Farming Scotland Magazine (September - October 2018) by Athole Design & Publishing Ltd

Scotland’s national farming & rural lifestyle magazine

Tuathanachas Alba

magazine

Scottish Ploughing Championships Ploughs Grain Dryers Muck Spreaders

Flavour of Scotland Gin & cheese

Company Profile Thomas Sherriff & Co. Ltd.

Farming Travel Guide Oldmeldrum & Udny

World Farming Bulgaria

Exotic Farming The iconic ‘Highlander’

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In Focus Powerwasher Services

October 2018

Country Woman Jade Cruickshank plus Cooking with Game s Book Serial s Beatha an Eilean Scottish Country Life s SWI s Artwork including our regular news sections and columns

contents

october 2018

MAIN FEATURES

IN FOCUS

23 33 44 56

Scottish Ploughing Championships Ploughs Thomas Sherriff profile Grain Dryers Muck Spreaders

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND 18

With Wendy Barrie

Young Scot Awards

Bulgaria

FARMING TRAVEL GUIDE SCOTLAND 40

Old Meldrum & Udny

BOOK SERIALISATION 42

Life on the islands

WHISKY Limited Edition offer

The iconic ‘Highlander’

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE 89

With Linda Mellor

COUNTRY WOMAN

WORLD FARMING 30

EXOTIC FARMING

Gin and cheese

INVESTING IN PEOPLE 29

BEATHA AN EILEAN

COOKING WITH GAME 19

Powerwasher Services

Part 5: Walking with Cattle

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

Jade Cruickshank

SWI 92

Quilting

ARTWORKS 93

With Jade Cruickshank

NEWS 6 14 21 32

Arable Potatoes EU News Renewable Energy

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Christina Fleming Email: christina@atholedesign.com

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Beef Livestock Pigs Dairy Sheep Estate Forestry Horses @Home Lifestyle Finance Cars Machinery

COLUMNS 7 13 17 20 31 32 69 72 75 77 82 85 87 91 94 97 100

In my view R.S.A.B.I. Hutton Institute Farmers Markets Scottish Government Farming for the Climate Quality Meat Scotland The Vet NFU Scotland N.S.A. Scotland Crofting Scottish Land & Estates Conservation Matters Southern Belle Equine Angle Rural Style The Money Man

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arable Six winter cereal varieties to excite Scottish growers Four winter wheats and a pair of two-row winter feed barley candidate varieties have the potential to wow growers with improved yield, quality and market opportunities. Grain distilling, biscuit making and animal feed are the key end uses for wheat in Scotland, so soft wheats often dominate drilling plans and three candidates from Limagrain are sparking interest from the seed trade. With a current treated yield of 109%, the first is LG Skyscraper, which is predicted to achieve full recommendation for 2019-20 as the highest yielding soft feed wheat on the AHDB Recommended List. High yielding feed wheats have typically had lower specific weight, but LG Skyscraper bucks that trend with 77.7kg/hl and early indications show that the variety also has good distilling qualities. With the addition of early maturity, SRUC’s head of crop improvement Steve Hoad believes it will be an “easy

choice” for many growers looking for a new soft wheat variety with distilling potential. “There are several soft feed varieties that have been

around for a while and some are becoming outclassed. LG Skyscraper looks encouraging, with both high yields and good quality,” he notes.

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The second new Limagrain soft wheat is LG Spotlight, which has a yield of 106%, but it is the variety’s grain quality that is the most eye-catching characteristic.

In my view

arable Soft wheats tend to have a Hagberg falling number (HFN) of 200 or below, but LG Spotlight combines a HFN of 316 with a specific weight of 79 – higher than any current soft Group 4 feed wheat. This gives growers the confidence of a good sample, even in tough seasons. In addition, soft Group 3 candidate LG Rhythm has also

performed well in the north in trials so far and joins Zulu as the only varieties to offer potential for three markets – biscuit making, distilling and uks export. “It’s interesting to see progress in quality wheats with distilling potential and it gives growers an alternative to Zulu,” says Dr Hoad.

Tramline trials used to test winter wheat nitrogen accuracy An innovative set of trials has helped farmers test the accuracy of nitrogen (N) management in their winter wheat crops. Wheat yields differed both between farms and within farms but the cause of most of the variation was deemed unlikely to be a result of N tactics. The conclusions add weight to other research findings that show, if N rates are calculated using RB209 and a nutrient management plan is drawn up and followed, yield variation is most likely caused by other factors. Large variations in wheat yields across farms and fields, and even within fields, often make people question their approach to N management. The AHDB-funded ‘LearN’ project tested a radical new approach to help farmers work out whether they were applying too much, too little or just the right amount of N fertiliser. The project recruited 18 highly engaged farmers, who already followed best nutrient management practice, to test their farms’ standard N rates in simple tramline trials. The trials, which ran from 2014 to 2017, tested single

replicates of two treatments (60kg/ha more and less than the farm standard rate of fertiliser N) in alternate tramlines. A yield increase of 0.3t/ha was deemed necessary to pay for an additional 60kgN/ha – based on a wheat price of £140/t and fertiliser costs of £0.70/kg. The average wheat yield (142 tramline experiments) was 11.43t/ ha for the farm standard. On average, yields were reduced by 0.36t/ha for the minus 60kgN/ha treatment and increased by 0.36t/ ha for the plus 60kgN/ha treatment. Sajjad Awan, who manages nutrient management research at AHDB, said: “On balance, there was little, if any, economic incentive to deviate from the standard N rate on these farms. “The benefits of tramline trials depend on the accuracy of the standard N rate, as well as the accuracy of the trial. If the accuracy is already there, then there’ll be little benefit of increasing or decreasing rates. However, the farmer does get peace of mind by knowing the current approach is right.” The full final report can be accessed via cereals.ahdb.org. uk/learn

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By John Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Fife

Bad news and good news The subject of Brexit has been with us so long now that it is difficult to appreciate that actually we have only 7 months left to reach a settlement. The really worrying aspect is that even faced with this short time scale we appear to be no nearer any agreement. In the last few months we have seen the resignations of two senior Cabinet members – as well as a number of other influential personalities – over the matter of the UK’s negotiating stance and subsequent tactics over Brexit. All this played out in front of our European colleagues. Whatever they may think of our argument the recent events in London will certainly not have helped to strengthen our hand. Michael Gove our DEFRA Minister has been conspicuous in Scotland recently – giving support for the Prime Ministers stance in the negotiations – whatever that may mean. It is a pity he will not give the same support to his previous statement to consider Scotland’s justifiable claim regarding the convergence issue! The lack of progress and the uncertainty over Brexit, together with the on-going effect of the drought could not have come at a worse time. In the livestock sector the end price of both beef and lamb has eased significantly – albeit after a run of strong price levels –

just at a time when the store lamb sales and suckled calf sales are about to start. The early store lamb sales- whilst back on the year – are perhaps not as bad as some had feared. The recent rain if it continues will certainly help the keep situation but for many hill sheep producers the extent of a reduced lamb crop is becoming clear – and a difficult period of store lamb sales is the last thing they need. The prospect of higher winter feed costs and the implication thereof must be at the back of every livestock farmer’s mind. However to try to finish on a more positive note – the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took the opportunity of announcing at Turriff Show a new funding of £200,000 to help promote Scotch Lamb. Apart from the effect on promotional activities it is reassuring to see the Scottish Government at least recognising and trying to mitigate the present problem of the sheep sector. On another serious topic – the sheep industry has attended a summit meeting of the National Police Chief Council, where they gave evidence on the dreadful implications of the worrying of sheep issue. I am told the meeting went extremely well and the reception the industry got was both understanding and sympathetic. So even in our difficulties there are chinks of light – but let 7

arable Fields of Innovation to inspire future veg farming This year’s Syngenta Vegetable Open Field Demonstration Days in Lincolnshire are set to showcase exciting new varieties for brassica and salad cropping, along with many of the company’s innovative support services and technologies set to transform vegetable growing in the future. Fields of Innovation, on 10 and 11 October 2018 near Surfleet, Lincolnshire, gives growers and agronomists the chance to see the latest vegetable and salad variety and crop protection innovation in practice. “With the many recently introduced brassica and leafy salad varieties, along with those in the pipeline, it’s opportune to highlight what Syngenta has to offer,” reported the company’s Vegetable Seeds Commercial Manager, James Gray. He highlighted that a visit to Fields of Innovation will prove beneficial for all growers to see how Syngenta solutions will aid the development of their

business, and to leave with new and inspirational ideas for their future. The Open Days give the chance to meet the Syngenta variety breeders to understand more about the benefits of resistance to pest and disease pathogens. “With the loss of TMX seed treatment, for example, growers can find out how breeders are working to protect against known problems now, as well as issues that may evolve in the future,” he added. James also pointed out growers can get a taster of how their farming may look in years to come. “Innovative new Syngenta nozzle technology and techniques required to enhance application on specific brassica vegetable and salad crops at different growth stages will be on practical display,” he advised. “Along with the opportunity to find out how drone and satellite imagery could help give a bigger picture to make proactive in-

season decisions for more effective crop management.” The Fields of Innovation event is open to all growers and

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agronomists. Invitations have been sent out, or visit the website www.syngenta. co.uk for details and registration.

arable Big savings from small expenditure Relatively small pieces of expenditure can greatly improve the efficiency and running costs of box potato stores, the results of a major industry trial shows. The two year project identifies a number of ways in which owners of both existing and new stores can improve their performance by either retrofitting a range of features to improve the even-ness of airflow throughout the store, or installing them as original equipment. “Box stores still account for over half of all UK storage, so the results are highly significant, says Adrian Cunnington, Head of crop storage research at AHDB Sutton Bridge. The two year trial was ‘industry led’, with 70% of the £800,000 funding coming from Innovate UK. The primary industrial partner was Crop Systems Ltd, the leading store designer and developer.

Other partners included: AHDB (storage research); Branston Ltd (producer and processor); Stored Crop Conservation (fogging); FEC Energy (energy efficiency); The Technology Research Centre (CFD and design software) and Aceto Agrochemical Corporation Ltd (CIPC deposition). Scientific knowledge and validation for the project was provided by AHDB and Cranfield University. The project was run in a specially built 30% model store at Sutton Bridge, and in commercial facilities, including those operated by Branston. It included what may be the most detailed monitoring of airflows ever completed in a potato store, says Adrian: “We took measurements at every slot in the face of a box store at both ends of the

store, so on a stack that was ten boxes wide and eight boxes high that was a total of 160 airflow monitors. “In standard form we found that nearly 75% of the air produced by the fans to dry and cool the crop wasn’t going through the boxes but was disappearing everywhere else. “There was massive inefficiency in such systems so we started to examine how we can improve that by installing plenum walls, and testing the use of side and top sheets. This improved airflow dramatically – by as much as factor of three. “Nearly all the potatoes produced for the fresh market are stored in boxes, and so a significant proportion of the crop is held in long term storage”. Prior to this project AHDB and FEC Energy carried out a trial that indicated huge differences in the efficiency with which energy

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was being used: “That started to ring alarm bells, because we were finding store running costs of £4/tonne in the best stores, but £12/t in the worst. We began to examine what the cause of those differences was, and there are a number of things come into play”. The project highlighted one key difference between bulk and box stores, says Ray Andrews, managing director of lead partner Crop Systems Ltd: “Bulk stores with underfloor ducts work well because the air literally has nowhere else to go but through the crop. In box stores the air comes out of ducts above the crop and we have much less control over where it goes. “We found some instances where boxes at the far end of the store saw virtually no air movement at all. Following the model store tests the project evaluated the use

arable of a plenum wall at the fan end of a commercial store, and also added side curtains: “Achieving good airflow right across the store is crucial to getting heat out of the crop and keeping potatoes in best condition. It also helps ensure that refrigeration works efficiently and with less need for de-frosting, which has a dramatic effect on running costs. “It is also essential for the consistent distribution of CIPC. If airflow isn’t good then distribution will be inefficient and uneven. “In such instances store operators might be tempted to raise the application rate to try and improve the coverage in areas with poorer airflow, which might risk exceeding application limits. “If airflow is poor there is still a risk you might still fail to control sprouting in the far corners of the store. Mr Cunnington says the partners in the project want to translate the findings into more

‘case study’ work in commercially run stores to complete the research: “We need more data on running costs, and to collect this both before and after any changes to the store equipment have been made so we can measure how these ideas work in practice”. The research is already producing benefits for Branston, which has used the project to steer improvements to the stores it and its supplying farmers run. David Nelson, Agronomy Director, said the variability of temperatures in box stores had been an issue for the whole industry for years, as had the issue of variability of CIPC distribution. His company was keen to find solutions to the problems, which is why it hosted some of the commercial trials in its stores: “We were keen to see how we could achieve uniformity of airflow and CIPC coverage, and avoid the hot/cold spots that can have a negative impact on crop quality. “We aim to store potatoes as warm as possible

(around 4oC), but need to ensure that temperature is consistent right across the store to prevent the potatoes exceeding the base temperature for sprouting. “If we cannot achieve that temperature consistently we may need to run fridges at a lower temperature or for longer periods to compensate. Both of those options raise storage costs”. The company has already seen significant improvements from installing a plenum wall

‘Big picture data’ can boost arable farm sustainability

Increased use of ‘big picture’ data to spot agronomic trends, provide an early warning of potential crop problems and identify practices that can help, could be an important tool to boost arable farms’ financial sustainability in the unknown waters of Brexit, says leading agronomy firm, ProCam. 10

to prevent air short-circuiting around the fan and ensuring more ventilation passes through the boxes: “We did consider using curtains, but felt they would not be as air-tight as a solid plenum face. This could be installed in pretty well any store with floor mounted fridges”. The upgrade at Branston has enabled them to store crops for longer and use CIPC more effectively, reducing the need for other sprout suppressants.

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Speaking at the launch of the latest ProCam 4Cast results – a crop database that gathers information from around 30,000 ha annually on aspects such as cultivations, drilling date, inputs and yield – ProCam managing director, John Bianchi, said: “Financial sustainability means that individual crops in the

arable rotation need to be profitable, for example by maximising yields and minimising costs of production. “But it also means that the rotation as a whole is profitable, and that any agronomic challenges are addressed. “While precision farming helps manage crops at the square metre level, big picture data helps with decision-making at a field or farm level. ProCam 4Cast holds over 500,000 ha of data collected from real farms over multiple seasons. It can be used to analyse trends, inform decisions, and benchmark top-performing farms to help other farms improve.” Pointing to examples, Mr Bianchi said 2017 results showed the average winter wheat yield for ProCam 4Cast growers, at 9.2 t/ ha, was 0.9 t/ha above the Defra average, equating to an extra £135/ ha income for grain at £150/t. Better still, the top 25% of ProCam 4Cast growers had an average winter wheat yield of 10.4 t/ha, he added, 2.1 t/ha above the Defra average and equating to an extra £315/ha.

“By increasing efficiency of production, farmers can offset some of the harmful reductions in support payments,” explained Mr Bianchi. “The main prerequisite for improvement is a commitment to attention to detail in every decision.” ProCam head of crop production, Nick Myers, agreed and said as well as big picture data being valuable for benchmarking yield performance, it can also help when planning profitable rotations, and with shorter-term decisions – for example by showing the impact of drilling date on yield over large numbers of hectares. “Latest ProCam 4Cast data from harvest 2017 revealed that winter oilseed rape remained the most profitable combinable crop option,” said Mr Myers, “just ahead of winter wheat. But of course this is only part of planning a rotation. “You also need to look at the impact of the previous crop on the current crop’s yield. We have this information for winter wheat over multiple

seasons. But what was also interesting was when we examined the impact of the previous crop on winter oilseed rape yield for the first time this year. “Growers had reported that winter oilseed rape yields seemed lower after spring

barley. When we examined the latest 4Cast data, that was the case. This is important to know, not to get rid of spring barley, which is increasingly grown to counteract blackgrass, but so you can adapt oilseed rape agronomy,” he added.

Omex officially opens its first Scottish liquid nitrogen and sulphur facility OMEX Agriculture has officially opened its first liquid nitrogen and sulphur storage and distribution facility at the Port of Dundee. The £3million investment by OMEX Agriculture, has created a state-of-the-art 16,000 tonne facility, which is one of the largest investments made by the company in its history, and is the first fully operational and strategically positioned facility

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based at the Port of Dundee, Scotland. “Although we have been working with Scottish farmers for many years this new facility provides better access to liquid fertiliser and all the benefits that it brings including agronomic, application, environmental and handling advantages over solid fertiliser,” says OMEX Agriculture’s managing director Max Winkler.

arable Open day to showcase new system to effectively handle sand bedding

A revolutionary dairy cow bedding sand separation system offering multiple economic and environmental benefits to progressive milk producers will be demonstrated at a farm insight day in Somerset on 18th September 2018. The event is being organised by Dutch company Mavasol, worldwide distributor for DariTech equipment, who have installed the UK’s first two DariTech One Shot SRS units near Taunton over the summer and are launching the technology nationwide. Now in use on over 70 largescale herds across the world, systems are custom-built to integrate with existing farm facilities and infrastructure. The unique design of an internally flighted auger system is proven in its ability to effectively separate sand from slurry, with the capability of 95% clean sand recovery. The system is also designed to allow maximum re-use of water, in some circumstances operating with zero requirement for fresh water; it also provides a range of options regarding the remaining fibre component. “Sand bedding offers many advantages to progressive milk 12

producers, in terms of udder health and more general cow welfare,” says Klaas de Vries of Mavasol. “In a system where the bedding and water are almost entirely recyclable, sand also has the potential to be the most economic and environmentally sustainable option. “With the opportunity to recycle over 90% of the sand, we calculate the savings possible in bedding costs will allow a herd of 250 cows to see a return on investment in between two and four years – but that takes no account of any of the potential benefits in udder health, lameness or fertility. “The One Shot SRS system is not only relevant for those who want to re-use sand for bedding but is also a viable option where the aim is to separate water, for flushing down for example, or extract solids as an easily manageable manure. It is a very versatile system that can meet a wide range of UK dairy farmer requirements.” Anyone interested in attending the Sand Recovery System Insight Day near Taunton in Somerset on 18th September can sign in at www.mavasol.com

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arable

Fundraising Hots Up at RSABI

Industry investment bolsters nitrogen and sulphur research in oats and wheat Two new AHDB research projects on nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) management in oats and wheat have been bolstered by a half a million pound coinvestment from industry. The latest research is in addition to a complementary AHDB project on barley, which started in 2017. The funding injection means over £2 million is now being invested in N and S management research in cereal production, with 80 per cent of the funding coming from nonlevy sources. Major gaps in nutrient management for yield and quality in modern, high-yielding cereal varieties will be addressed by the work. The results will

inform revisions of the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209). Milling wheat is the focus of the second new project. Led by NIAB, the research, which also aims to improve N recommendations, includes trials on the foliar application of N at the milky-ripe stage. The work complements research commissioned by AHDB last year to update N and S fertiliser recommendations for spring barley, which is also being led by ADAS. For further information on AHDB investment in nutrient management, visit cereals.ahdb. org.uk/nutrientresearch

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A triumvirate of events bring welcome support By Paul Tinson

The first of three fantastic events for RSABI was successfully completed in June, to be followed by a sell out Great Glen Challenge at the end of August and a joint fundraising dinner with My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, backed by RBS at Gogar on 14th September. Two walkers, Gregor Caldwell and Andrew Leggate, completed the 210 mile Southern Upland Way between Portpatrick in the west to Cockburnspath on the east coast in just 12 days (29th May – 9th June) raising in excess of £18,500 for RSABI. The challenge was sponsored by SP Energy Networks and route sponsor Davidson & Robertson. This event saw 135 walkers join Gregor and Andrew on various sections of the walk across South Scotland. “This was a long walk but I’m fortunate to be physically fit and I had a big team around me.” said Gregor. “The real challenge is for hard working people facing up to tough times and

everything that life throws at them - we wished to let them know there’s a helping hand out there.” Next in line within the current campaign is annual favourite RSABI Great Glen Challenge 2018, sponsored by Ledingham Chalmers, solicitors. This year Rettie & Co are route sponsor and 26 rural businesses and organisations tackle the 46km course on 31 August from Fort Augustus to Neptune’s staircase near Fort William. Fundraising for the event remains open throughout August and September where donations can be made: www.virginmoneygiving. com/fund/RSABIGGC18 Rounding off the Summer of fundraising sees fantastic support once again from Royal Bank of Scotland as their agricultural team hosts a Gala Sporting Dinner at Gogar for RSABI and rugby legend and Borders farmer, Doddie Weir, who is raising funds to aid research into Motor Neurone Disease.

potatoes Emergency approval granted for Cuprokylt A breakthrough emergency authorisation for Cuprokylt® provides the only fungicide available to organic potato growers for the control of late blight, at a key time of the season. The EAMU, was driven by industry leading stakeholders, including Certis, Agrii, the AHDB, NFU and numerous organic growers associations. The active ingredient copper oxychloride is available to organic potato growers until 28 September 2018. “Being able to utilise copper oxychloride will support organic growers and help them to capitalise on market demand,” explains Nick Winmill, Agrii Potato Development Manager. “Without copper, only cultural control methods are available for the control of late blight in organic potatoes, and

as a result it’s been difficult to keep varieties with preferential qualities blight free,” he says. “When wet weather hits and if temperatures remain, blight pressure is likely to increase, so this news comes at a crucial time.” Mr Winmill adds that if another EAMU isn’t secured for copper oxychloride, or if an alternative isn’t found, for use in organic potatoes, then production will only become more difficult in future. “Although blight resistant varieties are available, these don’t necessarily meet consumer demand for cooking and taste qualities,” he says. “This emergency authorisiation is an important milestone for organic potato production, but there is still work to do to support organic production going forward.” Selchuk Kurtev, Certis’ IPM Manager, explains that strict

guidelines must be followed when applying Cuprokylt® under this EAMU. “Growers must ensure they have a hard copy of the EAMU and written recommendation from a BASIS registered agronomist prior to application.

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“Application timings must be based on a recognised disease forecast model, such as the widely used Hutton Criteria,” he says. “Also, buffer zones of 18m from static water and 5m from the top of dry ditches should be left for water protection.”

potatoes Industry Urged to Consider the Future of the Potato Maris Piper has been the most grown potato variety in Great Britain for over 20 years, but will it still occupy top spot in another 20? That was the question that the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) asked at Potatoes in Practice (PiP), in Dundee last month. Claire Hodge, Knowledge Exchange Manager at AHDB Potatoes, said: “We have been running our ‘Next Generation’ programme since 2015, where we work with future leaders from the sector and help them to accelerate their knowledge and networks. “We wanted to ask those who will be shaping the industry in Great Britain about how they saw the potato competing in a changing global market.” Since the early 1960s the growth in potato production

has rapidly overtaken that of all other food crops in developing countries. It is a fundamental element in the food security for millions of people across South America, Africa and Asia. Potatoes contribute 14 per cent of the vitamin C and 12 per cent of the dietary fibre consumed in Great Britain. Yet despite this, the long-term trend in consumption has been downward – though there has been a slight recovery in the last two years. She said: “I believe the future of the industry is best served by using varieties that are resistant to disease and pests more effectively. You can’t look at this in isolation, we’ll still need potatoes that look and taste great, but if we want healthy crops and profitable growers then we must remove the barriers to growing great tasting resilient ‘tatties.”

Tools provided to help take Brexit opportunity Potatoes are less exposed to Brexit risks than many other sectors. That’s according to David Swales, Head of Strategic Insight at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), who spoke at Potatoes in Practice in Dundee on Thursday (9 August).

He added: “Tariff-free access is critical for most sectors, but for potatoes barriers might present opportunities for import substitution – particularly in the processing sector.” As he addressed a Scottish audience, David said that for the potato industry north of the border, this may translate into a

larger domestic market for seed producers. The Scottish agricultural landscape is different to that in England, a fact recognised by AHDB in its Horizon report which looks at Brexit prospects for Scotland. “Some of Scotland’s specific challenges come from the type of

land available to farmers,” said David. “When this is coupled with a less favourable postBrexit outlook for the general cropping sector, many businesses will want to maximise a potential potatoes opportunity.” AHDB launched a new online calculator this season that allows growers to see for the first

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potatoes time how they may be affected by potential Brexit scenarios. It’s part of a wider suite of practical business tools unveiled by the organisation to help farmers review their business performance and remain fit for the future.

The Brexit Impact Calculator allows individuals to input their own data and see what effects the different Brexit scenarios might have on their business. “Despite the potential opportunities in potatoes, tremendous uncertainty still surrounds the outcome

of Brexit negotiations,” said David. “Where the seed sector is concerned, a no deal Brexit and the associated potential tariffs and trade barriers are significant risks. “In any eventuality, it is important that businesses make

proactive and strategic decisions to be fit for the future.” The Brexit Impact Calculator can be found at https://bic.ahdb. org.uk and the wider toolkit is available at https://ahdb.org.uk/ brexit/brexit-toolkit.aspx

Scotts launch the next generation of Evolution Separator Scotts Precision Manufacturing Ltd has launched the next generation of its Evolution Separator stone and clod remover. The Lincolnshire vegetable handling equipment manufacturer has added programmable memory roller settings, self-cleaning and gentle salad rollers to the latest version of its market-leading vegetable, alliums and fruit cleaner. By having the ability to store and then remotely adjust the spacing of the spiral and clod rollers to saved positions will enable users to quickly and easily set up the Evolution Separator to suit either the conditions or the crop being handled. Making changes to the Evolution’s configuration was possible before the upgrade but required manual adjustments. Now, modifications can be made via push buttons or an optional HMI system, which is simpler and quicker than before. The enhancements will also deskill the process and reduce the machine’s downtime. A second improvement sees the introduction of self-cleaning.

When activated, the Evolution’s spiral rollers spin at high speed to throw off any attached dirt. Finally, Scotts has also developed rollers specifically for salad crops. The new salad rollers feature softer and wider spaced ribs which handle the produce in a more gentle manner. “We have listened to our customers and introduced the features that have been most frequently requested,” says Derek Scott, managing director of Scotts Precision Manufacturing. “The Evolution Separator is designed to make the cleaning of a wide range of produce as easy and quick as possible. By introducing programmable settings for the rollers and self-cleaning we’ve made operating and looking after the Evolution even easier. “We’ve also increased the Evolution’s versatility by developing new rollers which are incredibly gentle making them perfect for salad crops.” Introduced by Scotts in 2005 the Evolution gently separates clod, stones, haulm and loose soil from a wide range of vegetables,

fruit and alliums, including potatoes, gourmet potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions and bell peppers amongst others. At the heart of the Evolution is the patented roller design. The two contract rotating rollers work together to gently move the produce across the table. The movement of the rollers loosens the dirt, which is worked into a

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valley, where, if soft enough, the debris is crushed and ejected down below the separator. Over 500 Evolution Separators have been sold around the world. As well as featuring in the majority of grading lines offered by leading grading line manufacturers, the Evolution Table is also available directly from Scotts.

potatoes Potato plantings down 3% amid extreme weather conditions Britain planted with potatoes is 119,000 hectares(ha), a fall of three per cent on the previous year. This would represent the thirdlowest planted area on record. The news comes in a challenging season for potato growers, with an agricultural drought likely to affect yields. The Environment Agency (EA) yesterday (1 August) announced further support for drought-hit farmers, ahead of the NFU’s drought summit held on the same day. While, In Scotland SEPA has given a commitment to help growers continue to access the water they need for irrigation. The ultimate size of the potato crop, and how the market firms in response, will not be known until

harvest. At five year average yields, this would equate to a total potato harvest of 5.7 million tonnes(Mt). Dr Clayton said: “The season started with sub-zero temperatures brought by ‘the beast from the East’, followed by a wet spring that delayed planting. Since then, we’ve seen one of the driest combined June and July periods on record, so most growers are reporting that yields will be down. “Farmers have been working round the clock to minimise this, with teams working overnight so that any water used does not evaporate in the hot sun. There is still some growing season to go, so it is impossible to accurately predict how far down they will be.

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Scotland’s remote rural economies need farmers, not just farming By Professor Deb Roberts, Director of Science, James Hutton Institute The Scottish Government recently released its latest statistics on Scottish agriculture, and the headline figures reveal that in 2017 agriculture contributed 0.9% of GVA and 2.6% of total employment. This compares to, for example, a contribution of 10.3% of GVA and over 12% employment by the wholesale and retail sectors. Even in remote areas, the economic contribution of agriculture is less than might be expected. The question therefore arises as to whether supporting agriculture is an effective way of supporting rural economies. Would it be better to target other sectors better positioned to stimulate local economic growth? Most of those involved in farming would answer using three arguments: the necessity of food production in the context of global population growth; the importance of the environmental benefits that farming provides; and that by supporting farming, you are supporting those supplying inputs and services to agriculture and food businesses beyond the farm gate. However, there are additional arguments for supporting farmers and members of farm households as opposed to the activity of farming. Farmers and farm household

members contribute to rural economies though on-farm diversification, e.g. farm tourism, and through off-farm work. They are also members of rural communities and contribute to the population base, playing a particularly important role in this respect in remote areas which are sparsely populated. Research at the James Hutton Institute has predicted that, if current trends continue, the total population in remote areas will decline by about a quarter by 2046, while the working age population would contract by about 30%. The role of farmers and household members as members of rural communities is thus critical. In terms of culture, too, farmers and members of farm households play a key role as guardians of distinctive dialects and traditions in rural Scotland. They also provide community services such as snow clearing in winter or grass cutting of community. Although these may not generate economic value added, they are essential for the wellbeing of rural residents and for rural resilience. To learn more about the James Hutton Institute’s research on Scotland’s rural economies and sparsely populated areas, visit www. hutton.ac.uk. 17

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Gin firm recognises the gamekeepers’ role with new deal An award-winning Angus drinks firm has brokered an agreement marking their appreciation of the role the ‘guardians of the land’ play in shaping Scotland’s iconic countryside. Kirriemuir-based company, Gin Bothy, has entered into partnership with Scottish Gamekeepers Association Charitable Trust for education and Angus Glens Moorland Group (AGMG). The deal will see £1 from every bottle of its new Sloe Gin split between the groups to help highlight the benefits responsible gamekeeping bestows for conservation, cultural heritage and supporting rural communities. Gin Bothy botanical gins, hand-crafted using seasonal Scottish ingredients, are already a staple on shoots with the firm’s signature gin, Gunshot, selling around 10 000 bottles a year. The company also produces Speycast gin and Stirrup Cup as well as fruit gins and infusions. Owner Kim Cameron grew up in a rural community herself and has fond memories of shootday beating in Glenisla as a child. The company prides itself on producing ‘hip flask’ gins, perfect for the hill, river or the lunch bothy. After freezing down over a tonne of elusive Scottish sloe, and mixing it with heather blaeberry,

the company decided to handbottle its own Sloe Gin, following requests from local estates. The new gin will be launched at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair on 29th June to 1st July, with fair-goers being able to taste the product at the SGA stand as well as buying it in the Food Hall. Members of both beneficiary organisations, the SGA Charitable Trust and AGMG, will be on hand to celebrate the partnership, with the SGA Charitable Trust set to devote funds to highlighting the role its members play in conservation of the globally threatened Curlew. SGA Chairman Alex Hogg said: “Our Charitable Trust, which promotes education on land management, is really pleased to be a part of this arrangement and would like to thank Kim and the team. Kim has grown up in a rural community and ‘gets’ the way of life and the important role good land stewardship plays.” Lianne MacLennan, CoOrdinator of AGMG, formed in 2015 to promote work and community life in the local glens, believes the arrangement will be a great success. “As an Angus group, AGMG really appreciates what Gin Bothy has done. They make great products, using local ingredients and, giving something back like

this is a testimony to how much the local area- and the way it is managed- means to Kim and the team.” Kim Cameron, Gin Bothy owner, said: “Working with other

rural organisations is important to us and we are excited to support the SGA Charitable Trust and Angus Glens Moorland group in our latest release of our Sloe gin.”

Cheesy smiles at Graham’s for Great Taste win Described by judges as ‘fresh, appealing and thoroughly enjoyable’ Graham’s the Family Dairy has been given the only Great Taste award for its cottage cheese. The product is one of 4,653 Great Taste awards made this

year but the only one for cottage cheese. Great Taste celebrates the very best in food and drink and is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers. This year, 500

judges - from chefs to food writers - blind tested 12,634 products with the winners being announced on August 1. Along with its award for its cottage cheese, Graham’s also picked up 2018 Great Taste prizes for its Gold Top Jersey Double

Cream and Organic Slightly Salted Spreadable Butter. The accolade lasts for two years and add to the company’s 2017 awards for Organic Slightly Salted Butter, Unsalted Butter, Gold Top and Gold Smooth milks and Vanilla Quark. (continued on page 20)

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cooking with game

Oven baked trout with dill hollandaise By Wendy Barrie Dating from the 1850â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the wee croft we decamp to in SmĂĽland once had common grazing rights and although these are long gone, fishing rights in the adjacent lakes remain - I confess we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t caught anything â&#x20AC;Śyet! We are also close to the MĂśrrum River, Swedenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous for salmon and trout (pictured). If you wish to try your hand in Scotland there are Scottish Food Guide Members who will gladly arrange it for you including Killiecrankie Hotel, East Haugh Country House, The Torridon and Rothiemurchus northwards, and Cringletie, Burts Hotel, Craigadam, Knipoch Hotel and Knockinaam to the south. Good luck and happy cooking!

Ingredients: 2 x freshly caught trout or similar sized fish, whole but gutted Butter, Isle of Skye Sea Salt & freshly milled pepper For hollandaiseâ&#x20AC;Ś. 125g melted butter 2 egg yolks Half a tsp of apple vinegar A good pinch of Isle of Skye Sea Salt A dash of cold water 1tbsp of chopped fresh dill The juice of half a lime Freshly milled white pepper Method: s 0RE HEAT OVEN # s ,AY A SHEET OF PARCHMENT ON A BAKING TRAY AND SMEAR WITH BUTTER ,AY ON gutted whole trout (also works for perch/similar sized fish). Season, butter and lay second sheet of parchment on top. Fold in the edges to create a roomy envelope for the fish. Bake for 25 minutes then remove from oven and allow to cool a little to enable handling. s -EANWHILE MAKE HOLLANDAISE USING A BALLOON WHISK TO FOAM YOLKS VINEGAR salt and water in a metal bowl over a pan of hot water until thick and creamy. Photos ÂŠ Wendy Barrie

s 2EMOVE FROM HEAT AND GRADUALLY DRIZZLE IN MELTED BUTTER WHISKING ALL THE time, until it is all absorbed in sauce. s !DD DILL LIME JUICE TASTE AND ADJUST SEASONING 5SE SAUCE IMMEDIATELY n DO not chill or reheat. Serve whole and allow folk to help themselves. Delicious with new potatoes boiled in dill and a seasonal green salad. One good sized fish can serve up to 2 persons, depending on appetites!

Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foodie, 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 & Slow Food Chef Alliance Member. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND Touted as the new superfood, cottage cheese is experiencing an extraordinary upsurge in interest thanks to being low in calories, high in protein and a good source of potassium. Graham’s launched its first cottage cheese in 2017. Robert Graham, Managing Director of Graham’s the Family Dairy, said: “Cottage cheese is a bit of an unsung hero. Everyone knows about it but maybe not that it’s low in sugar, carbs and fat but packed with protein and potassium.

“Over the last few years we’ve been asked more and more if we would produce a cottage cheese and made our first one last year. It’s incredible that just a year after launching it we’ve won such a prestigious award. “Cottage cheese sits alongside our ever-extending family of products all of which are naturally nutritious. It’s a perfect example of how dairy is full of what you need for a healthy, balanced diet.”

Industry alliance to promote red meat as nutritional powerhouse Agricultural organisations from Scotland, England and Wales are uniting in a new initiative which will see them work together to communicate the benefits of red meat in a balanced diet as part of a reinforced meat and health programme. Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) Meat Promotion Wales and AHDB are uniting behind a jointly-funded programme of activity to collectively raise consumer awareness of red meat’s positive messages. The initiative is being financed as part of a £2 million fund of AHDB red meat levies ring-fenced for collaborative projects. This interim arrangement is in place while a long-term solution is sought on the issue of levies being collected at point of slaughter in England, for animals which have been reared in Scotland or Wales. This is the first time the three organisations – which each have their own health and education programmes – have delivered a united GB-wide programme of health activity behind beef, lamb and pork.

As part of its work, AHDB has, for some time allocated resources to the Meat Matters programme, which has included input and funding from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Danish Agriculture and Food Council, Livestock and Meat Council Northern Ireland, and Ireland’s Bord Bia, on consumer messaging, which will continue alongside the core programme. The 2018/19 programme of shared activity, involving QMS and HCC, kicked off this month and will see a greater focus on proactive campaigns aimed at providing consumers with balanced and evidence-led advice on the role that meat can play in a healthy, balanced diet. There will be a strong focus on social media and press activity targeted at engaging younger consumers in recognition of the growing interest in health. “There is a wealth of evidence to demonstrate that red meat is packed with nutrients such as zinc, B vitamins and potassium,” said Christine Watts, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at AHDB.

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magazine Supporting

FARMERS MARKETS IN SCOTLAND Aberdeen Country Fair www.aberdeencountryfair. co.uk Alford Farmers’ Market www.spanglefish.com/ alfordfarmersmarket Argyll Country Markets katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk Ayrshire Farmers’ Market www.ayrshirefarmersmarket. co.uk Balerno Farmers’ Market www.balernovt.org.uk Blairgowrie Community Market www.strathmoreglens.org Cairndow and Loch Fyne Farmers’ Market katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk Campbeltown Farmers’ Market katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk Clarkston Farmers’ Market enquiry@ lanarkshirefarmersmarket. co.uk Cupar Farmers’ Market www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk Dundee Farmers’ Market lorna.mckenzie@dundeecity. gov.uk Dunfermline Farmers’ Market www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk Edinburgh Farmers’ Market www.edinburghfarmersmarket. com Edinburgh - Stockbridge Farmers’ Market www.stockbridgemarket.com Falkirk Farmers’ Market howard.wilkinson2@btinternet. com Fencebay Farmers’ Market fencebay@aol.co.uk Forfar Farmers’ Market www.angusfarmersmarket. co.uk Glasgow Farmers’ Market Mansfield Park www.citymarketsglasgow. co.uk Glasgow Farmers’ Market Queen’s Park www.citymarketsglasgow. co.uk

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

For your market to be listed mail@farmingscotlandmagazine.com

EU NEWS By Chris McCullough

European farmers suffer extreme drought with temperatures hitting over 30C It’s not a normal headline associated with farming in Europe, nor is it fake news, but European farmers are indeed suffering one of the worst droughts for decades. With temperatures exceeding 30C and no rain falling for over a month, livestock, crops and grass are suffering. Irrigators are using ten litres of diesel per hour, for 20 hours a day, seven days a week, and while the costs of this have to be met by vegetable farmers, livestock farmers say they cannot afford it. The combines are in the fields earlier than normal, but that is not such a good sign considering yields are well below normal and in some cases are less than half of what they should be. Nordic countries including Sweden, Finland and Norway have experienced high temperatures with crop yields almost disappearing daily. Even further west, the normally luscious green fields of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have wilted to a brown colour with water levels so low the governments were forced to ban the use of hose pipes for a few weeks. Lithuania and Latvia declared states of emergency as other countries battled numerous wildfires in forests, grassland and arable crops. News of farm machinery going up in smoke during harvest operations has also been widely reported. Arable crop yields have been hit the hardest with latest estimates suggesting Germany’s 2018 wheat

crop may fall by 6.5 per cent to 22.89 million tonnes. In Poland the wheat crop is expected to fall 6.7 per cent from last year’s harvest to 10.9 million tonnes. In Lithuania the harvest could fall to 3.2 million tonnes from 3.8 million last year while Sweden’s wheat harvest is expected to fall by 15-20 per cent from 2.46 million tonnes. Lennart Nilsson, the cochair of the Swedish Farmers Association, said it was the worst drought he had ever personally experienced. He said: “This is really serious. Most of south-west Sweden hasn’t had rain since the first days of May. A very early harvest has started but yields seem to be the lowest for 25 years, 50 per cent lower, or more in some cases, and it is causing severe losses.” Farmers in the Netherlands where agriculture is quite intense are also suffering from weeks of high temperatures destroying crops. Even in this country with so many waterways, dykes and sea, farmers cannot afford the irrigation costs with some saying it would be a waste of money. Dairy farmer Sicco Hylkema who farms near Westhem in the Friesland Province of the Netherlands right beside a lake said there was no point in irrigating. He said: “The ground is so hard right now any water we spray onto the grass will simply run off into the dykes. It would be a huge waste of money on diesel to irrigate the lands.

“Some people are comparing this drought to the one in 1976 but it’s my first time farming in such a lack of rain. We just have to wait for rain,” he added. However, vegetable farmers in the Netherlands are continuing to irrigate in order to salvage any yield to help pay the bills. “We just cannot let the crops go to waste,” said vegetable farmer Thijs Geerse, who runs an organic farm in the Zeewolde region. “We

are around five metres under sea level here and usually have a moist two metre deep soil but even that is cracking up right now.” The European Drought Observatory (EDO) has described the drought as “an extensive and severe anomaly” affecting Scandinavia, Scotland, Ireland, the Baltics, the Netherlands and northern Germany.

Farmers offered a helping hand from European Commission With Europe’s farmers in extreme difficulties thanks to the ongoing drought, officials at the European Commission have offered some much needed help. The Commission has said farmers will be able to receive their direct and rural development payments in advance and will be granted more flexibility to use land that would normally not be used for production, in order to feed their animals. Production of arable crops and forage has been severely affected by the prolonged dry spell in several EU countries. In addition, the reduction in the level of animal feed is having a particular impact on the income of livestock farmers, as this will increase their input costs if there is a shortage of fodder later in the year.

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EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, said: “I am very concerned about these prolonged climatic developments. I have been in contact with a number of ministers from affected countries to discuss the situation and get up-to-date assessments of its impact. “The Commission, as always, is ready to support farmers affected by drought using a number of instruments, including higher advance payments, derogations from greening requirements and state aid. “The Common Agricultural Policy already provides a safety net for farmers who have to deal with unpredictable events. I am encouraging all Member States to look into all possible actions and measures provided for in our legislation.” 21

Scottish Ploughing Championships The 56th Scottish Ploughing Championships return to the Borders on 27th & 28th October and are being held at Bettyfield, Kelso, by kind permission of Messrs William Kirk and Sons Kverneland UK continue as main sponsor and were good enough to supply a World Conventional plough to display on the Scottish Ploughing Championships stand at Kelso Show in July which attracted many visitors. Gold sponsor is Calibrate Energy Engineering from Alnwick. Silver sponsors are Friends of Ferguson Heritage, d.m.i. mechanical engineers of Kelso, East Coast Viners, Grimme UK Ltd and Kelso & Lothian Harvesters. Bronze sponsors are Amazone UK Ltd and Mr Harry Ferguson. It is a welcome return to the Borders with the new format of all World style, Classic and Vintage ploughing taking place on the first day and the top ploughers going through to a second day’s plough off. The horse ploughers will also be in action over both days along with classes for Juniors, High Cut and Horticultural.

Benny Duncan with his horse

Alongside the ploughing, demonstration plots, trade stands and vintage machinery display there will be a craft fair under cover in the main shed plus carriage rides provided by Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre, Ford and Etal, Northumberland. Scottish ploughers have already been in action at two international competitions with three more to take place during September and October. Scott Alexander, Laurencekirk came 6th overall at the European Reversible Ploughing Championships in Russia in June. The European Vintage Ploughing Championships took place in August in Belgium and the Scottish team came home with medals and a trophy. Raymond Middleton, Elgin retained the Classic Reversible title, Stuart Forsyth, Berwick came 2nd in the Classic Conventional, Morris Blacklaws, Carnoustie came 4th

in the Vintage Trailing and Keith Robertson, Lauder came 6th in the Vintage Mounted. The World Ploughing Championships take place in Germany on 1st and 2nd September and Scotland will be represented by their first World Champion, Dave Carnegie, Laurencekirk in the Reversible and Ian Williams, Peterhead in the conventional. Dave and Ian will be in good hands with their coach - Scotland’s six times World Reversible Champion, Andrew Mitchell Snr from Forfar. The Five Nations World Style is being hosted by Northern Ireland on 28th & 29th September and Jamie Dick, Falkirk along with Mark Skea, Inverurie will be flying the saltire. The Six Nations Vintage and Classic is being hosted by Wales on 20th October and Scotland’s representatives are Robert

Scott Alexander

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Rodan, Dumfries (Vintage Mounted), Gordon Hepburn Snr, Elgin and Eric Proctor, Alford (Vintage Trailing) and John Griffin, Kelso and Euan Anderson, Dundee (Classic Conventional). The last weekend in October will see over 180 tractor and horse ploughers compete in the different classes to select the champions in each section who will go on to represent Scotland at international competitions in 2019. Ploughing commences at 9.30 am each morning, and finishes at 2 pm. Admission is £8 for adults, Concessions £6, accompanied children under 14 free and free car parking. More information is available on the website at www.scotplough. co.uk and you can also keep up to date with the latest news via the Scottish Ploughing Championships Facebook page.

PLOUGHS

The cutting edge The latest technology in ploughing the fine line

Amazone’s new Hektor semi-mounted reversible Amazone has introduced a new range of semi-mounted reversible ploughs. Designated the Hektor, the new plough range is available in 6 to 8 furrows and for tractors up to 350 HP/257 KW. The option of a 6+1 or 7+1 beam can also be specified for added flexibility. Equipped with a stepped manual furrow width adjustment from 36 to 48 cm per body and ample beam dimensions of 150 x 150 x 12 mm thick, the Hektor range has been designed to be simple in operation, and yet offer a high degree of robustness, making it ideal for use on large scale farms. Thanks to the logical, easy to do plough settings, an optimum plough profile can be achieved under any conditions and, with a point to point clearance of 100 cm and a beam height of 82 cm, the plough works

blockage-free; even where high levels of crop residues prevail. The new pivot system – which connects the headstock to the plough beam – guarantees a maximum true track following and an optimum pull-line of the combination. Here, integrated as standard, is the hydraulic front furrow adjustment for an easy matching of the plough to the internal track width of the tractor wheels. Turnover cylinders, with hydraulic stop position damping, guarantee a smooth and seamless headland changeover for the plough. The large-dimensioned, 500/45 – 22.5 saddle wheel (500 mm wide, 1015 mm outer diameter) means an easy pull as well as accurate depth guidance even under the most arduous of conditions.

New VARI-MASTER on-land mounted plough range from KUHN KUHN’s range of mounted ploughs has been extended with the addition of the VARI-MASTER L series of on-land ploughs. Available in 4, 5 or 6 plough body versions, the new range is designed

for use with 200 to 300hp tractors and is compatible with tracked tractors or those equipped with wide floatation tyres, thereby helping to reduce the effects of soil compaction.

The VARI-MASTER L’s onland design reduces the effects of drift caused by a change in offset or when working in-furrow: the plough always remains perfectly aligned with the direction of travel, not only ensuring greater ploughing accuracy, but also reducing fuel consumption and wear and tear. The new ploughs feature manually adjustable skimmers which enable easy, tool-free set-up and adjustment of each individual skimmer to ensure total furrow closure and improved residue burial. Each skimmer is sheath mounted to reduce the risk of the skimmer being twisted out of alignment and can be adjusted in three dimensions for complete control.

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A shear-bolt safety system – which breaks at a force of 1800kg – protects each skimmer leg in the event of the skimmer coming into contact with an immoveable object. Each of the four models within the VARI-MASTER L range is equipped as standard with hydraulic front furrow adjustment and can be specified with hydraulic depth adjustment. Each model also features KUHN’s NSH (Non-Stop Hydraulic) safety system as standard: this autoreset protection system can be upgraded with the addition of KUHN’s Varibar and Maxibar systems which enable share point release pressure to be adjusted on-the-go. 23

PLOUGHS

Kongskilde’s HRWT Plough The HRWT plough from Kongskilde is a heavy-duty reversible plough with 5 furrows designed for tractors up to 200 hp. As standard the ploughs are equipped with Kongskilde’s well-known hydraulic stone release system or with shear bolts as stone protection. The furrow width can be hydraulically adjusted from 30 to 50 cm during ploughing to accommodate wedge-shaped fields or obstacles such as game shelters and pylons. The working width can also be adjusted according to the tractor power on hilly ground and in variable soil types. The main frame and beam housing construction and geometry minimizes the load on the beam housing and cylinders.

Thereby the operational reliability is increased, and the furrow width during operation is easy to adjust. The heavy-duty pivot shaft is 150 mm and is equipped with roller bearings ensuring a stable and steady turning of the plough. The quick hitch cross shaft for this plough will be Cat. 3, and can be mounted in three height positions, which makes it suitable for all tractor types. The big heavy duty depth wheel with extended adjustment range has a wide tyre with good carrying capacity. The turn over movement is effectively damped by an adjustable friction brake. When turning the plough the Kongskilde HRWT automatically goes down to the

minimum furrow width, so that the centre of gravity is aligned behind the tractor. When the plough is turned, the furrow

width automatically reverts to the pre-set value. This system prevents unnecessary loads on the tractor.

Kverneland introduces new plough models In response to increasing tractor power, Kverneland has upgraded its ES200/LS200 mounted reversible plough series, to accommodate tractors with up to 250hp. The new models are called ES250/LS250 and offer improved strength and durability to safely handle tractor power up to 250hp. ES models offer auto reset protection, while LS models use shear bolt protection. The revised plough specification sees ES250/ LS250 modelsgain a heavy duty, Category III clevis-type lower

hitch assembly, which uses a square cross-shaft. These plough models also get a fully induction hardened turn-over assembly offering three times the increased strength over earlier ES200/LS200 models without any weight penalty, and a memory-type 100mm vari-width control cylinder is now fitted, as featured on larger ploughs in the Kverneland range. A higher underbeam clearance is now part of the specificationfor the 250-series. ES250 measures 75cm, while LS250 are slightly

higher, at 80cm. Available in 5, 5+1 and 6-furrow builds, all ES250 and LS250 versions can be specified with 85cm or 100cm point to point clearance.

Hydraulic front furrow width adjustment, quick-adjust maize skimmers and an 18in plain rear disc complete the package for this new plough model.

The new LEMKEN Diamant 16 Semi Mounted Plough The LEMKEN Diamant 16 is a new addition to the Diamant plough range from LEMKEN and will be at the 2018 Scottish Ploughing Championships. One new feature ‘OptiLine’ now provides the first and to date only adjustment system for this

type of plough design to prevent lateral pull during ploughing – a new feature that has already been awarded a DLG Silver medal. The range of applications for this plough has also been broadened to cater for larger tractors with greater pulling power.

(continued on page 26)

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PLOUGHS From the Diamant 11 range the traction increase system, has been expanded by a feature for reducing pressure at the headlands contributing to even greater fuel savings. This allows higher system pressures, which result in even more weight being shifted from the plough and front tractor axle to the rear tractor axle. As a result, the tractor/ plough combination gains even greater pulling force. The dimensions of all main bearings have been enlarged and the onland version has also been updated, allowing the implement to be used with tractors with an external width of up to four metres. This ensures that the wheels always maintain a sufficient distance from the furrow edges, even in difficult conditions. The continuously variable hydraulic working depth adjustment is yet another innovation and the proven Hydromatic overload protection ensures disruption-free ploughing in rocky soils.

The UNICO range of ploughs from Maschio From a brand well-known for its solid build quality, the Maschio UNICO range of mounted reversible ploughs has not disappointed. Having been tested in the UK since 2014 Maschio launched two models just over a year ago. The UNICO M is the mid-range line suitable for tractors up to 200hp and running three, four or five furrows. The heavy duty UNICO L is built to cope with up to 300hp and is available in four, five and six furrow formats. Both models have been robustly engineered and feature shearbolt or hydraulic reset models to remove the challenges created by stony ground. A centralised hydro-pneumatic circuit with piston nitrogen accumulator ensures a faster leg reset, with the first body being fitted with a larger diameter cylinder, for a higher trip

WILKS BROTHERS

pressure, as the leading point goes into unbroken ground. This non-

stop system is particularly useful in rocky ground and can be controlled

Agricultural Merchants Main dealers for Kverneland Ploughs

Main dealers for Ovlac Ploughs & Cultivation Machinery

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Murthly, Perthshire, PH1 4HG Tel: 01738 710381 Fax: 01738 710581

Sparrowhawk Road, Hatston Industrial Estate Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1GE

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Email: info@jandwtaitltd.co.uk

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PLOUGHS whilst on the move with adjustable pressure settings. The harness of the plough leg, allows both vertical and horizontal movement to allow any obstruction to pass through the plough without damage. In addition, front furrow width can be controlled through a mechanical or hydraulically adjustable parallelogram linkage, ensuring the line-of-pull remains true. This works alongside the ability to vary the working width, either mechanically or hydraulically. Bolt adjustment provides fine-tuning in 5cm increments, between 27cm54cm (depending on plough specification), whilst on the move hydraulic adjustment runs from 25cm-55cm.

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Ovlac sees increasing sales of ploughs in Scotland Ovlac is a family owed company which has been manufacturing farming machinery since 1936. Since its beginnings Ovlac has focused its activity in the production of Mouldboard ploughs. The Ovlac brand continues to grow its presence across the UK with a growing dealer network and customer base. With five series and five ranges. Increasing sales in Scotland coming from three series 4 furrow up to 160hp, 5 furrow up to 220hp and 6 furrow up 300hp, opting then for either a classic leaf spring leg protection as the plough body elevates when going over an obstacle leaf-spring pressure diminishes. A system used by Ovlac for 3 decades. Or Hydraulic non stop regulated trip mechanism which

allows for adapting pressure according to soil conditions. In heavy or compacted soil pressure can be increased, on the contrary under stony conditions pressure can be set

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lower so as not increase stones on the surface. Hydraulic vari width or manual furrow width can be opted allowing for 12-20incs farrows. Shifting support bolt on

PLOUGHS manual with 2inch increments. Vari width ploughs are fitted as standard with automatic memory drawing the plough in to its narrowest setting And then returning to original working width. Vari width pivot points are located external to the main beam with

case harden bushes and grease points to ensure long lifespan and ease of maintenance. 8mm case harden mouldboards are used throughout the range with the number 56 mouldboard being the most popular choice leaving a wide furrow bottom to accommodate up 710 tyres.

The new mid-range plough from Pottinger â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SERVO 45M

Having manufactured ploughs for more than 45 years Pottinger is pleased to announce the arrival of its new mid-range mounted reversible plough for tractors up to 240hp. The SERVO 45M is available in 4, 5 and 6 furrow versions. This robust new model offers a host of features only previously found on larger SERVO models. A generous interbody clearance of 95cm and point to beam distance of 80cm ensures any harvest residues or trash is buried with ease. Available in PLUS (hydraulic variable furrow width), NOVA (hydraulic auto reset) and PLUS NOVA (combined hydraulic variable width & auto reset). The SERVOMATIC plough setting and adjustment centre allows simple and quick adjustment of the front furrow width and plough alignment. Optional hydraulic front furrow allows for easier adjustment in difficult conditions. 28

The turnover shaft on the SERVO 45 M has a diameter of 130 mm and the beam link is a cast, rather than being a welded component. This makes the design stronger from the headstock to the turnover shaft and plough beam. The proven inner beam reinforcement inside the plough beam increases the flexing resistance by up to 25 percent. This unique feature thus offers high strength and an extended service life. On hydraulic variable width PLUS models the previous memory function when reversing the plough is now replaced. A straight forward alignment cylinder which vastly reduces the number of moving components during the reversing cycle is now available. This process involves moving the plough beam to a central position rather than shutting down and opening back up the furrow width during every cycle. Ultimately wear and tear is reduced extending the service life of the plough.

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Investing in

People

Scotch Lamb PGI Backs Environment Category at Young Scot Awards Top quality lamb from Scotland will have a high profile at the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards 2018, when Scotch Lamb PGI will feature in the line-up of sponsors. Scotch Lamb PGI will be sponsoring the Environment Award at the event which is being held at the Scottish Event Campus on St Andrews Day, 30 November 2018. Described as the biggest celebration of young people in Scotland, the awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of inspirational young people across Scotland and the Environment award will go to a young person or group who is passionate about green and environmental issues and determined to make a positive difference.

The awards, which are in their 13th year, are part of a national programme of celebrations for the Year of Young People 2018 (YOYP 2018). The organisers are looking for amazing young people to be celebrated for the inspiring work they do to improve the lives of others. People across Scotland are being asked to nominate outstanding young people (11-26 years old) in their community. Jennifer Robertson, Health and Education Manager, QMS, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the environment category in this year’s Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards. “Each year we are amazed by the positive achievements of Scotland’s young people and to be able to celebrate with them is incredible. We look forward to

commending this year’s nominees who are making a positive impact on their communities.”

To nominate a young person or group visit www. youngscotawards.com

Training for success at John Deere A total of 54 young service technicians are being trained in this year’s John Deere Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf

Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes, run in partnership with national training provider ProVQ – a increase of just over

60 per cent on the previous year’s intake. John Deere has also been listed for the second consecutive time in 2018 as one of the best 100 employers for school leavers in the UK, the only agricultural and turf machinery company to be so recognised. The AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk’s Top 100 Employers for School & College Leavers rankings are based entirely on the opinions of apprentices and school leaver trainees from hundreds of UK organisations. John Deere’s and ProVQ’s successive annual awards were made in recognition of their programmes’ quality and the opportunities they present to young

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people working productively in the agricultural and turf sectors. “We have beaten some very strong competition from other household names, coming first for an engineering and manufacturing company and third overall in the Best Intermediate Apprenticeship Programme category in 2017,” said ProVQ managing director Julian Lloyd. “We’ve also been recognised in the Advanced Apprenticeships and Engineering categories this year. To be recognised as one of the country’s top 100 employers for school leavers, as judged by the apprentices themselves, makes us all very proud of our achievements.” 29

Bulgaria A country a long time in the making

WORLD FARMING The Republic of Bulgaria is in the south east of Europe, bordering Romania in the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south and The Black Sea on its east coast. Historically, the country has been occupied by foreign invaders for centuries and gained its independence in the late 1800’s, until the monarchy was overthrown in the 1944 uprising and it became a one party state, under the influence of the communist Soviet Union. With the demise of The Iron Curtain in 1989, the wave of change which followed, did not bypass Bulgaria and with free elections in 1990, the country joined NATO in 2004. During this time, the Bulgarian economy was closely aligned with Germany, which saw industrialisation moving people away from agriculture, where at that time, four out of five Bulgarians worked, mainly in peasant smallholdings. While this had initial benefits, they could not be maintained and the economy continued to slide through various governments and their failed economic reform schemes and Bulgaria became poorer as a result. The intervention of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2005, with a recovery plan, saw a quick turnaround in the country’s economic growth, showing an increase of 6% in 2006 and 30

acceptance to join the European Union the following year. Bulgaria’s population of 8,000,000 has suffered from the migration of young people to other countries to look for work, due to the poor economic climate at home. This allowed them to earn good wages and send money back to their families but the declining population continues to hamper economic development in the country. Post communism, it has been the policy of successive

By Fiona Sloan

governments to return the agricultural land back to its original owners... This has been done in two ways: land where ownership is clearly defined in historical documents deeds or boundary markers were returned first, which amounted to about 25% of the land. Much of the remaining land was small holdings, where records were lost or destroyed and ownership relied on verbal evidence or family records, which resulted in numerous disputes. Many

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people had already moved away from farming, no longer wishing to farm and sold or leased their land to large co-operatives, to date almost all of the land has now been returned to its original owners. Most of the land is now owned by large organisations, which have consolidated the smaller farms and now 1.5% of farmers own 82% of farmland. Bulgaria’s average land ownership of this minority is 2,400ha compare with an average of 250ha in the

WORLD FARMING rest of Europe. There are around 370,000 agricultural holdings in Bulgaria, just slightly more than Portugal and less than France. Bulgaria affords its farmers a wealth of fertile soil which grows a huge diversity of crops and herbs, a subsidy system from being a member of the EU and an open market not only to the EU but also to their neighbours in the east. With a climate and soils allowing such a diversification in crops, Bulgaria is currently the world’s biggest producer of lavender and rose oil, alongside other specialised crops such as sunflowers peanuts, cotton, herbs and tobacco. Vegetables range from tomatoes to carrots and fruits include apples, pears, peaches, melon, soft fruits and hazelnuts.

Wine in the south of the country is becoming more prominent, particularly as the tourist industry in the country develops, as is mushrooms and honey. The country yields approximately 250,000 tons of milk, 211 thousand tons of meat and 1.2 million eggs and both sea and freshwater fish and shell fish are popular. Forestry has also increased and natural regeneration forests are rich in biodiversity. It has taken some 70 years to fully recover from the economic and social effects of WWII but Bulgaria’s diversity and access to world markets, shows a bright future if they can now retain their population.

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A message to Scottish farmers & crofters

By Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing “During the summer, I’ve been attending agricultural shows in different parts of the country. “It has been hugely rewarding meeting people involved in farming and food production and hearing firsthand what’s going on in fields and crofts across the country. “I’m always struck by the diversity, creativity and innovation in the sector and our rural communities. “But this year has not been easy. People everywhere talked of difficulties caused by the weather – the unexpected cold snap in Spring and the hot, dry summer that followed. The effects have been prolonged and are impacting badly on agricultural businesses. “Availability of feed and fodder is a key issue for the months ahead and I welcome the brilliant campaign being run by NFUS, supported by the Scottish Government’s Farm Advisory Service, to encourage farmers to work collaboratively, plan ahead and find innovative solutions. “It’s important too that government does what it can to support farmers and crofters. “That’s why I have launched a National Basic Payment Support Scheme, making loan payments available to eligible farmers and crofters months earlier than scheduled payments. “As with last year, loans will be offered to eligible farmers for up to 90% of BPS 2018 payments due. Letters will arrive shortly and I encourage all eligible farmers and crofters to opt in to what

acts in effect as an advance on the payments they are entitled to receive under CAP. “Last year’s scheme delivered payments of more than £317 million to over 13,500 farm and crofting businesses, injecting significant cash flow to the rural economy. I want this year’s scheme to have the same positive effect. “I’m also keeping under review what else we might do to offset the weather impacts. The Agriculture Weather Advisory Panel continues to meet and act as a crucial resource to share information and ideas. Government officials are also exploring what further derogations might best help Scotland’s farmers, and we are liaising closely with Defra and the other devolved administrations to ensure that any measures being taken forward in other parts of the UK are considered fully for here. “I want everyone to know that I and this Scottish Government value the vital role played by farmers and crofters as our food producers and custodians of our countryside. Weather will always play a part in farming life in Scotland – after all, our generally mild and wet climate helps create some of the world’s highest quality produce. But when conditions create adversity, it is important that people know they have a government on their side providing support where required. By working together we can ensure that Scotland has a thriving, productive and sustainable rural economy.”

renewable energy

“Tide may be turning” for UK anaerobic digestion industry

The “tide may be turning” for the UK anaerobic digestion (AD) industry, according to the head of the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association (ADBA). ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton said last week in her welcoming remarks at UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018, the world’s largest international tradeshow dedicated solely to AD and biogas: “The last few years have been very challenging for the UK AD industry. We’ve been operating in an environment of declining government support for renewable energy, with tariffs for renewable electricity and, until very recently, renewable heat steadily falling. There are, however, a number of reasons to believe that the tide may be turning and that AD in the UK has a bright future. “First, despite significant delays, changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) have now finally come into effect, providing the kind of tariff rates for biomethane production that we were seeing five years ago as well as new tariff guarantees that lock in these rates over a set period. This is bringing £150-£300m of new investment to build a further 50+ biomethane plants. And whilst the current RHI scheme is due to close by 2021, the urgent need for more 32

biomethane is resulting in calls from the Committee on Climate Change for the government to put in place a replacement before the end of this year. “There is also good news on the food waste side of the industry, with the European Union’s Circular Economy Package having come into force just last week. One of the key elements of the package is an obligation for EU Member States to bring in separate collections for biowaste by December 2023, and we fully expect the UK to adopt these targets in the Resources & Waste Strategy due out later this year. “Finally, there is considerable investment coming into the AD sector as part of an industry consolidation that involves refinancing and upgrading existing on-farm AD plants to improve their performance. This is expected to require £300m of opex across the industry per annum by 2020. “So there’s a huge light at the end of the tunnel if we can just keep going through these tough times.” AD and biogas technologies convert organic wastes and energy crops into renewable heat and power, clean transport fuel, and nutrient-rich biofertiliser, helping to reduce emissions whilst improving energy and food security and improving air quality.

Nutrient Budgeting by Chloe McCulloch This summer we’ve heard several reports of fertiliser prills being visible in silage aftermaths, when very dry at application fertiliser is going to struggle to have any benefit to grass growth. However, even in a good growing year the same is true, the crop will respond to the nutrient it needs but applying more than this is just wasteful. This applies regardless whether you’ve purchased fertiliser directly (i.e. in bags from a fertiliser company) or indirectly (in every load of feed and bedding that comes onto the farm). Nutrient budgeting is a practical exercise allowing you to identify the quantity of nutrient required in any given field, and then identify the most appropriate and costeffective way to deliver this. Normally the first choice is to provide home-produced nutrient, i.e. dungs or slurries. An up to date soil analysis will identify where P and K

levels in soil are low or very low (and where an economic plant response could be achieved by applying extra) or are already high (in which case you can save money by applying less). Preparing a nutrient budget for the whole farm will identify exactly how much purchased fertiliser is required, what type of fertiliser/blend would be most appropriate, and when you’ll need it. Slurries and dungs have the potential to replace a significant quantity of purchased fertiliser, however to rely on this form of nutrients you need to have an analysis. Remember when doing any nutrient budgeting that where available you should always use the Scottish data, i.e. SAC technical notes or PLANET Scotland as these contain application rates most relevant to the Scottish growing environment and are research-backed.

For more ideas on improving farm efficiency which can in turn reduce the farm carbon footprint, see www.farmingforabetterclimate.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter @SACFarm4Climate. Farming for a Better Climate is funded by the Scottish Government as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service www.fas.scot

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Thomas Sherriff & Co Ltd By Fiona Sloan Many agricultural companies would put their success down to being a “family company” but in the case of Thomas Sherriff & Co Ltd, Managing Director, Colin Weatherhead, puts it down to precisely the opposite. “Since it’s foundation 200 years ago the company has continued to move forward without the constraints of a family input but with a group of people working together for the benefit of the company itself.” The Company was founded in 1816 by Sherriff Robertson, who began by designing horse drawn farm machinery. The mass production of farm machinery worldwide, particularly tractors, over the next 150 years lead to the

retailing of other complimentary farm machinery and ultimately expanded into ground care work, such as domestic and commercial grass cutting machinery by 1976. With none of the original family members pulling on any of the enterprises or resources

of the company, it continued to expand and develop for its shareholders under the watchful eye of the directors and managers of the time, most of whom came from agricultural backgrounds and worked from the bottom up.

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Thomas Sherriff & Co. has long since left the realms of family ties and is now run by four directors (the Finance Director having held this position for over 40 years) who have no family connection to each other but each have a deep set affinity with a

Colin Weatherhead, Managing Director

business which has become one of the main agents for John Deere in Scotland and the North of England. “Whilst we don’t send one another Christmas cards, we are probably as close as family.” quips Colin who joined the company as a junior sales representative at nineteen, employed at the company’s Berwick branch. After a time with the company, he worked with Lloyd Ltd and then to Valtra in Finland for 18 years, before the then managing director of Sheriff’s, John Winter, encouraged him back to the company in 2003 to bring his experience, fresh knowledge and input to the business with which he started his career, thirty years previously. He became Sales Director in 2012 and continued onto his current position as Managing Director in 2016, working in close continuity with the current Sales and Marketing director Richard Lyall. While the directors can boast a wealth of experience with the company, the dedication of the staff commands 1440 years of experience between them! 70% of the current 120 strong staff, are in the after sale service of the operation and work locally at various outlets but the opening of the new £2m premises at Haddington has made the whole operation much more efficient. “We still work in our own separate departments with the agricultural and groundcare side of the business but being under one roof, has helped us develop

the overall efficiency of the operation. “ explains Colin. The success of any company relies a great deal on staff morale. The commitment to staff by the company they work for and with many of the current employees boasting over 30 years’ service to Thomas Sherriff, this can only be maintained by a company committed to their staff as well as their customers. Since joining the company from W M Dodd’s as Aftersales Director, Jimmy Laing, has given 100% focus to this vital part of the business. Aftersales by any company to their customers, is key to the success and return business of the company. With a huge range of both agricultural and turf products on the market, it is important to their main suppliers, John Deere, that they maintain and increase market share. This can only be done by offering a service, which farmers are confident of. Why buy John Deere and not another make? The answer must be in the aftersales, which in an area of unpredictable climate, with short windows of harvest weather, such as we have in Scotland, is paramount to the success or failure of a harvest and the business it supports. Everyone has breakdowns at harvest or silage time, no matter how prepared they are but if the machinery itself, can predict in advance that there is a potential issue creeping up, surely prevention is better than a cure. If someone could predict that the

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Opening of the new office at Haddington

pot hole round the next corner will burst your tyre and helps you to avoid it, I for one would invest in that invention if anyone can come up with it, admits Jimmy. While potholes are not a major issue to a combine harvester, the failure of a turbo half way through combining a sixty acre field, when rain is forecast the next day is a potential disaster! Such is the technology, now applied by John Deere, that

the little yellow dome on the top of the tractor or combine harvester houses state of the art telematics, which can notify any issues to the operator, it sends the information to the farm office and to the aftersales team, to warn them that there is a potential issue, which requires attention. A series of codes will help recognise a problem, notify the after sales team and within minutes a phone call to the operator saying

Precision ag technician programming a John Deere SF6000 receiver for a customers new tractor

they are on the way to correct the problem, allows that person to either continue if the problem is minor, or prevent a major issue by stopping the machinery This can only be achieved by an aftersales team who are constantly updated and trained on the machinery which the company is suppling and allows the farmers the confidence that if there is a

problem, there is the potential that they will know about it before it causes damage. The John Deere â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dealer of Tomorrow Programmeâ&#x20AC;? addresses just such circumstances and future technology plays a big part in the development of both John Deere and Thomas Sherriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s businesses. While a company like John Deere may seem at times to

Please d to suppo rt THOM A SHERR S IFF

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Stihl showroom at Haddington

be uncompromising in their efforts to move forward, their wealth of knowledge and input in technology means, that they are seldom wrong in their future assessments and that they can also fund the technology and training that a smaller supplier would find difficult to finance. John Deere have managed to keep everything from sales to service and finance all in house, like a one stop shop for farm machinery. “There is no

point in selling a machine worth £150,000 if you are not able to support that purchase with an after-sales service, which is quick and efficient and that is what we continually try to develop and ensure our market share continues to increase as a result. “ says Colin. Farming, in the arable sector, is moving away from small family unit and the larger farming companies now command a

Kramer Telehandler at work loading bales

much bigger share of the market, demanding a much bigger share of the technology and information available, to allow them to run their businesses efficiently. Servicing this new type of industry relies on a quick and well supported aftersales team, who can be on the spot at the earliest possible moment. Mobile technical support teams ensure that

a call to any Sherriff outlet from the customer notifying a problem ensures that members of the team are on site as soon as possible. “The key to everything we do is staff.” explains Colin. “Without the training and dedication of our staff, we would not be the company we are. People buy people and our success in the marketplace is entirely dependent on the quality (continued on page 38)

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of the product we sell and our ability to service and maintain it.” The importance of the staff to the company is no more evident than with the purchase of the local Border company of W M Dodds, which was acquired by Sherriff, eighteen months ago as part of their recent expansion programme. The company agreed to employ all of Dodds’ staff, as they were confident that their combined experience in the industry would be as big an acquisition as the business itself. This expansion also included a new outlet in Hexham which allowed Sherriff’s’ to expand into the south Northumberland area and across to Cumbria. The outlets in Berwick upon Tweed and Dunbar were closed, as they were both adjacent to the North Sea and only allowed trading from three sides. The outlets at Haddington, Jedburgh, Hexham, Alnwick, Stow and Coldstream service their individual areas but the restructuring of the company,

has allowed an expansion not only of the agricultural side of the business but also of the groundcare side, which has developed widely over the past 15 years. The company now supplies groundcare equipment to all the major golf courses in the area if responsibility it serves. There are numerous other sectors, in which the use of turf equipment is important including hospitals, large council garden and parks as well as domestic gardens of all sizes. This attention to detail gives the company an excellent share of the turf and domestic market. Groundcare is an arm of Thomas Sherriff’s business, which is distinct from the agricultural side, in that, the machines they supply are specific to the task required. Their uncompromising view of quality continues in this sector and again the company only align themselves with products, which are already known for their quality and reliability.

Public demonstration at Hexham

This includes Stihl forestry and garden equipment, which is well-known for its quality, reliability and developments in both the professional and domestic market and Ifor Williams Trailer Ltd, another of the well-known brands, with whom they are happy to work, particularly as the Ifor Williams range of products continues to

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expand with new designs and models. The main focus of the business, however, is still the agricultural machinery and a commitment to developing future technology.” There is as much technology in today’s tractors as in a Formula 1 car” explains Richard Lyall, the Sales and Marketing Director. “JD

Link telematics can predict a failure, preventing problems and saving time for repairs and staff are kept up to date with regular training but a great deal of time is spent in considering future designs when working with farmers themselves.” Many of Sherriff’s customers are now part of the John Deere European farmers focus groups, whose opinions are respected in developing the future products of that company. Without the input of those who are using the machinery daily, the success of the John Deere would be limited by looking back and not forward. Any franchises with which Thomas Sherriff & Co become involved must have the same lasting and residual value that John Deere have, and this has proved to be vital in their continued success. Another key supplier is Kuhn Farm Machinery. Sherriff’s became the main agent for Kuhn in 2011 after rationalising

suppliers. Kuhn are one of the largest manufacturers of quality farm implements in the world. Both the groundcare and agricultural divisions have been very successful in selling their range of products to local customers. Stewart Agricultural are another high calibre manufacturer that Sherriff’s are proud to represent locally. Based in Inverurie, Stewarts supply the group with high quality farm trailers. After several years without a telehandler brand, the company signed an agreement in January 2018 with Kramer GmbH in Germany. Kramer have recently formed a partnership with John Deere to market their products through the John Deere dealer network in a joint venture. Kramer telehandlers and wheeled loaders are fast becoming recognised at all Sherriff outlets with the group, all reporting good sales in the first six months of 2018. In 2002 Dal-Bo, a major Danish

manufacturer, producing rollers and cultivation equipment, approached Sherriff’s with a view to marketing their range to local farmers. Since then, DalBo have played a major part in Sherriff’s continued growth. Thomas Sherriff & Co as a company, along with their partners John Deere, are huge supporters of young people in the industry. They are keen to support the local Farm Job Scheme which encourages young people into the agricultural industry by helping to find and retain positions that are available locally or in their own company Sherriff’s seek to support vital young talent into the industry. As the directors of the company themselves started from the bottom in the agricultural industry and continued to work their way towards a future, of which they can all be rightly proud. Apprentices who join with the company can look forward to a bright and prolonged future, if

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they work hard for the company and themselves. Apprenticeships with Thomas Sherriff & Co., means signing up to a four year initial training period, which includes joining the John Deere University on both block release and distance learning. Thomas Sherriff & Co. was founded on the same principals in 1816 as it maintains today. The company is its people. Without staff support, even a world-wide organisation like John Deere would not be able to maintain the quality and service for which it so well-known and appreciated. The strength of Thomas Sherriff & Co Ltd is being controlled by directors who see themselves as custodians of the Company for a given period of time and who employ people with a sense of belonging and a good relationship with one another. “You can’t have too many good people.” says Colin.

Farming travel guide Scotland A Taste of Scotland in Oldmeldrum & Udny With Janice Hopper Many grand Scottish buildings are revered as elegant stately homes, or they’ve been transformed into luxury four or five star hotels, but what’s often less obvious is the role they once played within the farming community. Not that long ago, the family in the ‘big hoose’ owned vast tracts of land surrounding their home, they were hugely influential in the community, and the powerful laird employed local people who lived onsite to work in the fields and tend the animals on the estate. One such example sits in the quiet North East town of Oldmeldrum. Meldrum House is now a contemporary Scottish hotel but, dating back 800 years, its role in the Grampian countryside is often overlooked. Meldrum House once ran to several hundred acres, and the family also owned properties including Drumoak and Fyvie Castle. Meldrum House itself had its own mill, a stable-block, ice houses, a doocot and even a slaughterhouse - it was the focus of an entire community. Many examples of its links with the land have disappeared, but those that have survived are put to curious and quirky use. Take the doocot, today it’s a site for atmospheric whisky tastings and it’s the setting for romantic marriage proposals by

Glen Garioch Spirit Still

Cave Bar Meldrum House

candlelight. The service industry is adapting and preserving beautiful rural buildings in an imaginative and innovative fashion. In the past, land ownership came not only with responsibility, but often influence, wealth and friends in high places. The last Laird of Meldrum, Robin Beauchamp Duff MBE, not only welcomed the likes of Margot Fonteyn to Oldmeldrum, but

the ‘scandalous’ John Profumo and Christine Keeler, Margaret Thatcher, Elvis Costello (who filmed the music video for ‘Good Year for the Roses’ in the Drawing Room) and, in very recent times, stars of Game of Thrones checked in whilst attending the celebrity wedding of Rose Leslie and Kit Harington. Celebrities marriages aside, the 21st century rural service industry is focussing increasingly on its own local relationships and collaboration. Quality partnerships are at the heart of an outstanding menu and a hearty meal, especially as diners become more discerning about their dinners, including a stronger emphasis on traceability and sustainability. Dishing up the best of the local larder is key, and to this end Aberdeenshire Highland Beef from Banchory graces the Meldrum House menu, alongside shellfish and salmon from Sutherlands of Portsoy, and Meldrum House has also reached out to its farming neighbour Glen Garioch Distillery.

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Glen Garioch offers up its own rich rural history. The distillery was established by two farmers, John and Alexander Manson, who grew up on Kilblean Farm in Oldmeldrum. The family were initially grain farmers, then cattle farmers, and the site where the distillery now stands was once the family tannery, then a brewery, before finally opening as a distillery in 1797. The Manson family also boasts international farming links, as they are known for importing the first cows from Scotland to Hong Kong, establishing a dairy farm in Pok Fu Lam in the late nineteenth century. The distillery has recently joined forces with Meldrum House, with an offering that combines grain, whisky and dairy, creating a curious dining experience called the ‘Rare Pair’: four Glen Garioch whiskies paired with four Scottish cheeses. First up is a hard cheddar from Tain, the Blairliath, which is served with a Founders’ Reserve dram. Strathbogie Sizzler Chutney from Huntly Herbs accompanies

Farming travel guide Scotland the cheese. The second pairing is the Loch Arthur hard cheddar from Campbeltown, with a twelve year old Glen Garioch whisky, and Huntly Herbs Beetroot & Apple Chutney. The third offering is a fifteen year old cask strength sherry cask dram, with an Apple Smoke cheese from Kintyre and a Huntly Herbs Traditional Marrow Chutney. And the grand finale is the sixteen year old Renaissance 2nd Chapter. This is paired with a Strathdon Blue cheese dished up with Huntly Herbs Coriander Chutney. For £40 it provides a novel taste of Scotland, and dishing it up in Meldrum House’s 800 year old Cave Bar adds an additional layer of history and heritage. Beyond the town of Oldmeldrum the local area offers an array of seasonal delights. In summer months the fields of Barra Berries are bulging with soft fruits - drop by their café for an ice cream made with real strawberries. In Winter, Barra Bronzes sell their free range turkeys in the run up to Christmas. But as autumn approaches venture five miles to Udny, home of Udny Pumpkins. We’re all familiar with pick your own fruit, but Udny Pumpkins are taking stateside inspiration, opening last year

as a ‘pick your own pumpkin’ destination, enabling all ages to learn more about growing this spooky vegetable. Based on a smallholding, visitors can also spend time with the animals - a small flock of sheep, four or five turkeys, and roughly twenty hens, ducklings and chicks. Children are also welcome to play on the bales, dig for tatties, and run off some steam in the fields. The timing of Pick Your Own Pumpkins naturally ties in perfectly with Halloween, and many of us will remember the colourful tradition of carving out a neep. It’s said that when Scots emigrated to America they wished to continue this tradition, but replaced neeps with pumpkins as they were more easily available in the States than the humble turnip. Curiously, the passion for carved Halloween vegetables has gone full circle, with more and more Scots opting for a pumpkin over a neep, which is perfectly understandable as carving a neep by hand could jokingly be described as akin to carving granite. Having picked your own pumpkin, a final stopping point is the Coffee Apothecary in Udny Green. The owners, Jonny and Ali, source their produce as locally as possible. Organic vegetables are

Sutherlands of Portsoy seafood

supplied by Alfie Marr’s farm, only a four mile distance, free range meat is butchered by Ewan Morrice in Stuartfield, and their seafood is landed at Peterhead. The baking boasts free range local eggs

from Blackness Steading, as well as organic flour and Fairtrade sugar and chocolate. The jam is made on a farm just outside Pitmedden, the lemonade is produced near Fraserburgh, and the beer is sourced from local boys, Brewdog. Admittedly, the coffee beans themselves are unsurprisingly not local, but roasted weekly for the café by Artisan Roast in Edinburgh. Overall it’s a representative taste of the North East of Scotland. What’s outstanding about these quite unassuming North East towns and villages is the sheer amount of production, pride, collaboration, passion and flavour that can be discovered for any visitor who drives a little off the beaten track. From whisky, cheese and chutney, to strawberries, turkeys and coffee, it’s a delicious and unusual weekend break. And with National Pumpkin Day celebrated on the 26 October, you can literally pick the best of the crop in the Aberdeenshire countryside. meldrumhouse.com glengarioch.com huntlyherbs.co.uk facebook.com/udnypumpkins thecoffeeapothecary.co.uk

Meldrum House

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BOOK SERIALISATION

‘You weren’t sure if you were herding cattle or children’ In the penultimate extract from her book about the last drovers of Uist, Terry J Williams looks at the difficult moments of droving and the long-gone days of the sales at Clachan and Ahmore

The way things used to be: Kenneth McKenzie selling cattle at the Clachan sale in North Uist in the 1970s

The biggest sale of the week was yet to come. A few miles north of the drovers’ landing place in North Uist, where the main highway to Lochmaddy met the island’s circular coast road, was Clachan. ‘It consisted of just maybe four or five houses, a shop, a post office and that was it,’ said Ian. ‘But it was the heart of that area. And that was a big sale – there would be maybe two hundred to three hundred cattle in the one day.’ ‘Start by eleven o’clock in the morning,’ said Simon, ‘going to six o’clock, non-stop. Big sale.’ On a small hill behind the Clachan Stores, I found 42

some wooden pens. Was this where the market had once been held? I found the answer in a croft house by the sea at Kyles Paible, west along the coast from Clachan, where Ena Macdonald and her son Angus breed pedigree Highland cattle. In the 1920s and ’30s, when my friend Ian Munro’s father came out to the islands, almost all the island cattle were Highlanders but, by the time Ian himself arrived in the 1950s, preferences were changing. ‘Maybe about fifty per cent would be pure Highland when we first went out,’ he said, ‘then there would be more Shorthorn

and Hereford. Pure Highlanders in the 1960s were the minority.’ When Ena took over the croft from her father, she decided to stick with a purebred herd and now the Macdonalds’ Ardbhan fold is highly respected worldwide. Ena confirmed my guess about the location of the Clachan sale. ‘It hasn’t changed that much really,’ she said. ‘And the house opposite, that’s where old Susan used to stay, and on sale day she used to sell teas. ‘We used to watch the cattle walk to Clachan,’ said Ena. ‘Quite a few hundred of them – it was quite a sight. Today with

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all the traffic on the road, oh my goodness, it would be just impossible.’ She remembered taking their own cattle to the sale too. ‘The tide would be out. We would take them across the strand here and we’d meet up with others and walk from there to Clachan. I can remember – see, in these days, nobody sold calves like they do now. The calves were left until they were a year and a half. They’d be born say April, May. You’d be selling them a year next September, nearly always the September sale.’ Once the sale started there was no pause until the last bid had been made, the last

BOOK SERIALISATION paint-mark and scissor-clip administered, the last beast led out of the ring. A long day for everyone but an even longer one for the drovers and their dogs. ‘When that sale was completed,’ said Ian, ‘that cattle had to be walked to Lochmaddy.’ Following the usual pattern, there would be diversions after runaways who thought of heading for home then, once the drove settled down, the twelve or thirteen miles to Lochmaddy would be covered at a steady plod until they reached the outskirts of the village. A crowd of excited schoolchildren would come rushing along the road to meet them, until ‘you weren’t sure if you were herding cattle or children’, said Ian. One more sale for the drovers and one more visit for me. Ian was very keen that I should go to see Alasdair Macdonald, known as ‘Ahmore’ after his home, site of the eighth and final Uist sale. When we met, I got out some of the old photographs. Alasdair pointed out characters he had known and gradually our chat teased out wisps of stories that added bright spots of detail to the bigger picture my island journey was building. ‘There was a man from Perthshire,’ he said. ‘Balquhidder – I think he was coming here in the 1960s and ’70s. He used to buy crossHighland heifers and they were doing very, very well for him. But he was saying that, the first year, he’d have to give them a lot of salt licks. I suppose from being near the shore they were used to a lot of salt. But after the first year they were alright and he was very pleased with the way they were doing for him, the island cattle.’ Alasdair’s father and uncle used to buy stock at the Clachan sale and the youngsters would be expected to get the new cattle home – on foot – with the added bonus of some entertainment in the evening. ‘They used to put our beasts along with the mainland cattle,’

Spot the differences: A cattle sale in Dingwall today

said Alasdair, ‘and we would walk them to grazing just this side of Lochmaddy, at Sponish. They’d be held there for the night and the auctioneers would send the hotel taxi for us, take us down to the hotel and get our dinner for helping them and, after that, there’d be a dance in the village hall. After the dance, two of us would go to Sponish, sort out our cattle and start walking them home and we’d be in Ahmore before the sale started! We were young, we never thought anything of it.’ Early on Thursday morning, Alasdair would be almost home with the drove, while my former drover friends Ian Munro and Neil and Simon Campbell and their dogs were in the bus with the rest of the auctioneering team and the buyers, heading for the last sale of the week. ‘Ahmore,’ said Simon. ‘That place was worse than the other places!’ The sale would finish in the early afternoon and the cattle were walked into Lochmaddy to meet the boats. ‘Maybe you would be walking and, if two beasts at the same time would burst out, the dog would only manage

one of them. He would keep it and the other one was away the other way and you were trying to get at him and, oh, gee whizz. Maybe sometimes miles before you would get them. Sometimes you would be on the road for two and three hours – there would be only maybe six cars behind you. Two or three minutes today and there’s twenty!’ ‘Och, you couldn’t go on the roads today with cattle,’ said Neil. ‘We were lucky enough. There wasn’t much traffic on the roads, no. The odd car . . .’ ‘Oh and trying to get them past,’ said Simon, ‘and the cattle would burst this way and that way and maybe some of them had never seen a car.’ ‘Well, it would be totally, totally impossible to walk them to the market today with the traffic and single track roads and – oh, it would just be impossible,’ said Alasdair. At the Lochmaddy pier the sorting and loading were as troublesome as they had been at Loch Skiport and Lochboisdale. ‘No pens on the pier or anything,’ said Ian. ‘You just

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made do with gates and that.’ They had to round up cattle from the promontory next to the pier and drive them down to the boats. Orange paint marks for Oban, green for Kyle. Drovers, auctioneers, buyers – everyone lending a hand and, no doubt, some of the local youngsters would be eager to join in, the drovers shouting them back out of the way for fear they might get hurt. As the boats headed down Loch nam Madadh and out into the Minch, island life would return to normal until sale came round again in six months’ time. For the local drovers and their dogs, there would be a chance to relax briefly before getting back to their crofts. ‘When the sales were finished, the dogs were just lying down beside you,’ said Simon. ‘There was no’ much left of the dogs’ paws.’ ‘At the end of the sales, they couldn’t walk,’ said Neil. This is an edited extract from Walking With Cattle: In Search of the Last Drovers of Uist by Terry J Williams, (Birlinn, £7.99) 43

GRAIN DRYERS

GRAIN DRYERS Providing solutions, service and savings

Intelligent Dryer Control System from Allmet Allmet is helping its customers to reduce drying costs and increase drying capacity thanks to the launch of the Intelligent Dryer Control (IDC) System. This latest technical advance brought to the UK market is the result of Allmetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alliance with Tornum AB, a strategic business partnership that has seen the two companies share expertise and resources to focus on product research and development.

The IDC, is long-awaited in the grain market and will benefit customers by minimizing over drying, maximizing obtainable product quality, weight and prices and providing total process control. Allmet Director, Charles White explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Drying grain precisely is a complex process that you want to get right to maximise the best possible price. When you use manual methods you run the risk of not reaching

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GRAIN DRYERS the desired moisture content levels, or over drying. The IDC takes the guess work out of this by maintaining the average outgoing moisture content of the grain, despite large variations in incoming moisture content.” To illustrate the benefits of the IDC - overstepping the mark

by drying to 13 percent instead of 14 can typically add up to 20 percent to your energy bill, give you an additional 1% loss in weight and reduce your dryer’s capacity by up to 16 percent. Fellow Allmet Director, James White added: “The IDC optimizes the drying process by

using intelligent software that adapts to conditions. There’s no need for manual adjustments you have total control over the drying process and can change the grain type and drying recipe where ever you are, at the touch a button either from a PC or a tablet.”

Available in four different standard kits, the system consists of moisture sensors and a control unit with a user friendly interface. The first sensor is positioned in one of the upper drying sections and measures incoming moisture. The second is placed in the cooling zone, close to the dryer outlet.

Continuous Double Flow Driers from Alvan Blanch Uniquely designed, the Alvan Blanch Continuous Double Drier range provides some of the most efficient and technologically advanced driers, covering an enormous variety of granular crops and other foods (including nuts), used around the world. Boasting a capacity ranging from 7 to 53 tonnes/hour, all key drying parameters are fully adjustable from drier / control panel to maximise efficiency –

these include bed depth, drying air temperature, bed-speed, airspeed and maximum grain temperature. The Continuous Double Flow Driers are fitted with the unique louvered bed system utilising multiple heat sources, such as pressure jet burners, gas burners, CHP engine heat, biofuels burner, biomass boiler, directly and indirectly. Driers achieve low temperatures by regulating heat

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GRAIN DRYERS flow through inverter driven fans. The in-built air recirculation reuses the dry cooling air saving fuel; further savings can be made with external cladding allowing more warm dry air to be reused. Meanwhile, the Double Flow system turns the grain to the lower bed ensuring an even, gentle drying whilst the exhaust airflow removes dust and chaff.

Driers automatically regulate the drying process through continuous grain and air temperature monitoring, maximising efficiency and throughput. From 2018 driers can be fitted with fully automatic moisture control, giving real time grain moisture measurements and softwarecontrolled settings enabling maximum throughput with

minimal energy and fuel use. This new system can even be retrofitted to existing driers! Fully automated driers, with the most advanced sensors and controls, give peace of mind at harvest time. The optional large PLC has a fully interactive touchscreen and shows the entire drying process, with separate screens for handling plant

management and data logging remotely – settings can be changed from home or from your combine harvester, using a smartphone. The Continuous Double Flow Drier design carries the crop through the entire process using a unique chain and slat conveyor. This means that a Double Flow Drier from Alvan Blanch will never bridge or block.

BDC Svegma – the endurance drier It’s been another successful season for the well-known and highly respected BDC Svegma continuous flow grain drier, with prestigious installations in Scotland, England, Northern and Southern Ireland. The reputation of the BDC Svegma drier is built upon its longevity in the market quality manufacturing and excellent after sales service. Apart from upgraded fans, burners and control panel the basic drier hasn’t changed significantly over the years which proves that the design was correct from the start. This means that spare parts are still available for driers over 30 years old. With just a little care and an annual maintenance regime there are BDC Svegma driers still going strong after 25+ years. And as farm sizes grow it may also be possible to extend an existing drier to increase its capacity. BDC Svegma drier ranks among the world’s finest in regard to drying quality, efficiency and capacity. Available in widths between two and eight metres and

heights up to 20 metres, they offer consistence and high-efficiency drying of up to 125 tonnes of grain per hour. The modular and flexible design allows high levels of customization with unaffected drying performance making the Svegma drier the ideal choice for farmers, farming co-operatives and commercial users of all sizes. A smooth and clean internal grain column with unique lateral fixings prevents cross contamination between crops and makes it suitable for malting barley seed and other free flowing products. Technical back up is a priority for BDC Systems which boasts a team of four highly experienced engineers. Although installation and maintenance is down to the dealer, technical support is always available to overcome any issues which the customer / dealer requires assistance with. As well as problem solving the technical team work closely with the manufacturer on product enhancements and much of the technology in the drier is down to BDC’s input.

Svegma driers are available exclusively in the UK and Ireland through BDC Systems

Limited and their network of approved dealers and installers.

Dryer tips for harvest from Chief Chief Industries UK Ltd, based in Maldon, Essex, is a member of the Chief Industries Inc. group of companies, which consists of eight core companies and a number of divisions. Chief has manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom, the USA and France, and employs almost 2000 people. The CD range of dryers has been developed to be exceptionally efficient and flexible, offering an extensive list of options to fulfil

as many customer and legislative requirements as possible. These include multi-fuel options such as gas and steam; solid fuel and oil; direct or indirect firing; fire detection and suppression systems; dust suppression systems; additional silencing; heat recovery; indoor and outdoor applications; split columns; and stainless steel grain columns. Our standard range is from 10-300 tonnes per hour, with a

specification of fully galvanised bolted construction, pneumatic positive discharger, internal access, externally clad with thermal insulation, Weishaupt digital burners, Schneider PLC and touch screen control panels with remote internet access. Grain drying is an essential part of the grain management process that needs to be considered pre and post-harvest. Maintaining the moisture and the temperature

of the grain as it is stored can heavily impact the length of time the grain can be stored, and its overall condition. Since Chief is in the business of manufacturing quality grain dryers we asked our dryer specialists to share their “Top 4 Dryer Tips for Harvest”. It’s imperative that your dryer is cleaned inside and out. Make sure all grain columns and air ducts are clear from last season’s foreign material that may have collected (continued on page 48)

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GRAIN DRYERS during the emptying process. Also, the discharge system must be clear of foreign material and rotating freely. If you have a Maxon line burner, it will need to be cleaned out and check that the burner holes are clear. Ensure there is ample fuel supply prior to harvest season. Make sure all fill switches, temp sensors, starters, relays, modulating valves, etc. are working properly to avoid a delay in operation during drying season.

Prior to harvest start your dryer to make sure it is runs properly. Look for proper flame colour and pattern, and if fans and all moving parts are functioning correctly. There are a few safety features that you will want to check before your harvest operations are in full swing. Purging at start up, high temp limit switches, chain break sensors, and air prove switch are the main features you will need to check regularly.

New grain dryer control system simplifies harvest management

An automated dryer control system that added value and eased the harvest workload is proving a worthwhile investment by Shropshire grower Rob Timmis. The Dryer Master management system adjusts his 35-tonne/hr Kentra continuous flow dryer according to the fluctuating

moisture content of incoming grain throughout the day. “However experienced you are with a dryer, it’s a difficult thing to manage, especially when there’s so much else going on at harvest,” he says. “There’s always a temptation to keep fiddling, so hitting the optimum is really quite hard.

“And there’s always the inclination to err on the side of caution because there’s nothing worse than having to put grain through again when it’s half or one percent over the contract terms.” The Dryer Master controller installed in time for harvest 2017 uses sophisticated temperaturecompensating sensors to accurately measure crop moisture content pre- and post-drying. ‘Intelligent’ algorithm software automatically responds to any changes to incoming moisture levels or deviation from the set point target to regulate the time taken for grain to flow through the dryer. Barry Higginbottom of Kentra Grain Systems explains: “The aim is to consistently hit an average grain moisture target to avoid lost income through over-drying, and

the risk of merchant deductions or additional drying costs resulting from under-drying.” The system ‘learns’ the performance characteristics of a particular dryer during manual operation, before it is given control. “Having seen how consistently it can hit the target moisture I’m confident enough to leave it in control when running the dryer overnight,” says Rob Timmis. “Besides, I can always keep an eye on things by remote access on my iPad.” The remote feature also gives him the freedom to attend to issues away from the store during the day, such as a machine breakdown in the field, because the same key information is shown on the tablet computer as on the Dryer Master display.

Mecmar at the heart of your grain drying system For many years mobile grain driers were tractor driven, gas fired, noisy and labour intensive. While a critical part of the post-harvest process it was an unwelcome job. However, today it is a very different story. The latest Mecmar mobile grain driers sit at the centre of simple, fully automated and cost-effective grain drying systems. The Mecmar sits at the heart of the grain drying system controlling loading, cleaning and unloading operations automatically. Operator involvement can be as simple as tipping wet grain and pushing up dry grain. Control panels are customised for each individual site 48

ensuring customers get the exact operation they require. Features include text message updates, drive monitoring and intelligent cooling all incorporated into a reliable, easy to maintain hardwired control panel. The cost effectiveness of a mobile grain drier based system is clearly demonstrated by their strong re-sale value, delivering low depreciation rates per tonne. An investment in a mobile grain drier gives flexibility to grow and change your new system in line with your future business requirements. The change from gas to oil fired systems significantly reduces operating costs while

features such as the centrifugal fan, stainless steel furnace and plenum floor contribute to reducing power and energy costs.

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The final critical factor is creating a simple, robust system. McArthur Agriculture supply every new Mecmar grain drier in Great

GRAIN DRYERS Britain and Ireland. We work closely with our customers to understand their requirements and create a simple, cost-effective solution that fits their needs. This process is

essential to getting the most out of your system, a small investment in time at the planning and design can make a big difference over the service life of the equipment.

The Opico Magna Grain Dryer Speed and efficiency are key features of the OPICO Magna range of recirculating batch dryers, with automated features allowing farmers to keep pace with harvest and larger capacity combines, whilst reducing the time needed to manage the dryer. Unique to the Magna range is the Duax heat core â&#x20AC;&#x201C; heat retaining bricks that ensure a more even and consistent drying temperature with the added benefit of saving up to 10% on diesel costs. The diesel-fired Magna range of dryers are high volume, with the largest having a holding capacity of 48t. They are easy to install and relocate when necessary and can dry up to

480 tons of grain per day on automatic versions, with minimal supervision. Magna dryers are capable of higher throughputs than similar-sized dryers thanks to their extra-large drying zones. The most popular model is the 2910, which has a 29t capacity. This dryer is able to dry nearly 300 tonnes in a 24hour period. Loading time and unloading time are also minimised with high capacity loading augers, recirculating augers and unloading augers to keep grain flowing As well as drying, the mode of action of a recirculating batch dryer cleans and polishes the grain whilst also removing chaff, weed seeds and broken

grains. This results in higher hectolitre weights and in turn the value of the crop; giving an advantage over on-floor stores or continuous flow systems. Add a Sky Vac dust extractor for even more impressive results. Whilst Magna dryers can cope with the wettest of grain, this means the main bin

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frame can be exposed to a lot of moisture and steam during drying. However, since 2017, all Magna grain dryers have galvanized or stainless steel components in areas that are susceptible to corrosion, and the bottom well, loading hopper and intake auger tube have been galvanised completely.

GRAIN DRYERS

Perryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Savannah Series Driers The Perry of Oakley Ltd Savannah series driers are capable of capacities from 5tph to 150tph. The driers come with Perryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own advanced PLC panel, which is designed and programmed in house, and the auto control, which uses both the exhaust air temperature and hot grain temperature to give advanced control of the drier with feedback, to maintain a consistent moisture content of the discharged grain. If connected to the internet, the panel can send you email and text alerts including drier status updates and it will alert you to any issues that may have occurred while drying. The PLC panel can also be connected to an app (available free on Google Play & iStore). While connected to the app, you can see your control panel and control it from the app. It provides a direct link to your control panel, meaning you can

control your drier from anywhere you have a mobile phone signal or a WiFi connection. To ensure drier longevity the Savannah Series driers are built with a 2mm thick grain column for additional strength, and 3mm thick top ducts in the grain column to help prevent deformation and wear. To promote consistent movement of the grain down the grain column, even in very wet conditions, all Savannah Series Driers are fitted with pneumatically controlled Shutter discharge. This year this has been upgraded to phosphor bronze bushes on all wearing parts. These improvements, and the other key features of the Savannah range, provide a truly commercial specification grain drier for use on farms and commercial grain stores. Perry of Oakley Ltd also manufacture a full range of 10tph â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1000tph handling

equipment including chain & flight conveyors, belt & bucket elevators, augers &

Turbodan Mobile Dryers

Having successfully commissioned the last of the pre-season ordered Turbodans for 2018 the possibility of further sales, in England at least, is fading with each fine day. Should conditions change however, they do have refurbished units available from stock. The Turbodan has seen little change since its initial launch onto the market place in the early 90s. The ethos behind its invention was that it should not only be simple to operate but also offer great flexibility. Tey Farm believe it is those very principles which have helped it to maintain its unique position in an otherwise crowded marketplace. Whilst it may be difficult to call the tradition tub dryer mobile given the array of intake hoppers 50

screw conveyors, aspirator precleaners, belt conveyors & much more.

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on offer and the fact that many are either gas fired or electric the Turbodan stays true to its roots as a mobile. Based on a trailer chassis the Turbodan is quickly and easily moved between farmsteads, it requires no auxiliary power supply and has its own on board fuel tank. Whilst it does not offer a bolt on pre-cleaner any dust and chaff is simply blow out of the trailer during the drying process. It does not require any fixed handling equipment, you simply load it with a loading shovel or telehandler and unload it by tipping it up in the grainstore. Turbodans can be, and indeed are, used for drying a great array of combinable crops from Quinoa to Wheat, Peas to Field Maize.

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Powerwasher Services Celebrate 35 Years in Business

Back in 1983, former dairyman, Jack Whitecross saw a gap in the market, although there were companies selling power washers, the industry lacked a repair service. This is where Powerwasher Services was established. Jack starting out in an old shed and a portacabin for an office, he went out on the road selling and repairing the machines and his one trusty member of staff, Angela Kerr (nee Clacher), looked after the book keeping and admin in the office, right where Powerwasher Services Ltd premises are now. In 1999 Jack brought his son, Jim, and daughter, Liz, to the helm of the business. Along with the running of the business Jim went out on the road as an engineer, to repair and service the machines and continue to build the relationships with the customers. Liz did her part of the running of the business in the office, with all the administration and the job diary to look after. And there we have it, the partnership was formed and the family run business began. Today, PWS is a real family business run by daughter, Liz, and son, Jim, with Jack continuing to keep a watchful eye on things. Now Jim’s daughter, Rebecca, has joined the team in the office, along with Kevin and Nick as engineers, he has all three of his children under his wing. While Liz’s partner, Colin Crosby, runs the parts department. As the company continued to expand, the original premises were quickly outgrown. Plans and investment were put in to the original site and the development of an office block happened in 2002, followed by the purposebuilt showroom, new office and parts store in 2014. Over the years the product range has expanded. From selling 52

The team at their Head Office

and repairing power washers the business now sells, hires, services and repairs compressors, heaters, floor sweepers, scrubber driers, generators and vacuums. They will work with the customer to find the right piece of equipment for the job and if they can’t they will build it. They also sell a wide range of janitorial supplies and cleaning products. With all this, they now have a customer base of over 4,500, throughout most of Scotland, from Inverness in the North down to the central belt in the South. As part of the process for finding the right piece of equipment for the job, the team at Powerwasher Services complete a site survey, this consists of an assessment and them getting a better understanding of the customers’ requirements. They then come up with a solution with a view to demonstrate the correct

Jack Whitecross founder of Powerwasher Services

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Liz Carnie, Jack’s daughter and Managing Director

equipment, this demonstration then takes place to ensure the equipment is 100% suitable for the job. They pride themselves on selling the right equipment for the job and are happy to share their expert advice. The company supply, what they feel to be, top quality brands. Along with Honda, Yanmar, Wilms, Thermobile, Numatic, Pramac and Nuair. Powerwasher Services main manufacturer is MAC International, they have worked with them since 2002 and have won ‘Dealer of the Year’ for every consecutive year since then. The first MAC Avant power washer was sold to Greenpark Garage in Montrose and to this day remain a customer. 2017 saw Powerwasher Services win a major cleaning contract with QPP in Brechin. With the purchase of an additional premises in Brechin to accommodate this and the employment of a further 3 members of staff, the company continues to grow. As the company grows, the same family interest in tractors does too. There’s Jack with his ever-growing collection of Grey Fergies. And Jim hitting his third year of Tractor Pulling with his PWS Tractor Pulling Team to

look after GATOR. Now Kevin is having his debut year with Starlight Express in the Tractor Pulling World. 3 generations of tractor fanatics and team of loyal supporters to follow them. With over 1,300 followers on Facebook, PWS already have a good social presence keeping their customers updated on what’s going on, products, services and few competitions chucked into the mix, but with a new website coming soon they are working on bettering their online presence and creating more awareness of what they do at Powerwasher Services Ltd. All of which generating more custom. Now Powerwasher Services Ltd find themselves hitting this milestone with 8 engineers and 2 sales men out on the road, 9 members of the team working at PWS HQ and 3 at their new cleaning site in Brechin. They find themselves asking who would have thought way back then that they would be here now!? As their business has continued to grow from strength to strength over the years, they find themselves excited about where they go from here. But firstly, they recently celebrated their 35 fantastic years they have had with a barbecue on September 1st.

Jim Whitecross, Jack’s son and Managing Director

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Beatha an eilean Bha mi air sail m’ athar bho aois glè òg! An Coimiseanair, Màiri NicChoinnich Chaidh mo thogail air tuathanas mòr ann an Taobh Siar Rois. Bu mhi bu shine ann an teaghlach de shianar agus bha mi a-riamh air sail m’ athar bho aois glè òg. Tha cuimhneachain bhlàth agam air mo bheatha air an tuathanas. An t-seada rùsgaidh tràth sna seachdadan còmhla ri 8nar fhear, cìobairean is croitearan a’ rùsgadh le làimh, ’s ag èigheach ‘buist’ (peant comharrachaidh) mar a bha iad a’ cur crìoch air gach caora. Mar chlann, b’ e an obair againne ruith agus na caoraich a chomharrachadh san spot iomchaidh a rèir dè an treud dom buineadh iad. Bha e dosheachanta dhuinn gun a bhith air ar gànrachadh bho cheann gu casan ann an diofar dhathan de bhuist. Bha na pocannan clòimhe gan crochadh bho na sparran agus bha sinne mar chlann a’ pacaigeadh na clòimhe annta le ar casan. Bhiodh na rùsgan gan tilgeil thairis air ar cinn airson am poca a phacaigeadh cho teann ’s a ghabhadh. Bha an craiceann againn bog bhon ola sa chlòimh ach bhiodh ar falt dubh le grinneal. B’ e àm dripeil a bh’ ann an àm breith nan uan às aonais gin de na nithean nua-aimsireil a th’ againn a-nis. Cha robh cuàd no trèilear, bha na caoraichuain air an giùlan ann an cùl an Land Rover. Cha robh lampa teasachaidh no bainne pùdair, dìreach bainne a’ chruidh le boinneag de dh’uisge-beatha bho àm gu àm gus uan lag a chuideachadh air adhart ’s e na laighe ann an bucas cairt-bòrd air beulaibh teine fosgailte. Cha robh frasan comharrachaidh, dìreach diofar dhathan de shnàth fighe air earbaill nan uan gus an 54

crois-mhaidseadh ri am màthair. Cha b’ e obair fhurasta a bh’ ann an seo air dhòigh air bith oir bha còrr air 2000 caora-uain air an tuathanas. Tha an t-eòlas sin agus mòran eile air m’ uidheamachadh airson mo chroit fhìn a ruith a fhuair mi mar dhìleab bho m’ athair. Dh’ionnsaich mi mo sgilean cìobaireachd bho m’ athair agus tha mi ga fhaireachdainn mar urram mòr an cothrom a thoirt dhomh mo chroit fhìn a ruith, dòigh-beatha dha bheil mòran spèis agam. Gun teagamh, faodaidh an obair a bhith cruaidh ach tha sochairean na lùib. Tha treud de chaoraich-uain North Country Cheviot agam agus treud beag sinnsearachdail de Chrodh

Luing ann an suidheachadh àlainn aig Loch Bhraoin. Ged a tha mi nam thagradair mòr às leth croitearachd thraidiseanta, tha mi a’ creidsinn gum feum eug-samhlachd a bhith air a’ chroit airson e a bhith na ghnothachas obrachail. Tha mi air a bhith a’ ruith gnothachas Leabaidh is Bracaist soirbheachail airson 28 bliadhna. Thar nam beagan bhliadhnaichean a dh’fhalbh, tha sinn air na seann togalaichean croite, a’ bhàthach agus an sabhal ath-ùrachadh agus tha sinn ag obair ag ath-ùrachadh an taigh croite beag a bh’ ann bho thùs. Tha sinn air tìde agus airgead a chur a-steach do na croitean againn airson an cumail suas do

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na ginealaichean a tha ri thighinn. B’ fhìor mhath leam na croitean a tha trèigte tarsainn nan sgìrean croitearachd fhaicinn a’ tighinn air ais gu feum agus na bailteanfearainn fhaicinn ag èirigh soirbheachail uair eile. Tha e air leth misneachail an dìoghras bho chroitearan ùra agus bhon ghinealach as òige de chroitearan fhaicinn, agus thathar an dòchas cun cuidich an Reachdas Croitearachd ùr le croitearachd a dhìon agus adhartachadh do na ginealaichean a tha ri teachd.

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

Tuathanachas Alba (Gaelic: Farming Scotland)

16 year old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Specially selected for

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

Only 76 bottles available. Each bottle is individually hand numbered within in its own silk lined presentation box. Hand numbered tasting notes are included to enhance your whisky experience.

*We are delighted to support the RSABI Charity. We will donate £5 to the RSABI from every bottle sold.

TO ORDER YOUR LIMITED EDITION WHISKY ✂

1) Order by phone on 01738 639747. (To reserve your order and arrange payment). 2) Or fill in the form below (enclosing your payment) Please send me

bottles of Tuathanachas Alba.

£ Payment enclosed. (UK ONLY)

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

MUCK SPREADERS

Spreading it around A look at some of the Muck Spreaders on the market today

Application Technology from Abbey Abbey Machinery have a range of 38 different Slurry Tanker models, from 900g to 6000g. They also have a variety of Applicators to apply the slurry in an environmentally friendly manner. These include Vertical Trailing Shoe, Tri-App, Door Mounted Band Spreader and Cereal Applicator. The Applicators presents the slurry in lines on the soil with the benefit of trapping the ammonia nitrogen below the crop canopy to harness more nitrogen, reduced smell, overall faster crop performance and reduced grazing interval.

Abbey Machinery also recently launched their new ‘Guide to Slurry Management’. This involves 6 key steps which starts with the proper storage & agitation of slurry to get a homogenous mix; choice of equipment to transport the slurry to the field; application technology to present the slurry to the soil; taking care for the environment; minimising compaction (recent research highlights that excess compaction can cost farmers over £200/ha/annum) and maximising technology to apply slurry accurately.

The spreader range from Bunning Bunning manufacture a wide range of rear discharge spreaders with capacities ranging from 6 to 40 tonnes. The Norfolk based firm has been engineering for agriculture since 1906 and introduced its first manure spreader in 1986. At this time the company’s focus was on agricultural trailers. Today spreaders take up all of the agricultural manufacturing capacity with machines being in

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strong demand both in the UK market and overseas. There are 2 models in the Farmstar range, a 6 and an 8 tonne version. Incorporating many features of the larger machines, they have been designed for the smaller farmer with a light weight high strength body and reduced length for better manoeuvrability around small farm yards. The Lowlander Mk 4 range has 6 models from the 7.5 tonne

MUCK SPREADERS capacity Lowlander 75Mk4 to the 15 tonne capacity Lowlander 150Mk4. Of a heavier design than the Farmstar range with welded body pressings, larger axles and drawbars; the Mk4 range is suited to larger scale farmers and contractors. There are 2 models in the “Heavy Duty” range, the Lowlander 150 Mk2 HD with 15 tonne capacity and the Lowlander 175 HD with 17.5 tonne capacity. These 2 models incorporate 20mm floor chains which have a 50 tonne breaking certificate and are certified lifting chains. They also have an extra 100mm (4 inches) body width and vertical auger models have the same augers for the TVA versions and beaters for the HBD versions as the Widebody range of spreaders. The Widebody range has 4 models, an 18 tonne single axle, 23 tonne tandem axle, 32 tonne and 38 tonne tri axle models and is available in both TVA and HBD versions.

Fleming Muck Spreaders The Fleming range of Muck Spreaders come in a variety of sizes from the Minimuck with the capacity of 1 cubic yard all the way to the MS1000 with the capacity of 9.5 cubic yards. The Minimuck is perfect for the smaller, more compact Tractors with a horsepower between 30 – 50. The Minimuck is the only model that does not come on wheels and is directly driven from the PTO and gives a smooth even spread. The MS150 was specifically designed to fit between the Minimuck and the MS450 models, this gives a good choice for the Small Holder, Equine or the Horticulturist Markets. The required horsepower is between 25 and 50 and like every Fleming Agri Machine manufactured, goes through a five stage paint and heat treatment for better

durability and protection against corrosion. The MS450 previously mentioned is the next in line, welded and painted inside and out, manual opening cantilever

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reinforced lid and a reinforced loading edge makes this machine a suitable addition to the farm. The next two Muck Spreaders in the range are the MS700 and the MS1000. These are designed

MUCK SPREADERS for use on large farm lands. The MS700 has a 7 cubic yard capacity and a hydraulic galvanised heavy duty reinforced lid. The body is made from reinforced 4mm body again welded inside and out. An optional extra on this model is the larger wheels, 550 x 45 x 22.5 and a large wash out bung comes as standard for easy cleaning. The MS1000 is the biggest in the fleet of Muck Spreaders.

New rear discharge spreader from Harry West Harry West machinery are introducing their new “Maelstrom”8 rear discharge spreaders. The Maelstrom unit incorporates the new “Y” shape body giving additional volume but allowing a low loading height of 1.95m. This allows for a wider

loading access of 1.9m and 4.5m long allowing for quick and easy fill with any material handler. The rear spreader benefits from the care and attention giving to all West machines in its design and construction. The twin vertical beaters fitted with specially designed blades spinning at 400 rpm offer an even and consistent spread pattern and handles all types of manure, waste and are driven by new highly rated gearboxes. This coupled

with two 14mm hardened chain drives rated to 65ton strain and pad less connectors connecting the bars to the chain ensures a long and productive life. LED lights are fitted as standard as well as wide angle p.t.o. which is driven through a slip clutch unit giving additional protection to the machine. The optional extras - In cab electrical controls for the bed speed, Slurry door with light protectors and Mud guards.

The Hi-Spec Xcel 1250 rear discharge spreader Unlike other rear discharge spreaders, the Hi-Spec XCEL 1250 is unique in that it uses a

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rotary chain and flail system to achieve a good break up of material, which is then spread

MUCK SPREADERS using a pair of spinning discs. The shredding rotor carries 22 heavy duty chains, which in turn carry 12mm Hardox flail heads, mounted under a 4mm Hardox hood, that shred all the material to an even consistency and ensure no lumps are deposited onto the spreading rotors. An adjustment plate on the shredding rotor hood, evenly places the manure onto the spreading discs to ensure an even spread. The Xcel 1250 has a capacity of 12 tonnes and can evenly spread material up to 24m. Typical discharge time is 3-5 minutes and it is able to spread all types of material such as farmyard manure, sludge cake, muck lime, wood mulch and chicken compost. The material to be spread is moved rearward by a single slat marine grade floor chain that incorporates closely spaced floor slats. Individual floor chain tensioners are placed to the front of the machine and drive to the

floor chain is via a hydraulic motor with overload protection and variable speed adjustment. Drive to the shredding rotor is via a PTO drive through heavy duty (200hp) Comer gearboxes. At the rear, a hydraulically operated, vertical slurry door can be used to regulate flow of material to the shredding rotor, and at the spreading discs an option of lighter vanes can be specified for low density material, such as chicken compost.

Jeantil EVR and EPR Muck Spreaders As early as 2004 Jeantil became the first Muck Spreader manufacturer to obtain accreditation from the DLG (German Agricultural Society). Their test ascertained guaranteed precision, quality and regularity of spread pattern. This most demanding of European Certification has set Jeantil aside as a market leader ever since.

There are five categories of spreader in the Jeantil family all with chain driven beds they include horizontal and vertical beaters. These begin with the EVR EPAN 5 First, a simple and effective manure spreader with a capacity from 10 to 15m3 ideal for professionals wishing to

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have a simple and easy to handle machine with direct control from the tractor. Next in the range is the EVR EPAN 5. This machine is the benchmark for all manure spreaders with vertical beaters. With capacities of 10 to 23m3 it meets any manure spreading requirements.

MUCK SPREADERS The EVR EPAN 6 is a horizontal bar range of spreaders. It has been designed to spread low volume products. Available from 14 to 26m3 the EPAN 6 has an especially wide and uniformed spreading width. Jeantil designed the EPR EPAN 7 Horizontal beater spreader for precise and super wide spreading of very low volume products. This machine

is ideal for the operator that seeks high volume transportation and distribution of materials. Last in the wide range of Jeantil spreaders is the EVR EPAN 8 is another high capacity horizontal beater spreader that includes the Jeantil “ SMART” control facilitating precise control of bed and beater speeds ensuring a very accurate spread per acre.

Duo Muck Spreaders from K Two K Two’s Duo Muck Spreaders has the ability to handle all farm manures efficiently whilst achieving and even, accurate spread pattern. Allowing farmers and contractors to be confident that farm manure nutrients are available for soil improvement and crop uptake. Its two heavy

duty vertical rotors, dynamically balanced and fitted with long-life reversible teeth, rotate at a fast 417rpm providing a wider, finer and more evenly spread pattern of manure across the field. Direct drive ensure continued reliability with shear bolt and slip clutch drive line protection as standard.

All Duos are fitted with a single piece Rogelberg rotor gearbox with greaseable longlife bearings used throughout, providing smooth transfer power. Hydraulically driven 14mm heavy duty marine chains

provide an infinitely variable speed floor system via the in cab control. Available in a range of capacities from 6 to 14 tonnes and a variety of options to suit your personal requirements.

A comprehensive range from Richard Western Richard Western Ltd offer a range of spreaders capable of handling a wide range of farm yard manures, composts and soil improvers and with farmers and growers paying more attention to the value of farmyard manure and its application the product range has developed to keep pace with current trends. The recently revamped Delilah spreader range is a popular choice with contractors and farmers and is now available in the 4000 series

with twin vertical beaters or, for more precision application, the 5000 series with horizontal beaters and spinning discs. The 4000 series machines move to a single floor slat and two floor chains driven with a 7 tooth drive wheel. The D4080, D4095 and D4100 use 2 x 16mm floor chains and a 65mm floor drive shaft whilst the bigger D4120 and D4150 use 2 x 20mm floor chains and an 80mm floor drive shaft. New bigger diameter rotors

Look to the west try Harry West -AELSTROM 2EAR $ISCHARGE 3PREADER

www.harrywest.co.uk 60

s -ANURE 3PREADERS s $IET &EEDERS s 'RAIN AND 3ILAGE 4RAILERS s !GRICULTURAL AND #OMMERCIAL "UILDING ALSO Please check out the SEKO RANGE OF $IET &EEDERS ECO LINE PRODUCTS Tel: 01948 840465 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Harry West (Prees) Ltd Lower Heath, Prees, Whitchurch, 3HROPSHIRE 39 "4

MUCK SPREADERS

Rollandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current range of muck spreaders Rolland replaced its Rolltwin series of muck spreaders last year with the Rollforce range, and they now have several models out throughout the country.

with bigger diameter rotor tubes increase the rotor tip speed and deliver high capacity shredding. 890mm diameter twin vertical beaters with a continuous spiral auger are fitted on machines up to the D4100 with the D4120 and D4150 getting 1100m diameter rotors with a three blade disc base, 1100mm diameter rotors

The Rolland range includes seven models offering 13cu m to 22cu m capacities with three different side heights to choose from. These being 1230mm, 1550mm or 1700mm.

are optional at extra cost on the D4100. A hydraulic folding canopy is optional for the machines fitted with 1100mm diameter rotors and allows operators to use the machine as a vertical beater spreader with the doors open or when the doors are closed to use the spreader as a spinning disc machine.

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MUCK SPREADERS Inside the spreaders there are no angles for material to get stock in as the strengthened 16mm thick chains are now closer to the sides, while channel slats make for smoother emptying.

The drive has also been strengthened with wider bearing blocks. A new rear door design all means there are no corners to resist flow when opening and the front viewing panel and

been didened so that you can see inside the spreader beyond into the field when spreading. A new A-frame drawbar also offers more strength and stability, and the drawbar can

Slurry Katâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high end systems SlurryKat is a world leader in the development and manufacture of high-end dribble bar slurry/manure dispersal systems. Specifically designed to be controlled by one operator, SlurryKatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entire range of umbilical slurry/manure systems and dribble bars has been tried and tested in Ireland, one of the toughest farming environments in Europe. Available for use all year round, and with any crops, SlurryKat dribble bars achieve a uniform spread of slurry/manure, with minimal plant contamination. As a result, fertiliser costs could be reduced by up to 80%. All our dribble bars are CE approved, come with a 3-year

warranty as standard and are available in widths from 7.5 metres up to 24 metres. So whether you

are an independent farmer or a large scale contractor, SlurryKat has a system to meet your needs.

D-K-R

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD. Main Dealers for Jeantil Muck Spreaders

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

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be specced with either spring or hydraulic suspension. This also allows the operator to alter ride height, which in turn changes the spreading width.

Strautmann Spreaders Strautmann have over 50 years of experience in producing rear discharge muck spreaders for farming and industrial waste. Distributed in the UK by OPICO, they offer load capacities from 8 to 34 tonnes gross weight. The current product range provides expertly designed and engineered machines: There are four model ranges, each with rear discharge beaters. The PS range has been engineered for the professional user and are the top of the range models. The most technologically

MUCK SPREADERS equipped for high capacity spreading from 20m to 26m . Fitted with tandem horizontal beaters as standard, the spread width increases to 24m with the addition of spinning discs. Advanced technology and application accuracy makes all PS models suitable for spreading lime. The VS range of models are similar in design to the PS range but with smaller load capacities making them ideal machines for contractors and large farms. Fitted with tandem beaters as standard and optional spinning discs. Capacity 16m to 18m

The MS range of models are the smaller sibling to the VS. Smaller means more manoeuvrable with load capacity from 8m to 12 m The recently introduced TS model comprises a simpler machine with twin vertical beaters. Designed with the UK market in mind, the TS is an all-purpose agricultural spreader for farmers and smaller contractors. It is a narrower machine than the PS, VS and MS with the wheels incorporated into the body of the spreader. Capacity of the new TS model is 16m

Slurry management from Storth Storth Ltd are the leading quality manufacturer of Slurry management equipment based in the UK. We pride ourselves in manufacturing a robust range of over 100 different machines with multiple options

enabling us to find a product to suit even the most unique of situations. Our latest addition to our extensive product range is a dribble bar primarily designed for the slurry tanker market.

Storth Ltd have made use of the tankers rear door facility to establish a simple â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;? frame Piggy Back connection system. This solution gives quick, visible, clean and flexible coupling to

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various slurry tanker brands. The Dribble Bar is operated by one double acting hydraulic service which makes use of an in-cab control box to switch functions between boom folding

MUCK SPREADERS and distributor. The FarmerPlus Dribble bar additional features include Expanding Feed Tubes, 7mte Transportation position to accommodate travelling on narrow lanes. As every farm is different, Storth has developed a range of Umbilical Equipment to help accommodate both farmers and contractors. Current market interest is very focused on maximising the use of nutrients via Dribble Bars and Trailing Shoes. Storth’s Vertical Fold Dribble Bar incorporates a

close coupled central frame design, giving narrow transport width, as well as the strength to facilitate the optional heavy duty Female A-frame. Prior to slurry being applied to the ground, it is processed by Storth’s own NovaCut Distributor, giving an even-better consistency to the slurry being applied. Storth’s Trailing Shoe Injector, is designed for use on grassland and arable land, for applying slurry to the soil surface with minimum contamination to the plant leaves.

Teagle Titan Rear Discharge Muck Spreader The focus of Titan development has been to ensure that users gain the greatest benefit from the nutrients in their manure by effectively shredding muck and evenly spreading it behind the machine.

The shallower pitch of the spreading augers ensures effective mixing and shredding prior to discharge. It is also important to have an auger with a smooth and continuous face

to ensure a consistent and even spread pattern.”’ In addition the Titan range uses a beater system that is wider than the body of the machine to enable a greater diameter beater to be fitted. This maximizes tip speed, again essential for effective shredding. All models are well proportioned to ensure good stability, manoeuvrability and ground clearance. Loading remains easy thanks to the low height of the sides. For greater driveline protection from foreign objects, a set of swinging flails sit at the base of the beater and have been developed to fold back under shock loading. For lighter materials such as poultry manure a series of paddles can be fitted in lieu of the beater tips which further improve

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the discharge rate and spreading width. As output becomes increasingly important for farmers and contractors alike, the tall beater system which is fitted as standard across all models offers a massive discharge rate Is inherent in the machines throughout their design and production. Seams are continuously welded or sealed to prevent corrosion and machines are shot blasted and primed for superior adhesion of the baked paint finish. All beaters are dynamically balanced by Teagle for smooth running and longevity of the machine. Electric Control of the bed chain, Sprung Drawbar, Greedy Boards, Wide Angle PTO and Cam Clutch, various Oversize Wheels for reduced ground compaction.

MUCK SPREADERS

Vogelsang Rotary lobe pumps Digestate/Slurry is a valuable commodity, and if used correctly can bring economic benefits, Vogelsang offers everything you need for liquid manure management, reliable pumping and application technology that can be counted on day after day. Vogelsang manufactured there first lobe pump in the 70s, over the years with improved technology have found they can offer the lobe pump to be used in numerus operations around the farm or Biogas plants. More operators are finding that using the lobe pump, instead of the centrifugal pump for umbilical cord supply, can save them time and more importantly money, with exciting users saving up to 10 litres an hour on fuel, compared to when they use the

centrifugal pump for the same application. The same high output pump, can also be used to transfer or

mix/homogenise the lagoon before pumping to the field. Main Overview of the lobe pump - Self-priming from as deep

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as 5m, Reversible flow direction, variety of drive options. Easy to transport. Vogelsang Ltd have a high output PTO drive.

exotic farming scotland

The Iconic Highland Cow Aberdeenshire Highland Beef By Janice Hopper This particular animal is considered so exotic and iconic that Grace Noble of Banchory has seen many a photo shoot on her Aberdeenshire farm. From wedding shoots and America’s Best Made Catalogue, to the launch of the North East Food and Drink Awards, Grace’s Highland Cattle are showstopping beasts. Grace grew up sheep farming on the Isle of Raasay. With a background in crofting, animal husbandry was in the family. Having moved to the Granite City, her own farming career took off when tenant land became available on Fasque and Glendye, and she recently took up tenancy with Ley’s estate in Crathes, Banchory. Rather than opt for sheep, Grace considered the move to Highland Cattle a practical and sensible choice. “Highland Cows are beautiful animals, but they’re also very independent, so ideal for new entrants to farming’, says Grace. ‘They don’t require to be housed indoors so there’s no need to rent large sheds for winter and calving. They’re hardy beasts, and content with rough grazing, foraging on grasses, flowers, heather and trees on the hills of the Cairn O’ Mount, so they can survive on agricultural land that is less expensive to rent or purchase. In terms of capital, my main initial outlay was the purchase of my breeding herd, farm tractor and handling equipment. The cattle don’t have much need for medical intervention or medicines, they are good at calving and live to a ripe age, producing typically fifteen calves in their lifetime.” 66

Grace and Beth

To start things off Grace bought six heifers from farms across Scotland and from the Highland Cattle Society Show in Oban. She quickly built up the herd to 120 strong, boasting 3040 breeding cattle. Today she is supplied with yearling bulls and heifers from the Queen’s fold at Balmoral, so her stock boast an exceptionally prestigious supply chain. Grace’s pride in her animals is unmistakable. “I love their majestic beauty and the fact that they’re an icon of Scotland’, enthuses Grace, ‘Highland Cows have a lovely character, such a sense of presence and a confident stance, with flowing coats and sweeping horns. Such eye-catching cattle, they’re Scottishness embodied.” As well as appreciated for their appearances, diners are also

increasingly appreciating their flavour. Aberdeenshire Highland Beef currently graces steak houses including Bruntsfield Chop House, Market Street Chop House and Leith Chop House in Edinburgh, as well as the five star Chester Hotel in Aberdeen, Meldrum House in Aberdeenshire and Michael Bremner’s 64 Degrees restaurant in Brighton, but rearing cattle for beef brings its own challenges. “One of the disadvantages is that Highland Cattle are smaller beef cattle than many other breeds, they yield less meat’, explains Grace, ‘They’re slower to mature, taking over thirty months to reach their optimum weight. I hang my meat for 28 days, but at the end of the day it’s quality meat with no mysteries, a completely transparent process.”

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The cattle are free range, with their virtually organic diet supplemented with potatoes, silage and draft from Deeside Brewery. Butcher, Jenny Murray, visits Lochton Leys Farm once a week to prepare cuts of beef. Butchery and maturation occur on site thus granting Grace complete control of the process. Grace then holds a Pop Up Butchery every weekend: customers can drop by the farm to select sirloin, rump or fillet steaks, roasting joints, diced steak, Highland burgers or mince. It’s also possible to place advance orders or arrange local delivery. The most recent additions to the business model are Grace’s ‘Farm Experiences’. Held every Sunday at 2.00pm, they give visitors of all ages the

exotic farming scotland opportunity to visit a working farm, meet 100% pure Highland Cattle, grab a photograph or several, learn the history of the breed, and sample Aberdeenshire Highland Beef. “I started my Sunday afternoon tours thanks to customers inquiring after the herd’, says Grace. ‘It works beautifully: I love the breed, I love showing them off, I’m proud of my herd and I’m happy to share my passion with other people. Visitors enjoy getting up close and personal with these iconic beasts.” It’s not just locals and loyal customers taking the opportunity to meet the photogenic Highland Cattle; cruise ship representatives, having docked at Aberdeen harbour, are taking their customers inland for an authentic Scottish experience. These are international visitors, embarking on a luxurious holiday, seeking authenticity and quality over quantity. With the new Aberdeen Harbour facility due to open in 2020, Travel Trade experts have visited Grace’s farm to see what the possibilities

may be when thousands of new passengers arrive in the Granite City seeking the best of what the region has to offer. In terms of footfall in Aberdeenshire the future seems bright, but Grace is already planning for the next generation. She currently runs the farm with the assistance of her daughter Beth (aged 16) who plans to go into the business, but first she’s heading to college, having just started her first term studying Agriculture in August 2018. “Naturally I’m exceptionally proud of Beth, she’s hands on with the animals, she’s great with our guests and with professionals in the field. Heading off to a cattle show with my daughter in tow combines work and pleasure simultaneously’, says Grace. ‘We don’t take time off as the cows require 24 hour care, so these shows are our version of a summer holiday. The Oban Highland Cattle Society Show is in the diary, we won the Highland Cattle Championship at the Dalmally Show in 2016 with the first ever black Highlander

to scoop the trophy, and Beth won the Young Handler’s cup that day too. We hope to venture south to Edinburgh for the Royal Highland Show, and maybe we’ll manage the Great Yorkshire and Welsh Show in future years. Overall it’s

rewarding work rearing cattle in the Aberdeenshire countryside. Sharing the animals and the beef with as many people as possible is my idea of the perfect job.” aberdeenshirehighlandbeef.com highlandcattlesociety.com

Aberdeenshire Highland Beef

Highland Cattle

Dinner is served - Aberdeenshire Highland Beef

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beef Scotch Beef PGI Campaign Delivers Strong Results The recent marketing campaign behind Scotch Beef PGI has delivered strong results for the Scottish red meat industry. The focus of the two-month campaign, run by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), was to build awareness and trust in Scotch Beef PGI in the target markets of London, the Home Counties and Scotland, reinforcing the message that it is the best beef money can buy. Analysis by independent market research organisation, Kantar Worldpanel revealed that the campaign contributed to a seven percent increase in the volume of retail sales of identified fresh Scottish-origin beef in the past 52 weeks, ending 22nd April 2018. It also revealed that in London, fresh Scottish-origin beef maintained an average price differential of 10% over home-produced beef – ie shoppers were willing to pay 10% more*. During the past year the penetration of fresh Scottish-

origin beef in the GB market also increased by 6.3%, with volume increasing 7% across GB in the 52-week period ending 22nd April 2018. The campaign aimed to reengage consumers and provide contemporary alternatives to traditional roast dinner serving suggestions. Its strapline – “There’s beef…then there’s Scotch Beef” - showcased Scotch Beef and the flavour, provenance and integrity which underpin the brand’s PGI status. Over 8.2 million consumers were targeted across GB during March and April via press, digital, broadcast and billboard advertising, to inform, educate and inspire them to use Scotch Beef when they cook. Digital screens located within high footfall commuter areas of London, such as Waterloo Station, carried messaging on the quality of Scotch Beef PGI, while traditional and digital ad space was sited outside retailers to target shoppers during the

final stages of their purchase journey. In total the combined reach of this advertising reached 44 million adults. A radio campaign on Classic FM cut through to 1.1m people making the brand stand out to loyal listeners when it co-branded the station’s “best of” feature. Innovative recipes were also showcased in titles such as Good Housekeeping and Country Living, to celebrate the quality and creativity of the modern

roast. The branded activity built coverage and aimed to inspire households in the lead up to Easter Sunday. More than 70% of QMS’s external spend is allocated to marketing and consumer-facing activities such as the recent Scotch Beef Carol McLaren, Director of Marketing & Communications with QMS, said that the results confirmed that the campaign had delivered strongly for the industry.

Beef farming sector writes to Cabinet Secretary Scottish beef industry representatives have written jointly to Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy Fergus Ewing raising their concerns about the prospects for the Scottish suckler beef herd. Considering the reduction in cattle numbers over the last decade and more, NFU Scotland, the Scottish Beef Association (SBA) and the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) met in Stirling last week to discuss the issue. The number of finished cattle passing through Scottish abattoirs has declined from more than 520,000 cattle in 2005 to under 400,000 in 2017, as part of what has been a long-term trend. The major factor in this reduction has been the challenge of profitability impacting the on-going viability of beef production. 68

Speaking after the meeting, NFU Scotland Livestock Committee chairman Charlie Adam, a beef producer from Aberdeenshire, said: “All three organisations welcome that the Scottish Government has now produced its post-Brexit proposals in the form of the ‘Stability and Simplicity’ consultation. Importantly, that allows for a rural funding transition period and we will submit our full responses in due course. “However, greater returns from the marketplace for beef in the future will be limited due to the fierce competitiveness of the food retail market. Our reputation for quality and our PGI status will play a vital role in leveraging the necessary premium for Scotch Beef over our competitors, but despite that premium being in place for many years, the beef

sector has still seen a substantial decline in numbers. “Therefore, with limited market returns, it is vital that any future support for the sector is developed in a way which enhances production levels of iconic Scotch beef. “The existing Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) has been a positive driver of onfarm productivity, encouraging some farmers to invest in the production of profitable stock. However, it has at best only slowed down the decline in stock numbers rather than achieve its policy aims to stabilise beef cow numbers and then return the size of the national herd back to historical levels. SBA President, Neil McCorkindale added: “Many livestock farmers and crofters are managing to maintain stock numbers only by squeezing the

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life out of existing assets, leaving them unable to make much needed investment in new machinery, equipment and facilities. This situation has led to levels of inertia in the sector that discourage young people, and which stands in the way of production and progress. “While the Beef Efficiency Scheme has been another avenue to deliver support to the sector, in its current form this scheme has been perceived by many producers as impractical and overlyburdensome which has restricted its potential to initiate meaningful and lasting changes on-farm. We therefore hope that the Scottish Government can commit to simplicity when developing similar future support mechanisms to make them more user friendly, attractive and, most importantly, enabling all livestock farmers to achieve productivity benefits.

beef Feed and phenotyping

crofting The crop of consultations By Patrick Krause, Chief Executive, Scottish Crofting Federation

A special event at Scotland’s only “phenotype farm” has highlighted the importance of feed-intake monitoring. A phenotype is any characteristic on an individual animal which can be measured, such as feed intake, docility or 400 day weight. More than 50 farmers and industry representatives gathered at Ingliston Farm at Eassie, Forfar, to view the state-of-the-art equipment and systems used to record individual daily feed intake in beef cattle. Funded by the Scottish Government and ABP and managed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the Beef Feed Efficiency Programme aims to produce breeding values for feed intake to enable farmers to select more efficient animals. Ingliston is one of four farms in the UK undertaking feed intake recording for the project, which is funded in the rest of the UK by Defra and AHDB. Using calves from Limousin and Angus bulls, the project aims to gather more than 2,700 individual animal intake records by the end of the year. Recording feed intake in order to include a measure of resource use efficiency into existing

selection indices, is expected to increase the realised benefits in farm level profit by around 39 per cent and a reduction in greenhouse gases by around 22 per cent. Professor Eileen Wall from SRUC, the project lead in Scotland, said: “A number of other countries have already made movements in this area and it’s important for the Scotch Beef brand to maintain its international reputation. It’s also extremely good for the environment as producing the same amount of beef with less feed means fewer methane emissions per kilo.” Professor Mike Coffey, Team Leader of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at SRUC, added: “The efficiency with which farmers use resources to produce food will come under increasing scrutiny from consumers and government. This is a proactive move by the industry to select animals that are more efficient converters.” Frank Ross, General Manager, ABP Perth, said: “It’s great to see so many farmers taking a keen interest in the way efficiency in production can be obtained and improved. ABP has a very strong interest in efficient and profitable beef production to ensure a high throughput of homegrown beef through its state-of-the-art processing plants.”

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There has been a flurry of reports and consultations from Scottish Government, its agencies and advisors over the summer, with a few more just recently. The mid-term discussion paper released by the National Council of Rural Advisors (NCRA) was followed up with a consultation. Consultations can also be very informative to those reading and responding and there was hope that this post-Brexit ‘think-tank’ would provide some clarity in these uncertain and worrying times. Regrettably, the consultation doesn’t frame any questions in the context of Brexit and doesn’t offer any suggested solutions to the problems that Brexit will inevitably bring, but rather focuses on problems that exist despite Brexit. In contrast, the Scottish Government consultation ‘Stability and Simplicity’ is well written, does provide a great deal of information, is set in the context of Brexit looming and asks sensible questions on what we all think is needed in a transition period to ensure “stability, certainty and simplicity” in

the agricultural and rural development support system. You don’t need me to emphasise how important this is to the land-based sector, the bedrock of rural communities. Have a read and please tell the government what you think. The most croft-oriented report in the flurry, was released by the Crofting Commission last week. “Support for Crofting” is the report on comprehensive research looking at current crofting, agriculture and rural development support mechanisms. This impartial and well-presented research clearly shows that existing support schemes do not work as well as they could for crofting. The researcher, Gwyn Jones, examines what works and what does not, and goes on to make recommendations on how support can be improved. The Crofting Commission response to ‘Stability and Simplicity’ is provided in the annex. The report contains a wealth of information and a range of recommendations SCF will be promoting. This is going to be seen as a benchmark piece of work.

www.crofting.org 69

livestock Nominations Now Open for Two Major Scottish Livestock Farming Awards The search is on to find beef and sheep farms around Scotland worthy of receiving one of two high profile awards. The AgriScot Scotch Beef Farm of the Year and AgriScot Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year awards, sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors and supported by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), set out to find, and reward, Scottish farms which exemplify the best in beef cattle and sheep production. These awards help to raise the profile of the dedication and passion of the cattle and sheep farmers in Scotland who work hard to produce top-quality Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI and the fantastic stock management skills the industry is renowned for.

The organisers of the awards are now encouraging livestock farmers and others involved in the industry to nominate farms they feel are worthy of receiving the accolades this year. The recipients of both awards will each receive a £500 cheque plus a £250 voucher to celebrate their success at a restaurant in the Scotch Beef Club – the club run by QMS with members committed to serving top quality Scotch Beef. The awards will be presented at AgriScot at Ingliston on Wednesday 21st November. To nominate a farm for either award, email the details of the sheep and beef farms which you feel are doing a

great job producing Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb to info@ qmscotland.co.uk. Applications

forms are also available to download at www.qmscotland. co.uk

Farmers urged to consider biosecurity in cattle housing

Biosecurity is a key consideration when it comes to housing beef cattle. New buildings should minimise the risk of introducing or spreading disease, and isolation/quarantine facilities should be provided for ill as well as incoming livestock. The guidelines are included in a new online publication produced by the Scottish Government’s Farm Advisory Service, which is delivered by specialists at SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Beef Cattle Housing Guidance warns that cattle housed under improperly designed buildings are at risk of contracting disease and infections if the proper biosecurity measures are not taken. Farmers are advised to wash down areas for vehicles and footwear to keep diseases from spreading to different locations of the farm. These wash-down areas should be designed to keep the contaminated water away from the livestock. Other topics covered by the booklet include: regulatory approvals, services, ventilation, (continued on page 72)

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livestock waste handling, location, choice of housing system, space requirements, materials and references. Housing cattle in Scotland requires consideration firstly of animal health, welfare and biosecurity but should also aim to provide a safe and efficient environment for stock workers and should minimise any negative impact on the environment. SAC Consulting’s Jim Campbell, who wrote the

Maximising on-farm efficiency with Maxammon

John Thomson is the third generation member of his family to farm at Hilton of Beath Farm in Kelty, Fife. His grandfather came to the farm as a tenant in 1948 where he started rearing heifers for his father’s dairy before moving on to breed pedigree Aberdeen Angus.. . The cattle receive a TMR ration of silage, Maxammon barley, Harbro Grampian Blend, straw and Cattle Max Rearer with Rumitech minerals to complement the treated barley. Spring calvers are fed silage and straw and the back end calvers also receive 1kg of barley. The first 35 bull calves born in the spring are left as bulls and fattened on ad lib Maxammon barley and straw. John used to bruise his own barley, feeding it with a 34% protein cake, but quickly found that bought in protein costs were escalating. 72

The

VET

publication, said: “This booklet is intended to provide basic welfare, regulatory and environmental information for farmers considering the erection of a new beef cattle shed and also provides links to sources of more detailed information.” To view the booklet, click here. For free telephone advice, call the FAS hotline on 0300 323 0161 (9am-5pm, MondayFriday) or email advice@fas. scot

Of equal concern was the health of the bulls when they were nearly fat with the free access to bruised barley putting them at a heightened risk of acidosis with some struggling to stay on their feet. As soon as this happened, John found they started to lose weight rather than gain. To address this health issue, David Allan, John’s Harbro specialist suggested he try Maxammon. Maxammon is a flexible feeding system which enhances the nutritional value of grain and increases the pH of dry barley from 6 to 9, allowing for higher cereal levels to be fed without the risk of acidosis. The treatment also increases the protein level of the grain by 30%, with the unique form of ammonia protein in Maxammon grain stimulating rumen microbes improving the digestibility of the whole diet.

Weighting and Watching By Andy Cant Northvet Veterinary Group I’m always slightly amused by the plethora of clubs, diets and products that are aimed at humans to help them loose weight, whilst in the world of food producing animals we are looking to maximize growth and weight gain. That’s not to say we don’t have overweight animals but they are mostly cats and dogs that are getting too much food for their requirements. The common factor that helps with all of this is regular weight checks whether animals or humans! In food producing animals regular weight checks can be very helpful to see if target daily live weight gains (DLWG) are being met and can give an indication that there may be underlying problems. The converse is that it lets you know what a known disease problem has cost you in terms of lost weight gain. One of our clients who weighs his animals weekly during the housing period was able to tell me what a mild cough that went through a shed of yearlings had cost him, not bad enough to need treatment but a considerable slowing of weight gain over a two week period. This hidden

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cost would otherwise have gone unnoticed. We have been monitoring weight gains in dairy calves up until weaning on our calf tracker programme. The interesting benchmarking information from that shows an average DLWG 0.68kg/day, however in calves that had cases of scour that reduced to 0.43kg/day and those with cases of pneumonia 0.46kg/ day. This is a very dramatic demonstration again of the hidden cost of disease and a great incentive to investigate and do something about it. It also highlighted a malfunction in the calibration of milk powder on one farm where growth rates were lower than expected – so its not always disease that’s the problem! Other areas where DLWG can help make decisions is where worming treatment programmes are changed or mineral supplements are varied in growing animals. The trick is to make weighing animals an easy process so it is worth a bit of investment in handling systems that make that easy then you can reap the benefits of your very own weight watchers club.

pigs Prime Pig Prices Under Seasonal Pressure Prime pig prices have started to come under some seasonal pressure, with the GB Standard Pig Price (SPP) steadying at 150.5p/kg dwt in the first half of July, before edging downwards to end the month at 150.3p/kg, according to the latest market analysis by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). According to Iain Macdonald, Senior Economics Analyst with QMS, traditionally pig prices rise towards an annual peak in the summer and then slide through the third quarter of the year. “On average, prices were 3.3%

higher in July than at their year-todate low point in March. Last year, prices rose by 10% from their low in late February to their peak in late July,” said Mr Macdonald. “As a result, prices have gone from a 3% year-on-year decline in March to be 9% lower in July. Unfortunately for producers, this has come at a time when tight global grain supplies have pushed up feed costs significantly, squeezing margins,” he added. Both the slower seasonal upturn from spring to summer

and the shortfall in prices relative to last year signal a well-supplied market. Latest slaughter statistics from Defra support this, said Mr Macdonald, showing a 4% yearon-year increase in the UK prime pig kill during April – June 2018. “Coupled with a small increase in

carcase weights, this has pushed up prime pigmeat production by 4.6%, said Mr Macdonald. “Furthermore, the seasonal fall in production between the January to March period and April to June was smaller this year.”

Pig industry stalwart Kevin Gilbert named as north east ‘unsung hero’

Emerging disease causes vaccine sales to soar

A vaccine launched five years ago has now protected over 47 million European pigs against a lethal and debilitating ailment. Oedema disease, which had largely disappeared in many countries, is seen to be increasing and again affecting pig herds across the whole of Europe. Veterinary surgeons are unsure of the reasons for this resurgence. The vaccine, Ecoporc Shiga, launched in response to this situation, was developed by IDT Biologika.

“Most farms start vaccination when mortality due to oedema disease exceeds three per cent. While mortality on some farms can top 15 per cent, the average on vaccinating farms is probably 6.7 per cent,” said IDT veterinarian, Dr Rike Schmelz. Piglets are injected intramuscularly from four days old with a single 1ml dose. It induces a high level of immunity against shigatoxin, produced by the E coli bacteria that cause oedema disease.

Well-known pig producer, Kevin Gilbert, has taken the annual ‘Unsung Hero’ award, presented annually by NFU Scotland’s North East Region at Turriff Agricultural Show. Kevin, who farms at Womblehill, Kintore, is the immediate past Chairman of the Union’s pigs committee and was a member of the Union’s Board of Directors for four years. He continues to represent pig producers in the region. In making the presentation of a limited-edition pig-themed print by renowned artist Angela Davidson, Regional Chairman Davie Winton paid tribute to Kevin’s tireless work on behalf of fellow farmers, his promotion of Scottish pork and his recent work in raising awareness on mental health and wellbeing within the farming community. He said: “For a great many years, Kevin has done a power of work promoting Scottish food, and Scottish pork in particular. “When the Union is engaged in promoting

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Scottish produce at supermarkets in the region, he is the one member you can rely on to turn up and do a sterling job is telling shoppers the great story behind Scottish food. As a pig producer, he also goes the extra mile to promote Scottish pork, and famously was seen many years ago taking part in the ‘Stand by your Ham’ video, encouraging UK consumers to put more pork on their fork at a time when pig prices were in decline. “More recently, he has been helping us with the important job of raising awareness on mental health issues and well-being in the farming community. He has a great way of putting his points across in print, on radio or on TV and he has always been willing to open his farm gates to the media on behalf of North East farmers. “I’ve had the pleasure of travelling to many head office meetings with Kevin. We’ve had some tremendous conversations, he has a great sense of humour and he is a very worthy winner of this award.” 73

dairy Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year, in your hands? The prestigious Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year title is once again up for grabs – and this time, organisers are calling for nominations from the farming public. The long-running award, part of a stable of farm of the year titles organised by AgriScot and presented at the annual farm business event, has previously seen all milk-recorded dairy farms automatically entered.

For 2018 the AgriScot directors have taken the decision to bring the Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year title in line with their other awards and open it up for public nomination. AgriScot Chairman, Robert Neill, commented: “We are delighted that the Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year award will now follow the same steps as our other awards, i.e. it will be open for entry to every dairy farm in Scotland.”

“This is a great opportunity to highlight dairy farms in Scotland with potentially award-winning stories to tell.” “Everyone now has the chance to nominate worthy dairy farms. I believe this is an exciting opportunity for advisors, suppliers and others in the industry to put forward their customers and clients, and of course dairy farmers are welcome to nominate their own farm – an award like this is a great

way to give recognition for a hardworking team or family.” “We would like to hear from and about dairy farms who may be doing something a bit different in terms of innovation, diversification or in their efforts to promote and sustain their business or the industry as a whole.” Nominations, from anyone, and entries from farmers are welcome, please email info@agriscot.co.uk for more information.

An opportunity worth milking SRUC to host course for dairy entrepreneurs Scotland’s Rural College is to host a course designed to help dairy entrepreneurs become the cream of the crop. Organised by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF), the course will be held at SRUC’s Crichton Royal Farm in Dumfries, with the sessions covering topics such as contracts, joint ventures, finance and presenting business cases. Entrepreneurs in Dairying will take place over eight

sessions, starting in September, with a final session taking place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 8 January 2019. Professor Dave Roberts, Head of Knowledge Exchange at SRUC, said: “The need for improved entrepreneurship has been identified by the dairy industry and this is an excellent opportunity for SRUC to link in with industry organisations.”

Victoria Chomiak, RABDF course facilitator, said the course has seen some real success stories and has provided numerous opportunities for past attendees. She said: “It’s great to be working with SRUC on this project and we look forward to enhancing the knowledge of another group through the delivery of key topics that will be vital in the future success of our industry.”

Entrepreneurship in Dairying is run in association in partnership with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the Andersons Centre and the NFU, allowing participants to make valuable contacts within the industry.

To find out more or to sign up for the course, email victoriachomiak@rabdf.co.uk or call 02476 639 317.

Advice from Volac at UK Dairy Day to help silage situation “Make every percent count.” That will be the message from leading forage preservation and animal nutrition company, Volac, at this year’s UK Dairy Day (stand H153 and C8, The International Centre, Telford, Shropshire, Wednesday 12 September). The company’s Ecosyl silage experts will be offering timely advice for safeguarding as much silage as possible against losses after the summer drought – 74

whether in any remaining grass to be harvested this season, or in other crops such as forage maize. “In a normal year, it may be possible to tolerate a few losses,” says Peter Smith, one of the company’s team of Ecosyl silage experts. “But losses this year could leave stocks on some farms perilously low. “It’s important not to underestimate how much is at stake. Using inadequate silage-

making practices can result in losses of over 25% of the tonnes grown not being available to feed in the case of grass silage, and it’s a similar situation with maize. So it’s important to do everything well.” If ensiling grass in rapidlydrying conditions, Mr Smith urges farmers to avoid overwilting. It not only risks losses from grass blowing about, but drier grass is also more difficult

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to consolidate, and so more prone to heating losses from aerobic spoilage, he adds. “As an integral part of the process, including an additive proven to reduce fermentation losses will give you more silage to feed. Similarly, look to use an additive to prevent heating in higher dry matter grass silage and maize. “Monitor silage stocks regularly, and budget in advance

Gene Editing

how much you’re going to need. If you’re unable to make enough, buying in extra forage or moist feeds now may seem expensive, but it might be the cheaper option in the long run. “Whether you are short of silage or lucky enough to have not been too badly affected by the drought, the message is the same: maximise every percent that you can produce. If you have sufficient, you may be able to supply some to less fortunate farmers,” he adds. Farmers can find out more about best practice when making grass and maize silages at www.cuttoclamp.com

Autumn block calving on the rise The number of farmers switching to autumn block calving has risen, with potentially more to follow, according to the latest figures from AHDB Dairy. 11% of farmers now identify themselves as autumn block calvers, compared with 9% in 2016. And almost two-thirds of those who said they were likely to change their calving pattern would also choose autumn calving. The figures were gathered as part of AHDB’s optimal dairy systems programme, which is helping farmers’ lower costs and drive efficiencies by encouraging them to focus on their approach to calving. Jon Parry, Head of AHDB Dairy Knowledge Exchange said: “The numbers reflect what we’re seeing on farm and regardless of system we’re encouraging farmers to review their current approach, compare themselves against others and choose the system that’s optimum for their farm, mindset and milk contract.” The shift to autumn calving comes from all year round calvers since their overall percentage dropped 2% to 74%. The proportion of spring

NFU Scotland

dairy

block calvers stayed the same at 7%. Of the 7% of farmers who said they were going to change their calving pattern, 59% said they would choose autumn calving, 16% a dual spring and autumn block, and 5% either spring or all year round. “We’re recruiting strategic dairy farms to reflect each production system as we know farmers learn best from other farmers. We have four farms on board already and will shortly announce two more, but we’re still recruiting and keen to hear from top performing farmers who may want to join our strategic farm network” continued Jon. “Each farm hosts regular open meetings and shares key performance data to enable other farmers to compare their performance and identify areas for improvement. I’d encourage everyone to take time out to visit one of our strategic farms, it will be time well spent.” Further information about optimal dairy systems, key performance indicators and strategic farms can be found at dairy.ahdb.org.uk/optimaldairy-systems

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We got a decision from Europe last month that gene editing should be treated in the same manner as genetic modification or GMOs. We need some of these decision makers to get a lesson in science writes NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick. GMO is where genetic material from one organism is added to another organism (plant or animal). Gene Editing is where you are working with the genetic material in one plant or one animal and editing it for beneficial outcomes. By allowing agriculture to use this technology, we can make dramatic changes to the productive and environmental impact of food production. This is precision breeding - a thing that the plant and animal sectors have been doing for decades. Improving livestock bloodlines through artificial insemination and breeding trial for plants are early examples of this. The world population is growing whilst resources are diminishing. Add to that, the climate change and environment targets that the Paris agreement is demanding, and you are in a dilemma. Gene editing can help to deliver in many ways. There is the ability, for example, to select for disease reduction or possibly resistance. This could then result in less secondary infections and less antibiotic usage. There are welfare and production benefits that the public are looking for, alongside environmental benefits from a shorter healthier production period. There is the possibility to select for better Food Conversion Rates alongside this as well. This would give economic benefit for the producer and the economy. The same type of selection in the plant world, say in wheat, where you could possibly

By President Andrew McCornick

select for fungal resistance or tolerance. This would mean less Crop Protection Products are needed reducing cost of production and delivering less chemicals into the environment. There is scope to select for Climate Change adaptability or geographic challenge - imagine being able to produce our own soya in Scotland. Adding all these possibilities up will deliver for everyone - food, climate change and environmental wins. Undoubtedly, behind it all, we need robust science and public buy-in. I would contend that the science is there, and Scotland with its world-leading research establishments, will be at the forefront of this. The biggest challenge is the public. There is a lot of work to do here helping them to understand that this powerful technology is safe and can deliver quality food with welfare, and environmental benefits. We the producers, along with the scientists and the decision makers need to get this message across. Instead we are submitting to the court of public opinion at the politician end, keeping us in the stone age. Look at the advances we have made in the last 50 years using the developing technology to provide the food we need. Or should we have stuck with a horse on the plough?

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sheep

Industry Event Sees Key Opinion Leaders Join Forces To Promote Best Practice For Sheep Scab Control Key opinion leaders and representatives from industry bodies, academia, vets, SQPs and veterinary medicine manufacturers joined forces with mobile sheep plunge dippers to discuss the issue of scab in sheep, and to promote best practice for responsible control. The roadshow events took place in Cumbria, Herefordshire, Cornwall, the Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire and North Wales and allowed those interested to come together to discuss the issue of ethical and effective scab control.

This is an issue of everincreasing prominence following on from recent reports confirming the detection of resistance of the sheep scab mite to 3ML wormers1, which are widely used to treat scab. It is also estimated that since the elimination of compulsory dipping 26 years ago, there has been a 60-fold increase in sheep scab on UK farms2, making it imperative that farmers and animal health professionals plan appropriately for the control of scab (Source 1: Endemic sheep scab: risk factors

and the behaviour of upland sheep flocks: Rose and Wall). The event saw presentations from leading voices in the area of sheep ecto-parasite control; Dr Peter Bates: Veterinary Entomologist and sheep scab expert, Lesley Stubbings OBE: Independent sheep consultant/ SCOPS, Rebecca Mearns: Senior Veterinary Advisor of Biobest and Neil Fell, contract mobile plunge dipper and innovator of the hydraulic dipping set up. Dr Peter Bates refreshed attendeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; knowledge on the life

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cycle of the sheep scab mite and discussed dipping as an option for control. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key message was that in the sub-clinical stages of disease, even though sheep are infected, there may be no visible clinical signs. This is why sheep scab can be so easily introduced into the flock when buying animals in, and adequate quarantine procedures are vital. Rebecca Mearns of Biobest took the opportunity to discuss their collaboration with Moredun to make the sheep scab ELISA available to UK farmers,

sheep supported by a Bimeda subsidy. This test allows an opportunity to detect sheep scab infection earlier than any other means- often as soon as 2 weeks post-infection and before any clinical signs appear. We must integrate this diagnostic tool into flock health plans, particularly in high risk and ensure that a diagnosis is obtained for itchy sheep to allow targeted treatment. Lesley Stubbings discussed issues around resistance of gastrointestinal roundworms to MLs and how inappropriate use of these products to treat sheep scab will increase the rate of development of resistance. A recent ‘Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep’ scab workshop was recently coordinated by Lesley following reports of resistance of the sheep scab mite to ML injections. The SCOPS plan of action to deliver responsible sheep scab control strategies was conveyed including utilisation of testing, mobile dipping services, education and the role of markets/ abbatoirs. A key part of the discussion was how utilisation of contract plunge dippers can make dipping both accessible and affordable for farmers. Animal health company Bimeda hosted the event and their Professional Services Vet, Rachel Mallet, commented, ‘there are a lot of misconceptions about dipping and the barriers to having sheep dipped. In reality, there is no reason preventing sheep farmers from accessing this method of scab and ecto-parasite control.’

She added, ‘For farmers who do not have a licence to dip or dispose of used dip, there are a number of mobile sheep dippers around the country, who provide a way for farmers to avail of dipping, without having to carry it out themselves. In light of potential increases in the cost of dip disposal permits it is useful to be aware that sheep dipping contractors can even arrange to responsibly dispose of used dip. Any farmer who is having trouble finding a local mobile dipper can contact Bimeda or visit sheepdippers.co.uk for a list of dippers in their area.’ Rachel added, ‘Dipping gives immediate scab and ecto-parasite control and in fact, dipping is the most broad spectrum method of parasite control for sheep as it offers the only way to control scab, ticks, lice, blowfly and keds with one product.’ Bimeda are dedicated to promoting the responsible use of veterinary medicines and all attendees were asked to pledge their commitment to responsible sheep scab control at the events. Commitments included: • “Planning flock discussion meetings with sheep farmers to discuss targeted scab control measures” • “Review quarantine protocols during flock health planning to ensure the likelihood of scab being introduced is low” • “Encouraging farmers to obtain a diagnosis prior to treatment to ensure the correct product is used”

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Uncertain times By George Milne Recently at Turriff show First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced £200,000 of new funding to support Quality Meat Scotland’s 2018 Scotch Lamb PGI promotional campaign, which is due to be launch at the end of August. NSA Scotland’s Chairman ,John Fyall was present at the launch along with representatives from NFUS and QMS. Hopefully this additional funding will help to boost lamb consumption in Scotland and add more confidence into the sheep sector. The sheep industry plays a significant part in Scotland’s red meat industry, which in total is worth £892 million to Scotland. It is not just the financial benefit that the sheep sector brings to Scotland, as a rural industry, it provides and supports many social, economic and environmental benefits to all parts of rural Scotland. These important values often go unrecognised by most people and this additional benefit is irreplaceable. Bearing mind these benefits the NSA recently replied to The National Council of Rural Advisers consultation entitled “Together We can, Together We will” The consultation incorporated people, infrastructure and a vision for a potential new rural economic strategy. Within our reply we focused heavily on the important role

sheep farmers and sheep farming play in supporting rural Scotland, protecting people, rural infrastructure and biodiversity. It’s the month of consultations as a second paper, launched by the Scottish Government “Stability and Simplicity “contains proposals for a rural funding transition period. Stability is going to be vital for land managers over the next five years, and is essential as it takes time for businesses to forward plan and adjust accordingly. Stability is also important for maintaining breeding sheep numbers across the country. The sheep industry in 2018 has suffered heavy losses of breeding stock as a result of the atrocious weather conditions leading up to and during the lambing period. Farmers considering maintaining their breeding stock may well have to purchase ewe lambs or gimmers as replacements in order just to maintain breeding numbers. Every business is in uncertain times heading towards Brexit and all individuals will have concerns about what lies ahead, however the NSA will be doing its best to make sure our highly valuable and important sheep industry is listened to by all UK Governments in order to remain confident for the future.

sheep 2019 farming diaries at the ready for NSA sheep event Show season 2018 may not even be over yet but the National Sheep Association (NSA) is already turning its thoughts to a busy 2019 with several NSA regions confirming dates and locations for their summer events. Next year will see NSA hold five summer event stretching from Devon to the Highlands of Scotland providing sheep producers across the UK with an ideal opportunity to hear from industry experts, meet with exhibitors to discuss the latest innovations and catch up with sheep farming friends on an enjoyable day out. The summer will start with NSA Welsh Sheep, this year

travelling further north to set up at Glynliffon Agricultural College, Caernarfon, on Wednesday 21st May. This will shortly be followed by NSA North Sheep on Wednesday 5th June, hosted by long standing NSA members, brothers Richard and Chris Frankland of Frankland Farms, Rathmell, Settle, North Yorkshire NSA Highland Sheep will then take place on Wednesday 12th June at Sydmister Farm, near Thurso, Caithness by kind permission of the Sutherland family. With this quickly followed by NSA Sheep South West on Tuesday 18th June at Burrington, North Devon and NSA Sheep Northern Ireland on

Monday 1st July at Ballymena Livestock Mart, County Antrim. NSA Sheep South West is of particular interest this time, as it will be hosted by NSA Chairman Bryan Griffiths (pictured right). He and wife Liz will open their farm gates to accommodate the event and offer farm tours to showcase their 900-head flock of commercial Mules and Suffolk Mules ran over over 300 acres. NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker comments: “We are in a fortunate position to already be looking ahead to our 2019 shows while still having two major events to happen this year – NSA Sheep 2018 and NSA South Sheep. We are very excited

about them all and will continue to develop them all to ensure the best mix of technical information and entertaining features. “All at NSA are thrilled that Bryan and Liz have offered to welcome visitors to their family farm in Devon next year for NSA Sheep South West. As NSA Chairman, Bryan already juggles his commitment to the association with his busy farming life so to act as host for such a major event shows real dedication and provides a fantastic opportunity for farmers within South West Region, and indeed further afield, to take part in a valuable day that an event like this can provide.”

New Alligator system makes handling and treating large groups of sheep a snap Allflex has announced the launch of a new version of its Alligator mobile sheep handling system: launched at the Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells, on Monday 23rd July, the Alligator PRO is designed for the handling, treatment and sorting of large groups of sheep and features a number of design improvements which enhance the system’s ease of operation and improves the movement of sheep through the system. The Alligator PRO is an updated version of the existing Alligator system: along with larger diameter 13” wheels for improved road holding and better off-road clearance, the addition of a manual or electric winch which is capable of easily raising and lowering the steel chassis onto and off its wheels further enhances the proven design of the current system. The new Alligator PRO also features redesigned hurdles which retain the original Alligator’s round-profile corners (for ease of pulling groups of hurdles over rough ground) and which now include upright bars between the upper and second 78

rails to improve the flow of sheep through the system. After welding, each aluminium hurdle is solution heat treated to T6 standard: this involves the entire hurdle and its welds being heated to around 526 degrees Celsius and then gradually cooled to give an intrinsic strength to the product

whilst remaining both lightweight and durable. The Alligator PRO is available in three sizes: the Alligator PRO 250 is equipped with enough hurdles to create a yard capable of holding up to 250 sheep, the Alligator PRO 500 with a hurdle yard capable of holding up to 500 sheep, and the

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Alligator PRO 750 with a hurdle yard capable of holding 750 sheep. Each system also includes a 5ft forcing gate and pen for 8-12 sheep, a three-way drafting race, and a treatment, worming and drenching race (10ft long for the Alligator PRO 250, or 15ft for the Alligator PRO 500 and 750).

sheep Know the score Sheep examination helps maximise productivity The importance of body condition scoring mature ewes at key stages in the year, such as weaning and pre-tupping, has been highlighted by the Scottish Government’s Farm Advisory Service (FAS). A new technical note illustrates how to perform the simple physical examination, the results of which allow farmers to adjust management and nutrition to maximise productivity and reduce health problems. Particularly useful on hill farms, using the technique can lead to a higher lambing and rearing percentage as well as increase milk yields. The technical note includes diagrams showing how farmers can measure fat and muscle by feeling a sheep’s back.

Body condition scoring at wearing or, at the latest, eight weeks before tupping, is vital. At this time, condition can be greatly improved with separating ewes and offering the best nutrition available, but hill ewes should be weaned in good time as grass quality deteriorates quickly during the autumn. The FAS programme is delivered by specialists from SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). Kirsten Williams, who co-wrote the technical note, said: “Flocks are often made up of different breeds which have varying frame sizes, fleece covers and genetics, and sheep may have gut fill or a full fleece. It’s therefore very difficult to assess the body reserves of a mature sheep visually.

“Physically handling the sheep at key timings throughout the year allows flock managers to

alter management and nutrition depending on the body reserves of the sheep.”

Scottish Tups Top of the Flock in Leading UK Project The RamCompare project has released final results for the first stage of the initiative which spanned the 2015-2016 breeding seasons. The project, part-funded by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) along with other industry partners, aims to assist the UK sheep industry to drive genetic improvement. Phase one started in May 2015 and ran over two breeding seasons until November 2017. Since preliminary results were released in November 2017, the full data set has now been revised and updated to include records from later-lambing flocks and take account of hybrid vigour. This has led to some re-ranking of rams based on their carcase weight EBV (Estimated Breeding Value). Logiedurno Navigator 13ZNN07239, nominated by the Crogham and Coldharbour Charollais flocks, is the Charollais breed’s new leading sire. Bred by the Ingram family at Logie Durno in Aberdeenshire, he ranks highly for his carcase weight EBV and overall carcase value, which takes into account the weight, confirmation and fat class of his lambs. Carole Ingram said: “We’re delighted that our rams are part of this project and have been tested under commercial conditions against other top performing terminal sires. “Our focus has always been on breeding tups with excellent commercial qualities and these results fully endorse that.”

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Moving into top position for carcase weight EBV and overall carcase merit is Penygelli, PAP1501802, a Texel ram bred by Alwyn Philips from Wales. Also performing highly for carcase value is another Scottish bred sire, also a Texel, Roxburgh Shot Gun Willie EJR1101108 bred by John Elliot from Roxburgh Mains near Kelso. Amongst the Suffolk rams tested, Whichford First Class bred by Bruce Cook has now joined the list of the highest ranked Suffolk rams for carcase weight EBV. Emily Grant, QMS Knowledge Transfer Specialist said: “It’s fantastic that Scottish-bred performance recorded rams are performing well when tested on commercial farms across the UK. “These results will ensure that terminal sire ram buyers have confidence that selecting and using the best EBVs will have a positive benefit to their business’. Bridget Lloyd, RamCompare Project Coordinator, said: “With all rams from the first two breeding seasons now included, the final results tables show a slight repositioning. This will continue to happen each year as more rams are included in the trial and data collected on farm and through the abattoirs.” As RamCompare enters its fourth mating season, the project continues to release semen from some of the tested breeding lines to pedigree breeders. Ms Lloyd added: “Many ram breeders are following the project

sheep closely and access to this semen provides them with the opportunity to compare the genetic merit of their flock to those rams used on the project, as well as trying new breeding lines. “This year, several new Suffolk rams have been put forward due to the generosity of the BRIDFA Suffolk breeding group and one of these will have a special role within the project as a reference ram.” Semen from Drinkstone Distinction (Y68:A20) will be used on all eight RamCompare

farms, with his lambs creating a reference between each farm to enable comparisons to be made between them. Distinction was born in 2002 and is still a sire of importance with an index in the top five per cent of the Suffolk breed. This ram would be a good choice for anyone wanting to see how their rams compare to RamCompare sires. More information on the rams on offer and the updated results can be found on the RamCompare website: www.ramcompare.org.uk

Promoting Scotch Lamb PGI… Funding for 2018 campaign confirmed

NSA reemphasises the risks of reintroducing lynx in the UK One year on from the initial licence application by the Lynx UK Trust to reintroduce lynx to the British countryside, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is reemphasising the risks granting this licence would bring. NSA has been countering the debate brought by Lynx UK since its licence application, and during the many months previous to that, pointing out that the debate must be heard from both sides. Releasing lynx would have many negative consequences, not just for sheep but also for other wild species and the lynx themselves. NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “If those raising the debate from the side of the lynx were more open to discussion and willing to hear counter points, they might understand the problems that reintroducing this wild cat would bring. UK farming is not set up to deal with this kind of predator, and we feel very strongly that its reintroduction would be hugely damaging. “This doesn’t just apply to livestock and the livelihoods of those who make their living on the land, but to all wildlife and ecosystems. The lynx has been extinct in the UK for more than 1,000 years and the UK’s natural life would not be prepared for this level of new predator.While 82

Kielder and north west parts of the Scottish Highlands may provide suitable habitat and sufficient food sources in theory, they are isolated from other such areas of habitat meaning we’d never get to the minimum population of lynx needed to avoid the welfare issues of in-breeding and genetic deformities. In addition, lynx are known to feed on red squirrels and ground nesting birds such as the curlew. “The bare fact of the matter is the lynx does not belong in the UK wildlife ecosystem anymore.” NSA also stresses that other countries, such as Norway, are struggling to cope with the cats. Mr Stocker continues: “Unlike in the UK, sheep are regularly housed or penned at night-time in Norway and are often herded by shepherds by day. Even then, we hear of lynx clearing a six-foot gate to kill and take sheep. With UK sheep roaming freely and unattended for most of the day they are highly likely to be even more at risk.” NSA takes it as a positive sign that a year has passed since the licence application was submitted, as this shows a lot of time and consideration is being given to the situation. The organisation will continue to raise its concerns as the process continues.

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced £200,000 of new funding to support Quality Meat Scotland’s 2018 Scotch Lamb PGI promotional campaign. The sheep sector plays a significant part in Scotland’s red meat industry, which is worth £892 million to Scotland. The First Minister confirmed the funding as she barbecued Scotch Lamb at the Turriff Show with young farmers and local butchers. She said: “The food and drink sector plays an important part in Scotland’s economy so it is important we promote our premium produce. “The strength of our farming industry would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of the farmers who work tirelessly to produce high quality meat. “That hard work and premium product is recognised by the

protection given by the EU to the Scotch Lamb brand and we will be working hard to continue that protection in the future. “I’m pleased we could support this year’s campaign which will help encourage consumers to buy Scotch Lamb as part of their regular shopping.” Jim McLaren, Quality Meat Scotland’s Chairman, said: “Today’s announcement by the First Minister is fantastic news for the Scottish sheep industry and it’s a great boost for our producers. “This additional funding will enhance our comprehensive marketing and public relations Scotch Lamb PGI campaign, which is due to launch at the end of August. “The eight-week campaign will spread the word to Scottish consumers about the quality, taste and versatility of Scotch Lamb - the perfect mid-week meal.”

estate Prestigious Wildlife Wstates Scotland accreditation presented to Glenbervie Estate A Kincardineshire estate has been presented with national accreditation recognising its outstanding work on wildlife, habitat and conservation management. Glenbervie Estate received its Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation at the Turriff Show on Monday. Alastair Macphie, owner of Glenbervie, received the certification from Scottish Land & Estates’ North East chairman David Fyffe. WES is a national version of the EU Wildlife Estates (WE) label and was developed by Scottish Land & Estates with advice from Scottish Natural Heritage, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Cairngorms National Park Authority. It has also received the support of the Scottish Government since its launch. A diverse property covering around 2,000 acres, Glenbervie is the heartbeat of the Macphie food business, the UK’s

leading, independent ingredients manufacturer. The estate has a mix of land uses, with two let farms, 1,250 acres of land managed in-hand, including 400 acres of woodland. There are 500 acres of arable crops, including cereals and rented-out potato land, with 200 cows calved each year, including 25 replacement heifers. The award to Glenbervie has been made following a rigorous accreditation process, which demonstrates that the estate is observing best practice in its land management regime. The estate has built information on species and their habitats, wildlife management, conservation projects and integration of land uses to monitor continuous improvement. Dee Ward, vice-chairman of operations, Wildlife Estates Scotland, said: “Achieving WES accreditation is a substantial feat and requires significant time and effort from farms and estates to demonstrate their commitment

to best practice in wildlife and habitat conservation. “WES requires evidence about 70 named species, which provides an insight into how land in rural areas can be managed for the good of the nation’s wildlife and also enables best practice to be shared. We are seeing owners and managers of estates across Scotland seeking WES accreditation and an estate such as Glenbervie should be recognised for its

excellent work in balancing business with conservation. My congratulations go to Glenbervie for the accreditation they have worked tirelessly to achieve.” Alastair Macphie, owner of Glenbervie Estate, said: “Glenbervie Estate is unique in many ways given its importance in our wider manufacturing business but that has not diminished our commitment to following the best principles of land management.

Excellent mixed arable and livestock farm in Fife comes to the market Galbraith is pleased to bring to the market a superb mixed farm unit situated in a beautiful Fife location. Wester Forret Farm represents an excellent mixed arable and livestock unit of approximately 172.21 ha (425.53 acres) in an accessible location just three miles from Cupar. The farm has a substantial traditional B-Listed farmhouse and a further semi84

detached cottage. The property benefits from an extensive range of modern and traditional farm buildings situated adjacent to the farmhouse which are readily accessible from the public road and the farm’s own network of tracks. The land is a mixture of productive arable land and pasture. Duncan Barrie, partner with Galbraith, who is handling the sale of Wester Forret said:

“Wester Forret offers an excellent opportunity to acquire a genuine mixed holding within a desirable part of North East Fife. The majority of the productive arable and is situated to the west of the holding largely classified as grade 3.1 and 3.2 with some grade 2 land, currently down to a mix of cereals with some fields growing seed potatoes and broccoli. The remainder of

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the land situated to the east of the public road is a mixture of arable and pasture land, with a larger area of hill grazing. The current owners have carried out a programme of ditching and drainage work over the years to ensure that the land can be used to its maximum potential. All the fields are accessible, of a good size and offer easy access to modern machinery. The fields

estate The post Brexit transition By Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director at Scottish Land & Estates

used for pasture are fenced and watered, allowing cattle to be out-wintered late into the season. “The farmhouse is an attractive traditional B-listed property with five spacious bedrooms, two reception rooms set within a peaceful and private walled garden. There is also a semi-detached two-bedroom farm cottage which has been let on a residential tenancy basis but could be used as a worker’s cottage or as additional family accommodation. “The property is surrounded by picturesque scenery and within an area known for its fertile farmland, capable of producing high yields of an extensive range of crops.

This area of Fife is known for beautiful rolling hills and Cupar itself is a desirable and attractive county town only three miles from the property.” In the last 12 months, more than 100 farms and blocks of farmland totalling over 15,000 acres, with a value in excess of £100 million, were brought to the market by Galbraith in Scotland. Galbraith handled residential property sales worth over £40 million in Scotland in the first quarter of 2018 alone. Wester Forret Farm is for sale for offers over £3,000,000, through Galbraith. For further details please contact Galbraith on 01786 434600 or email: stirling@galbraithgroup.com.

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Whilst it is an exercise to gather views, rather than a firm declaration of future agricultural policy, the publication of the Scottish Government’s Stability and Simplicity consultation did at least move the dial forward on what we should expect from Scotland’s post-Brexit landscape. Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing quotes his Agriculture Champions in the foreword to the Stability and Simplicity consultation, stating “no change is not an option.” However, this new consultation deals primarily with the transition phase after we leave the EU rather than setting out the future significantly beyond that. The consultation suggests that the main aim of this phase will be to provide steadiness – in essence, not moving significantly away from current support to Scottish farmers and land managers during the transition. Whilst this is welcome news to most in the sector, we should not take this is a sign of business as usual. We have enormous challenges in terms of farm viability and profitability and we need to start addressing this now and into the transition phase rather than

allowing the uncertainty of what follows post-2022 preventing progression in the sector. The Scottish Government says it will look to make the current farming support system simpler during the transition phase and this has to be welcomed if it can be achieved seamlessly. However, we require to start formulating answers for what happens after the transition and it is incumbent on both UK and Scottish Governments to deliver that. We need to know quickly what the UK’s trade arrangements will be with Europe and beyond, with the introduction of tariffs a worrying prospect, especially for sheep farming in Scotland. Similarly, the much discussed UK frameworks for agriculture need to agreed and finalised to provide at least some certainty that our domestic market will not see significant divergence between the different parts of the UK. There is still a lot of work to be done over the coming months but we would urge everyone with an interest in farming to take a keen interest in the Scottish Government’s transition consultation and its outcome.

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

estate Meiklerig Farm, Stenton, Dunbar, for sale as a whole or in five lots Galbraith is pleased to bring to the market a prime mixed farm in East Lothian with about 260 acres of productive land and substantial residential development potential. Meiklerig Farm is situated on the edge of the desirable village of Stenton, in an elevated position at the foot of the Lammermuir Hills amidst fertile East Lothian farmland, and enjoys panoramic views over the surrounding countryside with the Firth of Forth beyond. The farm offers an excellent block of Grade 3 arable land, productive pasture and grazing land, a good range of modern and traditional farm buildings and planning consent for seven residential units. In addition, there are several blocks of amenity woodland with sporting potential. The property is offered for sale as a whole, or in five lots. Duncan Barrie, partner with Galbraith, who is handling the sale of Meiklerig Farm, said:

“We expect a considerable degree of interest in this sale. The combination of its location, the quality of the land and the development potential is likely to attract a significant number of prospective purchasers. In addition, the lotting structure has appeal for an existing farming business looking to expand current farming operations, as well as other investment and amenity interests. “Meiklerig provides an excellent mix of pasture and grazing land with high quality grade 3.1 and 3.2 arable land currently down to a mix of cereals and has been well maintained with a continuous programme of ditching and drainage works, and soil and field zoning analysis. Crop yields have been consistently good, with the land suited to growing a wide variety of crops. “The farm buildings include a traditional farm steading

range, modern store shed and a cattle court. The buildings are centrally located within the property and planning consent is in place for seven residential units. The enclosed fields are well laid-out and of a generous size, offering easy access to modern farm machinery and enclosed by electric stockproof fencing, with either mains or natural water supply. “This location is one of the most desirable parts of eastern Scotland, close to the village of Stenton, a picturesque conservation village, but not far from the A1, providing excellent access to Edinburgh and the South.” The five lots are, briefly, as follows: • Lot 1 – about 38.54 ha (95.24 acres) of land; offers over £715,000 • Lot 2 – farm buildings and about 8.19 ha (20.24 acres) of land; offers over £510,000 • Lot 3 – about 32.34 ha (79.91

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acres) of arable and pasture land; offers over £375,000 • Lot 4 – about 13.78 ha (34.05 acres) of arable land and amenity woodland plus a small section of the Sauchet Water. Offers Over £230,000 • Lot 5 – about 12.26 ha (30.29 acres) of arable land and woodland; offers over £220,000. • As a whole, for offers over £2,050,000 Meiklerig Farm is one of several farms and blocks of land currently being brought to the open market through Galbraith this summer, and in the last 12 months, more than 100 farms and blocks of farmland totalling over 15,000 acres, with a value in excess of £100 million, were marketed by Galbraith in Scotland. Please contact Galbraith for further information about Meiklerig Farm: stirling@ galbraithgroup.com or call: 01786 434600.

A pioneer with a passion for partridges

How Alastair Salvesen is applying science to increase wildlife on his farm in Midlothian, Scotland Dr Dave Parish, Head of Lowland Research Scotland, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust

Alastair Salvesen’s Whitburgh Farms comprise 2,500 acres of mixed arable and beef overseen by grieve Jim Nichol. At one end of the farm are 200 sheep and sheds to house 180 Aberdeen Angus cattle and at the other a hi-tech bio-fuel grain storage facility. In between is a range of crops including oilseed rape, winter wheat, spring wheat, spring barley and winter barley. Some of the barley goes to Macallan malt whisky and part of the wheat goes to Grants. In the past 10 years, Alastair has increased beneficial habitats to cover seven per cent of the land and has seen wild grey partridges go from 0 to 400 birds (Autumn counts) achieving a shootable surplus last year. Whitburgh is one of the Scottish sites involved in the Interreg PARTRIDGE project, the other being Balgonie Estate in Fife Alastair’s approach is to embrace new technologies to meet the twin challenges of increasing biodiversity and farming profitably. One of the aims is to achieve partridge recovery within the CAP Greening regulations. Whitburgh has managed to meet the EFA five per cent of land out of production target with 28 miles of hedges providing shelter from weather and predators alongside uncropped eightmetre margins around every field. Alastair Salvesen explains: “We keep the hedges in good shape. We never cut

both sides in the same year and try to widen them at the base and let them go up a bit higher. Either side of the hedge are three metres of grass for nesting, one metre unplanted for birds to dust themselves and four metres of wild bird cover. Working in partnership with Oakbank Seeds and Kings, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is experimenting at a number of sites with suitable mixes including wildflowers to produce insects for chicks, seed for food and broadleaves to protect from weather and predation.” Jim Nichol explains how the crop rotation system he manages at Whitburgh is uniquely geared to farmland bird conservation. He says: “In a conventional block system with huge areas of one crop, when it is harvested, birds suddenly have to travel long distances for food or shelter, so we have divided the farm into four quarters. In each quarter there is a rotation of wheat, barley and oilseed rape. This gives partridges a wide range of habitats close together, from stubbles for winter roosting to insect rich areas for young broods.” Results have been positive but for Alastair aspects of agri-environment prescriptions are impractical and counterproductive. He says: “We are trying to explain to the Scottish Government that not being allowed to spray the margins for thistles is very detrimental to the farming operation and makes

you unpopular with neighbours. If we were allowed to spray early in the year, it wouldn’t damage the other plants and would allow aphids to multiply for the birds.” One of the principle challenges to making ‘greening’ work is the Scottish weather. Frost free conditions can’t be guaranteed until 1 June, so most cover crops have to go in late. This means trying to find mixes that last two or three years to provide cover all year round. The heavier rainfall also creates problems. Alastair explains: “Because of the rain last year one field of straw was turned seven times. The headache we have is that some of our crops ripen quite late and gaps in the weather are few and far between.” Alongside the farming operation, gamekeeping is an essential element. The pheasant shoot means Alastair can employ a fulltime keeper Graham Rankine who puts out feed for the birds in winter and spring and carries out legal control of generalist

predators such as foxes and crows. The greater biodiversity on the farm has helped several threatened species including yellowhammers, lapwing and tree sparrows. Hares have benefitted in particular, numbering in their hundreds. This is the result of a huge degree of commitment and cooperation from everyone on the farm with his fundamental principle for sustainability to listen to people who work the land. Alastair says: “We are doing everything in hand and everyone involved has to have a good working relationship. We are working with GWCT scientists to help people understand both what is realistic in farming and how nature works. The GWCT has always recognised it’s a question of balance and I believe in that strongly.” Further information from: Dr Dave Parish Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Tel: 01738 551511 Mob: 07889 891956

Site meeting of the PARTRIDGE project partners at Whitburgh with Mr Salvesen at the head of a beetle bank.

forestry Successful woodland creation event leads landowners to consider forestry Farmers and landowners from across Central Scotland took part in the latest in a series of woodland creation events, as part of a drive to encourage the integration of forestry with existing land uses. Held at Lanark Mart and Kilrie Farm, Kirkcaldy, Fife and organised by a partnership of Central Scotland Green Network Trust (CSGNT), on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Soil Association Scotland, 45 people representing farming businesses, law firms and rural land agencies were given the opportunity to find out more about diversifying their income through woodland creation and the associated benefits. During the half-day events, speakers shared information on the Scottish Rural Development Programme’s Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS), accessing finance for woodland creation, forestry as an investment, opportunities for integrating forestry into rural business and animal health benefits of shelter. Delegates at the event in Fife were given a guided walk of woodlands recently planted at Kilrie. Mr D McIntyre, of Kellybank, who attended the event in Lanark, said: “I found the woodland creation day to be an extremely useful event. Lots

of excellent information was provided and exchanged and plenty helpful contacts made. We came away feeling there is a positive way that we can make the most out of our less productive land.” As a result of the events, FCS has been working with five landowners to examine opportunities for integrating forestry into their existing businesses, four of whom are being considered for the Farm Woodland Assessment project, which provides a limited number of free assessments to help landowners identify opportunities for integrating woodland creation into their existing farm businesses. Forestry Commission Scotland is encouraging farmers to consider broadening the purpose of their land with more woodlands and forests. Virginia Harden Scott, Woodland Creation Officer at Forestry Commission Scotland, said: “This series of woodland creation events gives farmers and landowners the chance to see first-hand how forestry can be integrated onto farmland and provides the opportunity to speak to us directly about the benefits. “Investing in new woodland offers valuable opportunities to

maximise productivity of their land and diversify incomes at a time when these are falling in traditional agriculture. “We will be holding further events in 2018 and I would encourage landowners considering woodland creation or those advising landowners to either attend these events or contact FCS for more information and advice.” Lyn White, farming and land use manager at Soil Association Scotland, said: “At Soil Association Scotland we actively support the planting of the right trees in the right places for the benefits they offer: shelter for animals, opportunity to improve farm management and to increase revenue, improved biodiversity and biosecurity and increased carbon sequestration. We’ve been delighted to hear how farmers are making the most of these benefits, and we look forward to continuing to support woodland creation and management through our events programme.”

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Farmers and landowners could receive grants of up to £6,210 per hectare towards the costs of new woodland planting, with monies for fencing and tree protection available in addition to this. Landowners located within the Central Scotland Green Network Area (stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west, to Fife and the Lothians in the east) may also be eligible for a special CSGN uplift contribution of up to £2,500 per hectare, dependent upon location. Land planted under the Forestry Grant Scheme remains eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme and it is possible to apply for fencing and planting works to be completed in separate financial years, helping to assist with cash-flow. For further information on woodland creation or the Farm Woodland Assessment project, please contact Virginia Harden Scott at virginia.hardenscott@ forestry.gsi.gov.uk or call 0300 067 6294.

by Linda Mellor

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE The summer of 2018 has certainly made the headlines and been a popular topic for discussion everywhere. We all look forward to enjoying the summer weather but this year’s intense heat and the prolonged high temperatures have dried out the land, and put pressure on the wildlife. The moorland fires in England have had a devastating impact on the flora and fauna, and have endangered lives. Some river levels have dropped so low and it has impacted on the fishing. Salmon don’t move around much when oxygen and water levels are low. Warm water carries less oxygen and can suffocate fish. Again, over the border, there were considerable concerns about the hot weather and fish levels, the Environmental Agency reported up to 50,000 fish, mostly trout and roach, had died. Getting outdoors (but not in the baking sun!) to take part in sociable activities such as fishing, and shooting benefits us in lots of ways. It’s great fun getting together with friends to shoot clays, game or to go fishing. In my experience, it’s a day to lift the spirits with lots of laughter. It’s a wonderful way to make new friends and renew old friendships (especially the ones that have been a little neglected over the years). We all know the feeling of how fast time ticks along and how one year slips

into another and before we know it, we haven’t seen one another for five years. I enjoyed the Scottish Game Fair at Scone this year, I spent the Saturday morning working on the British Deer Society stand. I am on my local BDS committee, and delighted to be associated with a highly professional society. Helping out on the stand and meeting other members was good fun, and a game fair is sometimes the only opportunity to catch up with people, especially those in far flung locations. Tim Armstrong, a river ghillie on the Isle of Lewis visited the stand, and we haven’t seen one another since August 2014, when I was on a fishing photography assignment for Trout and Salmon magazine on the Soval estate, south of Stornoway. It was my first trip to the Island, and I enjoyed photographing the fishing and

the landscape. There were plenty of sea trout and brown trout but not so many salmon being caught. I recall the variety of weather: torrential rain, cool temperatures, sunshine and of course, one of the biggest Scottish irritants, known to all outdoor enthusiasts, followed me everywhere – midges! Some of you know I also experienced another annoying irritation on the Island but that’s not going into print! Social media is another good way of keeping our contacts current. If your interest lies within country sports it is always good to know you are communicating with others who share the same interests. It is easy to add more friends on Facebook, followers on Twitter and Instagram. My parents (78 and 79) are both on Facebook, and it’s amazing to see how many people pop-up and like

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the old gundog photos of my dad (Lawrie Robertson) from the 80s and 90s. How many people do you meet face to face if you’ve only ever communicated on social media? I make an effort to meet as many people as possible when I am on my travels around Scotland. Over the years, I have met people who live in Scotland, and those who travel from all over the world to Scotland to enjoy the country sports and also to experience it’s beauty for the first time. In Late July, I was housesitting in a rural spot a few miles south of Nairn and enjoyed having coffee and brunch with Rob (a retired deer stalker) and his wife, Avril, who has also stalked a few deer in her time. It felt as though I was sitting with two friends I’d known for years. I have finished reading AA Gill’s ‘Pour Me’, it was a great read and written by a man who was a passionate deer stalker and salmon fisher. He was born in Edinburgh and returned to Scotland on a regular basis to take part in country sports. He was restaurant critic and well known for his acerbic wit, and I recall reading in one of his columns where he talked about struggling on the hill when he was out deer stalking, and this lead him to have his health investigated. He was subsequently diagnosed with advanced, terminal cancer, he died in December 2016. 89

country woman

JADE CRUICKSHANK By Linda Mellor

Jade Cruickshank, is a 27 year old is a full-time mum to Maisie and Struan, she and husband, Chris, keep two Newfoundlands, and six ducks. She grew up in Aberdeen city and worked as a make-up artist for Benefit cosmetics before she moved to Perthshire and met Chris. Jade said, ‘I grew up in the city of Aberdeen and had never seen the depths of the countryside until I met my husband. I was 17 years old and we went fishing on a boat at his friends loch, it was so beautiful and peaceful and I was instantly hooked.’ Eleven years on, they live in rural Aberdeenshire. ‘I am a keen Gardner, I get all excited about peony roses (who doesn’t), and love to travel. Our last trip was to Florida where we explored the stunning beaches of the gulf coast, the Everglades National Park and the Keys where we recently got married.’ Jade continues, ‘Down in the Keys, we discovered they have their own unique species of 90

deer “key deer” it is a subspecies of the white-tailed deer and it is the smallest deer in North America.’ During a previous trip, they took the opportunity to experience snuba diving (a hybrid of snorkelling and scuba diving). ‘lovely reefs, beautiful corals and crustaceans and fish, it was brilliant until I was the last one in the ocean and everyone on the boat pointed out there was a huge barracuda 10ft away from me, apart from that, I would highly recommend it!’ ‘I love to bake and cook everything and anything, especially with my children as it’s a wonderful way to experiment and create new recipes and expose them to new flavours and textures. It is also an opportunity to incorporate fruits and vegetables and this encourages them to eat their greens. My daughter loves seafood and my little man will often have mussels for lunch!’ Making the most of the countryside wild food is very

much a family activity, ‘I feel a sense of pride when walking with my children and they are able to identify several types of trees and bushes. Every year, we make elderflower cordial so they look out for elderflower trees all the time and are able to identify when the elderflower is ready to pick.’ Exploring and walking is also an important part of family life, ‘I love to take my family on a walk through the hills, we often take a picnic and head out for the entire day. We live on the edge of the Cairngorms so we have no excuse not to explore when it’s on our door step. The adventure of trying to find all the hidden sloe bushes and geans (wild cherry) for our homemade fruit infused gins is always enjoyable.’ Recently, Jade and the kids made some wild raspberry jam. In the winter months, Jade and family ‘have dabbled with winter sports as the ski centre isn’t far from us. We live on the banks of

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the river Don so trout and salmon fishing is on the radar but haven’t yet ticked that box. Deep sea fishing is another venture that I am keen to get involved in.’ Countryside sports are Jade’s favourite activities, ‘I enjoy deer stalking and a wide variety of game shooting, I occasionally do a small amount of vermin control for my local farmer which is mainly crows, rabbits and pigeons.’ Jade occasionally works on a shooting estate doing whatever is required in the house, the grounds, or on the surrounding estate. Last season, Jade was out on a driven pheasant shoot and a duck flight at Fyvie castle, ‘it was fantastic, I shot pheasant, partridge, ducks, and a few geese which was perfect timing as we had the goose for Christmas dinner. I had made pigeon sausage rolls and a supply of delicious sloe gin for elevenses. My fellow guns were brilliant; excellent banter and they gave encouragement,

country woman which I really appreciated.’ Jade loves going deer stalking, ‘I find myself becoming most passionate about stalking, I have done a few roe doe stalks on local ground and my most recent was a roe buck, I also have few more roe buck stalking days booked for this season.’ When Jade went out on her first successful stalk on a roe doe, ‘I don’t think I have ever been so nervous, scared and excited all in one go. Being able to provide food for the table that I had hunted made me feel enormously proud.’ It was the same feeling of pride when she shot her first pheasant, ‘bagging my first driven pheasant, I let out a girly scream of “yippee” when the pheasant folded in the air, the men had a very worried look on their faces, and they still had to go an entire day with me!’ Jade also runs her small business called, “Jade Cruickshank Art”. It started about a year ago, ‘I wish I had started

it sooner. I only discovered my work was worth pursuing when I doodled a hare on my kids drawing pad and my husband found it in the recycling bin when he went take the rubbish out. He came in and told me off for throwing it away. I have done several drawings since then and produced lots of prints which are in a few studio galleries, I also do animal commissions which is my main source of business. My genre is field sports and everything that goes with it, from the Labrador sitting in the back of a pick-up truck to the pheasants hanging in the larder.’ Carrying a notebook in her handbag for jotting down ideas helps Jade keep her inspiration flowing, ‘the more immersed I become in rural pursuits the more I learn and become inspired.’ Facebook: www.facebook. co.uk/jadecruickshankart Instagram thecountrywomansdiary

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Southern Belle TEXANS LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS Sometimes, something happens in life, which not only restores your faith in human nature but also restores your faith in the future. This came to me this week, in the shape of forty animal science students, from Texas A & M University. Having worked with the university previously, I was keen for them to visit Scotland and see what we had to offer, not only as a country renowned for its farming but also its people. I was rewarded by their return, with their Professor and mentor Dr Shawn Ramsey, who kept to his promise to bring the next overseas study tour to Scotland. When I told my friends I was leading forty students around for two weeks, they said “good luck with that!” but having dealt with these young people before, I knew what I was up against and I was not disappointed. Right from landing, shattered, after a twelve hour flight, they were up for taking in all they could. Cat naps on the bus are compulsory,

as is drinking Glenlivet in shots but revived they are an intrigued audience, who have endless questions, ranging from DNA testing in cattle, getting their heads around our sheep stratification, the Royal Family and Princess Diana (who died when most of them were babies) and whether or not Bertrix Potter and Harry Potter are related! They all mix well, are polite and engaging to everyone they meet, even giving old ladies (and men) their seats. There are direct, opinionated and will not accept that Yorkshire Pudding is not a bread. However, they ALL tried and most liked haggis and to a man/woman, they refused to eat pate despite my best efforts and if this is their only fault I can live with it! They are a credit to themselves, their university, which has 64,000 inhabitants and to their mentor “Ramsey” as they call him. Y’all could take a lesson from these young Texans.

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From Orkney to the world, quilts tell the story of Anne-Marie’s remarkable creative journey AN SWI member who hated sewing with a passion as a youngster has become one of the nation’s champion quilters and has had her work exhibited across the globe. Anne-Marie Tye has arthritis and can only stitch for 25 minutes at a time before taking a break, a time quota strictly enforced with the use of a timer on the end of her sewing machine to prevent her from overdoing it, otherwise she’s crippled with pain. This stop-start approach means it can take her months to complete her work but Anne-Marie loves the ability of using the technique as a channel for her creativity, and to tell stories. She’s made quilts inspired by everything from ancient Egypt to The Beatles and while her first attempt at quilt making was, in her own words, a “complete disaster”, she didn’t give up and has won huge praise, her quilts featuring in prestigious exhibitions that have toured the world and have won major honours. As part of the 9/11 Memorial quilting project to bring artists together from all around the world, Anne Marie created a quilt called Heroes and Victims with five painted images reproduced from iconic images of the event: Thomas Franklin’s Raising the Flag at Ground Zero, the image of the fireball caused by Flight 175 impacting the South Tower, a person falling, the dust cloud over lower Manhattan, and the Tribute in Lights. The quilts were exhibited across the USA, Japan and Europe and are now permanently housed at the 9/11 Memorial. Anne-Marie said: “I get the Quilters Newsletter which is a US magazine and I read in it that there was a group that was getting together to work on this project and I thought I would ask if I could get involved too. It was a wonderful experience, and this is the quilt which is dearest to my heart because of the emotion that went into it. I started with the centre panel and the falling man. It was the first time I had painted on fabric, I had no idea what I was doing, and I thought about what was happening to this person. “I worked outwards from there, finishing with the Twin Towers being replaced by lights symbolising hope, and the journey from despair to hope. I’m still in touch with the lady from New York who started the project and it led to friendship projects in Germany and Japan.” 92

Heroes and Victims: made as part of the September 11 Quilt Project and now kept at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, having been exhibited in Japan, Europe and the USA.

Anne-Marie Tye

On The Edge? The first quilt Anne-Marie made in Orkney is a representation of the end of her garden wall.

She’s taken special prizes at the Festival of Quilts in Harrogate, and last year she was named overall winner of the Scottish Quilt Championships in Edinburgh. Her winning entry was a miniature quilt measuring 30cm by 30cm and called from Baltimore to Burray, an album quilt adapted to relate to her home area of Orkney. Like Baltimore, Anne Marie’s 160-year-old home in Burray is by the sea. She included her house rather than the American buildings often shown on a Baltimore Album quilt and included various sea motifs. All the motifs, apart from the house, were in the Baltimore tradition and it was created on her domestic machine, with the motifs enhanced by overpainting. She’s created quilts inspired by everything from historical events and literature to a Mexican cushion and her garden wall and all her work is of her own original design. Composed Upon Westminster Bridge saw Anne-Marie take a piece of white fabric and transform it into a quilt for UK Contemporary Quilters Challenge ‘In Print’. It is based on the poem of the same name by William Wordsworth written in 1802 which on the surface is a paean to the city but on further examination it is more critical. Her first prize winning quilt, called Elephant Walk, was inspired by a Mexican cushion. In the course of making the quilt it took a turn and ended up having Indian motifs on it. What’s remarkable is that she’s largely self-taught, reading about techniques from books borrowed from the library, specialist magazines and later attending workshops. It was during a holiday to the States, and on a visit to a museum that featured quilts that she became

aware of the legacy of quilts in artistic expression and historical documentation. She explained “I went to America in 1993 and it was my first trip to New England. I saw wonderful quilts and had no idea about the tradition they have. I came home and went to the library got books to start me off. I didn’t know if there were any magazines or even where to buy this kind of books. “My first work was a map of India in silk and it was a disaster, it frayed and I did not know why as I had no idea about the different kind of fabrics to use “I didn’t give up though and got a magazine, joined the Quilters Guild in 1997 and went to workshops and that got me going. The name may seem off putting but it is for people of all abilities; it’s open to anyone. It is divided into regions and from a hobby, you get the added benefit of forming friendships. They also organise the Festival of Quilts. “I have no favourite technique, I just get an idea of what to do and then take it from there. The idea comes first and then the appropriate technique comes – some people may be driven by technique first, but we all come from different angles.” She and her husband Terry Lawson and Anne Marie’s mother Dora moved from Sunderland to Orkney a few years back and she finds her island surrounds provide ideas to weave into her work. “Orkney certainly inspires me. The seashore, the rocks, it’s a beautiful natural environment and a special place. It may seem remote to some, but it used to be the centre of the Norse world and the Neolithic world and it feels as though the whole

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world is at your fingertips from Orkney. “At school I hated sewing with a passion but you had to be a good sewer at school to get on to a machine. The first time I used a sewing machine I was terrified but soon loved it and moved on from there. I do everything by machine and four years ago invested in a sewing machine that could be adapted to make it easier to use with my condition.” Anne-Marie attends Burray Institute and is a member of Orkney Patchwork and Quilters and has given a talk on quilt making to neighbouring Birsay Institute, joking that she only went along as a substitute when the original speaker called off! She said: “I knew the SWI had a long history of textile work and when I came up to Orkney I went to a lunch for the over 60s and the ladies there asked if I would like to join the SWI. “I went as a guest and really enjoyed it. It’s interesting, the people are smashing and it’s wonderful being part of that.” True to the SWI slogan, if you know a good thing pass it on, AnneMarie sharing some of her quilting knowledge with Women Together readers. Piecing 1 Starch the fabric before you start – it makes piecing so much easier 2 Use a magnifying light to do your work – it refines your work and will improve your standards 3 Use good materials – having good quality thread and cotton silk makes a difference 4 Look and learn – look at exhibitions, books, the Internet, magazines – there’s lots out there to help 5. Do a small sample first – tension can be a problem so make sure that is right on the sample before during the bigger area.

ARTWORKS With

Jade Cruickshank Jade Cruickshank is a self taught Artist. A keen lady gun herself, jade takes most of her inspiration from her surroundings when in the field. Jade moved to a small hamlet nestled in the Aberdeenshire countryside four years ago, everyday there is something in view that provides a fresh perspective for the next piece. Field sports plays a defining role in jadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Art, before she prepares for a piece Jade researches the subject first to capture the true essence of the animal.

All of Jade Cruickshank Art illustrations are created using professional quality coloured pencils and using high quality paper ensuring the presentation is to the highest standard. Whilst available for animal commissions there is a collection of originals and prints in various sizes to peruse. For more information http://www.facebook.co.uk/ jadecruickshankart Jadecruickshankart@yahoo. co.uk for enquiries

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horses Childéric Saddles Announce New Ambassador Appointment

Equine Angle

By Melanie Scott

Childéric Saddles UK is delighted to announce a new ambassador from the world of top-level dressage as international dressage Henry Boswell joins the brand. Boswell, who is a name synonymous with dressage says of the saddles: “As a rider, I can feel a big difference in my horses: They feel looser and straighter with more swing in the trot. The design of the saddles enables the shoulder to be free and the back soft and through. I love them and so do my team and the horses.” Tricia Bracegirdle, MD of Childéric Saddles UK said of the appointment: “We are thrilled to be working with 94

Henry. Not only is he a talented rider but passionate in seeking perfection to every aspect of his competition horses’ management. Our team feel the same passion and commitment in delivering perfection for both horse and rider when it comes to their saddles.” Henry sits in good company with other professional dressage riders associated with the brand, including Fiona Bigwood, Anders Dahl and Becky Moody. Just a few of top professional riders who choose to ride in Childéric Saddles. For further information: www. childericsaddles.co.uk

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For British Eventing (BE) members based in Scotland it is becoming harder to justify joining an organisation whose events are predominately run in the south. With the news that Aswanley in the north east of Scotland and Aberdeen’s only BE competition calling it a day after their September fixture it is incredibly frustrating for riders and owners alike to find another Scottish event cancelled. The venue has held hunter trials for 31 years and held BE competitions for the last 19 years. This news come hot on the heels that another BE competition is no more. Hendersyde in the Scottish Borders has also called it a day. However the Agnew family have kindly agreed to continue holding an unaffiliated one-day event over the same weekend in August to allow riders to use their fabulous training facility. It’s not all bad news as Hopetoun House was resurrected this year, but

it’s hard to think about spending money to join an organisation which has very few events within Scotland. In central England where riders have the choice of events on the same weekend within a two hour drive it is perhaps time that a different membership rate was introduced for the Scottish riders. For a small country it’s great news to see Scottish riders are continuing to fly the flag and are bringing home great results. The showjumpers are certainly giving their English counterparts a run for their money with Rosie Pindar and Louisa Milne Home both successful in the foxhunter Horse of the Year Show qualifier at the Scottish Extravaganza. Scott Brash continues to make history, this time with back to back wins in the Longines Global Champions Tour at London. It marked his third win at London in the sixth year of competition, with his exciting young horse Hello Mr President, owned by Lord and Lady Harris.

@home Three ideas for the Scottish late summer… Let’s start off with a Tractor Bar!

Great Bulls Of Fire BBQ & Smoker

Massey Ferguson Tractor Bar Table - As functional as it is handsome you’ll never run out of uses for this Tractor Bar. Spec - Toughened glass top Beer bottle storage, Hanging glass storage. Adjustable feet. Original Headlights (not working) Storage Drawer. “Beer and glasses not included” Height 115cm, Width 122cm, Depth 64cm Weight 35kg Price: £1235 www.smithersofstamford.com

This exclusive and utterly unique design is based on the ‘Bruce the Bull’ Drinks Cooler but as opposed to being cool this guy is truly smoking hot! A totally bespoke design, hand-cut and finished from recycled shipping drums and other scrap metals. Can be used as both a BBQ and a smoker. Tough matt black lacquer finish is applied in multiple layers by hand. Main unit can be removed from the trolley. The trolley has wheels for ease of movement and comes complete with storage tray. Both the head and main body sections open up and have grilling/warming trays included within. The tips of the horns rotate 360 degrees to offer smoke and heat release funnels. Temperature control gauge included on the side panel. Price: £499 www.gardenfurniturecentre.co.uk

Happy Cocooning Square Cocoon The Happy Cocooning Square Cocoon will warm up your garden or patio on cool evenings bringing a cosy atmosphere for entertaining. This fabulous fire pit comes in black or grey, lights quickly and easily without the need to worry about smoke or sparks for a safe way to enjoy a fire. D 76cm x L 76cm x H 46cm Material: Weatherproof composite The fireplace has an integral stainless steel control panel which houses the electronic ignition and a knob to control the height of the flame Powered by a 19.5kW stainless steel gas burner . Includes: Lava Rocks, Logs, 2.5m Gas Hose, Bottle of Spare Paint and Brush. All-Weather PVC Cover in Grey. All Models have a CE KIWA Gastec Certification. Price: £799 www.harleyandlola.co.uk www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

lifestyle

The ‘country wedding’ look Wedding Attire To Fall In Love With from Butler Stewart and Timothy Foxx Classic clothing label, Butler Stewart has a collection of gorgeous clothing for both grooms and guests for the wedding season. Stylish grooms can choose from a range of tweeds from their extensive off-the-peg collection or opt for their made to measure service by appointment. Beautiful design and tailoring give a modern twist to classic tweed for the bridegroom. For wedding guests looking for elegant pieces that they’ll wear past the big day, their collection of separates embrace classical tailoring with a fresh, contemporary twist. Timeless in their design, each garment is beautifully constructed to flatter and take you from wedding to formal function, work and play.

Wedding Guest: Joanna Jacket in dark sapphire

RRP: £285 Sizes: 8 – 16 And Antonia skirt in dark sapphire RRP: £145 Sizes: 8 – 16 Colours: primrose pink, willow green, dark sapphire, meadow green 96

Grooms Outfit: Watson jacket in harvest brown

RRP: £385 Sizes: 38 – 46” Available in a range of beautiful tweeds. Christopher waistcoat in oxford blue RRP: £195 Sizes: 38 – 46” Available in pear green, oxford blue, harvest brown Trousers in harvest brown (made to order) Sizes: 32 – 40” waist RRP: £255 Men’s check shirt in blue navy RRP: £79, Sizes: 15.5 – 17.5” Available in: blue olive, navy blue, navy pink. www.butlerstewart.co.uk

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lifestyle The Bride: Tweed wedding dress

RS rural

STYLE By Helen Burness

Collar Great Style This Autumn

This beautiful made to measure wedding dress is new for autumn country brides from tweed fashion designers, Timothy Foxx. The Timothy Foxx Viola Tweed Wedding Dress is romantically styled along classical lines in a beautiful Scottish tweed with a pretty sweetheart neckline with delicate satin straps. The bodice features a parade of silk covered buttons to the back and is overlaid with a beautiful vintage inspired lace. Finished with an open overskirt, this elegant design detail falls away to make your train at the back. Brides-to-be can choose from a variety of customisation options including tweed colours, length and lace choice. The brand also specialises in men’s tweed and in particular, dressing grooms for their big day to complement their bride’s dress. This tweed theme can be replicated throughout your wedding, from bridesmaids’ dresses, best man waistcoat, through to mother of the bride hats and even traditional bunting and table decor. Timothy Foxx Hand Tailored Wedding Dresses start at £3500. Deposit required. Please allow at least 15 weeks from order. www.timothyfoxx.co.uk/collections/ladies/Weddings www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

This time of year calls for a middleweight jacket that will take you through into the cooler autumn months with style. This Georgina Coat from British Designer label Butler Stewart, offers a fresh contemporary take on traditional tailoring and tweed. Styled in a beautiful British extended Herringbone tweed with a tall funnel neck, this coat features six blue ridge corozo buttons, hidden seam hip pockets, inner security pocket and finished with a stunning metallic pebble grey lining. An elegant jacket choice that you’ll wear for many seasons to come. RRP: £445 Sizes: 8 - 14 Blue Ridge (shown) & Dark Navy www.butlerstewart.co.uk 97

finance Tax is going Digital Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT is HMRC’s flagship program to ‘digitise VAT’. It means that from April 2019, VAT registered businesses with a turnover of more than £85,000 will have to submit their VAT returns through MTD compliant accounts software. For the estimated 75% of farm businesses who are keeping manual records, this will mean investing in new software. Below, Chartered accountant Anne Cianchi, Making Tax Digital project consultant for Farmplan, highlights four key facts businesses need to be aware of: 1. There will no longer be the option to use a paper-based recordkeeping system to calculate the amount of VAT owed before submitting a paper return or manually entering calculations on the HMRC website.

2. Farms wishing to continue using electronic spreadsheets, such as Microsoft Excel, will also have to invest in a bridging product from a commercial software provider. This will provide the necessary link between the spreadsheet and HMRC systems. 3. Farms already submitting their VAT returns online through their accounting software will need to ensure that this software is being upgraded to meet the new MTD regulations. MTD is a completely new system, which is not compatible with the previous submission process. 4. HMRC has made it clear it will not be providing free software for users to make VAT submissions. 5. Only one submission will be allowed for each individual VAT registration number. This means

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companies that keep multiple sets of accounts for different strands of their businesses – for example, a farm and a diversification enterprise – will need to combine their VAT totals digitally into one VAT return. Farmers and bookkeepers should be aware that not all software has this capability In order to support the farming community through this transition, Farmplan is offering compatible and compliant software – Cash Focus – for just £198 per year plus VAT. Cash Focus will enable farmers to stay compliant with new VAT regulations, without the added complexity which can make other packages difficult to use. Though many businesses will be forced to invest in software in order to remain compliant, Anne points out that this may be seen as an opportunity, rather than an imposition. For example, Joanne Rooke, who runs a mixed farm in Yorkshire alongside her husband,

found that in her first year after adopting accounts software, they were able to save £2,500 as a result of bringing bookkeeping and accounting in-house. Similarly, Suzanna Gascoigne, who manages accounts for Holkham Farming Company and recently moved to Farmplan from Sage – the industry leader – claims that the right accounts software has not only reduced her workload, but enabled her to carry out in-depth analysis on the financial performance of on-farm enterprises. With some accounts packages from leading suppliers costing upwards of £7,500 over a five year period, it is important that businesses take the time to research options and speak with relevant professionals. Holding off purchasing until nearer the deadline may be tempting – particularly in the current financial climate – but may run an increased risk of investing in a costly mistake.

Kersia announces the acquisition of Kilco Kersia - the new name for Hypred, Anti-Germ, Medentech, LCB Food Safety and G3, the global leader in food safety, has announced the acquisition of Kilco, a company based in Scotland and a specialist in animal health and food safety. Kilco has been a family business since its founding in 1953 and was up to now fully owned by Gerry McGladery, Managing Director. Kersia is accompanied in this new acquisition by its majority shareholder Ardian, a worldleading private investment house. After four strategic acquisitions over the past 18 months, Kersia confirms its position as a major player in the sector consolidation and strengthens its pure player positioning in food safety across the entire chain – “from

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farm to fork” - in all European markets and abroad. Specialized in animal health (hygiene and disinfection solutions, nutritional complements and care products), recognized for its know-how in the poultry sector, as well as in food safety, Kilco has two production sites, one in Mallusk, Ireland, and the other in Lockerbie, UK. The company also exports biosecurity solutions to more than 70 countries around the world and achieves more than 40% of its business internationally. The company has a strong Research and Development business with 50 years of experience. Joining Kersia will allow Kilco to benefit from the proven key-account model developed by the group and from its manufacturing worldwide capabilities.

finance Beware tax and legal pitfalls when trading farm machinery Farmers are making the most of buoyant second-hand trade in machinery, with strong demand throughout Europe – but they need to be careful of VAT and legal pitfalls. According to farm accountant Old Mill, selling surplus machinery is a good way to free up cash, but it usually comes with an increased tax bill and is not without its risks, particularly when dealing with overseas buyers. “If you sell any equipment you will usually have to pay Income Tax or Corporation Tax on the sale price,” explains Andrew Vickery, head of rural services at Old Mill. “Many people think that they are dealing with Capital Gains Tax instead, and can therefore make use of their CGT allowance – but that

simply isn’t the case.” Sales of second hand machinery through Cheffins auctioneers increased by 13% in Q2 2018, to £10.07m; its highest level since 2014. However, the volume traded only increased by 3%, reflecting the higher prices driven by favourable exchange rates for overseas buyers, stronger commodity prices and a lack of stock. Around 80% of stock sold at the firm’s Cambridge machinery sales went overseas, with buyers from countries including Ireland, Spain, Bulgaria, Poland and Belgium. So what’s the difference between selling within the UK and further afield? “If you’re selling overseas to a business you do not generally

need to charge VAT,” explains Mr Vickery. “For EU sales, you must show the purchaser’s VAT number on your sales invoice and they pay VAT in their own country using the acquisition VAT process. You then need to log the sale on your VAT return, fill out an EC Sales List and send it in to HMRC. It is also vital that you retain a copy of the relevant

freight documents for both EU or non-EU sales.” Since laws differ in every country, it’s important to understand the basic legal framework of the country to which you intend to export, says Amy Kerr, senior associate at solicitor Clarke Willmott. “Initial research and planning ahead are essential.”

Next Issue FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE November 2018

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finance Prepare for lower farm incomes, warns Old Mill

Farm incomes could face a sharp drop this autumn due to the summer drought, so it’s important for farmers to plan ahead to minimise the financial and physical impact. There is plenty that producers can do to prepare, according to rural accountant Old Mill, from raising an overdraft to pay for forage to reducing tax payments on account. “It is a very frustrating and demoralising time for both livestock and arable producers,” says Mike Butler, chairman of the board at Old Mill. “The drought means arable yields will be down, vegetable producers are looking at significant crop shortages, and livestock producers do not have enough forage to see them through the winter. This will have a dramatic impact on cash flow and profits.” Higher commodity prices will go some way to alleviating this pressure, but the impact will vary from farm to farm. “Try to think about the implications of what’s going on, and have a serious conversation about what might be the right thing to do,” advises Mr Butler. “Have talks with your bank and accountant to see what the best solution is.” Some farmers are already looking at culling up to half their herds to reduce forage 100

requirements over the winter, while others may need to raise their overdraft to cover increased feed costs, he explains. “If selling stock, that will of course reduce your output, and may crystallise some profits. But cull cow and store values are already suffering, so you need to take that into account.” If looking at alternative feeds, it’s important to consider the likely impact on productivity – but there may also be an upside. “When commodities are in short supply there is likely to be a dramatic rise in prices – if that does happen, make sure you’re in a position to take advantage of it.” However, in the immediate future, it’s important to prepare for reduced incomes. “Are you getting the right tax credits? Could you reduce tax payments on account? Although July payments will already have been made, if you think income and therefore tax bills will be down you can choose to reduce your payments on account at any time.” Cash flow planning will help to identify any pinch points, so you can act early to avoid them, adds Mr Butler. “The important thing is to understand the implications as they develop, and be proactive, rather than putting your head in the sand.”

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THEMONEYMAN Introduction to Capital Gains Tax By Charlie Carnegie In this article I thought I would just outline some key points about when Capital Gains Tax may be payable and at what rates when looking at the assets on a farm and I am only concerned with individuals and not companies. Capital gains Tax (CGT) is payable on any chargeable gain on the disposal of any qualifying Asset. There are many different types of qualifying assets but the ones most relevant would be farm land and buildings, including cottages and the Farmhouse, the disposal of Entitlements. The chargeable gain is quite simply the difference between (sale proceeds minus selling costs) and the (purchase price plus purchase costs) and having arrived at the gain each individual is allowed an annual exemption of currently £11700 before any tax is payable. The rate of tax payable depends on the individuals other taxable income in the year of the disposal as the gain is merely added onto the top of the other income and if that stays within the basic rate band, currently £31580 in Scotland then the rate is 10% but if the gain takes you into the higher tax bracket then 20% is payable on the amount of the gain above the threshold. Different rates apply if the asset is a residence which is not your Principle Private Residence, in which case the rates are 18% and 28%.

Entrepreneur Relief is available where you sell the whole or a major part of your business and if all the conditions are met then the rate is 10% on the whole gain up to a maximum of £10m in total gains in a lifetime. To qualify, the business or asset used within the business must have been owned by you and used in a business in which you either own or are a partner for at least the 12 months up to the date of disposal. This is important where lets say a farm is owned jointly by a couple but only one of them farms it, if a sale is likely in the near future then the non-farming spouse needs to be made a partner at least 12 months before any sale otherwise the couple would end up paying 10% on half the gain and 20% on the other half. CGT can be extremely complex and in order to minimise the tax payable planning has to be done well in advance of any possible future disposal and your future plans should always be discussed with your accountant.

Charlie Carnegie is a partner in the Perth office of Campbell Dallas and can be contacted on 01738 441888 for any further information

cars All new Volvo T5 models available to order now Volvo is introducing the performance and efficiency benefits of its T5 turbocharged petrol engine across its large-car range in the UK, adding the T5 powertrain to the S90 saloon, V90 estate, V90 Cross Country and XC90 SUV. Tuned to deliver 250hp and an impressive 350Nm of torque, the T5 has well-established credentials as a strong yet refined performer that delivers impressive fuel economy and emissions. It is matched as standard to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The T5 is a member of the newest Volvo-designed-andbuilt Drive-E engines, and is further evidence of Volvo’s continued focus on petrol engine technology. The advanced 2.0-litre, four-cylinder unit is both compact and lightweight, with aluminium and aluminium alloy extensively used in its construction. Customers for the XC90 SUV can specify the T5 with allwheel drive in all model grades, starting with the Momentum, which has an on-the-road price of £50,435, and topping out with the

luxuriously specified Inscription Pro at £59,235. The BIK rate for business motorists is 37 per cent. The XC90 T5 AWD achieves

official combined cycle figures from 35.8mpg and 184g/km, while acceleration from rest to 62mph is dispatched in 7.9 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz achieves new record sales Mercedes-Benz already sold 1,356,350 vehicles in the first seven months of this year, which is an increase of 2.3% and a new record. Last month was the second-best July in the history of the brand with the threepointed star, with worldwide sales of 167,518 passenger cars, despite several factors that led to constraints in the availability of some models. MercedesBenz maintained its market leadership as the premium brand with the highest number of new registrations in the first seven

months in markets including Germany, France, Switzerland, Portugal, USA, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Australia and Brazil. “Never before have so many customers taken delivery of their new Mercedes-Benz in the first seven months of a year. Since the beginning of 2018, we have increased our unit sales by 2.3 percent to more than 1.35 million passenger cars sold,” stated Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for

Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “Since the market launch of the C-Class Saloon and Estate, more than 9.5 million of these models have already been sold. Since July, our new

models of the C-Class family have been in the showrooms of the European dealerships, with whom we intend to continue the success story of our bestselling series,” continued Seeger.

Meet the new Isuzu UTAH luxe Isuzu UK has announced the launch of the D-Max Utah Luxe double cab, a striking, comfortable and hardworking pick-up. A new addition to the Utah range, the pickup includes a host of enhancements, whilst retaining all the features of the multi award-winning Isuzu D-Max Utah. It will be limited to a volume of 75 vehicles in total and will be available in a manual and automatic transmission. The upgrades of this striking new Utah model can be seen

straight away and the Utah Luxe has the following equipment over a standard double cab: The 18-inch Diamond Cut alloy wheels, bonnet protector and front bumper guard offer a stylish dynamic to the vehicle. The inclusion of the pro-lift tailgate assist reduces tailgate weight by 95% for easier and safer opening. Utah Luxe is available in standard Utah colours but Isuzu recommend Splash White, Titanium Silver and Cosmic Black Mica, as these particular

colours provide the strongest aesthetic. Pricing for the new Utah Luxe double cab manual is only £26,159 CV OTR (Exc. VAT) and £27,159

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CV OTR for the automatic, offering a considerable number of upgrades for only £1000 over the standard Utah double cab CV OTR (Exc. VAT) price. 101

machinery TUCANO – new control concept and MONTANA hill-side levelling A new CEBIS terminal, an extended model range and optional hill-side levelling are among the highlights of the new-generation TUCANO from CLAAS. For the first time in this range, models with MONTANA hillside levelling are available. In addition, the operator assistance systems AUTO CROP FLOW, which controls the crop flow to allow the combine to be worked to its maximum potential, and AUTO SLOPE, which adjusts the fan speed to ensure minimal losses and optimum grain cleanliness, are now also available in these combine harvesters, along with a grain tank capacity of up to 11,000l. There is also a new top-of-the range model in this series – the TUCANO 580. New top-of-the-range TUCANO 580 The TUCANO series for 2018

has been extended to a total of 8 models, ranging from the new 381hp TUCANO 580 through to the 245hp TUCANO 320. All TUCANO models are powered by Mercedes Benz engines that comply with the Stage V (Tier 5) emissions standard and also now feature DYNAMIC POWER. Originally introduced on JAGUAR forage harvesters, DYNAMIC POWER matches the engine power curve to the prevailing operating conditions. When less power is required, for example when not chopping and just leaving a swath, engine power is reduced so saving fuel. If more power is needed, for instance when unloading, the full engine output is immediately available again. The machines offer further scope for savings through the reduction of the fullload engine speed to 1,900 rpm and the reduction of the idling speed to 850 rpm.

MONTANA hill-side levelling For the first time, five TUCANO models are now available exfactory as MONTANA variants. This system compensates for slide slope inclines of up to 16%, or up to 18% for the TUCANO 560 and 430. In the field, all the functions run automatically with the current tilt and cutting angle displayed in CEBIS.

The MONTANA models are equipped with a 2-speed manual transmission with automatic adjustment of the engine load. In both gears there are two drive ranges which are selected on the basis of the load on the ground drive. No manual selection is necessary, the machine switches automatically to the lower drive range when high traction is required.

Novacat Alpha Motion Master Floating cut now for smaller tractors too High quality base forage forms the cornerstone for healthy livestock and decent profit in your business.

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Using the right harvesting machinery is one of the factors that can have a major effect on

forage quality. The basis for the best forage is already determined at the mowing stage. That is why Pöttinger mowers offer the best ground tracking and cutting quality, low disintegration losses and high precision work without time-consuming adjustments for maximum convenience. Pöttinger revolutionised the market with the NOVACAT ALPHA MOTION front-mounted mower, which has been impressing farmers all over the world for a number of years. Now the ALPHA MOTION is joined by the new MASTER range, which consists of five models: the NOVACAT 261, 301 and 351 ALPHA MOTION MASTER disc mowers and the EUROCAT 311 ALPHA MOTION MASTER

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and EUROCAT 311 ALPHA MOTION PLUS MASTER drum-type mowers. The new MASTER models are attached to the tractor using a three-point mounting. Thanks to its short headstock – the mower is 34 cm closer to the tractor - the centre of gravity is also nearer the tractor. At the same time, the distribution of weight between the front and rear axles has been much improved. With a weight saving of more than 40 kg (incl. Weiste triangle), fuel consumption is also minimised. The ground clearance in the transport position is 30 cm on all models. Due to the limited mounting space, however, it is not possible to fit ALPHA MOTION MASTER models with ED or RCB conditioners.

machinery Gaspardo Mirka Precision Maize Drill Designed for precision drilling at speed, the Gaspardo MIRKA maize drill is capable of covering large areas of ground, whilst retaining the accuracy needed to give high daily outputs. It has a robust, heavy duty frame design which allows bulk fertilizer, microgranules and seed to be carried on the rear, eliminating the need for a front tank. The rear fertiliser tank has a capacity of 1,400 litres and the MIRKA incorporates seeding units with 60-litre hoppers, as well as 30-litre microgranule hoppers, where fitted. This helps minimise the need to keep stopping and refilling, optimising work rates. With eight rows set at 75cm centres, four large 26/12 drive wheels and a 3m transport width, the MIRKA is the ideal machine for contractors and large farmers drilling maize on any soil type,

coping well with minimum tilled soils and making light work of clods and uneven surfaces with crop residues. Using Gaspardo’s proven MTR seeding unit, the metering unit is driven by a shaft drive transmission. Strong, cast steel “Armstrong” parallelograms ensure the units are stable when seeding on rough undulating ground and combined with the extra-large 420mm double disc opener, create a perfect furrow in all soil types and conditions. This allows the drill to work faster in harder conditions, whilst retaining constant accuracy and seeding depth. Designed to be used on tractors of 170hp or more, the MIRKA has a wing-lift feature which means the wings can be partially lifted at the headland to prevent the outer units catching the ground on turning.

As is standard with all Gaspardo precision drills, the MIRKA has a Muller Precimat controller and centre bout markers. New for 2018, is an Isotronic version of the drill, which uses

the tractor terminal to control automatic GPS unit switching, ensuring no plant overlap or missing plants on the headlands. Prices for the Gaspardo MIRKA drill start from £58,252 RRP

Topcon guidance solutions for Landini tractors add precision to field tasks A choice of hands-free guidance solutions for Landini tractors – from a simple steering wheel drive unit to fully-integrated system – is available with top-level advice and back-up from Topcon Agriculture, one of the World’s leading precision farming technology suppliers. Solutions such as the Topcon AES-35 electric steering wheel drive unit enable farmers and contractors to cost-effectively equip an existing or new 70-140hp Landini tractor for more accurate

bout matching with spreaders and sprayers on grassland or arable crops. And at the top end of the scale, Landini 7 Series tractors from 140-225hp can have an integrated installation with ultra-precise RTK guidance to accurately bout-match cultivators, precision planters and seed drills to optimise productivity, minimise running costs and ease the operator’s workload. These precision farming options result from a new global partnership between Landini

manufacturer Argo Tractors in Italy and Topcon Agriculture to ensure that tractors assembled in Argo’s factories are correctly equipped and configured to work seamlessly with Topcon products. This in turn has led to local sales, installation and support partnerships between Landini distributor AgriArgo UK & Ireland and Topcon’s own operation in Ireland and LH Agro in England, Scotland and Wales. “As a result of these partnerships, farmers and

contractors running Landini tractors of any size and power can source precision guidance solutions through their Landini dealer knowing that technicians with Topcon expertise will be involved at all stages,” says Ray Spinks, AgriArgo managing director. “Topcon precision agriculture specialists are available to give advice on the best solution for an individual’s needs, and to then install and commission the system on the customer’s tractor.”

New Kuhn Disc Cultivators for lower powered tractors KUHN Farm Machinery has launched two mounted versions of its OPTIMER stubble cultivator for use with lower power tractors. Available in working widths of 3 or 4

metres, the new OPTIMER XL 100-series machines feature two rows of independent discs followed by a roller bar which can be equipped with a variety of KUHN press wheels. (continued on page 106)

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machinery Both versions use large diameter (620mm) notched discs made of 6mm thick steel which are capable of working at depths from 5 to 15cm: working depth can be adjusted either manually as standard or hydraulically as an option. The large diameter of the discs makes them able to incorporate high volumes of trash and crop residue easily and efficiently. Each disc is mounted on four elastomer blocks which enable them to move independently over obstacles, thereby maintaining an even working depth across the machine’s full width, even when working in very stony conditions. Adjustable soil retaining discs which can be angled 14o to the front or 14o rearwards, and by up to 12o vertically, prevent soil being thrown out of the cultivated strip and maintain level and consistent seedbed preparation. The second row of discs is followed by a roller bar

which can be equipped with a choice of tube or ring rollers (see table below for individual roller specifications). All discs and rollers are mounted on sealed-for-life, no-maintenance bearings. The compact design of the OPTIMER XL 300 and OPTIMER XL 400 makes both machines compatible for use with smaller tractors: the 3m version is suitable for 105-165hp tractors while the 4m version requires 140-220hp.

Massey Ferguson receive Red Dot Award at ceremony in Germany Massey Ferguson was honoured to accept the prize of ‘Red Dot: Best of the Best’ in the commercial vehicles category of Red Dot Design Award: Product Design 2018. The coveted award was presented at a ceremony at Essen’s Aalto Theatre in Germany on 9 July.

Over 6,300 products from 59 countries were entered into this year’s Red Dot competition. All the products were assessed individually by an international panel of 39 independent design industry professionals. Only 1.1% of entries gained the highest distinction in the

competition - the ‘Red Dot: Best of the Best’ seal of quality. As one of the elite ‘Best of the Best’, the MF IDEAL joins other 2018 winners in this exclusive group including the Ferrari Portofino and the McLaren 720S sports cars. (continued on page 108)

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machinery “With its sophisticated design, this high-performance combine harvester is ground-breaking and optimally geared to future requirements,” stated the jury. Commending the machine for its elegant design, highly-developed cab ergonomics and excellent allround visibility, the judges said, “The IDEAL combine is extremely comfortable in use, efficient and very powerful.” Eric Hansotia, Senior Vice President Global Crop Cycle and Fuse Connected Services, and Barry O’Shea, Vice President & Product Line Leader Global Gold Harvesting, from Massey Ferguson’s parent company, AGCO accepted the award on behalf of its international design and development team. “The IDEAL combine harvester is the result of many years’ research and development, dedicated crossfunctional teamwork and leading industry expertise,” said Mr Hansotia. “We are always looking for new, innovative and sustainable

ways to help farmers who want the best from us. The IDEAL combine is a perfect example of AGCO’s mission to provide high-tech solutions to farmers feeding the world.” IDEAL from Massey Ferguson is a completely new, game-changing combine harvester range designed using requirements taken directly from farmers and operators around the globe. The range sets new levels of efficiency in the field and includes three models from 451 to 647hp, leading the way in productivity and output.

New AMAZONE Cataya 4000 Super harrow-mounted seed drill With the Cataya 4000 Super harrowmounted conventional gravity seed drill, Amazone introduces the second new model in the Cataya series to have been launched to the market this year. The new seed

drill is designed for farms which require maximum work rates for the highest possible area output. This is achieved by the 4.0 m working width and – in comparison with the 3.0 m basic model – a larger seed

hopper capacity of 1,180 litres. Plus, with the aid of the 550 litre hopper extension, the capacity can be increased to 1,730 litres for even higher daily outputs. In addition, the new 4.0 metre drill combination (continued on page 110

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machinery can be operated at speeds of up to 12 km/h. The harrow-mounted seed drill is equipped with the Precis metering system which enables the quick conversion between fine and normal seeds. The raised outlet funnels of the metering wheel housings also ensure the minimum of residual seed volumes. The Cataya 4000 Super also features electric metering drive which is available, from choice, to either one side, or to both sides giving the possibility of remote controlled half-side shut off. In addition, the entire setting up of the drill is

carried out via the SmartCenter. Here, not only is the calibration carried out either with a push button or via the optional Twin Terminal, but also the sowing depth of the TwinTeC double disc coulters is set here as well. The drill is available from choice in a row spacing of 12.5 cm or 15.4 cm. As standard, the Cataya 4000 Super features hydraulic coulter pressure adjustment and, for optimum seed coverage, there is the option of either the proven Exact following harrow with hydraulic lift or the harrow set on the coulters.

Bobcat Targets Heavy Lift Handling with new Compact Telehandler Bobcat provides a new solution for heavy lift handling applications found in general industry, manufacturing, building materials, warehousing, quarrying and mining with the launch of the

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TL43.80HF telehandler. With the new TL43.80HF, Bobcat now offers a range of fifteen different rigid frame telehandler models, covering maximum lifting capacities between 2.6 and 4.3

tonne and maximum lifting heights from 6 to 18 m. “At Bobcat, for over 60 years, we have been constantly innovating the market - always developing new machines for customers’ needs. The new TL43.80HF is no exception to this legacy as it completes our range of telehandlers and ensures customers can benefit from unmatched loading productivity and lift capacity. Bobcat machines are made for tough jobs, whilst still providing all the agility and versatility any application would require,” said Olivier Traccucci, Bobcat Telehandler Senior Product Manager. Unlike any other manufacturer on the market, all Bobcat telehandlers are covered by a three year/3000 hour warranty as standard, with the option of extending the warranty to five years/5000 hours. All Bobcat telehandlers are designed and

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produced at the company’s plant in Pontchâteau, France. Thanks to a high lift capacity of 4.3 tonne and a maximum lift height of almost 8 m, the TL43.80HF is a compact telehandler offering an impressive package, which brings together robustness, rough terrain ability and ease of use for the operator in the same machine. The very high stability of the TL43.80HF is due to the box welded frame, the low load centre, the long wheel base and the new massive rear counterweight, allowing Bobcat to minimize the overall dimensions of the machine, resulting in a width of only 2.30 m and a length of less than 5 m from the rear to the fork face. Together with a short turning radius of just 3.71 m, this new Bobcat telehandler is a very manoeuvrable machine, a particularly useful feature when it comes to working in confined environments.

machinery Michelin appoints its first Exelagri dealer in Dundee ATS Euromaster in Dundee has secured Michelin’s agricultural seal of approval – earning its place as an accredited Exelagri dealer within a pan-European network of 800 carefully selected farm tyre specialists. The Michelin Certified Centre (MCC) has been operating in Dundee since 1971 and has built a strong customer base within the surrounding farming community, offering quality services and expert advice to local farmers and contractors. Grant Henderson, Centre Operations Manager at ATS Euromaster in Dundee, says: “We’re on the doorstep to some of Scotland’s major agricultural heartlands and we already support a lot of local farmers. Being right next to the A90 means our mobile teams can deliver a fast and reliable

service, which is critical at busy times such as harvest. “Previously there wasn’t a Michelin Exelagri dealer in the local area, but it’s something we know carries weight in the industry. Farmers like the reassurance they’re dealing with a true agricultural tyre expert – and we’re confident our new accreditation will help us grow too.” To obtain the Michelin Exelagri accreditation, the centre had to meet a strict set of specifications and was assessed through a 48-point quality audit carried out by an independent certification organisation, which looks at key aspects of the business, including the cleanliness of the workshop and the standard of equipment used, levels of staff training and the quality of advice given to its customers. Members

must also offer an extensive range of Michelin agricultural tyres and services, including wheel alignment checks, quality tyre repairs and 24/7 breakdown support. The Michelin Exelagri dealer network was formed in 2004 and includes 50 locations across the UK and Republic of Ireland. As part of the programme, Michelin pledges to support its members with specialist tools and addedvalue services such as City & Guilds accredited training courses. The Dundee centre, based in Clepington Road, offers services for all vehicle types including cars, 4x4s, vans, trucks, industrial plant and agricultural machinery. It joins other ATS Euromaster centres in Ashford, Salisbury and Norwich as being accredited Exelagri dealers.

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Order your FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Limited Edition Whisky See Page 55

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Clare Sturla A new regional support office for South East Scotland and the Borders has been appointed by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE). Clare Sturla joins the land-based business organisation from the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC), where she served as Agri and Rural Affairs Manager. Prior to her time at SAYFC, Clare worked for Members of Parliament at Westminster as well as time employed in public affairs in Brussels and in policy events and conferencing in Edinburgh. At SLE, Clare will work closely with headquarters’ staff based at Musselburgh as well as regional chairman for the south east, Trevor Jackson of Charlesfield Farms near Melrose. Caroline Bysh The newly appointed Director of Marketing, Digital and Communications at Scotland’s Rural College is relishing the challenge of giving SRUC “a distinctive and powerful voice” in the higher education sector. Caroline Bysh has 18 years’ experience in the higher education and private sectors, including eight years at the University of Reading, where she was Director of Marketing and Recruitment as well as Deputy Director of External Affairs. She also recently spent a year as interim Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Engagement at the University of the West of Scotland, where she built a new professional service and oversaw a 9.5 per cent increase in student applications. Archie Hamilton Lawrie & Symington has strengthened its livestock team with the appointment of the former Head of Sheep Sales at Europe’s largest sheep auction market. Archie Hamilton joins the firm as Head of Sheep Sales and will be based at the company’s Lanark mart. He will oversee all aspects of sheep sales at Lawrie & Symington and his remit will include increasing the number of sheep auctioned by the firm. In a typical year, Lawrie & Symington sell 200,000 sheep at their Lanark mart and an additional 55,000 sheep through their mart in Forfar.

Fiona Van Aardt A new Regional Support Officer for north east Scotland has been appointed by Scottish Land & Estates. Fiona Van Aardt joins the organisation to support and enhance member activities in the region, including engagement with politicians, stakeholders and assistance in organising events and estate visits. A business manager with over 25 years’ experience of running companies and delivering projects and events, Fiona returned to Scotland with her husband three years ago after spending 13 years running a 5,000 hectare estate in the southern highlands of Tanzania.

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Page Turner’s

BOOK REVIEW North Coast Journey: The Magic of Scotland’s Northern Highlands by Brigid Benson

The dramatic landscapes of the northern Highlands have been a constant source of inspiration to poets, artists, and ordinary folk for centuries. The massy heights of Torridon rising straight from the sea, the solitary peaks of Assynt or the constant play of light on land and sea have produced meditations on this landscape that tend towards the sublime. Writer and photographer Brigid Benson now follows in the footsteps of MacCaig and his ilk with a new book that captures the essence of this breathtaking part of Scotland. Benson’s stunning photographs and enticing prose capture both the wonder of this ancient landscape and the vibrancy of its modern communities. She knows both the land and its people intimately and guides the reader on an unforgettable journey through its passes and gorges, moorlands and mountains, bays and islets. Scotland’s northern highlands have become a global destination, thanks in part to the promotion of the North Coast 500 route. This has been both a blessing and curse for local communities, and the route also presents severe challenges to visitors. Benson’s route diverges from the official path, running anticlockwise around the coastline. She begins in Inverness, weaves westwards to Applecross and then northwards

towards Torridon. From Ullapool it leads to the most northerly points in Britain, passing by Caithness and John o’ Groats before heading south through Dingwall and returning to its startpoint. To alleviate pressure to make the circuit at breakneck speed with time for little more than snapping selfies by the roadside, Benson breaks the route into manageable stages. She suggests where to discover history, observe wildlife, meet great local characters, shop at quirky stores, taste outstanding food, drink in friendly bars and cafes, stand in awe of amazing sights, and recommends places to picnic, swim, surf, walk and stargaze. The book contains essential planning advice for those about to set out on their own north coast journey. Travellers are reminded to respect both local traffic and the degree of difficulty of the driving on single-track or precipitous roads. Packing tips, reading lists, detours, and special ‘curiosities’ are all included. This is a book for armchair travellers, too. The northern highlands are set forth here in all their lights, shadows, seasons and beauty. North Coast Journey: The Magic of Scotland’s Northern Highlands by Brigid Benson is published this month by Birlinn (£16.99, paperback) www.birlinn.co.uk