Farming Scotland Magazine (March - April 2021)

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

Tuathanachas Alba

magazine

9EARS OF 6ALTRA 4RACTORS "ALERS "ALE 7RAPPERS 3PRAYERS &ARM "UILDINGS Seeding )RRIGATION Fencing World Farming Poland )N &OCUS Wopa UK 40th Anniversary #ASE 3TUDY Kelvin Cave, removing the risk from making haylage and hay

Made in Scotland Venison: A Taste of Terroir Farm Diversification Escape to Newtonmore Travel Scotland The Granite City Articles ‘The Bull’ finds a match in the ‘Cyclone’ Open Farm Sunday plans The Mill helps tourists on the NC500

£3.50

plus

April 2021

7OMEN IN !GRICULTURE s .ORTHERN )SLES 3COTTISH #OUNTRY ,IFE s "OOK 3ERIAL #OOKING WITH 6ENISON including our regular news areas and columns

contents

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April 2021

76

50

111

FEATURES

CASE STUDY

BOOK SERIAL

19 28 40 52 58 60 70

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108 The Cairngorms (Part 2)

70 years of Valtra Tractors Seeding Balers & Bale Wrappers Irrigation Fencing Sprayers Farm Buildings

Kelvin Cave removing the risk from making haylage and Hay

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

ARTICLES

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32

NORTHERN ISLES NEWS

48 74

‘The Bull’ finds a match in the ‘Cyclone’ Open Farm Sunday Plans The Mill helps tourists make the most of the NC500

WORLD FARMING 26

Wopa UK, 40th Anniversary

MADE IN SCOTLAND 50

From Orkney & Shetland

TRAINVIEW TALK 78

Diary by Valerie Orr

Poland

IN FOCUS 30

78

Planning ahead

TRAVEL SCOTLAND 104 The Granite City

BEATHA AN EILEAN 106 Life on the Islands

Venison

FARMING DIVERSIFICATION

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE

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107 With Linda Mellor

Escaping to Newtonmore!

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

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

COOKING WITH VENISON 111 Venison Sailor’s Stew

THE BOOK SHELF 130 Two books to read

NEWS AREAS 6 17 18 24 33 36 59 68 79 82 90 92 94 96 97 102 112 127

Arable & Root Crops Flavour of Scotland Food Organics Renewable Energy Environment Young Farmers Technology Beef Livestock Dairy Sheep Pigs Horses Estate Forestry Machinery Finance

COLUMNS 6 7

Editor’s Bit In my view

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

130 13 17 25 34 35 36 39 59 69 81 84 99 101 128 129 129

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS 110 Order your own copy here.

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ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Please call 01738 639747 or email mail@farmingscotlandmagazine.com COVER IMAGE: Red Deer

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

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

ISSN: 2041–918X

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arable & root crops Seaweed based biostimulant could be the next big thing! editor's bit

Spring light at the end of the tunnel I hope by the time you all get this edition, the light at the tunnel is even brighter than at the time of writing in February.

I haven’t mentioned Covid in this column during the last year because we all get too much about it every day, and the continuity of it all can bring us down.

However, Spring is approaching, the vaccine is doing its thing, and the future is beginning to look better for us all.

In farming, spring signals the beginning of a new season, and we all need a new beginning right now.

Here at the magazine, we are working hard to broaden our readership throughout Scotland, England, Wales and N.Ireland, and exciting times lie ahead.

I also look forward to a better 2021 for you and your businesses, and everyone here at Farming Scotland Magazine would like to wish you all a safe and successful farming year.

Slàinte, Athole.

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With increased scrutiny on the use of chemicals within agriculture, one Lincolnshire farmer is urging growers to consider a seaweed-based biostimulant as a way of increasing yields and reducing stress in the crop.

Marcus Palmer owns Rose Villa Farm in Spalding, growing potatoes, sugar beat cereals and peas.

Since 2005, Marcus has been the sole UK importer and distributor of Algifol, a completely natural biostimulant. Algifol is a concentrated brown algae, gathered from the North Atlantic, dried and refined to maximise its wealth of trace elements, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, carbohydrates, polyuronides and growth-regulating plant hormones.

“I have been promoting the use of natural products as a way of improving crop yield for more than 16 years, but it is only in the last few years that people have really taken notice,” says Marcus.

“The government has really put the spotlight on removing potentially hazardous chemicals from the watercourse in recent

years, and these days you can’t open a magazine without reading about the latest consultation.

“I came across Algifol in 2005 and as many of the large chemical companies were promoting the benefits biostimulants, I was curious about whether or not a product derived from seaweed could help potatoes. I was openminded, and when I heard that seaweed is the fastest growing plant on the planet, I thought it might be worth investigating

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further. In that first year we saw our yields and quality improve compared to our control area. The rest as they say is history, we have seen improvements in all crops since then.”

For more information about Algifol or to make a purchase, with a 1 litre can costing just £21.99+VAT, visit www. mjpsupplies.co.uk, call 07702 293 727 or email marcus@ mjpsupplies.co.uk

arable & root crops Soil temperature key for early nitrogen application success

In my view

By John Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Fife

There’s a lot going on!

Monitor this year’s slow-to-climb soil temperatures regularly, in order to time fertiliser applications for best results, winter cereal growers are being urged – especially in barley.

According to Yara agronomy manager, Mark Tucker, provided conditions are suitable, nitrogen application should coincide with the onset of spring root growth – which happens once root zone temperatures reach 4.5 to 5.0 degrees C – so that it is available for immediate uptake rather than sitting unused in the soil.

This makes sense financially and environmentally, he says, but soils this year have been

tracking 0.5 degree C colder than last year – not helped by overwinter waterlogging and recent Arctic conditions – so regular monitoring is key.

“Track your rising temperature proactively,” advises Mr Tucker.

“Look at soil temperatures 5-10 cm deep because that’s where a lot of root activity is going to happen.

“Soil temperature across the country varies, but is generally at its lowest in early January then starts climbing. It can be getting to 4 degrees C by the end of February in an average situation. Once growth starts, we want to keep that momentum,” he stresses.

Now is the time to monitor your soil for greater sustainability UK soils have changed greatly in the last few decades. 97% of sampled soils show sulphur deficiency and low organic matter levels are commonplace across

arable land. How can we monitor our soils to ensure a robust sustainable practice while, at the same time, promoting higher yields? According to Natalie

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Well at last we have a Brexit Agreement of sorts. However, I suppose we should be thankful for small mercies.

The alternative would have been ‘no agreement’ and the imposition of tariffs on our exports to the EU. Sure there are administration problems at the Border Control points and there are problems too with seed potato exports from Scotland and sheep exports to Northern Ireland – and we will have to have further discussions to solve these problems.

At least a form of stability has been achieved which could have been different if we had had ‘no deal’ imposed. The point has been made that it is the home UK market which is vital to Scottish Livestock producers – this may well be true but we all know the effect on our prime trade when exports to the EU are in full swing – and conversely when they are not!

Talking of which it is worthwhile to remember the recent period of relative stability which our beef and sheep men have experienced recently – against all the odds particularly in the sheep sector.

One topic that is not reassuring however are the current set of proposals regarding livestock transport originating from the Farm Animal welfare Council who have produced some ill thought out proposals and expect them to apply across the country as a whole.

The limitation of journey times for example particularly

in respect of both the Northern and Western Islands would decimate livestock producers who rely on shipping journeys to get their livestock to market.

Universal limitations on outside temperatures and wind speeds are really matters that should be left to the ship’s captain who is on the spot and not set by a desk officer in London!

A promising sign is that the period of consultation for the Defra proposals – as opposed to the Scottish Government proposals – has been extended for a month and I do believe the industry is well united in their reaction to these impractical proposals. Let’s hope there are enough Defra agricultural officials with a practical understanding of these transport matters!

Also in Scottish politics good luck to Emma Harpers proposed Bill on dog worrying – long overdue and hopefully will spare farmers the awful anguish of dealing with injured stock.

Finally – in the midst of a period of horrendous weather and blizzards let’s hope the weather improves before lambings and calvings gather pace. By the time this edition is published the NFU’s AGM and associated elections will have been held and we will have a new President and Vice Presidents. I’m sure we can all agree that Andrew McCormick has done a great job over the last four difficult and critical years and we thank him and wish him well.

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arable & root crops BDC Systems Ltd maximises its unique position to successfully serve commercial grain operators

Wood, Country Arable Agronomist at Yara, we can look to soil testing for a useful indicator.

“Spring is now fast approaching,” says Natalie. “If you didn’t perform a soil test in autumn, now is the perfect time.”

Identifying Limiting Factors A basic analysis will give you P, K, Mg and pH. These are a good start but what about micronutrients, organic matter and soil microbial activity? All are important to plant nutrition and your soils can be low in one or more of these elements without you being aware. A broad spectrum analysis and soil health will give you the information required to manage your soil effectively.

“When emphasising sustainability, we should start with a farmer’s number 1 asset – soil!” says Natalie. “In order to be able to monitor your soil and pick up on factors indicative of its health, you have to monitor it in the first place.”

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The provider of complete grain plant solutions, BDC Systems Ltd, has announced that to drive continued business growth, it will be focusing sales efforts to significantly increase its market share within the commercial grain handling sector.

“Having already successfully supplied grain handling, cleaning and drying equipment within the grain handling marketplace for customers including grain co-operatives Coastal Grains Ltd and Tynegrain Ltd, foodstuff manufacturers such as Lloyd’s Animal Feeds, and maltsters including Muntons, we recognise that now is the

right time to put BDC firmly on the radar of the commercial operators,” explained Andrew Head, Managing Director of BDC Systems Ltd. Neil Baker, who has vast experience of selling to commercial operators, has recently joined BDC, from one of its perceived competitors, as BDC’s Commercial Sales Manager and will be spearheading efforts to grow the company’s footprint across this sector.

“I took the decision to join BDC because it is uniquely placed to serve the commercial marketplace,” said Mr Baker.

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“Unlike its competitors, BDC can design and supply plants with equipment from multiple world leading manufacturers ensuring it can exactly meet operators’ individual demands.

BDC’s commercial customers have an extensive choice of the best equipment to deploy and are not constrained to the solutions available from just one particular manufacturer.”

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 110

arable & root crops Pre-em herbicide treatments boost sugar beet yields With sugar beet growers facing their first full season without desmedipham, 2021 could be the year in which the sector witnesses a resurgence in the use of metamitron and quinmerac-based pre-emergence herbicides such as Goltix (700g/l metamitron) and Goltix Titan (525g/l metamitron and 40g/l quinmerac).

That is according to Bill Lankford, Herbicides Technical Specialist at ADAMA UK, who advises that as well as giving weed control an early season kickstart, the inclusion of a preemergence treatment as part of a sequenced herbicide programme can also boost crop yields by 7.5 to 21 tonnes per hectare.

“With desmedipham no longer available, sugar beet growers

aren’t entirely able to depend on post-emergence treatments alone to achieve the necessary level of weed control,” Dr Lankford explains.

“Herbicide programmes will therefore need a little more thought this year. Unfortunately, the choice of pre-emergence herbicides is currently somewhat limited as a result of the revocation of chloridazon and the removal of pre-emergence usage from the lenacil label.

“Thankfully, Goltix and Goltix Titan are more than capable of filling the gap, with the inclusion of quinmerac in the latter providing excellent protection against several of the more difficult to control weeds such as cleavers, orache and bindweed.”

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arable & root crops Grow Your Own Potatoes Programme to continue in 2021 The Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP) Programme will go ahead as planned in 2021 with the support of the potato industry.

Now in its 16th year, GYOP is an AHDB educational initiative that helps children learn more about where their food comes from, how it grows and the role potatoes play in a healthy, balanced diet.

Since it began, it has delivered positive messages about potatoes to more than five million primary school children nationwide.

Despite Covid restrictions meaning fewer pupils are in school, all parties involved agreed campaign kits should be sent out and GYOP should continue as planned. These

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include main sponsor McCain, representatives from seed suppliers and the AHDB team.

The unanimous decision comes after primary schools across England, Scotland and Wales already requested more than 14,000 of the 15,000 kits available.

Sue Lawton, AHDB Education Manager, said: “This year we have put together a comprehensive project, including a six-week block of work based around the theme of potatoes, with cross-curricular links to different subject areas designed to help teachers get the most from getting involved.”

The work is designed to fit between planting and harvesting and to align with curriculums in

England, Scotland and Wales.

Sue added: “Children can study their potato plants as they grow and learn how to prepare a delicious potato salad when their own potatoes are ready.”

The closure of schools all over the UK as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced AHDB to adapt the GYOP project and create new ways to engage with thousands of children who found themselves being home-schooled.

“Back in 2020, following the first round of school closures, teachers involved in the scheme started putting plans in place to look after their growing plants while they were unable to access their classroom.

A survey shortly afterwards highlighted

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that 97% of those that responded had managed to do so,” said Sue. Regular correspondence with teachers, including links to potato related resources on the GYOP website as well as the Food a fact of life website meant that children at home could continue to engage with the project, generating more than 38,000 visits and 93,000 page views.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next Issue May 2021

arable & root crops Tong pushes forward with second phase of New Factory build

Tong Engineering is delighted to announce the go-ahead for construction of the second phase development at its new manufacturing facility in Spilsby.

As part of a planned twophase project, the company’s £3.6 million first phase building was completed in August 2020.

And now the second phase build, of comparable investment, is set to commence on the seven-acre site this month, with plans to move into the new facility in the Autumn.

“We are very excited to be able to proceed with our plans for the next phase of our new factory,” says Edward Tong, Managing Director at Tong Engineering. “Despite a somewhat challenging 2020,

we were extremely thankful that our plans for the first phase build were able to progress with minimal disruption, allowing us to start operating from the new site in the summer,” explains Edward. “Since the completion of our first phase building, we have noticed a huge difference in our final assembly capabilities and processes. After almost 6 months at the new site, it is now hard to imagine how we operated without the increased height and space that we now consider invaluable in the new factory.

We are very much looking forward to enjoying these same advancements across all of our departments with the addition of the next phase building this year.”

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription page 110 Next Issue May 2021 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

arable & root crops

ScanStone factory extension increases capacity At the end of 2018, ScanStone moved their assembly line into a new state of the art building adjoined to the existing buildings, complete with airsourced underfloor heating and all the necessary tools and lifting gear the building creates an excellent working environment for the assemblers.

Added capacity has allowed the development and construction of increased product range as well, particularly in the vegetable harvesting line with ScanStone coming to the market this year with their very own Haulm

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topper range which includes a front mounted version which can be coupled with a rear mounted machine giving a 3 bed topper or the front piece can be easily adapted to go on the rear of the tractor for single bed topping.

No guards or belts need to be changed unlike other machines, the ScanStone needs only the gearbox flipped and it is good to go.

Naturally, with the increase in one area of a manufacturing business, it is not long before the chock point moves elsewhere. You are only as

fast as your slowest man, as the saying goes. This has led to further construction work at ScanStone’s main site outside Forfar, in Eastern Scotland.

Work is currently underway, due to be completed in Spring time for an additional paint drying facility, adjacent to the painting and shotblasting area of the factory. Colder weather at busy production spells through the winter has meant that the drying area has had to be increased and improved. With underfloor heating being installed and eventually an automated

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carrying rail, parts can be painted and dried within 24 hours. This system adds to the companies lean manufacturing and just in time parts being made available for final assembly.

Covid-19 restrictions have also called for additional staffroom area and canteens to be spaced further out, to that end the firm has invested in a first floor mezzanine of 300 square metres for canteen space which will also have a training area. ScanStone believe training is paramount for optimisation of production techniques and machine capacity

arable & root crops

Growing Beyond Monoculture Video web series explores benefits of mixed cropping ScanStone factory expansion

when at work in the field.

Maintenance costs can also be improved with concise training as well and mean less downtime for the farmers. The training facility will have capacity to include personnel training, driver training and service training. All headed up by the senior members of ScanStone and their wealth of knowledge within aforementioned sectors.

Finally, the most recent building will include a service workshop which will be fit for overhauling second hand machines to give the second hand buyers an excellent value for money product with the option of a warranty and also for in and out of season repairs. William Skea, the front man of the ScanStone organisation commented: “Our local customers in the Angus, Aberdeenshire, Perthshire and Mearns areas often road their machines directly to the ScanStone factory resting assured in the knowledge that the experts will sort the problem first time and be guaranteed to have all the parts available there and then to complete the job.”

This model is being rolled out and replicated across 5 newly established ScanStone owned depots across the UK

and Europe, Including the latest introduction of ScanStone France in Cheppy, Picardie, Northern France. Other depots include Brigg, Lakenheath and Kilkeel (NI).

The new assembly hall of 2018 cost the company around £300k and the building under construction now is another £300k. The firm said “although these investments are of significant magnitude, and particularly when they are in close succession like this, we want to give our customers and staff the best experiences and the best services. This can only be done by making investments in infrastructure as the number of machines working in the ground each year is always increasing.

Typically, a destoner or any of our product line requires parts and service back up when it is being used, it is not really a oneoff purchase for the farmer.

ScanStone has seen revenue increase by 28% on the previous year pushing sales of just short of £10M. The company has been extremely fortunate to be able to stay open and keep supporting the food industry amidst the consequences of the global pandemic that is Covid-19.

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As part of the EU Horizon 2020 research project DIVERSify, researchers of the James Hutton Institute and partner institutions have been working on investigating the viability of species mixture cropping as an alternative to crop monoculture.

During the project, they have created a video web series which explores the practical and theoretical considerations of mixed cropping and the ecosystem services that they can provide. The series explains where innovations have led to progress but also further opportunities still to be realised and future research and development needs.

The final episode in the web series aims to highlight the project’s key findings. These have been generated over four years of research trials and are combined with feedback from farmers and other stakeholders on the potential challenges, benefits and learnings on mixture cropping throughout the project. Most importantly, the final episode summarises the project’s overall recommendations about the opportunities for using mixed cropping in farming and downstream value chains.

Dr Alison Karley, an agro-ecologist at the James

Hutton Institute’s Ecological Sciences department and co-ordinator of the DIVERSify project, explains: “The final episode summarises recommendations about the use of mixed cropping, based on our research trials across Europe and North Africa.

“It also highlights how decision-makers could provide financial and policy support for mixed cropping and recommends ways to ensure that intercropping knowledge is shared across agricultural communities.”

The key recommendations from the project so far are built around reducing inputs, supporting agrobiodiversity, knowledge sharing, diversifying the cropping sequence and leveraging opportunities.

The DIVERSify project aims to optimise the performance of crop species mixtures or ‘plant teams’ to improve yield stability, reduce pest and disease damage, and enhance stress resilience in agricultural systems. It focuses on improving the productivity and sustainability of European agriculture using an approach that has global relevance, learning from the experience of international researchers and stakeholders.

To find out more on the project and to watch all the episodes in the DIVERSify web series, please go to www.plant-teams. eu/watch.

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

arable & root crops Get the best from Nemathorin switch Potato growers now have just one remaining granular nematicide for the control of PCN – the crop’s most damaging soil pest. The regulatory decision not to re-authorise oxamyl leaves Nemathorin as the only remaining granular option.

Growers now switching from oxamyl to Nemathorin need to be aware of how to get the best results from this season’s applications, advised Syngenta Technical Manager, Michael Tait.

“The same equipment can be used for the overall application of granules, however it must be fitted with Nemathorin specific rotors or cartridges and calibrated to accurately deliver the 30 kg/ ha application rate for PCN,” he advised. “Nemathorin cannot be applied in-furrow.”

Mr Tait advocated the aim should be to incorporate

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arable & root crops Nemathorin granules evenly to a depth of 15 cm in the soil profile during seedbed preparation, immediately prior to planting.

“Incorporation to a consistent depth across all soil types and conditions is important, as Nemathorin is relatively immobile in the soil profile - which helps to achieve the good levels of PCN control,” he urged. “If field conditions change, check the incorporation depth and adjust accordingly.”

Growers and agronomists are also reminded not to desiccate or harvest crops for at least 17 weeks

(119 days) after application. A simple harvest interval calculator is available on the Syngenta website, for growers to check the earliest potential desiccation or lifting date.

Mr Tait reported that the granular Nemathorin, accurately incorporated into the soil profile, has consistently shown higher yields through greater PCN control, compared to fluopyram liquid nematicide or a combination of liquid and reduced rate granular product.

UK trials, on a commercial crop in Suffolk, for example, showed a 10% higher yield from

Nemathorin, at 56 t/ha, compared to fluopyram applied in furrow. Other independent trials in Scotland have confirmed higher yields and improved marketable tuber size, as well as indicating better management of PCN population numbers with Nemathorin, compared to fluopyram.

Effective control of PCN with an integrated approach to crop management is advocated wherever populations are identified by soil sampling. Managing even low egg counts most effectively can help to protect yields of the growing crop, as well as to

minimise multiplication and buildup of pest numbers, advocated Mr Tait.

Nemathorin is also approved to reduce the damage caused by problematic potato soil pests, wireworm, along with free-living nematodes (FLN) responsible for the transmission of spraing.

“Accurate application of Nemathorin and following the protocols of the Nematicide Stewardship Programme will help assure yield is protected in the growing crop and sustainable management of PCN in the longterm,” he added.

New spring barley developments poised to help Scottish growers Covid-19 may have affected whisky consumption, but the 2020 harvest confirmed that Scottish growers can produce top-level spring malting barley, and new developments available for the crop from 2021 are poised to help this continue.

Those were the messages from a recent Scottish malting barley conference, organised online by Syngenta.

With full approval for malt distilling and brewing on the Malting Barley Committee (MBC) approved list, Laureate dominates spring barley varieties, said Bob

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King, commercial director at Crisp Malt. The company has Scottish malting plants in Banffshire and at Alloa, and Mr King said Laureate finds favour with all malt distillers.

“Key to Laureate’s success is its consistent performance over different seasons,” added Syngenta seeds marketing manager, Tracy Creasy. “However, the days of a single variety filling all the spring barley area have gone. End users and growers need to spread risk.

Therefore, new for 2021, we are launching SY Tungsten – a strong partner variety to Laureate for the future.”

Currently possessing provisional approval 1 for malt distilling and brewing on the MBC list for harvest 2021, Syngenta is hopeful SY Tungsten will progress to full approval in the summer, explained Syngenta technical manager, Kathryn Hamlen. “Fresh out of the box, SY Tungsten looks well-suited to Scotland,” she said.

“At 103% of control varieties, SY Tungsten has a high Northern yield on the AHDB Recommended List and, importantly, it maintains the same maturity as Laureate.

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FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Hydrogen given the green light at Bruichladdich Distillery

Scotland The Brand

Is Independence the Way Ahead?

Protium Green Solutions, the UK-based green hydrogen energy services company, has received more than £70,000 in funding to complete a feasibility study on incorporating innovative hydrogen combustion technology into Bruichladdich Distillery. Part of the BEIS Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP), the project is the next step in assessing the application of alternative fuels at island-based Bruichladdich.

As the only Scotch distillery to be B Corp certified, Bruichladdich is validated as a business that balances profit and purpose. Building on their achievements thus far, they aim to decarbonise their production process by 2025. Feasibility studies into alternative green energy solutions have therefore been underway for some time.

Exploring the potential of those sources will continue amidst this new testing, with the opportunity to be industry-leaders in hydrogen readily embraced.

Hydrogen presents a significant opportunity for the whisky industry and Islay itself, which currently uses fuel oil to

meet its heating demand. Due to the remote location of many distilleries across Scotland, its implementation is a critical step forward in enabling producers to work towards net zero and in ensuring their operations can benefit from on-site power sources that are otherwise hindered by pre-existing grid limitations.

The feasibility project, named HyLaddie, has been funded by the Small Business Research Initiative Green Distilleries Competition and will explore the deployment of an on-site Deuterium Dynamic Combustion Chamber (DCC™) as a viable mechanism to meet Bruichladdich’s heating requirements.

Together with ITPEnergised and Deuterium, Protium will investigate optimal system design and how the DCC™ can be integrated into the Victorian distillery. As with any project undertaken at Bruichladdich, the feasibility study must consider the preservation of centuries old equipment, the safeguarding of spirit quality and the impact on the local community.

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The North Street Dairy has served the community in and around Forfar for over 100 years.

Hamish Millar is the fourth generation to bend his shoulder to the churn and is proud of the business he and his family run. It’s been a tough year. Corona virus has wreaked havoc with their customer base, regular orders to restaurants and businesses disappearing overnight.

However, the ‘buy local’ movement has seen a fresh interest in food miles and a significant rise in doorstep deliveries.

“More and more, our customers care about where their food is coming from,” Hamish says.

“All of our milk is from two local farms and we deliver within a 7-mile radius. We do have some plastic containers but by far the biggest demand is for glass. Plastic taints so the flavour is better in glass and the milk keeps for longer.

Glass is environmentallyfriendly and - an added bonus - it keeps our costs down, so it’s good for the planet and better for business.”

Dairies on contracts are under huge pressure as supermarkets slash the price they pay with milk as a ‘loss leader’. Scottish farmers face contracts being cut as many of the big stores truck milk up from Yorkshire.

“Our dairy has always been independent. We could have gone bigger but we looked at what was going on in the sector and recognised our business model worked well for us,” Hamish says.

Dairies and farms across the North East were hit when Müller cut contracts. Some decided to go it alone.

“I know of one dairy farmer who had a really rough time trying to get started. Dealing with Environmental Health was a nightmare for him,” Hamish says. “But he stuck it out. He decided only to use glass bottles and sell locally. He had to go out and buy more cows because it was such a success.”

As supermarkets squeeze our dairy farms, more are finding life as an independent is the way to develop a local brand people trust

food The New Packed Lunch campaign to champion the jacket spud A new campaign was launched

by AHDB this February, with the humble jacket potato at its heart.

The versatility and adaptability of baked potatoes is the focal point of the latest wave of marketing activity, with Britons encouraged to extend the teatime favourite to a hot lunchtime alternative.

‘The New Packed Lunch’ campaign started on 1st February, using a suite of new digital adverts to gain maximum reach. The series of videos will demonstrate the ease and speed of part microwaved and oven baked jacket potatoes, all finished with a variety of toppings.

The campaign will run across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest with video content aiming to encourage as many consumers as possible to enjoy the nutritional, flavoursome and versatile qualities of the jacket potato. AHDB’s first

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Tik Tok account has been set up to provide further support.

Consumers will be directed to a campaign page on the newly refreshed Love Potatoes website.

This will feature tips & tricks for preparing the perfect jacket spud plus exciting topping suggestions to suit any taste.

The focus on a hot filling lunch is timely due to most of the country now working from home, with consumers on the lookout for both good value and nutritious meals. A hot jacket potato lunch can keep everyone fuelled with minimum effort and maximum taste. Plus, it’s an ideal base for using up last night’s leftovers!

Rob Clayton, AHDB Strategy Director for Potatoes, said, “Recent times have proved to be challenging for many, with the urge for healthy, quality and versatile meals counterbalanced by

the need to do things economically where possible.

“This is where the jacket spud comes in. They’re the Swiss army knife of meals and can be paired with almost anything and can suit almost everyone’s requirements. Creating your perfect jacket potato can be an exciting process, with a vast combination of accompaniments and different flavours to choose from.

“From meat-based toppings or classic cheese and beans to fresh salads or roasted veggies, there’s something for wholesome foodies, time-pressed families, convenience seekers and health conscious folk alike.

The catering industry is also rallying behind the campaign, with professional chefs and catering colleges planning their own activity in support of

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AHDB, which will be shared across their social platforms.

Throughout the campaign, AHDB will be working in partnership with BritMums and Tribe to reach a wide range of consumers through their influencer networks. Each will provide appealing recipes and cooking tips, whilst reminding people of the health and nutritional virtues of the jacket potato.

Social media users can discuss the campaign, inspire others to get involved and share potato-related recipes, tips and tricks through the hashtag #TheNewPACKEDLunch.

For more campaign-specific information, an array of downloadable assets and links to our social media channels, visit https://ahdb.org.uk/thenew-packed-lunch

Valtra celebrates 70th anniversary 70 years of customer focus Valtra turns 70 in 2021 and is celebrating its anniversary in a variety of ways throughout the year. 70 years ago the focus was on the mechanisation of agriculture, while later on that focus shifted to for instance improvements in working safety, to growing farms and the success of rural businesses. Valtra’s technologies and services have always been up to the task of meeting customers’ needs. But it’s in the last 10 years where the largest leaps have been taken.

In the coming years Valtra sees

digitalisation and precision farming technology change the face of farming significantly.

“The advancements that began 70 years ago keep on going and accelerating. Thanks to persistent product development work, Valtra tractors have now reached their fifth generation.

Now customers expect smart solutions from Valtra. We are making big investments in our factory in Suolahti, Finland.

The new logistics centre has just been launched and a new paint shop will begin construction

this summer,” says Managing Director Jari Rautjärvi.

Customer focus now and in the future Valtra, then known as Valmet, began series production of tractors in 1951 in Jyväskylä, Finland. The first model was the Valmet 15 that, as the name implies, had 15 horsepower and was designed to replace a horse on a small farm.

From the very beginning, customer needs were highlighted and structural solutions were

Valmet 15-20

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introduced for which Valtra is still known: the ground clearance was high enough for forestry work, and the tractor was also ideal for road maintenance tasks.

Later on, cabin ergonomics made it possible to work longer and safer working days, with increased operator space.

Valtra has always had a particularly close relationship with its customers. In the early 1990s, the customer order system was introduced. This meant that no tractor was manufactured at the factory for stock, instead each tractor was built for a specific customer. Thanks to this pioneering customer ordering system, the tractor factory always had accurate information about customer needs. A significant number of employees in product development and production come from a strong agricultural background and truly have a good understanding of the needs of farmers.

Customer-centricity has been the starting point for new product development until today.

Customers were integral to how fourth generation tractors and the award-winning SmartTouch armrest were developed. Both the 4th generation machines and the easy-to-use SmartTouch have been bestsellers, collecting an incredible array of awards in the industry.

Today, Valtra’s customer focus can be seen in the wide range of accessories and options available, as well as in the Unlimited Studio, 19

where 1 in 3 tractors produced at the Suolahti factory are now tailored to the customer’s exact specification. Custom-built Valtra solutions are used in a wide range of applications including farming, contracting, airport maintenance and even defence services. The customer-centred approach can also be seen in the development maintenance services and digital services such as Valtra Connect.

The pace of development continues as rapidly as ever as Valtra strives to further improve services and tractors according to customer needs.

What’s coming up next? New regulations such as the EU Green Deal, global environmental standards and changes in weather and farming conditions bring new challenges to the farmers’ lives.

“Reductions in fertilizers and spraying and the need to improve soil productivity are drivers for precision farming which in turn improves profitability. Our customers need smart machines

Valmet 502

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and seamless data transfer between machines and farm management software. Valtra solutions – such as SmartTouch, Valtra Guide auto-guidance and smart farming services such as Valtra Connect – help farmers achieve these goals,” says Mikko Lehikoinen, Director, Sales and Marketing. “The share of smart solutions is rapidly increasing and Valtra is at the forefront of the movement.”

Dealers an important part of customer experience A critical component of customer experience are professional service, parts supply and tractor sales. Valtra has developed its distribution network actively. ”Valtra’s sales and service staff are working with new digital tools that enhance customer experience and with which dealers can now prevent tractor service needs, activate precision farming services remotely or configure a tractor with service and financing options

Valmet Line-up

tailored to the exact need of the farm. The customer can also chose to activate additional features

on their SmartTouch machine – the tractor’s specifications can be expanded and upgraded

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depending on the customer’s smart farming requirements”, comments Lehikoinen.

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The introduction of the new digital tools has started at selected Valtra dealers in Germany, France and Great Britain in 2020 with development and implementation of the tools across Europe continuing this year. There have also been changes in the Valtra distribution network. Valtra is increasing its proximity to customers through the appointment of new distributors. ”Valtra has become an attractive choice for many distributors and we are determined to take steps to continue to grow”, says Lehikoinen.

Specially equipped anniversary model in the T Series To mark its 70th anniversary, Valtra will manufacture 70 specially equipped limited “Redition” tractors.

These anniversary models are available in the T Series (T174e to T254) and will be sold worldwide.

The specially equipped anniversary models feature a deep red metallic paint reminiscent of Valtra’s roots 70 years ago. The red colour is also highlighted in the details of the tractor, including in the stitching of the leather interior and the interior light. The anniversary model has black rims and a stainless steel Limited Redition badge. For every limited “Redition” tractor sold in 2021, £500 will be donated by Valtra to a good cause.

The journey has just begun Valtra tractors are now on their 5th generation. The new Valtra 5th generation G Series was successfully launched last August and the G135V was awarded the Best Utility Award at the 2021 Tractor of The Year Awards in December.

Valtra has also now introduced the new 5th generation A Series tractor, with many new features that have been requested by

Award-winning SmartTouch

customers. The model series continues to comprise seven models to choose from, all of them available as so-called GLmodels, which feature an easyto-use mechanical transmission.

The best-selling 105 and 115 horsepower model are also available with a four-step

Possibilities are endless with the Valtra Unlimited Customization Unit

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powershift transmission. In these HiTech 4 models, transmission is controlled electronically. All A Series come with Valtra’s renowned shuttle transmission including the integrated handbrake.

As part of the 70th anniversary celebrations, Valtra will be holding a special online 70th anniversary

Limited edition Red T Series

launch party on April 16th at 11am where you will have the chance to see the new products

New 5th Generation A Series

that will make up the best tractor experience in 2021 and beyond.

Registration is completely free and

anybody who registers before the 21st of March will be entered into a special “early bird” prize draw

to win a fantastic Valtra workshop trolley. Registration is live now at https://Valtralive.com/2021

More information about the 70th anniversary celebrations and the special limited “Redition” can be found at www.valtra.co.uk/70years

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organics

Time for organic to seize the day OF&G (Organic Farmers & Growers) greets the launch of the Soil Association’s Organic Market Report 2021 and heralds the prospects for the sector as an unmissable opportunity.

Showcasing the latest industry data, this year’s Organic Market Report highlights sales trends across all channels including the highest yearon-year growth in 15 years of 12.6%. Its publication has been welcomed by OF&G’s chief executive, Roger Kerr, who believes this is a timely reminder of organic’s potential.

“There’s such a positive outlook for organic in the domestic market, with continued growth and increasing consumer appetite. We must capitalise on this renewed interest by continuing to trumpet organic’s integrity and veracity, as the only globally recognised agroecological standard,” says Mr Kerr.

“Following our departure from the EU, it’s vital we capitalise on the market opportunities both domestically and internationally on the back of organic’s unique benefits,” continues Mr Kerr. “Timing is essential, especially in light of

the EU’s recent announcement of a new fund allocated to the promotion of EU agri-food products of which 86 million will be used specifically to promote organic and sustainable farming within the EU and globally in 2021.

“With the UK’s new position in the world, more than ever, UK agriculture will need to be cognisant of the market opportunities and respond accordingly if the industry is to deliver value beyond simple commodities. It is vital that the UK step up and secure its share of this valuable market” OF&G has repeatedly called on government for better recognition and more consistent support for farming systems that are proven to benefit British farming, both environmentally and economically.

“We hope the release of this new data will give Defra the impetus to reconsider their approach within the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme and explicitly recognise organic as providing an advantageous solution to many of the complex issues we currently face,” concludes Mr Kerr.

Examine trace element status in organic dairy herds ahead of turnout As we approach spring turnout, organic dairy farmers are being reminded to monitor the trace element status of their herd.

The variety and quantity of trace elements available in organic pastures can hugely depend on the weather and differ regionally, field-to-field and right down to each cow’s mouthful.

And the transition from carefully balanced rations while 24

housed, to spring grass, can leave herds at risk of mineral deficiency, which can lead to potential health and production problems.

Although supplementing with magnesium is a widely recognised, crucial consideration at this time of year, Hannah Reeve, group product manager at the Denis Brinicombe Group, says understanding the role of specific micronutrients is vital to

help improve herd productivity and longevity.

“Many trace elements play a significant role in maximising overall performance in dairy cows, supporting health, fertility and production,” she says.

Yields, health and fertility.

“For instance, although cobalt is only required in small amounts, its benefits are substantial when it comes to maximising milk production throughout the lactation.

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“Cobalt facilitates the production of Vitamin B12 to take place in the rumen, which is then absorbed into the intestine, where it’s essential for energy metabolism.”

While warning farmers to be cautious of over-supplementing copper, Miss Reeve explains how copper, along with zinc, can support growth, fertility and a healthy immune system.

“Zinc is also an essential component, especially in the

organics

crofting The hard side of trade-offs

By Patrick Krause, Chief Executive, Scottish Crofting Federation

formation of keratin, which supports healthy hoof structure, which helps reduce the risk of lameness. Zinc also aids in repairing udder tissue after milking,” she explains.

“Another trace element that supports udder health is selenium. It helps fight against invading bacteria and pathogens that can cause mastitis. Selenium also aids thyroid hormone production, alongside iodine, to enhance fertility and foetal development.

“Iodine is essential in the synthesis of the thyroid hormone, which supports metabolic rate and promotes increased lactation, muscle function and growth. It also plays an important part in the oestrous cycle.

“In addition, manganese plays a pivotal role in supporting fertility and foetal development.

And it also aids skeletal growth, in the formation of cartilage and connective tissues.”

Miss Reeve says there are many ways to supplement trace

elements, that may be low or missing in organic dairy diets, such as mineralised buckets or bagged minerals.

However, she suggests a quick and efficient way to ensure trace elements are delivered to the reticulum of each cow consistently is to administer boluses ahead of turnout. This will mitigate against the potential variability in micronutrition that grazing can result in.

“Single-construction boluses, with a single-point of erosion, such as EnduraBol® Organic, can offer organic cattle with a sustained daily release of six trace elements, for up to six months, which is ideal for spring turnout,” concludes Miss Reeve.

EnduraBol Organic®, approved for use in organic systems by OF&G (Organic Farmers & Growers), is available to purchase from agricultural merchants and veterinary practices.

The deadline passed and, as you know, a last-minute ‘botch’ was agreed to by the European Commission and the UK government, with UK Gov finally admitting that a bad deal is, in fact, better than no deal.

It is a relief that UK did not crash out of the EU with no deal at all, as nearly happened, but what we have, four and a half years after the referendum, is a trade deal of sorts that scraped through at the eleventh hour. Is this the right footing for the future relationship with our most important partner? And now, a month on, we can see the flaws emerging.

It is clear that it will cause a massive amount of new ‘red tape’ – ironic, as lessening bureaucracy was one of the promises given by the Leave campaign. The increased paperwork for buyers and hauliers adds cost and the producer will bear the brunt. Scottish Government says it will now

do everything it can to mitigate the damage that will be caused by the deal. We wait to see what this means with regards to support to agriculture, to rural development, and to the trade of agricultural produce.

The second tranche on the convergence uplift was paid in January. We would not expect to see everyone happy and there was discontent across the board about Scottish Government using this money to fill in the self-inflicted deficit in the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme. It was a bit more surprising that the farmers union complained that arable (region 3) was not given enough – albeit that region 3 already collects above the European average, and were taking the bulk of this payment which was intended as a rebate to those on low payments (regions 2 and 3). I guess when it comes to the crunch it is clear who is really represented.

For more information, visit livestockbolus.com

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www.crofting.org

POLAND A country with a past and potential

By Fiona Sloan

WORLD FARMING Poland, though once scarred by communist oppression, is now able to make the most of its rich land resources – and there is more to come.

For instance, while grain production in the EU is predicted to be down 3% this year, Polish grain production is set to rise by more than 6%. With 200 million people in the EU living within 1000 Km of Poland, its proximity to its neighbours is highly beneficial to “exports” within the EU. Since becoming a member in 2004, it has had access to this lucrative market and since 2007, has benefitted from the CAP to the tune of 25 billion.

Prior to its acceptance into the EU, Poland had a turbulent past, which greatly influenced its agricultural and social policies.

Invaded from the east by Russia in 1939, 16 days after it was invaded by Germany from the west, it spent the next five decades under communist rule.

Under the Hammer and Sickle, farms were either small or huge state-run operations, employing the population to serve the state.

Workers were assigned to one particular task – for instance, 200 cows would necessitate the employment of 50 dairy maids.

Since the fall of communism, dairy farming in particular has become more profitable and Poland now has around 10% of Europe’s dairy cows.

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That said, Poland still has 100,000 working horses. which speaks volumes for its traditional past and points to vast areas of land yet to be modernised.

When the Soviets left in September 1993, they left a fragmented population, with poor infrastructure. Those who had owned the land, prior to the invasion, had their land returned on proof of ownership. Many documents were lost during that time and disputes still continue.

The new freely-elected Government made a point of

supporting the agricultural sector, which accounts for 60% of the country’s 31.2 million hectares and they realised that being accepted as an EU member was the way forward, although agriculture only contributes 3.5% to the country’s economy. The main exports are in manufacturing.

There are still 1 million small farms, with an average size of around 10 hectares, compared to 50 hectares in France and Germany and 90 hectares in UK. Land type however, is relevant

Polish sheep farmer

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and Poland has one of the most diverse agricultural sectors anywhere in the world. Its vast fertile plains allow crops of rye, wheat, barley and oats to grow extensively in larger units. Grain production has improved greatly with more grain targeted towards human consumption rather than the livestock sector. Potatoes on the other hand, have reduced in popularity and production is now directed towards the livestock sector. Family farms are well supported by the government and the EU, although the switch

WORLD FARMING to organic, for added value through quality, has seen a steady decrease since its peak in 2013.

Animal welfare has been an issue in traditional holdings and in March, 2020, the government allocated 50 million to improvement in rearing systems and animal welfare, to help comply with EU regulations.

Small local slaughterhouses have also been licensed and monitored to enable local consumption to continue, as well as making them eligible to export.

Poland is a huge country, with varying temperature and growing conditions, allowing it to produce a vast range of diverse crops, from 265,000 hectares of orchards, to over 4 million hectares of pasture. It is also still a net exporter of beef, although home consumption is steadily increasing. Pig meat remains the main protein source in the country but it is a sector which has decreased greatly since joining the EU. From more than 22 million pigs, it has reduced by half due to the fragmented system

Farmers Market in Wroclaw

inherited from communism and an inability to accept change from traditional pig rearing.

The country’s pig farmers were slow to embrace technology and animal welfare. There was too much competition and little co-operation in the sector and like many countries, smaller

farms with an average of less than 10 pigs could not afford the investment to improve standards of production, therefore the number of pig farms has halved as a result.

The facades on the rebuilt Warsaw buildings, portray the city prior to when it was razed to

the ground by the Russians. It is a reminder that the country, while moving forward, is still working to remove the scars of the past and to move its agricultural sector forward. It does however have the potential to become a major player in Europe and world-wide given time.

Zeus acquires Austrian food packaging solutions company as part of 40 million euros acquisition strategy Irish-owned Zeus Packaging, the leading independent packaging manufacturer and distributor, has today announced the acquisition of Austrian-based food packaging solutions business, Petruzalek, which was part of Sirap-Gema Group. Today’s acquisition further expands and strengthens Zeus’s geographic presence across 12 countries in Western, Central and Eastern Europe.

In 2020, Petruzalek achieved revenues of approximately 58 million, net assets of 16 million and EBITDA of 2.5 million. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum from Italian investment holding company, Italmobiliare, completes a threeyear 40 million acquisition strategy for Zeus. It is the

seventh business to be integrated into the Zeus family during the past 18 months. Established by Brian O’Sullivan in 1998, this acquisition brings the number employed by Zeus from 450 people across 14 countries to 670 people across 26 countries.

The group’s turnover has grown substantially over the past three years, reaching 208m in 2020 and expected to reach 280m for 2021.

Commenting on this latest acquisition, Zeus CEO Keith Ockenden said: ‘This latest acquisition is the largest in our strategic expansion, and along with recent investments in our leadership operational infrastructure, is an integral part of Zeus’s long-term

growth strategy. The purchase of Petruzalek significantly extends our reach into new markets, brings complementary diversification to our product range and further enhances our client network.

“Petruzalek’s product range utilises low environmental impact renewable, recyclable and compostable materials enabling us to further deepen our focus on sustainability in 2021. As always, we are committed to delivering innovative sustainable packaging solutions for our valued clients in Ireland, the UK and across Europe. This move enables a true European supply solution for customers looking to consolidate supply chains and maximise cost efficiencies.”

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Zeus Founder Brian O’Sullivan said: “In 2020, despite the pandemic, Zeus reached a milestone with revenues exceeding 200 million. With today’s announcement, Zeus remains on track to become the largest independent packaging distribution business in Europe.

The acquisition of Petruzalek not only further builds on our scale, but strengthens our operating platform across Europe.”

Assisting Zeus in the purchase of Petruzalek with funding, tax and legal advice, and financial due diligence were Sean O’Keefe, Ulster Bank; Eversheds Sutherland; Deloitte Ireland; bpv Hügel; McMahon O’Brien Tynan; Gattai, Minoli, Agostinelli & Partners, Milan; & EY, Vienna and Milan.

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SEEDING

Do You Grow Grass or Do You Let Grass Grow?

Advice from St Catherine’s Seeds WORLD FARMING

Jonathan Coombe (St. Catherine’s Seeds) and Paul Morgan (Germinal)

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As the ever changing and unpredictable climate continues, the time has never been more important to start taking control over the grass that you grow.

Just letting grass grow may seem like the cheapest option, but once you consider the quality of your crop and the enormous benefits from growing high quality, high yielding grass that actively increases milk and meat production both as a grazing and as winter feed, then you’ll start to see the difference that choosing the right grass seed for your conditions and requirements makes.

The cost of milk and meat production is a major consideration for all livestock producers and producing more forage yourself is one of the best ways to reduce your costs.

Plant developers are continually researching and developing efficient, cost-effective varieties to help you get the best in terms of yield, digestibility and spring growth.

Is It time To Reseed?

Pulling up a handful of your grass plants will give an indication of whether the time is right to reseed. If there is less than 50% of the sown species in the ley, then it it’s time to reseed. If you’ve previously sown a perennial ryegrass, then you’ll easily notice the red base to the stem that can help with the visual inspection.

Weed grasses do not have the red stem base, they yield poorly and provide inadequate feed quality, they also tend to have an inferior response to nitrogen.

‘Do You Grow Grass or Do You Let Grass Grow?’ was probably the most-asked question that the sadly missed, Roger Coombe of St. Catherine’s Seeds would ask his customers. It’s

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been a familiar phrase that he became well-known for and is often repeated these days by his son, Jonathan who took over the business after Roger passed in 2019.

‘I have seen the difference that plant breeders such as Germinal have achieved with their constant investment and development of varieties to produce. Their Wiltshire based research station is on our doorstep and demonstrates the significant investment they continue to make’, says Jonathan Coombe of St. Catherine’s Seeds.

He continued ‘Our customers enjoy the benefits of our up-todate, relevant, product knowledge and advice, which is backed up by decades of personal service which, during these uncertain times, is something they can rely on’.

So what type of grass should you reseed with? Perennial?

Italian? Hybrid?

‘We see that the majority of our grass seed customers, in line with most British farmers, tend to favour a mixture of different grasses and clovers. A mixture will tend to produce far better results that single varieties. It’s a great example of the Whole is Great Than The Sum of The Parts’ – Jonathan continues. ‘Mixtures allow you to benefit from the combined strengths of the different varieties.

This can mean the digestibility of a Perennial Ryegrass (PRG), the yield of a Hybrid Ryegrass (HRG) and the nutrient value of White Clover.

To find the right grass seed, or the right catch or forage crops for your needs, the team at St. Catherine’s are on hand to answer your questions and provide in-depth advice on your particular requirements.

SEEDING

Spirit pioneer looks to the future A close working relationship with Vaderstad has seen Robert Wilson Contracting as one of the first to try out the prototype – but is now in full production – of the new Spirit 400C InLine drill, which places starter fertiliser from a separate outlet down through the seed coulter.

Mr Wilson, who offers a range of arable and general contracting services from his base at Sauchen, Aberdeenshire, was also an early adopter of the previous Spirit generation, having tested that machine from 2011.

“We drill some 1600ha in total, using the Spirit mainly for spring cereals alongside 4.0 and 6.0m combi-drills on the heavier soils,” he explains. “Its grain and fertiliser capability is extremely important for us, and it is a drill that can work well on land with a lot of stone and in light soils.”

The Spirit features large packer wheels which consolidate the soil between the System Disc cultivating tools and seed coulters.

OffSet 380mm seeding discs move the soil to the side and place the seed in the bottom of the furrow before soil falls back behind the discs covering the seed. Each seed coulter has a wide press wheel, ensuring the working depth is constantly maintained.

Mr Wilson comments that the Spirit usually goes straight into land that has been ploughed and pressed, although some customers like to work the seedbed down a little more.

“Output depends very much on the situation and we have a lot of small fields and hills which is why a four metre drill is the most suitable, but we can comfortably cover 32ha in a day. We pull the drill with a New Holland T7.270

on Michelin 900 flotation tyres, which helps on the steeper land.”

The latest version of the Spirit has seen some significant updates, which Mr Wilson says have offered improvements to his operation.

He is also looking forward to trying out Seed Eye, which was

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due to be added to the prototype for last season until Covid prevented travel for Vaderstad’s technical team.

Using an optical sensor, this anti-blockage feature helps the operator to monitor the seed and fertiliser output in real time, any deviation triggering a warning.

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IN

A 40 years celebration January 1980, Ed and his wife Eileen were on an exchange visit to Eileen’s pen pals Harmen and Hank Woekevis in Holland.

During this visit they were taken to the Amsterdam show where the Wopa hoof trimming equipment and method were being exhibited.

Ed Malt was always thought of as a forward thinking, progressive farmer and his initiative with a sense of curiosity and being proactive had seen him become a respected figure in the dairy farming community, so his attention was immediately caught by both the equipment on offer, but more importantly the cattle hoof welfare and treatment. Ed was introduced to the inventor and manufacturer of the Wopa crush Mr Jan Wopereis, and it was from this introduction that Jan asked Ed if he would like to sell Wopa crushes in the UK. This was a totally new concept for cattle welfare, and Ed was more than ready to bring this back to the UK where this concept was unknown at the time, and bring about improvement for the health and welfare of cattle.

Humble beginnings with Jan coming to the UK in May 1980 with five SA0018 crushes, Laurens Donderwinkle (Wopa’s English speaking accountant), the Dutch hoof trimmer Hank Stamp, and Mr Schilderman (a technical teacher) to do two demonstrations one at Peter Padfield’s farm and one at Ed’s own farm. The first show Ed and Jan exhibited at was The Royal Show in July 1980, and it became a regular feature with Jan taking on the role of “chief knife sharpener “for anyone bringing hoof knives along – several pounds were raised for charity from this! These shows and demonstrations proved 30

to be very successful both for the equipment and the concept which enlightened farmer and stock persons of the importance of hoof care. Lord Rayleigh farms became the first owner of a Wopa Crush from that initial demonstration at Mr Padfield’s, and the requests for knowledge and training of hoof care and treatment soon saw courses being set up. Ed became trained by Hank and qualified as a hoof trimmer. Ed’s foresight saw him convince the Ministry of Agriculture that hoof trimming and hoof welfare should have official training courses, and so the Agricultural Training Board setup courses around the country

with Ed as the first qualified trainer to do these. Ed spent the first few years attending training courses, doing on farm demonstrations and delivering crushes to farmers and contractors. He was always available for help and advice, which sometimes could be a phone call 10 o’clock in the evening, but his enthusiasm never dulled.

Ed was not the sort of person to sit back at this point, and with the growing numbers of hoof trimming contractors he felt that the next step was to have an organisation to provide a uniform service to set standards and help developed the future of cattle hoof welfare. With this suggestion to

An original SA0035 Contractors Model

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Tony Richardson and Harry Relph (both professional hoof trimmers) the NACFT was born.

Ed was always a great believer of supporting the young people coming into the industry, and the Universities or Colleges offering the training once the ATB was no longer involved. As a family run business these principles are still true 40 years on.

From the farmers model SA0018 through to the latest tracked SA0061 contractors model, the Wopa crush has evolved not only for the health and welfare of cattle hooves, but also for the operators of this equipment. The concept of the original SA0018 is

IN

still there but has been refined for easier use and better handling and is now the SA0026. The contractors model started as the SA0035, but that has evolved almost beyond recognition, through the stages of the SA0039, to the SA0041, to the SA0051 which has proved to be a best seller, and now the SA0061 (wheels or tracks).

Research and development continue, and customer feed back is always welcome in that development process. In Holland Willem Wopereis has continued his father’s business, and two years ago expanded into new, modern manufacturing facilities.

Wopa UK prides itself not only on the equipment it sells, but also the backup for both kit and customer. There is a team here, both in sales and service, who work on providing the correct crush or kit required by our customers with a friendly smile or chat. Customers know we are always on the end of the phone to help and advise as and when needed, or just to catch up on

the latest news. Social media and a website are also now a part of the way to communicate. As the crush models continue to develop,

so does the backup and service offered by Wopa UK. A lifelong business and personal relationship was cemented

in Holland between Ed and Jan Wopereis, and 40 years on their legacy still continues now with the next generation.

Ed Malt trimming at home with the SA0018

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‘The Bull’ finds a match in the ‘Cyclone’

Major MJ31-280 Cyclone Mower

Irish rugby hero John ‘The Bull’ Hayes knows a thing or two about working hard, staying focussed and achieving goals. Diligence and discipline would earn him 105 Ireland caps, two Lions tours, two Heineken Cups, four Triple Crowns and the 2009 Grand Slam.

Yet, he never abandoned his farming background and now spends his days rearing Hereford cattle on his 90-acre family farm in Cappamore, Co Limerick, Ireland.

He also travels around the country promoting Irish Hereford Prime as ABP-Irish Hereford Prime Ambassador.

“The Hereford is a very hardy animal that can thrive and perform well on all land types,” enthuses John. “They are very

easy to handle, work with and are extremely docile. They are a very low maintenance animal.” His firm belief in the Hereford breed as a high-quality, hardy animal mirrors the features found in all Major products – durability, reliability, versatility and easy operability.

So when looking at farm equipment, he expects no less.

“I had been looking at the Major Cyclone the last couple of years and I eventually decided to make a move for it,” said John. The Cyclone Shredder bridges the gap between a traditional grass topper and flail mower. Designed to do the work of a flail, the Major Cyclone requires 25% less power consumption than a typical flail, saving time and fuel costs for users.

“We’ve got mixed soil here,” John explains. “One side of the land is fairly good, but then the other half of the farm always needs work.

Every year you have to keep on top of it and do your best with it.”

“Obviously, rushes have been a problem with some of the wet summers we’ve had lately,” he continues. “So you need something that can take the tough work. It can’t be flimsy; it has to be able to take a bit of punishment.”

The heavy duty machine features a double chop blade system that easily copes with shrubs, saplings, gorse and brush.

Hayes’ experience in welding comes through when describing the build and durability of the topper. “The sheet metal is

folded forward and the hot dip galvanising makes it real strong and robust – this machine is going to last! It’s really well-designed because it’s not heavy on the back of the tractor when you lift it up.

The whole structure is really well put together.”

John appreciates the versatility of the Cyclone handling a variety of conditions. “There’s two sides of the farm: the hillside and the lower side. The Cyclone does a good job on the heavier stuff that you need to clean off. On the other paddocks where cows have grazed off, the Cyclone can get in and fly along on higher forward speed and just clean the rest like standard topping. So we can do both jobs with one machine.”

For more information about the Major Cyclone call Keith McCormick on 07860 463905 or visit www.major-equipment.com.

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renewable energy

Delaying Scottish offshore wind projects is bad for investor confidence

Commenting on the delay announced by Crown Estate Scotland to the ScotWind Leasing process, RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Melanie Onn said: “Offshore wind developers will be dismayed by this latest

delay to ScotWind, coming just weeks after Crown Estate Scotland opened applications for new leases. Having spent over a year setting out the process for awarding these new leases and making clear

to developers what is required from them, Crown Estate Scotland is now rewriting the rules at the eleventh hour.

“Scotland has a unique opportunity to secure billions of pounds of investment in

new renewable energy projects which will support thousands of jobs across the supply chain.

Delays and U-turns are bad for investor confidence and for Scotland’s position as a world leader in offshore wind”.

Solar Energy Scotland appoints new Chair to maximise potential of relatively untapped renewable resources Thomas McMillan, Savills UK head of energy consultancy based in Perth, has been appointed as the new Chair of Solar Energy Scotland (previously the Solar Trade Association).

Speaking on his new appointment Thomas outlined the challenges and opportunities facing the sector in Scotland.

“As an Energy Director at Savills consulting on all renewables technologies across the UK for over a decade, one might wonder why have I decided to take on the role of Chair of Solar Energy Scotland.

It’s quite simple: in Scotland solar is regularly overlooked but has huge potential in helping to meet our

ambitious net zero targets. I want to help showcase the technology to increase deployment in the country in which I live.

Per head of population Scotland is leading the UK’s renewable revolution, with 11.8GW of installed capacity having been deployed at the end of Q3 2020. Scotland’s

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electricity generation is now equivalent to approximately 90 per cent of our electricity consumption, yet over the same timescale, we have only installed 372MW of Solar. This means that solar represents just 3% of all renewables in Scotland, a meagre contribution by anyone’s standards.

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renewable energy

Benefits of Weighing Cattle

The lack of investment into solar is a uniquely Scottish problem in the context of the British isles. If you look at the UK as a whole 13GW of solar has now been deployed. Scotland’s contribution represents just 2.5%, despite the fact we constitute a third of the landmass. There is a huge reservoir of resource that remains untapped.

Now some people might argue that we have far more wind and rain here, and that this explains the subsequent gulf in technology and lack of solar deployment.

But it is perception rather than fact that is the key contributing factor here, casting a shadow over the Scottish sector and negatively influencing investors and policy makers alike. If you take my home country of Fife on the East coast as an example, solar

irradiance is 96% of that found around Birmingham.

Is this 4% really the main contributing factor to the poor uptake of solar in Scotland?

Unlike in England we have less competition for land here, creating a positive landscape for solar farms. With a less dense population, residential dwellings have larger gardens for ground mounted solar, and fewer of us live in flats meaning homeowners are more likely to have a roof on which to install solar panels.

As the new chair of Solar Energy Scotland I will be calling on the Scottish government to set an ambitious solar deployment target for 2030 so that real focus can be given to dismantling the development barriers that are holding back the industry.”

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Weighing cattle is an important management tool within any herd, providing accurate, animal specific performance data to better inform decision-making, helping to improve both the productivity and efficiency of the herd.

Modern automatic weigh scale systems typically comprise of four key components: - a cattle crush, load bars, EID panel reader and a weigh head. Benefits of regularly weighing cattle include: s -ONITORING !NIMAL 0ERFORMANCE – highlighting whether animals are meeting their daily liveweight gain targets, and indicating management areas that may require re-evaluation such as ration formulation. s )MPROVING !NIMAL (EALTH n underperforming animals who are failing to meet their growth targets can be easily identified and investigation carried out to determine the cause.

Weighing also allows for accurate administration of veterinary treatments, preventing under or overdosing of animals, beneficial in minimising the risk of antibiotic resistance occurring on farm. s &ORECASTING /PTIMUM Time for Sale –aids timely selection for both sale and/ or slaughter, helping to ensure that processor requirements are met.

By ensuring cattle meet the required specification, farmers can minimise the likelihood of incurring

penalties for producing overweight cattle. s )NCREASING !CCURACY of Benchmarking and Performance Recording – EID technology allows animal performance to be linked back to their specific sire and dam – helping highlight high performing genetic lines within a herd. This can be useful in terms of selecting replacement breeding stock. This performance data can also be used as a benchmarking tool, allowing factors such as cow efficiency to be expressed.

Weighing equipment is one of the fundable elements of the Sustainable Agricultural Capital Grant Scheme (SACGS), along with a variety of innovative technologies. The Farm Advisory Service has prepared a series of videos and guides demonstrating the most popular ‘kit’ farmers applied for and is an excellent resource for those currently considering what to buy. www.fas. scot/rural-business/ technology-to-improvebusiness-performance/

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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WELTEC BIOPOWER becomes a Member of the American Biogas Council The German biogas plant manufacturer WELTEC BIOPOWER has joined of the American Biogas Council (ABC).

The Washingtonbased association has been campaigning for the interests of the American biogas industry since 2010. The ABC represents biogas and biomethane plant operators, research institutions, municipal suppliers and manufacturers along the biogas supply chain.

International Sales Manager Dr. Kevin Monson will represent WELTEC BIOPOWER in the US market. “We look forward to our commitment in the USA and are convinced that we can contribute to the growth of the biogas industry. Our tried and tested technology delivered under one turnkey contract and handed over at full output will be particularly attractive to developers looking for proven quality high-uptime plants with short lead-in times”.

The conditions for this are already favorable; even before President Joe Biden’s climate plan, which aims to promote sustainable energy generation with a total of around 2 trillion US dollars. With the help of the budget, the USA is striving to be able to supply itself completely with carbon-free electricity by the year 2035.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 110

Chris McVey joins RSABI as new Welfare Manager RSABI has recently welcomed Chris McVey to the team as its new Welfare Manager.

Chris will head up the charity’s Welfare Team, which delivers emotional, practical and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture. He takes over from Mags Granger, who retires at the end of March.

Before joining RSABI, Chris was Chief Officer at Angus Citizens Advice Bureau, where he started as a volunteer in 2013. He worked in benefit, debt and income maximisation projects before moving on to become the Bureau’s Quality Assurance Officer, leading the organisation to achieve Scottish National Standards for Information & Advice.

He moved on to lead Angus Citizens Advice Bureau as Chief Officer in April 2019.

Talking about his new role, Chris said: “I’m looking forward to carrying on the vital work of RSABI, as well as developing new ways of reaching the most vulnerable within the agricultural community.

“During my career at Citizens Advice, I was passionate about empowering clients by not only giving them support when they needed it most but by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to tackle similar problems they may face in the future. I hope to build on this principle with RSABI. “Our approach to supporting people within Scottish agriculture means we can offer a range of support directly or help people to get the support they need to move forward.

“That’s why I’d encourage anyone who might be

Chris McVey, RSABI Welfare Manager

struggling at the moment to get in touch and call our helpline on 0300 111 4166.”

RSABI’s helpline is open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm and offers a call out service is also offered to those who would like a regular call.

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

Sell or hold carbon on your farm?

By Séamus Murphy, Carbon Specialist, SAC Consulting In the 1980s climate change was a mere blip on the radar of most people, one of the main environmental issues was acid rain. This was mainly due to power stations (usually coal) emitting sulphur and nitrogen oxides that reduced the pH of rain and damaged ecosystems.

An economic solution to an environmental problem was developed, the first ‘cap and trade’ system. Companies that reduced their emissions could sell credits to companies who needed them.

Carbon credits and the idea of selling carbon is becoming more common in agriculture and land use circles. It has been a common practice in woodland planting for some years now, but the discussion is moving towards carbon credits from soil carbon. The science surrounding soil carbon is continually developing and ongoing research is giving a clearer picture of how to increase, and account for, soil carbon. Currently carbon markets for soil are some way off, but they are coming.

Whether it be carbon sequestration in farm woodland or soils, once a carbon credit is sold the carbon mitigation is awarded to the buyer. This means a beef farmer who decides to sell their soil carbon credits to a haulage company can no longer account for their soil carbon sequestration against their own carbon footprint. Many would argue that this allows industries to buy

their way out of dealing with climate change. Agriculture is in a unique position - as well as being a significant emitter of greenhouse gases, it also has the potential to sequester carbon and offer a clear solution towards the climate crisis.

It begs the question should agriculture, an industry under intense scrutiny for its climate change impact, sell carbon credits and allow other industries to benefit?

Emissions trading for acid rain worked because it was mostly emissions from one industry, and it became economically beneficial for companies to reduce emissions. Emissions trading around climate change is far more complex.

For more ideas around practical mitigation measures and ways to lock carbon into your farm, and to read about what other farmers have done, visit www. farmingforabetterclimate. org find us on Facebook and Twitter @ SACFarm4Climate.

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 36

environment Video sees Scottish agriculture at the heart of climate change solutions

Giving video evidence to Scotland’s Climate Assembly, NFU Scotland President Elect Martin Kennedy shared his vision for how Scottish agriculture will be part of the solution to climate change.

If Scotland’s farmers and crofters are given the right tools, Mr Kennedy believes they will be in pole position to lead the world in terms of a positive response.

The pre-recorded video is available to view at: h t t p s : / / w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=fBwA6J8Hyk8&ab_ch annel=Scotland%27sClimateAsse mbly In his opening remarks, Mr Kennedy stated: “Climate change, and how we deal with it, is something that will dictate our future for generations to come.

If we chose to ignore it then the future is bleak, but if we listen to the science which is evolving all the time, then there will be a fantastic opportunity to maintain a sustainable future for all our species.

“For farmers and crofters, food production, climate change

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mitigation and environmental enhancement are all linked. From a Scottish perspective, if we take a holistic approach to all three of these issues and are given the right tools in the toolbox to address them, then we in Scotland will be in pole position to lead the world on how to reverse the current situation.

“In global terms, Scotland is already starting from a good position, but we recognise that more can be done if we create opportunities for each sector to play its part.”

Highlighting that the agricultural sector is willing to change he recognised that despite the remarkable reduction in emissions since 1990, it will have to move faster to meet the targets set out by government, while still producing local high quality nutritious food in a profitable manner.

He adds: “If this is not managed carefully then we will simply offshore our emissions by way of imports from other countries who do not share the same concerns for climate change or the environment,

environment not to mention the socio-economic impact this would have on many of our rural communities.”

In the video, he calls for a change in future agricultural support policy to be based on activity; greater incentives to utilise land productively and improve soil health and greater recognition that Scotland’s climatic conditions and topography are extremely well placed to produce high quality protein through grazing livestock.

He concludes: “Time is not on our side so if we want to lead from the front, we need to act now. Using science and technology is the way to drive change in all sectors of agriculture to allow us to play our part in climate change mitigation, but this will require long term government commitment.

“NFU Scotland, and wider Scottish agriculture, are keen to work with Scottish Government to deliver on their ambitious Climate Change targets but we need to be supported to make the transformational changes required.”

Mole Valley Farmers first to financially support responsible sourcing of soy and palm Farmers buying compounds and blends from Mole Valley Farmers can be assured they’re doing their bit for the environment thanks to a commitment from the company to financially support responsible sourcing of soy and palm.

The British, farmer owned business is soon to become a full member of the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS) and Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

This will mean that from October 2021, for every tonne of soy or palm they buy for use in compounds or blends, additional purchased ‘credits’ will be put towards the

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environment production of responsibly grown crops. This will encourage zero deforestation, good agricultural practices and responsible labour conditions. All additional costs will be absorbed by Mole Valley

Farmers meaning there will be no impact on the cost per tonne at the farm gate.

Dr Chris Bartram, Head of Nutrition for Mole Valley Farmers, believes the business is the first

New CarbonCheck service allows farmers to benchmark and monitor carbon sequestration Leading agricultural analysis company NRM has launched a new CarbonCheck service for farmers and their advisors across the UK. Growers and land managers will be able to measure, monitor and benchmark the carbon levels in their soils, enabling them

to accurately assess progress on their carbon journey.

Interest in soil carbon storage and sequestration is set to increase over the coming months. The government has committed to a reduction in carbon emissions to net zero

in the UK ruminant feed sector to make such a commitment.

“This is just one step we’re taking to help farmers meet environmental sustainability targets,” he says. “It’s important

that the whole feed supply chain works together to promote responsible production of soy and palm considering the potential impact these feeds may have on the environment.”

by 2050 and the agricultural industry is in a unique position to be part of the solution. Land acts as a huge carbon sink, with soil holding up to three times more carbon than the atmosphere.

NRM is part of the Cawood Scientific Group, chaired by Lord Don Curry, who believes farmers will be required to understand the carbon storage capacity

of their fields in future. He said, “The ability to accurately measure and monitor soil carbon will be essential for any future income scheme relying on carbon sequestration. Even now, farmers who are committed to sustainable farming practices should be measuring the impact of their activities and regular CarbonCheck testing will allow them to do that.”

New partnership to Practical support help farmers achieve needed to help net zero Scottish agriculture meet climate change targets

Germinal’s new research team embedded at Aberystwyth University brings together a unique collaboration of science and agriculture to address climate challenges and enhance agricultural productivity.

Germinal and Aberystwyth University have today announced a new long-term research partnership to promote sustainable farming.

The new partnership, which builds on nearly 35 years of collaboration between the two organisations, will see Germinal employ and direct a core team of forage and grassland researchers at the institute, as well as sponsoring a Chair of Innovative Grassland Research.

The team will build on the achievements of the award38

winning Aber High Sugar Grasses that reduce emissions from livestock farms. They will also seek new developments in the lipid content of grasses, nutrient use efficiency and exciting novel protein crops to achieve net zero from productive ruminant livestock production.

Germinal and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University will establish and lead an industry Net Zero from Productive Grassland group. This will see leading academic institutions, farmers, advisors and government collaborate to ensure a greener, more resilient future for ruminant livestock agriculture.

Scottish farmers and land managers can do more in the fight against climate change but need practical and detailed support in order to do so, Scottish Land & Estates has said.

The rural business organisation was responding to a public consultation on an update to Scotland’s Climate Change Plan 2018-2032.

SLE said while some progress had been made on cutting emissions, there was now a real need for urgency to enable agriculture to transition to a lower emissions future.

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Stephen Young, Head of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Significant strides have been made by rural businesses across Scotland over the last decade to both cut emissions and to improve carbon storage through increased tree planting and peatland restoration.

However, despite these efforts, agriculture is still behind other sectors in cutting emissions and could be left as one of the most polluting sectors - potentially damaging the reputation of Scottish produce.

environment “No single decision can transform the environmental credentials of agriculture overnight but we do need to see action and more practical support given to farming businesses to enable change rather than it primarily being a discussion point for academics, policy and government officials. Scottish Government initiatives such as the Sustainable Agriculture Capital Grant Scheme (SACGS) pilot, part of the Agricultural Transformation Programme (ATP), have been very welcome in attempting to deliver real support for sustainable farming and land use and it is this sort of action that can deliver improvements to the natural environment.

“Management decisions over recent decades have been driven by the direction of travel from CAP, which maintained a strong production element.

There is now a huge opportunity for change over future decades – change which would have been required even if remained in the EU - but we need the detail for this imminently.

“Regional Land Use Partnerships (RLUP) have been widely accepted as a vehicle to accelerate change and it is disappointing to see a reversion from full roll out of these partnerships to further pilots.

There is, however, also a concern if the full suite of incentives is not available to each partnership from the beginning, which could undermine their work and credibility. By working collaboratively and using practical data to aid management decisions we can really start to see progress.”

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 110 NEXT ISSUE May 2021

Tackling animal welfare issues

By Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing Animal welfare matters hugely to us all – the Scottish Government recognises this which is why we are absolutely committed to ensuring the best possible standards for all animals in Scotland. People want to be assured that animals destined for the food chain have been cared for and treated appropriately and respectfully. Fortunately, we know just how well farmers and crofters across the country care for their livestock and how hard they work to ensure they experience the best standards of welfare possible.

We can be proud of our track record but we also know that there is increased concern about how animals are being transported, particularly when they are exported for fattening or slaughtering.

The UK Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) – which advises all the governments in the UK – recommended various possible changes in its ‘Opinion on the Welfare of Animals during Transport’.

FAWC’s proposed principles provide a sound basis to examine how we might improve our high standards of animal welfare.

We responded to FAWC’s recommendations in April 2020, agreeing that all transportation has an impact

on animals’ welfare and that the “three Rs” approach should apply: can journeys be replaced; can journeys be reduced; and, can journeys be refined?

FAWC visited Scotland’s islands and rural areas to see the transportation of livestock using ferries for themselves. This included observing the excellent “cassette” system on the Orkney and Shetland services, which uses purpose-built livestock modules fastened directly to the enclosed loading deck, providing much better space, ventilation, drainage and provision for feed and water than in road vehicles. These routes between island communities are vital to farming and crofting and have operated effectively for many years.

We are aware that some of the FAWC recommendations could cause serious practical difficulties if they were directly transposed into Scottish legislation. For instance, FAWC have recommended to only allow transportation of livestock in fully temperature-controlled vehicles if the outside temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius. If this was a legal requirement then it would have a serious impact on our food supply chain during a spell of freezing cold

weather, like this winter, as well as potentially prevent movements of animals for welfare reasons.

The Scottish Government is clear that we will not introduce measures that simply do not make sense and which would actively harm Scottish farming and crofting, while offering little to improve welfare standards for livestock.

In December 2020, we launched a consultation on FAWC’s recommendations.

This ran until the 26th February, giving interested stakeholders and the public twelve weeks in which to provide their views and evidence on the practical impact of the proposed FAWC recommendations. We will now consider carefully all the responses before deciding on the next steps, but I can reassure everyone in Scottish farming and food production of two things. Firstly, should we need to take a different approach from the UK Government to protect Scottish farming and crofting then we will. Secondly, we will continue to engage closely with stakeholders and will be holding further meetings to discuss the effects of the recommendations before bringing forward any more specific proposals. But farmers and crofters can be assured that we remain committed to supporting their best interests and needs, alongside those of the animals they care for.

Balers & Bale Wrappers A brief scan around the machines available for 2021

New LB436 HD baler from Case IH

baling with more than 40 tons per hour and is designed to pack 500kg into each bale in all crops.

The RB baler series from Case IH has also seen a number

of updates in the last two years including the introduction of the RB545 model, which can be supplied with or without the silage pack wrapper.

New heavy duty Rollants from Claas The new large-format “High Density” LB436 HD baler launched

by Case IH impressed farmers during demonstrations in Harvest 2020. Numerous new features such as a patented two-speed gearbox, revised plungers, TwinePro twin-

knot technology as standard, and a hydraulically suspended, steered tandem chassis all increase the efficiency of the baler and set standards in bale density and ground speed. The new LB436 HD baler provides high performance

The latest Rollant 540 and 520 fixed chamber round balers have been completely redesigned and include new rollers, a stronger chassis, a new drive concept and ease of maintentance, all ensuring high performance, excellent reliability and a long service life Both Rollant balers produce a 1.25m diameter bale, the Rollant

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520 bale being 1.20m wide and the 540 bale 1.22m In the fixed chamber, the Rollant 540 has 15 newly redesigned rollers all made from 4mm thick steel and the Rollant 520 has 16, of which eight are made from 3-mmthick sheet steel, and the other eight from 4-mm-thick sheet steel. The ribbed profile of the

BALERS & BALE WRAPPERS rollers ensures precise rotation of the bale, even under moist conditions. Storage and power transmission functions are performed by the heavy duty stub shafts that can be individually

replaced if necessary, like the rollers themselves.

The rotor, main drive and tailgate rollers are fitted with Zubakki 1.25inch (Rollant 540) or 1.00-inch (Rollant 520) drive chains.

The baler range from Fendt Fendt offers a full range of balers, both square and round, as well as baler/wrapper combinations. Whether it is the Fendt Squadra UD Baler, Fendt Square balers, or the Fendt Rotana Fixed and Variable chamber combination balers, all have the one to suit your requirements. All manufactured in Hesston, USA. The Fendt Squadra 1290 UD big baler delivers exceptional baling density with efficient output. This powerful and robust,

yet lightweight and compact machine manufactured at the AGCO plant in Hesston, USA, is characterised by its innovative overall design, reliability and maximum durability based on decades of development experience.

This first class, top of the range model boasts a bale diameter of 120cm x 90cm. The Fendt Squadra has been designed to produce bales with 20% more weight in comparison to existing large balers.

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BALERS & BALE WRAPPERS

Krone’s range of compact high capacity combination round balers Bale and wrap silage bales up to 1.5m (5’) diameter with Krone’s range of compact and high capacity combination round balers – Comprima Plus. `Consisting of two models, the Comprima CF 155 XC Plus (with the well-proven semi variable chamber for 1.25–1.50m diameter bales) and Comprima CV 150 XC Plus (variable chamber for 1.00m–1.50m bales).

The combination baler wrappers’ twin dispensers orbit around the bale at 36rpm for a shorter wrapping cycle, an

improvement of 6 seconds over its predecessor. Bale transfer to the wrapping table is fast and reliable with the help of a bale lifter. On the table, which is made up of tubes and chains, the bale is rolled for optimum wrapping.

The machine can store up to 12 film rolls in the compartments where they are protected from the ingress of dirt.

Comprima Plus has a camless pick-up and five wavy rows of helical tines designed to evenly distribute material across the full width of the feed chamber and the XCut rotor cutter.

New variable chamber round balers from John Deere

John Deere introduced a complete range of new V400 Series variable chamber round balers for the 2018 season, to replace the previous 800 and 900 Series models. These high capacity balers are designed to work more efficiently and productively in all crop conditions from wet grass to dry, brittle straw, offering farmers and contractors increased versatility and ease of operation.

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Key features include a durable, extra heavy duty welded frame and a proven feeding system with a larger diameter pick-up and one-piece in-line auger rotor for improved intake and crop flow. Heavier duty components such as bigger drive chains, oversize roller bearings, a new bale density tension system and Hardox steel rotor tines have also been incorporated in the new designs.

The precision cutting system is available with 17 or 26 blades

with cutting lengths of 42mm and 64mm.

Kubota announces Plusseries 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

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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.

BALERS & BALE WRAPPERS

Kuhn extends film binding to variable chamber baler-wrapper range KUHN’s patented twinreel film binding system is available for the first time on its variable chamber baler-wrappers following its introduction to the VBP 3100 series machines. This development now brings the advantages of film binding, which include better forage quality, improved feeding efficiency and easier environmental management, to KUHN’s full range of round baler-wrappers.

Proven on KUHN’s fixed chamber baler-wrappers, including FBP and i-BIO ranges, this unique system uses two regular 750mm stretch-film rolls, which offers several advantages compared to other film binding systems available on the market that are using wide mantle film.

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According to KUHN, film binding with its twin-reel system enables customers to benefit from a lower film purchase

price and to use a much higher pre-stretch ratio compared to

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conventional wide film binding systems.

BALERS & BALE WRAPPERS

Massey Fergusons’ trailed round bale wrappers and round baler range Massey Ferguson recently introduced the MF TW 160, its new trailed round bale wrapper model.

This model enhances the Massey Ferguson range, in addition to the existing MF TW 130, introduced back in 2018.

“The introduction and the development of our wide

range of implements and green harvesting machines embody Massey Ferguson’s willingness of offering a complete solution to its customers as a fullliner manufacturer. A product for every need, an answer to every request: Massey Ferguson perfectly addresses

any customers’ expectations” says Francesco Quaranta, VicePresident Sales, Marketing & Product Management, Massey Ferguson Europe & Middle East.

The new MF TW 160 is a reliable and robust wrapper, developed for more demanding work and providing high output with the largest bale sizes (up to 1250kg weight).

New Features from McHale for the 2021 season For the 2021 season, McHale have expanded their range of variable chamber balers with the introduction of the McHale V8940 non-chopper baler and the McHale V8950 15-knife chopper baler. These high output machines are designed to

produce dense bales from 2’ – 6’ 3” in diameter. This increase in bale size and improved density means the McHale V8 baler can produce bales with up to 30% more crop in a 6’ 3” bale then what is achievable in a 5’ 6” V6 bale.

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3ALES s 3ERVICE s 0ARTS 2EPAIRS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF !GRICULTURAL -ACHINERY Murthly, Perthshire, PH1 4HG 4EL &AX

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BALERS & BALE WRAPPERS

Vicon reveals Plus-series variable chamber balers

This season saw the McHale Fusion 3 Pro get to work around the world. This machine expands the Fusion range to provide operators with a number of unique features such as; • iTouch control console with 7” touch screen display • In cab net adjustment • In cab density adjustment • Camera to show bale transfer & start of the wrapping process • Auto Drop Floor Reset • Auto Knife Drop Feature

• Bale Tip Speed Adjustment • Roll back wrapping feature to seal the bale after wrapping.

The Fusion 3 Pro also has the ability to add a number of optional extras which aren’t available on the standard McHale Fusion 3. As the Fusion 3 Pro is fitted with the iTouch Control Console, for people that want to monitor their baling process more, a moisture reading, bale weighing, and printer unit can be fitted to the machine.

Vicon has refreshed its RV5200 series variable chamber round baler models, with changes designed to improve output and lower operating costs.

Designated Plus-series, the newly updated RV5216 and RV5220 models are available with a range of intake systems including SuperFeed rotor or 14 knife SuperCut crop chopping system. Maximum bale sizes are 1.65m and 2.0m depending on model.

Performance enhancing upgrades include a redesigned roller crop press capable of lifting higher in heavier crops, while the side support arms have also been strengthened and incorporate

improved limit stops. Enhanced protection against crop wrapping is also provided for the 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 given a makeover.

Bale wrappers from Tanco We supply these and many leading brands of quality farm machinery throughout central Scotland

Call, email, text message Andrew Kerr with your enquiry

01506 842280 / 07836 527480 andrew@john-kerr.com 46

Tanco manufacture the most comprehensive range of bale wrappers on the market. Their range of wrapper’s consist of both conveaers based on trust and reliability, with shared values and priorities. Farmers trust our products, depend on our products, and expect only the highest level of quality, innovation and durability.

The A-Series round bale wrappers are Tanco’s

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conventional type bale wrapper’s. The A-200EH is a fully automatic static machine operated by radio frequency remote control. The A-200EH can be powered by tractor hydraulics as a 3point linkage machine or fitted with a powerpack and used as a standalone machine.

The radio remote control which allows the user to operate the wrapper without leaving the cab, is standard.

OPEN FARM SUNDAY

LEAF Open Farm Sunday announces plans for 2021 LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), organisers of the farming industry’s annual open day, LEAF Open Farm Sunday (LOFS), has today announced a year-round programme of public engagement to support this flagship event.

In addition to LOFS onfarm events on the 13th June 2021, which have seen over a quarter of a million people visit farms across the UK each year, LEAF will also be hosting a series of ‘virtual’ farm visits online. Following last year’s success, when LOFS took to our

screens for the first time, two ‘online’ farm open days will take place this Spring and Autumn, alongside a programme of monthly live broadcasts running throughout the year.

“One of the unexpected positives to emerge from the challenges of ‘lockdown’ has been the surge in interest in the countryside, nature and buying fresh produce, and we have seen a higher following than ever on our LOFS digital channels,” said LOFS Manager Annabel Shackleton. “This is the perfect moment to capture the public’s

curiosity and build our outreach to benefit the whole industry.”

While awaiting clarity on Covid regulations on public gatherings and events, Mrs Shackleton is urging farmers to start thinking about how they can host visitors on-farm in June, which will be the 15th anniversary LEAF Open Farm Sunday: “As visitor numbers for events may be limited, we would love to see a greater number of farms opening their gates but for smaller groups, so that social distancing can be followed.

Farm walk

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We’re encouraging host farmers to think about how to maximise outdoor spaces: it could be a farm walk, a scavenger hunt or a short show-and-tell in the yard.

It may also be an opportunity to collaborate with other food producers to provide a place for people to buy and try new local foods.

“Farmers have some important topical messages to share about quality food production, caring for the countryside, plus the economic and environmental benefits of buying British – and we

OPEN FARM SUNDAY want to help facilitate these conversations.”

The library of free LOFS resources and online workshops planned for March will help to make hosting easier and facilitate ideas sharing between the network of experienced and new hosts. Plus, a free, easy-touse ticketing service is available so host farmers can manage visitor numbers and contact visitors if there are any changes in plans, said Mrs Shackleton: “While not essential, this is a good year for host farmers to use the ticketing service so they can keep in contact with visitors if plans need to change, but equally to set expectations and encourage them to adhere to farm and Covid-safe regulations.

It also allows hosts to limit visitors per hour or per day to help them to manage their event more easily.”

The series of virtual farm visits online is designed to extend the opportunities for more people to connect with farming throughout the year and for more farmers to participate.

Two LEAF Online Farm Sunday events, on Sunday 28th March and Sunday 26th September, will each include an afternoon of live virtual farm tours on Facebook @ L E A F O p e n F a r m S u n d a y, featuring a range of different farms spanning the country and shining a spotlight on all farming sectors.

In addition, monthly farm visits broadcast live on Facebook will feature a different farm on the first Sunday of each month, starting on 7th February, adding to the kaleidoscope of farming stories shared with the public.

All these activities will promote a greater understanding of the different aspects of agriculture such as productive soils, animal welfare, clean water and air, public access and enhancing biodiversity.

These on-farm and online events are at the heart of the new LEAF Open Farm Sunday

three-year strategy to ensure a continued positive impact on the whole farming industry and enriching the understanding of wider society to act as global citizens supporting climate

positive farming and food production.

The main social media channels used across the campaign will be Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and LOFS

is asking farmers to post and share on these days using the hashtag #LOFS21 to create a diverse, colourful and authentic picture of UK farming for the public.

Soil inspection, Hill Farm

Whitacre Hall by Richard Osborne

To find out more and to register to host LEAF Open Farm Sunday in June 2021, see www.farmsunday.org. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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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.

Venison: A Taste of Terroir

By Wendy Barrie Scottish Thistle Award Regional Ambassador (2018/19) for Central, Tayside & Fife Director of Scottish Food Guide approach to estate management and the health of the herd. As a student, my dad had a seasonal job on one such estate in Perthshire, working alongside his faithful pal Bramble, the estate garron, bringing the stags off the hill.

When Johnny and Philippa Grant fell in love in the 1960’s, an appreciation of good food was fundamental from day one.

Indeed their honeymoon was spent eating and drinking their way around France clutching a certain red guide! Terroir was a given in their phrase book although it would take a while for Scotland to catch on! Undeterred, the Grants were determined to share their

passion for good food, sustainably produced, from estate to consumer and have successfully done so for over sixty years. They are the 15th generation of Grants of Rothiemurchus who own and care for 10,000 hectares of the Ancient Caledonian Forest and wild landscapes and, for Johnny and Philippa, it all began with rainbow trout, a farm shop - one of the first and a fishery on the ‘ski road.’

Since WW2, there was an over-abundance of red deer that needed drastically reduced to enable the ancient native forest to regenerate naturally. Johnny realised there was an opportunity to educate the public to try the

venison they enjoyed so regularly at home. Wild deer, with a little encouragement, could be handled safely and together they worked hard to encourage customers to consider venison as a tasty addition to a diet of pork, lamb and beef.

Johnny used his knowledge and skills to develop new cuts of venison to appeal to home cooks and in no time their farm shop was also selling their venison, Rothiemurchus Highland beef and other local produce too. Head Stalker and biodiversity manager Peter Ferguson ensures the deer lead a healthy life and the fragile ecosystem is kept in balance, whilst Johnny and Philippa’s son Courtesy Rothiemurchas Estate

Photograph by Wendy Barrie

Many tourists visiting Scotland hope to see the iconic stag on the hills. Whether it be deerstalking, restaurant menus, or wildlife photography, sustainably managed deer contribute significantly to the local economy… and when there is surplus – as can happen – I would like to see it on school lunch menus too as venison is healthy, lean and delicious.

Both red and roe deer are native to Scotland and have been traditionally raised on estates for centuries where deer stalking is carefully managed on an annual basis ensuring deer are harvested at the right age and stage, always thinking ahead with a holistic

Stag taking the water

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Deer stalking on the Estate

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globe descend on Lanarkshire and spend a wonderful few days together with ceremony, joy, convivial meals and a sense of belonging – no doubt with venison on the menu!

Meanwhile over in Dumfries and Galloway, Celia lived with her family at Craigadam from an early age. A working farm, there was also some shooting on the estate but when Celia married Richard Pickup in 1976, they developed the business into the award-winning Craigadam Country House Hotel and Larder where diners are treated to a beautifully appointed table laden with home produce. Richard may play mine host by night, whilst Celia creates gourmet dishes in her kitchen, but by day he is farming and running shoots on the 20,000 acre estate, part-owned/part-rented where he also manages roe deer for the Forestry Commission. All the game is shot, butchered and processed on farm, sold fresh and frozen, including a range of game birds, all available online.

Argyll is home to Winston Churchill Venison, established in 1988. In those days deer stalking was seen purely as sport but before long, Winston became a self-taught butcher, enabling them to sell direct to customers, which he and Anne do to this day. In 2000 they designed and built their Larder, giving them the ideal customerfocussed butchery and twenty years on their two boys are key to taking the family business forward. As all their venison is wild, both red and roe deer, stalking remains a pillar

of the business, offering fabulous opportunities to explore beautiful rural Scotland with experienced stalkers and guides, whether the goal is food for the table or images for the album. The family are also ken-speckled faces at many regional shows and outdoor events, selling their ever-popular burgers, steaks and sausages.

Like any successful food enterprise, resilience is essential and it is a real positive to see increased engagement from the public for local food – be it though markets, online or farm shops.

Venison is deemed one of the world’s healthiest foods, prized for being nutrient dense and delicious and these family businesses who bring us the best are to be supported and celebrated.

There are variations in flavours of venison depending on diet, species and cooking methods: fillet and steaks; cheaper cuts for slow cooking; charcuterie of prime cuts or air-dried sausage for offcuts; mince trimmings for meatballs and burgers and a good tasty creamy stock using the marrow and bones.

Whatever your preference, it’s time to order more venison and enjoy a simple supper or a celebration feast.

Rothiemurchus https:// rothiemurchus.net Carmichael https://carmichael.co.uk Craigadam https://www. craigadam.com Winston Churchill Venison https:// www.winstonchurchillvenison.com Courtesy Carmichael

There were precious few places to sell venison and most folk were unsure what to do with it, so a freezer was installed to preserve stock and Andrew’s parents were regularly seen presenting cookery shows, on a mission to educate all on the merits of delicious healthy ethical venison. In the mid 80’s, Clan Chief Carmichael took on the role of Postmaster at Thankerton post office – the only Chief to become a postmaster I wonder? This gave him the break he was looking for - a retail outlet for his venison. Buy stamps and steaks under one roof! Next he took on a nearby tearoom, venturing into catering where customers could taste before they buy.

In 1992 Nigel Tranter opened their Clan Carmichael Visitor Centre with museum, café, farm shop and tearoom, enabling a shop window for their produce, zero food miles and an inviting place to walk in nature. They also built an abattoir so the animals are never stressed on long journeys.

Together with self-catering cottages, Carmichael was an early trailblazer in farm diversification and is a popular destination.

In 1999 the farmer’s market movement took off and once again Carmichael was at the forefront and became a stalwart, barely missing a market in over two decades. They took venison to the masses, attending multiple markets each weekend and have many of their original customers. While some markets have declined there are others that thrive and online shopping was the next development to grow. Every few years, Clan Carmichael arranges a Gathering, where Carmichaels from across the

Rothiemurchas Estate

now runs most of Rothiemurchus.

Philippa has undoubtedly led the way in Scotland’s food tourism sector – not only putting her skills and experience to good use on the estate but also generously supporting others be they local cheesemakers or fellow venison producers.

Carmichael Estate is one such example. Now a well-established producer of fine venison, back in the day deer farming was in its infancy in Scotland and the Carmichaels were grateful to receive advice from both Rothiemurchus Estate and the Fletchers at Auchtermuchty.

Richard Carmichael had always promised he would return to his homeland when the time came to take on the mantle of Clan Chief.

That day was in 1980, when he was living in New Zealand with his wife Trish and their young family, so they headed back to Lanarkshire.

To say life was challenging in these early days would be an understatement. Before the days of farmers’ markets and the like, they needed to make a living from the land – and fast! Initially they bought pedigree cattle and sheep, which they still rear, ideal for the terrain of their two thousand acre estate but Richard, a Chartered Accountant in New Zealand, had had several clients who successfully farmed deer and he could see the potential on Carmichael lands. The rest, as they say, is history. His son and heir Andrew recalls the arrival of 40 hinds and one stag along with the rapid construction of deer fencing.

Over the years as tenanted parcels of farmland fell vacant, they took the estate in hand and increased their herd of red deer.

Cooking up a feast of venison Courtesy

At the Farmers Market

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IRRIGATION

New control system from Greencrop This very wet winter should remind us all we might be in for another long dry spring and how important irrigation is, and to have reliable efficient equipment.

(Irrigation NOT Irritation) Ways to use water more efficiently lead Greencrop irrigation to develop a new range of control system to control the engine pump sets.

The changes we have made are: 1. A digital electronic protection and pulse flow control to monitor low and no flow and high flow shut down if a pipe bursts, saving wasting water.

The GSM panel as well as text starting and stopping will give information on m3hr

used per run. Automated soft line fill feature 2. The target pressure can be adjusted between 2.5BAR and 6 BAR in .5BAR increments.

3. On start up the engine revs up to approx. 1500 RPM to help lift non-return valve then idle back once satisfactory flow rate is achieved for line fill.

4. If panel shutdowns on fault all previous setting are retained when panel is recycled.

5. In the event of pump shut down the operator can attempt to restart without having to return to panel 3

times before locking out and reset is required.

6. Any engine shutdowns will result in lock out and operator will need to return to pump to power cycle and clear fault.

7. We also introduced our new super-fast electric pressure side vacuum primer.

The Iveco 4-cylinder 125hp turbo engine unit has proved to be a very good chose with good engine torque and fuel efficiency.

The pump sets are complete fully covered acoustic cabinet, which has an official sound test decibel reading of 72db at 1 metre, the side doors open fully, with no center support struts, to gain total non-interference of the engine and pump, plus a front storage compartment. We have always painted the engine and pump to give a final quality finish. We have also introduced a new high speed vacuum primer

from the pressure side of the pump, giving ultimate high speed priming.

Greencrop can also offer a smaller range of engine pump sets from 51hp up to 100hp for drip, tape or to drive 1 irrigator.

Greencrop Irrigation, the UK importer of Irrimec Hose Reel Irrigators, has offered the Elite range of Irrimec irrigators since its launch in early 2016.

The latest range is designed with the professional grower in mind who demand reliable and easyto-operate irrigation systems that require simple maintenance.

The Elite 730 and 735 offer a range of hose diameters, from 100mm to 140mm, and hose length options, up to 580m long.

The new Elite 800 series has hose lengths up to 800m is now available.

For further information please visit: www.greencrop. co.uk Or Email: enquiries@ greencrop.co.uk

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription page 110 Next Issue May 2021 52

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IRRIGATION

Javelin Irrigation Systems range for 2021 Vegcraft have been supplying Irrifrance machines and the rest of Javelin Irrigation’s products in Scotland since 2018 Based in Angus, we offer a local point of contact for sales and after-sales service and equipment, all from the Javelin catalogue including; booms, diesel engine pump units, rainguns and Rovatti pumps.

Accessories such as Irrifrance, Wright Rain compatible and Bauer type pipework and fittings plus Javelin/Murphy engine monitoring equipment are readily available from stock in order to help reduce down-time during the important summer months. We also stock Oroflex lay-flat hose and Amazon suction hose.

The Javelin product range for 2021 continues to introduce new machinery with increased structural dimensions, allowing a broader range of hose diameter size and length options to give a larger choice for various applications. These machines have the high-specification Irridoseur 5 computers which gives the user full control over water application rates. Along with fully hydraulic operation on the larger reels as standard and the optional advantage of GSM control, irrigation no longer has to be the time consuming task it once was.

The most popular machines in Scotland have been the Optima 1032 110mm x 500m and the Optima 1037 110mm x 550m. The standard specification machine has been a double axle for extra

stability, hydraulic turntable, legs and jack. The Komet Ultra 140 Vari-Angle fitted on a galvanised offset trolley.

For further information or assistance regarding your irrigation or pump requirements for the forthcoming season,

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please contact Vegcraft on +44 (0) 1241 860204 or Javelin Irrigation direct on +44 (0) 1507 607175.

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farming diversification

Escape to the Country

By Janice Hopper Quite an unusual story here, because everything described below could be yours (except the farmer himself, he is not for sale).

This article could be a ‘sliding doors’ moment in your life.

The tale starts with businessman turned landowner, Peter Lindsay, who bought 10,000 acres near Newtonmore in 1941.

When the family sold up in 2000, Peter’s grandson, Roy Abel, bought just 34 acres.

“It suited me fine,’ says Roy. ‘It was personal, small enough to shape my way - a blank sheet with nothing on it.”

Roy Abel has a farming background, growing up on a 700 acre beef breeding farm in Northumberland, close enough to the border that he used to accompany his father to marts in Kelso and Edinburgh. But the new land he acquired in Newtonmore had no real infrastructure to speak of, no farm buildings or farmhouse, so Roy started by investing in animals that could live outdoors independently.

“Rich Thomson, one of Scotland’s premier showmen,

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advised me on buying Highlanders,’ says Roy, ‘helping me with the purchase of six cows of good pedigree in 2002. They earned my undying respect and affection for their capacity to cope with Highland winters, dropping and suckling viable calves in the snow.’

‘I knew very little about showing,’ continues Roy, ‘but the

Highland Cattle Society sales at Oban took root in my mind as the most prestigious of events, and the mart itself as a kind of Mecca.

Little by little, I learned from better breeders and began to break through.”

As a relative newcomer, Roy has done exceptionally well. His cattle have won Best of Breed twice in five years at the Royal Highland

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Show. He garnered two of the top three ‘Champions of the Decade’, with Ruaridh 1st of Ubhaidh taking the top spot. Roy also served two years on the council of the Highland Cattle Society, aiming to give back something to the breed that has given him so much. His current herd numbers twenty, with six breeding females.

Over twenty years at Newtonmore, Roy has built himself a home, erected buildings for the animals, and he’s created a unique and idiosyncratic house that he runs as exclusive-use accommodation on a self-catering basis.

“I had spent a quarter of a century as a maker, both of furniture and joinery, skills that I extended into property renovation. Re-entering the farming profession gave me the opportunity to fulfil a lifelong ambition to build my own house, incorporating best practice renewables (high insulation, ground sourced heat-pump, solar electric panels, green roof and lime render). It has always been important to me to be able to take the surrounding context as a kind of raw material that I have an opportunity to work with.”

farming diversification The creativity in the building design and aesthetic is hugely eye-catching, with curves, natural materials and expansive windows making the most of the wilderness outside. The accommodation features two buildings. Firstly, a roundhouse with a handcrafted cedar roof that sleeps up to eight in comfort across a family room and two interconnected sleeping lofts.

A flying oak bridge connects the Roundhouse to the Hairy Cow Studio, where a further two people can stay. The Roundhouse also accommodates a studio; 25 square metres with underfloor heating, ideal for letting out for business events, yoga retreats, artistic groups, ceilidhs and parties.

Self-contained accommodation is especially relevant in times of Covid-19, and the cattle are a big draw for tourists too. To this end Roy runs Highland Cattle experiences.

“Farm tourism can be such a boon in Scotland,’ says Roy, ‘breeding animals to create opportunities as well as meat.

Let’s face it, Highland Cattle are the ultimate Scottish brand to millions of people. I designed two ‘Hairy Cow Experiences’: ‘Meet the Hairies’ for groups, and ‘Hug a Hairy’ for couples, particularly honeymooners. A substantial proportion of my guests told me they made their choice - in a cluttered holiday accommodation market - for the chance to encounter these animals.’

‘Other breeders may scoff, but any commercial operation no matter what field - needs to use its resources for optimal gain. In beef farming we look at realising returns as quickly as possible by bringing on young stock, because we are a form of capital market: we need to sell assets in order to yield returns. Yet, even with the fastest turnaround this will take maybe eighteen months, and in the case of native cattle, upwards of two years. By presenting the herd to paying visitors, a regular

revenue stream is created that fills the gaps in traditional farm economics. It works well for me.”

On the doorstep, visitors can also experience the Cairngorm Mountain, Loch Garten, Newtonmore and Rothiemurchus, plus attractions such as the Highland Wildlife Park, the Highland Folk Museum, Zip Trek Adventure Park, Loch Insch Watersports and the Clan Macpherson Museum.

But what’s unique about this story is the fact that Roy wishes to sell this Highland package, and pass

on what he’s started to someone new.

This is a unique sale for the right person or family, and Roy wishes to connect with somebody who not only wants to buy, but to someone who wants to feel the land on their skin, and experience the ache in their legs after a day on the hills. He feels he’s offering a business with animals embedded in the culture of the place - rural building blocks combining native animals, care, business and creativity.

2021 has already started as a desperately unusual year so Roy

wishes to welcome prospective buyers to stay at the Roundhouse in early summer 2021, or as soon as Covid permits. This will allow potentially interested parties to get a feel for the land, and see if this Highland lifestyle is the right path for them.

From reading this article, you could go on holiday to the Crofthouse, you could consider diversifying into farm stays or tours, or you could start an entirely new life.

Discover more at myhighlandcroft.co.uk

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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case study

Removing the risk from making haylage and hay Using preservatives for all forages on a Scottish farm has made hay, haylage and silage making a completely flexible and streamlined process, raised fodder quality and is reducing the use of plastic.

Making good hay, haylage and silage is one of the eternal challenges of the Scottish farming calendar but if the risk can be removed, or at least

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reduced, it not only cuts anxiety, but also provides the assurance of high-quality winter forage.

Andrew Adamson appears to have cracked the code on

Netherurd Home Farm in Peeblesshire, where, despite the high rainfall and altitude, he says: “We have not disposed of a single bale in the last five years.”

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Farming 690 breeding ewes together with 150 hoggs and 200 bought-in store cattle across the 570 acre (230ha) holding, he aims to grow as much of

case study their feed as he can. Apart from around 50 acres (20ha) of cereals for crimping, the remainder of the farm is down to grass which means preserving its quality for winter feeding is the top priority.

Using a preservative Using preservatives on the grass, whether it is cut for silage, haylage or hay, has become standard practice, as feeding anything but high-quality forage is considered to have an unacceptable impact on animal health and performance.

Consulting Kelvin Cave Ltd, specialists in feed and forage preservation, he opts for different preservation products depending on the dry matter of the forage.

“Hay is important for our farming system because we feed our cattle a fair bit of grain and we find good hay in the diet slows down rumination and improves their digestion and performance,” he says.

“We use a preservative called BaleSafe on all the hay we bale as we know it will be exactly the same when we feed it out as when it was baled,” he says.

Ian Hall, Scotland manager for Kelvin Cave explains:

“Using BaleSafe means you can preserve hay at up to 25% moisture which you can store unwrapped.

“The additive contains human food-grade preservatives which stop the development of yeasts and moulds, which explains why Andrew’s hay always stays fresh.”

It also saves the cost of wrapping which would be necessary in untreated forage above 15 percent moisture.

Depending on the number of bales to the tonne and their moisture content, this represents a net saving after the additive cost of between £4 and £6 per tonne.

“We’re also expecting plastic manufacturers to hike their prices so this is likely to be a conservative estimate of the saving,” he adds.

Higher moisture forage But the Scottish weather is often not conducive to haymaking and the majority of the farm’s grass – around 800 bales – is preserved at a higher moisture content as either haylage or silage.

“We feed silage to the sheep as well as the cattle, and for this

reason, our main concern is getting a good fermentation and avoiding listeriosis,” says Mr Adamson.

“We know listeria can proliferate in poorly fermented silage and I’ve seen it cause some serious damage on sheep farms. It’s the last problem we’d want to have here.”

For this and other reasons, he preserves both haylage and silage with Safesil Challenge which destroys undesirable bacteria as well as yeasts and moulds in these forages.

“It’s very easy for us to switch between the different preservatives as conditions dictate,” he says.

“We keep the product in a 200-litre barrel on the front of the tractor, and we can do a full change in the field between products in the space of five minutes.

“Whatever forage we’re making, we have the complete flexibility to bring it in as weather conditions dictate,” he says. “If, for instance, we are making hay and we see rain is coming, we will just bale it straight away using BaleSafe, even if our hope had been to dry it for longer.

“Or if we’re making silage and the weather threatens, we will just get it baled using Safesil, and wrapped.”

Also taking other measures to help achieve forage quality he says a long sward residual, of up to 6cm, will help avoid soil contamination.

“This will help avoid the introduction of undesirable bacteria into the forage and will also give us faster regrowth,” he says.

Wrapping and stacking are also considered critical to the success of the process with haylage and silage wrapped using six layers of plastic, applied by contractor, A Kinloch.

“By stacking these on the flat end, like a stack of bean tins, the thickest plastic is to the ground and the sky which adds extra protection.

“Since using this range of preservatives and wrapping with the six layers, we have not disposed of a single bale in the last five years,” he says.

The system not only achieves cost-effective feeding and superb animal performance on Netherurd Home Farm, but it has also shown that farming in a less favoured area at an altitude of 750-1150 feet and with annual rainfall exceeding 38 inches is no obstacle to reliably making high quality forage, year in, year out.

For further information about forage and feed preservation, please call the Kelvin Cave office on 01458 252281, Ian Hall on 07977 252663, or visit the website at

www.kelvincave.com www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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FENCING

McVeigh Parker’s Triple X Fencing at the Balcaskie Estate The multi award winning all steel fencing system that has proved itself the perfect solution all over the U.K. McVeigh Parker’s Manager in Scotland, Geoff Goodfellow, met the Balcaskie Estate team at the Highland Show where they were interested in the innovative Clipex quick clip galvanised steel posts.

After quoting on a section of fencing and carrying out rigorous testing, Triple X is now the system of choice at this forward-looking Estate.

Jim McLure & Poul Thomassen are the two men with the responsibility of maintaining the Balcaskie Estate, they have both been very busy throughout the exceptionally difficult past year, as well as all the usual demanding

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tasks involved on the working Estate, they have also installed over 20,000m of Triple X fencing.

“We believe Triple X is the future of fencing, the speed of erection is outstanding and is the main advantage on such big scale farming. Only two fencers on the estate, if we used timber, we would need more staff to have the same output.”

The Balcaskie Estate lies 18 miles south of the home of golf, St Andrews, covering 2000 ha from the coastline at St Monans to Kellie Law and into the hills, of which 750ha are farmed organically.

The Estate’s aim is to operate

efficiently to high standards within the clear framework of farming as part of a sustainable environment.

They farm over 250 Highland X Shorthorn Sucklers, 650 Scotch Greyface Mules and recently some Tamworth pigs have been introduced. The Estate is also shared by wild Roe deer which need to be managed.

The Balcaskie Estate is in the East Neuk of Fife, source to some of the best ingredients in Scotland, with its rich fertile volcanic soil, bounded on three sides by the sea.

The severe weather conditions of the coastal location meant serious consideration had to be given to the type of fencing chosen. In response to past poor-quality timber used on the Estate which had not lasted over 10 years, in 2019, the Estate chose to trial a section of the Triple X fencing system, which proved very successful. Initial concerns that the all-steel system was a little too industrial for the environment were soon dismissed as the hot dip galvanised finish dulled down and the slim post profile blended perfectly into the landscape.

The wire chosen was - Lamb friendly Xfence, the ultimate for durability and livestock safety, reducing abrasion, head entrapment and tag loss. The combination of mesh pattern and Zinc/alu coating, which will last three to four times longer than heavy galvanised wire, especially suitable for coastal locations, really made this wire the only choice.

Clipex intermediate stakes coupled with Triple X Strainers were used which offered a very good return on the initial investment with their longevity and also enabled the Estate team to install the product quickly and easily.

Jim said: “We have managed to do 20 acres in one day erecting Triple X Fencing and a gate

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from scratch and we save days not having to staple. Forward planning is the key, getting the strainers in using a tractor mounted knocker in good weather, the net and Clipex is run out on custom made bike trailers and a petrol post driver used. The bikes make virtually no mess, saving on ground compaction.

We would highly recommend it, the cost of Triple X fencing it is no more expensive than timber, when you take your time into it you are making a saving on a fence that will last for generations.”

Jim McLure & Poul Thomassen of Balcaskie Estate farm and maintenance team are confident they can fence over 20 acres in a day using the Triple X Fencing System. Recent case based on a rectangular field using: • 2 x Triple X all steel diagonal end strainers • 3 x Triple X corner/two way strainer • 170 x 1.8m Clipex standards 11 clip • 56 x 2.0m Beefys 11 clip (beefy every 4th post) • 1 x Steel field Gate set including steel posts.

Triple X - fencing for the next generation.

youngfarmers NFU Mutual launches national award for postgraduate agricultural students NFU Mutual’s annual Centenary Award is now open for applications. The award provides bursaries to pay up to 75% of course fees for selected students who are undertaking a postgraduate course in agriculture (Masters or PhD) within the UK. The Centenary Award was created by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust in 2010 to celebrate NFU Mutual’s 100th birthday, with the objective of creating a legacy for the future. To date, 43 agricultural students have received bursaries to help further their studies.

The award is open to individuals who have gained, or are expected to gain, a 2:1 or above in agriculture or a related degree, and have been accepted or provisionally accepted on a Masters or PhD course in agriculture in the UK, in autumn 2021.

The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has identified three topics of interest for eligible students. At least one of these areas must form part of the applicant’s postgraduate course: sustainable agriculture and climate change; international agricultural development; the application of science and innovative technology to the agricultural industry.

To select the students, the judging panel will be looking for applicants who are not only excellent academic performers, but also have a

real passion for agriculture and demonstrate potential to become a future industry Elin Havard, from Powys, was one of three postgraduate agricultural students to receive the Centenary Award bursary in 2020, helping fund her MBA Innovation in Sustainable Food and Prospective postgraduate students who think they may be eligible to apply for the Centenary Award in 2021 should contact centenary_award@ nfumutual.co.uk to request further details and an application form.

The closing date for the 2021 award is 30th April.

Information about the scheme, along with an application form, can be found on the NFU Mutual website: www.nfumutual. co.uk

Elin Havard

NEXT

GENERATION This Next Generation column is a collaboration between the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Next Generation (RASC) and NFU Scotland Next Generation.

Rural Youth must be a priority

By Rebecca Dawes Young people’s mental health has never been so high on the public agenda, and as we continue through this next wave of lockdown, it is more essential than ever that rural youth must be a priority.

Just last month the Prime Minister appointed Dr Alex George as a Youth Mental Heath Ambassador to advise Westminster and raise the profile of mental health education and wellbeing in schools. Could Scotland follow with a similar role but be the first to have a Rural Youth Minister?

In Australia such a role exists and is supported by the Rural Youth Taskforce who help shape the agenda. During their time with government, they gain skills in leadership, communications and activism ensuring their voice is not only heard, but objective and constructive. And in turn ministers benefit by speaking directing to the next generation, rather than older peers who represent young people.

As a Director of the Rural Youth Project, I was delighted that my fellow Director Jane Craigie and I were invited to join a new rural youth focus group has been setup by Scottish Rural Network to facilitate such discussions. More than 30 organisations will help ensure rural remains a priority in the youth guarantee and future policy, and in time, the hope is these organisations will be replaced by young people.

Connecting and socialising is part of human nature, without it we feel lost. This is something we recognize and through the Rural Youth Project Café, an online monthly zoom, we have

been able to offer a small piece of normality. Conversations are honest and open, the chat often flows beyond the topic, talking about the latest books or programmes we have watched, and each month a small piece of inspiration is shared.

In February, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes and the new Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, Ben Macpherson joined us. Both taking on senior leadership roles at a young age, and still only in their 30s, they have a real passion for supporting young people and rural communities.

By sharing their journey from grassroots to government, and how they ensure the rural voice is heard, they became relatable and more importantly, approachable.

The evening was also an opportunity to launch our Rural Youth Project Smart Village developed in partnership with Smart Village Scotland and the Rural Youth Project Digital Champions. The “world-first” youth-centric Smart Village provides a platform for young people to collaboratively build vibrant, creative, and sustainable rural economies in the places they call home.

It combines networking with skills development, careers and enterprise, and it provides something unique and exciting for young people in rural Scotland to share and make their own.

So yes, returning to the start of my column – things are changing, and technology and innovation are helping, but there will always be more to do.

Rebeca Dawes is a Director for the Rural Youth Project, Next Generation Trustee for the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, LEAF Open Farm Sunday Coordinator and Agricultural and Rural Communication for Jane Craigie Marketing.

SPRAYERS

Sprayers Latest news on new sprayer ranges and technology

Amazone launches its new FairLine mounted sprayer range

Designated the FairLine, this new, no-frills mounted sprayer range comes in a choice of either 900 and1200 litre tank sizes and boom widths up to 24m and is designed to complement the extended UF 02 line-up. The UF 02, in booms widths from 12 – 30 m, now encompasses 4 tank sizes: 1002, 1302, 1602 plus the range topping 2002. That capacity can be extended by use of the patented FlowControl+ 1,500 litre front tank option. The use of state-of-the-art boom guidance technology and

individual nozzle control makes the UF 02 an extremely sophisticated piece of kit. Couple this with the high-capacity 2½” filling and mixing system, that draws water in at up to 400 l/min and chemicals at up to 150 l/min, then the UF 02 has huge output potential yet the utmost in comfort, easy-handling and safety. But for those growers looking for something without too many whistles and bells, then the new entry-level FairLine models have the scope to still give plenty of performance.

Atlas trailed sprayers The Atlas trailed sprayer is now available with “Smart Control Pro” which is our advanced sprayer control system which can be individually programmed to suit each farmers individual requirements. The operator is in total control via a 10” colour “touch” screen terminal and multifunction joystick

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and control pod. The powerful processors can offer so much for example in addition to controlling the sprayer auto application rate via pressure and flow sensors and one touch auto boom fold, DGPS switching of the standard seven spray sections or individual nozzle control it can control tractor auto steer and

SPRAYERS at the same time operate a trailed sprayer steering axle.

Although complemented

by Smart Control Pro the Atlas trailed already has a stylish design which provides one of the lowest centres of gravity in

its class enabling a 4400-litre capacity without compromising stability.

The heavy-duty steering axle has both leaf-spring and air-bag suspension to further enhance stability both on the road and in the field.

The Bargam Grimpeur 4000J sprayer Merse Agriculture has the new updated Bargam Grimpeur 4000J ready to put through its paces!!

The Bargam Grimpeur range is a hydrostatic over mechanical drive self-propelled sprayer and ready for the 2021 season to show it capabilities in a demanding environment. With an improved 230hp Iveco FPT engine coupled to Danfoss hydrostat and drive motor, driving Spicer axles its sure footed and guaranteed to keep going where others would fail. Also, with an improved Eco-drive function

and cruise control to reduce fuel usage. With capacities from 1500 to 4350 litres and a wide range of booms from 12 to 44mtr booms with many options regarding twin or tri fold booms in steel or aluminium depending on customer requirements. The chassis has seen various improvements to allow a better ride through a wider chassis and improvements to the hydraulic suspension system for complete comfort for the operator and the increased refinement has been continued to the quieter class 4 cab.

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SPRAYERS

Fendt Rogator sprayer

The Fendt Rogator Sprayer portfolio consists of six sprayers, across the self-propelled and trailer Rogator range. The Rogator 600 includes three self-propelled machines; the 645, 655, 665.

These self-propelled machines, powered by AGCO engines, range in horsepower from 235 to 307; including stepless drive and adaptive traction control. The 300 range features capacities of 4400 litres up to 6600 litres. In both the self-propelled and trailed Rogator ranges, all models are equipped with Fendt’s single-beam chassis concept, and feature the new boom height control system,

consisting of four Optisonic ultrasonic sensor guides on booms ranging from 24 to 36 metres.

The Fendt Rogator benefits from a single beam chassis, designed to optimize numerous areas of performance, from boom ride to maneuverability. This chassis is extended across the full Rogator range, and was developed on the self-propelled Rogator 600 sprayer model. The self-propelled machines are powered by AGCO engines ranging from 235 horsepower to 307 horsepower which include stepless drive and adaptive traction control.

Horsch trailed sprayers from 3,800 to 12,000 litres

HORSCH’s advanced range of trailed sprayers offers something for all farmers from 3,800 litres to 12,000 litres. The latest trailed Leeb TD offers huge capacity while the Leeb AX is aimed at a smaller operation that still want advanced sprayer features.

Close-nozzle spacing, pneumatic nozzle control and advanced cleaning systems are available across all HORSCH sprayers but at the heart of its sprayer

innovation is its award-winning BoomControl system, an advanced design that keeps the boom rock steady at just 30cm from the crop. PrecisionSpray use the latest generation pulse width modulation nozzle controls to ensure spray volumes are consistent across the field despite variations in sprayer speed or changes in boom speed when turning. It is one of the first to integrate PWM completely into the sprayer software without requiring third-party controllers.

The 3800 litre Leeb 4 AX comes equipped with HORSCH’s BoomControl Eco system with up to 30m booms and 50cm nozzle spacing.

Compact sprayers with premium features John Deere has developed two new mid-range trailed sprayers, designated the R700i Series.

Premium features of the R732i 62

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SPRAYERS

and R740i models are precision and intelligent technology.

The trend for plant protection sprayers is not only for larger tank volumes and wider booms.

Farmers and contractors are also asking for higher accuracy, reduced chemical use and more comfort when filling and operating the sprayer. John Deere’s R900i Series trailed range and R4100 Series selfpropelled sprayers are leading in this area, and with the new R700i models this technology is now

entering the mid-range sprayer segment.

The R732i and R740i are available with tank capacities of 3200 and 4000 litres respectively and booms from 18 to 30m, with premium features including the proven PowrSpray dualcircuit solution system. This reduces filling times, improves spray application and increases accuracy.

PowrSpray has two hydraulically driven pumps on separate circuits

Knight builds for the future

Knight Farm Machinery is ‘future proofing’ both self-propelled and trailed sprayer ranges with a range of new features.

Purchasers of 2000 series machines can opt for the 224hp standard engine or options up to 300hp. The 1800 series has a 174hp engine as standard (options to 225hp). All selfpropelled machines use its Fluid Control Pro system, as do its Trailblazer Pro models.

This enables operators to control filling, spraying and washing-out functions from the filling station or the sprayer/tractor cab.

The Trailblazer-Pro range offers a high spec and multiple

options, while the TrailblazerLiTE retains many features in a budget priced machine. They feature simplified plumbing, with the rear located hydraulically driven pump being immediately adjacent to the boom.

This removes several metres of pipework so less spray solution remains in the system at the end of work. Knight’s air purge system cuts spill risks and washing out time in two ways.

When filling, it returns liquid in the feed pipe to the storage tank.

When spraying is complete it clears solution remaining in the pipework and boom onto the crop.

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SPRAYERS

Kuhn’s autospray now available with turn compensation feature KUHN Farm Machinery’s Autospray ‘smart nozzle’ spraying system has now been developed to include turn compensation functionality, a feature that ensures a constant agrochemical application rate when operating around bends or field corners.

KUHN’s Autospray system uses pulse width modulation (PWM) technology, which in the case of the turn compensation feature enables the opening time (duty cycle) of each nozzle to

be controlled individually. By adjusting the duty cycle at each nozzle in relation to its position on the boom, the sprayer maintains the correct application rate at all points, avoiding the over-dosing or under-dosing that would otherwise occur.

Using electrically actuated pulsed nozzles to control the pressure and flow rate, the Autospray system offers significant additional advantages to sprayer operators seeking

the highest levels of precision application, as KUHN product specialist Ed Worts explains.

“The ability to adjust droplet size irrespective of forward

speed or application rate allows the sprayer to perform better in varying conditions, such as the reduction of drift when it is windy, for example”.

Advanced crop protection from Kverneland The Kverneland machinery range is set to grow with a full range of mounted and trailed sprayers being rolled out through the dealer network.

Choices include tractormounted iXter A and iXter

B models with the option of additional capacity from an 1,100-litre iXtra front tank, plus an extensive line-up of iXtrack trailed models comprising T3, T4 and T6 versions.

Across the sprayer ranges,

Introducing the new John Deere trailed sprayer range

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SPRAYERS buyers can choose from a host of technologies to suit their budgets and requirements, including individual nozzle control, auto section control, iXclean tank washing programs plus prime and purge functionality, and boom line recirculation.

The iXtrack T3, T4 and T6 trailed models offer tank capacities from 2,600-litres to 7,400 litres, with a range of steel and aluminium

booms extending from 18-40m.

These include twin-fold aluminium HAS and steel HSS structures from 24-30m, with wider options met using a three-part folding steel boom from 32-40m.

Boom performance comes from a suspended parallelogram rear frame, and working height is managed by a choice of Boom Guide ultrasonic ride height control systems.

Mazzotti updates selfpropelled sprayers for 2021 Mazzotti’s MAF range of selfpropelled sprayers has been updated and extended for 2021.

A fully-owned subsidiary of John Deere operating from its base in Ravenna, Italy, Mazzotti focuses on building self-propelled

sprayers that offer high customer value.

For 2021 the existing MAF 2580 (2500-litre capacity), 3180 (3000-litre) and 3580 (3500-litre) models will feature multiple upgrades, including

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SPRAYERS a new solution system, a new wider range of spray booms, John Deere spray controls and a new John Deere-sourced operator station.

The MAF range will also see the addition of a new compact high-capacity machine, the MAF 4080. This features a chassis with a longer wheelbase to enable the

larger 4000-litre solution tank to be carried, while maintaining the ideal 50/50 weight distribution achieved by the smaller MAF models.

All four models are powered by a 175hp four-cylinder Tier 5 John Deere engine, offering quiet operation, high productivity and fuel efficiency.

The Alpha Mounted Sprayer from Team Sprayers The Alpha range of agricultural sprayers is produced by Cambridgeshire based company Team Sprayers who are celebrating 40 years of manufacturing their British built sprayers this year. The Alpha has been designed as a low-cost, simple to use, mounted sprayer.

As with all Team Sprayers the Alpha has been built using the highest quality components and with stability in mind, the chassis and boom being constructed from tubular steel sections guaranteeing strength and durability for years to come.

The Alpha comes in tank sizes

of 600 litres, 800 and 1000 litres and rear manual folding spray booms of 6m, 8m or 12m.

Team Managing Director Danny Hubbard said: “The Alpha is simple to operate yet effective and it’s efficient, as all our sprayers are designed to be, it was one of the first sprayers in our agricultural range and it’s still as popular as when it first launched.

As a UK manufacturer with a majority customer base here in the UK, we have always had the ability to react quickly, give realistic lead times and provide an unrivalled back-up service, should it be required”.

We supply these and many leading brands of quality farm machinery throughout central Scotland

Call, email, text message Andrew Kerr with your enquiry

01506 842280 / 07836 527480 andrew@john-kerr.com 66

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SPRAYERS

Vicon iXtrack series offers generous capacities Vicon’s iXtrack trailed sprayer range offers a range of capacities from 2,600-7,400 litres, following the introduction of the rangetopping T6 models.

Sitting above iXtrack T3 and T4 models, the high-capacity T6 models boast tank capacities of 6,400 and 7,400 litres, and the option of boom widths from 18m to 40m.

Like their smaller stablemates, these two ISOBUS-compatible models a single-spine chassis design offering high manoeuvrability, a low centre of gravity, and improved durability.

Specification includes a suspended parallelogram rear frame to carry steel or aluminium boom types. The rear frame also remains active on the road, offering a high degree of cushioning for booms when folded – this is a feature particularly suited to tractors with higher road speeds.

In-field, this design combines stability with soft boom balancing,

to minimise spray height deviation above the crop canopy. This affords

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improved application accuracy through greater boom stability.

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technology

BASF Digital Farming and VanderSat offer access to scalable,daily biomass images unimpeded by cloud cover BASF Digital Farming GmbH in cooperation with VanderSat will be the first globally to commercially offer the agricultural industry access to scalable, daily biomass images unimpeded by cloud cover.

The two companies have signed a commercial agreement, which will see the integration of VanderSat’s innovative, fully operational ‘Cloud-free Biomass’ product with BASF Digital Farming’s market leading xarvio™ FIELD MANAGER solution.

Farmers will get daily access to high quality, consistent, cloud

free biomass images. Faster access to biomass images, enables consistent monitoring of crop growth and leads to enhanced agronomic decisions.

This optimizes crop production, saves time and money, and fosters sustainability in agriculture.

Collaboration to transform farming Cloud-free Biomass is the result of close collaboration and testing by xarvio and VanderSat teams across the last two years.

The new product was successfully tested in Germany, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil during the 2019/20 growing

season. It has a high spatial resolution (10 meters x 10 meters) and provides a single, consistent metric of crop biomass. This

allows farmers to compare the performance of several fields over a large area, or in different growing seasons.

Skippy Scout v2.5 speeds up crop walking A new version of a pioneering mobile app has been launched by agricultural software specialist Drone Ag. “Skippy Scout, version 2.5, is a big step forward.

The original Skippy app could fly a drone to scout points in a field five times faster than traditional crop walking. The new 2.5 version has more functionality and is ten times faster, enabling users to cover up to 25 acres in just five minutes,” says Drone Ag founder Jack Wrangham.

Skippy Scout 2.5 offers field overview, automated scouting and PDF field reports using maps uploaded by the user, and images taken by the drone. “Our image analysis takes only minutes to provide an easy-to-understand report of the whole field,” he says.

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These reports are generated using unique artificial intelligence (AI) interpretation to flag up potential crop issues and can also be compared to satellite and yield maps to find correlations in field performance.

“It also provides a breakdown with indicators for green area index (GAI), healthy and unhealthy crop cover percentage, weed percentage, and it gives an insect damage measurement,” he says.

Users can therefore identify crop issues such as weeds or pests more quickly by subsequently viewing the leaf level images on their phone or tablet. “Long term, the reports will also benchmark fields of the same crop to provide a picture of

writes newly elected President Martin Kennedy

mySpreader App

The all-in-one package for perfect spreader adjustment consisting of the FertiliserService database, the digital and mobile EasyCheck test kit and the EasyMix App for blended fertilisers The mySpreader App bundles three functions for Amazone fertiliser spreaders into the one App. The intuitive operation and convenient adjustment of the fertiliser spreader lies at the heart of the all-in-one concept.

The FertiliserService App conveniently generate precise adjustment recommendations directly in the field, depending on the model of spreader, working width, fertiliser type and application rate. Thanks to the many samples sent in annually by farmers, fertiliser suppliers and fertiliser manufacturers, the App is constantly kept up-to-date so that the end user has access to current information at the start of every season. A special feature of the mySpreader App: the operator can search for fertilisers by entering the fertiliser name, the chemical composition, the granule size or bulk density, for example.

NFU Scotland

changes and crop progress over time,” he adds.

Existing users can update their app to version 2.5 for free now, and new users will benefit from all of the additional features when they register. “It is easy to start using Skippy. Anyone who owns a drone can sign up online with monthly subscriptions starting from just £30. In February and March, we will be streaming live demonstrations so anyone who wants to see Skippy in action can tune in and see how it works,” says Mr Wrangham.

Farming and crofting in Scotland has faced many challenges over the past few decades

NFU Scotland has always been at the forefront of addressing them, either by way of limiting any negative impact or by maximizing opportunities that could be derived from them.

In early 2019, we identified just how many different member and policy issues we were faced with and more than 240 were highlighted which all came under six main headings. In no specific order, they were Brexit; Climate change; Species management; Current CAP and future agricultural policy; Land Reform and Agricultural Holdings, and Supply Chains.

To a large degree, these will remain our priorities for some time to come, although the focus and workload for each will adapt and change as and when required.

All the above are all interrelated and, as President. I will have three goals.

First and foremost is to use our influence as an organisation to see through the development and implementation of a future

agricultural policy that is fit for Scotland. We now have an opportunity that we have not had in nearly 50 years to achieve this. Of course, this will require a working relationship with the Scottish Government, something that I know some people are concerned about. Through personal experience of being one of those members who used to be concerned about our relationship with Governments, I have realised over the past few years that the best way to influence is by staying inside the room.

That does not mean however that we need to agree. The reality is that we often disagree with Scottish Government policy and are not afraid to say so.

When it comes to the much talked about green recovery, agriculture will have a key role to play and what we cannot afford to forget is our fundamental role in food production, something the Scottish Government now recognises more than ever, as evidenced by agriculture’s prominence in the recent climate change plan update.

www.nfus.org.uk

My second priority will be playing my part in educating consumers on some of the real facts around Scottish food production.

There are far too many untruths being bandied about on why we are perceived as the problem, when in fact the truth is, we are a major part of the solution.

“That is why I will be proposing that food production and the environment must be on the national school curriculum.

Looking back over the past 11 months, our consumers have been much more aware of where their food has come from due to the pandemic, driven by the shutdown of the food service sector and much more focus on cooking at home. If ever there was a time to get the facts fairly represented in our schools, it’s now.

My third priority is increasing our membership.

This will increase our resource to give us an even bigger voice. It will ultimately help deliver a positive profitable industry that will be the envy of countries across the globe.

FARM BUILDINGS

FarmFit – the perfect fit for your farm!

The expert team at FarmFit have been working at the forefront of the industry for over 12 years, putting their unrivalled experience at the heart of the agricultural industry to great use. The family business was founded when the team realised that there was a gap in the market for a reliable agricultural equipment manufacturer who could also provide a full design, fitting and installation service.

Through utilising personal knowledge and experience, and working alongside those using the products and veterinarians, FarmFit has developed an ergonomically efficient range of quality products which deliver added value to customers’ operations for generations to come.

The team work to make sure that your wants & needs are met, and that available space is used as efficiently as possible, all while keeping the wellbeing of your animals in mind.

Since FarmFit’s conception, not only has the companies own range of products grown significantly but the number of well-established partners they have has grown too! FarmFit have excelled in filling the quota of one-stop-shop” – whether you are looking for a set of selflocking yokes, a gate, concrete T Walls, a replacement water bowl, a handling system, lambing accessories or some GRASSMEN

goodies to keep you warm, they’ve got you covered.

Whether you are looking to kit out a full new build shed, breathe some life into an existing setup, or simply replace some worn equipment, the friendly team at FarmFit are here to help from start to finish! You can contact them via email at sales@farmfituk.com, for

a chat at 01576 204 963 or you can even pop in to see them at the FarmFit shop in Lockerbie if you are nearby.

The team have worked on some of the largest farming operations in the U.K as well creating layouts for small farm operations looking to maximise the use of their space.

Thanks to their continued growth, the team have also

recently acquired a new office and stockyard, so keep your eyes peeled for further information on where you can visit and look at their range of products in person!

And finally, as the team know firsthand that farming is not a 9-5 job, you can shop & browse online 7 days a week at www.farmfituk. com

Twin bay AGRI-Tunnels from Ellipse Ellipse’s range of agricultural buildings are based upon elliptical curves to enhance the airflow through and over the buildings whilst providing strong structures.

These range from the AGRI Shelter® used for calf housing, sheep or equine purposes, to the AGRI Tunnel, which provides a cost-effective lambing shelter, optimising the living conditions of the livestock and providing the best start for new-born lambs and calves to the AGRI Arc, which is a purpose-built, both insulated and

ventilated easy-to-clean building to house poultry. As with the AGRI Shelter®, the AGRI Arc can be easily re-located. Designed by farmers, for farmers. Ellipse also manufactures leisure buildings and horticultural polytunnels as well as portal frame buildings so is fast becoming a one-stop shop in its offering of buildings for farmers whether for animal shelters or for those farmers wishing to diversify into offering a farm-staycation in a moveable glamping pod with substance on wheels – dispensing

with the need for planning permission.

One new project was to manufacture and construct a robust twin bay polytunnel for Iain Reid, a farmer based outside Glasgow, wanting a large structure, which was both airy yet offer protection for his ewes at lambing time from the extremes of weather at the coldest and windiest time of the year. Since its construction in December, this twin bay has been causing a stir amongst the local farming community due to its size,

secure structure and how it has been fully equipped by Iain. Galvanised steel-clad gates keep out the worst of the weather, electric lighting, a plumbed in water supply, complete with water heater and Livestock Eye cameras. The twin bay AGRI Tunnel structure is clad in a woven olive green 300g tarpaulin sheet, which has a longer lifespan that that of a 5 seasons white polythene sheet.

One fellow farmer commented that Iain has ‘a cracking set-up’ with all mod cons. (continued on page 72)

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FARM BUILDINGS

Visit https://www.ellipse fabrications.co.uk/ or call 01833 638675 to find out about the full range of products or to discuss your requirements.

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Putting You in the Picture After a successful AGM and the announcement of the new committee, Women in Agriculture Scotland (WiAS) have some exciting plans for the forthcoming year. With the committee combining a wealth of experience and expertise with fresh, diverse ideas and perspectives, 2021 is set to be a year to drive the group’s values: to support, influence, inspire and develop. Therefore, despite current challenging times, they are embracing ways to stay connected and share a passion for agriculture.

Staying Social: The idea of Women in Agriculture Scotland was born at a lunch table in April 2015.

June Geyer, Committee Chair, describes the aim of the group, “It’s about expanding our knowledge, sharing experience and supporting each other which leads to personal development with other likeminded people out there, giving us the confidence to move forward and grow” She continues, “We are a standalone, voluntary group and have hosted Spring and Autumn daytime events every year since November 2015 for up to 180 people from all over Scotland and from all organisations” “However, we are all dealing with the struggles of Covid-19 and have had to embrace and adapt to new ways of thinking- particularly with the event sector that we usually celebrate”.

Therefore, to start the year, the organisation has dedicated time to enhancing their social platforms to ensure everyone can be frequently updated on the latest news, updates and virtual events. Their social reach has expanded with the community now able to contact Women in Agriculture Scotland via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. June enthuses, “It’s great to have such a variety of strengths within the committee that we are able to broaden our reach further and also get our members involved. Our social media has really leant itself to compliment

traditional communication and allows all generations to be a part of what we do. We hope that these transitions will help spread the net to a wider and larger audience even without the physical interaction”.

Putting you in the picture: In addition to the regular updates, Women in Agriculture Scotland have also launched a monthly photography competition, with a prize, to involve those passionate about agriculture and to highlight the fantastic work our farmers do.

Lizzie McLaughlin, WiAS Committee member, states, “We really want to build a space that allows not only our members to get involved, but anyone with an interest in farming or rural affairs too. We feel photos can speak a thousand words and what better way to bring people together when we can’t physically do so. We have had some fantastic entries so far and hope to showcase the exciting and diverse roles agriculture has to offer”.

Using the hashtag #WiASLOVE, the competition kicked off in February with the theme of love, seeing many different sectors from dairy to poultry, sharing heartfelt captured moments. The theme for March wants to emulate such a success, with a focus on the blossoming of Spring; this will be supported with the hashtag #WiASSPRING. They want to see sunshine, new beginnings and the promise of brighter days ahead.

The winners of each theme will be announced at the end of every month and they will then be entered into a draw to win an amazing prize at the next AGM in November 2021.

To enter, simply follow WiAS on Instagram or Twitter and use the hashtag of the month; the full terms and conditions can also be found there.

You’re virtually invited: Although industry events are still looking uncertain, that isn’t stopping Women in Agriculture Scotland from encouraging virtual discussions and interaction. They have their first online event on Tuesday 9th March 2021, hosted

by Vencomatic UK, which is open to all to sign up and watch. Starting at 11:30am, the digital event will see a host of speakers and the opportunity for people to come together; it is easy to register and all who do so will be sent a link to join.

Committee member Heather Wildman, states, “It’s important that we continue to share successes,

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challenges and moments despite the current climate. We are really excited to do this and to introduce some new and familiar faces”.

“There will be a range of talks, all focused on relevant and interesting topics, and the chance for everyone to join together for an hour. I think that it’s really crucial in times of lockdown and isolation to add a little sunshine and remind others that they are not alone”.

The Women in Agriculture event is further supported by Northern Farmer and free for anyone to attend.

To register for the event, enter the competition or find out more, visit their social media pages or contact the group using the details below.

Contact: womeninagriculture@ gmail.com www.womeninagriculture.scot Instagram: @ WomeninAgricultureScotland Twitter: @WiAScot Facebook: Women in Agriculture Scotland

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The Mill to help tourists make the most of the North Coast 500 Nestled in the Scottish Highlands, John and Fiona Scott have diversified their farming enterprise at Easter-Ross by building a new multi-use holiday house on the site of a former flour mill. The old Mill was un-saveable, the walls were crumbling and 3 foot thick in places, so the decision was taken to start again. The Mill at Fearn Farm is now a stunning, 14 person capacity house.

John and Fiona, the fourth generation of the Scott family to farm at Fearn, aimed to use as many local trades as possible and The Mill, which is based in the centre of the family farm, is now testament to the skills and vision of a team of locals.

Fiona Scott said: “When we started this project, we knew the key was to cover as many bases as possible. The layout of The Mill means we can appeal to large shooting groups, cater for family reunions or simply provide a weekend getaway for couples.”

One of the many attractions of the house is its ability to split in two, with double internal doors dividing the capacity to sleep ten in the ‘Mill End’ or four in the ‘Wee End’.

“The ‘Wee End’ is ideal for a small family or couples, and is single story, with all bedrooms having private access to the outdoor patio. The ‘Mill End’ features a semi open plan kitchen and living area, with wood burning stoves in both ends.”

The light and bright interior features a mix of old and new furniture, creating a Scottish Scandi style feel to the building.

“The Highlands has a renowned creative community and we wanted to incorporate local pottery and artwork throughout, to help maintain a Scottish feel. For example, Darach chairs which are made in Inverness from whisky barrels, not only look great but are really comfortable and sheep skins give them a luxurious feel” explained Fiona.

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Completed Mill after renovation

Before and after renovation

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THE MILL Situated just off the A9, the North Coast 500 tourist route is a key asset of The Mill’s location.

With only an hour and three quarters between Fearn Farm and the west and north coast, visitors can tour the scenic route over several days, using The Mill as their base.

“It really is an ideal location for people wanting to explore.

There are gorgeous beaches on the east, west and north coast, and the beauty is that it doesn’t take long to travel to a completely different area.

“Many tourists don’t realise there is a huge expanse in the middle of the North Coast 500 route, which is often forgotten about, and it’s stunning. There are so many hills to walk, rivers to fish in, and beautiful scenery to appreciate,” said Fiona.

“With golf courses in the area, as well as sporting events held nearby, we decided to create a flexible layout that has the capacity to welcome large groups such as golfers and shooters or small families and couples. All the beds are zip locked, so can be turned into singles or super-kings, helping cater to everyone’s needs.”

Easter-Ross, not typically thought of as a tourist area, certainly offers no shortage of scenic day trips and is described by the Scott’s as a ‘hidden gem’.

“Before Covid-19, a ferry ran from Easter-Ross to Cromarty; an ancient merchant village, with quaint streets, little gift shops and bursting with historic features.

If people took time to slow down around the North Coast 500, they would realise there are many beautiful, hidden spots to discover,” said Fiona. The ferry will hopefully be running again in 2021.

Fearn Farm is a family affair with John and Fiona’s children, James, Izzy, Lexie and Archie all showing interest in different parts of the business. The farm, which is 600 hectares, compromises of 220 British Beef Shorthorn and Luing cows as well as 3600 breeding ewes. The family also have a small herd of Highland

cattle and a flock of Hebridean sheep.

“The very first guests who stayed with us commented that they thoroughly enjoyed having the Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep in full view from their windows. We soon realised that visitors want to see what is going on around the farm and that this is a key reason for their visit,” added Fiona.

The Scott’s hope that this integrated approach of The Mill being co-existing with the farm, will prove successful with both the public and the agricultural industry.

“We have formed some great relationships with farming visitors, opening up new opportunities to collaborate and expand our Agritourism offering.

“For example, we are now supplying some of our Shorthorn beef to The Buffalo Farm’s farm shop, located near Fife, after owner Steve Mitchell and his family came to stay at The Mill.”

Fearn Farm have also been supplying their own meat boxes, to locals for some time now and in collaboration with Macbeth’s Butchers, can now send these sought-after boxes to address’ across the country.

Like many agritourism businesses, Covid-19 has also impacted The Mill, resulting in closing their doors at times to meet restriction guidelines. Fiona notes that involvement with the Scottish Enterprise Agritourism Monitor Farm Programme and Go Rural Scotland as a great source of support.

“This year has been a real learning curve. As newcomers into the hospitality and catering

industry, the help from these positive networks has been truly invaluable.

“From next spring or summer, I hope we can be fully up and running. The unknown is scary, but we need to make the best from a bad situation and we will continue to operate adhering to local guidelines. People do want to get away and I believe that this year has highlighted what hidden gems, such as Easter-Ross, has to offer.”

Farm walk

Farm walk

To book a stay at The Mill at Fearn or to find out more information visit www.fearnfarm.com/holidays or call 01862 832205 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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NORTHERN ISLES News

New family additions for young crofter A budding crofter has welcomed three new additions to the family – in the form of triplet pygmy goats.

Bobby-Joe Johnson may be young – but the five-year-old is already preparing for life on his home croft at Hayfield in East Burrafirth.

His mother Lynn contacted Landwise with an “uplifting” image of Bobby-Joe with the new arrivals – two girls and one boy – and their mother-goat, Roxy.

Lynn, 43, divides her time between the family’s 14-strong herd and her cake fridge business.

She has been a fan of goats since she was in primary school.

“To my knowledge, we are the most northerly pygmy goat keepers in the UK,” said Mrs Johnson, who – with her husband William – also keeps sheep and horses.

“I’ve kept goats since I was 11. I’ve always loved them, they’re very quirky. As visitors to the cake fridge will know they are hilarious to watch.”

She added: “They’re very agile, which can both be a blessing and a frustration at the same time, because they can fly over a fence without a second look.”

Mrs Johnson said the family had even gone to the extent of developing an assault course for the goats, using old cable drums and other things that can be found on the croft.

“They’re just really interesting to have.”

Bobby was “very chuffed” to see the triplets arrive, and has been keen to play his part in taking care of them.

“He’s very hands on. He’s into crofting in a very big way.”

Mrs Johnson said triplets were relatively uncommon with goats. Which is perhaps just as well, as – unlike the Shetland ewe – they do not enjoy being out in the bad weather too much.

“Yun babies will be in under a heat lamp, and they’ll be like that until it warms up a bit,” she added.

The family have paid careful attention to the seasonal conditions, and have avoided bringing the new arrivals into the world during December, when winter might be expected to be at her worst.

“But we purposefully don’t introduce the billy until a peerie bit later in the hope that the weather would be a peerie bit better for them.”

Triplet goats

Pygmies are not a rare breed as such, although their dislike of wind and rain means they are rarely seen in Orkney or Shetland.

“You’re not just going to see them at the side of the road as you drive through Shetland,” added Mrs Johnson.

But the Johnson family are doing their best to ensure the goats are at least relatively common in the isles.

“We’re expecting three more nannies from now until May.” That will mean there is plenty of work for young Bobby-Joe to get stuck into.

Consultations on transporting livestock continue to cause alarm for farming community The Orkney branch of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in Scotland has appointed a new chairman.

Steven Sandison, who farms at Millburn Farm in Harray, takes 76

over the reins from Alan Corrigall, and will be joined by new vicechairman Colin Flett of Appietown in Rendall.

Mr Sandison is well-known

in NFU circles, having been heavily involved in the monitor farm project which, by sharing experience and information, sought to improve the productivity

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and profitability of farms and crofts.

Alongside his wife Lorraine, Mr Sandison, 41, boasts a stock of 100 Simmental and Salers cross

cows, and 85 ewes on his 380-acre West Mainland farm.

With Brexit looming in the midst of dealing with a pandemic, it has been a turbulent and uncertain time for all those involved in the agriculture sector. But now, with a deal in place between Britain and the EU, Mr Sandison is optimistic that farming in Orkney and across Scotland can prosper.

Farming has largely avoided the full brunt of the shattering impact of the COVID-19 virus.

Minus some supply issues earlier in the year and restrictions now in place at auction marts, Mr Sandison said the farming community can be thankful for that.

Of greater significance has been the dark cloud hanging over the industry since 2016, and the uncertainty and alarm caused by Brexit.

A no-deal Brexit could have had catastrophic consequences for Scottish red meat exports, worth £80million alone, as well as dairy and other products of animal origin.

While recognising that it won’t all be plain sailing for the sector as it transitions to life outside the EU, Mr Sandison said this week: “Getting a deal at the end of last year is a really good thing. It’s been hanging over us for four-and-a-half years. We weren’t sure if it was going to happen. For our industry, it’s a good thing to be able to get a deal.”

On a positive note, livestock prices have held up with auction marts used by Orkney farmers reporting fantastic trade and Orkney-reared animals in high demand by buyers.

A cautious Mr Sandison welcomed the good trade, and he has been heartened by what he believes to be a renewed sense of appreciation for buying local meat

and vegetables since the pandemic arose in 2020.

“With farming, there’s so many things that can affect prices that you don’t want to take anything for granted, but we just hope it stays.

“One thing the pandemic has done is there’s been a move to buying local and buying British, so I think that’s one of the reasons why we’re seeing better prices.”

But, on a less than positive note, and a source of frustration for the new chairman, has been the current furore surrounding livestock transportation.

Following a report by the farm animal welfare committee (FAWC), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has now issued a consultation on proposals to end excessively long journeys for slaughter and fattening.

The key elements are a proposed ban on the live export of stock for further finishing or slaughter, and restrictions on journey length and conditions, including outside temperature during transport, headroom and stocking density.

Animal welfare during transport is a devolved issue, so while the proposals set out in the UK Government consultation will only apply in England and Wales, they will affect any journey crossing the border into England and Wales, requiring those journeys to comply with the English rules for journey length and transport conditions.

In light of the FAWC report, the Scottish Government is also consulting on its recommendations and exploring how Scotland might be able to respond and implement these recommendations.

Potentially, this could have a drastic effect on island farmers making it an increasing challenge

Steven Sandison

to transport livestock off the islands — something our local industry depends on.

Mr Sandison explained: “It’s very frustrating that this subject has come under the spotlight again, especially when we have such a good system for shipping our stock in the Northern Isles. But the union is here to speak up for the industry and highlight how good the system is.”

Highlighting the importance of this crucial issue and the plight farmers and crofters could face, NFU Scotland has been inundated with calls.

Vice-president of NFU Scotland, Charlie Adam, says they have taken more calls on this subject than any other policy issue. The union also continues to meet and discuss the consultations with members and key industry stakeholders.

The union also hosted a very successful webinar session, attracting more than 180 participants, and such was the response, a second online session was pencilled in.

Mr Adam said: “The importance of transport to livestock producers on Scotland’s islands, and in more remote areas, is paramount and members from those regions have been quickest to voice their concerns to NFUS on the proposals.”

He urged all farmers and crofters to respond to the consultations in order to capture the views of those whose livelihoods depend on moving livestock.

Head to www.nfus.org.uk/ animal-transport-in-scotland-have-your-say.aspx to read and respond to the consultations.

In association with

www.shetlandtimes.co.uk Tel: 01595 742000

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

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TRAINVIEW TALK

So here we are again, lockdown… I think there’s no denying that this time round is much harder. Speaking with friends there is a collective feeling of despair in particular for those of us with young children and my heart goes out to those trying to juggle the challenge of home schooling too. We can be thankful however for having the freedom of the farm to let them loose onto but we must also be mindful of the dangers they can posses too.

Accidents with wee ones can happen all too easily and we found this out on New Years Day with a trip to A&E with Angus (almost 2). Working with sheep an unsecured gate fell on top of him and he sustained and nasty knock and cuts to his face, thankfully all was superficial but it hits home how easily accidents can happen and it has probably aged me about 10 years!

The job we were doing that day was sorting out lame sheep. Our newest batch of draft Herdwicks have brought in trouble, its one of those things in the back of your mind when purchasing any livestock…what problems are we buying in?…and we brought in lameness so another thing to add to the ‘Must do better’ list. It undoubtably had an effect on our lambing percentage at scanning we have 7 more ewes this year and 2 less lambs expected, the most lame ewe was also empty.

We have deployed Footvax now and we hope at least for good decent sized single lambs come April.

We have one Beef Shorthorn Bull for the February Bull Sales. We are 78

DIARY

Be happy, look forward Diary page

By Valerie Orr glad that these are going ahead albeit a few weeks later than normal and with a different sale programme. The new itinerary makes sense to reduce the number of people in the mart at any one time however it has thrown us up another childcare issue with the Shorthorn sale now being on the Sunday…being Mum it will likely fall to me to stay at home with the boys as ordinarily they would have come along with us. I think we are all craving getting off farm to just have a blether and with the summer shows now dropping like flies its hard to see this happening anytime soon. While out leading the bull taking a video, Alec (3) can be heard saying ‘Just like

the Highland Show Daddy’, in all reality that might be closest he gets to it this year once again.

With the lack of a show at the bull sales Social media is coming into its own to help market animals. We had hoped to join forces with the 5 other Beef Shorthorn breeders in Angus to hold a physical Bull Walk however it soon become apparent that would not be safe. As a result we have set up at virtual one on Facebook in its place with all lots in the area profiled digitally. This type of marketing and that of online livestock sales is a positive trend to come out of Covid with some very successful online on farm

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sales recently the vendors must be applauded for putting themselves out there and being prepared to do things differently.

We have had some new toys to play with as we were successful in the SACGS grant scheme. A new weigh platform, cattle head scoop, calving camera and heat detection collar for a bull will very much help us work more efficiently and safer too.

We couldn’t have afforded to splash out on all these things if it wasn’t for the grant, very beneficial for a small business like ours who doesn’t have access to any Basic Payment Scheme payments. This round was deemed a pilot scheme so lets hope more is to come from initiatives like this.

The sleet and snow may be bashing the window as I type but this time of year although it can bite it does have glimmer of Spring in the air with snowdrops peeping through and the obvious stretching of days.

For the cut flower side of the business, while we have no product to sell just now I am excitedly starting to sow our summer annuals while there is anticipation of the Spring bulbs starting to break through. With one polytunnel refurbished and a new one on order we have a lot of work ahead. But after leaving my part time job I now can look forward to being a full time farmer once again. Although we will probably miss the wage sometimes you just got to go with your gut and do what makes you happy, life is too short. I work much better being my own boss anyway…

James would probably agree!

beef ABP study shows data-driven beef breeding can reduce methane emission by up to 40% Beef produced on farms across the British Isles is widely recognised as being amongst the most sustainable in the world. This is evidenced by the fact that its carbon footprint of approximately half of the global average. Nonetheless, results of a multi-year study involving over 4,000 animals at ABP’s Demonstration Farms in Shropshire and in Ireland have shown that the level of methane emissions could be reduced by up to 40% against ABP’s current average, when a more datadriven approach is applied across the supply chain.

The findings were presented

by ABP at this year’s City Food Lecture. The study shows that by using a data-driven approach to selective breeding, it is possible to encourage the siring of beef animals that are more efficient at converting feed to protein,

reaching their target weight earlier and thereby significantly reducing their environmental footprint.

In addition to the environmental benefits, farmers could improve their economic returns by up to £100 per head – demonstrating that economic and environmental sustainability can travel hand in hand.

Dean Holroyd, ABP’s Technical and Sustainability Director, said: “The purpose of this work is to demonstrate what can be achieved on a typical farm. By harnessing data and information across the entire supply chain from conception to plate this research shows we can further improve economic and environmental performance of UK beef farmers in a global marketplace while also satisfying changing consumer desires for more sustainable diets.”

The results are part of the first phase of the study which has focused on breeding. The next phase will focus on the adoption of a ‘whole farm’ approach which will capture the latest thinking in animal grazing, precision agriculture, land management and biodiversity.

This will be conducted with the help of independent experts and Harper Adams University and will also include ABP sponsoring a Professorship in Sustainable Beef and Sheep Production at Harper Adams University. The recruitment process for this role is underway.

No ‘one size fits all’ approach with cattle finishing Successful and profitable cattle finishing relies on appreciating the factors affecting profitability: good

budgeting, risk management, and achieving the targeted levels of physical performance.

Efficient feeding can have a positive influence on the productivity and profitability of beef production, but with over 70% of variable costs in a beef finishing system coming from forage and feed, it is important that it is utilised effectively.

“When it comes to finishing cattle, it is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach, with a variation of systems - from semiintensive feeding to 100% grass fed,” highlights Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) Cattle and Sheep Specialist, Beth Alexander.

“Producers operate under tight margins, so it’s important to identify cattle to suit your

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system based on infrastructure, nutrition, genetics and management, which will help meet market requirements and generate profit.”

Some of the key challenges when finishing beef cattle at grass is achieving adequate fat cover on carcases and maintaining optimum live weight gain as feed demand on farm increases and grass quality starts to decline as the grazing season progresses.

But for fifth generation farmer, Claire Pollock from Ardross Farm, near Fife, adapting her system to allow all cattle and sheep to be fed on a 100% forage-based diet has paid off, with the farm recently being 79

beef awarded its Pasture for Life status.

“Our feeding regime is very simple,” highlights Claire.

“Grass in the summertime and silage when the grass has stopped growing.

“We use a mix of strip and paddock grazing in a rotational system; however, it is something we should do more of. Some of our fields are not the easiest to divide, but we have started using Kiwitech fencing and are upgrading our water system to allow this to be achieved.”

As grass is an instrumental part to the system at Ardross, there is a strong focus on trying to produce high quality silage to fatten cattle and keep them over winter.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 110

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Check suckler cow mineral status in run-up to calving Suckler beef producers whose cows are part-way through gestation are reminded to review the micronutrient status of their feeds.

Many in-calf cows are said to be deficient in essential minerals and vitamins, which can potentially have serious consequences, ranging from retained cleansings and metritis to poor foetal development and growth. They can also be one of the biggest causes of stillbirths.

Tom Butler, technical manager at the Denis Brinicombe Group, says winter forages, especially straw, contain poor levels of micronutrients compared with grass grazed in spring.

“High forage diets in late gestation are important in the control of the dry cow’s body condition. However, because they’re likely to be fed with little or no concentrate – which tends to supply a base level of micronutrients – they’re likely to be deficient in vitamins and minerals,” he explains.

This step-down in minerals is said to come at exactly the time

the cow most needs an adequate supply.

He says for many spring calving herds it is not too late to address the situation and recommends producers review the mineral status of their cows’ diets, which are often only balanced for protein and energy.

“Inconsistencies and deficiencies in micronutrients would ideally be balanced on a farm-by-farm basis, but this isn’t always practical.”

Instead, he says it is important to find a source of trace minerals and vitamins which can be reliably delivered in a sustained and consistent manner to ensure the animal’s base requirements are met.

This has proved a challenge to the feed additives industry and most delivery systems – whether bucket, loose minerals or bolus – have some limitations.

“The challenge has always been that we require just milligrams of each essential trace mineral and vitamin and we need them supplied in a constant trickle of the same quantity every day,” he says.

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Using a rumen bolus is said to be a reliable way of achieving this, although Mr Butler adds some provisos.

“To get the real value from a bolus it’s important it delivers a consistent flow of essential micronutrients, while minimising the risk of regurgitation before it has fully released its mineral supply.”

Manufacturer, Rumbol Products who has developed the EnduraBol® range with the Denis Brinicombe Group - has overcome this problem. The boluses erode only from the top, rather than leaching or eroding from their entire surface area.

“This original, patented technology ensures the same amount of micronutrients are delivered from the same surface area every day – a bit like a candle burning down at a constant rate,” he says.

“Once it’s completely used, the inert weight, which has prevented regurgitation through the life of the bolus, is now exposed to rumen fluids and simply dissolves.”

The same manufacturing company has also cracked a second problem, which is how to include vitamins in the bolus.

“Vitamins are denatured by heat, which is typical in bolus manufacturing, but Rumbol has perfected a cold-pressed process.

This means they can reliably deliver both essential trace elements and vitamins in one bolus,” he says.

The EnduraBol® High Iodine bolus contains six trace elements and three vitamins and will deliver the base daily essentials of micronutrients for six months.

According to Mr Butler, a couple of months pre-calving is a good time to administer them.

“This will cover micronutrient requirements around calving and well into lactation, helping set the cow up to get back in calf.”

beef Customer focus: The key to better beef

Convoluted supply chains often prevent farmers from focusing on consumer needs – but better collaboration and data use could significantly improve British beef quality, farm sustainability and profits.

According to Gavin Hodgson, buying manager for meat, fish and poultry at Sainsbury’s, successful businesses all have one thing in common: Customer focus. And that’s one thing which is often lacking in the farming sector.

Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference recently, he said: “Top businesses live and breathe their customer – everything they do leads back to the customer.” Convoluted supply chains make that difficult in agriculture; something which greater collaboration could tackle. “We need a customerobsessed supply web so we can deliver what we need going forward.”

One difficulty is sharing data from the end user back to the primary producer, as it can often involve several different farms, explained Ian Wheal, founder of Breedr, which seeks to address this issue. “There are a number of barriers to achieving the true potential of British beef production, and collaboration is one of them.”

However, Breedr is helping farmers to form their own integrated supply chains, tracking livestock from birth to slaughter and identifying the best genetics and management to produce the perfect beef animal. In the UK there are huge variations in the age of finished stock, and only 55% of animals meet the target specification, which affects the eating quality and consistency of beef on the supermarket shelf.

Through Breedr, 79% of users’ stock are now meeting the target specification and are finishing five months younger than average, saving farmers both time and money. “Productivity is going to be key over the next five years, as is our environmental impact and reporting,” said Mr Wheal. By finishing stock more efficiently and within customer specifications, farmers, the environment, and the consumer all win.

According to Phil Bicknell, market intelligence director at AHDB, there is a £50,000 difference in profit between the top and bottom quartile of producers, which demonstrates the scope for improvement.

“That is not down to scale or resources – most of it is down to business decisions and actions,” he said.

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Keep your cattle clean!

Quality Meat Scotland Chair and Peeblesshire based livestock farmer, Kate Rowell, says that although it is not always an easy job to ensure that animals stay clean and dry during the winter months, there are measures that can be implemented to minimise the contamination.

“Cleanliness of cattle at slaughter is influenced by a number of factors including diet, housing, feeding before slaughter and how they are transported.

Although livestock farmers across the country face different challenges there are measures that can be taken to present clean animals and help improve farmers’ bottom-line.

“Appropriate and adequate bedding, as well as stocking density, are key to maintaining clean livestock in addition to cleansing and disinfecting trailers and lorries between each haul.

“To comply with new export health certificate requirements, onsite veterinarians at processors must be able to certify that livestock trailers and floats have been cleansed and disinfected prior to being loaded with stock. Dirty stock arriving at processors jeopardise

the ability of the onsite vets to make that assurance, which could impact on the marketability of the stock if the animal is ineligible for the EU export market.”

In line with Food Standards Scotland’s guidelines, livestock, when presented for slaughter, are categorised on a scale from one to five, with categories one and two acceptable for slaughter, and the rest deemed not in a fit state for processing with clean-up protocols undertaken at the expense of the producer.

“Inevitably some cattle will need to be clipped, which can take a lot of time and labour on farm, but if processors are required to clip livestock, this results in deducted charges for the additional work. If clipping cattle on farm, it is important that steps are taken to reduce potential risks to the person doing the clipping,” said Ms Rowell.

There are a number of steps which can be taken to reduce the risks involved and minimise the stress to livestock and this information, along with additional information on the cleanliness of stock for slaughter, visit Quality Meat Scotland’s Meat the Grade tool on www. qmscotland.co.uk.

livestock Shearwell designs Medium sized cattle tag for smaller breeds As a farmer owned business Shearwell Data Ltd is committed to supplying and supporting livestock farmers with reliable and robust identification products and management systems. In November 2020 it launched the new Combi 3000 range of cattle tags. The transition from Combi 2000 to Combi 3000 combines the use of new materials and a refined manufacturing process, which includes larger print to improve visibility. The Combi 2000 range has been extremely popular and successful with our customers over the years, not least because of its design and retention rates. But as with all things, the business is always looking at ways of refining and improving the products that we sell to our customers.

Shearwell Data has recently made an addition to the family of Combi 3000 tags by adding a “Medium” sized tag to the existing large, small and button range. The Combi 3000 Medium has been specifically designed for smaller breeds or for farmers who prefer working with smaller sized primary tags. The Combi 3000 Medium can be used, in combination with either a button or small tag as a secondary tag. It is important to emphasise that the correct applicator or pin must be used to insert Combi 3000 tags.

Richard Webber, Director of Shearwell Data concludes “As a farmer I know the importance of using reliable tags - I want to do the job once. I don’t want the hassle of having to replace tags

- as livestock farmers we are all busy and we want to minimise the stress on our stock. Therefore, I am delighted to introduce the new Combi 3000 range of cattle tags. They have evolved from the very popular Combi 2000 tag range and having trialled

them on our own farms and with other farmers I know they work extremely well. The addition of the Combi 3000 Medium tag to the range is in response to feedback from our customers for a slightly smaller primary tag for smaller breeds.”

Firstchoice silage from Biocell Firstchoice silage inoculant stabilises silage to preserve the protein and trace elements. Value

is further preserved by cooler fermentation, which ensures energy isn’t lost from the feed

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livestock

The

VET

Animal Transport Are we all at Sea? So that’s the end of livestock farming in Orkney and Shetland?

Orkney has long been a breeding ground for livestock and the success of that industry has relied on a close association with Aberdeenshire for buying store cattle and also is the main route for finished cattle now we don’t have our own abattoir. So, the boat to Aberdeen is pivotal and taken for granted as a means of transport.

If you take the DEFRA interpretation of the FAWC proposals in their consultation on animal transport as read, that boat journey is now in question.

Let the Wind Blow High Let the Wind Blow Low - no sea transport of livestock when the wind is Beaufort Scale 6 or above. Well, that’s most of the time up here! It’s reckoned that the boat would only have been able to sail a handful of times last year had these measures been implemented. It’s not all about wind speed; tides, ert of wind, and of course size and type of the vessel. All things that the Captain can judge and they do. Interestingly they will sometimes not take animals but still take humans!

Maybe another consultation on transport of humans is required!

Running Hot and Cold no transport when outside air temperature is out with

By Andy Cant Northvet Veterinary Group 5-30 degrees Celsius. High temperatures will cause distress although unlikely to be a problem up here, but low temperatures below 5 degrees in the class of stock we are shipping won’t be. It’s not a case of one size fits all.

Have a Break have a Kit Kat - travel time at sea not to be classified as neutral time.

7-day rest period for cattle.

The investment in the cassette system for transporting animals to Aberdeen from the northern isles has been a great success. Much thought went into it. Our local APHA vet at the time literally slept with the cattle repeatedly on the journey to test it out. Is that suddenly all for nothing?

Anecdotally my clients tell me their animals often loose no weight by the time they arrive for slaughter as they are fed and watered aboard ship.

So, these are just some of the things that the consultation has brought up that have particular repercussions locally.

I

wonder if it’s just to stimulate debate or are they serious!

The Scottish Government consultation by contrast to DEFRA takes a neutral view thankfully and is asking what folk think of the various proposals before any talk of implementing them. There is nothing wrong with challenging our current perceptions of animal welfare in relation to transport. There is always room for improvement. The recognition that there is need for more research and knowledge in this area is welcome which makes it surprising FAWC have jumped to conclusions so easily. Improving education especially around fitness of the individual animal to travel will be a good outcome and the most important area to focus on from my point of view.

Thankfully the likes of the SNFU and BVA have been organising responses from those with practical knowledge and experience which should influence what gets implemented, and so Orkney beef, lamb and dairy products should still be on the menu! Improvements in animal welfare always equates to better production so is to be welcomed. The problem is applying common sense within a regulatory framework to the many scenarios of animal transportation.

by rising temperature. pH is reduced throughout to destroy the environment that spoilage bacteria and mycotoxins thrive in, resulting in no nasty surprises on opening, and preserving maximum feed value for your livestock.

This is what famers say about First Choice: Lee Coghill, Muce, Birsay.

“We have used First Choice for a number of years now. We have successfully eradicated any face spoilage, and our silage keeps stable and cool throughout the winter.”

Allan Spence, Norton, Dounby.

“We’ve always been bothered with Raven damage to our bales. Last year I treated both grass and wholecrop with First Choice. Whereas untreated, damaged forage used to spoil with secondary fermentation, last year we hardly had any spoilage in our bales at all. I’m also delighted with our analyses.

It’s so important to get silage right - it’s one of the keys to a successful winter.”

Geraint Davies. Pencwarre.

Pembrokeshire.

“A real test on a crop ready to harvest, which was subsequently heavily rained on! The crop had below 24% dry matter and had to be the only forage fed via TMR to cows averaging 30 litres on twice a day milking. We noticed that the silage kept perfectly in the trough, with no heating, and intakes were high, which kept the herd performing very well.

I didn’t expect them to perform on grass silage that had poor field preparation, but there were no acidity challenges from the low DM forage, and there was absolutely no waste from top to bottom at the clamp face. I’ve used other well-known products that failed to keep at the face and in the TMR. Grass silage is their only forage, and a unique additive is the key to achieving 9,800 litres.”

Phil Roberts, Brynaeron, Pembrokeshire.

“Using First Choice on my grass silage over the years, whether high or low dry matter, has shown its qualities by the (continued on page 86)

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livestock way the cows eat all the silage to the bottom of the feeder.

Previous additives didn’t control the silage at feed-out and the waste was very costly.

My cows produce 9 litres/ day from silage - a real saving on purchased feeds.”

Here’s what David & Chris Mattinson say about FirstChoice.

“FirstChoice is brilliant to

mix and so simple to use, we were very impressed.

Through a difficult silage making season we have been able to make good silage which is well fermented and stable. We will definitely be sticking with First Choice and we would recommend it to other farmers. Biocell Agri have given help and support behind the product to make sure it has done an excellent job.

Test clamp to improve pre-calving diet Testing silage ahead of spring calving is crucial for cow health and performance. Knowing the dry matter, metabolisable energy and pH level of forage are just some of the parameters

offered by new dry Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) tests offered by Eurofins Agro UK. “For farmers looking to manage their clamp, and the diet of their herd more closely, regular silage tests are crucial,” says Eurofins Agro UK managing director Dan Robinson. “Using dry NIRS is more accurate than conventional fresh sample testing. It provides more detail to help farmers make the tricky decisions that will inevitably affect cow health leading up to calving,” he adds.

Spring calving blocks, that rely heavily on grass silage in early lactation, face the challenge of managing diet closely when moving from winter to spring.

Understanding silage values offers a benchmark to better understand what supplements may be required to offer a balanced diet before calving.

“Understanding the nutritional value of silage now, rather than using analysis taken last year, will help to prevent cows becoming over-conditioned at the point of calving. If silage quality is low, supplements may be required, especially where the body condition score is poor or cows are thin,” explains Mr Robinson.

Eurofins is the first testing company in the UK to offer dry NIRS testing, a process that requires the sample to be dried and ground to offer a more accurate sample for analysis. “This removes any inconsistencies in the shape and density of the sample to provide the most accurate result,” says Mr Robinson. “By removing the moisture from the sample, we are removing a layer we call the ‘fog’ that can adversely affect the test. This makes our NIRS tests the most accurate available,” he adds.

The tests can be used to analyse a wide variety of common forage materials including silages, fresh grass, or hay and even a total mixed ration (TMR). “Adjusting the TMR can be achieved more accurately and consistently by using regular testing. By using the (continued on page 88)

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livestock Farmers reminded that livestock cleanliness can benefit their bottom-line

tests, farmers will receive the most accurate forage measurement to enable them to maximise profit and

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yield by adjusting the ration to the optimum level when it is needed,” he concludes.

With the recent cold and wet weather, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) calls on producers to ensure that livestock presented for slaughter are in a clean and dry condition to ensure maximum financial returns for their business.

QMS Chair and Peeblesshirebased livestock farmer, Kate Rowell, says that although it is not always an easy job to ensure that animals stay clean and dry during the winter months, there are measures that can be implemented to minimise the contamination.

“As we still experience market uncertainty due to the dual issues of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s important to ensure that farmers avoid any potential deductions to price. Cleanliness of cattle at slaughter is influenced by a number of factors including diet, housing, feeding before slaughter and how they are transported. Although livestock

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farmers across the country face different challenges depending on the housing systems used and their proximity, weather, and availability and cost of bedding, there are measures that can be taken to present clean animals and help improve farmers’ bottom-line.

“Appropriate and adequate bedding, as well as stocking density, are key to maintaining clean livestock in addition to cleansing and disinfecting trailers and lorries between each haul.

“To comply with new export health certificate requirements, onsite veterinarians at processors must be able to certify that livestock trailers and floats have been cleansed and disinfected prior to being loaded with stock. Dirty stock arriving at processors jeopardise the ability of the onsite vets to make that assurance, which could impact on the marketability of the stock if the animal is ineligible for the EU export market.”

dairy Changes to cleaning practices could improve calve health on dairy farms A new study looking at colostrum hygiene on British dairy farms has shown that by making a few simple changes to cleaning protocols, farmers could significantly minimise the risk of disease in calves.

The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine and led by experts from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences at the University of Nottingham, is one of the first to look at colostrum hygiene in Great Britain.

Colostrum is the first milk produced after the delivery of a newborn, and is produced by humans, cows and other mammals before milk is released.

It is very nutritious and contains high levels of antibodies, which are immune proteins essential to protect calves against infections.

Calves are born with zero immunity and rely entirely on colostrum to gain immunity against disease. It is essential that calves receive an adequate quantity of good quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth. High bacteria levels in colostrum can both increase the chances of calf scour and reduce the levels of immunity absorbed.

Several studies have provided estimates of colostrum hygiene at a national level, although to date this has not been conducted in Great Britain. In this new study, experts analysed data from 328 colostrum samples from 56 British dairy farms.

Samples collected from collection and feeding equipment had higher levels of bacteria than those collected directly from

the cows’ teat, suggesting that whilst colostrum from the cow is relatively low in bacterial levels, improperly cleaned equipment can be a major source of bacterial contamination. Over one third

of samples collected from collection or feeding equipment were over the threshold for high bacterial levels and represent a significant risk to the health of calves.

NovaPro scoops Royal Dairy Innovation Award UK-grown soya feed alternative improves dairy farm sustainability and yield A UK-grown sustainable feed that can replace soya in dairy cow rations has scooped this year’s Royal Dairy Innovation Award at Dairy-Tech Online this week (Wednesday 10 February).

NovaPro from Trident Feeds is a high energy rumen-protected protein made from UK rapeseed.

With proven performance benefits including improved intakes and milk yield, it can also provide a cost-effective alternative to soya.

Trials run by the University of Nottingham found rations containing NovaPro produced an additional 1.7 litres of milk per cow per day compared to a soya and rape ration, with no significant effect on milk constituents.

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Rape protein also has an improved amino acid profile more similar to milk protein than soya. On-farm trials showed improved protein utilisation, with a significant reduction in milk urea nitrogen levels, meaning less nitrogen pollution on farm.

With many dairy farmers currently hoping for early turnout to make the best possible use of grass to save costs, NovaPro represents a cost-effective alternative to soya as a protein source.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 110

dairy GEA’s milking technology worth its weight in gold GEA’s In-Liner Everything system for robotic milking operations has struck gold at Ireland’s Innovations Awards, held in conjunction with the prestigious National Dairy Show.

The awards reward a new product or service which has been launched in the past 12 months that has revolutionised some aspect of dairy farming in Ireland, and the judges decided that GEA’s innovative technology fitted the bill in the engineering category.

Going for 38 years, the National Dairy Show is the premier indoor agricultural event in Ireland for the dairy farming community, while the Innovation Awards is a highly respected industry showpiece, though due to the Covid-19 pandemic the two-day event this year was moved online.

A leading provider of farming technology solutions, GEA’s In-Liner Everything performs every step of the operation — stimulation, teat cleaning, forestripping, milk harvest and post dipping. This uniform, quick and comfortable process, all occurring within the teat cup, is key to harvesting excellent quality milk while maximising the number of cow milkings within a robotic milking facility.

The system is a unique feature of GEA’s Dairy Robot R9500 which can operate during the relaxed processes in the barn with or without pre-and postselection to suit the farmer’s needs and farm layout. The equipment provides consistent accurate attachment, simple operational design with the

flexibility and efficiency that brings a new level of intelligent milking to a farm.

A working test Dairy Robot R9500 will be among the equipment at GEA’s new solutions centre being built in Cork – watch this space for more information on its launch next year.

Roy Clarke, GEA Farming Technologies, Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded such a prestigious national accolade.

The gold award for our In-Line Everything system is recognition that GEA’s engineering expertise gives robotic milking operations in Ireland the potential to reach new levels of efficiency in production.“

UK unions hail new dairy code of conduct a huge step in the right direction The UK farming unions say putting a new Dairy Code of Conduct into legislation will provide a more effective dairy supply chain in which farmers and processors can work together to ensure fairer and equitable terms for all dairy farmers, while delivering great value dairy products for consumers.

The announcement by the UK government and the devolved

administrations follows a landmark 12-week consultation last year which sought views from dairy farmers and processors about how dairy contracts and relationships could be improved.

In a joint statement, dairy farmer representatives of the four UK farming unions said: “For too long, dairy farmers have borne far too much of the risk in the dairy supply chain and inappropriate

contract terms are often at the root of the problems. Contracts have been weighted too heavily in favour of the milk buyer who can change terms and pricing mechanisms, and even introduce price cuts without negotiation, while locking farmers into changes without recourse.

“The UK farming unions have been fighting for years to change the structure of how the dairy sector operates. We want more sustainable, progressive and equitable relationships between farmers and processors, so we can collectively tackle the issues we face. This is all the more crucial as we build back from the impacts of Covid-19 and work towards new trading arrangements outside the EU. “We have been monitoring closely how contracts work around the world. Although we recognise that our dairy market

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has some differences, for example compared to Australia, we think there are lessons we can learn in building our own model. Even within the UK, there are clearly markets operating in different ways, such as Northern Ireland, and this will need to be taken in to account when designing the new code.

“Although we are delighted with today’s announcement, this is only the beginning. We must now work hard to ensure we get this new Code of Conduct right and that it works. We hope the whole industry will take on board the results of the government consultation and work collaboratively to find a positive way forward. It’s essential that the UK dairy market is fit for purpose for all parts of the supply chain, supporting innovation and resilience in UK dairy, and supplying quality dairy products for the public to enjoy.”

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sheep Invest now for lambing Now there’s a Brexit deal, UK sheep producers are being urged to invest some of the better than expected returns from the autumn lamb and prime sheep sales into preparing for a successful 2021 lambing season.

“On the back of recent prices, there’s a fair amount of optimism about despite concerns about the implications of the Brexit deal.

But the best thing UK sheep producers can do at the moment is make sure they prepare well to be able to rear as many healthy lambs as possible this spring,” says Volac’s GB National Sales Manager, Phil Brookes.

To help producers focus their minds, Volac has drawn up an eight-point plan to make sure UK sheep units are ready for the 2021 lambing season: 1. Get pregnant ewe nutrition right. Ewes must be in the best condition possible for the last six weeks of pregnancy when 70% of foetal growth takes place.

Get it wrong and you may have to cope with poor lamb survival rates, low birth weights and inferior quality ewe colostrum.

Group and feed ewes according to your scanning results and their condition score. Getting the mineral balance right is important too, so ask your nutritionist for advice. Consider asking your vet to take blood samples from ewes 4-6 weeks pre-lambing just to make sure their diet is delivering the required energy and protein status.

2. Prepare your sheep housing.

If you lamb indoors, sheds should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before ewes are brought inside (at least two weeks before lambing). Use plenty of clean, dry bedding to reduce the risk of spreading lameness and other infections such as watery mouth, joint ill and coccidiosis. Good lighting is important too because it makes it so much easier to check stock without disturbing them too much. Avoid overcrowding otherwise stress and disease issues can spiral out of control: a 92

typical 70kg ewe needs 1.2m2 to 1.4m2 of floor space and 45cm of trough space.

3. Check your flock health plan. Talk to your vet about the essential disease management interventions pre and post lambing. For example, don’t forget to boost your ewes’ clostridial disease and pasteurellosis cover 4-6 weeks pre-lambing. Make sure any lame sheep are separated and treated well before housing. Check, too, the protocols for dealing with any abortion problems, scours or joint ill.

4. Decide on the staffing levels you’ll need. Lambing is a time of year when an extra pair of hands can be invaluable. Have you got enough labour cover? Many flocks rely on students to help out, but it’s important to evaluate the level of help you will need – particularly against a backdrop of any local coronavirus restrictions and necessary workplace safety measures. Students vary in their experience and knowledge, so be clear when advertising for staff what level of skills and experience you are looking for.

Any new staff recruited need to know what is expected from them from the start and should be given clear management protocols so that they know exactly what to do in any given situation.

5. Make sure you have a system in place for rearing surplus lambs. New trial work has clearly shown that surplus lambs can be reared successfully away from the ewe. Ad lib ewe milk replacer feeding systems will help you save labour and secure better lamb growth rates. Why spend hours a day bottle-feeding when you could be prioritising your time elsewhere during a hectic lambing period?

6. Stock up with the equipment and supplies you’ll need.

Lambing is always hectic and once the season starts you won’t

have the time to keeping dashing out for essential kit. You need to be focused on the job too, so get prepared. This means ordering well in advance materials such as disinfectant for lambing pens, iodine for navels, castration rings, feeding tubes, marker sprays, sterilisation equipment, milk replacer, colostrum replacer and any other lambing essentials.

7. Set targets for reducing lamb losses. Good records are essential to benchmark performance and to help you identify any potential problem areas. Your recording system doesn’t have to be sophisticated or complicated – the important thing is to do it well and if you don’t record already, lambing time is a great time to start!

You should be aiming for less than 15% lamb losses, but top performing flocks are achieving closer to 10%.

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Targets for reducing lamb losses: • Less than 5% from scanning to lambing • Less than 5% during lambing and the first week of life • Less than 2% from the first week after birth until weaning • Less than 2% from weaning until sale or retention Ask your vet for advice if: • Ewe losses are more than 3% • Lamb losses are more than 15% • More than 2% of your ewes are barren at scanning 8. Feed your surplus lambs enough milk.

To grow effectively and finish profitably – just as well as lambs reared on the ewe – each one of your surplus lambs will need 9-11 litres of correctly mixed Lamlac ewe milk replacer from birth until weaning.

sheep Make ewe colostrum as good as it can be UK sheep producers are being advised to prime their ewes for a successful lambing and one of the key management tasks is to make sure their colostrum is as good as it can be.

“Ewes must be in the best health possible for the last six weeks of pregnancy when 70% of foetal growth takes place. Get it wrong and you may have to cope with poor lamb survival rates, low birth weights and inferior quality ewe colostrum,” says MSD Animal Health veterinary adviser Dr Kat Baxter-Smith.

“Colostrum quality is key to lamb survival and is quantified by the amount of IgGs present – these are the large molecules of protein that provide antibody protection. But they will only be absorbed if colostrum is the first feed.”

Dr Baxter-Smith says that it is important to feed ewes sufficient energy and protein in the run up to lambing. “Group and feed ewes according to your scanning results and their condition score.

Getting the mineral balance right is important too, so ask your nutritionist for advice. In addition, consider asking your

vet to take blood samples from ewes 4-6 weeks pre-lambing just to make sure their diet is delivering the required energy and protein balance.”

But she adds that one of the most important colostrum priming tasks is to make sure ewes receive their booster vaccinations in late pregnancy.

“Ewe condition and nutrition are both absolutely key prelambing, but so is good vaccination practice and this means making sure all in-lamb ewes receive their clostridia and pasteurella booster vaccination 4-6 weeks before lambing. This will increase the levels of antibodies in her colostrum against devastating early life disease threats for lambs such as lamb dysentery, pulpy kidney and pasteurellosis. If her lambs then receive sufficient amounts of this fortified colostrum during the first 1-2 days of life, they will gain protection against these key disease threats. Good colostral transfer is essential to protect lambs through their early life and protect them up to the stage – from 3 weeks of age – that they can be vaccinated for optimal protection through the growing period,” she says.

Consultation on animal transport Any regulatory changes introduced as a result of Defra’s consultation on the welfare of live animals in transport must be evidence-based and rooted in science.

According to Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) – whose members represent the breadth of the supply chain – any new standards should be subject to a welfare benefit assessment and cost benefit analysis before being formalised. Responding to Defra’s consultation, Nigel Miller, chairman of RH&W said:

“Safeguarding the welfare of animals should be the primary focus of any regulatory change, recognising that the existing European regulatory framework has underpinned high operating standards within the UK. “Appropriate regulation must be supported by effective monitoring and enforcement.

Some of the welfare problems identified in other European jurisdictions are the result of non-compliance and weak enforcement, not regulatory failure.” www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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pigs Disease Prevention Must Remain a Priority for Pig Producers Pigs farmers are being actively encouraged to look at all aspects of disease prevention to meet new 2024 antibiotic reduction targets set by RUMA (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance).

Gemma Thwaites, a clinical director at Garth Pig Practice, says to date the pig industry has made significant steps forward when it comes to tackling antibiotic use.

“According to AHDB, a 5% reduction in antibiotic use has already been seen in the first half of 2020 compared to last year. But, as always, there’s still room for improvement.

“Producers need to look at all aspects of disease prevention, to identify where further

improvements can be made in order to reach the further 30% reduction from the 2020 baseline RUMA has set out.”

Biosecurity Gemma says that biosecurity on pig farms is fundamental to preventing disease outbreaks and needs to be prioritised at all times.

“Generally, external biosecurity has greatly improved across farms, and it’s internal biosecurity where producers still tend to fall down, especially on farrow to finish farms where it’s often the same people managing and vaccinating all the pigs.

“It can be easy to forget to change or disinfect your boots between sheds, change needles

when vaccinating, or to pop into a different shed and not follow the farrow to finish order. But it’s important sites do all they can to limit these actions, as this is how disease spreads,” she adds.

“It’s also a challenge if you have weekly batches rather than an all-in all-out system, as you constantly have new pigs and new disease pressures ‘knocking at the door’.”

Timely reminder Pig farmers are being reminded to check carefully the set temperatures of pens during cold weather following routine interbatch pressure-washing and disinfection.

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After cleaning, many operatives set the minimum temperature very high to keep the fans operating to help dry out house interiors before the next lot of pigs is moved into the

building, points out Tim Miller, environmental specialist with ARM Buildings.

“I have come across cases recently where the stock person has forgotten to turn down the minimum temperature after restocking the pens and has then found that the occupants have become too cold. Chilling can be particularly dangerous in young pigs, if it is not picked up quickly,” he says.

He also warns farmers against setting the minimum temperature too low in an effort to keep pigs warm, by reducing the amount of cold air entering the building.

Care has to be taken to ensure that air is changed, whatever the outside temperature. If the building is not warm enough at minimum temperature setting then supplementary heating should be considered, he says. With low outside temperatures at this time of year farmers should also check that their alarm systems are working properly, especially

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that the batteries and motors are working, in the case of a ventilation failures or powercuts.

Ideally, there should be a written protocol for each house so that it is clear exactly what action should be taken, and by whom, if an alarm is raised.

Even at this time of year pigs can quickly suffocate, he advises.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 110 NEXT ISSUE May 2021

pigs Sophisticated upgrade for pig alarm system Farmex is offering a clever upgrade to the software on its Dicam controllers for pig housing, to further safeguard the health and welfare of pigs when alarms are set in controlled environment buildings.

An effective alarm system is a legal requirement to ensure pigs have sufficient ventilation.

Farmex is offering this upgrade on all controllers with an alarm function. It ensures that stockpeople cannot permanently deactivate the alarm, for example when emptying pens. If an operator mistakenly leaves a room ‘inactive’ when restocking

or while it still has pigs in it, the high, or low, temperature will still trigger the alarm.

“With multi-room controllers, the ability to inactivate individual rooms when they are empty, or when the power is to be turned off, is obviously handy,” said Farmex managing director, Hugh Crabtree.

“The upgrade overcomes the problem of human error if a person forgets to re-activate the room when restocking. The change means that despite a room being set inactive, temperature alarms are still active in the background.”

The upgrade, which involves a ROM replacement, costs £50.

New swine lead sets out gut health plans for Elanco Elanco has appointed Jack Fellows as its new swine sales leader for the UK and Ireland to help offer solutions and support for pig farmers when it comes to gut health and antibiotic reduction.

With a broad range of practical farming as well as feed and nutrition sales experience, Mr Fellows joins Elanco from Anpario, where he worked as technical sales manager across all species. Earlier in his career he fulfilled various roles at Duffield’s Animal Feeds, within sales, quality assurance and the company’s pig bed and breakfast unit.

“I hope that my involvement in the swine industry will help to provide value throughout the supply chain, working alongside vets and farmers to deliver the tools and advice required to help sustainably maintain healthy pigs, with a particular focus on improving piglet gut health,” he says.

“The pig industry is set to face several challenges in the near future, with the upcoming www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

zinc ban and uncertainty around high feed prices, and I believe Elanco is well placed to support the industry in rethinking current options and providing the tools needed to shift strategies accordingly.”

Mr Fellows will be supported by Elanco’s Principal Technical Adviser, Dr. Lic. Frédéric Vangroenweghe, and technical nutrition consultant, Agustina Rodriguez, making up a highly experienced team of professionals, who will help producers stay ahead of antibiotic targets while maintaining profitability.

“I’m delighted and privileged to be starting in this role. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make a difference to a sector I’m extremely passionate about,” adds Mr Fellows.

To get in touch with Mr Fellows, please email jack_michael. fellows@elancoah.com and for more information about Elanco products, please visit www. myelanco.co.uk.

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Hands on with horses Scotland’s Rural College invests in new Aberdeen equine centre Horse enthusiasts, students and the Scottish equine industry will benefit from a new centre for equine skills at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

SRUC is investing £310,000 to create new stables for up to six horses, a ménage, equipment storage, and supporting facilities for students, at its Craibstone campus in Aberdeen. The SRUC Aberdeen Equine Centre will create new opportunities for students to learn practical skills.

SRUC will be seeking planning permission for the project in the next couple of months. It is expected that most of the centre will be completed

by the end of this summer, in time for the arrival of the first cohort of students on the HNC/ HND Equine Studies courses at Craibstone. The ménage will be completed later in the autumn.

The new HNC course gives students practical experience and knowledge of horse care and riding, while the new HND course provides additional experience and knowledge in management within the equine industry.

Both courses are open to students with no prior riding experience and can be studied on a full or part-time basis.

Equine studies students will

have the opportunity to progress on to degree courses such as Veterinary Nursing or Rural Business Management.

The new equine centre will also offer additional opportunities for Animal Care students.

Teaching at the new equine facilities will supplement practical teaching delivered by Aberdeen Riding Club through its partnership with SRUC. SRUC also offers Equine Studies courses at its campus in Oatridge, in West Lothian, which is the home of the Scottish National Equestrian Centre.

Caroline Argo, Dean of SRUC’s North Faculty, said:

The new equine centre will create new opportunities for students to learn practical skills

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“Horse husbandry, training and business management skills are in high demand. We’re delighted to be able to offer more opportunities for students to help them enter and flourish within the equine industry. We’re looking forward to our role as an integral part of the equine community across the North of Scotland.”

In December 2020, SRUC announced a £50,000 upgrade to a cottage on its Tulloch Farm to support agriculture students.

SRUC has also recently engaged in a community consultation on future concepts for its campus in Aberdeen

estate ‘Golden Mile’ farm comes to the market in Angus Galbraith is pleased to be launching to the market Carlungie Farm in Angus, a highly productive farm extending to about 287.30 acres (116.30 hectares) with predominantly Grade 2 arable land, situated in the ‘golden mile’ of prime agricultural land in Angus. The property offers an attractive traditional farmhouse alongside five cottages which would be well-suited to residential lets. The land has excellent productive capacity and has in recent years grown a rotation of spring barley, winter wheat, beans and potatoes along with temporary grass.

Ian Hope of Galbraith, who is handling the sale, said: “This quality of farm does not often come to the market and we expect a significant level of interest.

The combination of highly productive land in good heart, a desirable principal farmhouse with scope for modernisation, the income potential from the cottages and the situation of the property, in Scotland’s most sought-after area for farming, offers an unbeatable package.

“The purchaser will be able to continue the farming business with relative ease and enjoy all the advantages of a beautiful rural setting, with easy access to the coast and the golf courses of Carnoustie and St Andrews.”

Carlungie Farmhouse is a substantial and imposing traditional farmhouse with a wealth of characterful original

features. The accommodation includes three reception rooms, kitchen, utility room, four bedrooms and the former maids’ quarters with two bedrooms and various additional rooms, which could be used as an annex for guests, or alternatively an expansion to the farmhouse.

The house offers purchasers the opportunity to create an impressive and modern family home, taking advantage of its character and charm.

The farmhouse enjoys a south-facing aspect and sits within its own garden grounds, mainly laid to lawn with mature trees to the front. The farmhouse has its own garage, potting shed and outbuildings.

The portfolio of cottages at Carlungie include a twobedroom detached bungalow (The Bungalow); two further detached cottages (Honeysuckle Cottage and The Sheiling) each with two bedrooms; and two traditional stone-built semidetached cottages (East Cottage and West Cottage) Some of the cottages would benefit from minor refurbishment to bring them up to modern letting standards.

The agricultural buildings include a modern, brick built shed (30m x 18m); a traditional Dutch barn (16m x 7.28m) of steel frame construction with a tin roof and earth floor; and a dryer shed (8m x 42m) of steel and wooden frame construction with a cement fibre roof and

open on all sides. The traditional steading range, while no longer useful for modern agricultural requirements, would present a great development opportunity if the necessary consents are secured.

The agricultural land at Carlungie is classed by the

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James Hutton Institute as being predominantly Grade 2 which is capable of supporting a wide range of crops. The previous cropping rotation has benefited the soil, preserving the soil’s fertility and organic matter levels resulting in an excellent productive capacity.

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estate

The land is split into 19 enclosures with good access

in the form of either tracks or public roads to all fields. The

fields are of a good average size allowing for efficient agricultural

practices, whilst not too large to prevent a good rotation.

Carlungie Farm is for sale for offers over £4,900,000. For further information please contact Galbraith.

Could Langholm see return of lost mountain hares?

Gamekeepers plan to speak to the group behind the Langholm community buy-out to discuss a scheme to return the iconic mountain hare to its former moorland home.

The Langholm Initiative completed south Scotland’s biggest ever community buy-out when it purchased 5200 acres of Langholm Moor, Tarras Valley and associated properties from Buccleuch Estates for £3.8m last October.

The mountain or ‘blue’ hare is Scotland’s only native hare and was a common sight at Langholm when the moor was managed for red grouse shooting.

Now fully protected, the native hares became extinct at the site around the early 2000s after gamekeepers had lost their jobs following the Joint Raptor Study undertaken at Langholm.

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Despite mountain hares’ conservation status now being classed as ‘unfavourable’, driven grouse moors in nearby Lammermuir and Moorfoot hills boast a healthy surplus.

Their plan is to discuss the potential for them to act as ‘donors’ to help re-boot the species where they were once a cherished part of the moorland fauna.

“Mountain hares were common when gamekeepers worked at Langholm. There is potential for a win-win, here, for returning lost species, for Reserve visitors to enjoy and for getting hares back to favourable conservation status in Scotland,” said Alex Hogg, Chairman of The Scottish Gamekeepers Association.

“There is a willingness for gamekeepers to discuss this with

the community group and we hope a virtual meeting can take place after they get their feet under the desk.

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“If all the tests can be met, we could see mountain hares back at Langholm. That would be a special achievement. If they were to re-

estate establish successfully, it could also have a longer term benefit as a food source for the golden eagles which have been reintroduced to the south of Scotland.”

“Research points to there being not enough recruitment, in

areas away from grouse moors, to sustain the species in the longer run. Rather than watch them die on our moors from disease, which is pointless, it makes sense to use the surplus to help the species recover.”

Haven leisure buildings for estates

Ellipse Fabrications Limited’s range of Haven Leisure Buildings – The Balder, The Greta and The Tees developed in response to an enquiry from the Country Landowners Association for those farmers wishing to diversify.

These are ideal for farmers and landowners who want to diversify, especially now that “staycations” are predicted to be the norm. “It’s not a shepherd’s hut and it’s not a glamping pod – it’s a unique product. The handcrafted outdoor accommodation, called the Haven, comes in three sizes.

They are fitted with all the mod cons. Word of mouth is helping to drive the business forward.

“We talk the same language as farmers. We understand them, and they understand us.” Being on wheels means they are classed as temporary structures and as such also may not require planning permission. They can be adapted to run off solar-powered batteries

or with bottled gas for the boiler to heat the water so other than a septic tank are easy to set up. The leisure buildings benefit from being well-insulated and offer cool conditions in the summer and warm temperatures in the winter. The Haven range offers many benefits and practicalities whilst being different to the ‘norm’, these may be the answer if you do not want to be the same as every other glamping site and would like to site them in a rural estate setting, for those discerning visitors wishing to get away from it all in and embrace nature.

Ellipse is now building larger deluxe lodges for the premium market… particularly with the holiday home/high end rental market in mind.

Please visit https:// ellipseleisurebuildings.co.uk/ and call 01833 630851 for the Haven Range of leisure buildings.

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.EW LAW ON LIVESTOCK WORRYING

By Emma Steel, Policy Adviser (Access) at Scottish Land & Estates Farmers across Scotland are only too well aware of the damage and pain that livestock worrying can cause and after much campaigning with other rural organisations, Scottish Land & Estates is pleased that the first steps have been taken by MSPs to enact tougher legislation on this matter.

A new Bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament by Emma Harper MSP could become law by the summer if it progresses through parliament in the coming months.

The proposed legislation has various elements to it, with increased fines and prison sentences available for dog owners who are found guilty of a livestock worrying offence. It would also allow the courts to ban a convicted person from owning a dog or allowing their dog to go on agricultural land.

Rural and outdoor organisations, government, police and others have put substantial effort and resources into increasing awareness of dog attacks on livestock in an attempt to reduce the number of incidents. Yet, recent figures from Police Scotland show that from April 2019 to March 2020, 265 incidents of livestock attacks were reported - with evidence to

suggest significant underreporting where incidents are not escalated to police.

Whilst we hope this Bill will eventually become law in the next few months, one matter that still needs to be addressed is compensation for farmers whose livestock is attacked. The government has said there are sufficient compensation mechanisms available, which we believe is true, but uptake has been patchy at best.

Scottish Government research found that on average, each incident costs the farmer just under £700. More extreme cases can cost thousands.

Additionally, there is a time cost involved when responding to incidents.

More needs to be done by government and related agencies to ensure compensation is easily available and we all need to work within the rural sector to then increase awareness of how claims can be made.

The effects of livestock worrying on farmers cannot be underestimated and we believe new legislation and greater awareness is helpful for all involved. As the Bill moves on, we hope it will soon enter the statute book and go some way to reducing the number of attacks we see going forward – something which is long overdue.

For more information www.scottishlandandestates.co.uk Telephone : 0131 653 5400

estate Highland Perthshire gives hope for disappearing kestrels A wildlife rich stretch of Highland Perthshire is providing fresh hope for the embattled kestrel, with monitors observing trend bucking chick production spanning almost 20 years.

Recent national trends were published highlighting an alarming rate of decline for a favourite farmland bird, once commonly seen from roadsides, hovering above its prey.

Data sourced from studies by the BTO, RSPB and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee showed kestrel numbers have declined 82% between 1994 and 2019.

It is now being mooted as a species requiring concerted conservation attention in Britain.

However, those alarming declines have come as a surprise to land managers in Highland Perthshire, who have been welcoming the amber-listed raptor in good number for decades.

And their observational knowledge has been backed by a registered ornithological monitor who has been watching owls and kestrels on a stretch of ground taking in Glen Cochil, Glen Quaich and the Sma’ Glen, for 20 years.

The area is managed by working farmers and grouse moor gamekeepers and is a hotspot for short and long eared owls, barn owls and the declining kestrel.

It has also been acknowledged

by Scottish Government’s nature advisers, Nature Scot, as ‘nationally important’ for holding populations of declining red and amber listed wading birds.

Neil Morrison, who has rung birds in the locations for 17 years, says the area has maintained its kestrel populations in that time, with nesting sites spread throughout.

Wild Wales Seeds celebrates its first anniversary following successful lockdown launch Launching a business in lockdown may sound like a challenge, but Rhys Jenkins, founder of Wild Wales Seeds, is delighted with how his business has grown during the company’s first year and even credits lockdown with driving demand for seeds as more people focus on their gardens.

Wild Wales Seeds is based in the Vale of Glamorgan. It

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Furthermore, abundant food supply means that females have been recorded giving birth to consistently large broods, with five and six young recorded at the nests annually.

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produces seeds and sells them to a range of customers, from large organisations such as local authorities down to individuals looking to enhance their gardens.

The company is a first for Wales and has been welcomed because it has made it possible to source seeds locally rather than buying from large European producers.

Farmer Rhys Jenkins launched

estate the company in March last year after learning that his family was set to lose much of the 250 acres in the Vale of Glamorgan that it has farmed for generations. The land is earmarked for development, and the family’s personally owned smallholding was not big enough to enable them to continue their farming business.

However, Jenkins was invited to take on the management of the nearby 350-acre Fonmon estate after the estate’s owner, Nigel Ford, heard of his plight. Rhys’ work now includes re-wilding the estate to create a beautiful environment for visitors and wildlife, and growing wildflowers for seeds. Wild Wales Seeds is the result. Its products include seed mixes for sports pitches, carnival sites, prettifying village greens, greening embankments and road verges and much more.

As well as selling seeds wholesale, the company sells to the public, with options ranging from beautiful wildflower mixes to grass seeds for perfect lawns. The company also has an educational focus and will soon launch ‘grow your own food’ kits for children which can be used to support education at home or in school.

Rhys Jenkins said: “We launched Wild Wales Seeds just as lockdown hit, so it was a worrying time at first, but we’ve been delighted with the response from customers. We have been inundated with messages from companies saying they will use us now; they are pleased they can now get seeds grown in Wales.

We’re enjoying serving a huge range of customers, big and small, and we enjoy working with them to create exactly what they need – for example, we recently created a mix that produces horse-friendly flowers for one customer.

“Lockdown has definitely boosted demand for our products as more people are focused on their homes and gardens. We’re looking to release more products over the coming months that will appeal to this market.

“I’d also like to say a huge thankyou to the farming community who have offered a lot of help and support in any way they can.”

Assessing ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ and why

By Dr Nick Hesford, Advisor, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Scotland The term ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ will be familiar to anyone involved in the land and wildlife management sector, and one that has gained increasing traction with policy makers in recent years. Broadly speaking, Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach to land management that leaves our wildlife and their habitats in a better state than before. This approach is at the heart of what the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) does - we have been at the forefront of promoting best practice game and wildlife management as a force for nature conservation and environmental improvement on farmland, woodland, moorland and wetland for over 80 years. Our aim? To produce a thriving countryside rich in game and wildlife.

Through our research, GWCT has demonstrated that good management of our natural environment can lead to significant knock-on benefits for a wide range of wildlife. From declining wading birds, like the lapwing and curlew, that benefit from the management of our upland estates, to improved species diversity in our lowlands as a result of habitat creation for pheasant and partridge releases, game management can deliver a net gain for biodiversity.

Nevertheless, bad wildlife and habitat management can negate the good work done by those ‘working

conservationists’, our private land managers who are pioneering wildlife-friendly management in a productive countryside.

Increasing concerns about the potential ecological consequences of how our countryside is managed means that there is, now more than ever, pressure on land and wildlife managers to demonstrate evidence of sound management – this is something we call ‘Best Practice with Proof’.

The GWCT now offers a Biodiversity Assessment Service to help farms, estates and land and wildlife managers to highlight where current management is benefitting biodiversity, identify where there is potential for negative impacts on wildlife, and help develop practical solutions and remedial actions that are sensitive to the needs of the land managers. Delivering Biodiversity Net Gain must work for the practitioner as much as it does for the politicians and conservation NGO’s.

We take a holistic view on assessing biodiversity, with each assessment tailored to the individual requirements of the farm, estate or shoot.

Our approach is to provide a qualitative ecological appraisal of habitats and their condition whilst assessing the various aspects of estate management, to identify areas of good practice and to make recommendations

for future improvements.

We first identify those species and habitats that are already supported by current management and then identify what wildlife could be encouraged through adopting small changes to management in the future.

As every estate or farm is different, so too does our level of input vary, from broad ecological appraisals to providing support with longterm biodiversity monitoring and habitat impact assessments. However, our aim in each case is to work with landowners and managers to provide evidence of good practice and to help to produce an action plan for future conservation management.

It is likely that future financial support for the land and wildlife management sector, whether in the form of public payments from Scottish Government, or from private investment, will be conditional on demonstrating the outcomes of good practice. In a climate where land and wildlife managers are facing increasing political pressure and opposition from stakeholders, Best Practice with Proof will have increasing relevance, and the ability to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain will be an essential element of future proofing within this sector.

For further information please contact Dr Nick Hesford: nhesford@gwct. org.uk.

forestry

Agroforestry in action

Phil Knott on his croft

Made in Britain

New programme to promote climate, nature and business benefits of farming with trees Soil Association Scotland has received funding for a new short programme to showcase the benefits of agroforestry – farming with trees - in Scotland.

Agroforestry in Action has received £30,000 from the Scottish Government’s Knowledge Transfer and Innovation (KTIF) fund to run a series of webinars and develop an online agroforestry hub of ‘how to’ resources. Scottish Forestry and the Woodland Trust are also contributing to the programme.

Programme lead Bruce Pearce, acting Senior Farming Programmes Manager at Soil Association Scotland, says agroforestry is key to a more sustainable future for agriculture.

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He says: “Agroforestry – by which we mean integrating trees into farming, according to the principle of the right tree in the right place – is a vital, viable way farmers can help us restore climate and nature, from the ground up.

“Trees can store carbon, improve soil health and biology, provide shelter and forage for livestock and wildlife, and give farmers additional income.

Through our Agroforestry in Action programme, we will share Scotland-specific best practice and resources and work with Woodland Trust Scotland and Scottish Forestry to enable more tree planting on farms.”

Crofter Phil Knott, who will be part of the first webinar, says he and partner Laura chose ten-acre Wildlife Croft on Skye five years ago because it had trees. They have since planted 3500 more, including fruit. “We wanted a protective space,” says Phil. “If you’re on the west coast, shelter – from the gales and salt winds is key for everything. It gives us more options for growing. The trees enrich the soil, through leaf litter, and they add to nutrient cycling, so day by day we know our soil is improving.” The croft already produces more apples than the family can eat, and Phil and Laura plan to eventually produce food to sell, including livestock and vegetables, once soil health and biodiversity are further established.

At the other end of the scale, Farmer Ambassador working with the Soil Association, Johnnie Balfour, manages 1350 hectares of mixed cereals and vegetables, pasture-fed beef cattle and forestry at AHDB Strategic Cereals Farm, Balbirnie Home Farms, in Fife. He already grazes cattle in trees, but will be planting an agroforestry orchard of 1500 fruit trees next winter, as part of an agroecological system.

“We are trying to integrate all of our enterprises,” he says, “so we’ll have arable and forestry together in the orchard. We have

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arable and livestock together, which means planting cover crops and grazing them, with livestock bringing fertility to the soil. With forestry and livestock together, the livestock help cycle the nutrients and the forestry brings shelter, shade and variety to their diets.

“We’re bringing everything together to get more from all of them, as polycultures work better than monocultures. More soil – we want to build it rather than mine it; more jobs – people and variety in what we’re doing; and more money – it’s the circular economy principle – to use waste from one process as feed for another, which lowers costs. For example, once we have the fruit trees, we’ll graze pigs through them, and they’ll eat the fallen fruits.”

“There is a tremendous appetite for tree planting on farms and crofts,” says Perthshire farmer Alan Bryce, who works as a farming advisor with Woodland Trust Scotland.

“Woodland Trust’s outreach staff are in high demand to give free advice and help accessing grants.

These webinars offer a great opportunity for people to find out more.”

Lyn White, Scottish Forestry’s Forestry and Farming Development Officer adds: “This project gives a great opportunity to highlight and discuss the multiple benefits that integrating trees on farms can bring for business and the wider environment – whether it be shelter for livestock, habitat for wildlife or helping to reduce a farm’s carbon footprint. Key to this is the right tree in the right place for the right reason.”

To attend an agroforestry webinar visit https://www. soilassociation.org/our-workin-scotland/scotland-farmingprogrammes/events/ Or to find out more visit w w w. s o i l a s s o c i a t i o n . o r g / agroforestryscotland

Travel Scotland

City Living and Farming Flourish in Aberdeen, the Granite City

by Janice Hopper

GREEN CITY For beautiful greenery, Aberdeen boasts park after park, and any visitor is recommended to drop by at least two or three during their stay. Duthie Park is home to the David Welch Botanic Garden, an indoor oasis with a fragrant mix of local and tropical flora.

Journey through time and around the world to its Temperate House, Corridor of Perfumes, Fern House, Victorian Corridor, Japanese Garden, Tropical House and Arid House. This floral paradise is named after the gardener who, not only put Aberdeen on the map with his award winning displays, but was headhunted by the Royal Family to work on the Royal Gardens. Duthie Park is also the starting point of the Deeside Way; 41 miles of converted railway track popular for cycling, walking and jogging.

Hazlehead Park is a wonderful mix of roses, sculptures and walking trails. Families head 104

Photograph by Kenny Lam

Having lifted the Britain in Bloom trophy over a dozen times, Aberdeen is a notably green city with a strong fishing and farming heritage. It’s home to SRUC Craibstone College and the inimitable Rowett Institute. BBC Scotland has its rural expertise based in the Granite City, where programmes such as Landward (Scotland’s national farming programme) and the greenfingered Beechgrove Garden are produced. The BBC Aberdeen team also filmed the observational documentary ‘The Mart’ at Thainstone, near Inverurie. As well as rural expertise, the city offers galleries, museums, fine dining and shopping, but the country vibe is never far away.

Seatonpark courtesy of VisitScotland

for its Pets Corner to meet alpacas, Kune Kune pigs, Shetland ponies, donkeys, fish, reptiles, meerkats and a huge Burmese python.

Johnston Gardens offers a lush hideaway in the west of the city. Cruickshank Botanic Garden is the living, breathing research garden of the University of Aberdeen, and a fantastic gateway into Old Aberdeen where it’s also possible to stroll around Seaton Park with its formal flower beds situated near the River Don and St Machar Cathedral.

Aberdeen also offers a surprising amount of forest walks and hills to conquer within the city boundary. Brimmond Hill is a very manageable summit.

Forest walks include the Den of Maidencraig with its picturesque waterfall, and Tyrebagger Forest complete with sculpture trail.

MEET THE ANIMALS For a direct farming experience there are a few options to consider. Wynford Farm is ideal for a family day out. In terms of animals, kids meet an array of

River Dee

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beasts, including exotic Chinese Water Dragons, meerkats, guinea pigs, animatronic dinosaurs and giant gnomes, alongside Mangalitza pigs, alpacas, goats and ferrets. Buy a bag of feed to

Travel Scotland nourish the sheep and goats, or feed the handsome stag and deer that nustle the fence awaiting nibbles and treats. An outdoor play area features pedal tractors, vintage tractors, digger and combine harvester, alongside traditional climbing frames, inflatable pillows and a zip-wire.

Animal handling sessions, farm safaris, and epic soft play were suspended during Covid-19, but will be reinstated as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Heading toward the sea is Doonies Farm. Covering 134 acres, it’s a member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and has been awarded ‘Approved Conservation Farm Park Status’.

Such farms aim to preserve rare or endangered native farm animals, increase their population, and educate visitors about these breeds.

Visitors carry bright coloured buckets of cabbage and carrots, to feed a mix of English Longhorn cattle, Tamworth and Oxford Sandy and Black pigs, a variety of poultry, Clydesdale horses, Golden Guernsey goats, an array of sheep, and Eriskay ponies, which are apparently more rare than pandas.

Doonies also has a hilltop adventure playground where children play as the sea glistens in the distance. Take time to request access to the farm freezer room, where Doonies sells seasonal Portland lamb, Oxford Sandy and Black pork, and English Longhorn beef that’s hung for 21 days.

Footdee

Wynford Farm

If the harvest of the sea piques interest then discover Aberdeen’s whaling history at the free Maritime Museum. In fair weather take a wander round the traditional fishing village of Footdee. It’s a truly unique spot as many homes are sold with their own outhouse, used in the past for storing and maintaining fishing paraphernalia. Today, these outhouses are decorated in colourful and idiosyncratic ways by their individual owners - from Scandi chic to meerkat magic. The village is also a great starting point for a walk along the sweeping golden sands of Aberdeen beach. For dolphin spotting, drive to the southern side of Aberdeen harbour to the Torry Battery and Girdleness Lighthouse, a renowned local hotspot for wildlife spotting.

FOOD & DRINK For a taste of rural life, Mackie’s is one of the best known local farming families. This dairy empire is known for ice-cream, chocolate and crisps. In the centre of Aberdeen, located in the new Marischal Square centre, is their ice cream parlour, Mackies 19.2, so called because it’s 19.2 miles from their 1600 acre farm in Westertown, Aberdeenshire. The farm refers to its ‘Sky to Scoop’ process for ice cream production, where ‘the wind provides power for the farm that grows the crops to feed the cows who make the milk and cream to make the ice cream’. The parlour offers traditional classics through to quirky local ice creams, such as ‘Buttery & Jam’ flavour.

Other foodie pitstops to recommend include Herd’s butchers, Haig’s Food Hall, Chattan Quality Meats, JK Fine Foods and the Hammerton Store for a mix of quality food and drink. Alternatively, nip out to Meet the Meat in Cove, which offers craft butchery and local produce, alongside ‘Fine DineIn’ options, and family packs of meals and meat that can be ordered online.

In terms of markets, when Covid allows, the Belmont Street Farmers Market is held on the last Saturday of every month from 9.00am-3.00pm, and the Thistle Street Market takes place on the second Saturday of every month from 10.00am-

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3.00pm. Anyone staying in selfcatering accommodation has ample choice when it comes to buying and preparing food fresh from local farmers.

ACCOMMODATION Within Aberdeen city there’s a selection of accommodation in a relatively rural setting, if you wish to enjoy those country vibes. The Marcliffe at Pitfodels is a five star country house hotel with an excellent menu.

Its Russian Red King crab and North Sea langoustines are stand out signature dishes. The cellar stocks over 400 wines, and the Drawing Room bar holds over one hundred malt whiskies. Norwood Hall Hotel, built in 1881, has such beautiful interiors it’s a popular wedding destination. Outside, guests can enjoy seven acres of private gardens. Alternatively, for those who’d prefer smart city living, then simply step off the train into the historic Station Hotel, which was recently refurbished to a tune of £5 million. Its High Tea, served between 2.00-6.00pm, is a traditional indulgence the Station Hotel is thankfully keeping alive.

From high tea, honey and hills, to ponies, dolphins and fisherfolk, Aberdeen is a wonderful blend of city, coast and country. And don’t forget the beautiful granite!

[Check all locations and attractions for Covid restrictions before setting off.]

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Beatha an eilean

A’ Gabhail Cunntas Sgrìobhadair Bill Barron CEO, Coimisean na Croitearachd Tha còig prìomh chinn-uidhe Coimisean na Croitearachd air am mìneachadh sa Phlana Chorporra againn, agus choinnich na Coimiseanairean air a’ mhìos seo gus cunntas a ghabhail air ar n-adhartas agus na prìomhachasan mu choinneamh na bliadhna ri teachd a chur an òrdugh. Is iad còig chinn-uidhe a’ Choimisein, gu bheil croitean air an gabhail ’s air an ruith; gu bheil fearann ionaltraidh air a riaghladh; gu bheil riaghladh cothromach agus èifeachdach; gu bheil àm teachdail do chroitearachd a’ faotainn taic tro chonaltradh le càch; agus gu bheil ar sgioba-obrach agus ar pròiseasan riaghlaidh den chàileachd as àirde.

Tha an obair an lùib dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil croitean air an gabhail ’s air an ruith, glè chudromach don Bhòrd Choimiseanairean làithreach againn, mar a tha an Neachgairm, Rod MacCoinnich, air a dhaingneachadh ann an artaigilean eile san fhoillseachadh seo. Ann an 2018, leudaich sinn obair ar sgioba Còmhnaidheachd is Cleachdadh Fearainn a bhios a’ conaltradh ri croitearan a tha aithnichte a bhith ann am briseadh dhleastanasan.

Thar na dà bhliadhna às dèidh sin, chaidh fuasgladh fhaotainn air còrr is 200 briseadh dleastanais, ach tha fios againn gu bheil feum air mòran a bharrachd a dhèanamh, agus mar sin meudaichidh sinn an sgioba Còmhnaidheachd is Cleachdadh Fearainn sa bhliadhna a tha romhainn. Bidh iad a’ cur fios gu cuid dhiubhsan nach do thill am foirm cunntais; croitearan seilbhe a thuilleadh air luchd-gabhail a tha ann am briseadh dleastanais; agus iadsan a tha a’ còmhnaidh ach nach 106

Sheep above loch broom

eil a’ cur na croite aca gu feum.

Bidh sinn cuideachd a’ leasachadh na comhairle a bhios sinn a’ toirt do chroitearan a thaobh dleastanasan, planadh leantainneachd, agus na roghainnean a tha fosgailte dhaibh ma tha duilgheadas ann.

Tha an obair ionaltraidh air leudachadh cuideachd thar nam bliadhnaichean mu dheireadh, le oidhirpean air an àireamh de chomataidhean ann an dreuchd a mheudachadh, agus comhairle ga thoirt dhaibh mu na riatanasan a thaobh riaghladh air fearann ionaltraidh. An dèidh mòran bhliadhnaichean de chrìonadh, chunnaic 2019 meudachadh de 18% san àireimh de chomataidhean ionaltraidh; ann an 2020, rinn sinn e cho furasta

’s a ghabhas do chomataidhean ionaltraidh leantainn ann an dreuchd a dh’aindeoin buadhan covid-19, agus chan eil an àireamh ann an dreuchd air a dhol sìos ach beagan.

Tha an sgioba as motha againn a’ leantainn air adhart a’ cuimseachadh air làimhseachadh thagraidhean riaghlaidh, agus tha sinn air obrachadh glè chruaidh air gach taobh den phròiseas seo a leasachadh. Tha an sgioba obair-cùise a’ faotainn taic bho cho-obraichean ann an Taic Laghail is Riaghlaidh a bhios a’ cumail sùil air a’ phròiseas chodhùnaidhean – gu h-àraid a thaobh thagraidhean a tha connspaideach no fo dheasbad. Tha na cùisean sin an-còmhnaidh air an co-

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dhùnadh leis na Coimiseanairean fhèin. Tha riaghladh croitearachd toinnte, agus gabhaidh barrachd a dhèanamh an-còmhnaidh gus ar dòigh coileanaidh air a leasachadh.

Bidh sinn a’ gabhail gu tromchuiseach ri draghan sam bith a chuirear an cèill, ach tha sinn air ar misneachadh leis an aisfhiosrachadh dheimhinneach a bhios sinn a’ faighinn bho mhòran chroitearan aig co-dhùnadh na cùise aca.

Tha an Coimisean a’ rùnachadh a dhol seachad air riaghailtean agus a bhith ag obair le càch gus àm teachdail làidir a dhèanamh cinnteach do chroitearachd. Tha e deatamach gun cùm sinn a’ conaltradh ri croitearan ann an deasbad fhosgailte mun àm ri teachd.

Sna bliadhnaichean a dh’fhalbh, tha Coimiseanairean agus luchdobrach air mòran fhèilltean àiteachais agus choinneamhan poblach a fhrithealadh, air aoigheachd bhuainn fhìn no càch. Bha e glè mhì-fhortanach nach robh an seòrsa conaltraidh seo comasach ann an 2020, ach tha sinn a’ lorg dhòighean ùra air ceanglaichean a chumail – mar eisimpleir, tha coinneamhan Bùird a-nis gan cumail air-loidhne agus tha seo a’ ciallachadh gu bheil e comasach do mhòran a bharrachd dhaoine am frithealadh. Sa bhliadhna a tha ri teachd, fosglaidh fastadh air oifigearan ùra Coimisean na Croitearachd sna h-Eileanan an Iar sianalan conaltraidh ùra eadar an Coimisean agus na sgìrean croitearachd sin.

Tha sinn air deagh adhartas a dhèanamh, ach tha fios againn gu bheil cothroman leasachaidh ancòmhnaidh an làthair.

Don’t we all love Spring?

It gives us hope, it is full of energy, feels positive and is something to look forward to after the long dark of winter.

Springs gives us longer light, brighter, sunny days, birds singing, new plant life popping up and a noted increase in activity everywhere across the country. Of course, spring arrives at different times depending on where you live, and the further north you are the colder it is, and the longer it takes to appear.

The colder temperatures and harsh conditions change the way in which wildlife hunt for food, I find the winter months are an ideal time to spot wildlife, especially birds of prey like buzzards, owls, and kestrels. I love the chestnut brown colours of the kestrel and how well this small raptor stands out against a wintry landscape. There’s also something mysterious about Ravens, a huge crow (bigger than a Buzzard) with jet black feathers, is a stark contrast to the white snow.

Yet further south, tame ones are still present in the Tower of London.

One bird I have noticed in larger numbers than usual is

by Linda Mellor

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE the Heron. I am unsure why I’ve had more sightings of this bird but on one essential outing (while adhering to Government guidelines weekly shop) I spotted 4 Herons. I have never known such a high count. It’s not a bird I’m really familiar with or even a fan of seeing as they look like something left behind from Prehistoric times.

They are predators and have a wide and varied diet and, perhaps the most common scene people bring to mind if you mention a Heron, is their statue-like position on the edge of ponds. I have only ever had two interesting sightings of Herons. Last year I watched one being shadowed by a juvenile White-tailed Sea Eagle. They arrived at the same time, and wherever the Heron flew and hunted the Eagle followed behind. I must have watched

the unlikely pairing for over an hour. The Heron hunted the water-line of the loch and appeared to be unperturbed by its neighbour. The Eagle consistently kept a distance of about 20ft and didn’t take its eyes of the Heron.

When the Heron moved on, so did the Eagle. Was the Eagle planning on making the Heron its next meal? I had no idea; it was a bizarre situation watching two predators together like this. I asked one of the bird of prey experts in my network about the sighting, and he said the young Eagle may have been watching the Heron hunt and hoped to mug it for its catch.

The Heron was unsuccessful in catching anything, and both flew away down the loch, keeping their distance.

Another Heron sighting happened late last summer; it was perched on a rock by the side of a local burn. It stood perfectly still, with its long beak pointing into the water. I’m guessing here, but if you looked up from the water at the Heron’s slender frame and colour it would be perfectly camouflaged by the surrounding silver birch trees. The bird stood statue still then suddenly it pounced into the water and plucked out a large brown trout. It was an incredible feat! Within seconds the large fish, it was at least 7 inches, was deftly turned around and down the Heron’s throat and gone. It

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was an incredible sight to witness, for such a large, gangly bird to have moved so fast and catch the fish so quickly. Sadly, I didn’t get a decent picture of it because it all happened so fast and I wasn’t convinced it’d strike so lucky.

Change is happening all around us, nothing stays the same, doesn’t it? We should take more time to value the smaller stuff, enjoy and appreciate whatever that happens to be in our lives. In Scotland we are blessed with lots of flora and fauna, and you don’t have to live in the wilderness to enjoy wildlife sightings. There was a rise in the sale of trail cams: small cameras you position in your garden to record the visitors when you’re asleep. A friend of mine was convinced she had no wildlife in her town garden until she installed a trail camera. Within a week the camera had recorded a Fox, two Hedgehogs and an Owl. She decided to take a bigger interest in her garden life, and has widened her knowledge and read about the improvements she can make to her green space. She is planning on making her garden into a wildlife haven for humans and animals to frequent, and a flowery sanctuary for bees. It’s nice to hear wildlife benefiting from human interest.

Here’s my local wildlife, I’m not sure who is watching who!

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BOOK SERIALISATION

The Cairngorms One of our aircraft is missing Continuing our series of exclusive extracts from his book ‘The Cairngorms: A Secret History’. Patrick Baker looks at how air crashes have brought tragedy to the mountains reports of a crash-site. The aircraft and its crew, it seemed, had simply disappeared. It was not until eight months later that the fate of the Oxford eventually became known. Two hill-walkers discovered the plane’s wreckage and the remains of the five crew members, high on the summit plateau of Beinn a’ Bhuird. But the Oxford’s crash-site was no means unique. By the end of the war, the existence of aircraft wreckage in such high and remote settings throughout Britain had become tragically commonplace.

In 1943 alone, military crashes had accounted for the deaths of 571 aircrew on our mountains.

The numbers of crashes reduced dramatically in the years

immediately after the war but still remained a relatively common occurrence. Part of the reason lay in the absence of knowledge about the unique atmospheric conditions that are created among Britain’s mountainous areas.

Barely three years before the crash of the Oxford, another flight had crashed only a few miles away on the mountain’s south-facing ridge: a Wellington Mk Ia on a night navigation exercise from RAF Lossiemouth had flown into Beinn a’ Bhuird’s snow-covered slopes, apparently mistaking them for low cloud.

Tragically, but astonishingly, only two out of the seven airmen on board the Wellington died in the crash. And these were

Photograph by Alexander Reuss

On 14 January 1945, in the concluding months of World War Two, an Oxford MkI aeroplane of 311 Squadron took off from RAF Tain in Aberdeenshire.

The flight should have been uneventful and routine: a noncombat mission to an RAF base at Hornchurch in the south of England. Weather conditions were favourable – clear skies and low winds – and the crew consisted of five experienced airmen from the Free Czechoslovak Air Force. Yet the small training aircraft failed to reach its intended destination.

For many months afterwards its whereabouts remained a mystery. There were no records of the plane landing at an alternative airfield and there had been no

Ben Macdui from Breariach: During the war, planes crashed on both mountains.

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not isolated incidents in the Cairngorms. The upper reaches of Braeriach still harbour the remains of two wartime crashes, whilst the summit of Ben Macdui witnessed the crash of another training aeroplane on a non-combat mission in 1942, and more recently the mid-air collision of two United States F15 fighter-jets in 2001.

The more I researched the Cairngorm air crashes, however, the more I came to respect the aviation historians who visit crash sites and record their findings.

For most, their intention is not to plunder or trophy-hunt, but to chronicle and inform. To ensure that long after the wreckage had sintered into the mountains, a memory would be preserved, and that those who died would be not be forgotten.

Just like civilian mountain recues, the RAF’s mountain rescue service developed not from a centralised leadership structure but individual initiatives. Remarkably, until late in the Second World War there had been no official provision for the recovery of the hundreds of aircrew downed on Britain’s high ground. Instead, scratch teams were assembled from local RAF bases, comprised of ad hoc groups often pitifully ill-equipped for the task. Yet searching large areas of wild landscape for survivors, as well as the inevitable recovery of bodies and wreckage over long distances and hard terrain, turned out to be a highly specialist job.

The Oxford crash on Beinn a’ Bhuird was a case in point. Although there were no survivors, retrieving the bodies of the five airmen was a

BOOK SERIALISATION logistically complex and arduous undertaking. The whole operation lasted well over a week, required dozens of men and even involved the use of mules. It was, though, for precisely this type of incident, and the many others like it, that the RAF mountain rescue service was created.

By the early 1960s, mountain rescue in Britain had been radically transformed. In the Cairngorms, events such as the Oxford crash and many other aviation tragedies, as well as the Beinn a’ Bhuird avalanche of 1964, proved that a growing number of accidents in the range could no longer be resolved by self-reliance and impromptu rescue alone. The formation of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team (based in Aviemore) in 1963 and the Braemar Mountain Rescue Team in 1965 were the beginnings of a formalised response to accidents in the range.

With the help of a grid reference for the Oxford, and, more importantly, a GPS device, it wasn’t long before I spotted what I had been looking for. An out-of-place shape: thin, crooked and upright in form, dark against the near horizon. As I moved closer, the wreckage became clear. Scattered on open ground, beneath a low spine of rocks, I saw metal: shards, mostly, thin, insubstantial and pocket-sized, lying strewn across a broad area of grass and boulders. The debris had a strangely animal quality: brutal and immediate, remains showing traces of violence like the stripped carcase of a raptor’s quarry.

Within minutes of my arrival the sky had darkened. The light began closing in with all the murky speed of a midwinter’s evening.

Then snow fell faster and thicker.

Large wet flakes melted into my jacket as soon as they landed and I had the irrational feeling that my presence there had somehow been acknowledged.

I saw the engines last. Two large turbines lying face down within metres of each other.

Their outer casings had peeled off and the inner workings were visible, opened up to view like a mechanical dissection. Pipes

and tubing radiated outwards, forming a seven-pointed star with mountings of layered steel, placed in neat lines resembling gills. The metal inside was matt-grey and black with intricate mouldings and skeletal connections. It had remained eerily uncorroded, seemingly unaffected by the highaltitude extremities, as if only a few years old.

I wondered grimly at the engines’ placement. Such was their weight and their bulk that their present position must have been their original point of landing. They could not have moved since the crash – since the final moments of their halted momentum. The thought triggered in me a visceral reaction.

I felt suddenly nauseous, abruptly aware of the latent energy of the place.

After waiting months to find the Oxford, I ended up staying only minutes. The wreckage and its isolation were abject and somehow sacrosanct. Each footstep seemed like an intrusion of sorts and I suddenly felt compelled to leave.

As I walked away, I noticed a small plaque on a flat section of a nearby boulder, discreetly placed and facing out onto the remains

of the Oxford. ‘To commemorate the supreme sacrifice’ it read, ‘of those aircrew of the Royal Air Force and their allies of World War II and in subsequent years who were killed flying in these mountains.’ At the base of the boulder a small wooden cross had been placed unobtrusively and anonymously beneath the plaque. I had not seen another person in all the time that I had been on Beinn a’ Bhuird, but someone else had also made the same deliberate journey as me, and in that remote and isolated

place it seemed like a powerful act of remembrance.

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.

The two engines of the Oxford Mk 1 lie where it crashed in 1945 on a remote northern spur of Beinn a’ Bhuird

Looking south from Breariach. The upper reaches of Braeriach still harbour the remains of two wartime crashes

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COOKING with VENISON

Venison Sailor’s Stew

By Wendy Barrie Back in the day, ships sailed around the coast of Scandinavia – and even over the North Sea – trading all the way and crewed by considerable numbers hungry seamen! With sacks of roots on board, all they needed was a cow, sheep, deer, goat, whatever was available, to barter or buy, live, along the way, to be butchered on the ship. This sailor’s stew would cook away all day, allowing seamen to take a ladleful from the pan when they had a pause. Nutritious, filling and wholesome food, this is a popular family dish to this day and works very well for all of us working from home!

Photograph © Wendy Barrie

Ingredients: 600g venison haunch, cut in generous pieces A drizzle of Scottish rapeseed oil 1 large onion Sea salt & freshly milled pepper to taste 8 juniper berries, crushed 2 bay leaves A generous scatter of dried marjoram 1x500ml bottle dark ale 2 large carrots 8 medium potatoes 1 parsnip Cornflour (optional)

Method: s 0REPARE VEGETABLES BY WASHING PEELING AND CUTTING IN hearty chunks. s (EAT A DRIZZLE OF OIL IN A HEAVY BASED CASSEROLE AND seal venison to a rich brown on all sides. Add onion and sauté in the pan with the venison. s 3EASON AND SPICE THEN DEGLAZE THE PAN WITH THE BOTTLE of ale. Simmer with lid on for an hour or two before adding the root vegetables. (Simmer for 2 hours if using cheaper cuts of meat). Top up with a little water as required. Alternatively it can of course be cooked in a moderate oven. s /NCE THE VEGETABLES ARE ADDED CONTINUE COOKING FOR ANOTHER HOUR TO ABSORB THE mAVOURS AND CREATE A RICH mAVOURSOME stew. Add up to a dessertspoonful of cornflour blended in cold water if wished just before serving if you prefer a thicker gravy.

Bring to boil again for 2 minutes for the cornflour to cook out and thicken. s 3ERVE IN HEATED BOWLS WITH ELDERBERRY JELLY

Serves 4

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. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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machinery Spread-a-Bale launches Mini RB1.8 HD New compact solution for spreading high density big round bales A new compact self-loading straw spreading and feeding machine for six feet diameter, high density big round bales has been launched by Spread-a-Bale.

Called the Mini RB1.8 HD, the heavy duty machine will appeal to livestock farmers seeking solutions for straw spreading and haylage feeding, particularly for high density, compact bales resulting from being harvested in difficult conditions.

Extending Spread-a-Bale’s M series, the Mini RB1.8 HD which is both front and side mounted, requires two tonne lift capacity. Spreading distance is up to seven metres by a twin vertical rotor. The machine is hydraulically powered with

turbo manifold and requires a maximum 70 litres per minute.

For farmers feeding haylage, the Mini RB1.8 HD also provides the option to attach the Feed-aBale deflector to facilitate forage into troughs and mixer wagon and along fences.

Spread-a-Bale’s Michael Hughes comments: “The Mini RB1.8 HD is a welcome addition to Spread-a-Bale’s portfolio, enabling livestock farmers to efficiently spread the ubiquitous high density, hard bales harvested in wet weather, and which they are finding other spreaders, choppers and bale processors are struggling to manage. The Mini RB1.8 HD offers a heavy duty system with higher displacement hydraulic motors and higher torque capacity.”

He adds: “Similar to other Spread-a-Bale systems, the Mini RB1.8 HD will enable farmers

to make reductions in spreading time and labour, and equally important, make between 30% to 50% straw savings.”

The Air Compressor and Pressure Washer Specialists

Manufacturers and suppliers, W Bateman & Co has an enviable reputation for manufacturing and supplying both domestic and industrial pressure washers and air compressors.

Nationwide DELIVERY on all orders

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01772 862948 email: sales@bateman-sellarc.co.uk www.bateman-sellarc.co.uk

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Further information from Spread-a-Bale’s Michael Hughes on 07917 303535.

machinery The Steketee year in review The Dutch company Steketee has been part of the LEMKEN group since 2018, and a lot of work was done throughout the past year to keep up with the rising demand for weed control solutions. Steketee continued to grow in 2020 despite the corona pandemic, and the company recorded a sales growth of 30%.

Iljan Schouten, Steketee’s Managing Director, has a very positive outlook: “The trend towards integrated crop care is unstoppable. There is strong demand for hoeing machines, ridgers and band spraying implements for reducing the use of pesticides.” And the company’s order books are well filled for the 2021 spring season.

To meet this high demand, Steketee and LEMKEN have worked together to optimise processes and production in Stad aan’t Haringvliet. A new assembly

line for small implements is being set up, which will boost production capacities and most likely shorten delivery times.

The introduction of the two Professional and Individual product lines has made it easier to both create and process orders. The Professional line comprises of easily configurable hoeing machines for traditional row crops and row widths. “With the Individual line, we retain our ability to meet individual customer requests thanks to a wide range of available options.

There is a clear trend towards customers demanding greater efficacy with larger working widths, with the IC-Light camera control delivering very high precision”, explains Iljan Schouten. “This is where our 20 years of experience with camerasupported machine control really comes into its own.”

Last year, the company also worked intensively on its After-Sales. Spare parts are now documented in the Agroparts online portal and can be ordered from there. Both dealers and end customers can order parts via this portal, and all popular spare and wear parts are available for express overnight delivery from the central warehouse. “This ensures that our customers’ Steketee machines are up and

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running again as quickly as possible, wherever they are in the world,” says Leonard Mol, Steketee’s Head of Sales, adding that “demand from Central and Eastern European countries has been increasing substantially, in addition to demand in our established Western European markets.” Mechanical weed control solutions have started to attract considerable interest in these regions too.”

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machinery Case IH has further increased its UK dealer coverage

The appointment of Davidson Tractors Ltd, based in Dumfries and Galloway, extends the Case IH brand into South

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West Scotland while John Day Engineering will cover Berkshire, Southern Oxfordshire and surroundings; both locations

that were previously ‘open’ areas for the Case IH brand.

Charles Blessley, Marketing Manager at Case IH said: “We

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are extremely pleased to be growing the Case IH dealer network into new areas with these two appointments. Both

are long-established family businesses in strong mixed farming areas and are wellplaced to support the Case IH brand. These new dealerships, together with the addition of Cornwall Farm Machinery and Sharmans Agricultural Ltd in 2020, are helping us to expand our customer base in all corners of the UK, making our wide range of tractors and harvesting equipment available to even more farmers, contractors and municipal users.”

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 110 Next issue out May 2021

machinery Lynx announces arrival of new monster dyno The engine performance of some of the world’s biggest combines and tractors can now be accurately tested here in the UK thanks to the arrival of new EGGERS dynamometer technology at Lynx Engineering.

Lynx has added a mobile EGGERS 735 KW PT 501 G+ PTO brake dynamometer to its dyno range. Capable of accurately measuring and verifying the torque, power and performance of engines up to 1000hp, Lynx claims the new dyno could well be the most powerful of its type in the UK. This latest addition to the Lynx EGGERS range complements the mobile 600 KW PT 301 units which are designed for testing engines up to a maximum of 455hp for full-load curve testing

and 800hp for rapid testing – still more than enough power to test most tractors and harvesters.

Lynx is the sole UK importer of EGGERS dynamometers from Germany-based KL Maschinenbau, which specializes in the development and manufacture of dynamometers for agricultural machinery and engines. Dealers across the UK and Ireland can either book dyno tests to be conducted by a Lynx technician on the dealer’s premises, or dynamometers can be purchased through Lynx and, if necessary, supported with training.

As with other units in the EGGERS range, the PT 501 G+ measures torque and rotational speed separately. The generator, which is used to load the engine,

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machinery incorporates a hub to measure torque and a speed sensor to record revolutions per minute.

From these precisely measured values, the control electronics calculate the performance of the engine under test against the specified power profile.

Because the generator is used as a braking medium with the sole task of loading the engine and not for power measurement, any potential inaccuracies such as constantly changing efficiencies of the generator are eliminated.

One of the most important features of the EGGERS testing package resides within the system’s PowerControl software. Engine performance can be affected by the prevailing weather conditions. When the air temperature is colder, the engine performance will be higher.

This is because air density is higher at lower temperatures.

The PowerControl software compensates for this differential

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by controlling the delivery of an engine’s rated performance at an air intake temperature of 20°C and an air pressure of 1013 mbar. If the same power unit is

measured in colder conditions, say at a temperature of 5°C, the software back-calculates the performance to replicate the original testing parameters. This

makes it possible to compare two measurements from a single tractor or harvester, the first of which could be in summer and the second in winter.

Fast and precise with the Precea 6000 Amazone has extended the Precea family with a new 8-row machine.

The 3-point linkage mounted, high-speed precision air seeder with its over-pressure singling system is perfect for sowing row crops such as maize, soya, sunflowers, beet, rape or sorghum.

In future, the rigid Precea 6000 and the folding Precea 6000-2 will be available. Both models can be supplied either without under-root fertiliser application or, as the CC option, with a rear fertiliser tank.

The Precea 6000-2FCC offers

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machinery increased fertilisation efficiency by utilising the FTender front tank.

The 6 metre model will initially be available only in limited numbers for spring 2021.

The Precea 6000 is available in a rigid execution or, as the Precea 6000-2, with a folding

frame. The 8 to 9 singling units are arranged on a special carrying frame where, due to the profile of the rail, the units can be freely moved. This allows the operator to change the spacing for up to 12 rows depending on the level of equipment and the

seed requirements. Additional options, such as tractor wheel mark eradicators or a loading board to aid fertiliser filling, can be attached irrespective of the pre-set row spacing. The lifting power requirement is low owing to its short, compact design.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 110 Next issue out May 2021

Control your climate with CAB CLIMA The Corvus Terrain range of 4x4 utility vehicles was introduced in the UK in 2019. Since then the Terrain has gone from strength to strength to create a UTV that adapts to the user and their work environment. Corvus, Europe’s first manufacturer of 4x4 Side by Side vehicles, offers an efficient Yanmar Diesel engine, market-leading onboard storage capacity and a well-designed full cab option.

Now they have increased the Terrain’s comfort levels with the new CAB CLIMA package.

Starting from the current integrated system of doors, air conditioning and heating found on the Terrain DX4, CAB CLIMA improves the vehicle’s working conditions and comfort with a central console to control heat, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). Now you can carry out any task safely protected and isolated from the weather outside, all-year-round.

The air conditioning system with electronic control is simply operated through the central console with airflow control in three positions. There are front windscreen and anti-fogging diffusers to keep your forward vision clear and safe. With a total of eight diffusers, four of them are able to rotate through 360º. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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machinery CAB CLIMA joins the other Terrain high specification levels of full instrumentation, 3-cylinder 993cc Yanmar Diesel engine, which is Euro 6 compliant and gives excellent fuel efficiency and range, and homologation Type EU T1b.

Other standard equipment includes two adjustable seats, skid plate, 4x4/4x2 system, 2-point safety belt, adjustable suspension and 244-litre onboard storage with 450kg cargo box. Pro and cab packages are available together with a range of original manufacturer accessories. The Corvus Terrain models come with a 2-year warranty.

For more information about the Corvus Terrain range, you can call 01597 810188, E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk or visit www.bossorv.co.uk

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machinery Team Sprayers Celebrate 40 Year Anniversary British Sprayer company Team Sprayers celebrating this year as they reach a milestone anniversary on 15th January – 40 years of manufacturing at their Ely factory in Cambridgeshire.

Team Sprayers was established

by Bob Hubbard back in January 1981 after the closure of wellknown company Dorman sprayers.

A team of staff were recruited from the previous company bringing with them specialist skills and knowledge which were an essential building block for the newly founded company, one member of the original team still works for the business, stores manager Steve Whitehand. Utilising these skills combined with the 40

years’ experience has resulted in Team becoming a respected UK manufacturer supplying the Agricultural and Groundcare industries.

Teams agricultural range includes both tractor mounted and trailed sprayers, the mounted range tops out with the latest Arian 2 combining a maximum tank size of 1800L and vertical rear folding booms of up to 27m. The Leader trailed range goes up to 5000L and the latest 36m triple folding spray boom, all with optional GPS mapping combining nozzle control and boom levelling systems.

Managing Director Danny Hubbard said: “We have (continued on page 86)

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machinery experienced an increase in demand for our sprayers over recent years in both our agricultural and groundcare ranges which has led to investment and expansion of the factory building, firstly to increase our production facilities and secondly alter the flow through the factory to improve efficiencies, plus an increase in our outside yard space for testing and storage of the larger machines with plans to continue our expansion further over the next few years.

As a UK manufacturer with a majority customer base here in the UK we have always had the ability to react quickly, give realistic lead times and provide an unrivalled back-up service. We have been fortunate to be able to continue production through these difficult times but as for many businesses 2020 was a challenging year, with the uncertainty of the Brexit trade deal and the effect this could potentially have on our imports

and exports, then we were thrown the Covid 19 pandemic! Going into 2021 and our 40th year we are

hopeful that things will settle and we are looking forward to a ‘new normal’ whatever that may be. It

has been an incredible 40 years and I look forward to seeing what the business can achieve in the future”.

Extra power for new loadalls JCB is launching a new range of Loadall telescopic handlers featuring more powerful Euro Stage V emissions-compliant engines - and offering the unique DualTech Variable Transmission on additional models.

The award-winning transmission, which combines hydrostatic drive for low speeds and powershift mechanical direct drive at faster speeds for the ultimate in performance and versatility, is no longer reserved for the top-specification Series III Loadalls - making it accessible to more farmers and contractors.

It can now also be specified for AGRI Super versions, as well as the smallest full-size Loadall – the 532-60 – for the first time. (continued on page 124)

Old Glasgow Road, Kilwinning Ayrshire, Scotland, KA13 7QJ Tel: 01294 557835

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machinery JCB Agriculture Managing Director John Smith said: “DualTech VT has been immensely successful and popular in our top-spec agricultural Loadall and now we are making it more accessible to a wider range of farm businesses by adding it to the AGRI Super equipment package and to our 3.2 tonne, 6 metre 532-60 introduced in early 2020.

“User experience and data from our LiveLink telematics system has confirmed our view that this uniquely versatile and capable transmission increases productivity and improves fuel efficiency. It’s also a pleasure to use and really does offer the ‘best of both worlds’ characteristics of hydrostatic and powershift drive.”

The latest JCB Loadall handlers are powered by 4.8-litre JCB 448 DieselMAX engines with a compact package of exhaust aftertreatment technologies to meet EU Stage V emissions compliance and power outputs that relate to the AGRI, AGRI Super and AGRI Xtra specification levels.

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Wide range of Geringhoff headers enable Massey Ferguson combines to harvest a huge variety of crops Massey Ferguson is proud to announce the full range of Geringhoff headers is now available for use with its range of combine harvesters, following the signing of a collaboration agreement between AGCO and Geringhoff.

“Geringhoff is widely recognised as a leader in the design and manufacture of header technology,” says Thierry Lhotte, Vice President & Managing Director Massey Ferguson, Europe & Middle East. “Its comprehensive portfolio covers a wide range of headers, which makes it a perfect fit with Massey Ferguson’s

combine customers who harvest a vast range of crops across the globe.”

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These new headers join existing Massey Ferguson FreeFlow, PowerFlow and SuperFlow headers,

as well as the CornFlow range.

With this new collaboration, Massey Ferguson combine owners can now also order a Geringhoff header direct from their dealer.

Geringhoff’s extensive range includes headers designed and built specifically for harvesting a variety of crops including milo, sunflowers and corn (maize) headers that are equipped with or without stalk choppers. The German manufacturer also offers flexible draper headers and folding grain headers with fixed, or extendable, cutterbars.

“In terms of performance and capacity, Geringhoff products are a direct fit with the Massey Ferguson combine range, helping to deliver our maximum productivity and customer satisfaction goals,” adds Thierry Lhotte.

The new collaboration will also result in the development of innovative harvesting products that improve the efficiency and productivity for farmers around the world.

machinery Multicut 460 celebrates 20 years with ‘top spec’ Y20 special edition Europe’s leading producer of rotary mowers has unveiled a special model, marking the 20th birthday of the Multicut 460. The Spearhead Multicut 460 Y20 delivers the best-ever specification at a celebratory price.

Over 20 years, the Multicut 460 has gained worldwide fame as a robust and long-lasting flex wing mower. Machines are cutting grass across the globe, with Kenya recently seeing its first machine in action. Many organisations in agriculture, aviation, and the military favour Multicut.

Not only does the 460 save time behind the wheel it delivers

a superior cut. In farming, for example, dairy and meat yields can improve due to higher quality pasture.

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Presented in Y20 grey, the special edition model provides every possible feature at a price that rivals the standard 460 model.

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machinery New Website for Fleming Agri Fleming Agri have launched their new, updated websitewww.fleming-agri.com.

Due to the global pandemic, they were unable to attend trade shows this year so decided to update their website and make the products more accessible for dealers and customers.

The new website has a clear, engaging homepage with the 3 most popular sections easily accessible with clear buttons.

The products are split into their Compact range and Agricultural range for ease of access with relevant photos.

Fleming Agri also have a full drop-down product section which takes you straight to the product you require more information on.

The parts section is also easy to access from the homepage, with over 1200 parts available and many that are compatible with other brands as well. All parts can be ordered and paid for online for delivery. All parts books are available on our download section

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so you can be sure you are getting the right part.

They have launched a new merchandise section on their website as well, which is easily accessed under a products drop down menu. The merchandise can be ordered and processed

through the online store, similarly to the parts section.

The new find a dealer section now has a live map, showing Flemings’ full global network of dealers, with the option of getting directions to your nearest dealer.

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They have worked with a local web design company WebsiteNI to create an inventive, quality website, that clearly displays the product range to their different product groups. Flemings’ are very grateful for their hard work to turn our vision into reality.

finance

Old Heritage, New Branding Head of Agriculture at CYB talks about final transition of the heritage bank to the Virgin Money brand As Clydesdale Bank takes its final steps towards transitioning into the Virgin Money brand, Farming Scotland sits down with the Bank’s Head of Agriculture, Brian Richardson, to hear about the new future…

This is a significant moment for Clydesdale Bank. What are the main assets that this heritage farming institution is taking forward into the Virgin Money brand?

Financing farming and supporting agricultural businesses is what we do.

This wealth of agricultural experience grown from time spent in the field with our farmers is a huge asset. Our agricultural customers are a very high priority to the Bank, and this will remain so. Under the Virgin Money brand, we will build on these strong foundations to offer the same unrivalled service. With an almost 200 years heritage in farming, our regional and industry knowledge is unparalleled.

Farming families have banked with us for generations because they trust us to keep giving them the right guidance.

Despite the new name, our Agri team remains unchanged, so this is a huge strength to take forward, along with new innovative ideas.

What does the new branding mean for CYB, and what has been happening behind the scenes?

This is a long-term strategy.

We want to be first for farmers, driving a sustainable future for British agriculture. Considerable change is coming, and some is already here. From succession planning to sustainability, we recognise key shifts facing the sector and Virgin Money’s

agricultural offering – which is rooted in Clydesdale Bank’s’s first-hand experience, has financial solutions to support this.

Our team will be working with farmers to support their transition into the new era of farming. This next decade of opportunity comes at a time where we’ve experienced many great challenges. Facing these challenges means being adaptable to meet customers’ diversifying needs.

The new brand is all about evolution and looking to the future. With a background in arable, beef, sheep and dairy farming, our offerings are evolving to better suit the needs of the times, whether that be the digital future, productivity pressures, or sustainability.

That’s what the new Virgin Money means to us.

From your perspective, what’s to come for the farming sector and, in turn Virgin Money’s Agricultural team?

At the grassroots level– it is still about making sure farmers can keep feeding the nation with great produce. Issues around food security, local supply chains, and our place in the global market will develop, but these opportunities should not deter from commitments to the living environment.

To future-proof, we need to start planning and laying the groundwork now. There are lots of opportunities in the pipeline, with a growing role for projects that meet the industry’s Net Zero

Brian Richardson, Head of Agriculture at CYB

ambitions. We will be financing plans to get carbon down through sequestration, automation of feed, precision farming, and agri-tech.

We will work with customers to prepare for their future business needs across changing agricultural industry and consumer markets. Carbon audits

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will help famers find appropriate pathways to a more sustainable enterprises and our national Agricultural team will continue to develop and diversify their expertise in these areas. I have every confidence UK agriculture will adapt and change, and we look forward to Virgin Money playing its part.

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finance Farmers and crofters looking to create employment opportunities urged to look at apprenticeship fund NFU Scotland is urging all farmers and crofters looking at creating an employment opportunity to consider applying to the Apprenticeship Employer Grant (AEG) for support.

Recognising the severe impact of Covid-19 on the economy and the consequences this has had on unemployment and employment opportunities, the Scottish Government has increased support for apprenticeships through the AEG. The fund remains open until 25 March and is worth up to £5000 to an employer. More information is at: https://www. skillsdevelopmentscotland. co.uk/for-training-providers/ apprenticeship-employer-grantaeg/ NFU Scotland’s Vice President Charlie Adam said: “Taking on an apprentice is a sound investment in the future. If you are considering creating an employment opportunity, this grant could be the stimulus you need to go down that route.

“The funding covers all sectors in Scotland, is time limited (25 March deadline). To be clear, this offer is open to all and we urge those in the agricultural sector who are interested to act quickly as other industries with bigger employers and HR departments will make use of it.

“For those who have swithered about taking on an apprentice, or indeed upskilling an existing member of staff, please consider this attractive incentive.

“More information on apprenticeships is available from NFUS, Lantra, local College or training providers or any farmer who has previously supported a Modern Apprentice.”

THE-/.%9MAN Planning for tax rises and subsidy cuts

By Ian Craig Normally at this time I would be looking back on what the year has delivered, but last year was certainly been a strange one. There were many reasons for this, some coronavirus related and some not. The weather was far from ordinary with a very dry Spring and wet autumn, prices have been mixed, lockdown affected the demand for crops such as malting barley, while lamb and beef prices remained higher than most predicated, and many diversified businesses and agri-tourism have struggled where trading had been restricted.

Despite this, there were positive outcomes with consumers buying more UK fruit, meat, and vegetables direct from farmers and farm shops. Of course, the global pandemic was the focus of all our lives, but there was some humour and many acts of kindness along the way. One of the funnier moments was a bachelor client asking me what all the fuss about lockdown was. He had been self-isolating for years.

Now is a time to look forward rather than back.

There are changes coming down the farming road that will need careful negotiations. Our team at Azets speak to farmers throughout the UK and what many clients are asking about is the likelihood of future tax hikes and whether to pass on assets now. Nothing like the threat of tax rises to create real stimulus for action and gifting assets!

There is no doubt if you have a succession plan in place it would be prudent to get on and complete it now.

However, I am not sure tax is the biggest threat to UK agriculture just now. I am surprised at the lack of questions and concerns about both Brexit and changes to the subsidy system. These could have a far greater impact than potential tax rises and challenge the profitability of many farming businesses.

Speaking to my colleagues in England has provided an insight into the subsidy changes recently announced there.

The speed of change is dramatic. As an example, a farmer receiving Basic Payment income of

between £30,000 and £50,000 will expect to see a 55% reduction by 2024. We will certainly have a different system in Scotland and probably less severe. Regardless of this, be under no illusion that the area payment will reduce quickly, and the direction of travel is towards environmental subsidies and improvement schemes.

Farmers have been accustomed to changes in subsidy regime. Businesses will adapt, some will retire, some expand, and others diversify.

Most farm businesses will be constrained by one or more resources. You may be restricted by the land type or size, location, skill base or available finance.

Too often people resort to working harder and longer which never is a long-term solution. The key to any good business, regardless of sector or size, is good planning and the ability to change. Take this quieter period to think strategically about your farm and speak to your trusted advisor about a long-term plan which takes account of a reduced subsidy.

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.

It’s Sundowner time!

And so it continues. Our easy Tier 1 life in Dumfries and Galloway has gone and we are in the same boat as everyone else.

Moreover, it has finally hit the farming community very hard here. The summer shows have been cancelled again and it is difficult to find things to look forward to.

As you know, I walk every morning with my neighbour and our collies.

This is our way of looking forward day to day. This year we have decided to go through the 40 great walks in Dumfriesshire in a book that I found, starting with the local ones and have covered three so far. It is a great chance to see around where we live, something we’ve never taken the time to do before.

We have taken time to appreciate the geese, 35,000 of which flock to the Solway from Scandinavia every year. Barnacles are smaller than the other native geese and migratory so they leave again just as the swallows arrive.

Last Sunday, equipped with coffee and Baileys and the last of the Christmas chocolate for sustenance, we headed off to climb to Ward Law, near Caerlaverock Castle, where from the top, we

could see all the way to the Lake District, before finishing with a boardwalk through the bullrushes on the Solway merse. Just as we sat to finish the last our “coffee” before the home stretch, there was a bang like thunder. It wasn’t some cataclysmic reaction to someone being out during lockdown though, it was the collective sound from the wings of thousands of Barnacles lifting off together and doing a last soar around, before settling for the night. We sat and watched them mill around like giant starlings, while the huge golden sun dipped behind Criffel Hill and lit up the sky with blues and pinks.

I have been lucky enough to have enjoyed “sundowners” from America to Africa but nothing could hold a candle to having a sundowner with your mate on the Solway.

Having something to look forward to is a lifesaver!

This weekend, weather permitting we are looking forward to doing a walk from Annan Harbour, on Sunday, after having fish and chips from the van which is coming to the village on Saturday night!

The joys of country life!

There’s always something to look forward to.

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Southern Belle

-ARTIN +ENNEDY Highland Perthshire farmer Martin Kennedy has been elected the 63rd President of NFU Scotland.

Mr Kennedy, who has been a Vice President at the Union since 2017, now takes over one of the top jobs in Scottish agriculture.

The presidential position will be held by Mr Kennedy for two years and a President can serve a maximum of two consecutive two-year terms 0ETE 3MALL Well known face in the agricultural community, Pete Small has been appointed as the new area manager for Ringlink Scotland Ltd at their office in Cupar, Fife. Well known in farming circles throughout Fife and beyond, Pete has a lifetime of experience in the industry. Coming from a long line of farmers Pete grew up on the family farm near Leuchars and developed a wide range of experiences and skills since leaving Bell Baxter High School in the late 1970’s. #HARLIE ,ANE Merlo UK Limited are pleased to announce the appointment of Charlie Lane to the newly created position of Network Development Manager.

This new role is a further sign of the investment taking place at Merlo UK. Having committed strongly to the UK in recent years, Merlo has elected to continue to base all commercial operations within the UK including a fully stocked parts warehouse.

*OHN -ACRAE Landmark Systems, which joined forces with fellow software house Farmdata two years ago, has relocated Orkney born John Macrae to boost the level of Landmark’s sales consultancy and training in Scotland.

He joins colleagues George Paterson who heads up Landmark’s Scotland operation from the Aberdeen office, along with Allistair Gray, Landmark’s consultant covering the west of the country.

0AUL 3NEYD Paul Sneyd has been appointed as the new director of operations of the Hereford Cattle Society and will take on the role of managing the society and its office.

Paul said: “I am looking forward to getting my teeth into this role which has such scope and I relish the opportunity to work with an ambitious council and the wider membership, to grow and develop the society and Hereford cattle brand.

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THE BOOK SHELF The Last Man in Europe

By Dennis Glover

brought on a particularly bad bout of the illness. Many of the writer’s last months were spent undergoing experimental treatment in hospital near Glasgow and at ‘home’ in the bedroom of Barnhill on Jura, writing but often in great pain. Even when banned by doctors from returning to the island he made his way back to the place where he was known by his real name, Eric Blair ‘the gentleman crofter’. Glover captures

the man throughout his life – right up to his final moments, not on Jura but in University College Hospital, London.

The Last Man in Europe, a novel

by Dennis Glover (Polygon, £8.99 pbk) and Nineteen Eighty-Four, the Jura Edition, by George Orwell with an introduction by Alex Massie (Birlinn, £7.99 pbk) are published this month.

h#OW )N ! #RASH Helmet”

By Pauline Tucker

‘Started digging garden, i.e., breaking in the turf. Back-breaking work. Soil not only dry as a bone, but very stony. Nevertheless there was a little rain last night. As soon as I have a fair patch dug, shall stick in salad vegetables. This autumn shall put in bushes, rhubarb & fruit trees if possible, but it will need a very high & strong fence to keep the deer off them.’ That set the tone. Life at Barnhill was one of constant labour but Orwell, at least at first and while his health permitted it, threw himself into gardening and small-scale animal husbandry.

So Alex Massie introduces George Orwell’s first days at Barnhill on the Isle of Jura in a new ‘Jura Edition’ of Nineteen Eighty-Four, published this month by Birlinn along with The Last Man in Europe

by Dennis Glover, an enlightening, fictionalized biography of Orwell’s life-experience and his struggle against ill-health to complete the novel which would become his greatest work and one of the most significant novels of the century.

Nineteen Eighty-Four was first published in 1949, a year before the author’s death from tuberculosis and four years after the death of his 130

first wife. It was written in largepart on Jura. Suffering from TB, the respiratory scourge of the age, Orwell escaped the misery and poverty of post-war London, heading north to a remote croft where he could write and play host to those family and friends inclined to make the long journey from the south. Although he arrived in the coldest winter of the century, his time there was spent in a place described by Glover as ‘the freest place in Britain – a haven saturated by soft sunlight, bounded by the sea and the hills and the blue sky… he felt he had escaped, and perhaps more completely than at any other moment of his adult hood – that he was living inside his dream.

He wanted to stay like this forever, spinning out a present that had no future, drawing strength from the air and the sun and the land to continue writing his books as long as he could’.

But deteriorating health, biting winds and driving rain all took their toll. Life there was primitive.

Heat came in the form of burning peat and paraffin heaters. And one adventure in particular – when he nearly drowned in the Corryvreckan whirlpool – is thought to have

Myrtle, the Little Cow with Big Ideas, is so excited by the powerful motorbike whizzing past the farm gate she decides to get one of her own. She sets about earning the money by doing odd-jobs around the farm. Babysitting calves, seeing ducks across the road… that’s the easy bit. She attempts to ride it, with help from Tom the Sheepdog and the other animals, with varying levels of success! Add hanggliding and water-skiing to her adventures and you’ve got “Cow In A Crash Helmet”. Released at the end of 2020, it is available on-

line from Waterstones, hive.co.uk and Amazon, where it already has 5-star reviews. You can also read a sample on Google Books.

Children from 3 upwards love to listen to Myrtle’s escapades, and independent readers aged 6+ will enjoy reading the stories themselves.

Published by Onion Custard Kids, part of wordcatcher.com.

“Cow In A Crash Helmet” is available on-line from Waterstones, Foyles, hive.co.uk and Amazon, at a cost of £6.99.