Farming Scotland Magazine (July - August Edition 2020)

We salute all our farmers and agricultural workers for producing great food for our tables. THANK YOU.

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Combine Harvesters Telehandlers Young Crofters Arable Farm Trials Farm Security Topic Honey Bees Made in Scotland Scottish Heather Honey New to Market Ellipse Fabrications Ltd Farming Diversification Farmers of the Sea World Farming Coffee Production

Flavour of Scotland Crisps & Burgers!

Travel Scotland Staycations

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August 2020

Forestry s Beatha an Eilean s Scottish Country Life Women in Agriculture s Trainview Talk including our regular news sections and columns

contents

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Young Crofters Combine Harvesters Arable Farm Trials Telehandlers Clydesdale Horses

Crisps & Burgers!

TOPIC 20

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TRAINVIEW TALK

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73

Life on the Islands

With Linda Mellor

BOOK SERIAL

Heather Honey

FARMING DIVERSIFICATION Farmers of the Sea

WORLD FARMING 32

Diary by James Cameron

BEATHA AN EILEAN

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Staycations

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE

Honey Bees

MADE IN SCOTLAND 24

TRAVEL SCOTLAND

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FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND 16

31

25

MAIN FEATURES 22 26 34 39 60

August 2020

Coffee Production

Part 4 of ‘Into The Peatlands’

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE 76

With Nina Clancy

NEW TO MARKET

COOKING WITH HONEY

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Ellipse Fabrications Ltd

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

Honey Glazed Gammon

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

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NEWS AREAS

SUBSCRIPTIONS

6 18 33 38 53 59 61 63 65 68 78 80

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Arable Food Science & Technology Environment Livestock Dairy Sheep Pigs Estate Forestry Finance Machinery

COLUMNS 6 8 10 13 15 17 19 33 38 57 60 62 64 66 67 71 79 98 98

Editor’s Bit In my view R.S.A.B.I. Crofting Hutton Institute Scotland the Brand Farm Advisory Service Next Generation Farming for the Climate Quality Meat Scotland NFU Scotland NSA Scotland The Vet Scottish Land & Estates Southern Belle Conservation Matters The Money Man People on the Move Book Review

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

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NEXT ISSUE Out in September, featuring Ploughs, Grain Dryers, Muck Spreaders, Anaerobic Digestion, Animal Health and so much more.

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COVER IMAGE: Scottish Heather Honey

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

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

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arable & root crops New grass varieties from Barenbrug editor's bit

Betrayal on food standards?

Only a few months ago, I stated that I did not believe a single word that Boris Johnson uttered, particularly when he answered a question on maintaining the current UK food standards on imported farmed produce.

His answer of “Of course we will maintain high standards on imported products”, was then as it is now – not the same thing as retaining the same high standards – he spoke with a forked-tongue then, and he still does now.

But then to recently witness all six Scottish Tory MPs, who all represent farming communities, vote against retaining the current standards, was in my eyes, a disgraceful act of betrayal that may have some unforeseen and dreadful outcomes in the near future.

Again like Boris, these Tory MP’s have a reputation for this kind of thing no matter the damage to Scotland. Brexit being a case in point. In 2014, leaving the EU we were all told, would be a disaster for Scotland, and what did they all go on to do? – They all now support their Brexiteer leader with a slavish devotion to leaving the EU against the wishes of every single region in Scotland. So much for representation!

So on imported food standards, should farmers feel betrayed?

This is only my personal opinion, but I think all farmers in Scotland and throughout the whole of Britain should sense an act of betrayal here. After all, it is the Tory party who stand alone in this action, just as they did on Scotland being taken out of the EU. So what am I saying?

Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas, and perhaps neither should farmers!

Slàinte, Athole.

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Like breeding livestock, grass breeders spend a lot of time selecting parent plants to try to improve the next generation however the turn-around time is significantly longer for the plant breeders. From an initial cross to having cleaned, certified seed in a bag to help feed the nation can take up to 17 years!

Grass breeder Barenbrug UK Ltd, part of the international organisation The Royal Barenbrug Group have been breeding improved forage varieties in the UK for Scottish livestock producers since 1991. The new varieties are the result of a commercial partnership with the AgriFood and Biosciences Institute in Northern Ireland (AFBI), a programme which has seen over 50 varieties come to market.

2020 is a very exciting time for Barenbrug UK in Scotland with FOUR new varieties being added to the SRUC Grass and Clover Varieties for Scotland recommended list and soon, THREE recently listed varieties will be harvested for the first time for use on Barforage Grass Seed mixtures in 2021.

GALGORM – an intermediate diploid perennial ryegrass is another fantastic variety from the British breeding programme in Northern Ireland at AFBI. Galgorm is the highest yielding intermediate diploid available on the Scottish recommended

list performing very well under both cutting (16.52 t DM/ha/ annum yield potential) and grazing (11.36 t DM/ha/annum yield potential) management providing high yield of highquality forage and great ME yields.

BARIMAX – a tetraploid Italian ryegrass which performs very well throughout the year but has excellent mid and late season performance and excellent ME yields.

Barimax is the first Dutch, Barenbrug bred Italian ryegrass to be recommended 1st choice in Scotland with a total potential of over 16 T DM/ha/annum and excellent disease resistance for high quality, highly palatable forage. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

arable & root crops GRACEHILL – a late tetraploid perennial ryegrass, only officially listed in 2020 in both Scotland and England & Wales but a clear performer throughout its breeding and production timeline. Gracehill performs very well under both cutting and grazing management (15.5 t DM/ha/annum and 10.4 t DM/ha/annum respectively) with excellent spring growth making it a great choice for swards for early turnout or silage production. Quality and disease resistance are also high. Gracehill will also feature on the Republic of Ireland recommended list.

AFBI Grass Breeder Dr Gillian Young comments: “These varieties are excellent all-around performers across the season, producing high annual yields of good quality grass under both grazing and silage management.

Ballyvoy though, is particularly strong, topping its class for metabolizable energy yield per

hectare under silage management whilst Strangford contributes high forage yields under either management. Ballyvoy, Strangford and Gracehill are outstanding varieties that will no doubt feature strongly in both cutting and grazing mixtures well into the future.”

Regional Manager for Scotland Mhairi Dawson said “Its so great to see decades of work coming to fruition. We place a big emphasis on local breeding and production with a UK breeding programme and most of our forage grass crops grown by UK farmer, but the benefit of being part of a global organisation allows to use new technologies and genetics from across the globe. Almost 80% of Scotland’s agricultural area is grassland of one type or another and here at Barenbrug, we’re committed to helping our farmers feed the nation in as healthy, productive and profitable way as possible.”

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arable & root crops Wholecrop offers dual benefits to overcome forage shortages

In my view

By John Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Fife

Concern on imported food standards

With the exceptionally dry spring likely to have a knockon effect on forage supplies, harvesting cereals originally drilled for grain as wholecrop in the coming weeks could help ease future shortages.

So says Francis Dunne of Field Options, who points not only to the guarantee of filling clamps with a valuable primary feed source but also to the opportunity the earlier harvest creates for establishing following crops.

“Data from our grass mixture trials at Harper Adams University (HAU) shows a 37% drop in production during April and May relative to forecast,” he reports, “and that’s likely to be similar on farms in many areas.

“Whilst recent rainfall is welcome and is providing a much-needed boost to grass growth rates, there will inevitably be an impact on future forage supplies. Farmers need to think now about strategies that will compensate for the forage dry matter that has been lost from first and second cut silage crops.

“Where farms have their own cereal crops originally destined for grain and straw, there’s an easy option to go down the 8

wholecrop route. Alternatively, there may be arable farms in the area where the prospect of selling a standing cereal crop for wholecrop is good business, particularly where expectations for a grain and straw harvest are low following poor establishment conditions.

“In all cases, taking the cereal as wholecrop creates a far better window for sowing a following crop. Looking at past performance data from our HAU trials site, the best catch crop ryegrass has the potential to produce as much as 5 tonnes DM/ha as 25% dry matter silage by late September when sown following a July harvest. It will then produce a similar tonnage in early May the following year and remain productive throughout 2021, if required. In the case of the arable farmer, harvesting cereals as wholecrop provides more options within the cropping rotation and could create the opportunity for something like fodder rape or turnips as a break that can offer an income as winter sheep keep.

Crops such as this could produce over 2,000 lamb grazing days per hectare. At 50p/head/week this can generate £125/ha of supplementary income.”

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After several weeks where the main topic for the farming industry was understandably the implications of the Coronavirus for the industry as a whole and how we might begin to recover from the effect of this dreaded and unexpected disease, - we have now returned to discussions of an equally serious – if not so dramatic – matter of Brexit and the serious implications for the industry of new trade agreements.

Firstly in view of the acute pressure of time caused by Coronavirus to reach agreement on Brexit for implementation by the end of the year – I just cannot understand the Government’s reluctance to agree to an extension of these talks. It is becoming increasingly obvious to everyone that given the complexities of the situation it is now going to be well-nigh impossible – within the accepted time scale – to achieve an acceptable situation. The EU negotiators have offered to extend the time scale and it doesn’t seem to me to be a sign of ‘weakness’ to accept – rather the opposite!

The other area of concern I have is over the validity of the assurances we have had on the possible compromise on our food import standards.

I am aware of certain assurances we have had on this matter from UK Government. I have to say however that I have not had a satisfactory reply to the question – why – if the Government do not intend to compromise on import standards – why was there so much opposition to the very sensible amendment put forward by the extremely competent Government MP – Neil Parish to the Agricultural Bill? – which would have ensured that any compromise to import standards was not acceptable – especially as the majority of Scottish MPs who objected all have rural constituencies.

Secondly – which also alerted my fears – in a letter of 5th June headed ‘Food Standards and Future Trade Deal’ and signed by Elizabeth Truss MP – President of the Board of Trade and George Eustice MP – our DEFRA Secretary which said, and I quote “decisions on these standards are a matter for the UK and will be made separately from any trade agreement” – whatever that means!

I do think this is a matter where we have to have a crystal clear and unambiguous guarantee that there will be no lowering of our food import standards. But time will tell!

arable & root crops Taking an alternative approach to crops Experts are investigating ways to create new foods and related products from alternative crops to maximise the use of locally produced food and drink.

Specialists from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute are also looking at how to make the most of the natural environment to tackle global challenges.

This includes focusing on a range of crops, from those with a high nutrient or protein content and stable yields, to those which have a positive impact on soils and multiple uses.

Products under development include a seabuckthorn kefir and ginger beer and a nettle health drink, both of which utilise unwanted or invasive materials or crops.

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the insecurities

in some supply chains and food systems and the researchers are interested in the potential of supporting plant-based diets through a range of legume alternatives.

They are also looking at the possibility of using natural species and crops grown on marginal land – such as gorse, grass and clover – to extract protein, fibre and sugars for use in innovative food products, textiles and packaging, as well as the use of by-products from plants to create hydrogels that can be used in biomass for the controlled release of nutrients into the soil.

In addition, they are investigating research into plant extracts and co-products to develop foods with a positive impact on human health or which can prevent or manage chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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arable & root crops Strategic Potato Farm Scotland looks for solutions for the seed industry AHDB’s new host SPot farmer in Scotland, seed potato producer, Jim Reid, from Milton of Mathers farm, St Cyrus, north of Montrose, is aiming to find sustainable solutions for the seed potato industry.

Eric Anderson from Scottish Agronomy and Colin Herron from McCain will work alongside Jim and AHDB to support the project over the next four years. McCain has been involved with Scotland’s seed potato industry for more than 30 years and works with over 50 growers on a contract basis.

Jim farms alongside his brother Ron and father Curly and their mixed arable farm has around 80 hectares dedicated to potatoes. The Reid family has been supplying McCain since 1986 and all potato production at their farm is dedicated to providing seed to McCain. They are members of the seed ‘Safe Haven’ scheme, a farm assurance scheme aimed at providing practical prevention against potato ring rot and safeguarding the future of Britain’s potato industry.

#KeepTalking

RSABI Chair Ewan Pate

RSABI’s recent #KeepTalking campaign encouraged farmers and crofters to stay connected following the busyness of spring work, particularly with social gatherings like the Royal Highland Show unable to happen this year due to covid-19 restrictions.

Although the campaign officially finished on 21 June, the last day of what would have been the Royal Highland Show, the charity is continuing to encourage people in Scottish agriculture to make the time to talk.

This summer, many people will be missing out on annual social occasions like their local agricultural show or enjoying a catch up at the auction market.

RSABI Chair Ewan Pate explains: “We had a great response to our #KeepTalking campaign and the message about staying connected, talking to people and listening to each other remains important.

“This summer will be like no other, with the cancellation of shows and other events that are normally such a social highlight of the year for folk. It’s vital that we all take the time to connect with people, especially those who might be feeling a bit more isolated.

“If you’re feeling lonely, or need a bit of support, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and call RSABI. Our helpline is open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm.

“In recent months we’ve also increased the number of calls we’re making out to people. If you, or someone you know, would like a regular phone call from RSABI please do get in touch.

“And we’d like to thank everyone who helped make the #KeepTalking campaign a success, including Jim Smith who fronted the campaign, our auctioneer ambassadors from across the country and all the organisations who supported the campaign.

Please do keep talking.”

RSABI’s helpline – 0300 111 4166 – is open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm. The charity provides emotional, practical and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture.

Visit www.rsabi.org.uk to find out more.

If you would like to learn more about RSABI and the good work we do please contact the Development Officer in your area.

Also, look out for them contacting you!

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www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Call the helpline on 0300 111 4166

arable & root crops Planting at Milton of Mathers farm began in early May when Jim Reid and Eric Anderson, planted 29.5 hectares with CV Daisy in plots. Different levels of nitrogen have been applied and management strips on desiccation have also been planted along with cover crop strips to encourage biodiversity and natural predators to aphids. An area of spring barley has also been planted around the edge of the field to act as a purge area. This will encourage noncolonising aphids carrying PVY to feed on the cereal crops rather than spread the virus to the potato crop.

At Milton of Mathers farm, multiple studies on desiccation have been carried out over the last nine years, Jim Reid explains: “In the last decade we have been looking for a plan B for desiccation, we are happy to now have extra support from AHDB and we believe that with their

help, we will find a solution, we hope to learn as much as possible from this project and share it

with the rest of the industry.” As part of the desiccation trials that will be carried out at the farm,

different fertilising regimes will be compared as well as the impact of cultivations.

Norfolk farmer chooses Tong Caretaker to take care of valuable crop When second generation farmer Wayne Garrett, of Norfolk-based RG Produce, needed to upgrade his potato handling operations to meet ongoing market demands, he turned to Tong Engineering in order achieve increased capacity and unparalleled cleaning with the company’s flagship Caretaker mobile grader.

Currently farming over 1700 acres of arable crops on owned, rented and tenanted land, R G Produce grows 500 acres of potatoes destined for the Chip Shop trade. With equipment advances including increased automation and upgraded cleaning capabilities bringing potential for significant savings

in labour and costs, Mr Garrett decided to invest in the latest potato grading technologies to ensure maximum efficiencies when grading the company’s own crop, as well as progressing the company’s contract grading capabilities.

“Our old grading system has proved very reliable for many

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years, but the new equipment on the market is capable of cleaning and grading crop at much higher capacities, and notably with much greater efficiencies and better cleaning results in all conditions,” explains Mr Garrett. “In order to benefit from these advancements, we decided the time had come to upgrade our grader.”

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arable & root crops “Our initial search for a new grading system started at LAMMA in 2019, where we spoke to Tong and were not only very impressed with their knowledge and expertise in manufacturing proven cleaning and grading equipment, but we also wanted to buy a quality product from a British manufacturer who we knew had a heritage of reliability that we could rely on for many years to come,” said Mr Garret. “Generally, you only look to upgrade your grader every 20 years or so, so making the right decision and buying the right machine is really important.

We very quickly decided that Tong was the company, and the Caretaker with EasyClean was the machine for us.”

Featuring an 1800mm wide Infeed Hopper, the Caretaker grading system specified for R G Produce incorporates a 6-row model of Tong’s industry leading EasyClean separator, complete with full AutoTouch HMI control, for unrivalled cleaning and control in all conditions.

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www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

crofting The Brexit clouds are gathering

By Patrick Krause, Chief Executive, Scottish Crofting Federation The Covid-19 pandemic is uppermost in everyone’s minds but we must not take our eye off the Brexit ball. So much resource of the EU and UK governments is being taken up with fighting the pandemic that it is vanishingly unlikely a comprehensive trade deal between UK and EU can be concluded before the end of 2020, and impossible for the UK governments to develop robust contingency plans for an inevitable ‘no-deal’ crash out of the European Union. It is, therefore, essential that the UK government agrees to ask the EU for a 2 year extension to the transition period and industry representatives must lobby the government to do so.

Crofters and farmers will then be able to plan for 2021 and 2022 whereas, at the moment, we have no idea what rules will be in place for next year even, only 6 months away. This is too important, and affects the economic wellbeing of too many people, for the negotiations to be rushed to meet a selfimposed and arbitrary deadline.

Exports to the EU underpin the livestock trade and we currently have

exemplary high animal welfare, traceability and environmental standards.

This is not only good for consumer, animal and planet, but is our main selling point.

We should not reduce these standards or allow imports that do not conform to our standards. The implication is that we should continue to shadow EU standards if they change in the future and the UK should agree a tariff-free trade deal with the EU before negotiating with the USA or other non-EU countries, as they are likely to put pressure on our animal welfare and environmental standards.

Similarly, we would not want to see tariffs and quotas reduced for imports of lamb or beef which would undercut our high quality local produce. This would preclude trading off tariffs and quotas on beef and lamb for an attraction in another sector – remember what happened to our fisheries. Use of Protected Indicators (PGI, PDO and TSG – e.g. Scotch Lamb and Scotch Beef) and labelling should be maintained to support our industry. If the worse happens, we need a sustained campaign to buy Scottish, buy local.

www.crofting.org www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

arable & root crops A roaring success in Coupar Angus Winter oilseed rape variety Aspire established very well last autumn and roared away this spring too, reports Paul McLean who farms at Keillor Farm in Coupar Angus, Perthshire.

When making decisions on what OSR variety to grow, gross output figures are key for Mr McLean but this must be backed up with strong agronomic characteristics that suit his system and region, he notes.

Paul works closely with Nick Wallace of Nickerson seeds, the retail arm of breeders Limagrain UK, as he is familiar with the characteristics of his farm which is hilly and with a range of soil types ranging from loam to heavy clay at the bottom of the hill.

Talking to Nick and looking at the AHDB Recommended

2020 / 2021 List for the northern region, he decided to try a small area of the conventional Aspire.

“Aspire is a very high yielding conventional variety and is the only AHDB recommended conventional variety with TuYV resistance. Recommended last year, Aspire offers very high gross output for the east/west and north regions - as was proven in harvest 2019 with a UK gross output of 106%,” says Nick Wallace.

“It is short and stiff-stemmed and therefore easier to manage, add to this, its TuYV resistance, scott strong disease profile and the opportunity to early drill early, this agronomic package makes it a very farmer friendly variety.”

Nick reckons a lot of growers will be looking to target

that initial sowing window this coming season as they will be looking back over the past few years and will see the early drilling slot is often the goto, to avoid catchy weather patterns.

The rotation at Keillor Farm includes spring barley, wheat and potatoes, with oilseed rape being included after a five year gap.

Agronomy is provided by East of Scotland farmers who also do all of the spraying.

Brassicas to be focus of AHDB strategic centre in Scotland

East of Scotland Growers (ESG) has joined AHDB’s Farm Excellence programme as the new Strategic Centre for field vegetable crops - brassicas, in Scotland.

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A series of four trials will be conducted over the brassicagrowing season at ESG’s fields in Balmullo, Fife. The growerled trials will look at methods of preventing downy mildew in cauliflower and the impact of bio-stimulants on crop health and vigour. They will also look at herbicide screening pre and post-planting, as well as the use of herbicides that have shown

promise in AHDB’s SCEPTRE plus trials.

AHDB is working in partnership with farmer-owned cooperative East of Scotland Growers Ltd, who produce broccoli and cauliflower and Kettle Produce, who grow brussels sprouts and swedes, to carry out the trials. ADAS is the subcontractor in charge of the trials, which are being conducted by Oxford

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Agriculture Trials (OATS). NIAB is also a partner in the project.

James Rome, Agronomist at East of Scotland Growers, said: “We were keen to work with AHDB as we face different challenges in Scotland from other parts of the UK. We wanted to trial new approaches on our doorstep that can benefit local growers. The biggest trial we will be undertaking is for bio-stimulants. We need to

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arable & root crops adapt our conventional methods of growing to use these new products so we are less reliant on traditional chemistry. If we can produce a healthy plant from the start then we will have less problems with disease and pests.”

Alkalise spring barley in place of lost wheat

Livestock farmers who normally grow winter wheat as a feed crop for their cattle – but have different cereals in the ground this year – are being urged to consider post-harvest alkalisation to boost nutrient value.

FiveF Alka Limited says that alkalisation works just as well with any cereal crop – whether it be wheat, barley or oats.

“The mix of cereal crops in the ground is very different this year because of the very wet sowing season last season.

AHDB’s February 2020 Early Bird Survey (EBS) suggested the national wheat crop was down 17% but spring-sown barley is up 47%. There are more oats in the ground too with the survey suggesting a 26% increase in the acreage sown,” points out Rob Cockroft from FiveF Alka.

Mr Cockroft suggests that farmers growing spring barley for harvest later in the summer as a feed crop consider making Alkalage barley (from fully mature whole crop) or Alkagrain barley (from fully mature grain).

“The only difference between Alkawheat and Alkabarley is final feed nutrient value (see table), but even that can be equalised to a certain extent by using more Home n’ Dry on your barley – certainly to balance up the protein content,” he says.

New varieties launched by James Hutton Limited Raspberry Breeding Consortium

James Hutton Limited, the James Hutton Institute’s commercial subsidiary, is introducing three new raspberry varieties to soft fruit growers in 2020 including two primocanes, Lewis and Skye.

Plants are now available from RW Walpole and Genson BV in the EU, and from Global Plant Genetics and Meiosis in select territories outwith the EU. Lewis and Skye are the first primocane raspberry varieties to be released from the Raspberry Breeding Consortium, leading to a decision to break from the traditional ‘Glen’ prefix for Hutton bred raspberries and instead, the new primocanes take their name from Scottish islands.

The varieties were selected for release by the 2014-2019 tranche of the James Hutton Limited Raspberry Breeding Consortium; a partnership of marketing and grower groups, propagators, AHDB and Scottish Government, that funds this breeding

programme to create new, targeted raspberry varieties.

The 2020 releases have all been fast tracked due to both outstanding trial results for fruit quality, yield, flavour and size, and all-important retailer feedback.

Lewis crops in early autumn with similar picking dates to Polka and Imara. It produces very large, glossy fruit which deplugs easily, filling punnets quickly. Lewis’ brixo is high, leading to a sweet and aromatic vanilla flavour and the variety is very consistent in all aspects – fruit size, high yields and quality and especially in feedback. Lewis has always scored highly in tastings and retailer feedback has been excellent.

Skye is a doublecropping variety which shows consistent high quality in both summer and autumn crops. The autumn fruit starts picking between Kweli and Kwanza in trials at the James Hutton Institute and produces long straight cane which begins crops again

in early summer, producing large, sweet fruit with low acidity and notes of vanilla.

Like Lewis, Skye deplugs easily at a pink colour stage therefore has a high picking efficiency.

Speaking about her first primocane releases, soft fruit breeder Nikki Jennings says: “These varieties follow the trend towards sweeter raspberry varieties to better meet the tastes of modern consumers. They are also large in size and glossy in appearance, making them easy on the eye, a prerequisite of consumers and retailers alike. Growers will appreciate the improved picking efficiency of the primocanes with the combination of productivity and large fruit size that can be picked easily and quickly from the plant.”

To find out more about the new rasps, visit www. huttonltd.com.

Visit www.arablescotland. org.uk for more information.

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 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Stockists confirmed for crisps inspired by Scottish breakfast favourite The first crisps to be inspired

by Scotland’s famous Lorne “square” sausage will be available throughout the country following strong supermarket demand.

Mackie’s Crisps’ limitededition “lorne sausage and brown sauce” is the latest special launch from a brand that is developing a reputation for bringing Scotland’s proud food heritage to crisp fans.

It follows last winter’s hugely successful limited creation from its Perthshire-based makers, “haggis, neeps and tatties” - and has now hit the shelves, debuting in Scotmid stores throughout the country.

Just 150,000 of the 150g bags will be made, with listings also secured in Aldi from 29 June, Sainsbury’s from 08 July (as part of a bumper 12-week promotion), Tesco from 20 August and SPAR stores from later this week.

In addition, the brand has secured a listing with British Corner Shop – an online site that can ship worldwide – and means those throughout the UK can sample the evocative flavour.

Mackie’s hopes stockists’ appetite for its summer-special should see it reach more than £100,000 in retail sales – and the family-owned business will be keeping a close tabs on feedback from customers.

James Taylor, Commercial Director with Mackie’s Crisps, said: “We’re fiercely proud of our national dishes – and haggis aside – it’s hard to think of anything more symbolically Scottish than a lorne sausage.

“By having a number of the biggest retailers on board with our fun, ambitious new flavour, it should mean that anyone who wants to give them a try is able to.

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“During development, the lorne sausage and brown sauce flavour became an instant hit with all of our team.

“There is a lot of debate whether to call it a lorne or square sausage, but regardless the crisps really do taste like the real thing – and have a complex and satisfying taste. They might just make the perfect crisp butty!

“We’ll be very keen to hear feedback from end consumers and trade clients. We’re not ruling out the possibility that any of our limited-edition flavours could become permanent additions to our range.”

The new flavour is the direct successor to winter’s haggis, neeps and tatties flavour crisps.

They aren’t the firm’s first forays into seasonal runs, with its festive “pigs in blankets” and “turkey and stuffing” varieties reappearing in the shops each year.

Mackie’s at Taypack, which produces Mackie’s Crisps is based on a fourth-generation family farm. James Taylor helps to run the family-owned business with his father, Managing Director George Taylor.

The crisps brand and Mackie’s at Taypack as a business were launched in 2009 as the

result of a joint-venture between potato farmers the Taylor family and Aberdeenshire’s Mackie’s of Scotland, which is renowned for its ice cream and chocolate.

Its thick-cut and gently cooked potato crisps use the best varieties of crisping potatoes, grown on the farm, reflective of its “plough to pack” ethos.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

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FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Aldi teams up with Scottish chef Fraser Cameron to help customers ‘beef up’ their burgers at home

Scotland The Brand

Lambs to The Trade Deal Slaughter

By Ruth Watson

Are your lockdown meals lacking inspiration? Do you crave restaurant style cookery?

Well, you’re in luck because supermarket Aldi has teamed up with Scottish chef Fraser Cameron to celebrate the return of its sell-out Gourmet Galloway Beef Burger, with four new expertly crafted recipes to help you ‘beef up’ your burgers at home.

Made using prime cuts of Scotch Galloway Beef expertly seasoned for a deliciously meaty taste, the gluten free Gourmet Galloway Burgers have been created in partnership with Scotbeef and are available in Scottish stores now as a Special buy at Aldi’s everyday amazing prices; just £2.19 for a pack of two.

Galloway Cattle Society chef ambassador, Fraser Cameron, who usually works at The Globe Inn in Dumfries, has created four recipes for people to try at home.

Whether it is a healthy midweek meal, indulgent restaurant quality recipe, BBQ favourite or activity to keep the kids

entertained, Fraser has created something that everyone can enjoy and create easily at home.

Fraser Cameron said: “I love cooking with Galloway beef because it is such a prime local product. The flavour quality and character of the meat is second to none. The beef has a consistent marbling through it which creates this amazing flavour, and as a chef I can’t ask for any more than full on flavour!

“The inspiration for the burgers has come from a couple of places. The BBQ burger has been inspired by sunny afternoons enjoying BBQs with family and friends, the gourmet burger is similar to what we serve on the lunch menu at the restaurant. The monster kids burger is designed around maximum family fun – who says you shouldn’t play with your food?!”

The Special buy Gourmet Galloway Burger is on sale now and available from Aldi’s 91 Scottish stores for only £2.19 for a 340g pack containing two burgers.

Scotland’s international reputation as a producer of quality food and drink is worth many millions to our economy. The food standard laws guiding our farmers on environmental protection and animal welfare, the ground-breaking farm assurance scheme which is viewed with envy and admiration around the world blends with our landscape, our heritage to provide a destination people dream of visiting. Scotland’s brand is one which has an enviable pedigree, with our food and drink commanding premium prices. Research repeatedly shows how valuable our good name is for business, at home and abroad. This jewel in our crown is valued and protected by many but is facing threats on a number of levels.

People support what they value and they value what they know. Scottish produce has been losing visibility on our supermarket shelves for several years, from our famous Scottish raspberries marketed as

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‘Great British’ to Scotch Beef not even being stocked by some supermarkets. If we can’t see it, we can’t buy it.

Brand identity matters. It is why advertisers spend millions on slogans and logos which cement a product in our consciousness.

Add to this, we have the real and immediate threat to the very fabric of our rural economy as it becomes clear the Government at Westminster already is dismantling laws on food standards, farming practice, and more to enable Brexit trade deals. The reputation Scotland’s producers have earned as somewhere the food is safe and of the highest of standards is facing a devastating blow.

In benign times, Government could be viewed as the shepherd steering the sheep to fresh pastures. The caddy lamb trots eagerly to a familiar voice. The hill-wild ewe watches the dogs with suspicion. Scotland’s farmers face a stark choice. Run with the flock, or head to the hills.

Some journeys have no return.

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food

‘Five a day’ at risk under no-deal Brexit The UK faces a shortage of fruit and vegetables under a no-Brexit scenario unless new markets are found soon, experts at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have warned.

Cesar Revoredo-Giha and Montserrat Costa-Font, from SRUC’s Food Marketing Research team, said the coronavirus pandemic has already led to disruptions in the food chain, the increased cost of several fruit and vegetables and changes in the origin of foods.

However, in a blog, published by the London School of Economics and Political Science today, they said these problems would be exacerbated by the nodeal Brexit looming on the horizon.

They wrote: “Whilst Covid-19 has already had an impact on prices and imports, a no-deal Brexit may have far more severe effects on the food chain.”

They compared the price of 20 fruits and vegetables between March and April this year, and with the same months last year.

“Relative both to the previous month and last year (to consider potential seasonal effects), we can identify significant price differences,” they wrote.

“There was a product specific price increase of some vegetables, such as tomatoes, onions and mushrooms, which

are mainly sourced from the EU. When we look at fruits, oranges and pineapples are the fruits that have suffered the largest price increase.”

The researchers also looked at the origin of selected fruit and vegetables which have increased in price during the Covid-19 crisis.

They found there was a reduction in the quantity of EU imports for all the vegetables and fruits compared to the same period in the three previous years.

“We can conclude that small disruptions in the food chain may exert a very important effect on the prices and the source of the fruits and vegetables consumed in the UK,” they said.

While the focus of attention during the Covid-19 crisis has been on those products associated with panic buying such as dry pasta, canned food and toiletries, a no-deal Brexit would have a significant impact on the fresh food imports.

The UK imports more than half of the tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, mushrooms, peppers and lettuce it consumes, with between 75 to 100 per cent of these products imported from the EU in 2019.

The UK is also highly dependent on the European Union for imports of some fruits, such as apples berries and pears, with other fruits imported from both the EU and non-EU countries.

Food labelling fast track welcomed but it’s no excuse to drop standards, says RSPCA ‘Method of production’ labelling long overdue but must not be used to justify imports of animal products produced to standards illegal in UK The RSPCA has welcomed the government’s move to fast track a consultation on ‘method of production’ labelling on food, 18

but warns that it should not be used to justify the import of food produced to lower animal welfare standards.

Mandatory ‘method of production’ labelling will help inform shoppers in supermarkets about how the animals that produce their food have been

reared, giving more incentive and support to farmers to produce to higher welfare standards, but it will not stop the import of goods produced to lower welfare standards coming into the UK. The US has outlined its determination for a trade deal which could open the UK food

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market to products such as chlorinated chicken or hormonetreated beef and the RSPCA is urging the Government to turn its promises into action and commit to protecting animal welfare standards in these talks.

The UK currently has much higher standards than many non-

food EU countries with which it is seeking trade deals. For example, the USA permits the use of growth hormones in beef cattle, the use of conventional battery cages for laying hens in most States and the washing of chicken meat in chlorine - a food safety measure implemented due to more intensive rearing conditions. The USA also permits use of sow stalls in pig production, which causes severe welfare problems. All of these

practices are outlawed in the UK and the EU. “The UK currently bans products such as chlorinated chicken, hormone-treated beef or cruel farming practices like the conventional battery cage for egg production or pig sow stalls. Unless we uphold these standards, we face a race to the bottom, where price, not quality, influences what ends up on our supermarket shelves.

Quality Assured Scotch Brands Must be Protected in Post Brexit Deals It is essential that the Scottish red meat industry is provided with concrete assurances that our worldrenowned, whole-chain assured brands - Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork – will not be undercut by imported products produced to lower welfare and environmental standards, post-Brexit, says Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Chair, Kate Rowell.

Since 1996, Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb have held the coveted European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. Meanwhile, the Specially Selected Pork label ensures high welfare standards in pork production, with the Scottish SPCA inspecting each farm annually. “Scotland pioneered the way for whole-of-life and whole-ofsupply chain quality assurance meaning that the farm, the haulier, the auction mart, the feed merchant and the processor are all quality assured to high-quality production methods. “When you buy Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork, you can rest assured that you are buying a premium product, produced within one of the highest quality farm assurance

schemes in the world where animal welfare and wellbeing are of paramount importance with traceability from farm to fork,� said Mrs Rowell.

According to recent survey

by UNISON/Savanta ComRes more than four-fifths (81%) of the British public have concerns about meat quality standards being relaxed post-Brexit, and, with the recent food production amendments to the Agriculture Bill being defeated, many producers fear that their world-class product will be undercut with imports that don’t adhere to the same standards. “During an early Agriculture Public Bill Committee oral evidence hearing, QMS voiced concerns regarding imports entering our country which are produced to lower welfare and sustainability standards and the disastrous effect this would have on the Scottish red meat industry. “When the issue returned to the agenda in May, a proposed amendment to the Agriculture Bill failed in the House of Commons.

This amendment proposed that any trade agreement which allowed the import of agri-food products produced to lower standards than UK producers should not be ratified,� said Mrs Rowell.

Using Fermented Wholecrop Cereal to Top Up Forage Supplies

If you think you may be short of forage for the coming winter cutting and preserving a standing cereal crop to produce fermented wholecrop may be worth considering. It is a good bulk feed, can be baled, and can replace silage if necessary (may need additional protein depending on the stock to be fed) and it is ideal if you have undersown cereals. s $RY MATTER OF n s 4YPICAL -% n -* KG $- CRUDE protein. s #UT ABOUT WEEKS BEFORE normal harvest when the grain can easily be pressed and resemble soft cheddar cheese. s #AN BE BALED BUT BEING drier than grass silage and more susceptible to yeasts and moulds from aerobic spoilage, at least 6 layers of wrap are needed. s %NSURE CUTTING HEIGHT IS AT least 4 inches otherwise there is potential for soil contamination when baling. s 5SE A MOWER WITHOUT A conditioner (or turn down the mower conditioner) to avoid losses of grains from the head.

s ! VARIABLE CHAMBER BALER will help to produce tighter bales. s 5SING A WHOLECROP additive will help ensure a good fermentation and aid the keeping quality of the bale once it is opened and exposed to the air.

Advantages of Wholecrop s /NE CUT BULK s &LEXIBILITY s %ARLY HARVESTING FREEING up the field either for grazing if undersown or for putting in an early crop or catch crop. s 0ALATABLE AND CONSISTENT feed.

Disadvantages of Wholecrop s ,OW PROTEIN AND POOR source of minerals – needs to be balanced. s #AN BE DIFlCULT TO ACHIEVE good fermentation especially if it is dry additive needed. s !PPEALING TO VERMIN n birds and rodents. s ,OSS OF STRAW FOR BEDDING For more information about making and using fermented or cracked wholecrop and about its feed value go to www. fas.scot and search for ‘wholecrop’.

If you need help with emergency planning contact the FAS Helpline on 0300 323 0161 – they can arrange for 19 some free advice from a consultant.

topic Honeybees – The Farmer’s Flying Friends

By Alan Riach Honeybees have been busy in our meadows and hedgerows since time immemorial, busying themselves in their pollination tasks and reaping the plants gifts of nectar and pollen. Their activities are not always appreciated, but the world would be a rather poorly coloured and provisioned without them.

Honeybees are of course just one species of bee. In the UK there are about 24 species of bumblebee and a mighty 240 species of solitary bees (mason bees, leafcutters etc). The bumblebees are usually the most easily identified species, being quite large and furry and droning from flower to flower. Many of the solitary bees and indeed the honeybee are less colourful and thus less easy to identify.

Honeybees are the only species that has evolved the neat trick of being able to lay in stores for winter, (a trick that we humans have also managed, albeit we are latecomers to the scene – bees have been at it for about 35 million years) This enables them to take

Bee and strawberry flower

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a large population (typically 8 to 10 thousand) through the winter when it is too cold to fly and when there are no flowers anyway. This enables the honeybee colony to suddenly “switch on” when the flowers (sources of nectar and pollen), appear in spring. Backed up by all those foragers and nurses, the queen can start laying at typical rates of 1500 eggs per day, leading, 3 weeks later to 1500 new bees and next day another 1500 and so on.

The colony thus builds up to its summer high of 40 or 50 thousand bees very quickly. In the other bee species (& also in wasps), only the new queens survive over winter, they are the large bumbles (& large wasps) that you see in early spring. They collect food, start a nest and eventually produce a few dozen (smaller) workers. The bumble bee queen then stays in her nest and the smaller workers starts foraging. This leads to a slow build up, never achieving a population of much more than a thousand or so. If you want pollinators in quantity, the honeybee thus has a major advantage. Honeybees also

have an advantage in that they show plant loyalty, once they start foraging on a crop they tend to stick to that crop. This obviously is advantageous to the plant (and farmer), as the plant wants its pollen spread to other flowers of the same crop. A worker bee in a busy time may only have a foraging life of three or four weeks and so may only ever have foraged on one plant species.

It is estimated that about 30% of food in the human food chain has been facilitated by bees and other pollinators. All fruits and vegetables – in fact, all the good stuff. In countries such as America, where there are lots of Old World crops such as almonds, oranges, but no Old World pollinating insects, the dependency on honey bees is much higher. The Almond farms of California are 100% dependent on honeybee pollination needing about 3 to 4 million bee colonies (hives) shipped in every year from all over the States.

In Scotland, the role played by honeybees in pollination is much less visible, although those growing clover seed and Canola (Edible Oil Seed Rape double zero) do appreciate that bees have a role to play. Although Canola is a wind pollinated crop, additional pollination by bees increases the seed yield by hastening the completion of pollination, causing

Hives and apple trees

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the plant to switch its remaining energy from green growth to seed production. This is normally estimated to enhance seed yield by around 15%, depending on the crop variety. Agronomists recommend different crop varieties for different areas of the country. Ask your seed supplier if the Canola seeds being supplied are of a variety attractive to bees, in order to gain that bee-pollinated enhanced yield.. The honey produced by the bees depends very much on the plant which they have been visiting. Honey is predominately composed of the two simple sugars, fructose, and glucose with the additions of many magic bee enzymes. Glucose is less soluble than fructose and so honeys high in glucose tend to granulate (come out of solution) much quicker than honeys which are high in fructose. Canola honey has a high glucose content and thus must be extracted from the honeycombs, as soon as the bees have it fully dried and ripened.

Bees harvest nectar at up to 60% water content but they know as all good farmers do, that you must dry stuff to make it keep. They dry it down to 16 or 17% before capping the cells with wax lids. The drying is carried out by spreading the honey in thin films on the surfaces of empty cells and then wafting air over it with their wings, the

topic colony being able to create a continuous draft of air through the hive carrying the water vapour out through the entrance.

In the case of clover plants, honeybees are somewhat restricted to working wild while clover, because of tongue length. The purple New Zealand clovers have longer flower trumpets restricting the honeybee’s access to the nectaries, (the longer tongued bumble bees can access red clover). Please ensure that your seedsman can supply the white clovers suitable for honeybees.

Second cuts of New Zealand clover often have shorter flower trumpets and the honeybees can just about handle those.

There are of course other farmed crops pollinated by bees, field beans, raspberries (formerly an important honey

plant in Scotland}, borage, (valuable for pharmaceutical chemicals), phacelia (valuable cover crop) and apples (bees have a tremendous effect on the quality of apples due to achieving complete pollination).

Some of these crops are now being grown in “extended endrigs” in order to get a balance of rotation crops which satisfy the requirements of the single farm payment scheme. It would be good if these crops could be sown at a time which ensured flowering as early in the season as possible.

Hedgerows provide a huge amount of forage for bees (and birds) and where possible, please leave corners of flowering currant, hawthorn, blackthorn and other flowering plants. If you have non-cultivatable ground, whins (gorse) & broom are very

valuable sources of pollen for bees in the early spring. Gorse has an extended flowering season, as the old saying goes “When gorse id out of bloom, kissing’s out of season” Although we don’t tend to think of them as flowers, the largest flowering plants are hardwood trees; willow, sycamores, chestnuts, limes & of course fruit trees, provide serious amounts of nectar as well as enhancing farm properties by providing interest, shelter and shade.

The local beekeeping associations, of which there are 44 in Scotland affiliated to the Scottish Beekeepers Association run beginner courses for budding beekeepers and are always keen to welcome farming candidates.

You can also help beginners by

offering to host two or three hives on a sheltered corner of your farm (there’s sure to be a jar or two of honey available).

For your local beekeeping association see http://www. s c o t t i s h b e e k e e p e r s . o rg . u k / about/affiliated-beekeepingassociations You can also access some video clips about beekeeping in the Advice section of that website. There are also bee farmers in Scotland operating with much larger numbers of colonies see www.beefarmers. co.uk So when you’re choosing rotation crops, think about how you can help the bees and how they can help you achieve optimum yields and maximum diversity on the farm – they’ll be glad to be your busy flying helpers.

OSR in East Lothian

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YOUNG CROFTERS

Photo by Zev Robinson

Encouraging young crofters in Scotland The Rural Youth Project recently interviewed Donald MacKinnon: a young crofter based on the Isle of Lewis. At the age of 24, Donald balances his time between his role as Development Officer for a local Community Land Trust and tending to the family croft he has inherited. Here, he grazes his flock of sheep between shared common land and his croft land, producing store lambs and meat which he sells locally.

Donald MacKinnon

Donald describes crofting as; “a type of landholding which comes with certain rights and responsibilities which aim to protect both the land and the tenant. Tenant crofters have a right to fair rents, the security of long-term tenure and power to pass on this tenure. The responsibilities are that you have a duty to care for the land and cultivate your croft. You must also live within 20 miles of your croft - this is designed to stop people holding on to land when they’re not using it” The crofting counties in the north of Scotland include the former counties of Argyll, Caithness, Inverness, Ross & Cromarty, Sutherland, Orkney, and Shetland. According to Donald, “In Lewis crofts tend to vary from about three to ten acres but crofters usually have access to common land where they can graze their animals.

In my township, the common grazing land extends to about 1,600 hectares and is mostly used for sheep and cattle.”

Passionate and committed to crofting, Donald is also the Vice Chairman of The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF). The SCF is a small membership 22

organisation that evolved from The Scottish Crofters Union and is the only organisation that is solely dedicated to representing crofters and crofting interests.

Through his leadership role with SCF, Donald is an important mouthpiece for the crofting community, representing crofters and lobbying at Holyrood, Westminster, and European parliament level.

Donald emphasises, “we view it as very important that crofters have a voice at policy level.

There is always a risk that the bigger organisations take the government attention. It is vital we are accurately represented.”

Through the SCF, Donald also campaigns to make crofting more accessible to new entrants, and to make the grants available to support existing crofters, more accessible. For example, at present, Donald and his team at SCF are lobbying for a “bridging loan” to accompany the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS). Whilst the CAGS is undeniably an incredible opportunity for crofters - funding up to 80% towards a wide range of agricultural operations - in its’ current form the grant is paid retrospectively, requiring the

crofter to fit the initial bill. As Donald states, “It is such a good intervention and offers a great opportunity to kickstart your rural business but unfortunately it presents a huge cash flow issue for those who don’t have the capital – which is likely to be the case for many young crofters applying for the scheme.”

In terms of small scale food production, care for the environment and building thriving rural communities, Donald upholds that crofting is as relevant today as it ever has been: “The unique thing about crofting is that it has kept some of the most remote rural communities alive…I believe crofting has a key role in repopulating rural places”.

Donald highlights the benefits that crofting can bring to communities; “-crofting brings many benefits to rural communities including the availability of local food and maintaining beautiful landscapes but for me - people are the most valuable thing that crofting has to offer, I think that is the most important thing to help rural communities thrive.”

Donald believes that creative use of the crofting system could offer, “exciting opportunities around land reform and giving

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others access to land”. He also adds that although many crofters predominantly focus on rearing livestock, “there are countless innovative ways people are using crofts; from tourism, to beekeeping, to growing tea”.

Following his observations of shifting buying habits during the Covid 19 lockdown, Donald anticipates increased opportunities for crofters to respond to local food demand: “Those first few weeks of lockdown really showed how fragile our food supply chain is and the massive disconnect there is with where our food comes from. We saw a huge uptake in people wanting to buy local food. There is an increasing desire to know where our food comes from and to buy local; crofters are able to respond to this and quite quickly.”

Reflecting personally on his lockdown experience, Donald says; “It has reinforced that this is exactly what I want to be doing. Not only has it made me realise how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world, but also to have the sense of purpose that the croft gives us through looking after the land and the livestock.”

YOUNG CROFTERS Certainly, at what is for many of us is a moment to pause and reassess, the lifestyle that crofting affords could become increasingly attractive. Donald recognises, “there is already a real appetite for crofting as a lifestyle, with many young people aspiring to become crofters”.

Unfortunately, however, if you are not lucky enough to inherit or be gifted a croft, acquiring one is not that simple.

Donald outlines the major barriers to entry as “cost and availability”. He explains that, “you can’t get a bank loan on a croft, so you have to be a cash buyer – the cheapest crofts, without houses – are £15,000 to £20,000, so this prices most new entrants out”.

In terms of availability, Donald says, “there are a lot of crofts out there and a lot of land that is not actively being used but much of it is tied up with existing tenants”. Despite it being a key responsibility, Donald explains that, “The Crofting Commission who enforce this are underresourced and they’re not able to keep up with it – so the system doesn’t really work and it relies on the individual as to whether the croft is actively used and cared for.”

However, Donald is hopeful that through his work with the SCF, they can find solutions. He intends to lobby, “for the financial providers to lend on crofts” to overcome the financial barriers to crofting. To overcome the barrier to land access, Donald also suggests the idea of subletting crofts, “I am really keen to drive forward the potential to match new entrants with those who would like to sublet their croft to ensure its survival”. Importantly Donald adds, “this also presents a fantastic opportunity for intergenerational mentorship and skills exchange.”

Donald is committed to honouring the rich heritage of crofting, whilst creatively innovating to ensure its’ future: “Crofting is always evolving.

History has shown us it’s always adapted, and we shouldn’t be afraid to do that.”

Crofting on Lewis

View from the croft

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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.

A Taste of Heather Honey

By Wendy Barrie Scottish Thistle Award Regional Ambassador (2018/19) for Central, Tayside & Fife Director of Scottish Food Guide Honey, the incredible edible; pure alchemy and a real favourite in our kitchen. When it was still possible to carry sticky substances in hand luggage through airports, I often returned with a jar of local honey as it conveys such a sense of terroir: from the rape flower honey of Skåne to the rhododendron blossom of Italy. Each tells its own story and the range of flavours and characteristics are astounding. A brilliant bunch of Hawaiian foodies visited us last year bearing splendid gifts of honey from a selection of their exotic blossoms. But whether in the tropics or the poles, wherever you travel in the world, everyone has heard of Scottish heather honey and hold it in high esteem.

Honey is made from nectar gathered by honeybees and taken to their hive where workers store

Scottish Bee Company

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it along with enzymes. Over time, with some dehydration, this transforms into honey, giving us valuable natural sugars, vitamins and minerals…indeed one of the world’s superfoods. Honey has long been valued for its medicinal properties and indeed we are great believers in our house, using honey regularly for everything from cakes to dropped scones, glazed ham and game, lemon drinks and the occasional hot toddy! It is hard to believe that as recently as the 80’s honey was still considered by many as a mere sweetener, classified along with sugar!!

Bees are indispensible in the plant world for pollination, the continuation of biodiversity and indeed our very existence. Ignore them at your peril. Yet in our world of intensive farming and

pesticides, bees have not had it easy in recent times. Thanks to caring conservationists, sensitive gardeners and a re-emergence in beekeeping, life is looking rosier for the bees.

It is quite intoxicating to go walking through heather moors in full blossom with the heady scent of honey in the air. I have met tourists who have expressly planned their trip to Scotland to coincide with the heather blooming such is the power of this wonderful natural spectacle. Our heather moors are part of the North Atlantic Heather Heath that once existed from Portugal right up to northern Norway. The farther north one goes the more flavours there are in plants due to the increased daylight. Today, worldwide, almost 90% of this heather heath is gone

and the last place with a reasonable expanse still in existence is the British Isles, so this landscape is to be cherished.

Bell heather gives runny dark honey, and, whilst delicious as one element of the honey, it is the Ling that is the ultimate treasure, giving heather honey its globular nature, pure and thick. It needs great care during its production and the rich, dark, deep flavour is a sign of quality. So too is the flow test – heather honey will stay in its place for several moments before it slowly flows. Like the small air bubbles trapped in its molten gold, it is an indication of purity. All the honey producers here agreed that heather honey was their biggest seller and took great pride in its production.

Mark Noonan tending the bees at Heatherhills

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Here are five of Scotland’s best heather honeys…

Over on Colonsay, Andrew Abrahams uses Native Black Bees to make his Wildflower honey: totally unique, with a rich butterscotch colour, depth and spice.

Sold only on the island and by mail order, many of his customers are second generation and loyal to the core. In this world of mass production, honey is on Interpol’s list as one of the most adulterated and fraudulent food products, so it is good to know there is a growing awareness of quality and provenance with consumers prepared to pay that wee bit extra for it.

Like any natural product - an artisan cheese or a heritage breed - in the case of honey it will vary depending on weather variations affecting the flora, the bees and the skills of the honey producer.

Andrew’s bees are a rarity and so is their diet of island machair: a heady mix of up to 75% heather, both Bell and Ling, along with nectar from thousands of Hebridean wildflowers from all across the isle.

On mainland Scotland, native black bee populations can cross breed with European species and much of the landscape has changed due to larger farms and monocultures. Not so on Colonsay, where Andrew offers advice to many a novice beekeeper and indeed there is now a native black bee population on Barra where a group of ladies have started their own honey production.

John Anderson describes heather honey as ‘the Rolls Royce

Colonsay honey

of honey’ and no wonder. Based in rural Turiff, famed for the Turra Coo, John’s business is perfectly placed for harvesting nature’s bounty. John had been working in the grocery trade when, in the 70’s, he was approached to sell honey for a beekeeper. He quickly became hooked and by the early 80’s honey had become his stock and trade, beekeeping himself and building connections with local apiarists. This spring and summer he has had steady sales from jars he sells through local butchers and fishmongers as folk avoid multiples opting to shop local.

Back in the day there were many hives on estates and although most of those beekeepers are gone there is a revival with a new generation wishing to work with nature.

One such new generation is Suzie and Iain Millar who founded the Scottish Bee Company in 2017 when they returned to Scotland after a spell in Boston, USA, where they were strongly influenced by the ‘profits with purpose’ ethos taking hold at that time and were inspired to follow that path. Already committed to environmental issues, they had read an article on the health benefits of honey. The rest, as they say, is history. Initially they gave hives to micro businesses then bought back their honey at market price. They helped four start-ups as the initial investment for beekeeping can discourage many. To collaborate further with other bee farmers they are looking into a cooperative system going forward. The Scottish Bee Company’s heather honey has

become the first ever food product in the UK to be awarded the new British Standards Institution (BSI) Kitemark™ for Food Assurance.

Their ‘Scottishness’ is audited by geo-locations; the heather locations are obvious from the former but nevertheless pinpointed by lab analysis and the honey is lab tested and typed.

Suzie said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to be the first food product in the UK to have been awarded the new BSI Kitemark for Food Assurance. Provenance, purity, social responsibility and environmental sustainability is so important to us.’ Although the Millars are bringing other products online, honey remains their key business with a donation from every jar going to the charity they founded, RePollinate. With COVID, they quickly threw their energy into relaunching their website with positive results. They also have seen their sales in independent delis increase as delis come online creating a domino effect.

Hood’s honey bees harvest their nectar from the Ling heather up on the Lammermuirs as they have done for sixty years since Stuart’s father started the business.

Stuart likens heather honey to a peaty malt: if you love its character you will love its strength and richness forever as it’s a real specialty. His ethos is to keep his business small and manageable, tending for his bees the ‘oldfashioned’ way. Hoods has a strong presence in online sales and farm shops with a beautiful range

of candles, soaps and fragrances in addition to his honey.

2020 is the 75th anniversary of Heather Hills, founded by Athole Kirkwood who sadly passed away this year but the legend lives on with the Noonan brothers. Heather honey is their signature product however their jams are also a success story.

Blairgowrie is not only located on the edge of vast heather moorlands but also an epicentre for Scotland’s berry industry, a perfect place to start honey production and the reason their founder was drawn there in the 50’s. Useful entrepreneurial crosspollination among beekeepers and berry farmers continues to this day. Indeed an investigation showed that pollination over the ten berry farms in the region resulted in £2.5M to the economy.

Although Mark and his brother have currently lost the tourist outlet sales due to COVID, they have sufficiently diversified and are supplying farm shops and multiples along with steady exports to Japan and United States.

Producers: Colonsay Honey https://colonsay.org.uk/shops-food/ colonsay-honey Anderson’s Honey www.scottishhoney.com Scottish Bee Company https://www.scottishbeecompany.co.uk Hoods www.hoodshoney.com Heather Hills http://www. heatherhills.co.uk

Heather Hills ready to go....

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COMBINES

The big boys!

A brief look at combine harvesters available for this season

Axial-Flow from Case IH New for 2020, Case IH has introduced a 3050 grain header for its Axial-Flow combines. This 8.5m / 28ft header is ideal for those customers wanting to adopt an 8m controlled traffic farming strategy and has an actual cutting width of 8.5m to allow for small deviations in header movement.

Case IH make more combine headers than anyone else in the world and offer headers ranging from 4.88m to 12.5m(16ft-41ft) widths, allowing its combines to harvest 130 different crops.

The brand has been leading the way on harvesting technology since 1977, when the first rotary combine was launched. The brand offers three models in its 250 series (431-557 HP), plus

a further three in the 150 series (312-460 HP), all focused on harvest productivity.

The Axial-Flow 250 series made its debut on farms in the 2019 harvest, building on the machine’s track record of ‘reliability through simplicity’.

This simplicity can firstly be seen in the driveline which features fewer moving parts than a traditional combine. Here, a single rotor carries out all of the threshing and grain separation, meaning fewer belts than the competition, reduced parts wear, less downtime, and ultimately a lower cost of ownership.

Furthermore, the rotor has a positive mechanical drive, enabling the rotor to be reversed

if necessary to tackle blockages quickly and easily, without even leaving the cab.

Simplicity can also be found in the luxurious cab, where simple controls allow even an inexperienced operator to harvest

with increased productivity. A range of automation options further improve output, with the Case IH AFS Harvest Command technology providing full automation for a number of previously operator-led tasks.

CLAAS launch new 2nd generation LEXION HYBRID CLAAS has introduced a new 2nd generation of LEXION HYBRID combine harvesters. Ten years in development, 1 million hours of development time and with

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over 6,000 hours of endurance testing, the new LEXION APS SYNFLOW HYBRID 8000 and 7000 range has been completely redesigned from the ground up.

The LEXION 8000 is a wide body machine that comprises three models, including a new flagship 790hp LEXION 8900 model, making this the world’s most powerful production combine, plus there are a further five models in the narrow body LEXION 7000 range.

Worldwide trials involving 220 pre-series LEXIONs have seen increases in output of around 10% compared to current models. Key to this is the new APS SYNFLOW primary threshing system with its 755mm diameter threshing drum, which is 26% larger than the current 600mm drum, and a new 600mm diameter feed drum, which is 57% larger.

Due to the threshing drum’s greater diameter and higher centrifugal speed of the rasp bars, to maintain the same rasp

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bar velocity the drum can now typically be run at 550rpm compared to 750rpm. Separation area is also considerably increased.

LEXION 8000 models have a massive concave area of 1.55m2 and at 1.30m2 the concave area on the LEXION 7000 is even more than that on the current top-of-therange LEXION 780 at 1.26m2.

From the cab, the operator can hydraulically engage the main concave flaps and there is a new hydraulic pivoting concave bar between the pre-separation concave and main concave that can be engaged via CEBIS in harder to thresh crops. Due to the wider drum, concave wrap is shallower and designed so that 40% of the main concave segments can be easily pulled out sideways and changed for different crops.

COMBINES

Deutz-Fahr Combine range Deutz-Fahr, famous for their long history of combine harvester development, extending back through Fahr combines right to their roots with Kodel & Boom, have a comprehensive range of straw walker machines that are synonymous with providing an excellent sample and leaving great quality straw.

Today’s offering includes 4 different model ranges, all with Stage V fuel efficient engines.

Starting with the C5000, a simple 5 walker machine, with a maximum cutting width of 4.8m. This machine retains as much mechanical operation as possible to include drive engagement and adjustment

of the concave. This unit, originally developed for export markets was soon recognised as a great machine for customers who only have a small amount of crop, but still wish to retain the independence of their own machine and not rely upon the availability of an often over committed contractor. By adding a 175hp Stage V Deutz engine to this range, has made it available to the UK market for the first time.

The C6000 range, harnesses the 250hp Deutz 6.1 litre Stage V engine to power this 5-walker machine, now available with or without the turbo separator (TS), a third rotor located behind the

Fendt Ideal combines The Fendt Ideal range includes four models, the 7, 8, 9 and 10 series. ParaLevel and flat land variants are available, each can be specified with four-wheel drive making the range well suited to the Scottish market.

Tracks are available on the flatland machines ranging from 25 to 36 inches in width. All models benefit from Fendt’s unique processor design which can tackle a wide variety of

600mm diameter drum & rear beater. The Turbo separator accelerates material away from the drum towards the straw walkers helping to separate those grains from the straw, returning them to the preparation pan.

Machines with a Turbo Separator have an additional output in capacity of up to 20%.

For customers requiring a larger machine, with a choice of either 5 or 6 straw walkers, the C7000 range is available.

crop types and conditions with precision and efficiency.

The combines can travel at 40 km/h on the road and have an unrivalled narrow transport width.

Visibility and operator comfort have been a focus for Fendt and the range all benefits from the VisionCab, which has a window area of 5.75 m that offers a 180° panoramic view. This coupled with a low noise level of just 73 decibels makes the Fendt a relaxed

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COMBINES place to work. The cab layout will be familiar to any farmer who has operated a Fendt tractor as many of the controls are shared between the machines.

Fendt’s unique VarioDoc Pro allows the combine to seamlessly share data with farm management software.

The combines are also fitted with Fendt’s VarioGuide guidance system. Using Fendt’s machine to machine communication two or more combines working together can communicate with each other to share combine settings and waylines.

Fendt’s SuperFlow cutting tables offer headfirst feeding of all crops in all conditions with widths from 25 feet to 40 feet. The Fendt also performs well on undulating terrain as a result of its ParaLevel slope compensation system, which levels the combine’s chassis on slopes of up to 20 percent, ensuring that the threshing unit and the entire separating and cleaning systems remain level.

John Deere brings highcapacity X-Series combines to Europe John Deere has added two new X-Series combine harvester models to its 2021 harvesting line-up to help large-scale farmers harvest more tonnes per hour and more hectares per day, specifically in tough, high yielding, wet conditions.

The new X9 1000 and X9 1100 combines represent the next level of John Deere harvesting performance and are now the flagship machines in John Deere’s range of harvesting solutions.

The X9 1100 can harvest wheat at an impressive 100 tonnes per hour at less than one per cent grain loss. “As conditions change, the

WILKS BROTHERS Main dealers in Perthshire for DEUTZ FAHR Combine Harvesters

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

www.wilksbrothers.co.uk 28

X9 combine can make automatic adjustments for the operator so it consistently operates at peak levels,” says John Deere product marketing manager Jonathan Edwards.

The X-Series combines feature the widest feederhouse on the market, which is the foundation for the X9’s performance. Coupled with a new dual rotary separator and the industry’s largest cleaning shoe, these work together to improve crop flow and increase harvesting capacity.

“The crop transitions from the feederhouse and is fed very

evenly by the chevron-design feed accelerator towards the heart of the new combine – the X-Series Dual Separator (XDS).

With the largest active threshing and separation areas John Deere has ever offered, crop in the XDS is handled through nine revolutions, resulting in low losses and increased harvesting capacity,” says Edwards.

The X9 is designed to excel in northern, high moisture, tough separation conditions where this machine has been tested extensively and has been proven to achieve over 100 tonnes/hr at a one per cent loss level.

A range for all harvests from Massey Ferguson From simple and straightforward, to advanced and sophisticated, Massey Ferguson’s comprehensive range of combine harvesters is the culmination of generations of exhaustive research, technical development and innovation.

Today’s line-up comprises a spread of versatile machines

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designed to cope easily with challenging conditions and terrain. As pioneers in the field of harvesting a wide range of crops, MF has always been aware of the difficulties many growers face in terms of, for instance, making the most of what may be sporadic windows of opportunity.

COMBINES Four model options make up the range: MF Activa, MF Activa S, MF Beta and MF IDEAL, so here’s a quick look at their main features.

Simple, straightforward and very economical to run, the MF Activa is designed for smallerto-medium arable operations and is available with either 176hp or 218hp engines, with cutting widths of 4.2m or 6.6m. Up front is the proven and acclaimed Freeflow cutting table, then the high inertia cylinder.

There’s a simple, highlyeffective three-speed transmission, while AutoLevel is an option for those working on

sloping ground. The smaller MF 7340 engine puts out 176hp and has a tank capacity of 5200 litres, while the 7344 has a 218hp engine and 6500-litre tank. Both have five straw walkers.

Moving up the capacity scale, the MF Activa S version has two models, this time with 243hp and 306hp engine options and the Proline cab environment.

Buyers can choose between the Freeflow table, up to 7.6m cutting width, or Powerflow up to 6.8m.

Next, we have the proven MF Beta. With 306hp or 360hp engine options and Skyline cab, the Beta offers 7.7m Powerflow

or 7.6m Freeflow cutting tables, six-row straw chopper and an

unloading rate of 105 litres/ second.

New Holland extends CR Revelation range New Holland’s new CR Revelation combine range takes automation to a new level with the award-winning IntelliSense system and introduces a host of improvements that further consolidates the supremacy of the world’s highest capacity combine.

Lars Skjoldager Sørensen, Head of Harvesting Product Line, said: “The CR Revelation combine is once again setting the industry’s benchmark: the world record holder and most productive and high-capacity combine in the world has taken efficiency to an entirely new level, significantly cutting harvesting costs through reduced losses and best-in-class grain sample. It has made a significant step forward in automation,

taking over decision making from the driver to optimize output, grain quality and operator comfort.”

The CR Revelation combines feature New Holland’s IntelliSense pro-active and automatic combine setting system, which takes automation to a new level to address a combine operator’s big challenge of maintaining maximum throughput while keeping losses and damaged grain to a minimum. This ground breaking feature winner of the Silver Medal at the Agritechnica Innovation Award 2017 - delivers significant advantages to the customers’ productivity: increased daily output, reduced grain loss and improved grain quality. It also introduces important benefits for

the operator: fewer decisions to take, better comfort and driver confidence, less fatigue and a simple user interface.

With IntelliSense, the operator can choose from four strategies: Limited Loss, Best Grain Quality, Maximum Capacity, or Fixed Throughput. The patented cleaning

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shoe sensors provide very precise measurements of the load, and based on this data the combine will proactively constantly adapt Twin Rotor™ speed and vane angle, fan speed and the opening of presieve, upper and lower sieve to automatically deliver the desired result.

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farming diversification

Farmers of the Sea

By Janice Hopper One of the harvests gaining traction in 2020 is seaweed.

A delicacy and a superfood, seaweed is popular in restaurants, it can be found in beauty products and even paint, and it’s increasingly popular on foraging tours. Duncan Smallman, of Slate Islands Seaweed, has worked in shore-based tank cultivation and he’s a seaweed forager.

“The most obvious positive when it comes to seaweed farming is that it doesn’t require freshwater, fertiliser or land,’ says Duncan. ‘Compared to other forms of aquaculture, seaweed farming is relatively low maintenance. You put your seeded line out, and check it several times a month or after bad weather. After a few months it will be ready to harvest, and you may be able to get more than one harvest a year. Another pro is the potential environmental benefits, especially carbon capture potential and temporary habitat creation.’

‘The most common way to farm seaweed is direct seeding.

Spores are seeded onto a line in

Gathering seaweed for ishga

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a hatchery, then deployed at sea.

Or there’s wild seeding, when you put a line out around about the time a species is beginning to reproduce and let it seed onto the string. This option is far cheaper than the hatchery, but with fewer guarantees you’ll get the species you want.”

For those considering diversifying into seaweed, Duncan suggests reaching out to key officials and bodies.

“The three main regulatory bodies to talk to are: Crown Estate Scotland, Marine Scotland, and your local planning authority, as some structures require planning permission,’ says Duncan.

‘I would also advise talking to Scottish Natural Heritage and, essentially, your local community to get their support.”

Different stretches of coastline support different species of seaweed, due to various conditions, like the clarity of the water, tidal flows, tide range and wave exposure.

“On the west coast, current species that are more easily grown are sugar kelp, oarweed

and dabberlocks. Dulse is a firm favourite of mine; it has fantastic flavour and it’s versatile. Many restaurants use it in their cooking as garnishes or seasoning, so food producers would certainly buy it. If I wanted to sell all my crops to one supplier, I would grow oarweed. It’s being used to make biodegradable packaging, thus creating demand.”

With each year, Scottish seaweed is being used in more and more imaginative ways, so there are multiple avenues to tap into. Weed and Wonderful use seaweed in supplements and oils, Mara Seaweed has created foodie flakes and powders, Isle of Skye Paint even use it in their range, and the beauty industry has been quick on the uptake too. ishga is a luxury skincare brand incorporating seaweed from the Hebrides. It combines seaweed extracts with essential oils to create a 26-strong range that’s organic and certified by the Soil Association.

ishga seaweed

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Martin Macleod is one of the founders of ishga. He worked in seaweed factories from the age of sixteen, before starting Hebridean Seaweed in 2005.

Based in Arnish, Hebridean Seaweed now sustainably harvests 6000 tons a year. Most of the crop goes to agricultural and horticultural use - animals supplements and fertilisers but when the five-star hotel Blythswood Square, liaised with Martin about using seaweed in a spa and beauty setting, the resulting luxury line of seaweed bath treatments became the talk of the Glasgow and beyond.

Martin remembers vacuumpacking the seaweed and shipping it overnight to the mainland for these indulgent bathing sessions. The success of these treatments led Martin to collaborate with local scientist Malcolm Macrae and beauty therapist Joanna Macrae to establish Hebridean Spa (now known as ishga).

farming diversification “The first product was our signature Anti-Oxidant Marine Cream, and we were determined to put the work in,’ says Martin.

‘It took several trials to retain the seaweed’s vitamins, minerals and amino acids, and get the scent, colour and consistency just right. Now we offer over twenty products.’ ‘ishga uses a blend of seaweed, harvested by hand using scissors, and it has its own factory in Stornoway to ensure the fresh product travels only a few miles before the compounds are extracted.

Hebridean Seaweed supplies ishga when a more granular, coarser end product is required. We clean the seaweed, dry it, chip it to size and mill it into a powder for use in products such as exfoliators.’

‘In fact, seaweed’s in far more products than people realise, because it’s often used as a thickening or gelling agent.

Everyday foods, such as ice cream, can contain seaweed and consumers aren’t particularly aware of this. Seaweed is also increasingly used as a healthy replacement for salt.”

When it comes to food, seaweed is popular for health reasons, and consumers are keen to shop local, pick their own food and know the provenance of what they’re eating. Jayson Byles was a chef, and worked with community groups focussing on healthy eating. He now runs East Neuk Seaweed in Fife.

“Seaweed is dense with minerals, vitamins, trace elements, and it’s generally low in sodium, which makes it valuable for health and wellbeing,’ says Jayson. ‘The vitamins and minerals include potassium, magnesium, iodine, iron and vitamin C, to mention a few. The specific nutrient profiles vary significantly with species and season, but personally I have a soft spot for laver. It’s at its peak in late February/early March, when there’s not much

growing on the land, so I feel I have a secret pot of gold at the end of the winter rainbow.”

Jayson doesn’t just harvest seaweed, he also holds cooking classes, Wild Wellbeing courses and foraging workshops. Duncan of Slate Seaweed also holds regular foraging tours, and both took part in Scotland’s Foraging Fortnight in 2019. Whilst seaweed harvesting is rewarding, and the outdoor lifestyle appeals to many, there are pros and cons, as Duncan explains.

“After harvesting seaweed you have to be quick to process or use it,’ explains Duncan. ‘But one of the biggest obstacles is the cost of setting up a farm initially, particularly off shore.

Organisations that can financially support seaweed farms include the Coast Communities Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the Seafood Innovation Fund. The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) offers support and advice, and it’s worth approaching Zero Waste Scotland, if you have a model that reduces waste.”

The recent Covid-19 crisis has also impacted the seaweed industry. Much work stopped overnight, but there have been some positives. ishga worked with the Isle of Harris Distillery and Essence of Harris to create a hand sanitiser to donate to frontline service staff, and donated Hydrating Hand Cream to NHS Western Isles Hospital and local hospices. Seaweed has also attracted scientific interest.

“Since the Covid-19 outbreak there’s been a big push on looking at some species for medicinal properties,’ says Duncan. ‘It’s early days yet, but it’s exciting when people look to the sea to help rebuild and diversify local and national economies, post Covid.”

With a range of potential markets developing, seaweed may become a modern-day siren, luring more farmers to Scotland’s seas.

The Scottish Seaweed Industry Association - seaweedscotland.org Slate Island Seaweed - slateislandsseaweed.com East Neuk Seaweed - eastneukseaweed.com ishga - uk.ishga.com Foraging Fortnight - foragingfortnight.co.uk

ishga products

ishga Exfoliating Face Mask

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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JUST A MATTER OF TASTE Looking at world-wide coffee production

WORLD FARMING Every morning, billions of us across the world, reach for the coffee jar to kick start our day, with the caffeine fix of choice. There is no end to the variations of coffee available and like a good wine, a good coffee is just a matter of taste.

I would happily drink Italian wine and Italian coffee, as they both have rich flavours and while Italy grows its own grapes to produce the country’s famous wine, it is not a coffee grower and imports all of its coffee from elsewhere in the world.

However, Italian coffee is made unique by the preferred bean and roasting method, and more importantly, the coffee culture in which it flourishes. It is reliant on the two main types of coffee bean, Arabica and the Robusta.

The smoother, Arabica coffee beans, make up around 75% of the world’s coffee production, with Robusta taking the majority of the rest.

That said, Italian-style coffee can be made up of many different beans, from a vast range of origins and is normally roasted on the darker side, to give it the strong flavour and body that we are all familiar with. Classic Italian-style coffee will often contain Robusta, which has a thick body, strong flavour and a powerful caffeine kick.

The main coffee producer in the world is Brazil, with 2.5m tonnes per year – that’s almost double its nearest production rivals in Vietnam, Columbia, Indonesia and Ethiopia. Countries like Costa Rica have a much smaller 32

production, but their produce is considered to be of a much higher quality than many of the larger producers.

Costa Rican coffee is mostly Arabica and is exported all over the world to large retailers and independent baristas, with the lesser quality coffee being kept for home consumption.

Coffee is grown world-wide on similar principles, with the quality of the fruit or cherry, being the start of the long process to our tables. The quality of the cherries relies a great deal on the quality of the pickers and often generations of families have been involved.

The more red and fewer green cherries that are collected in the basket ensures a better quality of overall production.

Those companies aiming for the premium market will use selective picking, where skilled workers only take the ripe red cherries from the bushes and repeatedly harvest each bush.

Strip picking, involves pulling the branch down by hand and stripping all of the berries, red and green and there is now also mechanical harvesting, using both large and handheld machinery, which fundamentally shakes the cherries from the tree to be collected on ground covers.

With only two main types of coffee beans, the quality of picking and drying is essential and the more hands-on this is, the better the quality and more sought after and expensive the end product.

The ‘hands on’ theory wavers, however, when you consider

By Fiona Sloan

Understanding coffee in Tanzania

that the production of the most expensive coffee in the world, consists of partially digested cherries, which have been eaten, fermented in the gut and defecated by a type of weasel. At around £500 a kilo, Civet coffee, named after the Asian weasel used in the production, is produced mainly in Indonesia but can be found easily at roadside cafes in Vietnam, where it can be seen drying at the side of the road.

In the name of research, I have been ‘lucky’ enough to try this and many other coffees world-wide but the best cup is still made at home in a mug from half milk half water with ‘ordinary’ coffee. Oh, and

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with a nice chocolate biscuit as an accompaniment, Next Issue, we’ll look at the effect of Covid-19 on world farming.

Coffee cherries ripening

science & technology Easy automatic documentation with Claas With its TELEMATICS platform, CLAAS is not only providing a quick overview of machine status and settings in real time, but also a convenient solution for reliable documentation of field and harvesting work. The automatic documentation means that machine data and agronomic information can be assigned to specific areas in a time-saving and uncomplicated manner. Once the field boundaries have been stored in TELEMATICS, the system automatically recognizes the field in which the machine is located.

Based on the field boundaries and recorded tracks for each activity, the TELEMATICS platform then creates field-related documentation for various parameters. The system is fully automated which means that there is no additional work for the driver or in the office.

In combination with a CLAAS JAGUAR, harvest quantities and measurement values of the NIR sensor can also be evaluated for each field. The DLG-approved NIR sensor provides information about dry substance content and also about constituents such as starch, crude protein, crude fibre, crude ash, crude fat and sugar content.

The TELEMATICS platform also produces clear and— thanks to NIR measurement—highly precise yield maps for subareaspecific analysis. Data and maps can be exported and transferred in ISOXML format if required. In addition, the dosage quantity of the silage additive, which is controlled based on the NIR measurement, can also be documented.

The TELEMATICS platform can now be directly connected to many well-known farm management systems thanks to the new CLAAS API. As a result, field boundaries can be automatically

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.

Now is the perfect time to learn and develop

By Pete Moss

transferred to the TELEMATICS platform, and the data from the automatic documentation is directly transferred to the respective farm management system. This means that manual export and import of data is no longer necessary, which makes work considerably easier and saves time.

The TONI function in CLAAS TELEMATICS continues to be unique. The ISOBUS interface can also be used to document data from stored add-on devices such as balers or loader wagons or, if necessary, to export it in ISOXML format.

TELEMATICS is fitted as standard on many CLAAS tractors and harvesters and, in addition to documentation, offers digital dealer support through remote service, on request. This includes the transmission of faults to the responsible CLAAS sales and service partner, who can order and deliver the right spare part after remote diagnosis, thereby saving time. A proactive maintenance plan is a further component of the remote service for sophisticated, rapid and perfectly-timed maintenance that is optimally tailored to the customer.

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As I write this I should have been rushing around packing and getting odd jobs done before jumping onto the plane to Ingliston for the Royal Highland Show, but alas this year is not to be, and the fun will have to wait until next year.

This year has been challenging for most, but I think as farmers we are extremely lucky lockdown hit at a busy time and I’ve relished the time I’ve had to focus on jobs that have been put off in the past.

In every challenge there is always opportunity, and I’ve enjoyed the weekly board meetings of the NFUS where the staff have kept us up to date with issues being faced and it’s in times like these that the true value of our Union shines, not only have the staff dealt with a plethora of member issues related to the Covid Crisis but they have continued with the day job keeping up the important lobbying work that is vital to our agriculture industries in Scotland. The NFUS are pushing to convey the importance of agriculture in Scotland to the wider public and if we can promote the benefits of having a strong

domestic food supply the future for farming in Scotland may be a bit brighter. The Next Generation group have contributed to this by publishing a selection of educational access posters for farmers and crofters to download from the NFU Scotland website, to help tell their own story.

This week We’ve been pregnancy scanning our heifers that we turned out with the bull in early April, in recent years we have started bulling them much earlier than we used to but it has been a massive success for us, with the younger heifers rearing healthy calves and getting into the main herd a lot faster increasing the productivity of each individual animal in the herd. This move to earlier bulling was inspired by a trip to New Zealand and what really struck me was the efficiencies common practice in beef herds over there that are easy to replicate here.

Right now is always the best time to learn and develop and as an industry we have a chance to look at our businesses and build resilience so that we can remain here to support our country in any future crisis.

Pete Moss is a farmer from Orkney and the NFU Scotland Next Generation Chairman 33

ARABLE FARM TRIALS

Fifty farmers to join fourth year of BASF Real Results’ wheat and barley field scale trials Fifty progressive farmers from Cornwall to Aberdeenshire, have been included in the fourth year of BASF’s Real Results’ trials. Run in partnership with ADAS the trials are conducted on farmers’ own farms, using their own machinery, and are assessed using ADAS’ Agronomics field trials tool, which fully statistically analyses each field and treatment.

New for this year are three Aberdeenshire famers, Sandy Norrie from AJ Duncan Farms near Turriff, Andrew Booth from Foveran and Scott Campbell from near Kemnay. Duncan Farms specialises in arable and egg production and has a separate business, Muirden Energy. In addition to over 2400ha (over 6000 acres) of arable ground and oilseed crops, the farm has over 600,000 laying hens, supplying local markets and retailers.

Crops grown on the farm include winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley, oilseed rape and winter oats. The wheat and

Sandy Norrie

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barley are fed back to the poultry and the team’s aim is to make the enterprise self-sufficient in grain, and also energy from the biomass and solar renewable installations.

As arable manager, Sandy Norrie focuses on cost of production per tonne which he believes is achieved by maximising output. He is very keen on discovering what is possible on the farm by doing field trials. In addition to getting involved with BASF’s Real Results trials for the first time this year, he also conducts trials with membership research company, Scottish Agronomy.

Commenting on why he was getting involved with Real Results, Sandy Norrie said that their business runs on a high output ethos, so they like to explore where the marginal gains come from.

“We have the scope to do trials here, because we have the staff and the kit, I think the Real Results network will be very valuable, and, to be brutally honest, the results compared to others will be very valuable.

“Our team is big on stats, what our costs are, and the detail of our returns on investment,

Susie Roques

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and, for me, I like to see how varieties are performing, where yield potential is and how to get it.” They will be running trials assessing BASF’s new cereal fungicide, Revystar® XE, on spring and winter barley.

Murielle Moille from BASF said: “We are running the trials in partnership with ADAS, we feel it is important because they bring independent science to the Real Results’ trials, which has consistently appealed to the farmers involved.

“At the heart of the trials is a quest by farmers to find out what

ARABLE FARM TRIALS agronomic decisions work best on their farms and why.

“And, whilst the BASF Real Results Circle allows growers to learn about their farm, it also gives them the opportunity to be part of something bigger that the network of other farmers provides.”

ADAS uses a methodology called Agronomics to give a unique scientific credibility to the design, management and statistical analysis of tramline trials. It is a unique approach that was developed in partnership with BASF, Innovate UK, statisticians from the British Geological Survey, and digital specialist AgSpace.

Susie Roques, ADAS Crop Physiologist, said: “Agronomics brings statistical verification of the differences between treatments which validates the best options for each farm, variety and season.

“The tool is about trial design, the way we analyse the data and about doing farm-scale research well. It is also about having a closer connection between researchers and growers, recognising that innovative ideas are just as likely to come from growers as scientists.”

In the 2019 Real Results trials, 51 farmers trialled BASF’s new cereal fungicide, Revystar® XE, on winter wheat crops against their chosen farm standard on fields of their choosing; 31 of which included applications at T1 and T2, and 20 applied it at just T2.

“The results in 2019 were our most striking in any series of Agronomics trials so far – a consistent pattern of significant differences in disease assessments, visible effects in satellite NDVI images, and significant yield benefits from Revystar; in previous years the

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue September 2020

results were much more even between the treatments.”

Ms Moille explains that: “in total, thirty-nine trials were statistically usable and twelve were excluded because trials were unbalanced or had no yield map data.”

She notes that: “The important findings across the

vast majority of trials were that Revystar reduced Septoria severity and extended green canopy duration.

“As we face the continuation of a dry spring, combined with the hidden threat of latent infections, this finding could be very valuable to all the growers looking to maximise yield from

the very variable crops in the ground this year.”

ADAS’ Susie Roques said of the farmer engagement with Real Results: “The high proportion of farmers who choose to remain in the Real Results Circle year after year shows that what we’re doing here with BASF is of value to them.”

Trials breed knowledge Andrew Gilchrist, Managing Director of Scottish Agronomy Growing crops is a highly technical business these days. To maximise yields, quality and margins, all the agronomic need to be addressed.

This means the best variety choice for the location / soil-type / sowing timing; the most appropriate cultivations; the optimum crop protection programme; the optimal nutrition, etc.

Much of this is worked out through trial (and error). At Scottish Agronomy, replicated field trials are at the very heart of what we do and the evidence they provide is an essential base for our members to make important management decisions. Since we first started as farmers’ cooperative in 1985, we have managed trials up and down the country so our members can select varieties and inputs that are known to address the most pressing production challenges for their soil type or region.

Variety, for Scottish Agronomy, has always been key, especially as many key crop protection products are taken away through regulation.

We will be increasingly reliant on beneficial varietal traits, such as disease resistance. But it’s also about being smart about variety choice for greater profit.

We focus on a mixed portfolio to balance the risk of unseasonable weather or a missed spray which can quickly upset the perfect management plan! This is how we work with Sandy Norrie with a spread of varieties. His split field trials give him sound results to make fundamental decisions on what he grows and crop management.

Choosing the highest yielding variety on the recommended list may sound like a logical choice if yield is the biggest decision driver, but the bottom line really relates to cost of production – the lower the cost of production, the more money will be made. If you have to spend a fortune on crop protection, it may well negate

any advantage in choosing a high yielding but needy variety.

It’s also being savvy about sprays. Don’t spray if there is no evidence it works, but when robust trials data and timely application of fungicides is aligned with choosing the correct variety for your situation, you reap the rewards.

Scottish Agronomy manages over 20000+ field trials and is the largest supplier of data to AHDB for the Recommended List Variety Trials in Scotland. Free 30-day trial membership currently available at www.scottishagronomy.co.uk. https://basfrealresults.co.uk/

Andrew Booth

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new

to market

Modern products with old-fashioned values Founded by fourth generation farmer with an agricultural engineering degree Stuart Metcalf, Ellipse Fabrications Limited’s innovative range of Agricultural buildings is designed by farmers and built by farmers.

Ellipse Fabrications is making a name for itself across the UK for being a champion of good oldfashioned British engineering and innovation – and for its “can do” attitude. This stems from Stuart’s farming background and always wanting to say yes or never wanting to say no.

The reason we can have that approach that is that we have a fundamental belief in making things ourselves. That means we can react quickly. “But what really sets us apart is my background in farming. There’s no industry like farming – in one day you are a vet, and then a mechanic and then a machine operator. That can-do attitude is ingrained in farmers at an early age. That has stuck with me and at Ellipse Fabrications we say ‘yes’ and then find the solution. We never like to be beaten by a problem.” That attitude is demonstrated at the company’s own large workshop at Southside Farm. Machinery has been adapted, and even built from scratch, to manufacture the parts required.

“We design it. We make it.

We deliver it on our own truck and then our guys are the ones who build it. We are in complete control of our supply chain and that’s very unusual these days.”

Ellipse’s range of agricultural buildings are based upon elliptical curves to enhance the airflow through and over the buildings 36

Calves in Agri Shelter ®

Goats in Tunnel in Scotland

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new to market whilst providing strong structures.

The AGRI Shelter® has been designed to both be cost-effective and to improve animal welfare, when used as a calf-rearing unit the building received praised from a vet for its welfare benefits. When on skids this removes the need to obtain planning permission.

Whilst used predominantly as a field shelter, it is highly adaptable and suited to equine, sheep, other livestock or storage use for farm machinery or fodder. The AGRI Tunnel provides a cost-effective lambing shelter, optimising the living conditions of the livestock and providing the best start for new-born lambs and calves.

Another innovation is the AGRI Arc, which is a purpose-built, both insulated and ventilated easy-toclean building to house poultry. As with the AGRI Shelter®, the AGRI Arc can be easily re-located.

The company supplies a full range of buildings and structures for garden centres and commercial horticulture, as well as specialist structures for housing livestock. Another area in which Ellipse Fabrications is developing new products is with its leisure buildings range. These were developed in response to an enquiry from the Country Landowners Association for those farmers wishing to diversify.

These are ideal for farmers 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

Agri Tunnel with feed passage

on wheels means they are classed as temporary structures and as such also do 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 don’t want to be the same as every other glamping site.

The Tees Leisure Building

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. Please visit https://ellipseleisurebuildings.co.uk/ and call 01833 630851 for the Haven Range of leisure buildings.

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environment Major Equipment enables landowners to demonstrate environmental stewardship

Field margins are increasingly seen as conservation areas for biodiversity improvement in arable farming. This priority habitat has plants sown deliberately to provide food and cover for pollinators, birds and other farmland wildlife to thrive.

The MAJOR Cyclone mower doubles up as a grass topper and crop shredder, saving farming businesses time and resources.

Peter and Sian Wombwell of Wombwell Farms uses a 4.2m Cyclone to stay on top of stubble clearance, grass maintenance and margin control on some 3,000-acres bordering south Cambridgeshire and north Essex.

“We run under the HLS scheme and are very conscious of being environmentally responsible,” commented Peter Wombwell. “We’ve used the Cyclone on maize stubble, cover-crop, grassland, and one particularly difficult application down the tramlines in oilseed rape; it just whizzed over that!”

The folding wing topper has six rotors spaced just over two-feet apart, doubling the number of heads found in batwing mowers 38

to ensure any material is cut cleanly and evenly spread.

Cut and collect machinery are beneficial on field margins that require removal of substantial clippings.

This is particularly beneficial in wildflower meadows. Scotscraig Golf Club in Scotland has been using the 1.8m MAJOR Green Bee to keep gorse, broom and brush from creeping onto its fairways. “There’s around seven to eight hectares of heavily infested rough which we use the MAJOR Green Bee to bring back into a manageable and more usable status,” comments Course Manager Chris Barnard.

This mid-sized flail collector mows, chops, collects and rolls in one-pass. “By not using sprays and chemicals, we have seen a significant increase in wild flowers, insects and wild birds around the course,” comments Chris.

For a solution to improve biodiversity on your farm or property, contact Major Equipment today on 01524 850501 or visit www. major-equipment.com.

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Feed budgeting to improve resilience Poppy Frater, Senior Specialist Beef and Sheep Team, SAC Consulting

As weather conditions become more extreme, consider techniques that make for agile farm businesses. Feed budgeting is simply calculating animal’s requirements and feed supply to determine the shortfall or surplus. With this approach, you can stress test your current feed situation, make decisions based on your predicted feed situation and build the business to be more suitable for your resources.

The simplest application of feed budgeting is an inventory of the hard feed supplies on the farm. For instance, you may know you have 20 tonnes of barley in store as part of the winter ration to feed your 40 head cow herd. The ration requires 2.5kg/head/day of barley; i.e.

100kg/day for 40 cows and 18 tonnes for 180 days. This is a healthy budget incorporating some margin for wastage or delayed turnout.

The more complex form of feed budgeting is with forage supplies. Bale weight, silage pit dimensions and the dry matter (DM) percentage are required to determine supply.

At the start of the winter this exercise helps determine how long your supplies will

last. If this falls short of your average winter, then you can make decisions early to address the shortfall. You can also build contingency plans for extreme weather or delayed turnout. Conversely, knowledge of requirements and yield can help determine the area required for cutting.

An allowance for wastage must always be built in to these calculations.

Finally, we can feed budget at grass to gain better control over feed supplies on the farm. Measuring grass in kilograms of DM/ha using a sward stick or plate meter and knowing stock demand helps understand whether stocking rate is appropriate, forecast grass supply issues and ensure livestock performance and welfare is maintained through variable grass growing conditions.

There is more information about feed budgeting at www.fas.scot. For more practical ideas about improving farm efficiencies and reducing the farm carbon footprint, visit www. farmingforabetterclimate. org find us on Facebook and Twitter @SACFarm4Climate.

For more farm efficiency ideas and to read about other measures the Soil Regenerative Agriculture Group are considering, 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 41

TELEHANDLERS

Little workhorses with a long reach!

The Farmlift Telescopic loader from Case IH Built with safety at the core, the Farmlift telescopic loader series from Case IH caters for the needs of all types of farm. Six models are available design with a lift capacity ranging between 2,600-4200kg depending on model and maximum reaches from 5.7 to 9.1 metres.

Further safety features include a ‘visual safe load indicator’ to check a load is within safe limits at a glance and an automatic cut off system to prevent overloading or putting the machine in an unstable situation. Inboard wet disc brakes offer excellent stopping power and increased durability and all Farmlifts are built with a heavyduty frame ensuring stability and rigidity throughout the whole machine.

A large, curved windscreen allows all around visibility in the cab, with a 360o LED lighting package available for safe working at night. On high spec models, all

key functions are ergonomically grouped on one joystick, which is mounted onto the comfortable seat allowing it to move with the operator. Power shuttle and gear changing commands as well as

hydraulic attachment locking can be carried out from this joystick, meaning that in most cases, attachments can be coupled without leaving the cab. Each model has a dedicated hydraulic

system designed to its height and weight capacities, ensuring fuel and power is optimised.

All models come with selectable three-way steering: 2-wheel, 4-wheel and crab steer.

New high reach addition to SCORPION range CLAAS has expanded its SCORPION range of telescopic handlers with the addition of a new 9.0m model. In addition the rest of the range will also benefit from a number of upgrades and new features available for 2020 machines.

The new SCORPION 960 completes the large platform range of SCORION telescopic handlers, and joins the current SCORPION 756 and 746 models. The five model small platform SCORPION range remains unchanged. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Capable of lifting 6000kg at 600mm load centre, rising to 6500kg at 500mm load centre, the SCORPION 960 has a maximum lift height of 8.79m. These maximum rated lift capacities are a full 1000kg (20%) greater compared to the previous generation Kramerbuilt SCORPION 9055.

As with the SCORPION 756, the new SCORPION 960 is powered by a Stage 4, 4.1 litre Deutz engine developing 156hp.

Drive is through a three-speed 39

TELEHANDLERS 40kph VARIPOWER PLUS transmission which, in addition to the main 45° wide-angle hydrostatic pump, incorporates a second 32° swivelling variable displacement pump to provide greater tractive and pulling power.

The drive system also benefits from the CLAAS SMART ROADING system which automatically adjusts the engine speed when accelerating and once maximum road speed is reached. As an option, the SCORPION 960 is also available with DYNAMIC POWER, whereby the engine speed is automatically regulated depending on joystick movement.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

Subscription details on page 97

New range from Dieci

Dieci Telehandlers’ complete new range has proved very popular with Dealers and Customers. Using the best in class technology with new easy

access, and superb visibility cabs, offering shock absorbing suspension. Joystick controlled FNR, new instrumentation and switchgear, camera systems, best

in class headstock rotation, with excellent pushing ability using double limited slip axles with wet inboard brakes on many of the models.

D-K-R

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD. Main Dealers for Kramer Telehandlers

D-K-R AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD. Westfield, Coulter, Biggar, Lanarkshire ML12 6HN 4EL s &!8 E-Mail: dkrcoulter@hotmail-com 40

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

TELEHANDLERS

New Fendt telehandler raises the bar The Fendt Cargo T955 has a unique lifting cab that can be raised to a viewing height of 4.25 metres.

There is no dashboard in the T955, so nothing obstructs the lower part of the windscreen.

This gives the operator a floor to ceiling view for better visibility of the implement. “This machine is unique. The elevating cab offers an unrivalled ability for the operator to view the loader and materials being handled more clearly,” says Peter Henson, Fendt product specialist.

The cab of the T955 has also been vibration dampened to offer greater sound proofing and a more comfortable ride. “We understand that all Fendt users expect a high level of comfort from the cabs of all our vehicles and the T955 is no exception. It is designed for the operator to be able to spend long periods in comfort,” explains Mr Henson.

The T955 combines the advantages of a conventional telehandler and a wheeled loader. “The lifting height, reach, low body height and excellent

manoeuvrability make it a competitive telehandler. However, this coupled with excellent stability and performance make it more characteristic of a wheeled loader

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in the same weight class,” says Mr Henson.

The Fendt has a lifting height of 8.5 meters and load rating of 5,500 kilos.

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TELEHANDLERS

The Manitou Range of Telehandlers Covers All Customer Requirements Manitou’s telescopic handlers have always been a popular choice for Scotland’s farmers.

With a choice of rigid and articulated machines, and models ranging from 2t/4.35m lift capacity to 9.6m or 6 tonne machines, there is a machine to suit almost every application.

The MLA-T 533 articulated telescopic handler has quickly established itself in the market since its launch in 2018.

Particularly suited to the livestock sector, this model places the operator in the centre of the machine ensuring maximum 360-degree visibility at all times. The machine can lift 3.3 tonnes at full articulation, and has a maximum lift height of 5.2m. A 143hp engine ensures it is fully at home on the silage clamp.

For those with confined spaces, Manitou’s new MLT420 (continued on page 44)

42

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TELEHANDLERS

MF Telehandler range

will be of interest. Launched at the SIMA show in Paris last year, this machine is less than 1.5m wide and under 2.0m high.

That is ideal for those traditional farm buildings and narrow feed passages. Although it is small, it will lift 2 tonnes and has a maximum lifting height of 4.35m.

If you need more lift height and capacity, the MLT961 and MLT1040 offer 9m/6t and 9.6m/4t capacities accordingly.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue September 2020

Telehandlers have become essential tools on many farms across the UK over the past 20 or so years. To give users even more to be grateful for, Massey Ferguson engineers have had a long, hard look at levels of

efficiency, ease of use and versatility. This has enabled a range of enhancements and new features to be incorporated into the latest MF TH range, for the benefit of all.

There are six models in

WM. ROSE & SONS LTD Main Merlo dealer for Lothians, Central, Fife and Peeblesshire

West Linton: 01968 660777 East Linton: 01620 860348 INFO@WMROSE.CO.UK

WWW.WMROSE.CO.UK 44

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the latest offering, with lift capacity from ground level of either 3000kg or 4300kg, to a maximum height of 6m to 7.5m, together with 4-cylinder engines generating a power output of 115hp or 130hp.

TELEHANDLERS Manoeuvrability, work rate and durability are three top demands farmers have of a telehandler and the degree to which these have

The Merlo TF35.7 models

been optimised is clear to see in the latest MF range. In addition to these features, speed of coupling, more than ample hydraulic power and an unbeatable lift capacity heighten the attraction.

Other ‘likes’ highlighted by new users include automatic boom suspension and cushion retract, levels of operator comfort and all-round working visibility. The powerful and fuel-efficient engines

also draw praise, as do the three semi-automatic selectable steering modes and the automatic parking brake. The degree of precision and control enabled by MF TH models is also welcomed.

The TF35.7 models are part of the MEDIUM CAPACITY range, recipient of the Machine of the year 2015 award because of its innovative contents. The TF35.7 offers increased ground clearance of 420mm and as standard comes on 24 inch tyres.

The lift capacity of 3.5 tonnes can reach the full height of almost 7 meters. This range is equipped with a Deutz 115hp engine, 40 km/h Eco Power Drive (EDP) and hydrostatic transmission that automatically controls and adjusts the engine revolutions based on operating conditions. As a result, the engine speed is disconnected from the accelerator pedal. This technology achieves a reduction in fuel consumption of 18%. On 115 models the EPD TOP system is as standard and offers automatic RPM speed control in relation to joystick movements in order to increase hydraulic performance on demand. The standard cab gives easy access, astounding space with great visibility: generous in dimensions, the cab is mounted on Silent Block, which drastically reduce vibrations, guaranteeing maximum comfort and visibility, whist the option of cab suspension provides a superior ride unique to Merlo. This model come standard with a Reversible Fan, Pick up Hitch, Trailer Braking and Tractor Type Approval for your towing requirements.

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TELEHANDLERS

New Holland launches new TH Series New Holland Agriculture extends and upgrades its six to nine meter telehandler offering, which introduces the new naming and livery. The new naming consists of the TH letters, for Telescopic Handler, and the numbering based on the key machine specifications: this combination provides a quick and easy product identification, a hallmark of New Holland products. The bright yellow of the new livery fully integrates the telehandler range into New Holland’s Harvesting family, benefiting from its well-known expertise in the sector, while the new dark grey color of the lower part of the machine confers a sense of solidity and strength. The cab interior has

46

been refreshed with a new look for the seat.

“The new extended TH Series offers solutions tailored to the business and operational requirements of different farming operations, ranging from the entry level S version all the way up to the Elite version ideal for the large scale livestock farmers and contractors, as well as biomass operations,” says Sean Lennon, Head of Tractors.

The TH Series has been extended to offer 6 models and 14 versions. The entry level S version, available on the TH6.32 and TH7.32, delivers a powerful performance with its 133 hp engine and simple specifications for a small investment.

Kramer telehandlers on a whole new level Telehandlers manufactured

by Kramer-Werke GmbH are characterised by their continuous technical enhancement, latest features and highly efficient exhaust emission stage V engines. The wide product range is complemented by additional comfort, workload reduction thanks to driver assistance systems, a huge variety of options and an attractive selection of attachments enabling flexible application.

The Kramer brand is synonymous with all wheel steer loaders, telescopic wheel loaders and telehandlers with extreme manoeuvrability, all-terrain mobility and high efficiency in material handling. “Our company stands out because of its innovative and customer-oriented

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product developments, which are also incorporated in the new telehandler models,” explained Christian Stryffeler, Managing Director of Kramer-Werke GmbH. “As well as achieving the latest exhaust emission stage, implementation of our customers’ wishes are at the heart of this enhancement, as we aim to provide machines for professional agricultural application,” added Christian Stryffeler. The Kramer telehandlers are now also equipped with stage V engines, in compliance with the EU exhaust emission regulation. The full range of models (KT276, KT306, KT356, KT307, KT357, KT407, KT457, KT507, KT557, KT429, KT559) also includes a variety of new features. Models are now available to purchase.

FARM SECURITY

How to keep your farm equipment and building contents secure from theft From high quality secure doors to trackers on machinery, advice is only a phone call away. Your local security firm, Police or NFU office will be able to help and advise you

Secure doors for all farming and rural outbuildings from Advanced Roller Doors Since 1997 Advanced Roller Doors have been providing a quality service in the supply, installation, service and repair of roller shutter doors, steel doorsets, rapid roll doors, insulated doors and Fire Rated doors from our base in East Kilbride, just south of Glasgow.

We service across Scotland and the North of England through our expanding network of clients.

Our vans are just as likely to be seen on Farms & Equestrian Centres as they are at Shopping Centres, Warehouses, Workshops, Superstores and Domestic premises.

We run a fleet of vans fully equipped to install, as well as repair, your doors.

Most roller shutter doors are manufactured at our factory in East Kilbride with specialist doors being sourced from our Key Suppliers.

All door types are built to suit site sizes and all openings are generally surveyed prior to manufacture.

For friendly advice do not hesitate to contact us or arrange to pop in to our factory: 19a Hawbank Road, East Kilbride, G74 5EG

Trackers on tractors increase theft recoveries in Scotland Increased use of tracking security devices on tractors and quad bikes has helped Police Scotland recover stolen farm machinery worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Last year Police Scotland recovered tractors, quad bikes 48

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and other farm equipment valued at ÂŁ893,000. The recoveries have continued in 2020 with 130 vehicles worth over ÂŁ400,000 returned to their owners in the first four months of the year.

More farmers are using CESAR marking and fitting

FARM SECURITY Thatcham approved tracking systems to farm machinery – helped by up to a combined 25% premium discount off their vehicles on an agricultural vehicle policy insured through NFU Mutual.

Inspector Alan Dron, Scotland Partnership Against Rural Crime Co-ordinator, says

that increased use of tracking devices and the rural community links developed through the SPARC partnership have helped Police Scotland recover more stolen farm vehicles.

“This year SPARC’s focus is crime prevention – helping farmers make it much harder for criminals to steal through

improved security measures and more effective use of rural watch schemes. As a result, more farmers are now fitting trackers which have resulted in us capturing more of the criminals involved.

“Aberdeenshire, Lanarkshire and Lothians and the Borders regions were the most

consistently targeted areas over the course of the year. This shows a clear route for our criminality as we now know a significant number of those committing rural crimes in Scotland are located in the North East of England - particularly the Cleveland/County Durham areas.

Can-Am tackles vehicle theft with DESS technology All Terrain and Side by Side vehicles have the ability to tackle any environment and carry heavy items with ease. But if they are stolen, the loss can potentially affect how a site runs on a day to day basis.

To combat the issue of theft and provide additional security for ATVs and SSVs on top of the traditional options to protect the vehicles, Can-Am introduced the Digitally Encoded Security System (DESS).

The working principle is simple. Like the name suggests (Digitally Encoded Security System), each ‘key’ is fitted with a microchip. In order for the vehicle to work properly, the vehicle’s

ECU (Engine Control Unit) needs to ‘recognise’ the chip. So, it’s not a mechanical device - like a door lock or a regular key and ignition switch. The key must be programmed or re-programmed by an authorised dealer with licensed software which makes it an extremely effective anti-theft feature. Dealers can also see if a unit has been stolen and will not reprogramme keys without a variety of verification criteria being met beforehand.

DESS started out in 1999 models of Ski-Doo snowmobiles.

Before that, there was a mechanical key and a tether cord attached to the

rider that was linked to a kill switch in case the rider fell off so it could cut the engine. Now with the DESS key on snowmobiles, PWCs, selected ATVs and optional on SSVs, both features are regrouped together and the DESS acts as a key and as an emergency kill switch in case the rider falls off their vehicle.

Can-Am is now using its second generation DESS in the

UK. The original worked like a normal key with a switch and the contact between the microchip and the terminal was physical.

With the second-generation version, it now uses radio frequency technology to connect the ‘key’ with the vehicle. The advantage of this system is that it is a lot more robust - no ‘switch’ is needed.

Farmers warned of surge in tractor GPS thefts Farmers are being warned to ramp up security after a spate of tractor GPS thefts from farming businesses in the South West.

The GPS kits, worth tens of thousands of pounds, have been taken from farm businesses in Devon and Wiltshire since the beginning of May. In one incident ten receivers, seven screens and ten arm rest screens were taken from a farm in Trowbridge.

There are fears that criminal gangs are working their way across the country as other farms in the Midlands, including Staffordshire, have also been targeted.

Rebecca Davidson, NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, said: “The theft of GPS equipment is becoming big business again for rural thieves. As well as stealing

vital equipment, criminals are leaving a trail of damage as they smash glass to gain access and crudely cut wires.

“We first saw thieves targeting GPS equipment from arable farms in East Anglia and more recently in the South East.

This crime has now spread to other parts of the country, making it a national issue.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a surge in high-value but smaller, portable items being taken - and this appears to be what is driving this rural crime wave.

“This trend is deeply worrying for farmers who are investing in hi-tech equipment to make their farms more efficient and reduce pollution. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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Travel Scotland

Escape to the Country Travel in a New World

by Janice Hopper As lockdown eases, booking staycations in rural accommodation may sound more tempting than bustling hotel city breaks or international travel. If you’re offering isolated farm cottage accommodation, yes, you’re in a potentially good position, but what will make holiday-makers part with their cash, and book your property over the next one? By examining several case studies, we’ll highlight different approaches to winning customers in this brave new world.

SHOW ME THE MONEY Tourists may wish to secure accommodation, but have understandable concerns about paying upfront when they book. For some, confidence in the travel industry has been knocked, and trust broken. Many people have depleted incomes,

or they’re still awaiting refunds from airlines, package holidays and hotels. Those able to afford a short break need to know that their money is safe.

An obvious solution is offering staggered payments, or payment upon arrival, in line with many hotels.

Alternatively, Haven Holiday Parks are encouraging people to pay upfront and ‘Book with Confidence’, with a free guarantee that automatically applies to all existing and new bookings for 2020 and 2021.

Basically, if plans are interrupted by coronavirus, customers can move their holiday to a future date free of charge, or receive a full no-quibble refund.

“In relation to the Coronavirus outbreak you are covered for the following: 1. The park is closed

2. UK Government restrictions on travel (Haven’s press office clarified that, should Scotland and Wales follow a different approach when lifting lockdown restrictions, guests based in those areas, or travelling to any of the Scottish and Welsh parks will be protected by the guarantee).

3. You are unable to travel due to sickness or isolation 4. You consider it unsafe to come on holiday” Number four is the clincher here, offering the customer an opt out between 28 days and 3 days prior to arrival.

Naturally, the success of such new policies entirely depends on how seamlessly customers can contact the company, make changes, and swiftly receive

TRANSFER TEMPTATION Fred Olsen Cruises Lines offers clear refunds in the event of cancellations as part of its new ‘Plain Sailing Guarantee’. To tempt customers to transfer their booking to a future date, the cruise line includes a Future Cruise Voucher to spend, 24 months to decide which cruise to transfer to, and, if passengers can’t find another cruise after that time, they’ll be paid an additional 5% to account for any interest their money may have earned over that period.

Understanding that a customer base may be nervous about travelling in 2020, Fred Olsen says , “Any 2020 cruise can be moved, with no administration fees or loss of deposit, to any other on sale.

Just give us 2 weeks’ notice.”

Flexibility wins hearts and minds right now.

CLEANED UP Customers are keen to hear how accommodation providers have adapted to heighten safety.

It may sound obvious, but if you’ve made changes, let people know about it. Skene House in Aberdeen is well placed to provide self-contained city accommodation, as it offers apartments with their own living rooms and furnished kitchens.

Skene House regularly highlights what it’s done to protect the safety of guests and staff.

Check-in is now contactless, perspex screens are fitted at reception and two metre demarcation is in place, free onsite parking is available (highlighting that guests don’t

Fred Olsen’s Braemar

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back any money due to them.

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Travel Scotland have to touch parking meters and coins), apartments will be serviced post-stay only (for stays of six or fewer nights), the traditional breakfast buffet has been replaced with provisions delivered straight to guests’ apartments, and the gardens have socially distanced seating arrangements.

Potential customers welcome hearing how an accommodation provider has upped its game and proactively made the necessary changes.

LIGHT RELIEF For anyone in the travel sector, knowing how to engage with the public throughout this crisis has been challenging. Going silent may be one way to play it safe, but it doesn’t bear fruit. Many travel providers have shared and supported the #StayatHome message, but others have also offered light relief when it was needed most.

One landowner, with two country cottages on their estate, has been sharing pictures of a new litter of puppies. Indirectly, it’s been a great way to keep people connected with their brand and attract new followers.

Straloch Holiday Cottages in Perthshire welcomed six black labs into the world in May, and their Facebook page and Instagram feed has had followers cooing over the pups for weeks.

It’s unlikely anyone will book accommodation due to puppies, but the brood will ensure the cottages stick in people’s minds, they’ve allowed the landowners to positively engage with their followers, and the pups have made people smile and feel better about the world. Every little helps when it comes to potential conversions in these troubled times.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Travel providers may be desperate to get people back through their doors again, but immediate neighbours may not desire tourists on their doorstep.

It’s a difficult situation, but it pays for everyone to be as sensitive to each other and to their surroundings as possible.

Accommodation providers also need to be poised to answer new questions. For example, guests may now request to know the proximity of the nearest hospital with ICU. Some tourists will even ask if it’s safe to travel - clearly nobody in the travel industry should make guarantees they can’t keep, but it helps to have all the official websites to hand (such as the Scottish Government route maps) so that potential guests can check the latest updates and make informed choices.

Haven Craig Tara

DOMESTIC DELIVERABLES Across Scotland the public has either been cooped up or working, or both, so many people will welcome a break. The domestic market is vital right now, so keep putting yourself out there, and hopefully we’ll enjoy safe and enjoyable travels in Scotland, when it’s safe to do so.

Haven - haven.com Fred Olsen - fredolsencruises.com Skene House - skene-house.co.uk Straloch Cottages - straloch.com

Rockpooling - Haven Seton Sands

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TRAINVIEW TALK

So we’re almost at Midsummer and of course still living under the cloud of lockdown. We’re missing our days out to the local summer shows, without them we’re finding we’re not taking anytime off even if we would just have spent it at the other end of a lead rope. Missing too of course the few days at the RHS, there will be many a face we will not see for a catch up until 2021 but better we see them then as not at all.

Otherwise the farming goes on. Calving has been pretty uneventful (in a good way!) and the ones that have calved at grass are working away well. We’re moving cattle about regularly to try and best use our grass as a little more rain would be helpful. We’ve just completed IBR and BVD boosters, better safe than sorry.

At Dunlouise Embryo transfer work has recommenced, the length of a cow is ideal for social distancing! It’s good to see work like this starting back again. The demand for Native Angus genetics has never waned despite the pandemic.

We have just welcomed some new Shorthorn and Limousin breeders to the County of Angus. The Haigh family have relocated their Willingham herd from Lincolnshire. Moving farm is a difficult enough task never mind in the middle of a pandemic. We were happy to help out as the cattle had to be loaded up and sent north ahead of the Haighs being able to move. Happy to say everyone is now moved up and settling in, we wish them well and look forward to more competition at the local shows next year!

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DIARY

Trainview Talk Our new diary page

By James Cameron Our Herdwick ewes have just been sheared and we’re pleased with the job they are doing of the lambs, just one ewe has been ear marked to test if the mutton is indeed as once described as ‘The Kings Mutton’. There has been a lot of money spent promoting so called easy care sheep but the Herdwicks have been doing this for generations.

This very part time shepherd is impressed but having been brought up with a French breed of sheep that was anything but easy care its been a very pleasing restart to sheep. The lambing ropes are still in their packet. The fox that took the two lambs

unfortunately moved next door and one morning 5 lambs where found wounded and near death, nature at its rawest and no for the faint the hearted.

With no shows we have turned out the bulls early to hopefully tighten up the calving with some Irish Moileds, Angus and a couple Shorthorns pulled out for an AI syncro. Our Irish Moiled numbers are falling as some older cows have reached their time so we’re going to try hard this year to keep them pure and hopefully not get swept up by the Shorthorn but regardless they make a great job of their calves.

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Our last pure Irish Moiled stot just went away fat. He was spoken for last summer by a friend who has effectively created his own beef club with the meat being shared between family and friends. They paid us deadweight for the beast and then got it butchered to their requirements. It has worked really well as producers we have been able to set the price we need for our premium product regardless of the market conditions and straight away we’ve been asked for another beast! Unfortunately we sold all last years stots so he has booked one this years spring born Moiley X Shorthorns which we have no doubt will make excellent beef too.

This is a nice time of year just to sit back and study your stock in the field and one that’s impressing me is the yearling bull we’re using. He’s holding onto his flesh despite having a small hareem of ladies all to himself. He is a Meonhill Charlie Chaplin son, we’ll be lining him up for this coming February Bull sales if he doesn’t go off farm before.

As a consolation to selling him we may take a jump of semen to retain his genetics for years to come, it is very temping to keep him but he is the 3rd bull we have used from his mother who specialises in breeding bulls and is still to leave a heifer, the search for good sexed semen for her is on going.

Finally ‘Lamby’ the pet lamb has left the garden and off to the field to learn to be a sheep. A relief as he did spend most of his time escaping, eating Valerie’s flowers and head butting the kids. Thankfully the boys thought it was hilarious….

Valerie maybe not so much!

livestock The Cattledata Mobile App wins accolade from RHASS The Aberdeen based Farmdata team, a division of Landmark Systems, is thrilled with the recent accolade given to the Cattledata Mobile App by the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS).

The Cattledata Mobile App gives farmers the ability to view and update animal records and occurrences from the palms of their hands, wherever they may be. It complements the existing Cattledata software for the PC, which is already used by more than 12% of UK cattle farmers.

A longstanding exhibitor at the Royal Highland Show, Farmdata entered the Technical Innovation competition run by

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livestock the RHASS with prizes usually awarded during the show.

Despite the cancellation of the show for the first time in 19 years, the RHASS continued with the competition and have awarded the Mobile App a Commendation.

The Cattledata Mobile App provides farmers with comprehensive animal history, genealogy, movement and medical records in one easy to use interface. Though comprehensive, the App is laid out logically with clear screens and large buttons. Updating records is also quick and can be done for individual or groups of animals.

The Farmdata team is already looking forward to the Royal Highland Show in 2021 when the awards will be presented physically. Although it has to be said that a digital award for a Mobile App does at least seem fitting!

QMS launches new sustainable red meat action groups Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has launched a series of new “Sustainable Red Meat Action Groups” aimed at livestock farmers who are keen to understand the relationship between carbon, meat production and profit.

Pasture-based livestock production will be at the core of these new groups along with benchmarking farm performance and carbon credentials.

Facilitated by QMS, there will be seven groups based across Scotland and they will meet four times a year for a three year period.

Group members will have the opportunity to visit members’ farms and hear from technical experts on topics such as grazing

management, soil health and alternative livestock production systems. This will allow members to identify potential improvements they could make on their own farms.

Using easy to measure physical benchmarking data, the group members will also be able to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of their livestock enterprise and compare them with other group members.

Building on the success of the QMS “Graze +” and “Better Grazing” programmes that were aimed at those keen to learn more about improving their grazing management, the “Sustainable Red Meat Action Groups” will

allow for peer-to-peer discussion groups focused on improving individual businesses.

The first meetings of the “Sustainable Red Meat Action Groups” will be held later in the year virtually or on farm once lockdown has completely eased, and John Evans, QMS Knowledge Transfer Specialist, is encouraging farmers keen to take grazing management to the next step, and get involved.

If you would like more information about these groups and are interested in joining, please contact John Evans, QMS Knowledge Transfer Specialist on 07823 417598 or email jevans@qmscotland.co.uk

EBV work goes in-house Charolais cattle breeders are being urged to supply all performance information to the society to help develop state-of-the-art records for all animals and continually improve the breed.

From July 1 the society is taking all performance recording in-house after a long, and excellent, relationship with Pedigree Cattle Services. In the longer term they will be offering

the same service to other beef breed societies, again working to consolidate costly admin services in one place.

Julie Holmes has joined the Charolais team to look after all the EBV work and will be working from the Stoneleigh office once Covid-19 restrictions allow. At the moment she is based at home and is available on email julie@charolais.co.uk. (continued on page 56)

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livestock Julie carried out the same work for the Simmental Cattle Society for more than eight years and is aiming to increase the amount of information fed back by members in the future.

“We’re always encouraging members to performance record all animals – once the data has been analysed by ABRI it allows selection by up-to-date traits such as calving ease.”

EBVs are a measurement of an animals’ genetic potential, and collate information on performance data such as birth weights, calving ease, fertility, growth and carcass value.

Society CEO Peter Phythian welcomed the move to take the recording in-house. “We are continually looking to make our work more efficient and speedy and we would urge all members to supply us with as much information on their stock as possible so our records can continue to be accurate.”

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Improved Cattle Handling System Improves Efficiencies and Safety at Girtridge On average, two workers are killed and over 100 injured every year by cattle. Therefore, cattle handling, particularly in confined spaces, is amongst the highest risk livestock tasks.

Injuries and accidents can happen to the most experienced of handlers but often involve poor equipment. Further to safety, good handling equipment and systems can save time and labour contributing to an economic saving.

North Ayrshire Monitor Farmer, John Howie of Girtridge Farm, North Ayrshire often handles large numbers of cattle by himself.

Mr Howie commented: “It was obvious I needed to improve the financial performance of our

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cattle and regularly monitoring growth rates was essential. To do this, investment in a new

livestock handling system was required which allowed handling of cattle efficiently, safely and without extra labour. In addition, new weighing equipment and EID tags were introduced.”

Different handling systems and locations for the facility at Girtridge were considered.

The new system was designed by the North Ayrshire Monitor Farm community group and cost approximately £20,000. This cost included concrete and the installation of large gates around the steading to allow large groups to be moved easily with one person.

The facility is located under cover between the straw-bedded shed and the cubicle shed for quick and easy access for cattle.

It enables one person to move cattle through the steading to the handling system.

Other key features of the new system include holding areas for large groups of cattle externally and internally in adjacent sheds, a forwarding pen, a forcing IAE Rotex pen, a race with inspection gate, a shedding gate and a crush with chin scoop.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue September 2020

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription page 97

QMS Launches New Sustainable Red Meat Action Groups

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has launched a series of new “Sustainable Red Meat Action Groups” aimed at livestock farmers who are keen to understand the relationship between carbon, meat production and profit.

Pasture-based livestock production will be at the core of these new groups along with benchmarking farm performance and carbon credentials. Facilitated by QMS, there will be seven groups based across Scotland and they will meet four times a year for a three year period.

Group members will have the opportunity to visit members’ farms and hear from technical experts on topics such as grazing management, soil health and alternative livestock production systems. This will allow members to identify potential improvements they could make on their own farms.

Using easy to measure physical benchmarking data, the group members will

also be able to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of their livestock enterprise and compare them with other group members.

Building on the success of the QMS “Graze +” and “Better Grazing” programmes that were aimed at those keen to learn more about improving their grazing management, the “Sustainable Red Meat Action Groups” will allow for peer-to-peer discussion groups focused on improving individual businesses.

The first meetings of the “Sustainable Red Meat Action Groups” will be held later in the year virtually or on farm once lockdown has completely eased, and John Evans, QMS Knowledge Transfer Specialist, is encouraging farmers keen to take grazing management to the next step, and get involved.

“Feedback from farmers who attended the QMS Better Grazing groups indicated that many were interested in looking at

benchmarking and carbon audits in more detail. They were also keen to analyse the financial impact of the changes they make,” said Mr Evans.

“The opportunity to benchmark, share experiences and learn from other farmers in the programme is set to be a hugely valuable way to help farmers optimise their businesses.”

Due to the benchmarking element of the initiative, the number of members in each of the new groups will be limited. Group members will also be required to meet some key requirements which include agreeing to undertake a carbon audit and benchmarking, and to share results within the group.

If you would like more information about these groups and are interested in joining, please contact John Evans, QMS Knowledge Transfer Specialist on 07823 417598 or email jevans@ qmscotland.co.uk 57

livestock Scottish calf registrations increase but firm prices set to stay Scottish calf registration data from the first third of 2020 shows significant growth of 5% over the same period of 2019, according to the latest market commentary from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

The data also reveals that total calvings in the first third of the year are at their highest level for more than a decade.

There has, however, been a slow increase over the decade in the proportion of annual calvings occurring in the first third of the year.

For Scotland, in 2019, the proportion of the annual total calvings occurring in the first third of the year was 46% compared to 44% a decade ago, as the importance of the dairy herd has slipped.

According to Stuart Ashworth, QMS Director of Economics Services, this trend explains some of the increase, nevertheless, what the registrations also show is a continuation of changed breeding herd management.

“While total calf registrations have gone up, dairy sired registrations have gone down,” said Mr Ashworth.

“Although the December census suggested a decline in the Scottish dairy herd of 1%, the number of dairy sired registrations in the first third of 2020 has fallen faster.

“This suggests a greater use of sexed semen for breeding dairy replacements, increasing the potential to expand production of beef crosses from the dairy herd,” he added.

Stuart Ashworth, QMS Director of Economics Services

The registrations also show a continuing growth in the use of native breeds to almost

17 Million Consumers Informed About Health Benefits of Beef, Lamb and Pork by Levy Bodies’ Campaign The second year of a campaign by the British levy bodies has succeeded in reaching 17 million people, helping to bring a more balanced perspective to public discussion around the health properties of red meat.

The collective initiative funded by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) – Meat Promotion Wales, has undertaken a range of activity over the last 12 months to help counter misinformation in the media on the role of red meat in the diet, providing reassurance and evidence-based information to consumers regarding the important health benefits beef, lamb and pork provide.

A notable highlight was the programme’s consumer social media campaign, which saw reality TV star and entrepreneur Spencer Matthews cooking up wholesome, balanced meals for his threequarters-of-a-million Instagram

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30% of all registrations - an increase of almost 50% in the past decade.

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followers, while commentating on the health credentials of the beef, lamb and pork used in the dishes he prepared. Spencer’s lamb and pesto pizza, mini beef tacos and Thai green pork medallion curry recipe videos inspired an audience of 3.3 million online users, and were seen over 5.2 million times.

The campaign’s positive messaging continued to reach large social media audiences with its Blue Monday influencer programme, reminding followers that beef, lamb and pork naturally contain essential minerals and vitamins such as iron, vitamin B12, B6, niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2) and pantothenic acid (B5), all of which can help reduce tiredness and fatigue.

Well-respected media medics, including Love Island’s Dr Alex George and nutritionist Dr Priya Tew, took to Instagram to inform their 1.7 million combined followers about these tirednessbusting properties, with their content viewed over 510k times.

dairy Deosan launches new environmentally friendly lameness product Deosan HH+ is the latest product to join the Deosan range and aims to effectively target lameness, an issue that is currently costing the dairy industry more than 1p per litre of milk produced on the farm, according to AHDB. Dairy markets have seen rapid shifts over the last few weeks driven by the outbreak of Coronavirus, and farmers are advised to remain vigilant when it comes to lamenessto help manage costs.

Deosan HH+ is a strong mineral acid that crucially supports the reversal of the hoof degradation process, supporting the strength of the hoof in a

similar way that toothpaste acts to support tooth enamel.

Its extremely efficient formula means that only a smaller amount is needed, 100% of which is soluble, requiring no need for residue dispersal. Its soluble nature also means there is no environmental impact, aiming to solely optimise hoof hardness to reduce lameness and improve animal welfare.

For more information please visit https://diversey. com/en/solutions/food-andbeverage/dairy-farminghygiene-solutions/deosan-hhhoof-hygiene

Scotland’s dairy sector to focus on supply chains and contracts as it resets, restarts and recovers As Scotland slowly eases its lockdown restrictions, Scotland’s dairy farmers are looking to build stronger supply chains and discuss milk contracts as they reset, recover and restart from the impacts of Covid-19.

The Union has recognised that resetting and restarting as we emerge from the crisis will provide significant opportunities for Scottish farmers, crofters and growers. All NFU Scotland’s commodity committees and working groups – combinable crops, livestock, milk, pigs, poultry and specialist crops – have identified key steps and actions needed.

For those producing milk, the priorities are the following: Engage on all discussions relevant to government support options for dairy farmers.

Work with processors to ensure any adverse impacts on producers are minimised and returns to farm businesses are maximised.

Engage with processors to assess if their business requirements have changed during the recovery stage to ensure that producers can adapt.

Deliver the forthcoming milk contract consultation and engage with the membership.

Deliver the Scottish Dairy Growth Board Dairy Future Report, including increasing export markets for Scottish dairy produce and inward investment for increased dairy processing capacity.

Milk committee chairman, Gary Mitchell, who milks cows near Stranraer, Wigtownshire said: “What an extraordinary spring. When the Milk committee

met in March, we were joined

by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy Fergus Ewing and had a very useful discussion on milk contracts, future investment in dairy processing in Scotland and all the environmental challenges ahead for dairy farmers.

“A few days later, there was a dramatic change, we hit lockdown and a real challenge came to the sector. We immediately took lots of calls from farmers and processors regarding the shutdown of restaurants, hotels and cafes.

So many changes happened so quickly and that had a real effect on the supply chain. Overnight, everyone was going to a shop or a retailer to access milk and dairy.

“That brought a big change to how things operated. Farmers were worried about getting their milk lifted and consumers were asking

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why they couldn’t get milk on the shelves, It took a few weeks to get a grip on the whole dairy market situation during the initial response phase to Covid-19.

“Now, we are in reset and restart and heading for recovery, and we need to focus on how we can improve our supply chain.

“A lot of work by NFU Scotland in recent years has also been spent on milk contracts. I am pleased to say that the UK Government and devolved nations will be launching a consultation on contracts in next few weeks.

“I would encourage all farmers to take part it. It is all about the future. It is not just about a farmer’s milk contract, but about the whole chain from farmer to processor to retailer and other outlets and making that chain better.”

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Dairy Hub celebrates six years of supporting the Scottish dairy sector The Scottish Dairy Hub is celebrating six years of supporting Scottish dairy farmers and the nation’s dairy sector.

The organisation has come a long way since it was established on June 1, 2014 as an initiative that stemmed from the Scottish Dairy Review Ambition 2025 report, commissioned by the Scottish Government and chaired by James Withers.

The Hub has gone on to handle thousands of enquiries from the dairy sector and continues to offer a free one-stop, confidential, information service to all dairy farmers and service providers.

By identifying the best sources of advice to improve dairy farm competitiveness, technical efficiency and sustainability, it acts as a signposting service connecting the dairy sector throughout Scotland.

When established in 2014, the Hub was joint funded by AHDB and the Scottish Government. In February 2019, NFU Scotland replaced AHDB as a funder.

Farmers can place their question to the Scottish Dairy Hub via the website: www. scottishdairyhub.org.uk or by email info@scottishdairyhub.org. uk. In addition, it can be contacted by phone on Tel: 03454 755110 or Mob: 07500 766083. Scottish Dairy Hub is also on twitter: @ scotdairyhub and Facebook:www. facebook.com/scottishdairyhub .

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

NFU Scotland has started publishing the outcomes of joint work with the Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI)

By Vice President Martin Kennedy This project was set up last year to draw together evidence on greenhouse gas emissions and Scottish agriculture and examine some of the claims made about the sector.

The research, carried out

by Dr. Gemma Miller, has resulted in six factsheets.

These factsheets cover topics including the sequestration potential of managed grasslands, the climate impacts of agriculture on Scottish uplands, arable land and options for mitigating agricultural nitrous oxide emissions.

Although, as yet, the SCIENCE IS NOT DElNITIVE

using the most up to date data available now has allowed us to set a baseline to work from. This not only highlights where Scottish agriculture is currently, but means we are supported by robust scientific evidence to move the industry forward in a positive manner.

We will continue to engage with the climate

change debate, and support future climate change action.

These factsheets will undoubtedly prompt some conversation, and that is welcome – we all need to engage constructively on climate change issues going forward.

This research reinforces what we always knew – that Scottish farmers and crofters are in a strong position and already working to tackle climate change. However, policy direction requires that we build on this to play our part in achieving even more.

The statement last month by Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham on Greenhous Gas Emissions in 2018 show that the agriculture sector has continued to reduce emissions since 1990.

The year-on-year reductions in emissions between 2017 and 2018 highlights once again that Scotland’s farmers and crofters are already working hard and

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NFU Scotland

dairy

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ambitiously to tackle climate change through the likes of changes to cropping and livestock production and on farm renewables.

Farming is a recognised source of emissions. Further reductions will need to be achieved through clear policy direction and support enabling agriculture to build on this and play our part in achieving Scotland’s ambitious climate change targets.

The role of science in this debate is vital. This fellowship with SEFARI has paved the way for future collaboration and communication between NFUS and Scotland’s worldleading research institutes, and we look forward to building on this.

If we keep working to highlight the positive contribution of Scottish agriculture and improve our contribution to climate change, we will continue to be world leaders.

sheep Act now to get on top of sheep lameness Sheep flocks often suffer from an increase in lameness during the later summer months, so much so that shepherds are being urged to implement disease mitigation measures in the run up to weaning.

“There does tend to be a seasonal spike in sheep lameness during the summer – but equally it’s the ideal time to try and put a lid on any problems before any disease becomes more established,” advises vet Joe Angell from Wern Vets, based in North Wales.

“For example, weaning time is a good opportunity to earmark any persistently lame ewes for culling. And if you rear your own flock replacements, make sure you only breed from sound ewes or ewe lambs that have not been lame,” he says.

He adds that prompt, appropriate treatment of any affected animals is always important and that vaccination of ewes against footrot after shearing can also help.

“Always seek veterinary guidance when it comes to appropriate treatment. Footrot is the most common cause of infectious lameness but is also a risk factor for other foot disease

issues, such as contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD). These are the two most important causes of lameness in UK sheep; they may be two different diseases yet are strongly associated in their infectivity and transmission routes1. Footrot is certainly a risk factor for CODD, so if you can keep this widespread disease under control you can also help to mitigate the impact of any CODD issue in your flock.

“Indeed, for improved management of sheep lameness, it’s important to focus on the whole spectrum of disease issues, rather than any one problem in particular.

For example, if lambs are affected by scald during the summer, regular foot bathing can help.”

Dr Angell says that culling persistently lame ewes, prompt treatment of clinical cases and vaccination are all part of the Five-Point Plan for reducing the incidence of sheep lameness.

“The Five-Point Plan certainly provides a useful framework for devising a holistic lameness control plan1.

Right across the industry there’s real momentum behind this lameness reduction programme and many sheep farmers have

confirmed that implementing it and sustaining it will help to keep flock lameness incidence down to 2% of your flock or less.

“Remember too that implementing measures to reduce the propagation of infection around feed troughs and when gathering sheep are other important considerations, but so too is quarantining any bought-in sheep.

“Consider buying only from a single farm with a known disease history and always quarantine any incoming animals away from the main flock for at least four weeks. In addition, you should also turn any new sheep over on arrival and examine their feet for signs of disease; there may be no evidence of limping, but you may still be able to see early CODD lesions,” he warns.

Raising the baa on sheep health and nutrition A European sheep network is calling on farmers and others in the industry to share their challenges and needs in a bid to improve flock health, nutrition and management practices.

EuroSheep, which has partners in eight countries including Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has created a survey to collect the common nutrition and health challenges faced by sheep farmers and producers.

Once these have been identified, the network will collect and develop solutions, best practices, and tips and tricks which answer and reflect what sheep producers in Europe need. These will then be shared through national and

international workshops, events and webinars.

Dr Claire Morgan-Davies, a Livestock Systems Scientist at SRUC’s Hill & Mountain Research Centre, said: “It is really important for EuroSheep to gather the views of the sheep industry at a European level.

“The first step of the project is to identify the main challenges farmers and producers face, and the needs they have, in terms of nutrition and health in their flocks.

“We can then address these and provide solutions to improve flock profitability.”

EuroSheep, which is funded

by Horizon 2020 – the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme, involves partners in

Ireland, UK, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Greece and Turkey, but is open to all countries, stakeholders and sheep producers.

The objective of EuroSheep is to exchange existing knowledge between stakeholders at all stages of the supply chain in EU and Turkish sheep production, focusing on flock health management and nutrition management.

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It held its first project meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, at the end of January 2020, where the partners devised the work plan for the next three years.

The survey, which will take around 20 minutes, can be completed online on a laptop or mobile phone.

It can be accessed at: https:// tinyurl.com/eurosheep-en 61

sheep NSA urges UK Government to stand by UK farmers as further trade talks begin The National Sheep Association is once again reminding the UK Government to consider the broader potential ramifications of new trade deals, as talks with New Zealand and Australia begin.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker explains: “Trade deals are always going to be complex by nature, with each presenting different challenges and opportunities. With the addition of Australia, New Zealand and the CPTPP today, the UK is now undertaking six major new trade deals running alongside each other.

Having come from a position of not negotiating our own deals for many years, the UK is undertaking a big challenge, particularly when our future trading relationship with the EU is so uncertain.”

NSA is concerned about several factors with the new trade deals that are underway.

Mr Stocker adds: “Every country that we negotiate with is unique, and for the farming industry, sheep farming in particular, deals with New Zealand and Australia create unique challenges. This is due to sheep farming, and the export of sheepmeat, being such large parts of their industry. We are talking here about the three largest sheepmeat exporting nations in the world, with the UK being additionally unique by having such a large population and consumer market.

“You can be sure that sheepmeat would only travel in one direction, in part because of population numbers, but also because our high production standards mean we can be undercut even though the product is travelling across the globe. It

is not uncommon for nations to protect their agriculture industries for sound strategic reasons and this is exactly what we will expect from the UK Government.

“NSA been clear with our Government from day one, when seeking free trade agreements, the UK must not be willing to sacrifice our farming industry or undermine our values and standards for the sake of a deal that might benefit other British industries.

“The UK currently has a fine balance with lamb and mutton exports, imports, and domestic consumption. There is very real concern that increasing Tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for either New Zealand or Australia will damage this balance and make no common sense at all. We would have that concern in normal times but now, with future trade with the EU being uncertain, getting these deals wrong would have catastrophic effects for our industry and for the environments and communities that benefit from it. “We have heard Government commit to not compromising the UK market and our production standards time and time again, yet they won’t commit to it in legislation and as such it just leaves you feeling very nervous.”

NSA is again calling for the Government to commit to ensuring equivalence in any trade deals in legislation before these talks get underway. Mr Stocker adds: “Australia and New Zealand are experienced negotiating nations with plenty at stake, our Government must stick to its indicated red lines and stand by its domestic industries.”

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By Maime Paterson Upper Auchenlay, Dunblane Remember this time last year when the sheep sector was contemplating the possible dire consequences of a nodeal Brexit? Tariffs on lamb exports and a price collapse were just two elements of a nightmare scenario, and with the autumn store sales on the horizon, breeders’ confidence in buyer confidence was certainly in doubt. Thankfully, store lamb buyers are ever the optimists, grass was abundant and prices held up well. The price of smaller, long-keep lambs rose, much against all expectations but buyer’s faith was eventually vindicated by the high demand for lamb throughout the Spring, boosted by a resurgence in home-cooking.

Throughout last autumn, the battle for Brexit and the General Election hogged the headlines before the COVID-19 epidemic became the only story in town. But with the statistics now showing the disease on a downward trend, guess what? Brexit and a possible no-deal are back in the news, making it feel like Groundhog Day!

For the second year in succession, store and breeding sheep producers are facing uncertainty over the autumn sales. Boris has refused to extend the Brexit transition beyond the end of the year and the gloom merchants are again predicting the same dire consequences of a nodeal Brexit, and producers are again asking the same questions. As if that wasn’t enough, the 2-metre demands of social distancing will make store sales difficult to manage, and online sales of store lambs would be a challenge to say the least. The hope is that social distancing may be reduced to 1 metre in time for the first major sale at Lairg in mid-August. That, along with the buyer registration and drop-and-go system that’s been working well in the marts since lockdown began, may allow reasonable attendances of buyers, but once again the store lamb trade is in the lap of the gods.

For further information and help contact NSA Activities and Campaigns Officer Chris Adamson on 07930225150 or chris@nationalsheep.org.uk

pigs Scotland’s pig industry builds on strong base to reset, restart and recover from covid-19 As Scotland slowly eases its lockdown restrictions, Scotland’s pig producers have mapped out their priorities on how to reset, restart and recover.

The Union has recognised that resetting and restarting as we emerge from the Covid-19 crisis will provide significant opportunities for Scottish farmers, crofters and growers.

All NFU Scotland’s commodity committees and working groups – combinable crops, livestock, milk, pigs, poultry and specialist crops – have identified key steps and actions needed.

For those producing pigs, the priorities are the following: • Ensure the abattoirs and processing facilities continue to keep open and operating.

• Secure greater commitment from majority of retailers to stock more Scottish pork.

• Increase the range of Scottish pork products available in retailers to secure better carcase balance.

• New impetus to ‘Specially Selected Scottish pork’ brand.

• Availability of grant support to allow new investment in buildings that improve the environment and welfare.

• Build on existing successful self-funded pig health schemes.

Pigs working group Chairman Jamie Wyllie was quick to praise the efforts of the abattoir and processing sector in keeping supply chains open throughout the crisis.

Mr Wyllie said: “I want to thank staff in our abattoirs and processing facilities for continuing to work throughout the crisis, allowing pigs to keep moving. Without their efforts, we would have been in a lot of trouble on farms.

“As we start to emerge from lockdown, it is important that we continue to focus support and activity towards keeping our abattoirs and processing sectors functioning.

“With panic buying now over, and retailers returning to more normal supply lines, we want to work with them on widening their product range to help carcase balance and reduce reliance on imports.”

AgroSoft Ltd to support Scottish pig farmers with farm management software in 3-year contract with Quality Meat Scotland AgroSoft Ltd has announced that it has secured a 3-year contract with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) to provide on-farm production recording and benchmarking for Scottish pig producers.

As part of the agreement, AgroSoft Ltd, which is the UK’s leading supplier of management software to pig farmers, will make their specialised software available to all Scottish pig farmers and will

also provide quarterly industry benchmarking data to QMS. This will be shared with all participating farmers.

AgroSoft Ltd’s new contract adds two new iOS and Androidcompatible mobile apps to enable producers to easily record breeding and feeding herd data in real time, providing a valuable insight into individual sow history, pig movements and everyday tasks across the herd. This improves the timeliness of decision-making on farm, whilst also reducing duplication of effort, as data only has to be entered once.

Commenting on the announcement, James Nesling, Managing Director of AgroSoft Ltd, said:

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“We are delighted to be working with QMS and Scottish pig farmers by providing access to our management software and through the provision of quarterly benchmarking data. We have been providing business management software to the UK pig industry since 1999 and backed by our parent company AgroVision, continue to develop innovative solutions so farmers can benefit from the latest technology. This new agreement with QMS means that we can continue to provide market-leading software and management information to Scottish pig farmers, helping the industry to maximise efficiency and business performance.”

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pigs Could you reduce piglet handling?

The

VET

Mindset Reset - a Golden Opportunity

By Andy Cant Northvet Veterinary Group

Pig farmers could save up to half a day’s work each month[1] and dramatically improve piglet welfare by combining iron and coccidiosis treatments in the early days.

Fraser Claughton, Bayer commercial manager, explains that the pre-weaning period is critical. Piglets are extremely vulnerable to environmental stress factors which can have a major impact on their performance, even impacting mortality rates.

“Saving handling time on routine practices can also provide more opportunity to carry out tasks that require more attention to detail, such as split suckling, which can lead to improved weaning weights from better colostrum intake, for example,” he says.

But Fraser explains that saving time is not the only benefit of combining treatments. “It’s well known that handling young piglets causes stress, so any reduction in human contact will make an important contribution to improved overall wellbeing.”

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To reap the time saving and welfare benefits, Baycox® Iron Injection is recommended as an alternative to the traditional approach of a coccidiosis drench and separate iron treatments.

However, it is worth noting that successful coccidiosis treatments are all about timing, as it is important for piglets to have some exposure to the disease.

This allows them to build some natural immunity, while the treatment prevents sub clinical early symptoms that lead to poor performance and low weaning weights from the consequent damage seen in the gut.

“Therefore, we generally recommend administering the product when piglets are two to three days old at the same time as other tasks such as vaccinating to keep handling occurrences to a bare minimum but it’s best discussed with your vet,” says Fraser.

For more information on Baycox® Iron Injection, please visit: https://www.noahcompendium. co.uk/?id=-474270 or contact your local Bayer representative.

When we look back at the impact of Covid-19 on society in years to come will it be seen as the defining moment when society refound its values as a caring and inclusive community, where the heltar skeltar, instantaneous “I want it now” life we’ve all been living to some degree was seen for what it was and questioned. Will the general public continue to appreciate and understand the various roles people play in making the things they take for granted happen. Will the importance and providence of the food supply chain remain a priority in peoples minds.

Will it be seen as the start of the golden years of Scottish farming?

Measures to control Covid19 prioritised the NHS and food supply. That must have made people sit up and think, raising their awareness of what really matters. It has been a great marketing opportunity to remind our population where their food comes from and what Scottish farmers are producing. The danger is once the new norm returns some of the old norms return with it.

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We must drive home the messages! Literally and metaphorically! Quality is what differentiates Scottish produce, produced locally in a sustainable fashion adhering to high standards of health and welfare. These are the things the consumer must know and appreciate when making their purchasing decisions, these are the things that will influence them, its not all about price.

Are we getting that message out loud enough now that they are open to listening?

And if they are taking heed, our claims must stand up to scrutiny. I see the vets role as working collaboratively with farmers to realise the best health and welfare standards and to always seek improvement.

For a successful future, we need a more knowledgeable and discerning consumer to proactively seek out our products, and the quality and standards of our products must match their expectations. If we successfully reset the mindset of the consumer lets make sure we don’t forget to reset our own!

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Outstanding farm for sale in the Scottish Borders Galbraith is bringing to the market Langlee Park, a superb small farm just outside Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders.

The property includes an impressive family home, substantial outbuildings, parkland, grazing and woodland extending in all to about 83.65 acres.

Alex Inglis of Galbraith, who is handling the sale, said: “This is a rare opportunity to buy a beautiful property which forms a wonderful livestock farm or equestrian property. Its situation is ideal - surrounded by attractive countryside and only two miles from one of the historic towns of the Scottish Borders. “In addition to the lovely garden with its ornamental pond, terrace and over 80 varieties of rhododendrons, there is an orchard, extensive areas of woodland, wildflower meadow, orchid meadow and pony paddocks. This property offers all the elements for a wonderful rural lifestyle.�

Langlee Park was substantially modernised and extended in the 1980s and now forms a comfortable home with many attractive features and good space for entertaining. The internal accommodation includes: sitting room, conservatory with lovely views over the garden, dining room, kitchen, painting room, office/playroom and five bedrooms. The master bedroom has an en suite shower room. The

rear wing could be converted to form a self-contained annexe with its own entrance if desired.

The land extends to about 81.2 acres principally comprising pastures and woodland with about 61.8 acres of grazing and parkland and about 19.4 acres of woodland. The land is classified as Grade 3.1 by the James Hutton Institute.

There is an area of Christmas trees harvested every year.

The land also includes an orchard, poly tunnels, hen run, wild flower meadows and an attractive wildlife pond. A new www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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estate Challenges ahead

By Karen Ramoo, Policy Adviser (Forestry, Conservation & Wildlife Management) at Scottish Land & Estates Rural businesses are facing an extremely challenging period of uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic, both in the short and longer term. Coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the UK’s exit from the EU, we expect rural communities to be under unprecedented and unrelenting pressure in the next few years.

When we consider the recovery, it is important to state we are not simply trying to rebuild the economy to where we were, but instead use this opportunity to build a stronger and more resilient countryside strengthening the rural economy, community - and also embed climate change mitigation at the heart of recovery.

The food supply chain has to an extent continued to function in the period of lockdown but there has also been real hardship among businesses that served the food service market, especially in the dairy sector. Business agility, based on a mixture of skills and technology backed by access to finance, has made a difference.

There has been a degree of shift in consumer habits to “shop local”, including doorstep deliveries

and collection from local suppliers. This has proved a lifeline to local producers.

However, it has also underlined the lack of primary processing throughout Scotland.

This needs to be better understood in terms of long-term changes in behaviour. The lack of local abattoir and milk processing sites, for example, has demonstrated a lack of resilience within the supply chain. Training and staff development, along with innovation, also has the potential to increase profitability within the agricultural and rural sector and to deliver a thriving environment.

The implications for future growth will be dependent upon the clarity of any regulations or guidance brought forward by the Scottish Government and the extent to which we remain competitive with other nations in the United Kingdom and beyond.

Some immediate stability will be provided by the Scottish Agriculture Bill but what is certain is that agriculture as a sector must evolve to deliver a strong and green economic recovery. This will require a clear and untied vision and a conviction to modernise and develop the sector for the future.

For more information www.scottishlandandestates.co.uk www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com Telephone : 0131 653 5400

wood of 6.5 acres was planted in 2019 including a wide range of tree species.

Langlee Park was formerly part of the Langlee Estate and enjoys a scenic location which has good privacy whilst being very accessible to both Jedburgh and the A68, half a mile away.

There is an attractive small community at Langlee and houses here seldom come on to the market.

Jedburgh hosts the annual Jethart Callants Festival where

the elected Jethart Callant leads ride-outs on horseback around the town’s historic marches during the months of June and July culminating in a festival day.

Both Newcastle and Edinburgh airports are within comfortable reach of the property. Tweedbank station, which provides a regular service to Edinburgh, is 20 minutes’ drive away. Berwick upon Tweed (35 miles distant) is on the main East Coast Railway line.

Langlee Park is for sale for a guide price of £750,000.

For further information please contact Galbraith.

New protocols launched for trusts and charities that own land Two new protocols that set out practical expectations for private trusts and charities owning land in Scotland, are published today by the Scottish Land Commission.

Designed to ensure that the way land is owned, managed and used, benefits everyone in Scotland, the protocols set out expectations on trustees and land managers to manage land in a way that: • Is fair and considers the needs and priorities of the local community • Encourages positive behaviour by all parties • Actively engages local communities in decisions on land use and land management.

They are the latest in a series produced by the Land Commission to encourage practical implementation of Scottish Government’s Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement (LRRS).

Specific expectations set out in both protocols, include: • That there should be up-to-date, publicly available information about who the Trustees are and readily available contact information for the landholding • Where there are plans to make significant changes that will impact a local community, Trustees should follow the procedures set out in the Commission’s Protocol on Community Engagement • If possible, Trustees are appointed from the local area where the land is held.

Speaking about the new Protocols, Land Commissioner Sally Reynolds highlighted that there are rights and responsibilities that come with owning land and property. While much good practice already exists, the Commission believes that landowning trusts and charities could further improve their transparency, accountability and governance. Sally said,

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Southern Belle Lockdown leeds to laughter and learning Written on the day we should have been heading to the 2020 Highland Show

“Land is Scotland’s biggest asset, so it important that it is owned, managed and used in a fair way that benefits everyone.

Private trusts and charities own significant areas of Scotland’s land.

These protocols will help improve understanding and transparency about the way trusts and charities operate as land owners.

In particular, we are encouraging trusts and charities to consider how Scotland’s land rights and responsibilities principles are reflected in their governance structures, including for example the selection of trustees and their engagement processes.”

The Land Commission will provide advice to Trusts, Trustees and communities where appropriate to encourage good practice.

The Commission is also keen to hear about positive examples of good working relationships and welcomes information about successful collaboration between Trusts, charities and local communities that can inform case studies, to help others.

The Protocols will be kept under review by the Land Commissioners and the Good Practice Advisory Group to inform future recommendations that they will make to Scottish Government.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 97 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Instead of enjoying the craic, it is another day in lock down, which turns out isn’t as bad as I had expected, although my views may change, now that I’ve lost my job for the next year and cut down on the initial “holiday” wine consumption.

It has afforded me the opportunity to read more and I thought I would share two books, I think worth reading with you. David Niven’s fabulous “The Moon’s a Balloon” is a no holds barred recount of his life in the heady days of the early Hollywood stars. It is a remarkably candid account of power, personalities and the precariousness of the fledgling industry. It is a rollercoaster of emotions, which will send you straight to google to remind yourself of the who’s who of the day.

After swearing I would never mention the 1950s housewife thing again, on my first visit to see my mum since lock down, she presented me with The Sunday Post “Household Tips From The 1950’s!!”

This is a must for any toilet!

It has some of the most hysterical “tips” you can

imagine, some of which I have employed since reading it and some, to my credit, which I already use!

You have to appreciate any book, which extols the virtues of Buckfast Tonic Wine “which restores lost vigour and jaded nerves.” and on the same page, gives the top tip for today, “Hang your nylon undies dripping wet and you’ll be surprised how little ironing they need!”

Having grown up on a smallholding in the 1960s, “making do” was an art form and I am proud of my money saving efforts from time to time, which cause hysterics between my husband and daughter. They won’t be laughing when they are eating my veggies from my raised beds, made out of an old swingy seat and a broken pallet!

However, the top tip from lockdown came from a “socially distanced” get together, when a friend brought some homemade strawberry tarts and when unable to get icing sugar to add to the cream, she used gin as a substitute!

I can feel a new book coming on….

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forestry Planting figures in Scotland are ‘very good result’, says Confor Just under 11,000 hectares of new woodland were created in Scotland last year, new figures revealed recently.

Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of the forestry and wood trade body Confor, described the statistics as “a very good result in the light of major challenges” and said he was soptimistic about future planting levels.

Official statistics showed that 10,860 hectares of new woodland were planted from April 2019-March 2020, slightly down on the 11,200 hectares for 2018-19 - and below the new target of 12,000 hectares.

However, Scottish Forestry said the figure was still the second highest since 2001 and that prolonged bad weather followed by Covid-19 had caused significant disruption to the planting season and put the new target of 12,000 hectares out of reach.

There was also optimism about 2020-21. With tree

planting approvals for 2020/21 already over 9,000 hectares, and a further 7,000 hectares of applications being worked on.

Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “This is an outstanding result, in what

were really difficult circumstances.

A very wet winter slowed planting which then came to a stop as a result of the Covid-19. That was the right approach. No target is worth pursuing if it puts people’s lives at risk.

“So we should celebrate and welcome this achievement.

Scotland has produced the second highest planting figure in nearly 20 years and again exceeding our original planting target. This is really positive news.”

Agriforest, supplying the complete service Agriforest Ltd was set up in 2016 and has a growing client base

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which mainly consist of farms and estates. Agriforest fairly

unique in that they do everything on an open book basis, from timber sales, to restocking. All their clients get to see the exact costs, including our margin, for every area of work. They have two full time harvesting crews, and undertake all their own ground preparation with our 16 tonne Doosan High Track excavator-they therefore have a vested interest in ensuring the sites are left as tidy as possible with very little material left on site. As they are not tied to any particular market, Agriforest is free to sell the timber to the highest bidder. Everything from felling approval and management plans are undertaken as part of any work, so there are no upfront fees or ongoing charges-they

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make our margin from timber sales and are therefore have an incentive to obtain the highest price possible. Agriforest don’t charge yearly management fees, they only charge for the work they do. Payments for timber are made regularly, and substantially faster than competitors.

The main focus for Agriforest is on customer service and good communication-they are proud that this is something which all of their contractors and partners embrace and is a good part of the reason Agriforests get most of its’ work from repeat business and word of mouth.

For more information, see the Agriforest advert on the inside back cover of this edition.

forestry Up to ÂŁ1000 in woodland creation, management & conservation support available, without a prior ILMP The Scottish Government has lifted requirements to complete an Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP) prior to accessing funding support for woodland creation.

Since 1st May, Scottish farmers and crofters, can now apply for up to ÂŁ1,000 funding through the Farm Advisory Service (FAS), to enlist the help of a specialist adviser to help with woodland creation.

Prospective applicants can apply for support here: https:// www.fas.scot/application-forms/ specialist-advice-form/ The Scottish Government has also set an ambitious target to increase woodland cover in

Scotland from around 19% to 21% of the land area by 2032.

These new woodlands will absorb and store carbon and will provide

a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits.

To apply or for more information about FAS

services, please visit www.fas. scot. Alternatively, call 0300 323 0161 or email advice@fas. scot.

The EXF Forestry Mulcher from Teagle Environmental Management comes in many forms and processes.

There is a requirement to cultivate species rich habitats in areas that have not been productive farm land. To assist farmers in creating

these habitats in and around Rosshire, Agricultural Contractor John Mackenzie from Lower Geanies, Fearn has purchased a Teagle 2.2m EXF Forestry Mulcher equipped with a rigid

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carbide tooth rotor. This machine is powered by a reverse drive N174 Valtra.

Many areas of rough grassland have been overcome

by Gorse and Broom much

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forestry of which grows to 2 meters in height. The destruction of these areas is paramount when trying to establish grasslands and wooded areas that once established, will attract a wide range of flora and fauna. “The EXF is a brilliant machine for this job” states John.

“The hydraulically adjustable rear hood raised fully and the profile of the rigid teeth. This allows for a very aggressive initial chop of all the material. Following that up with a second pass with the hood lowered leaves a fine mulch that can be used as part of the seedbed.” He states. “The biggest problem apart from access when you are tackling areas like this is stones and perhaps other debris that is not exactly machine friendly. The machine has coped with it all no problem.”

John also adds “The machine is really easy to maintain and the greasing points are very accessible. We are just about to replace the tips on the rotor and I am really happy with wear rates.

I previously worked a mulcher on a skid steer loader and the tips have lasted as long on the EXF as they did on the previous machine.

The mulcher has to work in some fairly harsh environments and the reliability of the implement has been excellent.

The local dealership for Teagle is 9 miles away at Invergordon and personally, the Dealer locality was also an important consideration when purchasing this machine. The machine was recommended to us by a forest machinery professional within my area and his recommendation has been spot on” States John.

Robertson Fencing expands with new Doosan Excavators Robertson Fencing Ltd is an agricultural/forestry contracting company, based in Pitlochry in

Ideal for: - Clearing woodland rides and bracken - Cutting fire breaks in heather on moorland - Contract and clearance work for gorse and rubbish Made in Britain

Foster's range of heavy duty ROTARY SLASHERS and SUPER SCRUB CUTTERS are the ideal machine for the clearance of gorse, heather, bracken and rushes.

From 40HP to 150HP+ there is a machine to suit your requirements.

- Cutting wetland rushes

Highland Perthshire in Scotland.

The company works with forestry companies, land managers and highland estates combining its diverse range of services to deliver projects safely and to a high standard. Woodland creation and establishment works are Robertson Fencing’s speciality, applying a collaborative approach to fencing and forestry ground preparation operations, increasing efficiency and collaboration, whilst reducing supervision and on site management.

In the last three years, Robertson Fencing has taken delivery of eight new Doosan

GG2000 Super Scrubcutter fitted with cutting chains and rear deflector

For a leaflet or more info and advice contact: Sales Tel : 07901 338473 email: sales@fostersalescompany.co.uk website: www.fostersalescompany.co.uk

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excavators from Balgownie, the local Authorised Doosan Dealer, based at Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. The new Doosan excavators include two DX160LC-5 HT 16 tonne high track crawler excavators, five DX140LC-5 14 tonne crawler excavators and a DX63-3 6 tonne mini-excavator.

The arrival of the new Doosan excavators, doubling the fleet of crawler excavators, has helped Robertson Fencing to continue to expand to meet the demands of the buoyant forestry sector and ambitious woodland creation targets in Scotland.

Farming, science and conservation - the story of GWSDF Auchnerran so far The first annual report has been published for the Game and Wildlife Scottish Demonstration Farm at Auchnerran, Aberdeenshire, the Scottish demonstration farm of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

The farm tenancy was acquired by the Trust in 2014.

The farm extends to some 417ha at a height of 180 – 280m above sea level and is typical of a Scottish hill edge farm.

It provides the Trust in Scotland with a base for research, conservation and demonstration with an overarching objective to run it as a viable farming enterprise whilst producing game for a small shoot and to sustain and enhance local wildlife.

Another important aspect of work at the farm is to develop potential options for Scottish agri-environment schemes for grass dominated, hill-edge farms like Auchnerran.

Farming To date the Trust acknowledges that this has been challenging.

When the Trust took on the farm it was in a poor state (very low soil pH, poor quality grass and overgrazing, and a sheep flock that was beset with problems).

The previous regime however had allowed wildlife to flourish by its low-intensity approach.

The farm is 70 per cent grass, with the balance being woodland, fodder and game crops and rough ground. Its main commodity is a sheep flock which, after lambing, is taken to the adjoining 5000ha hill to graze until late autumn, with an important part to play in maintaining moorland habitat and controlling tick. The farm has a target flock size of 1500 ewes plus followers. Under farm manager Allan Wright the flock

has been improved in quality, with poor stock being removed, and is expected to achieve its target next year.

Silage and brassicas are grown to support winter feeding and some fields are being limed and re-seeded to produce better silage yields and better nutrition for the flock, part of which is wintered off-farm.

Last year was also the farm’s first in the Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme with measures implemented including fencing, which allowed more efficient grazing of many areas, and options for wildlife including Wader grazed grassland, Wild bird seed for farmland birds, and Forage brassica crops for farmland birds.

The shoot The farm inherited a population of pheasants from a previous release and the intention is to sustain and encourage these now wild birds. Numbers have unsurprisingly dropped from the previous high densities of released birds but there are still significant numbers of wildbreeding pheasants, with the farm’s improving game cover holding up to 60 per cent of pheasants on the farm in the autumn. The farm also has rabbits at pest levels, with other species including woodpigeon and woodcock (the latter are monitored to determine whether they can be harvested). There is therefore a good basis for development of a modest farm shoot which can be improved through measures including habitat management, planting of game crops and seasonal feeding. No birds are put down at Auchnerran to supplement existing populations.

Research and monitoring Science undertaken at the farm

has been extensive, starting with essential baseline monitoring in the first two years to identify the wildlife present on the farm.

Those initial surveys showed a wide array of invertebrates, game, breeding and wintering birds, mammals and reptiles – the legacy of years of low intensity farming but ongoing predation control associated with our neighbouring grouse moor.

All breeding birds are counted every year with 2019 showing a fall in abundance, and 15 of 27 species declining. It is thought this might reflect harsh and variable weather conditions through 2018/19 or may be in response to changes being made on the farm. However, brown hare numbers were up almost 50 percent in 2019 vs 2018.

Other research projects have covered rabbits, of which the farm had an estimated population of some 20,000 in 2014 and measures to reduce this are ongoing. Tick numbers are also monitored on the hill using tick counts on the sheep and a sample of hares.

Waders and thrushes are the focus of significant work.

Waders (lapwing, curlew, oystercatcher and woodcock) breed in impressive numbers on the farm and work is ongoing investigating the drivers of their productivity as well as their movements through the landscape. This includes research supported by the Working for Waders initiative into lapwing via ringing and tagging, and also tagging of curlew, which is revealing fascinating insights into their habitat use and where they spend the winter.

Surveys of thrushes (blackbird, song thrush and mistle thrush) have shown that they too are more abundant at

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Auchnerran than elsewhere in the vicinity with greater productivity.

Auchnerran has also been the Scottish base for the EU LIFE Laser Fence project being undertaken with European partners and Liverpool John Moores University, with trials focussing on deterring rabbits and rats from protected areas.

Dr Dave Parish, Head of Scottish Lowland Research, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, says: “There are too many highlights to mention individually but our report gives all the detail of much of our work on the farm over the previous year with an overview of activity from the outset. I’m delighted to say the farm is now in the black thanks to the efforts of the farm manager, Allan Wright, and the rest of the team. It’s important to remember this is a real farm, not a nature reserve, and that the farm business has to make its own way with no subsidy from the Trust at all.

“Crucially, the farm gives us an absolutely fantastic resource to explore the science of where farming, game management and conservation interests intersect. It gives us a base to demonstrate not just what we are doing but also what can be done. In 2019 alone we hosted 172 individuals on the farm from 52 different organisations covering the farming and landowning sectors, NGOs, policy influencers, statutory bodies, research organisations and MPs and MSPs. “Our ambition remains the same as at the outset – to protect and sustain existing stocks of waders and other species whilst improving the status and profitability of the farming enterprise and, in the process, to show others what we are doing.”

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Beatha an eilean “Iongantach sa h-uile dòigh” Sgrìobhadair Rod MacCoinnich Neach-gairm, Coimisean na Croitearachd

Chan fheumar a ràdh gu bheil na mìosan a dh’fhalbh air a bhith iongantach sa h-uile seagh. Tha an abairt “gun choimeas” air a chluinntinn gach latha, cha mhòr gach uair a thìde. Tha ‘gun choimeas’ a’ toirt sealladh air brìgh galar-sgaoilte agus nach robh aithne air a leithid ri pandamaig a-riamh roimhe. Tha gu leòr eisimpleirean rin lorg ann an eachdraidh far a bheil bhìoras marbhtach air buaidh a thoirt agus air àireamhan mòra de dhaoine a mharbhadh, leithid a’ phlàigh bhùbonach, “an cnatan-mòr Spàinneach” agus diofar sgaoilidhean den chnatan mhòr dìreach gus beagan ann an eachdraidh ainmneachadh.

Tha sgaoilidhean galarach mar sin do-sheachanta agus bhiodh dùil gun toir iad buaidh air gnè sam bith de bheathach bho àm gu àm. Is e a tha sinne mar dhaoine a’ dìochuimhneachadh, ’s e gur e gnè lag, so-leònte agus gun taic a th’ annainn nuair a thachras a leithid sin de sgaoileadh, agus gur e an t-aon dìon a th’ againn a bhith a’ cleachdadh biththèarainteachd cruaidh nar beatha làitheil. Bha a leithid sin de phrìomh obair bith-thèarainteachd nàiseanta ga choileanadh rè a’ bhrisidh den ghalar roileach ann an 2001. Chaidh mòran leasanan ionnsachadh aig àm a’ bhrisidh F&M leis a’ phrìomh leasan gun robh còir air gluasad stuic a bhith air a stad nas tràithe. Aon uair ’s gun stadadh gluasad air stoc, chumadh smachd cruaidh orra le gluasad fo chead agus le luchd-obrach, bha carbadan is togalaichean air 72

an cartadh agus di-ghalaraichte gu mionaideach aig gach ìre den ghluasad. Chan eil daoine, ge-tà, cho furasta an smachdachadh ri ar beathaichean tuathanais, ach is dòcha gum faodadh suidheachadh glasaidh a bhith air a chur an gnìomh mòran nas tràithe na bha e, gus an suidheachadh a mheasadh agus beachdachadh air buaidhean air an RA mar cho-chomann anns a bheil an ìre de bhailteachadh a’ sìor mheudachadh, meudachadh de 3% san deichead mu dheireadh, le luchd-còmhnaidh baile-mòir a’ fuireach agus ag obair dlùth da chèile.

Tha an gluasad socair bho sgìrean dùthchail gu h-àraid taobh a-staigh choimhearsnachdan croitearachd, air droch bhuaidh a thoirt air coimhearsnachdan croitearachd agus tha sin na dhragh dhuinne aig Coimisean na Croitearachd. Gu ruige seo, tha sinn air crìonadh fhaicinn ann an croitearachd ann am mòran sgìrean iomallach, gu sònraichte mar thoradh air dìth cosnaidh, prìs neo-reusanta air taigheadas don t-sluagh ionadail, call air prìomh sheirbheisean mar sgoiltean, seirbheisean slàinte is shochairean agus an gluasad mall den ath ghinealach gu ionadan còmhnaidheach foghlaim àrdìre agus adhartach. Tha foghlam agus ionnsachadh làn deatamach agus sin mar a tha co-chomann ag adhartachadh, ach tha an t-eadar-

lìon againn a-nis agus a leithid de dhòighean clis air ionnsachadh.

Tha mòran de dh’ionadan beaga aig UHI air feadh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean agus dh’fhaodadh gun gabhadh seo a leudachadh ann am mòran sgìrean croitearachd gus daoine a ghleidheadh sna coimhearsnachdan.

Bidh agus bu chòir gum bi an suidheachadh a th’ againn an-dràsta na adhbhar atharrachaidh. Tha an t-eadar-lìon agus ceangalachd dhidseatach a-nis gan cleachdadh barrachd na bha iad a-riamh, ach gus beachd bho aon de na tidsearan agam san sgoil aithris, “deagh choileanadh ach cothrom an-còmhnaidh air leasachadh”!!

A thaobh a’ chuspair “cothrom air leasachadh” tha bòrd Coimisean na Croitearachd air a bhith a’ coinneachadh gu cunbhalach (air astar) agus air mòran leasachaidhean a chomharrachadh a dh’fhaodar a dhèanamh mar thoradh air a’ chùis-èiginn seo. Tha an abairt “cothrom ag èirigh à èiginn” a’ tighinn gum inntinn.

Tha bòrd, sgioba-stiùiridh agus luchd-obrach Coimisean na Croitearachd a-nis a’ conaltradh, a’ coinneachadh agus ag obair bhon taigh gu didseatach. Bho thoiseach mall agus ’s dòcha aindeònach, tha conaltraidhean air leasachadh gu ìre far a bheil e na dhòigh thaitneach agus èifeachdach. Is e

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eisimpleir sònraichte far am faod coimiseanairean agus oifigearan cùise coinneachadh a dheasbad air obair-cùise “Ìre 3”. Tha grunn choinneamhan Ìre 3 air tachairt a tha air ceadachadh do chùisean an adhartachadh agus tighinn gu codhùnadh, a dh’fhaodar an uair sin fhiosrachadh do thagraichean.

Tha “an earrann àbhaisteach” de dh’obair a’ Choimisein a’ dol air adhart, dh’fhaodadh ann an dòigh nas slaodaiche na bha roimhe a thaobh gabhail ri tagraidhean ùra. Chan eil croitearachd a’ stad agus bheirear prìomhachas do thagraidhean agus fiosan deatamach, a tha co-cheangailte ri raointean-ama reachdail no a tha nan dragh a thaobh a’ Chlàir Croitearachd.

Aig ìre phearsanta on a thòisich an glasadh, tha crodh air breith, tha uain air am breith, agus tha obair earraich uile air a bhith a’ gabhail àite, nì air a bheil fàilte agus na tharraing cudromach bhon t-suidheachadh uabhasach a tha air a thighinn am bàrr.

Suas gu ruige seo, dh’fhaodadh nach robh croitearachd a’ coimhead ro tharraingeach do mhòran, ach a-nis le daoine ag atharrachadh an seallaidh air am beatha, tha mòran chothroman is bhuannachdan ann an croitearachd leithid: comas air biadh fhàs gu h-ionadail, a’ deànamh cinnteach à tèarainteachd, tùsachd agus ceum càrboin ìosal; leasachaidhean lùtha meanbh-ath-nuadhachail ann an sgìreann croitearachd; obair agus ionnsachadh didseatach bhon dachaigh agus air astar. Chan e dìreach a bhith ann an croitearachd am fuasgladh, tha feum air deòin luchd-ùidhe uile gu an siostam croitearachd a neartachadh agus a dhèanamh soirbheachail.

Late spring and early summer were busy. Well, busy times if you were furry, woolly or feathered. Scottish wildlife raised and reared their young in relative quiet, meanwhile, the two legged population of Scotland were mostly stuck at home.

Our doorsteps were big themes. Garden birds thrived as the nation sought out the joys of looking out the window, many discovered a love of gardening and feeding their garden visitors. Homebased TV programmes sprouted overnight to showcase the country’s garden scenes and their animal visitors in an attempt to entertain and distract us from the news bulletins and the ‘C’ word.

Newspapers would have us believe Scotland was going through a process of natural rewilding, as they claimed animals were taking over, and Mother Nature was in full flow all over Scotland. They desperately wanted some feelgood news to share and fill their pages, and I don’t blame them.

We all wanted good news.

Time moves on, and in the countryside we are more likely than townsfolk to use flora and fauna to measure the time of the year and make note of the subtle movement from one

by Linda Mellor

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE season into the next. The first snowdrops pushing their way through the snow gives us hope winter is done and spring isn’t too far away. The splash of yellow daffodils and huge skeins of honking geese filling our skies as they move on to other lands. Rabbits appear, and within a month they’re followed by litter of tiny bunnies.

The bird song has more voices, House Martins return, and Lambs skip around in the fields, we read these signs as making progress through the seasons. Spring is on its way out and summer approaches when the first Cuckoo is heard, it claims its territory by calling out, and our bird population expands with overseas visitors.

The landscape starts to bloom, trees sprout leaves, and vivid yellow pockets of gorse blossom in abundance. Roe deer does have their young, and the bucks shed their velvet, both sexes change their thick, dull, winter coats for a sleek,

red fur that stands out vibrant in amongst the sea of greens and yellows.

Another seasonal timeclock movement is when the Red deer stags lose their magnificent antlers. Casting them far and wide over the high grounds, hidden in amongst the heather and swallowed up in peat hags or chewed.

Yes, chewed. Stags and hinds will chew on the cast antlers.

Antlers are full of goodness, and are a great mineral source of calcium, sulphur, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium. Red squirrels are also fans of chewing on cast deer antlers. The growth of new antlers happens at a startlingly fast pace, within hours of casting their old headset, new growth can be seen. Two bulbous, fragile, velvet covered swells appear, and within a few weeks they sprout into semi-recognisable stumps of growth. The herds of deer change their population dynamic as the male only herds of stags now have a few hinds. Although they are all red deer, they spend most of the year apart as if they were two different species.

While there is much change happening around us, countryside career longevity should be celebrated.

Richard MacGregor, 52, is a deerstalker on the remote Corrievarkie estate. In early June, he celebrated his 25th year working for Benalder estates. Richard has worked

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with pheasants, grouse, red deer, and deer ponies. His countryside career started when he left school and joined Fairburn Estate, Muir of Ord, then he moved to Benmore, Assynt Estates in Sutherland.

In 1995, Richard moved to Benalder Estates, and after five years, he took on the singlehanded deerstalker role in the remote Corrievarkie Estate (part of Benalder Estates), on the banks of Loch Ericht. He said, “Scotland’s countryside is amazing and to work surrounded by mountains and glens, and with the red deer through the seasons is very rewarding. The time has flown so fast, probably because every day is different.” Richard is a keen wildlife photographer, and can be found sharing his photos on Instagram (@ richard_c_macgregor). In a climate when so many people chop and change their jobs, 25 years is a considerable amount of loyalty.

I have started work on my second book celebrating the Scottish Countryside, and hope to have it independently published on Amazon by the end of the year. Following on from the success of ‘For the Love of Country Sports’ published on the glorious 12th last year, it was always going to be tricky but I have an outline that will bring more of the love of the outdoors into a book. It’ll be ideal reading material for the winter months, curled up and cosy by a roaring fire.

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BOOK SERIALISATION

Peat-cutting day In our latest extract from his book about Scotland’s peatlands, Robin Crawford looks at the hard graft that takes place on the moorland in May

In times gone by, all over Scotland the early summer peat-cutting was a communal activity. Even relatively recently, George Mackay Brown wrote of a hundred or more men cutting along a single bank on the Orkney Islands. No more.

In the course of one spring day on Lewis I met nine peatcutters. Two men were on the moor in the middle of the island between Stornoway and Barvas – one had left the island as a young man and worked all his life in Glasgow, only now retiring to the family croft; the other, his brother, had stayed on the island. I met Barney and his family at Arnol, who manage the blackhouse museum, cutting peat both professionally to preserve the tradition but also domestically for their own use.

But even among the keepers of tradition, the same issues arise:

their son will be leaving for university in Glasgow in the autumn. I met a lone man cutting out on the Arnish Moor, and also working alone was a middleaged man digging with a spade at Skigersta. His aunt and uncle, my friends Mary and John, both in their seventies, were cutting nearby.

Mary and John are fortunate.

They live in the last house before the moor and can see their peat banks from the kitchen door; they go to the moor for about two hours every day for four or five days early each May to cut. That usually does them for the year – they have plenty still in the shed, which will more than last them to July/August, when today’s cut peats will be dry enough to come in.

We drive down the gully, over the burn, then up the hill to the post marking their bank. We

park up and walk across to it.

Mary cuts, John throws.

John starts at the righthand side of the peat bank. He demonstrates ‘turfing the bank’, using a normal garden spade to take off the living top layer of vegetation. Two spades’ width in from the bank, one spade’s width along. The sod is deep enough to preserve all the roots intact and is thrown down onto the foot of the bank to allow it to re-root. This retains the living moor surface for future generations and for their sheep to graze. In this top layer, peat has not formed sufficiently yet and it is too wet and smoky to burn with any heat.

The catcher will be standing on this top turf whilst they work, which will help firm the roots back into the moor.

Having cleared a line of turfs, John uses the spade to ‘clean’ the top of the exposed

John and Mary at work on their family’s peat bank

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peat of any rough bits left over.

It is necessary to make it smooth, as this will form one of the right angles when stacking the peat.

The peat bank is now ready to be cut for fuel: riasg.

Mary begins cutting with the tairsgeir (toirsgian, tarisker, tushker, tusker, turf spade). One, two, three, four peats are cut from the width of turf John has removed. The blade slides easily into the smooth, brown peat like a warm sharp knife through chocolate fudge brownie. Once the blade has sliced through the peat, you rock the blade back on its heel and the slab of turf falls perfectly into the waiting catcher’s hands. Cutting an individual slab is not physically arduous; it is the repetition throughout the day and week that tires you out.

The first peat cut is thrown

by John with a slight twist of

BOOK SERIALISATION the wrist to make it spin about 90 degrees – by some magical process this prevents it from breaking up on impact. John has the knack, so Mary cuts and he throws. I do not have the knack.

The cut peat slab lands far onto the heather. The second peat cut is placed next to the bank, with a little space between them. Mary calls this gap rathad an isein (‘the bird’s road’); in some peat banks it is ‘the little bird’s road’.

If the gap is wider, it can be ‘the little lamb’s road’.

Knowing that you are carrying on the tradition, connecting to your ancestors, is a very special thing Whatever the width, the important thing is to ensure that the cut peats lying on the bank do not rub against the shoulder of the cutter as they work.The third peat cut is thrown next to the first.The fourth peat cut is thrown between the third and the second. By sitting on top of the heather air can circulate under each peat and help it dry, rather than absorbing moisture from the sphagnum. As more slabs of peat are cut, space on top of the peat bank is at a premium, so John starts to build a herringbone wall of peats along the little bird’s road.The gaps in between allow for the wind to circulate.

John says that within the couple of hundred metres’ area of where we are working,Mary’s father, uncles and grandfather could have been cutting for the last hundred years. Knowing that you are carrying on the tradition,

connecting to your ancestors, is a very special thing.

It is reckoned that 15-20,000 peats would last a family of four for a year In the past, and still very occasionally in some places today, you will find six people cutting the one bank – three levels, a cutter and a catcher on each one. Each pair spaced along the bank, cutting, catching and throwing, Neighbours or family – usually both – these six entwined by the rhythms and protocols of a life integrated and utterly interdependent. Woven together like tweed, or Celtic knot work.

Six days to cut a year’s supply of fuel for six households.

It is reckoned that 15-20,000 peats would last a family of four for a year in the days when peat was the only source of fuel.

Six days, and on the Sabbath they rest. Out to the moor in the morning, lunch, tea at four, finish at 7pm. A responsibility to help each other, a responsibility to conform to the necessity of tradition – you cut right-handed, even if you are left-handed.A responsibility to provide for your cutters, ensure all is ready to go, and then cut, catch, throw; cut, catch, throw, as repetitive as the larks that sing and rise across the moor all morning.

At lunchtime the woman of the house would lay out her best tablecloth on the heather, weighted down at the corners with stones or a dried peat, and serve herring, potatoes, scones,

The ex-Army tents being used to provide shelter for the peat-cutters’ lunch

bannocks, cakes. At the end of the bank, a peat fire brewing dark tea in the big, black kettle, which is on the stew all day sending flurries of peat smoke across the bank as the cutters work.

After the world wars, army surplus bell tents pitched on the moor at peat-cutting time made for a respite from bad weather for the husbands and eased the foodserving worries of the wives. In old photographs you see the joy in the smiling faces of people at the peats – hard work for the cutters certainly, and anxiety for the host, but there is also a sense of happiness among the people there. From the Northern and

Western Isles to the hills outside Edinburgh and the Borders, it could be one of the best times of year in rural Scotland.

Into the Peatlands: A Journey through the Moorland Year by Robin A. Crawford is published

by Birlinn, £12.99. Readers of Farming Scotland can purchase copies at a special price - £10 (inc p&p in the UK). To order please phone Booksource on 0845 3700067 and quote FS2020. A second book by Robin A. Crawford, The River: Journeys Along the Tay, will be published in July.

The tairsgeir and spade used to do the job

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Women in Agriculture Scotland Time to stand up and take our place

by Nina Clancy, CEO RSABI, Women in Agriculture Group Committee Member and Scottish Governments Women in Agriculture Taskforce Member

I, for one, would like to see many more women take on leadership roles within Scottish Agriculture. I know many women out there with the drive, determination and skills to do an excellent job and add real value. I am not the only one with this view, the lack of women in leadership roles was highlighted as a particular problem facing the agricultural sector in the Scottish Government’s Women in Farming and the Agriculture Sector: Research Report issued in 2017.

So what’s stopping them?

I believe it is for two main reasons. The first is that few women put themselves forward for leadership roles and the second is that organisations and businesses do not fully recognise the benefits of having a diverse leadership.

Lack of time is a major barrier for women to advancing women’s roles. They often have to juggle child/carer responsibilities, farm work, housework, off farm employment and volunteer work.

There are no easy answers here.

Of course, this can be a problem for men too. However, over a third of the women surveyed in the research report said they would be personally interested in becoming more involved in leadership.

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Nina Clancy, CEO RSABI

Lack of confidence was identified by the research as another major barrier. Confidence can be in themselves and their skills or just not wanting to be in an all-male environment which can be intimidating, perceived or real. Personal training and development, mentoring and support can tackle this lack of confidence. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

The Scottish Enterprise Rural Leaders Programme made me realise I was the one holding myself back, not anyone else.

With support of both men and women in the sector, I have taken on the challenge of being the CEO of RSABI and I love it. The

Scottish Government’s Women in Agriculture Development Programme (WiADP) aims to deliver training and mentoring to support women to build confidence, enhance business skills and develop leadership abilities. I hope that in the very near future we will have more women putting themselves forward for leadership roles.

That won’t solve the problem on its own. I believe organisations need to do more to encourage women, in fact, not just women, encourage more diversity in general. Having a diverse leadership in any sector results in better decision making and improves both productivity

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and profitability. There is a great deal of research to back this up.

Surely it makes sense to engage the talents of all the best people for these roles, quite apart from it being the morally right thing to do.

Conscious and Unconscious bias is holding our industry back.

Gender bias in the agricultural industry means that women are not expected to hold leadership positions and are less likely to be successful in elections. No wonder women are reluctant to come forward. The cultural barriers are significant. Unless current leaders recognise the benefits of a diverse leadership and make significant changes to the organisation’s culture, not much will change.

I am glad to say there is evidence of change, with a number of organisations having taken part in bias training as a start, and some, including NFU Scotland publically stating that they are keen to have women involved. The Scottish Crofters Federation for example, already have gender equality in their leadership, so it is achievable.

Agriculture is facing a period of change. Now more than ever is the time for women to stand up and take their place and for organisations and businesses to welcome them.

COOKING with HONEY

Honey Glazed Ham with wholegrain mustard

By Wendy Barrie This is a real favourite of ours for which I need no excuse! Today I used Ramsay of Carluke’s ham, Original Arran Mustard and Colonsay honey. Fantastic hot or cold, it can be kept all week in the fridge for tasty sandwiches, baked potato fillings and salads. Any little leftover bits will transform a midweek risotto or a nourishing soup so nothing is ever wasted.

Photograph © Wendy Barrie

Ingredients: 1 joint of outdoor reared gammon, smoked or unsmoked For glaze… 2tbsps wholegrain mustard 1tbsp heather honey honey 1tbsp homemade breadcrumbs 1 egg yolk to bind

Method: s 0LACE HAM IN A PAN SUFlCIENTLY LARGE TO ALLOW YOU TO COVER it generously with water. Allow it to soak overnight then discard water. s 2ElLL PAN WITH COLD WATER COVERING HAM AND BRING TO BOIL Simmer for 20mins per pound (450g). s 7HEN COOKING TIME COMPLETE REMOVE FROM HEAT AND ALLOW to rest in liquor until it is cool enough to handle. Save the cooking liquor for a delicious soup stock. s 0LACE HAM ON A LINED BAKING TRAY AND TRIM OFF SOME BUT NOT ALL THE FAT s 0RE HEAT OVEN TO # s 0LACE GLAZE INGREDIENTS IN A BOWL AND BLEND TOGETHER 9OU MAY NEED A LITTLE MORE DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE JOINT 3CORE remaining fat and brush with glaze. s "AKE FOR MINS OR SO UNTIL CARAMELISED s 2EMOVE FROM OVEN AND IDEALLY ALLOW TO REST BEFORE CARVING

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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finance SDF healthy financial position despite market contraction SDF’s economic results in 2019 showed growth both in terms of Earnings Before Tax (EBT) and Net Profit, despite the contraction in the market and the fall in turnover.

In 2019, the company recorded a turnover of 1.268 billion, down 7.6% on 2018. Operating performance was 8.7%, equivalent to 110 million, down slightly on 9% in 2018. Pre-tax profit was €59.3 million, a significant increase on the 50.0 million of the previous year, and net profit increased from €42.2 million in 2018 to €44.6 million in 2019.

The financial position closed with net borrowings of 281.6 million, confirming the evident financial soundness of the group for 2019. This important result was obtained by streamlining general warehouse management, down by 18%.

The negative trend in European markets and the weakness of export markets saw a fall in turnover in both tractor and combine harvester sectors, but Grégoire grape harvesters performed strongly in 2019 with a record turnover – up from €54.9 million to €70.7 million – and record profits, up by 55%.

SDF’s spare parts business continues to make a significant

contribution to overall company results, and has been boosted by the development of an online sales’ platform.

Investment and product development was maintained at 60 million, with a focus on digitalisation of product and sales processes. This included the “connected tractor” project, using fleet management software that enables remote monitoring of the tractor’s main operating

parameters. Digitalisation of the sales process using a new CRM system will enhance network engagement and sales.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made its presence felt within all SDF’s global production activities, but measures were put in place at the time to ensure production could continue as lockdown restrictions were lifted.

“Last year was particularly significant for our company, both

because of the good earnings performance and the completion of the reorganisation of the sales division, alongside our work on digital transformation projects,” says SDF CEO Lodovico Bussolati. “We will continue to make major investments in Research and Development, and in 2020 we will be launching some important innovations for highpower tractors, combining product performance and connectivity.”

Agricultural businesses urged to explore all financial options

By Graeme McNaughton, National Director for Barclays Agriculture These are incredibly uncertain times for most businesses, and agricultural businesses are no different. Despite their designation as key workers and the vitally important role they are playing in our food supply chain, many of Scotland’s farmers are experiencing the same challenges as other business leaders.

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While the sector is generally in good shape, we are noticing certain farms bearing the brunt of the lockdown measures more than others. The near pause on the entire hospitality sector has resulted in a drop in dairy and beef prices, for example. Coffee shops and cafes no longer operating has meant a reduction in our milk consumption,

and prime cuts of beef that would normally be bought up by quality restaurants are instead often being turned into mince.

But we’ve also been seeing some positive signs for the industry as home food consumption has increased. The demand for eggs is very strong for example, likely due to many of us trying our hand at

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home baking, and the demand for chicken has increased as people search for healthy and easy to cook meat options.

Elsewhere, workforce levels are creating a problem, particularly in fruit and vegetable farms where there is concern that a lot of product could be left unpicked.

The government is attempting

finance

THEMONEYMAN What Comes Next?

By Charlie Carnegie

Graeme McNaughton, National Director for Barclays Agriculture

to rectify this by highlighting that furloughed workers can apply to work on farms with the reassurance that their finances will not be impacted – a welcome announcement for many in the industry. As key workers, farmers are also prioritised for testing for Covid-19, with the hope this will see many who are self-isolating return to work as quickly as possible.

Of course, many of the problems we are seeing are economic and relate to cashflow.

Barclays has been helping our agricultural clients adapt to the current economic challenges and our team of relationship managers who work across Scotland have been liaising with businesses of all sizes and stages of development, from individual farm owners to private estates.

When having discussions with your bank, there could be a number of options available to agricultural businesses to ease the pressure many are experiencing.

For example, we are working with our customers to offer overdraft increases and 12-month capital repayment holidays where possible.

We are also helping our customers access government support where they are eligible.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL) will

be a viable option for many farming businesses, for example.

To access this loan, 80 percent of which is backed by the government, your lender will require certain evidence to prove that your business was viable before Covid-19. This will likely include up to date management information, annual accounts, and forecasts with confirmation that the additional funding, repayment of which would begin after 12 months, is affordable and how the business would demonstrate this. This sensitivity analysis helps all parties understand the level of cash headroom there is to service borrowing costs and how well prepared the management team are to handle unexpected or unavoidable influencing factors.

The smaller Bounce Back Loan scheme, 100 percent of which is government-backed, could also be an option for those unable to access CBIL. While things may seem bleak now, there is a lot of support available to agricultural businesses struggling to cope as a result of the pandemic – it is often just a matter of speaking to your lender to explore all of your options.

The economic landscape will strengthen again, and farmers will be remembered for the critical role they are playing in maintaining our food supply chain.

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As I write what shall be my last article for the magazine before I shortly retire the world has become a very strange place with a worldwide pandemic causing pain and suffering to millions of people, the economic fallout of which shall cause even more anguish.

This is certainly not the way I envisaged my winding down and shall not be the retirement I had intended.

A new normal seems a very long time away.

Clearly the cost of fighting the Covid virus shall run into many billions of pounds with all the various support measures and grants that the government has quite correctly put in place to support businesses through these very difficult times and nobody is under any illusions that this will all have to be paid for by us the taxpayers.

Just exactly how this is to be repaid remains to be seen but inevitably has to mean a huge rise in the tax take by HMRC and this I fear shall come in lots of changes to different taxes.

The most obvious change was hinted at by the Chancellor right at the outset when he announced the furlough scheme and pointed out the inequity in National Insurance Contributions between Employees and the Self-Employed.

Currently EMPLOYEES PAY ON earnings over ÂŁ9500 pa with the self-employed paying ALTHOUGH THEY ALSO PAY a weekly ‘stamp’ but this is only ÂŁ3.05 per week.

Another area where I would anticipate significant changes would be one which I touched on in a previous article about Inheritance Tax,

given there has been so many reports on this in the last few years now would be the time to start making changes. It may be worthwhile giving thought to taking advantage of the current reliefs where possible, specifically if you are considering transferring agricultural land and property.

Although changes have just been brought into the current year for Capital Gains as regards making a Return and paying any CGT within 30 days of a disposal the rates are still relatively low AT AND UNLESS ITS residential property in which CASE ITS AND ) could see all of these rates being increased.

I don’t believe many changes will be made to either the rates of VAT or Income Tax as these are the ones which affect the vast majority of people on a day to day basis.

Taking over from me in the next issue shall be Ian Craig, one of my fellow partners in the Perth office of Campbell Dallas and he can be contacted on 01738 441888 for any further information.

Charlie Carnegie is a partner in the Perth office of Campbell Dallas and can be contacted on 01738 441888 for any further information

machinery

Netherton Tractors announces expansion plans John Deere and dealer Netherton Tractors Ltd have announced plans to establish a new agricultural and homeowner equipment dealership outlet in the Perth and Kinross area of Scotland.

Established in 1987, Netherton Tractors has two existing outlets at Forfar in Angus and Glenrothes in Fife. The new premises at Units M-P, Arran Road just north of Perth are situated close to the A9 and offer modern, purpose-built office, storage and workshop facilities.

“I am very pleased to announce this expansion by one of our key Scottish dealerships,” says John Deere Limited division sales manager Chris Meacock.

“The business has established a reputation for excellent customer service and support, and this latest investment will enable Netherton Tractors to further meet customer demand for John Deere’s advanced product range and the latest precision ag technology.”

Netherton’s general manager Garry Smith adds: “We are very much looking forward to expanding our business to cover this newly extended trading area, and have already recruited a

number of experienced staff in preparation for our opening.

“We specialise in all the main John Deere agricultural product lines, including tractors, harvesting equipment, sprayers, Gator utility vehicles and

precision ag systems, as well as programmes such as PowerGard maintenance and protection, Expert Check and John Deere Connected Support. As a group we are committed to delivering the best possible machinery sales

and service support to existing and new customers.”

In addition to John Deere equipment, the group’s other franchises include Kramer, Kverneland, Dewulf, Bailey, HEVA, Bunning, Opico and Nugent.

New compact tractors from John Deere John Deere has announced a number of updates to the company’s comprehensive compact tractor range for 2020, which includes 13 models in six Series from 25 to 66hp.

The main change is prompted by the latest Stage V emissions

regulations in Europe, which are designed to limit ultrafine particulate emissions in all engines above 25hp (19kW).

Ultrafine particulates are less than 0.1 microns in diameter, which is 700 times smaller than a human hair. (continued on page 82)

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machinery John Deere’s compact tractors rated at 25hp and below – the 1026R and 2026R, which remain unchanged, and the new 3025E – already meet the necessary standards. Other 2R and 3R Series models above 25hp get a new Yanmar 1.6-litre, three-cylinder TNV Series diesel engine that features a high torque reserve, providing plenty of power under heavy loads.

This uses the latest engine technologies to improve fuel economy, control and accuracy, while also reducing environmental impact as well as operating costs. It features a common rail system (CRS) and an electronic control unit (ECU), which continuously monitors engine conditions and adjusts fuel delivery to ensure optimum performance.

The engine’s new aftertreatment system consists of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), similar to that used

successfully on John Deere’s larger agricultural tractors.

This operates automatically to

produce lower levels of exhaust emissions and reduced noise levels, and meets all current

Stage

V

The new UF 1002 and UF 1302 mounted sprayers from Amazone Amazone has extended its UF 02 mounted sprayer range with two new models. The UF 1002 has a nominal volume of 1,000 litres and an actual volume of 1,100 litres, whereas the UF 1302 has a nominal volume of 1,300 litres and an actual volume of 1,400 litres.

Both models can be used with the laterally-folding Q-Plus booms in working widths from 12 to 15 metres or the vertically-folding Super-S1 or S2 booms from 15 to

Harry West (Prees) Ltd

office: 01948 840465 email: sales@harrywest.co.uk web: www.harrywest.co.uk 82

requirements for emission standards.

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machinery 30 metres. The completed UF 02 range therefore now covers tank sizes from 1,000 to 2,000 litres.

The established UF 901 and UF 1201 mounted sprayer models, which are positioned in the midprice sector, will remain in the product line-up.

The new UF 1002 and 1302 are each equipped with a specially formed polyethylene tank that have a favourable centre of gravity. The extremely compact tank means that the distance between the lower link coupling points and the boom can be kept to a minimum. The quick coupling system provides comfortable and safe mounting and demounting in spite of this close spacing. The parking system is supplied as standard and just needs to be released from outside when starting work to allow the parking supports to automatically slide into the working position under the tank.

The spray liquid circuit is managed via the SmartCenter

operator station. This is located behind a large swing door on the left-hand side of the machine to protect it from dirt and any water splashes. Together with all the comfortably-arranged controls, the high-performance,60 litre induction bowl is also located here. The conical design and high draw-out capacity provide high-speed, trouble-free and complete emptying. Granules such as Epsom salts can also be inducted without any problems thanks to the mixing nozzle and high-performance rinse ring located under the lip of the bowl.

Clean water is always available at the induction bowl during both suction and pressure filling.

Furthermore, it is possible to fill the fresh water tank when suction filling via the in-house developed, 7-way pressure tap. A dust-proof storage compartment over the induction bowl is integrated into the machine design for personal protective equipment.

SENSOSAFE: Sensors for the best quality forage putting animal welfare first PĂśttinger promises its customers the best quality forage and develops its innovative products with this in mind. SENSOSAFE is an assistance system for detecting and protecting wild animals.

By developing this system, the resourceful agricultural technology company has achieved another innovation first: an optical sensor

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bar is mounted directly on the mower or an intermediate frame.

If a signal is sent to the mower’s hydraulics system, it automatically raises the front mower. Several SENSOSAFE prototypes have been subjected to intensive testing during the 2020 season.

The feedback from the field has been extremely encouraging.

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machinery The system saved the lives of a remarkably high number of animals.

The best forage - for the welfare of the animals The best basic ration is the prerequisite for the health and performance of livestock. This is the basis for success in the farming business. High quality mowing, clean raking and lossfree collection by the harvesting machines are all essential factors.

Contamination caused by wild animals being killed and the resulting botulism must be prevented at all costs.

In spring, when young roe deer and other small wild animals hide in high grass, they are particularly at risk during the first cut. Their natural reflex is to cower rather than run away. The engineers at Pรถttinger took up this challenge and have developed an assistance system for detecting animals.

SENSOSAFE is the first system of this kind in the world equipped with optical sensors. They work perfectly even in daylight and

direct sunlight. The optical sensor bar is mounted directly on the front

mower and/or on an intermediate bar. This innovative idea was

awarded the Silver Innovation Award back in 2017.

Ktwo improve their spreaders to increase volume and outputs Ktwo, one of the biggest British manufacturers of farming machinery, has launched their new Mk5 range of Bio and Evo muck spreaders to increase volumes and ease emptying to maximise outputs.

With increasing demand from farmers and contractors for more efficient machines giving maximum outputs, Ktwo continue to develop their product range to stay ahead of the curve using technology and innovation.

The Ktwo Bio range of rear discharge muck spreaders with twin horizontal beaters are designed with the most accurate of applications in mind and are the perfect choice when spreading higher value products. Whilst the

Ktwo Evo range of rear discharge muck spreaders with twin vertical beaters are designed to cope with the most demanding conditions whilst at the same time providing extra accuracy and the highest outputs available. (continued on page 86)

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machinery The new and improved Mk5 versions of the Ktwo Bio and Ktwo Evo now have a flared body throughout which gives an increased volume capacity. By starting to taper from the floor, it acts as a funnel to help move materials down to the chains increasing volume and allowing for easier emptying with less bridging.

The Mk5 Bio and Evo ranges now include a timed front roller with integral cleaning scrapers.

This gives positive engagement with the chain ensuring the chains remain times and provide a consistent flow of material.

Not only does the new design increase volume and ease of emptying, the Mk5’s come with a host of smaller improvements from listening to customer feedback including hardened spinner paddles and the new Ktwo Evo’s have hardox rotor bases with sweeper bars.

The versatile and popular Ktwo Duo Mk6 range of rear discharge muck spreaders

with twin vertical beaters have already had the improvements to

the body design which has been well received by farmers and

contractors complementing the improved outputs.

Fendt Compact Tigo offers dual use

Fendt now offers 14 models of Tigo forage wagon with capacities of 22 to 45 cubic metres. The Tigo’s advantage is that it can achieve these capacities with a

wagon that is up to 20% shorter than its rivals and still double up as a transport wagon.

The compact design incorporates an innovative (continued on page 88)

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machinery bulkhead above the loading unit to carry up to six cubic metres more capacity without adding to the overall length of the wagon. “This makes our wagons approximately one metre shorter than others in the market. The high payload capacity, lightweight construction and compact design give farmers and contractors a more manoeuvrable

wagon that is more efficient,” explains Dan Woodward, Fendt Tigo sales engineer.

The multi-functional bulkhead has an intelligent automatic load and unload system that is easily adjustable. “As the wagon fills, the bulkhead automatically swings open to carry an additional six cubic metres without the operator

having to continually monitor capacity. This makes reaching full capacity easier and safer for the operator because there is no need to continually turn around to monitor the wagon,” says Mr Woodward.

The Tigo has also been designed for dual use without the need for a manual conversion or cable adjustment. “With no

intervention these wagons can be used as a loading wagon or a transport wagon. This is because the pick-up is 80 centimetres off the ground which enables easy transition between fields. It’s a huge time saver and also makes the Tigo more versatile, especially for a contractor,” says Mr Woodward.

New MF 4700 M mid-range tractors

The Air Compressor and Pressure Washer Specialists

Massey Ferguson has announced the introduction of its new MF 4700 M Series, which includes three new models from 82hp to 100hp and all come with the option of a completely new Dyna-2, 24 x 24 Powershift transmission.

“Our MF 4700 M Series builds on the success of the existing MF 4700 Series, continuing to deliver the most modern technology, while still retaining Massey Ferguson’s important standards of straightforward operation, dependability and value for money,” says Francesco Murro, Director, Marketing Massey Ferguson Europe & Middle East.

“These mid-range tractors offer the right combination of specifications, comfort and price for customers looking to get

work done efficiently and cost effectively. Users can, however, tailor the tractors to suit their specific needs with genuinely output enhancing options, such as the completely new Dyna-2 Powershift transmission with Speedmatching.”

Three new models take over from the existing MF 4700 Series. All are powered by the latest AGCO Power Stage V, three-cylinder, 3.3 litre engines delivering powers of 82hp, 92hp and 100hp. The new 100hp MF 4710 M, now heads the range, while the previous 75hp model is no longer available.

All models in the new MF 4700 M Series are available with cabs and all the tractors, apart from the 100hp model, can also be specified as Platform versions.

Vicon introduces high-capacity trailed sprayers 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

01772 862948 email: sales@bateman-sellarc.co.uk www.bateman-sellarc.co.uk

Vicon has introduced two models of high-capacity trailed sprayer to join its existing iXtrack T3 and T4 versions. The new models are badged iXtrack T6, and are available with tank capacities of 6,400 and 7,400 litres, and the option of boom widths from 18m to 40m.

These two ISOBUScompatible models now sit at the top of the Vicon range, and like their smaller stablemates use a single-spine chassis design offering high manoeuvrability, a low centre of gravity, and improved durability. (continued on page 90)

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machinery 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 improved application accuracy through greater boom stability.

Boom Guide manages spray height using ultrasonic sensors.

Where Boom Guide Pro offers a three-sensor system with positive and negative lateral movement on each side of the boom, Boom Guide ProActive gains three additional levelling sensors on wider booms, allowing faster reaction to changes in ground terrain through a central slope correction cylinder.

Developed with operatorfriendliness in mind, iXtrack T6 models are fully ISOBUS

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compatible and with new iXspray hardware and software, operators can take advantage of an intuitive

touchscreen with smart electronics.

Plug and play compatibility is available with any certified

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universal terminal, including the Tellus GO and Tellus PRO terminals.

machinery

Vaderstad innovation improves tempo planter performance Tempo planting performance has been improved due to the introduction of a unique stop wheel designed with rubber spokes to absorb external pressure, thus helping seed-to-soil contact at very high planting speeds.

Väderstad ProStop stop wheel is designed to flex in its core so that the contact between it and the seed is never affected, whilst minimising sidewall compaction in the seed furrow.

“The result is an even emergence and greater yield potential over the entire field,” says Väderstad senior vice president sales and marketing Mattias Hovnert. “The main task

of a stop wheel is to ensure an optimal seed-to-soil contact, by precisely placing each seed at the bottom of the seed furrow.

“When meeting external forces, a traditional stop wheel absorbs shocks by slightly flattening its outer wheel profile.

This jeopardizes its ability to deliver seed-to-soil contact, while also creating sidewall compactions in the seed furrow.

More...

“Since the ProStop wheel absorbs shocks within its core instead of its outer wheel profile, it is able to increase planting performance even further. It seamlessly works together with

the Tempo seed meter to give the seed optimal conditions for growth.”

The new Väderstad ProStop stop wheel will be available as

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an option for all Tempo planters, from June 2020, and will be available as a retrofit on all Tempo models from model year 2020.

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machinery

Kuhn extends belt merger range with larger Merge Maxx KUHN Farm Machinery is extending its belt merger range with the introduction of the Merge Maxx 1090, which operates with a working width between 8.85 and 11.0 metres.

The new model, which will be available from September 2020, follows the successful introduction of the Merge Maxx 950 (7.5 to 9.5 metre working width).

As with its smaller counterpart, the Merge Maxx 1090 uses two adjustable, variable width and bi-directional merger belts that provide multiple swath delivery options.

Forage can be delivered into a single central swath, a single lateral swath (left or right side),

two lateral swaths (one either side) or a central and left or right lateral swath.

Pick-up and swath width can be adjusted to suit the quantity and type of forage material being harvested, thus enabling the number of passes and associated costs to be reduced. For lateral swaths, the width can be varied between 1.00 and 1.50m. For central swaths, it can be up to 2.20m in width.

Auto-regulating rollers at the front and side of the pickup unit self-adjust their position according to crop thickness.

These in turn pass a consistent and constant supply of forage to the merger belts, thus allowing a uniform, airy and faster-drying

swath which makes it easier for the subsequent baler or chopper to collect large volumes of grass.

For forage harvesters this can equate to a 2-3 km/h increase in forward operating speed.

Clean grass pick-up and the ability to produce a swath which is free of stones, soil or other impurities is reliant on accurate ground following. On the Merge Maxx, this is controlled by

key design features including articulated pick-up skids, powerful lift-control springs, and pivot points which provide vertical and angled ground clearance. As well as ensuring good forage quality, less debris within the swath also translates to less time and money spent on replacing blades and other working parts on the forage harvester or baler.

New M Series front loaders are light and versatile Following the successful R Series announced in 2015, the extended John Deere range now includes an additional four models covering a variety of applications, from standard loader tasks to operations requiring premium performance and comfort. The M Series has been specifically designed for customers who need a versatile, lighter loader at an attractive price.

For tighter working areas often found on mixed or livestock

farms, the slim boom profile results in good front visibility to the bucket, attachment points and around the tractor.

All models come with a strong mechanical self-levelling (MSL) system, which provides extra breakout force to completely fill the bucket.

With 20 per cent less rear ballast required and 20 per cent less weight than the R Series models, M Series loaders are quick and manoeuvrable in work, with the 603M model for (continued on page 94)

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machinery

Mid-mounted seed hopper for Optima TF Profi SX

example capable of raising a bucket in four seconds.

All M Series loaders can be fitted with an optional suspension system, while the hydraulic components are routed internally

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to protect them from any potential impact. The loaders can use the same mounting frames as the established R Series, thus avoiding the need for fleet owners to adapt their existing tractors.

Kverneland has developed a drawbar-mounted seed hopper for its Optima TF Profi SX highspeed precision drill. Driven by short weather windows the pressurised, large capacity seed hopper compliments the SX seeding units to further improve output, making the most of the seeder’s high-speed planting capability of up to 18km/h.

Currently available on the eight-row Optima TF Profi SX, the drawbar-mounted seed

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hopper boasts an 870-litre capacity – an increase of 390-litres over the eight, 60-litre hoppers traditionally used with each row.

“Filling individual seed hoppers on a precision seed drill can be a time-consuming task,” explains Kverneland UK product manager Graham Owen.

“By replacing those individual hoppers with a large capacity, mid-mounted seed hopper, this latest development focuses on

machinery simplifying and reducing fillup times, with the emphasis on increasing productivity.”

Seed transport from the hopper to the sowing units is free from electronics and mechanical moving parts, and relies on air flow from the Optima’s fan.

“One seed injector per row is located at the bottom of the seed hopper, and air is used from the fan to transport seed to the sowing units at the back of the drill,” he says. “Seeds carried in the airstream collect in a buffer area directly above each sowing heart, where a 1.5-litre seed tank holds a ready-supply of seed for each unit.”

As each buffer tank is filled, airflow is interrupted and seed transport stops immediately.

As the seed level in each buffer reduces, air automatically flows again and seed transport continues. The 870-litre seed tank sits ahead of the Optima TF Profi SX’s optional 2,000-litre fertiliser hopper.

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machinery

Effortless power from Lexion 7500 pre-series A cutomer review…

Having run the same combine for the last 12 years, last year there was a fairly significant changing of the guard at the Whyte family’s Bent Farm near Laurencekirk with the arrival of a new preseries LEXION 7500, fitted with the new APS SYNFLOW HYBRID threshing system.

“Our old LEXION 570C was fantastically reliable and we never really had any issues with it, but I was concerned that with 12 harvests under its belt that

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we might be pushing our luck,” explains Gurthrie Whyte.

“In 2018 we had a demo of a new LEXION 760 as well as several other colours and signed up for one. But once the deal was done we were offered the option to switch to a pre-production 7500 so long as we kept it under our hats!

“With the 7500 we could comfortably clear 10-12 acres an hour in 8-9 tonne spring barley crops. That’s more than a third

more than the old LEXION 570C. The increased output is fantastic and really helped us in such a catchy harvest with showers and days of rain.

“The extra power really makes a difference. Previously the old 570C would be running at well over 100% engine loading when unloading on the move. The new LEXION never even gets close to that. It runs effortlessly even when chopping straw. In fact, I’m now

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starting to wonder if we should have had a bigger header.

“The new touchscreen is superb. It’s really easy to access the settings you require and see what effect altering them has on the machine’s performance. You can’t really go wrong with it.

“Having seen how other makes of combine performed in the field last harvest, the LEXION clearly has the edge when it comes to output and losses.”

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Gordon Newlands Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), the public body which works to promote, protect, develop and support the Scottish red meat industry, has appointed Gordon Newlands as its new Brands Development Manager.

Gordon, who has over 35 years’ experience within the red meat industry, is a qualified butcher and has worked for the Q Guild, SFMTA and, most recently, Newly Weds Foods where he was an Account Manager.

Gordon’s role in QMS will entail leading the management and development of the Scotch Beef Club and the Scotch Butchers Club, promoting Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork through butchers and chefs across Scotland and the UK. Natalie Cormack The Luing Cattle Society has announced that Natalie Cormack, who is well known for her high quality stockmanship, joins the Luing family as General Manager from a background that includes Event Organiser for Scotland’s Beef Events and managing the AHDB/DEFRA Beef Feed Efficiency Programme for the last 5 years. Alongside that, and a good deal more, she remains as Secretary/Treasurer for the Berwickshire Agricultural Association & County Show.

Luing Chairman, Mark Thomson said, “Natalie joining at this point in the Luing story is good timing given her detailed understanding of what is required to be profitable in beef farming”.

Nigel Bateson UK nutritional supplement manufacturer and supplier to the animal feed industry, UFAC-UK has appointed Nigel Bateson to the role of National Sales Manager as part of a client-focused corporate restructuring that is transforming the customer-supplier dynamic.

Robert Jones, UFAC-UK managing director, comments, “Nigel steps up from his role as Area Sales Manager to lead our drive to re-focus the important client and supplier relationship, as we develop our partnership ethos with distributors, livestock farmers and their nutritionists.”

Trevor Tyrrell As part of a number of new internal appointments announced by the CLAAS Group, Trevor Tyrrell, who since 2011 has been the CLAAS UK CEO, has been announced as the new Senior Vice President Western Europe for the company’s Sales and Service division with effect from June 1st 2020.

In his new role, Trevor will take on responsibility for sales both within Western Europe, but also Oceania, for which he is currently Regional Director. He succeeds Christian Radons, who will be joining the CLAAS Group Executive Board with responsibility for the Global Sales and Service division.

Trevor joined CLAAS UK as a management trainee over 30 years ago and since then has held a number of positions in Product Management, ˇ Marketing and Sales departments within the company.

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Page Turner’s

BOOK REVIEW The Unremembered Places

By Patrick Baker

What are Scotland’s unremembered places? For Patrick Baker, author of this fantastic and handsome little book, they’re places forgotten by history, places with a story that’s neither widely known nor immediately apparent to the casual visitor.

Many of these places are wild and remote, though some hide in plain sight of urban centres. The island of Inchkeith, for example, lying in the Forth estuary is clearly visible Edinburgh and Fife. Many know that its dilapidated concrete structures date from WW2. Few know, however, that in the sixteenth century it was captured by English troops who routinely raided the shoreline until the French, having helped the Scots evict them, set up their own fortress there. When Baker paddled there in a sea kayak, he encountered a flock of feral chickens, presumably descended from those abandoned by departing lighthouse keepers in the 1980s. Inchkeith is not remote, but it is inaccessible and its history is pretty wild.

Many of the places that feature in this book are further from the central belt: the bone caves at Inchnadamph in Assynt, for example, Finnan Isle in Loch Shiel, or Jock’s Road in the Mounth. Baker takes his reader to a different place not only in space, but also in time. Wild history, it turns out, is a combination of human, natural, and geological history. These places have seen centuries of human habitation and cultivation. Their non-

human inhabitants, such as the osprey, have stories to be told.

Their histories stretch back for millennia, into deep time.

The pleasure of reading this book comes from the way that discoveries unfold elegantly and effortlessly.

Baker interweaves his own journey to a particular place with information gleaned from reading and archival research.

In an early chapter, he walks to the Blackwater Reservoir at the edge of Rannoch Moor, his boots ringing loud on the hollow concrete covering an aqueduct. At his destination lies a cemetery containing the remains of navvies who died building the dam for the British Aluminium Company in the early 1900s. Baker tells this story not only from his on-theground experience, but with help from public archives and even fiction. Many of those who died at the dam belonged to a class of itinerant workers, Scottish and Irish, whose excruciating hardships were detailed in Patrick MacGill’s 1914 novel, Children of the Dead End. As Baker observes, their story makes for grim reading, but his book unearths it and restores it to our picture of Scotland’s history.

It’s safe to say that Baker’s own book is a pleasure to read, unlocking the secrets that Scotland’s wild places hold in their rocks, ruins and soil and enriching our sense of history.

The Unremembered Places: Exploring Scotland’s Wild Histories by Patrick Baker is published by Birlinn (£14.99, hardback) www.birlinn.co.uk