they also offer a 3m mounted Greenline lift. “Our

Greenline ballast drums are 710 x 10mm which can be filled with water, the ballast drums have a curved edge to prevent scuffing at headlands. We can also offer our cross-combi prism rings or snowflake rings to go in the Greenline. With our Greenline we can offer a range of attachments, cracker board, 2 rows of harrow with cracker board, 2 rows of harrows and mole hill board. We also have a range of options for our seeder, hydraulic or electric fan, 300L and 500L.”

Vaderstad launch largest high speed precision seed drill Väderstad has launched its largest high-speed precision seed drill to date, which will be available from June 2021.

Despite its size the Tempo L 32 can maintain increased output without compromising performance.

The new drill is equipped with 32 row units of 375mm

spacing, a 3000l seed hopper and a Central Seed Fill as standard.

To manage a narrower row spacing, every second-row unit is offset. The row cleaner angle and gauge wheel size have also been reduced.

To increase the versatility of the Tempo L 32 it is possible to hydraulically raise half of (continued on page 100)

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machinery the row units and lock them in an upper position, reducing the number of rows from 32 (375mm row spacing) to 16 (750mm row spacing). In practice for UK growers, this means it is possible to drill oilseed rape and then change to maize on 16 rows with 750mm row spacing quickly and efficiently.

For the Canadian market, there is a possibility to attach the Tempo L 32 to a Seed Hawk 660 Air Cart. The Seed Hawk 660 Air Cart is able to hold up to 23000l of fertiliser.

Launch of large-scale machine for rolling dry or moist grain A new machine launched by feed preservation specialists, Kelvin Cave Ltd, is thought to be the largest roller mill on the UK and Irish market. The Murska 4000 rolls dry or moist grain at a rate of up to 100 tonnes/hour (for maize) or 80t/hr (for crimped, moist cereals).

This high-volume throughput makes the Murska 4000 suitable for large-scale farming operators including contractors or animal feed blending plants.

Its four pairs of meter-long rollers with their 2mm-fluted, hardened surface enable the machine to roll or crimp a wide

range of grains and pulses. This ranges from completely dry cereals and maize to grains with moisture contents of up to 45%.

High moisture grains or pulses requiring additives can be treated as the grain is processed, with preservatives such as Crimpsafe or Propcorn NC, if an applicator

is fitted. Similarly, applicators can also add feed supplements such as minerals, at the time of processing.

The Murska 4000’s robust belt conveyer gives the machine extended reach into grain stores, clamps of crimp, or lorries. Its modular design also means it can be expanded with an additional unit, should an even higher capacity be required.

Designed and manufactured in Finland, the Murska 4000 joins an existing range of rollers and crimpers which cater for all sizes of operator. These range from the small farm which processes feed for its own livestock to large AD plants using crimp as feedstock.

All models run from a tractor’s PTO or some smaller models have the option of a three-phase electric motor.

“The Murska and Korte grain rolling and crimping machines are widely acknowledged as global market leaders,” says Michael Carpenter from Kelvin Cave Ltd. “Their ability to process all cereal grains and pulses at such a wide range of moisture contents sets the benchmark in the farming industry and meets our own exacting standards for engineering excellence.” (continued on page 102)

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machinery Silver Fox award for FLOWTAST glide bar

The spotlight is once again on innovations by agricultural machinery manufacturer Pöttinger in a year that takes a break from physical trade fairs. A grassland farming system was awarded an innovation prize: Agraria Wels, one of Austria’s leading trade fairs, awarded the Silver Fox 2020 to the FLOWTAST glide bar. This time around the prize was awarded online.

The award Agraria, the Austrian agricultural technology fair, awarded the Silver Fox in cooperation with the Austrian Farming Magazine, the Upper Austrian Chamber of Agriculture and the Land of Upper Austria. This award focuses on practical benefits for the farmer. The FLOWTAST glide bar won the best in field category.

The innovation in detail The new glide bar is available as an option instead of jockey wheels on the TOP 842 C centre-swath rake to track the ground close to the tines over 102

the whole surface. FLOWTAST glides effortlessly over wet and peaty soils, as well as deep furrows, holes and wheel marks. If jockey wheels sink in, the tines inevitably scrape the ground and the forage becomes contaminated.

FLOWTAST is made of a special synthetic material that is extremely resistant to wear and abrasion. Each glide bar consists of five individually exchangeable 15 mm thick plates that are mounted close to the tine arc. This guarantees perfect ground tracking and tine control.

The sickle shape of the bar offers the best gliding properties even during sideways movements.

A hydraulic cylinder provides weight alleviation for the rotor unit so that the low ground pressure of approx. 200 kg conserves the soil and the glide bar. The result is reduced wear and lower stress on the frame of the rake.

This award impressively highlights Pöttinger’s leading role as the specialist for the best forage.

HORSCH Focus TD offers strip-till in new 3m working width

HORSCH has launched a 3m version of the proven Focus TD strip-till line to offer a solution for smaller operations

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to combine strip tillage and sowing.

Following customer requests for a smaller machine, the

machinery 3m model has a steel hopper with 3500 litre capacity with a partition of 60:40. In addition, a MiniDrill with an additional 400 litre capacity is available.

The MiniDrill offers a third component in the application process and increases the

productivity of the machine. In the case of OSR seeding, the rape seed can be metered with the MiniDrill and the two main hoppers can be used for fertiliser, increasing the seeding output of the Focus by 40%. If the MiniDrill is used as an addition

to the PPF system, the seed outlets are located in the seed bar area and can be used to apply slug pellets, for example.

The Focus TD has been designed to be an uncompromising solution for strip and conventional drilling in

one machine. The TerraGrip tine system creates a deep loosened area and fertiliser can be placed shallow, deep or 50/50. The tine cultivation frame can be replaced with the DiscSystem to create a compact rotary disc harrow.

Fendt combine harvesters with special headers from Geringhoff

As demand for specialist combine harvester headers has increased in recent years, Fendt is now expanding its range to include special headers from Geringhoff. To this end, a longterm partnership was recently agreed between the agricultural equipment manufacturer AGCO/ Fendt and Carl Geringhoff Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, based in Ahlen, Westphalia, Germany.

Geringhoff is known worldwide as a premium manufacturer of draper headers, corn pickers, headers for special crops and folding headers – a perfect complement to Fendt units. Geringhoff’s products include draper headers with flexible cutterbars, and with a split frame and reel for the best ground adaptation, and an optional flexible cutterbar for the lowest pickup losses in stalk and bean cutting. These units adapt perfectly to the ground contour.

Fendt customers will also be able to use headers with a working width of up to 13.70 m with their Fendt combine harvester www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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machinery in the future. Geringhoff also provides special sunflower and millet heads. The existing range of Fendt headers – FreeFlow, PowerFlow and CornFlow – is still available.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 113 Next issue out March 2021

Kuhn upgrades boom spreader with launch of Aero GT KUHN Farm Machinery has launched the Aero GT 60.1, a trailed pneumatic boom spreader that is available in 30, 32 and 36 metre formats.

The Aero GT replaces the AGT 6036 in KUHN’s range, with upgrades on its predecessor including a significant 25% increase in the maximum application rate, greater precision in section control, and improvements in the control unit, calibration and maintenance.

Higher application rates are possible due to increased mass flow characteristics brought about by a bigger air intake and larger capacity pipes. For example, when spreading urea to 36 metres, application rates of up to 320kg/ha are possible for

the Aero GT when travelling at 15kph, compared with 250kg/ha from the AGT. A new metering system on the Aero GT incorporates six individual units that can

be shut off independently when using automatic section control (KUHN MULTIRATE 6). When used in combination with a variable rate map, each individual unit can also apply

Old Glasgow Road, Kilwinning Ayrshire, Scotland, KA13 7QJ Tel: 01294 557835

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a different fertiliser rate. The possibility of applying a different application rate every six metres across the width of the machine is ideally suited to those farmers who are looking to maximize the control of their inputs.

An upgrade in the Aero GT’s control unit compared with the AGT creates greater compatibilities with ISOBUS terminals. The Aero GT can be controlled by the CCI 800 or CCI 1200, or the tractor’s own ISOBUS terminal.

Other improvements include improved kinematics, with calibration being significantly simpler for the operator. In addition, the fan units are fitted with maintenance free bearings and the material thickness has been increased on the wearing elements, improving the machine’s durability and reducing the running costs.

Retail prices start at £141,950 for the 36m machine.

machinery Vaderstad launches new pneumatic seed drill Spirit 400c/s Väderstad has launched the Spirit 400C/S pneumatic seed drill with key features such as innovative E-Control control system with ISOBUS Task Control, SeedEye blockage monitoring and new hydraulics.

The drill also has a new open machine design and two platforms, which has led to improved accessibility. New hydraulics delivers active seed coulter pressure, adjustable following harrow pressure, and automatic headland sequence control.

The operator has full control of the seeding operation via the iPad-based control system Väderstad E-Control.

The SeedEye blockage feature helps the operator to monitor the seed

and fertiliser output in real time.

Any deviation triggers a warning so that any impact on drilling can be quickly solved. outlet together

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with the seeds in the seed coulter.

The Spirit 400C/S will go into production in February 2021.

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machinery Opico expands partnership with Netherton Tractors OPICO Ltd is pleased to announce the expansion of its partnership with Netherton Tractors Limited, to include Maschio Gaspardo tillage and seeding equipment and Maschio flail mowers, SKY grain drills and Strautmann forage and feeding wagons. Netherton has previously been a longstanding and successful OPICO dealer, selling and servicing the HE-VA range of cultivation machinery and the OPICO range of grassland maintenance equipment and grain dryers.

Netherton Tractors Ltd, was established in 1987 and covers the area from the M8 north, with branches located in Forfar, Glenrothes and Perth, as well as two depots to be opened in

the Turiff and Nairn area. This recent expansion has extended their reach into the North of Scotland.

Commenting, Charles Bedforth, OPICO Sales Director said, “We couldn’t be more delighted that our full line-up of brands will be represented

by Netherton Tractors. They enjoy an excellent reputation for supporting customers and they are ideally positioned to grow the OPICO portfolio across the Perthshire, Turiff and Nairn areas. We are confident that all our customers, new and existing will receive excellent support.“ Harry Barclay, Managing Director at Netherton Tractors Limited added, “The OPICO range of brands enables us to

offer our customers a wide range of arable, forage, feeding and grassland products. Our sales, service and parts teams are busy

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getting up to speed with the excellent new range and we look forward to being of service to our local customers.”

machinery Weaving Machinery’s new ShortDisc cultivator delivers healthier soils and better weed control Weaving Machinery has announced the release of a new and upgraded ShortDisc cultivator, now available for spring and summer deliveries. The enhanced ShortDisc adds a suite of new features and refines the classic design to lower soil disturbance and retain moisture while making weed control more effective.

“We’ve taken the previous ShortDisc and reworked it for improved functionality and smoother operation,” says Simon Weaving, Sales Manager at Weaving Machinery. “This isn’t an incremental update. This is a significant step forward that lets farmers achieve more precise seed bed preparation for both stubbles and ploughed ground.”

The new ShortDisc features a massively strengthened “V” ring roller that is capable of much heavier pressing, resulting in improved moisture retention, a completely level seed bed, and a better flush of weeds for more effective management. “The beauty of our new patent-pending ring roller is that it can let trash flow through smoothly, meaning there won’t be any drag or extra horsepower required,” says Simon.

“The larger size means better stability and performance at all times, whether the conditions are wet or dry.”

Hydraulic depth control has also been updated, with a new set of aluminium spacers allowing much finer adjustment than before.

Combined with the new bulldog disc, the hydraulics can be set for a much shallower depths than with rigid pins.

“The ShortDisc is more rigid in the ground so you don’t get any bounce at higher speeds,” says Simon. “A lot of our customers

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have used the previous ShortDisc on ploughed ground as well as stubble. That capability still exists here, along with chopping cover crops which – thanks to the new disc – doesn’t always cut in the same place, making sure the soil moves more at shallower depths.”

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machinery Kubota announces Plus-series variable chamber balers for 2021 Kubota is to introduced a revised range of variable chamber round balers for the 2021 season.

Designated Plus-series, the updated models comprise the BV5160 and BV5200 versions, and the Flexiwrap baler-wrapper combination which uses the BV5160 with 14-knife crop chopping system.

The changes have been implemented to improve output and lower operating costs, and combine a redesigned roller crop press capable of lifting higher in heavier crops, with strengthened side support arms with improved limit stops. Enhanced protection against crop wrapping is also provided for the crop press bearings, which have now been mounted inside the roller.

Up front, the 2.2m pick-up reel - which features twin-cam tracks and five tine bars - has also been refreshed. It now features 10mm longer tines and wider stripper plates to improve cleaning in wet crop conditions.

The pick-up drive chain has also been increased in size for added durability.

The baler driveline has also received attention and is now equipped with long-life HBC specification chains providing higher fatigue strength and increased wear resistance, compared to conventional chain.

The bale chamber gets a new design of idler rollers which benefit from a 45% increase in bearing diameter, along with larger internal grease capacity

and improved shielding.

The idler rollers also gain a

We supply these and many leading brands of quality farm machinery throughout central Scotland

Call, email, text message Andrew Kerr with your enquiry

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continuous central shaft, which adds rigidity.

finance Farming unions echo calls for funding assurances ‘Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish farmers and their respective rural economies must not be the losers from a battle over funding between devolved governments and Westminster.’

That was the strong and unequivocal message from NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru and Ulster Farmers’ Union in response to a joint statement made by the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministers of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland this afternoon.

The statement follows a joint letter from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministers to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George Eustice MP. In their letter, the trio call for assurances from UK Government that all lost EU funding will be fully replaced to provide certainty to the rural economies of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru and Ulster Farmers’ Union, have echoed those calls, stating that previous commitments to fund agriculture should be maintained and honoured.

NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick said: “NFU Scotland has always been crystal clear that in the post-Brexit era, Scottish farmers and crofters must have access to the same quantum of funding as they had under the CAP. Conservative manifesto pledges in 2017 and 2019 recognised that the sector should not be disadvantaged financially by Brexit. We call on the UK Government to ensure that this week’s financial spending review honours that commitment.

THEMONEYMAN Tax Considerations and Succession Planning for Farming Businesses

By Ian Craig The Autumn Budget scheduled for November was cancelled so immediate tax increases are off the table for now.

The pandemic is resulting in huge borrowing levels for the UK. The figure is expected to be around £370 billion for the current year, before the second lockdown for England was announced on 31 October.

These debt levels have not been seen since the Second World War and will have to be addressed.

The one obvious solution to bringing the debt level under control is to increase taxes. But what could that mean for farmers and landowners?

The three big contributors to the Exchequer are VAT, Income Tax and National Insurance but the Government has pledged not to increase the rates of those taxes. There is also a major problem that increasing taxes at this time could easily snuff out any economic recovery owing to reduced spending. Increases in VAT, Income Tax and National Insurance should not be ruled out completely in the medium term however, as these are exceptional times and the electorate may accept an increase in the circumstances. Boris Johnson said last year that ‘levelling up’ of social equality would be a priority for his Government and that may involve increasing

taxes on capital and wealth.

There has been some speculation that a wealth tax could be introduced and applied to net assets (excluding main residence and pensions) above a certain threshold. Some countries in Europe have a wealth tax with rates from 0.2% up to 2.5% with no exemption for business assets. By way of illustration of how this could work if the UK introduced a similar model: if you own a farm worth £5m with no borrowings, applying the model to assets over £1m at a rate of 0.75%, you could face an annual wealth tax bill of £30,000. Other countries have introduced such a tax and then quickly withdrawn it finding it very difficult to administer, unpopular and not producing the levels of tax expected. I think it is unlikely that such a tax will be introduced in the short term. Such a tax could be introduced longer term but reducing allowances and reliefs and increasing the rates of current capital taxes seem a far more likely course of action.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on disposal of assets is currently payable at a basic rate of 10% (18% for residential property) and a higher rate of 20% (28% for residential property). These rates could be increased to closer reflect income tax rates so perhaps 20% basic rate and 40% higher

rate. If considering selling or giving away assets in the near future you may wish to accelerate the disposal to take advantage of the current low rates, particularly if it is an asset which may not qualify for a CGT relief, such as a let cottage or stocks and shares.

There have also been recent reports as to how Inheritance Tax (IHT) might be reformed. Many farmers have traditionally dealt with passing on the farm through their will on death and with the availability of 100% Agricultural Property Relief there can often be no inheritance tax due with the added attraction of the farm passing to the next generation at market value on death for CGT purposes.

The suggestion is this CGT uplift should be removed meaning that beneficiaries could face a large CGT bill if they wish to sell. IHT Reliefs for Agricultural and Business Property may be reduced or removed but as these both play key roles in avoiding the break up of farming businesses this may save them.

If you are considering succession planning or a restructure of your farming business now would be a good time to put those plans in place while the reliefs are available to use for efficient tax planning.

The reliefs may not be around if you put off or delay.

If you would like to discuss tax planning for your farming business contact Ian Craig on 01738 441 888 or email ian.craig@azets.co.uk.

Ian is a Partner at Azets, accounting, tax advisory and business services group.

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clothing Award winning wellington boots for all occasions!

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Comfortable, durable and harder wearing, they come with a removable liner sock that is machine washable.

Amazingly, that can also be used in the depths of winter and can withstand temperatures of minus 30 degrees without the sock as EVA is a natural insulator.

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Southern Belle Last year, I was bemoaning plastic trees and alternative Christmas presents. This year, I’ll be glad if I’m still here by the time you read this!

No one could have predicted a virus sweeping the planet and we are now living in a different world, with all of the difficulties and restrictions it entails.

This week, a vaccine has arrived and things look more positive but most of us have lost people to the virus and know people who have lost their jobs with no prospects of finding another any time soon.

Tour guides, like me, are only qualified to be tour guides. Our stock in trade is our mouths, a microphone and years of experience in tour guide speak (never letting the facts get in the way of a good story), which only qualifies us as a world class story-teller, with an ability to know where the next loo stop is.

The Scottish tourist industry is dead in the water, until the tourists come back, which for a group of people who live on coffee and adrenaline and are rarely at

home for any length time, is an added hardship.

In the meantime, I have become a champion tomato grower, a world class bird watcher and a contributor to village gossip, given the opportunity and I happily accept the weekly offerings of village life, in the form of fairy cakes swapped for my chutney.

Covid has taught me to enjoy what I have and be grateful for it. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world with my job and will again.

10 years ago, I would have been a single parent juggling work and family life on a low income and Covid would have been a completely different proposition, as it is for many people.

Yesterday, my daughter and I did a stress-free Christmas shop in a late opening deserted shopping centre. Tonight, a zoom meeting with the minister to organise a virtual carol singing night as the church won’t be open for Christmas.

Comparatively speaking, life is good here in sleepy Tier 2 and we are all able to celebrate the real miracle of Christmas, if only on Zoom!

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

for the past two chain businesses negotiations, the members, and a as we move into a businesses will face years, and I look of the Agri-supply this crucial time.”

Page Turner’s Robin Barron Robin Barron has been elected as chairman of Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) Scotland, succeeding Stephen Kenyon who has served since April 2017. Sarah Bell of Cefetra was elected as vice-chair.

Mr Barron, who is general manager of East of Scotland Farmers, and has served as AIC Scotland vice-chair years, said, “As agricultural supply await the results of post-Brexit trade AIC will provide essential support to strong unified voice for the industry new trading landscape. Agricultural significant challenges in the coming forward to ensuring that the interests industry in Scotland are represented at

Ben Law SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has welcomed a new consultant to its woodland team.

Ben Law brings with him a wealth of knowledge, having worked for forestry contractors, forest management companies and been self-employed. He will be consulting across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Aberdeenshire, having taken over from Simon Jacyna who retired after 30 years at SRUC. Malcolm Young, the forestry Team Leader said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ben on board, allowing us to maintain and grow our presence throughout the north and north-east Mark Appleton Maelor Forest Nurseries Ltd is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Appleton as its new Managing Director.

Mark took up his post on 18th November 2020. Mark will take over the day to day running of the nursery from long-standing Managing Director and founder, Mike Harvey. Mike will be taking retirement in 2021 having built the business to the success it is today.

Mike was pivotal to the successful acquisition of Maelor by BSW Timber Ltd in 2019.

Jacqueline Matthews Professor Jacqueline Matthews, Chief Technology Officer, Roslin Technologies Limited has joined the board at Vetsina Animal Diagnostics Ltd as a nonexecutive director. She replaces Glen Illing who has stepped down.

Vetsina CEO, Dr. Simon Wheeler, said: “We are grateful to Glen Illing for his support while we established Vetsina and thank him for his contributions at the early stages of the company. We are excited to now be able to welcome Professor Matthews to the board as we move on with Vetsina’s development. Professor Matthews’ experience and skills are highly relevant to the work we are doing in developing innovative diagnostics for animal health and veterinary use.”

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BOOK REVIEW )N 3EARCH OF !NGELS

By Alistair Moffat

Alistair Moffat’s In Search of Angels: Travels to the Edge of the World is a hiker-historian’s journey into the secrets of Scotland’s western coastline.

Alistair Moffatt travels in the footsteps of the Irish monks who brought Christianity to Scotland’s western shores in the early centuries AD. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say he bobs on their wakes, as these so-called ‘white martyrs’ travelled in small curraghs (or coracles) searching for places where they could lead lives of privation and devotion.

The book is an investigation in to what we can know of their lives from the historical record, the traces they left on our landscape.

Moffat is, avowedly, an atheist but he is nevertheless affected by the places he visits and curious about the spiritual power they exert.

Iona is, of course, the most famous of these places and Columba the preeminent saint.

Moffat travels there and tells that story, but he crucially puts it into the broader context of other journeys, other islands, other saints.

He travels to the Garvellachs in search of Brendan, Lismore in the footsteps of Moluag, and finishes up in the mainland sanctuary of Maelrubha at Applecross. Of these Iona has an almost continuous history as a religious centre; more is known about Columba’s life and mission than any of the others, but it is fascinating to learn of his political life and to roam across his island with Moffat. He explains place names and narrates the ebbs and flows of religious activity there down the centuries before spending the night in the open on the beach.

These early saints, known as papars, are responsible for the proliferation of Atlantic ‘Pabbays’: there’s a Pabaidh south of Barra and one off Harris; Papa Stronsay and Papa Westray are in the Orcadian archipelago; Shetland has Papa Stour. The papars travelled on the currents of the ocean, their light curraghs carried as far as the Faroes where there’s Paparokur and Iceland (Papey). The point of white martyrdom is not to die a bloody death (as Moffat explains, that’s the red martyrs) but rather to live in service of god. Doubtless though, many of these sailors were swamped by storms or died of thirst as their boats drifted on the ocean. While Moffat doesn’t face shipwreck, he does have to engage a charter to visit Eileach an Naoimh (Rock of the Saint) in the Garvellachs and is marooned there for a day. He wryly recounts how the solitude started to work on his brain.

One of the most consistently enlightening aspects of the book, however, is that it is written by an author with knowledge of Gaelic. Moffat has been a ‘learner’ for over three decades and is therefore able to unlock secrets (of place names, say) that hide in plain sight from us monoglots. His passion for the language is powerful and humble. Taking this journey with him will connect you to Scotland’s story in new ways.

In Search of Angels: Travels to the Edge of the World by Alistair Moffat is published by Birlinn (£20, hardback) www.birlinn. co.uk