Farming Scotland Magazine (July - August 2024)

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

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Simon Howie completes major sustainability project

In at the deep end: Wild Swimming

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Beatha an Eilean • Flavour of Scotland including our regular news areas and columns

Tuathanachas Alba

editor's bit

Spare a thought!

Well, by the time this is published, the election will be over and without putting on a bet, I can guess who has won.

Mr Charisma right?...no?

Oh well, maybe next time I will get a more promising selection in the office sweepstake.

There is only Christina and myself here, so the choice as usual was rubbish.

In amongst all the barefaced lies about spending, more Doctors etc, etc, not one of them seemed to ‘spare a thought’ for the planet, our only environment and how we produce food locally.

It was like choosing which con man to run your local bank!

“Corrupt bankers?”...I hear you say. ”Been there!”.

“Spare a thought” my wee column is headed, and we all should…

Spare a thought for our rivers.

Spare a thought for our environment and wildlife.

Spare a thought for our local food producers.

And yes, even spare a thought for our future run by politically driven idiots who know nothing about farming and how we urgently need to evolve agriculture to protect our nature, wildlife, rivers and feed us at the same time without importing cheaper and lesser quality food with often disgracefully low levels of animal welfare.

Sermon over, for now.

Enjoy the summer while it lasts!

arable & root crops

Fresh hope for sustainable wheat yields

Trials carried out by KWS and biostimulants specialist Orion Future Technologies have provided optimism for growing wheat with less reliance on fertiliser and agchem products. Treating wheat with silicon has shown encouraging results, as Orion’s agronomist, Mike Stoker explains:

“Trials using Sirius, a bioavailable liquid silicon, have shown how a wheat crop can take up more essential nutrients including iron, manganese, copper and zinc as well as silicon. This makes the plant stronger and better equipped to resist climatic and biotic stresses, which has resulted in higher yields.”

The trial set out to establish how different KWS wheat varieties including Dawsum, Extase, Palladium, Ultimatum and Zyatt, accumulated silicon.

Mr Stoker explains that in scavenging for the added available silicon, the plant naturally encounters and takes

up increased levels of other beneficial nutrients, as well as downregulating the uptake of substances like aluminium and sodium.

“Ultimatum had the highest accumulation of iron and showed the highest yield increase, a boost of 16 percent. Sirius was applied at 0.25 litres per hectare, and at 0.5 litres per hectare, to establish if a higher dose would provide better results. Interestingly, most varieties responded similarly to both doses, showing that just a small increase in silicon uptake can provide considerable yield improvements,” says Mr Stoker.

He further suggests that this is likely due to the way Sirius mixes in the tank.

“We often find lower doses remain efficacious because bioavailable silicon breaks apart in water, so using less provides the molecules more capacity to separate. It is also important to add that silicon does not have a detrimental effect on any other products being used, including fertilisers and plant protection products,” he says.

The most consistent improvements in the uptake of nutrients measured was found with KWS’s Extase variety. The accumulated benefits to the plant brought a yield increase of 7 percent.

Getting pulse crops off to a good start

A new YaraVita webinar series has recently concluded, focusing on foliar nutrition for a range of crops.

Each webinar focused on the importance of getting basic nutrition right to maximise crop performance and yield.

Growers were also given information about the benefits of foliar nutrition and biostimulants as well as product recommendations for a complete crop nutrition programme.

Slàinte, Athole.

A new YaraVita webinar series has recently concluded, which explored the role of foliar nutrition in optimising crop performance. Chris Harrold, YaraVita Product Manager, took pulse crop growers through the key nutrient requirements for higher yields as well as recommending products to include in their crop nutrition programme.

Getting basic nutrition right Excessive rainfall throughout the growing season means that key

nutrients the crop needs will be less available. That’s why for growers who want to maximise crop performance and yield, getting the nutrition basics right is essential.

Getting crops off to the best start is all about ensuring there is sufficient phosphate and potash in the seed bed before applying any micronutrients. It’s the interaction between the macro and micro nutrients that is important for many of the plant’s functions. This is especially true when it comes to ensuring good nodulation. Pulse crops rely heavily on their root nodules as a nitrogen source for growth and development, so ensuring good nodulation and nodule survival is paramount.

Soil bacteria (rhizobia) are the ‘engine’ of the nodules and nutrients like phosphorus, sulphur, magnesium, manganese, boron, and molybdenum play a key role in their metabolism.

Good crop nutrition is also important as the pea or bean crop develops and starts to produce

flowers and seeds. As the first seeds start to fill, the plant can no longer meet the nodule’s demands for carbohydrate and the demands of the seed filling process. “It’s at this stage that growers need to turn their attention to nutrients to

ensure that the plant continues to photosynthesise effectively with a green healthy canopy. Key nutrients to focus on include magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, and sulphur. Then as the flowering continues, boron plays a vital role in successful

pollination for pod set,” says Chris. As well as these key nutrients, growers are advised to think about zinc for increased fertility and seed quality as well as copper for leaf development, improved flower set, and increased yields.

Pulse protection for rapid leaf growth

Late sown pulse crops that were slow to establish are now racing through growth stages to recover. But increasing high disease pressure could restrict green leaf area development and yield potential, warns Syngenta Technical Manager, Simon Jackson.

“Rust is currently the major risk in spring beans,” he advises. “Growers should target an effective

treatment at first pod set, to stop disease getting established.”

Experience of spring beans in similar conditions last season highlighted the benefit of a twospray strategy, with a follow up in mid-July to ensure sustained rust control and protect green leaf to complete pod fill.

“Although late sown beans are growing rapidly - where growers might consider a one

spray strategy may sufficeextending the growing season with robust disease control will help them to achieve their yield potential,” he suggests.

Bean crop prices have remained consistently buoyant, compared to other combinable crops, that warrants investment to maximise yields.

Simon advocates an initial application of Elatus Era to

arable & root crops

target rust, along with chocolate spot if cool, wet conditions persist. That would be followed up with an Amistar application at the mid-July timing to focus on maintaining healthy green leaf through pod fill.

“With the fast-growing crop, as well as widespread weevil damage to early leaves, growers and agronomists should also

consider including Vixeran biofertiliser with the initial fungicide application,” he says.

“As an additional readily available N supply, that will support the crops’ development and maintain the green leaf biomass,” he points out.

“Vixeran has proven especially useful in promoting bean crop growth.”

New herbicide approval for Linseed

Laya which contains 200g/ kg metsulfuron-methyl has been granted approval for post emergence weed control in Linseed.

LAYA is a sulfonyl urea herbicide for spring-applied broad-leaved weed control in wheat, barley, oats, triticale, and with this recent approval, now also linseed.

Manufactured by off-patent manufacturers Life Scientific, Laya is a reverse engineered formulation of its reference product, Ally SX . Life Scientific specialises in bringing high quality off-patent crop protection products to market with the goal of providing customers with better options to meet their plant protection needs and this recent approval for Laya in linseed reflects the success of the approach.

Hannah Foxall, agronomist with Premium Crops underlines the importance metsulfuronmethyl plays in weed control in linseed. “This approval is welcome

news for linseed growers looking to control broad leaved weeds post-emergence, as since the loss of Bromoxynil there are restricted herbicide choices,” she says.

“The broad weed spectrum offered by metsulfuron-methyl

is important for ease of harvest and cleaning up fields for the following crop.”

Ruth Stanley, Life Scientific’s UK & Ireland country manager points out best control is gained in good growing conditions:

“Laya should be applied once, at 30g/ha, to actively growing linseed from first pair of true leaves unfolded, with a latest timing before flower buds visible, or up to 25 cm tall, whichever is the sooner.”

Courgette study shows silicon benefits

A study has shown how silicon has almost doubled the weight of courgette fruit and helped strengthen the plant against powdery mildew.

Carried out by the University of Hertfordshire as part of ongoing plant pathology studies, the trial has identified a link between plant health, fruit weight and silicon uptake. Dr Avice Hall explains:

“The glasshouse study was carried out by an MSc student looking to establish a link between silicon uptake and courgette plant performance. The findings are very encouraging for any grower looking to boost plant health and courgette weight whilst mitigating the effect of powdery mildew.”

The trial used 40ml of the silicon biostimulant Sirius at a concentration of 0.2%. It was applied to the soil on a weekly basis for eight weeks and compared to a control sample. The control sample was given deionised water in the same volume as the treated plants received silicon to ensure both received the same amount of water.

“The average weight of courgettes treated with Sirius was 180 grams which, compared to the control at 95 grams, shows that the addition of silicon almost

SAYFC Launches RESPECT Campaign

The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) has announced a new RESPECT campaign which was launched at the Royal Highland Show.

The campaign, which is being supported by Scottish agricultural charity RSABI, aims to encourage every young farmer to play their part in positively contributing to SAYFC as a safe, inclusive and fun environment for young people.

The initiative promotes healthy relationships, kindness and inclusivity through positive role modelling supported by education, training and awareness-raising and will see the appointment of Respect Ambassadors in every young farmers club throughout Scotland.

Each club will be offered Alcohol Awareness Training supported by RSABI, working with other organisations which specialise in these areas.

The campaign also aims to raise awareness of the organisations which can offer specialist help and support to people who have been affected by any of the issues raised or negative behaviour.

Penny Montgomerie Chief Executive of SAYFC said:

“This campaign builds on work which has been done by SAYFC over recent years to promote an inclusive and safe environment for our members and the wider community, driven by the Development & Wellbeing Committee and the introduction of a new Youth Development Manager staff role.

“We’re grateful to RSABI for their ongoing support, particularly around promoting positive mental health for young people in the industry. We look forward to working closely with them

on the RESPECT campaign to provide 150 young farmers across Scotland with alcohol awareness training.”

Carol McLaren, Chief Executive of RSABI, welcomed the initiative.

“We know that young people across Scotland benefit greatly from the experience of being a member of young farmers as a source of friendship, fun and learning and we are pleased to support the positive steps SAYFC is taking to remind everyone about the importance of inclusivity and respect,” she said.

RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support including counselling services, delivered quickly after receiving the initial enquiry. Its free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk.

arable & root crops

doubled the weight of the fruit,” says Dr Hall.

The study also charted the effect of powdery mildew on the plants. By leaf counting, the study identified that, in almost all of the eight weeks, the silicon enhanced plants had fewer infected leaves.

“Silicon strengthens the root systems and leaf density of courgette plants, making the plant more resilient. We have seen in other fruit crops, such as strawberries, that this can help reduce powdery mildew damage, which also helps the plant to produce larger, denser, heavier fruits,” adds Dr Hall.

The addition of silicon also helped the treated plants produce more courgettes and, by week four, the average number of the fruits was almost six, compared with the untreated plants that only produced four in this time.

“The study shows that silicon can enhance growth and alleviate plant stress. It offers a more sustainable way to increase yields and should be considered by those seeking biological, rather than chemical, ways to improve plant health and productivity,” concludes Dr Hall.

The James Hutton Institute opens pioneering crop storage facility

A new facility focused on the future of crop storage has opened at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie.

The Crop Storage and Postharvest Solutions (CSPS) facility, which is funded by the Scottish and UK Governments, formally opened its doors in May. The team based at the facility will explore the impact of elements such as temperature, gas composition and humidity on the quality, nutritional value and appearance of stored crops.

Currently, 5-20% of initial crop productions are lost due to insufficient or poor storage, especially in developing countries. The facility leverages world leading plant and data sciences along with advanced technological and digital innovations to explore methods for prolonging the shelf life of produce by inducing a ‘near-sleep state’ post-harvest to preserve its inherent qualities and manage disease.

Professor Derek Stewart, Director of the Advanced Plant Growth Centre which operates the CSPS, highlighted the urgency of the facility’s research objectives:

“Time is not on our side.

We have a growing global population that needs fed, and multi-billion pounds food and drink sectors which are based entirely around having access to a sufficient supply of good quality crops. Climate change, which is affecting growing seasons, is impacting crop yields and quality, and leading to food shortages is showing no signs of abating. Furthermore, any changes to agricultural practices have a direct impact on a crop’s performance post-harvest, and so the widespread intertest in regenerative agriculture will

come with a need for allied postharvest storage research.

“Crop storage has to be a critical part of ensuring a sustainable supply of crops, and we need to get better at it and reduce waste. With the variety of scientific tools, we have at our disposable at the Hutton, we are able to address very specific concerns in highly controlled conditions. Our findings are more reliable, faster and relevant compared to more traditional store-and-pray approach.

“We are extremely grateful to Scottish and UK Governments

for funding this new facility which has the potential to make a difference on a worldwide scale”.

Earlier this month, Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity visited the facility to learn more. He said: “I was delighted to see the new facility at JHI. The information that will be gained from the storage unit will help us learn more about the impact of particular farming practices and the potential for extending the shelf life of harvests.

“Our food and drink producers are absolutely vital, and studying the effect of factors like humidity or temperature on our crops will help ensure that farms and businesses are supported and food security protected.”

The crop storage facility is delivered in partnership with the UK Agri-Tech Centre and is part of a network of crop storage facilities involving ADAS and the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) at the University of Greenwich.

Potato and onion harvest system secures premier Scottish supplier

Accelerating its national ambitions within the grower, packer and processor market, machinelearning driven crop insights tool HarvestEye has secured a distributorship in Scotland –teaming with agricultural and machinery supplier Agricar.

Falling ahead of harvesting season, Agricar will be responsible for the distributorship of the HarvestEye 2.0 and HarvestEye Handheld systems.

The technology, which fits to harvesting or grading equipment, is a cost-effective method to deliver visibility - via an online portal and daily reports - on the size, shape and mapping variability of potatoes and onions. It can deliver fast crop measurement to a high degree of accuracy in challenging

conditions, including low evening sun.

Harry Tinson, general manager at HarvestEye, said: “As a premier supplier with vast experience on the needs and challenges facing Scottish farmers, Agricar is the ideal distributor to help scale our operation in Scotland. The relationship will provide the visibility and ease of access to our units to support growers with their potato precision harvesting requirements.”

HarvestEye’s accompanying Handheld version, launched earlier this year, uses the power and data insight of the system to allow customers to count and size crops during pre-harvest test digs through the tablet device.

Derek Johnston, director at Agricar, said: “At Agricar we

see HarvestEye as an ideal long term partner. The fact that we specialise in potato machinery and GPS products makes it a perfect fit to our product offering. HarvestEye is a relatively new product in the marketplace but we feel that it can offer added value to the potato grower by giving the customer more accurate information earlier during harvest. This information can in turn be shared with the buyer or packhouses to help speed up and streamline the whole process.”

Royal Barenbrug Group celebrates 120 years of Innovation and Sustainability in the Grass Seed Industry

In June 2024 the Royal Barenbrug Group, a global grass-seed industry leader, proudly celebrated its 120th anniversary.

Since its founding on 15 June 1904 by Joseph Barenbrug, the company has dedicated itself to helping feed the world sustainably and enhancing green spaces, through innovative grass-seed solutions.

Joseph Barenbrug envisioned a world of possibilities with grass, initiating the development of diverse varieties for multiple purposes - a tradition which continues to this day. Barenbrug creates solutions for every need and climate; from tasty and healthy forages with high nutritional values for livestock, to fine-leaved and attractive green grass for parks, gardens and strong, resilient sports pitches. Barenbrug research has produced multi-species mixtures that enhance biodiversity and creates cover crops which improve soil fertility.

As a family-owned company, Barenbrug has stayed true to Joseph’s mission of helping customers to overcome challenges. The fourth generation, represented by Frank and Bastiaan Barenbrug, continues this legacy, in the capacity as Supervisory Board members.

In recognition of its prestige, sustainable management and excellent reputation, Barenbrug was awarded the ‘Royal Predicate’ in 2004, a distinction granted only to companies of extreme importance in their field and able to demonstrate 100 years or more of effective business.

Hutton confirms extension of ‘Fight Against Blight’ funding for 2024 season

The James Hutton Institute will continue in its role to help protect Britain’s potato crop against late blight after further funding was secured. The new award - sourced from a consortium of key industry partners – will allow the Hutton to maintain its ongoing monitoring and testing work as part of the Fight Against Blight (FAB) scheme.

The FAB scheme was first launched in 2006, using the monitoring of Phytophthora infestans populations via a nationwide network of agronomists, growers, and industry representatives (the FAB Scouts). This network annually submits up to 1,500 field samples from suspected late blight outbreaks throughout Britain. The work, led by Dr David Cooke and Dr Alison Lees from The James Hutton Institute, includes

both the annual sampling of late blight outbreaks, the characterisation of pathogen populations, as well as fungicide sensitivity testing on active ingredients prioritised by the industry.

Late blight has already been reported in Jersey and in Kent in this year, and the wet winter conditions and unharvested crops have created additional sources and avenues for the disease. Crucially, it is the testing of these outbreaks which allows for the rapid in-season identification of genotypes. This, in combination with an end of season report, ensures the potato industry is kept well-informed on emerging threats, as well as best-practice for late blight management.

Dr Jonathan Snape, Director of James Hutton

Limited, stressed the importance of industry leaders coming together to help in the continued fight against potato blight across the UK.

He said: “Without the essential contributions from this cross-sector consortium it would simply not be possible to continue the nationwide monitoring of emerging genotypes at a time when it is needed most.

“As such, we thank the following organisations for their sponsorship and continued support of Fight Against Blight; Certis Belchim, UPL Ltd, BASF, Bayer, Corteva, Syngenta, Albert Bartlett, Agrovista, Frontier, Hutchinsons, GB Potatoes, McCain, Scottish Agronomy, The Seed Potato Organisation, Agrico, Branston, SAC Consulting and Agrii.”

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

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Getting ‘The Art of the BBQ’ right in Scotch style

We’re all ready for summer, and so is Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) with its latest summer guide ‘The Art of the BBQ’. This free publication from their renowned Scotch Butchers’ Club, shows consumers how to make the most of the BBQ season.

These top tips help you enjoy a safe and tasty BBQ using the various cuts of Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork. This includes preparing your grill, meat cooking times, and meat marinading, along with an array of mouth-watering recipes and accompaniments.

Gordon Newlands, Brand Development Manager at QMS said: “Getting the best out of your BBQ and the meat you’re cooking can really help create memorable get-togethers with family and friends whilst enjoying delicious Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork. This guide offers a quick and easy way for people to feel more informed and confident when it comes to cooking outside on a grill and is also a useful conversation starter with local Scotch butchers when deciding on the meat you need.”

“Choosing to cook with the best quality assured Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork, means you are getting delicious produce which has been reared to the highest of standards. With the help of our latest BBQ guide, the meat can be cooked it in a way that enhances the eating experience.”

“The Euro 2024 football tournament kicking off is something to look forward to this summer and is the perfect excuse to invite friends round and get the BBQ going. If the weather isn’t playing ball and you don’t fancy standing with your apron

on under an umbrella, your oven’s grill is a great alternative - all the recipes we’ve created in our new BBQ guide will work just as well in the kitchen.”

One of the best things about the guide is to encourage people to think beyond the usual BBQ go-to’s and to inspire them to add some new cuts of meat to their shopping list and try things they’ve not had before. It also offers al-fresco dining tips and advice from Scotch Butchers’ Club members and chefs.

Scotch Butchers’ Club Ambassador, Grant Duffy, is a fully qualified butcher and butchery manager at Strachan’s Craft Butchers at Blantyre and says: “Our counters are always full of colour and flavour. I encourage everyone to visit their local butcher this BBQ season, for the combination of real quality assurance, advice and inspiration. We love helping our customers find new things to do with fresh red meat at this time of year.”

Ryan Gow, a Scotch Butchers’ Club Ambassador based at John M Munro Butchers at Dingwall offers his top tip: “The key to making the most of cheaper cuts is how you cook them. Rump or minute steaks are great for the BBQ but don’t cook

them any more than medium so that they remain juicy and tender.”

Chivas Brothers partners with Bairds

Malt and Scotgrain to establish

sustainable agriculture programme with Scottish farmers

The Scotch whisky producer partners with Scottish barley growers, fostering sharing and collaboration to reduce its carbon

footprint and help future-proof the industry

05 June 2024, Glasgow, UK: Chivas Brothers, the Pernod

Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky and makers of Chivas Regal and Aberlour, today announces a new agriculture

Pick up a copy of the BBQ guide when visiting your local Scotch Butchers’ Club butcher.

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

programme supporting sustainable farming practices among Scottish barley growers represented by Bairds Malt and Scotgrain.

The pilot programme is a collaboration between Chivas Brothers, Bairds Malt, malt producer for the brewing and distilling industry in the UK and internationally, and Scotgrain, the leading Agricultural Merchant covering supply of arable inputs, agronomy, procurement & marketing of grains, oilseeds and pulses.

The partnership has been established with a view to working collaboratively to facilitate and further the continuous improvement on farm, and to help future-proof the livelihoods of farmers in regional Scottish communities. It is also intended to help secure the supply of barleya critical ingredient in the whisky making process – and reduce Chivas Brothers’ indirect carbon footprint.

Roughly a third of Chivas Brothers’ carbon footprint comes from the growing and processing of its agricultural raw materials - including the manufacturing of fertiliser, production of barley and malting.

Chivas Brothers is one of the biggest purchasers of malted barley in Scotland – the majority of which it sources from Bairds Malt – underscoring the significance of this project and Chivas Brothers’ responsibility to the industry to invest in sustainability trials, research and information transfer.

The pilot programme, named the ‘Dalmunach Growers Pilot Group’, will run over a three to five-year period and is initially comprised of eight farmers who have voluntarily elected to be a part of the first on-farm trial. In addition to carbon emissions

reduction, trials will cover various approaches both to improvements in soil health - to create a more resilient growing process - and biodiversity, from fertiliser use and cover-cropping to wildflower strips.

Ronald Daalmans, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Chivas Brothers commented, “Establishing partnerships with our growers represents a critical moment in Chivas Brothers’ sustainability journey. The ongoing impact of climate change means our growers are having to adapt their practices - and many are faced with tough decisions regarding sustainable practices because it is cost prohibitive to implement new techniques without certainty of how they’ll affect crops through the growing cycle. Working together makes us stronger - not only to reduce carbon emissions at pace, but also to provide invaluable insights that can benefit the farming community at large.”

Victoria Buxton, Agronomist and Farm Business Manager at Bairds Malt added, “We’re incredibly excited to have partnered with Chivas Brothers to establish a programme with our growers that looks at sustainable farming practices through on-farm carbon reduction, soil health and biodiversity. To have the support of Chivas Brothers reinforces that climate change is an issue that affects the whole supply chain and we’re all equally invested.”

Learnings and insights will be shared with the full cohort of roughly sixty farmers under the Bairds Malt and Scotgrain communities at regular Growers Group meetings, fostering knowledge-sharing for the betterment of the programme and each other’s operations.

Scotland The Brand

Precision Bred Food - why new genetic technologies should be clearly labelled in Scotland

By Ruth Watson

A new Westminster law, the Precision Breeding Act, sets in motion changes which will allow farmers in England to grow genetically modified (GM) food for consumption by people and livestock.

While Scotland still bans GM products in our food and drink, the Internal Market Act means there is nothing to stop precision bred English foods and feedstuffs from making its way into our food chain, and the English law puts no labelling requirements on precision bred products. This raises serious problems in several areas. If precision bred food is not labelled, it can’t be avoided. Consumer protection, consumer choice, and consumer confidence in the food we eat is of significant importance, both at home and in our important export markets. Organic farmers and producers of organic food and drink cannot use GMOs and keep their credentials, so clear labelling is a vital requirement for the future of Scotland’s organic sector.

A number of Scottish organisations are putting the case for Scotland to follow England and adopt similar legislation, saying precision breeding techniques such as gene editing have considerable potential to deliver benefits for food, agriculture, climate change and sustainable

development. One example is the internationally respected James Hutton Institute (JHI), which is part of a UK-wide research project, called TuberGene, aimed at creating a potato which cooks more quickly. JHI say gene editing will cut the time it would otherwise take to develop this characteristic through conventional cultivation programmes, and so make the potato available commercially much sooner than would be possible using traditional methods.

In 2022, Food Standards Scotland commissioned consumer research to understand the public’s views around the issue of precision breeding. Most people were open to produce using new genomic techniques (NGT) because of the view they are something which could occur naturally. A clear majority expected that foods containing NGTs would be clearly labelled. Food Standards Scotland is set to work with the Scottish Government later this summer to draw up proposals which take into account the developing science and the approaches being taken by both the UK Government and the European Union.

Ruth Watson is the founder of the Keep Scotland the Brand campaign.

Ruth Watson is the founder of the Keep Scotland the Brand campaign

food & drink

New NFU Cymru campaign seeks public support to Secure the Future of Welsh Food

NFU Cymru is launching an exciting new campaign championing Welsh food and seeking the public’s support to help secure the future of food production in Wales.

The union’s Secure the Future of Welsh Food/Diogelu Dyfodol Bwyd Cymru campaign is due to kickstart the third annual Welsh Farming Week on Monday 17th June.

The initiative will encourage people across Wales to show their support for Welsh food by adding their name to the NFU Cymru online petition. The union is hoping significant numbers signing the online petition will underline to government the high level of public support for food produced here in Wales.

NFU Cymru will be raising awareness of its campaign with a series of eye-catching gate banners positioned along popular routes across the country, as well as at farm shops and other popular food destinations.

The launch of NFU Cymru’s Secure the Future of Welsh Food/Diogelu Dyfodol Bwyd Cymru campaign will spearhead the union’s activities over the course of Welsh Farming Week, beginning Monday 17th June. Other highlights from the week include a series of local stakeholder days (Tuesday 18th June); the return of the popular bilingual online live lessons for primary school pupils, this year titled ‘The Great Welsh Icecream Adventure’ (Wednesday 19th June); and a public engagement event in the centre of Cardiff (Friday 21st June).

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “Over the last year the swell of public support for Welsh food and Welsh farmers has been humbling. Our consumer polling last winter highlighted that 82%

of the Welsh public support government providing funding to farmers to produce food. I also know that NFU Cymru members and staff were taken aback with the positive response from those passing the union’s display of

5,500 wellies on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff in March. All of this points to the fact that the people of Wales hold Welsh food in high regard and they want to see farmers supported to continue producing that food.

“Our Secure the Future of Welsh Food/Diogelu Dyfodol Bwyd Cymru campaign seeks to bring the industry together and show the high level of backing for the food produced in Wales by the nation’s farmers.”

Growing global appetite for animal protein highlights opportunities for red meat exports

Global opportunities for UK red meat exporters amid rising demand for animal protein have come under the spotlight at a major industry conference.

Delegates at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) annual Red Meat Exports Conference heard

about global trends and patterns in trade production, future risks and challenges and opportunities for halal.

UK red meat exporters and representatives from UK Government also gained valuable insight from the China Meat Association (CMA) and

heard about the development of AHDB resources to support exporters during the conference at Butchers’ Hall, London.

Global demand for animal protein is growing with worldwide pig meat, beef, and sheep meat consumption expected to increase by 11%,

10% and 15 % respectively by 2032. UK red meat exports in 2023 were valued at £1.7 billion, equalling the record year in 2022.

AHDB Chief Executive Graham Wilkinson said: “With anticipated growth in the global appetite for animal protein, exports of world class British red meat products have never been more important. The red meat sector should be rightly proud of what it can offer the global market and we have much

to celebrate, not least with the value of red meat exports last year equalling the record set in 2022.

“AHDB has a critical role to play, working collaboratively with industry and other key stakeholders to ensure our exporters can capitalise on opportunities to sell their products in markets the world over. At last year’s conference we launched our Beyond Borders export strategy which set out our ambitions to help drive export growth.

food & drink

Study finds consumers value animal welfare more than sustainability when buying meat & dairy product

The treatment of animals rates higher than green issues when consumers choose meat and dairy products.

That’s according to a new study, which suggests that while consumers consider sustainability important, other factors such as taste, quality, and animal welfare take precedence in their purchasing decisions.

On product labels, consumers valued information regarding animal welfare, food safety, and health and nutrition. The results can help producers to market particularly sustainably produced food products in a more targeted way and make them more attractive to consumers.

The study was conducted across five European countries— Czechia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK to identify the attributes that are most important to consumers buying meat or dairy products.

Taking part in an online survey, 3,192 participants were asked to rate the importance of 18 different factors when shopping for meat and dairy products on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (extremely important):

Attributes - freshness, quality/ taste, healthy eating, nutrition, price, processing, special offers,

convenience of use/preparation, and familiarity of brand.

· Animal welfare attributesanimal welfare, outdoor-reared/ free range, and pasture-fed.

Attributes related to environmental sustainabilitylocally produced, sustainable packaging, food miles, carbon footprint, and organic.

Social sustainability - Fair trade or producer/farmer fairly paid.

Across all surveyed countries, consumers consistently prioritised freshness, quality/taste, and animal welfare as the most important attributes. In contrast, environmental factors such as food miles, carbon footprint, and organic production were deemed less important in influencing purchasing decisions. However, sustainability labels were perceived as helpful among consumers.

Study co-author Dr Andy Jin, Senior Lecturer in Risk Management in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Our study highlights the complex interplay of factors that influence consumer behaviour when buying meat and dairy products. Consumers indicated that information related to animal welfare, food safety, and health and nutrition was considered more important than

environmental sustainability when making food choices.

“The findings demonstrate the importance of labelling strategies that encompass multiple aspects of product attributes, beyond environmental considerations alone.”

The implications of the research extend further than consumers to policymakers, producers, and retailers in the food industry who are striving to meet evolving consumer demands for more sustainable products.

Dr Jin added: “Labels on their own are not enough to change behaviour, especially for consumers who have low or no behavioural intention to

buy sustainable meat or dairy products.

“These results should be translated into additional policy measures, such as nudges or behavioural interventions, helping individuals translate their attitudes into behaviour and facilitating the choice of sustainably produced products.”

The research, published in the journal Food Quality and Preference, was conducted by the universities of Portsmouth and Newcastle in the UK, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, University of Córdoba in Spain, Mendel University in Czech Republic and Agroscope from Switzerland.

WORLD FARMING

IFAD welcomes Canada’s generous contribution to fight hunger and poverty and urges other member states to do the same

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) applauds the announcement by the Prime Minister of Canada, to commit CA$100 million to IFAD’s 13th replenishment, to support the world’s poorest rural populations in its (2025-2027) programme of work. He has also confirmed a CA$100 million contribution to IFAD’s Private Sector Financing Programme (PSFP). This announcement comes at a time when the world is facing a growing number of uncertainties including increasing levels of hunger and poverty, worsening effects of climate change and a growing number of conflicts.

“I am extremely grateful for Canada’s generous contribution, which enables vital investments in rural development to address global hunger, poverty, and climate change. I urge other countries to follow suit. We know the solutions but we cannot implement them without more support like Canada’s,” said IFAD President, Alvaro Lario.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to Canada for its vital investment in millions of courageous rural women men and youth who tirelessly produce food and nourish their communities, often in the face of challenging conditions. These individuals deserve the opportunity to lift themselves out of abject poverty. I urge all IFAD Member States that have not yet pledged to join Canada to invest in rural people, as they are

invaluable assets for the future of our world,” said Sabrina Dhowre Elba, IFAD Goodwill Ambassador.

Canada’s contribution to IFAD core resources will support millions of rural women, men and youth, small-scale farmers and indigenous people in developing countries grow and diversify their food production, better adapt to climate change, earn a better income by accessing food value chains and markets, ultimately feeding a growing number of people, stimulating

rural economies and building better lives for themselves.

Vytelle Announces Expansion with its Twenty-First Global Bovine In Vitro Fertilization Laboratory

Vytelle has announced plans to open its twenty-first Vytelle ADVANCETM lab in Melbourne in the third quarter of 2024 marking Vytelle’s third lab in Australia

Vytelle, the fastest-growing in vitro fertilization (IVF) company, proudly announces its plans to open its third Australian-based laboratory and 21st globally, to be strategically located in the Melbourne region. This expansion further signifies Vytelle’s commitment to providing innovative reproductive solutions and unparalleled access to hormone-free IVF for beef and dairy farmers in Australia.

The state of the art facility, set to open later this year, will provide increased

market accessibility to Vytelle ADVANCE™, a breakthrough hormone free in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology, including proprietary media, delivering high qualityfrozen and fresh embryos to farmers to produce more valuable calves faster maximizing genetic progress.

“Our expansion plans are a clear sign of Vytelle’s dedication to support our existing and future customers delivering more access and options for fresh embryo programs In Victoria and Southern New South Wales,” said Lisa Rumsfeld, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Vytelle. “We have chosen to expand in the Melbourne area to serve the large number of

progressive beef and dairy farmers committed to optimizing their herds and sustainable agricultural practices.”

This announcement comes just ten months after the opening of Vytelle’s Brisbane lab which has been progressively scaling. Since opening the Brisbane lab in July

2023, Vytelle’s game changing direct transfer method for frozen embryos has set a new standard.

The Vytelle Australia team is serving farmers with frozen programs with ovum pickups from our Brisbane lab. Visit www.vytelle.com to stay Informed about our Melbourne lab opening details.

Outstanding SA raisin crop signals bounce back from tough times

South African raisin producers have bounced back in 2024, achieving a total crop size of 95,000 tonnes with outstanding quality, following several challenging years for the industry.

A combination of adverse weather conditions, global economic uncertainty and increased input costs has put pressure on suppliers, resulting in a reduced crop of 60,231 tonnes in 2023.

The crop this year has provided some of the best quality and widest variety of raisins yet seen after South Africa’s vineyards enjoyed optimal climate patterns in recent months, with welldistributed rainfall and ample sunlight providing ideal conditions for grape cultivation. A crop of 100,000 tonnes is set to become the norm for this quality orientated origin.

We firmly believe that the future prospects for the dried fruit (raisins) category holds significant growth opportunities, especially from a healthy snacking perspective. The wide application of raisins, being naturally preserved make them the ideal ingredient for healthy convenient product types.

Industry body Raisins SA is gearing up for a wide-ranging

PR campaign in the UK over the coming months. In 2023, the focus was on trade relations, including advertising in business publications such as Nutfruit, British Baker and The Grocer, as well as high-level meetings with retailers. This was backed by Facebook and Instagram messaging spotlighting South African raisins’ key selling points, and industry updates on LinkedIn.

For 2024, there will be an equal focus on both trade and consumer audiences. Activity will include a trip for key buyers and trade journalists to the Orange River region, a retailer roadshow in the UK, continued trade media placings in the UK and Germany, and further social media activity targeted at shoppers.

The goal of the activity will be to showcase the world-class agronomy of South African raisin production, with the hot and dry climate of the Orange River allowing the majority of product to be naturally sundried. With lower pest and disease pressure reducing the need for chemical control, buyers and consumers can be reassured that the raisins contain little to no residues.

NFU Scotland wants all diversities to become more involved in its work

By Caroline Millar, an experienced board member representing farming and tourism organisations

“NFU Scotland’s project, which I am delighted to lead, will be centred around a “Diversity Discussion,” involving a series of interviews, and an online survey and roadshow later this summer.

“Working with NFU Scotland’s Next Generation Policy Advisor Lucy McGillivray, we will undergo the roadshows together and present recommendations on how diversity and inclusion can be increased at NFU Scotland in the autumn.

“NFUS embraces diversity and inclusion, but it recognises that it could do more. That is why its Board of Directors have made diversity and inclusion a priority, to ensure NFUS is a welcoming place for all as it works to support our members. I am looking forward to supporting Caroline with the Diversity Discussion project.

“For the review to be successful, engagement from Union members, other organisations and the public is required. The first stage of the project is a survey open to all members of the public, regardless of their farming background. By mid-June, more than 120 responses had already been received.

“We will then undertake interviews with other agricultural and nonagricultural organisations about their representation on boards and committees and their progress in making their organisation inclusive.

Caroline Millar

“Following this, the public, members, farmers and crofters are invited to attend Diversity Discussions at either in-person meetings planned across all nine NFUS regions or online. Here, ideas or feedback on how the Union could adapt and become more accessible, can be shared directly with myself and Lucy.

NFU Scotland

“We will listen to the views about diversity from as many people as possible over the coming months. The views of NFU Scotland members will be a core element, but this project reaches wider than this. We are keen to speak to people who are not NFU Scotland members and people in the wider rural economy about this important topic.”

NFU Scotland’s Diversity Discussion survey is open to anyone and available at https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/2MRFXRV. For more information, please visit:https://www.nfus.org. uk/policy/nfu-scotlanddiversity-discussion.aspx

www.nfus.org.uk

o siwgr, a gwndwn rhygwellt lluosflwydd.

Sefydlwyd y gwndwn y llynedd ar dri chae sydd wedi cael eu rheoli’n debyg yn hanesyddol. Bydd toriad o silwair yn cael ei gwblhau yn ystod yr ychydig wythnosau nesaf a bydd y cnwd yn cael ei gofnodi. Bydd grwpiau o ŵyn wedi’u diddyfnu wedyn yn cael eu cyflwyno i’r adladd silwair

a bydd eu perfformiad yn cael ei fonitro a’i gofnodi gyda thechnoleg EID. Bydd data ar bwysau’r ŵyn, cyfrif wyau ysgarthol, cynnyrch silwair, a ffactorau eraill yn cael eu casglu a’u dadansoddi trwy gydol y prosiect.

“Dyma enghraifft wych o sut mae ffermwyr Cymru yn croesawu technoleg ac arferion cynaliadwy,” meddai Lisa

Roberts, Rheolwr Sector Cig Coch Cyswllt Ffermio. “Trwy ymchwilio i effaith gwahanol wndwn ar berfformiad ŵyn, mae David & Will nid yn unig yn anelu at wella effeithlonrwydd eu fferm eu hunain ond hefyd yn cyfrannu gwybodaeth werthfawr i’r gymuned amaethyddol ehangach.”

Bydd adroddiad terfynol ar y prosiect ar gael ar wefan Cyswllt

Ffermio yn ddiweddarach yn y flwyddyn gyda digwyddiad ar y fferm i arddangos y canlyniadau. Cadwch lygad ar ein gwefan am ragor o wybodaeth ac i ddarganfod mwy am brosiectau eraill y cyllid arbrofi –

https://businesswales.gov. wales/farmingconnect/ cy/busnes/cyllid-arbrofigwireddu-eich-syniad

Clod Llywodraeth Prydain i brosiect

gwrthfiotigau academydd

Mae prosiect academydd o Brifysgol Aberystwyth i fynd i’r afael ag ymwrthedd gwrthficrobaidd wedi’i amlygu fel enghraifft o’r arfer gorau gan Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol.

Mae Rhwydwaith Pencampwyr Rhagnodi Milfeddygol, sydd wedi’i arwain gan Dr Gwen Rees o Brifysgol Aberystwyth yn gweithio i helpu milfeddygon i ragnodi gwrthfiotigau’n gyfrifol a gwella eu heffeithiolrwydd

Mae’n rhan o’r prosiect Arwain DGC ehangach, sy’n cael ei arwain gan Fenter a Busnes gyda phartneriaid prosiect WLBP, Iechyd Da a Phrifysgol Bryste, sy’n helpu ffermwyr a pherchnogion ceffylau i fynd i’r afael â lledaeniad ymwrthedd gwrthficrobaidd mewn anifeiliaid a’r amgylchedd drwy leihau’r angen i ddefnyddio gwrthfiotigau.

Mae’r rhaglen, sy’n cael ei hariannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru, yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth â sefydliadau amaethyddol allweddol o Gymru, partneriaid cyflenwi milfeddygol, a sefydliadau academaidd i amlygu’r broblem.

Drwy hyfforddiant, rhoi technoleg newydd ar waith, casglu data, a gwella dealltwriaeth, mae’r rhaglen yn annog a dangos ffyrdd o leihau’r angen i ddefnyddio gwrthfiotigau a’r risg o ddatblygu ymwrthedd gwrthficrobaidd.

Ym mhapur polisi newydd Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol ar fynd i’r afael ar ymwrthedd gwrthficrobaidd, mae sôn am brosiect Dr Gwen Rees fel enghraifft o sut i hybu rheolaeth wrthficrobaidd fel ffordd o wneud y gorau o’u defnydd. Mae’r papur yn nodi:

“Mae Rhwydwaith Pencampwyr Rhagnodi Milfeddygol, Arwain, wedi dod â milfeddygon o 90% o filfeddygfeydd fferm neu gymysg yng Nghymru at ei gilydd ers 2020 i gymryd rhan mewn rhaglen hyfforddiant ar ddefnyddio meddyginiaeth filfeddygol gyfrifol ochr yn ochr â grwpiau trafod, dysgu gan gymheiriaid, gweithdai, gweminarau a digwyddiadau personol ac ar-lein eraill.

“Drwy gyfuno profiad ymarferol milfeddygon fferm clinigol ag adolygiadau llenyddiaeth a gynhaliwyd gan academyddion ym Mhrifysgol Aberystwyth, lansiwyd y canllawiau clinigol hyn yn 2023 ac maen nhw wedi’u nodi mewn amrywiaeth o adnoddau, gan gynnwys canllawiau cyfeirnod cyflym fel adnodd ymarferol ar y fferm i filfeddygon, mewn dogfennau ar-lein, sy’n cynnwys yr adolygiadau llenyddiaeth sylfaenol ac mewn cynllunwyr triniaeth, y gall ffermwyr a milfeddygon eu cwblhau gyda’i

gilydd i’w harddangos i holl staff y fferm.”

Dywedodd Dr Gwen Rees o Ysgol Gwyddor Filfeddygol Prifysgol Aberystwyth:

“Mae’n galonogol gweld ein prosiect yn derbyn cydnabyddiaeth o’i waith pwysig gan Lywodraeth Prydain. Mae nifer o ffrydiau gwaith y rhaglen eisoes wedi arwain at ddealltwriaeth well o ddatblygiad a lledaeniad ymwrthedd gwrthficrobaidd, ac mae’r Rhwydwaith Pencampwyr Rhagnodi Milfeddygol wedi datblygu cymuned arloesol o filfeddygon sydd wedi’u hyfforddi’n dda sy’n gallu

gwneud gwahaniaeth go iawn i sut mae gwrthbiotigau yn cael eu defnyddio yma yng Nghymru. “Rwy’ mor falch o fod wedi cael y cyfle i weithio gyda thîm gwych o gydweithwyr. Yn bennaf oll, rwy’n ddiolchgar am waith caled ac ymroddiad ein rhwydwaith o filfeddygon rhagorol am wneud y prosiect y fath lwyddiant.”

Y llynedd, enillodd Gwobrau Gwarcheidwaid Gwrthfiotig sy’n cael eu rhoi i sefydliadau ac unigolion sydd “wedi dangos llwyddiannau wrth fynd i’r afael ag ymwrthedd gwrthficrobaidd ar lefel leol, ranbarthol, neu genedlaethol”.

Ffermio Cymru

Dr. Gwen Rees

Focus on farm safety

With increasing awareness in the sector for the need to uphold farm safety and the mental health of those who work within it, ForFarmers recently offered training to colleagues in these areas at three workshops across the country, in conjunction with Yellow Wellies.

Only 1 per cent of the national work force works in agriculture yet the industry equates for 17 per cent of workplace fatalities, with significant risk presented by machinery, livestock, working at height and workplace transport. When looking at mental health, 92% of farmers under 40 say that mental health is one of the biggest hidden problems in the industry.

Dr Mark Cole, Managing Director at ForFarmers, said:

“Health and safety is extremely important to us at ForFarmers. We want to keep colleagues safe and well during their working day. We and our customers work in an industry full of risk. A lot of our customers work alone and can be very isolated so we also take mental health very seriously for both customers and employees.”

Each year 12,000 accidents are reported on-farm and many more go unreported alongside an estimated 11,000 associated health issues. Time pressures at certain times of the year, like calving, harvest and silaging, can mean farmers rush to complete tasks safely.

Conducted by Stephanie Berkeley of Farm Safety

Foundation, also known as Yellow Wellies, attendees at the training courses were armed with practical guidance on how to approach safety issues seen while calling on-farm. With half of the session dedicated to mental health, Stephanie explained how there is a clear link with the mental health of the farmer and the safety of their farm.

Richard Porter, UK Health and Safety Manager at ForFarmers said: “By undertaking the training, it is hoped account managers visiting customers and prospects are armed with the tools to pick up on any farm safety or mental health concerns. Much of the guidance given was also relevant to many of the staff who run their own

farming enterprises alongside their ForFarmers role. Later in the year, we plan to complete similar training with our drivers. This will be done using the film recorded at the events, making it more accessible and flexible to support our drivers.”

Stephanie said: “Farm safety is everyone’s responsibility. In some cases, the account manager or driver going down the farm drive may be the only person a farmer sees that day.

“It is also important to understand the signs of someone suffering with poor mental health and to then have the facts and confidence to have challenging conversations around farm safety and mental health, if staff see something on farm.”

ForFarmers staff undertook farm safety training

Trailers

A glance at five current models available on the market, plus new ‘air free’ trailer tyres to save downtime

Making every second count with Bailey Trailers

Bailey Trailers are very aware that every second counts for farmers, growers and contractors, their trailers have to work hard. Therefore, Bailey Bailey’s aim is straightforward, to supply robust and reliable trailers that keep on going whatever the load, to rain or conditions.

Available as an option across the range of Bale and Pallet trailers from Bailey Trailers, Hydraulic Bale Clamps provide the perfect solution for moving high volume round or square bales more easily, quickly and safely.

Bailey has designed each side to lower below the height of the trailer bed, which provides easy access for forklifts. Additionally, because both sides are powered independently you can select either nearside or offside loading to fit your needs. The simple press of a button raises the clamps and the load is totally secured in just a matter of seconds, then you’re ready for safe transit across field and road.

Double the difference

Need more height? Not a problem. Bailey’s Twin Hydraulic Bale Clamps provides the option to load bales at a height of three Hesston‘s. This innovation offers the ideal solution for

contractors and large-scale farm businesses looking to further reduce the number of loads and save valuable time, plus save on fuel costs.

From bales to boxes

The 850 mm Single Hydraulic Bale Clamps offer the perfect solution to farmers and contractors carting potato boxes, fertiliser bags or seed bags. All Bailey Bale and Pallet trailers

in the range are 2500 mm/8’2” overall and are fitted with a 4.5 mm checker plate floor with 60 x 40 RHS floor runners at 300 mm centres. Bale trailers feature heavy-duty 8 mm side rails and a 600 mm high headboard for safe and secure loading of pallets, bags and boxes.

Making the job even easier

A wide range of optional extras are available for Bale and Pallet

trailers including: a Hydraulic Working Platform to aid filling of potato boxes; a Box Pusher for safe transportation of loads and a Rollover Sheet for protection against adverse weather conditions.

For more information on Hydraulic Bale Clamps visit: baileytrailers.co.uk

Trailers from Harry West (Prees) Ltd

Harry West (Prees) Ltd are one of the UK’s premium trailer manufacturers producing along side their award winning muck spreader range.

The West flatbed/bale trailer as two models available, FB26 & the FB 32, these are the 26’ & 32’ long units both with a 14T capacity. The use of 250 x 150 box section in the construction and fitted with full commercial parabolic springs with ADR 10 stud hubs give the trailers a very strong and durable construction.

A similar construction is also used in the West C27 trailers which are made up of both 14T & 16T capacity grain trailers and silage trailers. These trailers are built to the same excellent quality expected in any West product. A short compact design these trailers give good manoeuvrability in and out of gateways and around tight lanes.

Both the FB & C27 ranges have numerous options with tyre choice, air brakes, ABS systems and our ESP information unit. The ESP unit is incorporated in the ABS control block and gives

the operator an accurate record of miles/km travelled, speeds travelled and weights carried. This can give contractors simple details when costing any work carried out.

At the other end of the spectrum we at West still give the

option of a “classic” built trailer in the 10T & 12T capacity grain/ utility & silage trailers. These units have been tried and tested over the years and run on the rocking beam design. These are both road friendly and come into their own when used on undulating fields,

heavily rutted lanes and gateways. These units are available with spring system axles and this give us a wide and varied line up. For further information please visit www.harrywest.co.uk or call our sales department on 01948 840465.

Hi-Spec Engineering, so simple yet incredibly safe

Simplicity, safety and cost efficiency are all key aspects of the new Hi-Spec PD20 Push-off Dump Trailer for Andrew Moore who, having been involved in its development, now runs four trailers as part of his nationwide plant hire business, Commercial & Leisure Land Services Ltd (Calls Ltd)

The only trailer of its type, the new Hi-Spec PD20 Push-off Dump Trailer is unique in that unlike conventional tipping dump trailers, the PD20 is offloaded using a hydraulically operated moving floor type headboard that cleanly and efficiently clears the load from the body of the trailer once the tailgate has been raised. The

PD20 has a heaped load volume of 14.5m3, giving it a carrying capacity of around 20 tonnes, depending on material, with a load height of just 2.39 metres.

This has the considerable benefit that the trailer can be safely used and offloaded on slopes or uneven ground where there would be a risk of a conventional trailer

tipping over. In addition, the PD20 can be used in situations where there are height restrictions, such as low buildings, or near power cables.

Operating throughout the UK, Calls Ltd offer tractor and equipment hire into the agricultural, construction and civil engineering sectors, and

within their hire fleet they have 30 Hi-Spec vacuum tankers, mainly used for dust suppression. It was on a visit to Hi-Spec Engineering’s factory in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow in Ireland that Andrew was first shown the PD20 and asked for his opinion.

“There is nothing else like the PD20 on the market. The biggest aspect of the PD20 is that it is so simple and incredibly safe,” says Andrew. “The benefits are considerable. Most importantly it avoids the risk of the trailer tipping over, and so on site avoids the requirement to have an exclusion zone you would normally need to have in place around a trailer when raised. Secondly, because the driver does not have to wait for the trailer to lower before moving off, turn-around time is reduced, making it more cost efficient. And thirdly when offloading the trailer, if necessary it is very easy to spread the load out gradually,

making it far easier and quicker to subsequently level or, for instance when back filling around pipes, to just metre out what you need, so saving time.

“It was really by accident that I got involved and was really impressed with the concept and design of the prototype trailer that they showed me. I was more

than happy to help and provide suggestions to the Hi-Spec development team to make the trailer even better suited to the kind of work it would be doing.”

Features that Andrew suggested and that have been included in the final design include having sloping edges on the top of the trailer body, so material falls off easily and does not collect to subsequently fall off later when moving. Other suggestions included having flexible mounts for the running lights to avoid them being damaged and having bolt-on

mudguards so these can be easily changed if damaged. He also provided advise on the reflective chevron markings required on the rear of the trailer to ensure that the PD20 meets Chapter 8 regulations for highway use.

“The key aspect for me of the PD20 is its efficiency. Yes, it’s more expensive than a conventional dump trailer, but that is more than justified

by the safety aspects, quicker turnaround time and greater productivity, especially on longer hauls, the fact you don’t need to set-up an exclusion zone around it, again saving time, plus its versatility and ability to work in confined or restricted zones. It is just so simple and yet so incredibly safe.”

The Hi-Spec PD20 PushOff Dump Trailer is unloaded

using a unique moving floor type headboard. This avoids any risk of the trailer tipping over, resulting in a faster turnaround between loads and also enables loads to be spread out gradually. Load height for the PD20 is just 2.39m, making it easy to see into and over the body from the tractor seat. The nominal heaped load capacity is about 20 tonnes, depending on mate

Logic Trailers and the introduction of the Michelin ‘Tweel’

Logic ATV & UTV Trailers were the first products to become the ‘Trademark’ of the company. The design continues to stand the test of time using innovative manufacturing techniques which embody a unique balance of strength with minimum unladen weight.

Trailers, especially our ATV trailers, are highly useful for a variety of tasks. Whether for agricultural, equestrian, forestry, or groundcare purposes, trailers from Logic Manufacturing offer robust and versatile solutions. These trailers are designed with features such as allwelded monocoque construction, galvanisation for long-term protection, and swivel hitches for safety compliance. The range of Logic ATV & UTV Trailers

includes off-road, road-legal, tipping, and drop-side trailers, catering to different needs.

Our long-standing experience (since 1970) and British-built, high-quality products make Logic trailers a reliable choice for various applications.

Logic have just showcased an industry first at this year’s Royal Highland Show with the Michelin ‘Tweel’, an interesting concept of a polymer spoked assembly and a bonded tyre that has no requirement for air… No air, No punctures and No downtime.

Visit our website for more details www.logictoday.co.uk

Nugent – A trailer for every application

Nugent is the largest trailer manufacturer, up to 3,500kg gross weight in Ireland. Starting from humble beginnings in 1985, Nugent design and manufacture all trailers in County Tyrone.

Best known for trailers, Nugent’s extensive range includes Livestock, Commercial, Small Domestic and recently launched Box trailers. Nugent’s

patented Dual Drive™ suspension is standard across the trailer range, enhancing the towing experience by reducing vibrations and minimising stress on the chassis and towing vehicle, bringing trailer suspension to new levels.

Nugent Livestock trailers are built to last and manufactured to a high specification, recently

relaunched with numerous new features as standard. Features include additional folded sides for extra strength, surrounded LED rear lights and modernised front markers to enhance visibility and safety. The new model comes standard with a fully open inspection door for ease of use and accessibility. The revamp is finished with an updated slam shut multipositioned dividing gate with multiple hold locations. The Livestock range is available in 8 – 14ft, both cattle and sheep trailers options.

Nugent’s extensive Commercial trailer range has been engineered to meet the demands of professional use. The comprehensive range of trailers can be used in a variety of industries where flexibility and reliability are key.

Small in size, big in capacity – Nugent have a range of small domestic trailers including the Nugent General Purpose, General Flatbed, Utility and Quad. These trailers are easily towed, manoeuvred and adaptable for multi-purpose use.

The new Nugent Box trailer is designed using 25mm anodised aluminium planking sides and a bespoke aerodynamic GRP nose and roof, offering lightweight strength and style for your business. With an 11˚ loading angle, it’s also ideal for equipment with low ground clearance. The Box trailer range is available in 8 – 12ft, single and twin axle models.

Nugent also manufacture a range of cattle handling and agricultural machinery.

For further information visit www.nugentengineering.com or email info@nugentengineering. com.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

Next issue out September 2024

Subscription page 95

environment ‘Without pollinators we cannot survive’

Finnish City Gives Out 10 000 Seed Packets to Encourage Citizens to Grow Meadow Plants

Pollinators are vital to our ecosystem, but their numbers have decreased dramatically in recent decades in Europe. The Finnish city of Lahti wants to be an example by launching a campaign to make the city a better place for pollinators. Lahti starts the campaign by giving out 10 000 seed packets to citizens.

Pollinators are an important part of our ecosystem and we need them for food production and overall plant reproduction. The amount of pollinators has decreased dramatically in recent decades in Europe*. The Finnish city of Lahti has taken up the challenge of revitalizing pollinators with a campaign titled ‘Without Pollinators We Cannot Survive’.

By giving out seed packets, Lahti wants to encourage citizens to grow meadow plants in their yards, which would act as an important habitat and source of nutrition for pollinators. The give-aways started on World Environment Day, June 5th, at the Lahti market square.

“The packets include the seeds of Finnish meadow flowers, like white clover, yarrow and cornflower. The flowers were in part chosen because they are in bloom at different times, providing pollinators a steady source of nutrition throughout the summer months”, says Hanna Mattila, project manager of the

city of Lahti’s ‘Nature-positive Life’ project.

“With 10 000 seed packets, we could get up to 50 000 square meters, or seven full soccer fields, of meadow. This amount would provide a tremendous boost to pollinators”, Mattila estimates.

Couple Grows Oasis for Pollinators

The yard of Siiri Fagerlund in Lahti’s Kilpiäinen area is buzzing with pollinators. Fagerlund and her partner wanted to make their yard not only better for themselves, but also pollinators.

“We have always dreamed about a lush, idyllic yard straight from children’s books. When you have nature in your own backyard, it becomes a kind of oasis”, Fagerlund explains.

Fagerlund started landscaping by planting chives in planter boxes. The chives were enjoyed by both the human occupants as well as bumble-bees. Now she estimates that they have around 50 different plants in their yard.

Good experiences have nurtured her passion for gardening, which is why Fagerlund likes Lahti’s initiative to give out seed packets.

“This kind of meadow flower seed packet is a really good starting point. Nature is all of our shared responsibility and it’s worth it to give it a little help”, she says.

Lahti encourages pollinator reporting

The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) is organizing a nation-wide pollinator weekend in Finland from June 15 to 16. During this time, Finns can report pollinator findings either on Syke’s website or the iNaturalist application.

Lahti is also encouraging its citizens and employees to report their findings to Syke during this time. Citizen reports are necessary to get an accurate picture of the city’s pollinator situation.

More Pollinator Actions During Summer

Lahti’s pollinator-friendly year will have other actions as well. The city will for example build design apartments for pollinators, install pollinator-friendly outdoor lighting and organize a ‘Night of the Pollinators’ to encourage citizens to turn off their unnecessary outdoor lighting.

“We want to show how many different things cities can do to help pollinators”, Mattila says, and hopes that Lahti can act as an inspiration for other cities.

“The Scottish Butcher” completes major sustainability project with Scottish Enterprise funding support

Simon Howie Butchers Ltd has completed a £2m sustainability project at its factory with £500,000 of grant support from Scottish Enterprise

The project will see the supplier of meat and vegetarian products to the UK’s largest supermarkets make 900 tonnes of CO2e savings over the next three years.

A new fully integrated energy system with a 2.1MW Solar Array will produce up to 40% of the site’s daytime energy requirements and 150% of electricity demand in the summer months. The company also has plans to install a wind turbine to complement the solar energy system throughout winter months.

Two 450KWh lithium batteries and two 12,000 litre water storage tanks have also

been installed and integrated using intelligent control systems to ensure every drop of energy produced from the solar panels can be used by the site. The new system means that even the most energy intensive factory lines can run on solar power.

The project was borne out of a strong desire to protect the planet, but also from a fundamental need to ensure the long-term viability of the business in the face of soaring energy costs, peaking at a ten-fold year-on-year increase.

The company is already seeing the benefits of investing in equipment that puts sustainability at the heart of the business. Since investing in this infrastructure, the business has had the confidence to employ a further 11 staff, growing the company to 122 employees in rural Perthshire.

While a huge investment for the business, Simon Howie explained why it was such an important thing for them to do, saying: “The climate emergency is real and businesses taking on the responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint is, understandably, becoming more and more important to the consumer. Couple this with the spiralling and uncontrollable energy price increases we all experienced and investing in sustainable green energy become a ‘must-do’ as far as we were concerned. We want our customers to know we are doing all that we can to insulate them from cost-of-living increases and to make the right changes for the benefit of the planet.”

Scottish Enterprise chief executive Adrian Gillespie, who visited the completed project,

said: “Congratulations to Simon Howie on the launch of their low carbon energy production at Dunning, supported with £500,000 contribution from Scottish Enterprise.

“This innovative project will result in 300 tonnes of CO2e savings annually and puts the business on a strong footing for the future.

“Scottish Enterprise looks forward to continuing to work with the company to realise the impact of this investment, both for their business and the environment.”

Scottish Enterprise has supported Simon Howie Butchers through several phases of growth, from the early days of advice and support from SE specialists to grant support over the past eight years.

(Left) Simon Howie with Scottish Enterprise chief executive Adrian Gillespie

energy

Scottish Renewables calls for solar funding to be reinstated

Scotland’s solar sector and the Scottish Government’s net-zero targets are at serious risk if solar is not reinstated to the Home Energy Scotland (HES) grant and loan scheme, says trade body Scottish Renewables.

The Energy Saving Trust recently announced that solar PV and energy storage systems will no longer be included in the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland (HES) grant and loan scheme, undermining Scotland’s solar sector and removing any incentive for householders to invest in solar PV.

The Scottish Government has an ambition to increase solar deployment from 0.5GW of

capacity to between 4GW-6GW by 2030. To help achieve these targets, Scottish Renewables, the trade body for the renewable energy industry in Scotland, has urged the Scottish Government to:

• Increase funding available in the HES grant and loan scheme by £20 million - reinstating solar PV and energy storage systems.

• Continue to expand the size and scale of interest free loan and grant programmes for energy efficiency measures, including solar energy, and heat pump installations, particularly for smaller properties, rural and island fuel-poor households.

Helen Melone, Head of Heat and Solar at Scottish Renewables, said:

“The Scottish Government’s decision to remove domestic rooftop solar from the HES grant and loan scheme strikes a blow to the future of Scotland’s solar sector.

“The HES grant and loan scheme has been popular with Scotland’s solar supply chain helping to deliver the extensive pipeline of projects it is currently working through.

“Domestic solar is hugely popular in Scotland and there is a long waiting list for installations. However, with no incentive for domestic rooftop solar, this work will inevitably dry up and leave these companies with uncertain futures.

“More than 60,000 households already have solar panels and we need more installed across the country on homes, businesses and public buildings to protect consumers from the high electricity prices the UK currently faces and to tackle climate change.

“It is therefore essential that limited public spending is invested where it can make the biggest impact on cutting carbon emissions.

“We urge the Scottish Government to reconsider its decision to remove domestic solar from its grant and loan scheme and instead increase investment to ensure all types of energy efficiency, clean heat, solar and energy storage systems are available to all households.”

ABP signs MOU with Marine Power Systems

Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest and leading ports operator has announced a new collaboration with Marine Power Services (MPS), a Wales based floating wind technology developer to accelerate the advancement of floating offshore wind technology in the Celtic Sea.

The Memorandum of understanding (MOU) will involve working with MPS’ to develop solutions that support the deployment of their advanced floating platform technology, PelaFlex, in the Celtic Sea from ABP’s Port of Port Talbot. The platform is designed to

support the rapid deployment of industrial scale floating offshore wind whilst maximising local benefits and reducing both risk and overall project costs.

Andy Reay, ABP Head of Offshore Wind, said: “We are very excited to be working with MPS to assess this emerging technology and hope that it will help accelerate progress in developing the UK’s floating offshore wind sector. We are particularly pleased to develop this relationship with a Walesbased company as we look to realise the potential of FLOW for jobs and investment in local communities.”

science & technology

Aston University scientist to help make crop monitoring easier and cheaper

Photonics expert Dr Sergey Sergeyev to help make crop monitoring easier and cheaper with remote sensing

An Aston University photonics expert has received a Royal Society Industry Fellowship grant to help make crop monitoring easier and cheaper with remote sensing technology.

Dr Sergey Sergeyev of Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT) has received £174,000 to improve polarimetric LIDAR, a technology that uses light to remotely observe plants.

LiDAR, an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging, involves light sent from a transmitter which is reflected from objects. Devices with this technology can be placed on drones and flown over crop fields to provide real-time information about crop health to help farmers forecast the success of their crops.

Polarimetric synthetic-aperture radars (SARs) and polarimetric LiDARs are the most advanced, cost-effective sensors for crop

monitoring. They are often used onboard aircraft and satellites and have been in use for three decades. However, current polarimetric LIDAR systems have low spatial resolution, a slow measurement speed and use expensive components that limit their cost effectiveness.

Dr Sergeyev will be working in collaboration with Salford-based digital and AI farming company Fotenix to meet farmers’ need for a cost-effective solution to check if their plants are adequately watered and disease-free.

The team will aim to advance recently patented AIPT technology of the polarimetric LIDAR, making it affordable for farmers in the UK and worldwide.

Dr Sergeyev said: “Aston University’s patented technique will be modified by using a laser emitting four time-delayed pulse trains with different states of

polarisation. By comparing the input states of polarisation and states of polarisation of light reflected from plants, it will reveal information about the distance to plants and plants’ leaf texture, such as water stress and pathogen infection. Unlike state-of-the-art solutions we suggest an all-fibre

design with a minimum number of bulk components that reduces the footprint, cost and weight.

Dr Sergeyev added: “My project’s motivation is driven by the global and UK agenda on increased food production, requiring novel remote sensing approaches towards ICT farming.

Team Sprayers manufacture its 20,000th Sprayer!

Team Sprayers is delighted to announce the manufacture and sale of its 20,000th sprayer. The Club 800 sprayer, a tractor mounted ground care sprayer, destined for Tractor Services CL Ltd in Jersey, made its way out of their Ely based factory on 10th May 2024, 43 years after the company was established.

Team Sprayers was established in 1981 by Robert

(Bob) Hubbard following the closure of Dorman Sprayers. Seven of Dorman’s employees transferred across to Team bringing a combination of skills and knowledge, which were an essential starting block for the newly founded company. Leveraging their skills and knowledge, Team has worked hard to become a respected

market leader in the production and manufacturing of its range of sprayers and applicators.

In 2024 Team Sprayers’ range includes more than 30 models which span the golf course & sports pitch, agriculture and deicing markets. Each and every one of Team’s sprayers is made to order and is built to a high specification using the highest

quality parts and components. Their focus is on accuracy, boom stability and strength. As each sprayer is built to order Team has the ability to build bespoke sprayers, exactly to their customers’ needs. Every sprayer comes with a range of advanced functions as standard with the choice of either manual or electric folding boom, a dual covered

Teams 20,000th Sprayer Club 800

boom system or computerised auto spray rate controller, and GPS mapping.

Not only do Team build accurate sprayers that are made to last, being a family owned business, employing 24 members of staff allows Team to deliver a quality, friendly and dependable service to its customers. In 2024 Team is led by brothers Phil and Danny Hubbard, the sons of Bob who have worked for the business since 1995 and 1998 respectively.

On the sale of the 20,000th sprayer Danny Hubbard, Managing Director of Team Sprayers said, “We are incredibly proud to have manufactured and delivered our 20,000th sprayer. It is testament to both our sprayers’ build and our service quality that we have secured enough orders in the last 43 years to have reached such a great number and we would like to thank each and every customer for supporting us. We look forward to producing the next

Team Club sprayer in action

In at the deep end:

Farmer’s wife takes the plunge in support of Farmstrong Scotland by sharing her journey to a new sense of wellbeing

Farmer’s wife and grandmother Hazel Moss describes herself as “a private person” but she is stepping out of the shadows to support Farmstrong Scotland.

Like most people farming or crofting Hazel has found herself juggling many plates over the years. To help bring some extra money into the family’s farm on Orkney, Hazel has held down a job away from the 700-acre holding, working for the National Health Service on the governance side.

Hazel’s husband Brian and their son Peter run the farm, which has been in the family for more than two centuries. It’s all hands to the pumps though, with Hazel helping with the 175 head of suckler cattle that are to calve each year.

Then, although an absolute delight to her, the arrival of grandchildren has been another pull on her time. Interestingly though, it was watching her grandchildren Leo and Xanthe having a swim at the beach that proved to be the key to unlocking a new sense of wellbeing - both mental and physical - for Hazel.

“I was watching them in the sea one day and they were so happy and carefree it reminded me of being a young girl myself and enjoying a swim,” she recalls.

“I set off for home and found a swimming costume and I’ve never looked back. It was a time when we had a lot of things going on at the farm and with the Covid lockdowns the whole world seemed a very stressful place.

“The feeling of peace that came over me the second I got into the sea was an instant thing. Straight away I was hooked.”

The irony of so many farming folk living among breathtaking scenery - that others so often visit

in order to relax - is not lost on Hazel.

“A lot of us farmers live in beautiful countryside, but we never take a moment to stop and appreciate it,” she says. “Swimming in the clear water and doing something just for me - not for the farm or for anybody elsemakes me feel a stronger person. I’ve learnt not to feel guilty about taking time to do something that makes me feel good. It gives me a bit of time and breathing space to take stock and appreciate life.”

Although getting into the sea can be a challenge in itself when the temperature drops, Hazel hasn’t swapped her trusty costume for a wetsuit.

“There is a feeling of strength and achievement that comes from getting into the water when it’s cold,” says Hazel, who laughs that husband Brian will often jokingly point out she needs to get for a swim if she has missed a few days.

“I try and swim five days a week, the family can tell if I have missed a few days,” says Hazel.

“Orkney’s a small island but I’ve met new people and discovered caves and other places I never knew existed.”

When Gerard Vaughan and Marc Gascoigne, New Zealanders from the Farmstrong movement, came over to spread the word about the programme they both stayed on the Moss family farm on Orkney and joined Hazel for one of her swims.

“I took them to one of my favourite spots at the Churchill Barriers, which link Orkney with the two smaller islands of Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm,” recalls Hazel.

“Farmers are the world’s worst people for finding more jobs to do and not looking after themselves. “I

am a private person, not special or a big achiever. Just a quiet farmer’s wife, but the sense of wellbeing swimming gives me makes me confident enough to urge others to find their special thing - something just for them that makes them feel good.”

Hazel encourages any readers inspired by her story, to do some research first on safe places to swim before taking the plunge.

“I encourage folk to reach out and make contact with wild swimming sites to get help and encouragement on safe places to swim,” says Hazel, who has joined other wild swimmers through a group called Orkney Polar Bears. Interestingly, this outdoor swimming club has been on the go for years, many of its members staying on after their swim to enjoy flasks of hot drinks and a chat.

“Orkney Polar Bears have been my saviour and through

them I have had the help and encouragement to keep safe, find new places to swim and have great company to swim with.

“I wish Farmstrong all the very best and if a grandmother in her swimming costume helps encourage just one person to take some time for themselves then it will have been worth it.”

Trio &Tested: Three simple steps that helped set Hazel Moss on the path to better wellbeing:

1. Take inspiration from others. It was watching her grandchildren swimming in the sea, so happy and carefree, that inspired Hazel to take the plunge

2. Be aware of the irony of so many farming folk living among breathtaking scenery but never taking a moment to notice it

3. Learn not to feel guilty about taking time to do something that makes you feel good

Hazel Moss

Workhorses with a long reach

A look at some of the latest telehandlers and accessories available today

New Bobcat S630 and S650 SkidSteer Loaders for Europe

Bobcat has launched new Stage V versions of the company’s M-Series S630 and S650 Skid-Steer Loaders, designed for use in higher regulated markets in Europe. Customers now have a wider selection in this size of machine, with a choice between the new M-Series S630/S650 models and the more advanced R-Series S66/S76 machines. This will further strengthen Bobcat’s leadership position in this size category in the European market.

The new S630 radius lift path loader combines excellent manoeuvrability in tight areas with the reach and visibility needed for applications such as dumping materials over walls, backfilling or loading flatbed trucks. The S630 has a rated operating capacity of 1012 kg and a tipping load of 2023 kg. The S650 model features vertical lift path boom arms particularly suited to lift and carry as well as material-handling applications. The S650 has a rated operating capacity of 1227 kg and a tipping load of 2455 kg. Both models continue to offer excellent versatility through

compatibility with a very wide range of Bobcat attachments. Delivering superior performance while adhering to strict Stage V emission regulations, both

the S630 and S650 are powered by the well proven Bobcat D24 engine, featuring a Bosch Fuel Injection System. With the engine situated transversally in

the S630/S650, these models have maintained their compact size, allowing the machines to operate and turn in the same small tight spaces.

Claas Scorpion performance update

Latest updates on the Scorpion telehandler range include a facelift to further improve operator comfort, while smaller models also have new engines with more engine power.

The six-model Scorpion range offers lift capacities from 3.2t up to 6.0t, stacking heights from 7.0m to nearly 9.0t and power outputs of 143 and 156 hp. While all are powered by

efficient, powerful four-cylinder Deutz engines, the 3.6 l Stage V engine in the SCORPION 732, 736, 741 and 746 models have been optimised for greater efficiency and performance in

cooperation with Liebherr. As a result, the Scorpion 732, 736, 741 and 746 models each have 50 Nm more torque and an increase in power output of 6 hp. On the Scorpion 741, 736 and 732 drive

is through a hydrostatic twin motor Varipower 2 transmission. The braking behavior of all Scorpion has also been further optimized by new components such as the brake valve and brake pedal along with new software tuning. An automatic parking brake is standard as is a braking assistant for uphill and downhill gradients, which prevents the machine from rolling away.

Changes in the cab see the addition of a new air conditioning system with increased air volume. There is also a new, angle- and heightadjustable steering column with automatic indicator reset, plus the steering mode switchover has been optimized so that the four steering modes can be set even more reliably and precisely. All Scorpion telescopic handlers feature a sensitive working hydraulic system on the telescopic arm and attachment with end position damping standard. Larger Scorpion 960 to

746 models also have automatic telescopic boom arm retraction when lowering. Together with the optional automatic bucket return, loading cycles are child’s play for the driver. From now on, all Scorpion models will also have regenerative working hydraulics. The load-free lowering is decoupled from the engine speed and the speed adjustment dependent on the joystick deflection, which also reduces the noise level and fuel consumption.

The Dieci Mini Ag

Sam Bailey, a dedicated dairy farmer, proudly talks about his second Dieci Mini Ag, which has quickly become the central machine on his farm.

The Dieci Mini Ag 26.6 has proven to be an invaluable asset across all his sites, acting as his right-hand machine. “Its

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AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD.

Main

Dealers for Kramer Telehandlers

compact size and agility allow me to navigate around the yard easily and safely,” Sam explains. “It’s brilliant for all the sites, each of which has tight spaces, and the Dieci handles everything we need.” The Agri Mini’s exceptional manoeuvrability in confined areas, combined with its powerful control, excellent handling, and precision in movement across its three steering modes - front, concentric, and transverse - ensures smooth operation even with heavy loads.

Boasting a lift capacity of 2600kg, a lifting height of 5.73 meters, and a horizontal extension of 3.2 meters, the Mini Ag is a powerhouse. “I believe it can handle even more,” Sam adds. “With its hydrostatic transmission, it operates effortlessly and remains surprisingly stable, even at full reach.” This high-performing transmission ensures the optimal speed-to-power ratio for any condition. The combination

of the electronic throttle and inching pedal allows for slow and controlled driving while maintaining maximum boom speed. Additionally, each Mini Ag is equipped with a stability control device that continuously monitors the vehicle’s stability in real time, preventing any unsafe movements when safety limits are approached.

The Dieci Mini Ag 26.6 is designed to meet the demanding needs of modern agriculture. Its compact dimensions allow it to access tight spaces and navigate easily around obstacles, making it ideal for farms with restricted access areas. The machine’s robust construction ensures durability and longevity, capable of withstanding the rigorous daily tasks on the farm. The cab is designed for operator comfort, with an ergonomic layout that reduces fatigue and increases productivity. The all-in-one joystick provides intuitive control, allowing operators to perform multiple functions seamlessly.

Kramer KT276 telehandler - facelift for the bestseller

The height and width of the KT276 is below the two-metre limitmaking it the ideal machine for confined spaces and low clearance heights. You also have the choice of cab height: just under 2 metres for maximum compactness of the vehicle or 2.10 metres for even better all-round visibility. The machine is also characterised by a payload of 2.7 tonnes and a 75 hp Kohler engine. A new feature is the optional travelling speed of 40 km/h, which allows increased productivity to be achieved when working over longer distances. An EC tractor licence is also available for the machine, which allows it to be used as a tractor on public roads.

A significant innovation is the cab design, which ensures increased operating comfort. An optional 7-inch colour display with jog dial is now available for the KT276. In addition to the increased information content, the display offers further optional functions. For example, the operator can adjust the joystick sensitivity and set and save the angle display for two attachments. This allows the operator to customise the machine to the requirements of the respective application, thereby increasing productivity. The fully hydraulic Smart Attach quick-change system, which is now also available as an option

for the KT276, also scores highly here. With Smart Attach, attachments with an additional hydraulic function, such as a sweeper or silage bucket, can be coupled and uncoupled in seconds without having to leave the cab.

mind, these telehandlers blend innovative technology with robust engineering to tackle the diverse challenges of agriculture.

Efficiency and Performance

At the heart of the NewAg range is a commitment to optimising

performance and reducing operational downtime. Featuring powerful engines and advanced hydraulic systems, these telehandlers offer impressive lifting capacities and reach capabilities. Models like the Manitou MLT 737 can handle

substantial loads with ease, making tasks such as loading, lifting, and transporting materials more efficient than ever.

Manitou has integrated cutting-edge technology into the NewAg series to enhance productivity and safety. The JSM

(Joystick Switch & Move) control system, for instance, allows for precise and intuitive operation, giving users complete command over all movements. Additionally, the telehandlers are equipped with advanced telematics through the Manitou Easy Manager system, enabling real-time monitoring and diagnostics. This not only helps in maintaining optimal performance but also extends the machine’s lifespan by ensuring timely maintenance and service.

The Merlo Agricultural Range

Designed to meet the diverse needs of modern farming, Merlo telehandlers offer advanced technology, robust construction, and unparalleled versatility. Indispensable on any farm, Merlo’s Turbofarmer range of compact, medium, and highcapacity telehandlers means there is a model suitable for every job. Merlo machines offer unrivaled operator comfort and visibility.

Our compact range, (4 models) has been developed to improve productivity in confined spaces with maximum manoeuverability. The recently launched TF 30.7 can operate in tight spaces and measures 2m in both width and height, for low roof and doors (30.7L). Powered by a Stage V, 100hp Deutz engine, it has a lifting capacity of 3 tonnes and a lift height of up to 7m. Despite their compact dimensions, all compact models have a full-sized cab and superb visibility as found across the entire Merlo range.

Sitting at the heart of the agricultural range is Merlo’s medium capacity all-rounder (4 models) with lifting capacities between 3.3 and 4.2 tonnes and lift heights between 7 and 9 meters . For example, the TF42.7 (4.2 tonnes, 7m) features a Stage V 136hp engine with a

responsive load-sensing 139 l/ min hydraulic pump, makes it the ideal telehandler for more demanding lifting tasks such as loading grain. For those looking to reach higher when stacking bales, the 10-meter TF 38.10 TT-CS with its three-stage boom also offers boom side-shift and frame leveling, ideal for stacking bales or bags of fertilizer.

For those seeking a highercapacity telehandler for the most demanding applications and

heaviest lifts, Merlo offers a choice of three Turbofarmer models with lifting capacities between 4.5 and 6.5 tonnes, with a maximum height of up to 11 meters. These agricultural range-topping models bring high-capacity material handling to a new level. Thanks to the onboard Merlo ASCS System, performance and safety are ensured with features like a live digital load chart, attachment recognition, and a large in-cab LCD display screen.

Telehandler implements from Quicke

Quicke, a renowned agricultural machinery manufacturer of tractor loaders and implements, also offers a comprehensive range of telehandler implements

that cater to the diverse needs of farmers and contractors. With their commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability, Quicke has gained a reputation for delivering

exceptional performance in the field. The Quicke telehandler implements range comprises a variety of attachments designed to enhance the functionality and

versatility of telehandlers, enabling users to accomplish a wide range of tasks efficiently.

The bucket attachment is one of the most popular implements

TELEHANDLERS

in the Quicke range. Available in different sizes and configurations, these buckets are designed explicitly for telehandlers, allowing for efficient loading, handling, and transportation of various materials such as soil, gravel, sand, and agricultural produce. The high-strength steel construction ensures durability and longevity, even in demanding working conditions.

For those engaged in livestock farming, the Quicke telehandler implements range offers specialised attachments such as the bale spike and bale grab. These attachments enable farmers to handle efficiently and transport hay, straw, and silage bales. The bale spike features sturdy tines that penetrate the bale securely, while the bale grab utilises hydraulic arms to provide a firm grip on the bale, ensuring safe and efficient handling.

Quicke also provides a range of lifting and handling implements, including pallet

and manure forks. The pallet forks are ideal for loading and unloading pallets of various sizes, making them indispensable

in warehouses and agricultural settings. On the other hand, the manure forks are specifically designed for handling animal

waste and other organic materials, allowing for efficient cleaning of livestock areas and composting operations.

The Schaffer range of handlers

Schäffer is a leading manufacturer of compact wheeled and telescopic wheeled loaders for agricultural, landscaping, construction and industrial applications. Offering a large portfolio of machines that range from compact and ultra low-profile yard loaders to articsteer telescopic wheeled loaders with operating weights of up to 12 tonnes, Schäffer is a leading manufacturer of pivot-steer loaders in Europe.

Award-Winning Excellence

We are proud to announce that Schäffer handlers have recently been recognized as the world market leader for articulated loaders by the local Chambers of Industry and Commerce. This esteemed award highlights their unwavering dedication to quality, innovation,

and customer satisfaction, emphasizing our commitment to delivering outstanding solutions that consistently exceed industry standards.

Schäffer 9640T, a powerhouse telescopic wheel loader designed to handle the toughest jobs with ease. With an operating weight of up to 9,700 kg and a lifting height of 5.40 meters, this machine boasts a payload capacity of 4,160 kg. Powered by a 143 HP Deutz engine and equipped with advanced load-sensing hydraulics, the 9640 T-2 ensures maximum efficiency and power.

Schäffer 8620T: With a lifting capacity of 4,200 kg and lift height of 5.20 meters, the Schäffer 8620T excels in challenging environments. It offers speeds up to 40 km/h, advanced drive

technologies, and standard ECO mode for efficient operation. Ideal for diverse applications, from construction sites to agricultural operations, the 8620T combines robust performance with reliability, ensuring unmatched productivity and versatility.

Schäffer 6680T: Featuring a robust design and advanced

hydraulic capabilities, the Schäffer 6680T offers speeds up to 40 km/h, along with a lifting capacity of 3,100 kg and a lifting height of 4,700 mm. Equipped with a SCV-Plus Cabin for exceptional comfort and visibility, these loaders are engineered to excel in a variety of tasks.

Perth Show 2024

Perth city centre rolls out the green carpet for farmers’ showcase event

For two days every year, the centre of Perth resounds to the lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, the braying of donkeys and the clatter of horses’ hooves as the annual Perth Show brings the farming community right into the heart of the city.

For 162 years, Perth has enjoyed the unique distinction of hosting Scotland’s only agricultural show to be held in a city centre.

During that time, the popular event has evolved to become one of Scotland’s leading agricultural showcases with a packed two-day programme of agriculture, equestrian, food and fun events guaranteed to appeal to everyone.

This year Perth Show will be held on the city’s South Inch on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August.

And organisers are promising that the 162nd annual spectacular will be another crowd pleaser in a show that competes with the best in Scotland, thanks to the support of a wealth of volunteers and backers including main sponsors Binn Group and key supporters Netherton Equestrian, Morris Leslie Group, EQ Chartered Accountants, RD Morgan and Studio East.

Attractions include one of the finest line-ups of potential champion horses, donkeys, goats, cattle and sheep. Over 1,000 head of livestock will compete in around 360 classes while other competitors vie for prizes in cooking and handcraft.

And throughout the two days, trade stands, sideshows, entertainment, activities, shopping, music and parades all add to the vibrancy of this annual

“must see” on the Perthshire events calendar.

Show secretary Jen Leslie said this year’s event will again not only appeal to the agricultural community but also the general public and city residents.

“Perth Show has evolved to offer a vast range of entertainments and attractions and 2024 will build on the successes of the most popular elements from recent years as well as introducing new activities to appeal to young and old alike.”

A record showing of sheep 2024 has been designated the “Year of Sheep and Wool” by the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) and Perth Show has lined up one of their largest gatherings of sheep ever seen on the South Inch.

“We have introduced an additional 18 classes within our sheep section alone,” explained Jen. “This reflects the growing popularity of niche breeds and we’re delighted to be able to showcase over 15 different breeds at Perth this year – some for the first time ever.”

Vying for rosettes will be Border Leicester, Suffolk, Black Face, Cheviot, Blue Faced Leicester, Texel, Llyn, Beltex, Dutch Spotted, Valais Blacknose, Blue Texel, Jacob and cross.

“It’s quite a line-up,” said Jen, “and will pit some of the best rare breed breeders in the country against one another.”

Perth Show is known for its impressive show of some of the country’s finest livestock and joining around 400 sheep will be 500 horses, 100 cattle, 30 goats and 20 donkeys.

Wonderful horns

Showing of sheep

Outwith the stock pens, man’s best friend gets his own “show within a show” as the popular Dog Show returns for its fourth year with lots of classes, entertainments and dedicated merchandise stalls.

Awe-inspiring horse displays

The hugely charismatic and awe-inspiring heavy horses take centre stage again with both driven and ridden classes to show them at their best. The thundering of these beautiful giants across the showground has become a must-see favourite in recent years.

Jen explained that many of the equestrian classes at this year’s event were qualifiers for national competitions such as The Horse Of The Year Show or the Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

“We have seen champions at Perth go on to star at major national events – especially from our equestrian sections,” she said. “The standard is exceptionally high and we’re very proud to attract such an impressive field to Perth.”

Friday is traditionally devoted to the equestrian community when horse lovers can delight in all-day judging of ponies and horses proudly shown by exhibitors, ranging from tots to adults, in a series of show jumping, ridden and haltered classes.

“Our Friday programme of events attracts competitors from all across Scotland and south of the border,” said Jen. “This is because we have so many

qualifying classes for the London International Horse Show and riders are keen to secure one of the coveted places on offer.

“This shows the level of respect Perth Show holds within the equestrian community and their highest-level competitions.”

Other horses and ponies sure to delight will be in the Private Driving classes and the heartstopping Pony Club Games.

“This year we will again turn the spotlight firmly on these amazing entrants,” said Jen, “which range from donkeydrawn gigs to four horses in harness pulling beautiful carriages containing handlers in immaculate turnout.

“There is a huge amount of work and effort goes in to preparing the teams and carriages for the competition classes and it’s only right that they should get their time in the spotlight and allow the public to enjoy this beautiful spectacle.

“Then we have the thrill of the young riders in the Pony Club Games. The public always delight in what is a really exciting event with around half a dozen clubs from across Scotland competing in the edgeof-your-seat action.”

Something for everyone

Other entertainment this year includes kids’ races, tossing the sheaf, throwing the bale, Perth and District Pipe Band, vintage vehicles, tug-o-war, falconry, the Scottish farrier team, kiddies sheep hunt, guess the animal’s weight, peddle tractors for the toddlers and the ever-popular

Perthshire On A Plate food and drink festival.

And no Perth Show is complete without the unique Grand Parade of Champions when people can cheer and applaud the gathering of all the prime livestock that won the judges’ favour as well as the day’s Champion Of Champions Trophy winner.

Baking and craft skills will be on display at the much-loved Farmhouse Kitchen and Craft marquees.

“This year there are men and children’s sections so look out for Dad producing a prizewinning scone!” said Jen.

“Our craft section continues to grow with nearly 30 producers of everything from ceramics and artworks to textiles, soaps and jewellery. It’s retail heaven!”

And if you want to take a break, you can enjoy one of the many food and drink outlets around the showground.

Education and entertainment David Barclay, an agronomist with AGRII, who takes up the reins as Perth Show Chairman after serving 12 years on the board, explained that the Show is now much more than a livestock gathering where the area’s farmers meet to chew the cud.

“Perth Show is not only an agricultural showcase of some of the finest livestock, skills and produce in the country, it’s also two of the most exciting and entertaining family days out on offer annually in Perth,” he said.

“We like to educate as well as entertain and Perth Show

is unique in that it allows townspeople to enjoy the very best of the countryside – right on their doorstep – and shows them the field to fork story of the food they enjoy every day.

“Visitors young and old can also hear from the experts in our Ask A Farmer sessions, try their hand at milking a cow (albeit a synthetic one), discover the weight of our farmyard favourites while taking part in a competition, climb aboard some of the mechanical giants that work to produce our food on the farms or pet a little goat or a young calf for the first time ever – a terrific experience for many of our youngsters.”

David also highlighted one of his favourite aspects of the Show – when Long Service Awards are presented to farm workers for their years of continuous employment on Perthshire farms.

“It’s right that they should be recognised and rewarded for their lengthy shift on the farm and we’re delighted to have four recipients this year who will receive their Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland medals.

“No matter where you are in the showground or what day it is, there will be something to get involved with, compete in or marvel over,” said David. “It’s two days of constant and widespread entertainment and engagement that we feel sure will appeal to both farmers and townsfolk, So we look forward to opening the gates for all on Friday and Saturday, August 2 and 3.”

Some of the food cooked at Perthshire On A Plate food and drink festival Highland cows

Five reasons why monitoring is an essential part of rodent control on any farm

Every farmer will be all too familiar with the challenges of preventing and tackling tricky rodent infestations across their site. And with the demanding day-to-day running of a farm, sometimes pest control can slip to the bottom of the priority list, meaning early activity can go unnoticed and infestations soon establish.

One of the most under utilised tools in a farmer’s armoury, though, is monitoring bait. Usually formulated (although not exclusive) to blocks, non-toxic baits are made from a blend of food-grade ingredients that rodents find attractive. They are designed to be appealing to rodents, thus making it easier for farmers to monitor rodent activity.

These non-toxic tools are becoming increasingly popular within the industry

and with auditors alike. Many are formulated using the same highly-palatable ingredients as their chemical counterpart, but without the active ingredient, such as Selontra® and Monitoring Paste by BASF, ensuring that when switching from the non-toxic to the toxic the rodent is more likely to think it’s the same food source.

In years gone by, and perhaps to an extent still to this day, the use of monitoring products has been considered a waste of time and money by many farmers, and only used when required by auditors. However, as time moves on and the industry becomes more considerate with rodenticide use, many are now discovering the numerous benefits of adding monitoring products to their Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme.

Previously, farmers may have simply relied on baiting permanently or discovering physical evidence such as droppings, runs and signs of damage, when carrying out site inspections. Some may even use tracking dust, sand, or flour along suspected activity areas. So, what are the benefits of using a monitoring bait?

Detect infestations early

Monitoring products are key to helping farmers detect early signs of rodent activity and get ahead of potential challenging infestations. When an infestation is just taking hold, and little may be noticed through a visual inspection, the use of non-toxic monitoring products allow individuals to easily track rodent activity and determine the extent of the infestation.

Monitoring blocks, such as Monitoring Paste by BASF, act as a first indicator that a site has early signs of rodent activity, with rats and mice making the most of having a highlypalatable and easily-accessible food source on hand. This allows a farmer to act fast and put an effective treatment programme in place quickly to prevent the infestation from establishing, saving them time and money and preventing loss of earnings through contamination.

Monitoring encourages rodenticide uptake

Rodents are notorious for being wary of new objects in their environment, so putting a rodenticide down when early activity is detected can result in a delayed take. By using monitoring baits, rodents in the area will become more familiar with the object, reducing neophobia when the monitoring baits are replaced with rodenticide, should a chemical control method be required.

Save money on wasted bait

Before an infestation takes hold, it can be difficult to know exactly where rodents may come from and how they may move around a site. In many cases a lot of farmers choose to permanently bait in all boxes. These actions from an environmental perspective can be difficult to justify, and also very costly. Over time if there is no activity on site, the farmer will still have to replace the rodenticide as it will start to go mouldy and be unappealing to rodents, or worse, be demolished by slugs and snails. By using monitoring

Laurence Barnard, BASF

blocks at these sites, rodents will readily eat them if they appear, giving that early indication, and if they don’t appear then the cost of replacing mouldy monitoring blocks is insignificant compared to its toxic counter-part.

Target your baiting programme

Plenty of farmers have areas of their land where they rarely get activity, and those that are regularly affected by rodent activity. By changing their approach to monitoring and having toxic bait in situ at those regularly affected areas, they are able to target their treatment appropriately rather than blanket treating the whole site. This methodology can allow farmers to employ a more targeted approach when treating an infestation, whilst saving them money and reducing the exposure of non-target rodents as per the CRRU guidance.

Instant take by using the right pairing

There many monitoring products that have the same ingredients and construction as its toxic counter-part. Monitoring Paste by BASF features a nontoxic soft block formulation that is based on the highly palatable, award-winning rodenticide Selontra®, with the active and dye taken out.

Using a monitoring block that has a sister toxic product will ensure you get rapid control if an issue occurs. In all of BASF’s testing and field trails, there was instant uptake from rats and mice when Monitoring Paste was switched to the toxic product, as the rodents assumed it was the exact same food source.

This approach to monitoring can mean your treatment time is massively reduced comparatively from starting from scratch or using alternative products.

Monitoring options and placement

There’s no real right or wrong to placement of monitoring blocks. Farmers will already have a good idea of where rodents may travel around their site and should place

stations accordingly. You could also choose to discreetly wire or place monitoring products outside of stations, but it is worth bearing in mind that when you do get activity you’ll need to place the toxic bait in the same manor for speed of control, which may not always be practical when placed outside of bait stations. Therefore, if the monitoring blocks are placed in bait boxes or where it can be placed “covered and protected”, then they can be directly replaced with the toxic bait when and if necessary.

Of course, monitoring blocks are not the only tool at the farmer’s disposal. With technology becoming increasingly sophisticated, there is also the option to monitor activity digitally, using cameras, trapping systems and box sensors. However, this technology in pest control is early and can be unreliable at times, and investing in this kind of equipment can be costly.

Rat

BASF Monitoring Paste

Selontra 8kg pack

Major Trimming Hedges and Fuel Costs

You could say that when it comes to hedge-cutting, Michael Tomlinson is a bit of a perfectionist. He’s been doing it since 1982 and operates from close to Uttoxeter and serves a wide range of agricultural and rural clients in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Warwickshire. Michael contracts annual hedge maintenance programmes for local golf courses, parish churches and manufacturing facilities, to name but a few.

“We generally start the hedge-trimming process from July, right through to the following March,” commented Michael Tomlinson, “and we work on all kinds of hedging styles and types so we need the right equipment to maintain our level of finish and provide the ultimate customer satisfaction. I take a lot of pride in my work and I want my customers to love what I do so they come back to me year after year.”

In the past, Michael’s company had been using solely flail hedge cutting units to deal with typical hawthorn hedging on farms and evergreens in the rural suburbs. Using a flail mower on these often incurs issues with quality of finish and result in a lot of often large leftover clippings.

“Using a flail hedge-cutter head on typical thorn hedges is fine,” said Michael, “but on many of the evergreen hedges, it’s not good. We found that the draft coming from the flails rotating would cause the tips of the hedges to blow away from the blades and it was often

difficult to maintain a straight, neat cut. Also, it would leave large clumps of unmulched clippings that would collect and leave an unsightly mess. So, we had to do something about improving our service because it needs to be a professional finish, every time.”

Michael heard that a hedge cutter unit was being launched by Major Equipment, a company well known for manufacturing high-end mowers capable of handling the roughest and toughest of work environments.

“Ed from farm machinery dealer, G Richardson Agri Ltd., in Cheshire, arranged for a demo unit and they let me try it out on my Shelbourne Reynolds HD 865 VFRT,” said Michael. “It was just a matter of removing the flail head and re-attaching the Major rotary head. What I immediately found was that it required much less oil flow to the head drive and therefore much less engine power, and would likely reduce my fuel costs.”

Major’s 1.43m Hedgecutter head, fits directly to most hedge cutter arms on the market without modifications. It has a total head width of 1.6m and a cutting width of 1.43m. It only requires around 36hp to drive and an oil flow of just 80 litres per minute at a maximum of 170 bar pressure. The Major Hedge Cutter comes fully galvanised for long life protection against corrosion.

“Once we started using this new Major Hedge-cutting head,” enthused Michael, “ we

calculated that compared with our flail heads, we were saving around £100 per week on fuel costs alone, purely because it was so much easier to drive. It mulched the evergreen clippings about the same as a flail head,

but taking into consideration the fuel savings alone, on an annual basis, we are saving as much money that would buy the equivalent of another Major hedge-cutter head for free, and that’s impressive!

For more information, call Major Equipment on 01524 850501 or visit

www.major-equipment.com

Moy Country Fair Preview

A Tuscan Shooting Party

How to train your dog like a gun dog

With Mordor Gundogs

Scottish Country Life

With Jake Swindellls,

Scottish Countryside Allliance

Want to catch more salmon? By Ian

Gordon, Speyonline

“Hoping for sense to prevail”

By Tom Turnbull, Chair of

New Pixfra Mile 2 thermal imagers and a Whisky Bar you can carry!

editor's bit BASC seeks clarity on expanded SSPCA powers

On the comeback trail

Well folks, here is our second publishing this year of our Shooting Scotland Magazine (plus Fishing of course).

Now with a larger pagination of 24 pages for your reading and enjoyment!

Our aim is to run three issues in 2025 in March to April, July to August and then September to October.

All will remain inside and part of our Farming Scotland Magazine, so two magazines for the price of one can’t be bad!

Christina and I are taking it slowly to bring back Shooting (& Fishing) Scotland Magazine since Covid killed it off for the last few years.

That might be an ‘age thing” too?

Anyway, new connections need to be made, new advertisers need to be found and convinced to get involved and support the title again.

Editorial stories and contributions on new products etc, will all be part of the ‘come back’ in 2025.

In the meantime, I hope you support the title going forwards and enjoy what is in this issue today.

Please do get in touch if you would like to get involved.

We would love to hear from you.

“Onwards and upwards’ is the battle cry here in our wee Perth office!

Slàinte, Athole.

In light of new investigatory powers granted to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals (SSPCA), the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has issued a letter to Police Scotland and the Crown Office, urging them to closely monitor and guard against the potential for bias in any evidence gathered by the charity.

Throughout the passage of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, now an Act, BASC was clear that the SSPCA is a charity and should not be granted statutory powers.

Given the SSPCA’s longstanding and publicly stated opposition towards shooting, BASC has concerns that this could lead to biased investigations, compromising

the fundamental rights under Article 8 and Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). BASC fears that SSPCA’s actions might lead to unsafe convictions due to its ideological stance.

Considering the enhancement of SSPCA powers and the risk of bias, the UK and Scotland’s largest shooting organisation is seeking reassurance that criminal investigations will proceed with independence, integrity and objectivity.

BASC Scotland director Peter Clark said: “BASC opposes granting statutory investigatory powers to the SSPCA and these representations were made throughout the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill discussions.

“An independent SSPCA taskforce, established by the Scottish Government, recommended enhancing partnership work rather than extending investigatory powers to the SSPCA.

“BASC is concerned that giving a charity both investigatory and lobbying powers creates a significant conflict of interest.

“Many of our members are worried that SSPCA’s involvement could undermine the presumption of innocence and the requirement to pursue all reasonable lines of inquiry, which is crucial for fair trials.

“BASC finds it difficult to reconcile the duty to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry throughout a criminal investigation with the SSPCA’s strongly stated ideological opposition to lawful activities.”

Golden eagle

Hopes for salmon recovery after historic purchase

A Perthshire angling club hopes a historic buy-out of 4 miles of a key spawning river can help rectify water abstractions which are harming endangered salmon.

The river Ericht, which runs through Blairgowrie, is a key spawning tributary in the River Tay system and is part of a European Special Area of Conservation for salmon.

However, in line with rivers nationally, it is witnessing falling stocks, with Scottish Government recently announcing that the 2023 rod catch nationwide was the lowest since records began.

Now, following the purchase of the Macpherson Fishings from the local Macpherson family, on Saturday, the Blairgowrie Rattray and District Angling Association (BRDAA) aim to leave no stone unturned to help species recovery on the Ericht.

The Ericht has a history of industrial water abstractions which act as barriers to fish passage, with low waters making stressed fish more susceptible to predation by piscivorous birds.

Use of the river by mill lades and a fish farm over time has reduced flows along with

Victorian-age weirs which are now falling into disrepair, starving the river of water in dry spells.

Having taken ownership of the Fishings in their centenary year, BRDAA officials now hope their increasing ‘muscle’ can help end historic problems, for the sake of salmon and future anglers.

“This is a purchase for the next generation,” said River Convener Grant Kellie, also a member of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association’s Fishing Group, which represents Scotland’s river ghillies.

“We need to monitor the water flow. I’ve seen salmon stranded and dying here. Water abstraction has a detrimental effect on the movement of fish, whether juveniles or adult salmon heading upstream so we need to keep the flows more regular.

“This is not just an issue on the Ericht. I believe there are about 260 rivers in Scotland which all have issues preventing the easy passage of migratory fish and Scottish Govt needs to step up at this moment in time

and get this implemented so we can get the fish back to where they should be. The national salmon strategy is not working, at the moment.

“Now that salmon are on the endangered list, how long does the species have?”

While water abstraction presents significant challenges on the Ericht, as it does on rivers like the Spey, it is not the only issue.

Across the Tay catchment, programmes such as riparian

tree planting, to lower water temperature, are being initiated in the conservation area surrounding the Category One river.

Nevertheless, the BRDAA has been encouraged by catches to date, in 2024, with 38 landed from the Ericht and returned to the water, mostly during the key Spring run.

The club, which started in 1924 to encourage angling in the ‘Old Postal District of Blairgowrie’ now has around

300 members and officials are hopeful that, with action, there can be rejuvenation.

“There is no doubt salmon are in decline, nationally. When you think of the numbers that used to come up here in the late 70s and early 80s - the Spring run especially- there is no comparison, but this year so far has been good and there has been enough fish to keep people interested,” said David Hogg, BRDAA Committee member and former President.

The 4 miles of the river were officially handed over during a ceremony on the banks on Saturday, with Jamie Macpherson taking the first ceremonial cast, watched on by members and locals.

George Thomson from the SGA Fishing Group, said: “BRDAA deserves great credit for taking this step at a critical time for our salmon. It demonstrates the passion hard working local people have for the species and a way of life.”

Moorland management has ‘key role’ to play in delivering for environment, economy & nature

Moorland management in Scotland has a key role to play in the future in order to deliver important

benefits for the environment, the economy and nature, a major rural conference heard recently.

The Moorland Conference, organised by the rural business organisation, Scottish Land &

Estates, featured contributions from Jim Fairlie MSP, Scottish Government Minister for

Agriculture and Connectivity, and NatureScot, which is preparing to introduce a new licensing scheme for grouse shooting.

More than 200 delegates from across the sector attended the conference held near Dunkeld, Perthshire, sponsored by law firm Levy & McRae, The House of Bruar and Spratt’s Game Foods.

Dee Ward, chair of Scottish Land & Estates, told the conference: “Moorland management has a key role to play in delivering so much of what the Scottish Government aspires to achieve – whether it be flourishing biodiversity, climate-resilient landscapes or a thriving rural economy. Moorland management and grouse shooting delivers these benefits in spades, and we are looking forward to ensuring it continues to do so.

“Research shows beyond doubt that grouse moor management provides more jobs per acre than any other land use and the latest Value of Shooting

Report has revealed that shooting providers and volunteers carry out £20m worth of conservation work in Scotland per year.

‘The licensing of grouse shooting was never going to be easy to accept, but I genuinely believe we have ended up with a scheme that is broadly fit for purpose and will allow our sector to continue to deliver tangible benefits.”

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates added: “Government and its agencies have recognised the contribution that is made by grouse shooting and moorland management across rural communities and we hope that, as licensing is introduced, we can move on from an often-polarised debate towards greater cooperation and collaboration across the sector in order to achieve many shared conservation and socioeconomic goals.

“We now have robust legal safeguards which should mean

licences are only suspended or revoked where there is clear evidence of a relevant offence having been committed on the land by a relevant person. There is still a significant amount of change still to be implemented – including muirburn licensing, trap licensing, a new muirburn code and a wider review of species licensing.”

Jim Fairlie, MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, told the conference the Scottish Government valued the contribution of moorland management, the new licensing scheme being introduced would be workable and grouse moor managers operating within the law had nothing to fear. Donald Fraser, Head of Wildlife Management, NatureScot, outlined how the new licensing scheme will work when it is introduced before the start of the grouse shooting season on 12 August.

He said: “Moorlands are an important part of Scotland’s upland habitats. They include significant areas of peatland and support biodiversity such as birds of prey and ground nesting birds. We have been working closely with stakeholders to develop a workable licensing scheme for grouse shooting that will act as a strong deterrent against raptor persecution, while helping to ensure that moorlands are managed sustainably and play a role in helping to tackle the nature and climate crises.”

Finlay Carson MSP, Convenor of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, Scottish Parliament and Rachael Hamilton MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Scottish Conservatives, also addressed the conference along with Dr Nick Hesford, Head of Advisory at GWCT Scotland, Miles Montgomery, Chair of Wildlife Estates Scotland and David McKie, partner at Levy & McRae.

Fun for all ages awaits this summer at popular Moy Country Fair

With summer finally upon us, preparations for the Moy Country Fair are well under way. Taking place at Moy Estate near Inverness on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August 2024, the Moy Country Fair has something for all ages with a diverse mix of family friendly activities and exhibitors as well as its traditional focus on field sports.

Traditional Main Ring activities will include Highland dancing, falconry, gundog handling and the much-enjoyed terrier racing. There will also be a spectacular performance from Savage Skills, the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike

stunt team who will be providing performances of their BMX show each day.

For foodies, there will be a Highland Food and Drink Trail featuring nine street food vendors from the Highland area alongside live music acts throughout each day. The Food Tent and Cookery Theatre will offer visitors a journey into Scotland’s Larder, celebrating the very best produce from the local area

As ever, there will be opportunities for visitors to participate in various field sports including fly casting demonstrations at Angler’s Corner, clay shooting, the gun

dog scurry, archery and the return of axe-throwing after it proved so popular at last year’s event.

Matt Harrison from Skyebased A.C.E Target Sports, a fully instructional centre for clay target shooting, air gun shooting, archery and axe-throwing, is journeying to the Fair with his dedicated team to offer visitors the opportunity to try, or in some cases, revisit, axe-throwing. The team will also be offering archery during the weekend.

Last year, the axe-throwing was a real focal point during the event. Matt, who has also worked on the ‘Have a Go at Clay Shooting’ stand for several

years, is excited to be back at Moy offering people from all walks of life to have a go at the popular sport.

Matt said: “Axe-throwing is a very universal thing and we’re hoping to see lots of interest again from people of all ages. There was a real buzz around our little area last year, so we’re looking forward to creating that again and welcoming lots of people to have a go.”

“At Moy we will have playing cards on the targets,” explains Matt. “From three and a half metres away, you can throw the axe and slash the playing card. If, over the course of the weekend,

500 people come and have a go, we would hope that 95% of those people stick one axe target.

Above all, Matt is just really looking forward to returning to Moy with his team.

“In the eight years I have volunteered at Moy, I’ve met friends for life. Everyone works really hard and as a team. They just get on with the job and make an awful lot of people very happy. It’s a real privilege to be part of it all.”

As well as axe-throwing and archery, the shooting area will also offer the opportunity for visitors to have a go with a 19th century musket, clay target shooting and operates a .22 rifle range. The ever popular clay shooting adult competitions are being sponsored by Bruichladdich Distillery and Strathallan School are again generously supporting the junior shooting competition events.

Younger field sports enthusiasts can participate in the Junior MacNab challenge. Hosted by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the popular event invites children to participate in a clay pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting and fly-fishing challenge.

While welcoming a diverse range of exhibitors and performers, Moy will also be focusing on the exceptional work of the RNLI.

Celebrating its 200th anniversary throughout 2024, the RNLI will have a strong presence during the Fair with volunteers from a number of local Lifeboat Stations, including Invergordon, Loch Ness and Kessock, coming along to meet visitors.

This will include hosting a special Lifejacket Clinic to offer advice to the public from RNLI volunteers on how to maintain and safety check lifejackets before use. A first for the event, the clinic will offer an insight into the vast knowledge of RNLI volunteers who have saved an incredible 146,277 lives since the RNLI was founded in 1824.

Visitors will also be able to experience ‘float to live’ water safety demonstrations, pick up limited-edition RNLI

souvenirs and the RNLI’s very own mascot, Stormy Stan, will be making an appearance which is sure to delight the children in attendance.

James Campbell, Chairman of the Moy Country Fair Committee, said: “It’s set to be another exciting two days for our visitors at this year’s Moy Country Fair with a diverse range of activities, performances and exhibitors for everyone to enjoy. We are

delighted to be welcoming our friends from A.C.E. Target Sports to offer axe-throwing and archery to our visitors which proved to be very popular indeed last year.

“We are also particularly proud to be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the RNLI across the Fair. Water safety is something we always highlight, alongside the RNLI, so this is a great opportunity to raise awareness and inform our visitors.”

Tickets are now on sale for the event which drew thousands to Moy Estate for the event last summer. Tickets cost £17 for adults when pre-booking online or will cost £20 per adult at the gate on the day. All children aged under 16 years of age can access Moy Country Fair for free.

For more information and the book tickets please visit www. moyfieldsportsfair.co.uk

Gamekeeper management helping threatened ant

Survey finds hope for extremely rare species

A prescription of rotational muirburning and grazing management by highland gamekeepers has helped to preserve one of Scotland’s most northerly homes of an extremely rare ant.

Narrow-headed ants, a wood ant, are one of Britain’s rarest and are now confined to the Scottish

highlands and a single heathland in Devon after disappearing from most of their former territories.

However, recent survey work, commissioned by the Cairngorms National Park, has found that some sites of national importance, around the village of Carrbridge, are maintaining populations.

Five sites on Seafield Estate with known historic nests were re-surveyed by a Strathspey ecologist with a total of 97 nests recorded of the endangered ant; now a UK priority species.

Management for red grouse, on one site at Foregin, helped to maintain the open heathland areas the ants need, with 28 nests recorded overall - the second highest number.

Conservationists acknowledged that sheep grazing and the rotational burning of heather at the site, over the longer term, had helped to maintain suitable habitat for the ants, which have a characteristic notch in the back of their heads.

Despite narrow-headed ants preferring heath at the edge of scrubland, woodland encroachment, dense scrub and even overgrown heather can generate too much shade for successful nesting.

However, moorland management by the gamekeepers is helping to preserve the ants’ open habitats, with some new nests identified at the location.

Whilst certain species benefit from woodland expansion, encroachment of Scots Pine and overgrown heather were identified as dual threats to the long-term future of narrowheaded ants at some of the studied Carrbridge sites.

“Heather moorland is unique. It has its own biodiversity,” said gamekeeper Duncan MacKenzie, a member of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, who was managing the moor at Foregin at the time of the survey work.

“If species are there on the moor, they must find the management beneficial.

“Obviously some species benefit from more woodland and allowing vegetation to grow but others don’t, to the point that they may no longer be there, if that growth is not managed.”

Narrow-headed ants are black and red and grow to between 10 and 12mm in length. They live on aphid honeydew on nearby plants and the Queens shed their wings after mating.

The discovery that nests are still existing at the important highland site is testimony to the management at Seafield Estate, by three-full time gamekeepers, working alongside tenant farmers.

“There is a lot of surveying work goes on, here, on things like butterflies and moths. That is on top of white tailed eagle, Osprey and black grouse work,” said Head Gamekeeper, Ewan Archer.

“We are working with the Spey Fishery Board on river restoration and the National Park on Capercaillie, so there is a lot of collaborative working going on, here, for conservation.”

Seafield Estate is a mixed highland estate, combining field sports, deer management, forestry, fishing, farming, woodland planting, regeneration, accommodation and conservation.

Fourteen thousand acres of the estate have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and its woods contain some of the last remaining Capercaillie populations.

Narrow-headed Ant (Formica exsecta)

A TUSCAN SHOOTING PARTY

by Keith Allan

Looking down from the open window of our room at the St Regis Hotel we can hear the River Arno cascading over a weir. Below it, anglers with spinning rods are stalking through the shallow water like hungry herons. They are surrounded by an historic backdrop, for a little way upstream is the Ponte Vecchio, where goldsmiths have traded since the 14th century, and from our vantage point we can follow the red baked terracotta tiles that peel off in every direction towards the Renaissance domes of San Lorenzo, the Duomo and the tower of Palazzo Vecchio. And if we name drop a few of the Florentines who have lived and

worked here like Michelangelo, Giotto, Dante, Donatello, Botticelli and Machiavelli it only adds to the rarefied scene - civilisation at a glance art historian Kenneth Clark would have said.

A short car ride away is Chianti paradise and it comes in the shape of Villa Le Corti. Waiting for us, puffing on a cigar, is its owner, Duccio Corsini, wine maker extraordinaire. He is head of a remarkable family; the Corsinis arrived in Florence towards the end of the 12th century; some were cardinals and bishops, one of whom became a Saint in 1629, and Lorenzo Corsini was made Pope Clemente

X11 in 1730 (during his ten year reign he commissioned the Trevi Fountain). Others were bankers and brokers and politicians. They built palaces in Florence and Rome (Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed at the Palazzo Corsini in Florence) owned country estates and collected a vast Italian art collection stretching from the Renaissance to the late 18th century. Bartolomeo Corsini became the first Prince of Sismano and Duke of Casigliano.

No wonder the Corsinis can make wine! Their range of luscious reds, not to mention organic olive oil, is impossible to resist, especially when you order lunch at the restaurant

which sits in the heart of the winery at Le Corti. But there is something else the Corsinis can boast about. A pheasant shoot, set in the landscapes of Leonardo da Vinci, but with a distinctly British influence and modelled on extravagant Edwardian shooting parties of a century ago.

This tried and tested formula fascinated Corsini. And he longed to adopt it but acres of land covered in grape vines aren’t much good for driven pheasants. But he had an ace up his sleeve, namely his aunt, Princess Anna.

“I started to manage her estate in 2009. She had just died and although there was shooting here I wanted to step it up and

The yellow painted villa known as Renacci

create something special. We have 600 hectares dotted with oak woodlands and surrounded by rolling hills. On the flat lands we grow organic oats and wheat and a variety of game crops that not only attract pheasants but chattering flocks of finch-es and other song birds,” Corsini tells me as he swings his car into a hair-pin driveway, where we get our first glimpse of the yellow painted villa known as Renacci. And thanks to his long friendship with Lord Lovat and the Fraser clan of Inverness-shire he gleaned invaluable advice about using British gamekeepers to make it all happen.

“Over seven years we used three different keepers but they all had a wide range of experience. They came with their wives, who loved it, especially when they could hop on a train and be in Florence in fifteen minutes. But eventually they got a bit homesick and started to miss the wind and rain so they left us.” Without them, Corsini admits, they could not have done it. Today they breed and rear 20,000 pheasants a year and 500 bird days are the norm.

Friends of the Corsinis, their cars packed with shooting paraphernalia, start arriving from Venice and Milan. The old villa, glowing in the fading light, will be our base for the next twenty four hours. From the gun room, where beautiful Berettas, Rizzinis and a Perazzi or two, together with their car-tridge magazines, are correctly stored and locked away, we climb a flight of stairs to a sitting room for drinks. Everyone is settling in, chatting, working up an appetite for dinner. “So my aunt’s estate is perfect for pheasants,” Corsini continues as we look out on the spectacular countryside and watch a red sun dip behind the hills turning them charcoal-black.

My wife and I are shown to our room. It’s a 1950’s time capsule with electrics to match but we love it. Antique furniture and creaky, wooden beds make it look and feel much older but there is a tale to tell. It was occupied by the Germans during the Second World War and used

as their headquarters but when they retreated, leaving all their papers and records behind, the whole house was set on fire and burned to the ground. Undaunted Princess Anna rebuilt it and brought it back to life in the same classic style.

Over a seven course dinner of fish, pasta and game, (all classic Tuscan dishes) accompanied by Corsini wines and delicious cheeses the talk is of shooting. Most of the guns have shot in England and Scotland and driven grouse turns out to be much admired.

The next morning we are up and ready for a spectacular day in pursuit of Corsini’s pheasants. A hearty breakfast of ham, cheese and eggs, delicious focaccia and coffee has us all in good fettle. It’s late October, with a slight chill in the air; the guns gather outside the villa, immaculately dressed in tweeds and plus fours, and along with their loaders we are ready for the off, not in vehicles as you might expect, but a gentle walk to the first of seven drives. This will be the pattern of the day, unless someone needs a lift. The drives are not far apart and it’s a perfect way to properly enjoy the breathtaking Tuscan countryside.

As we walk we are allowed to chatter. Some guns have brought

their wives, sons and daughters. Marco Giol, who first introduced me to Corsini, is a special friend and his young son Alessandro will shoot his first pheasant to-day. They are part of an ancient Venetian family too with a palazzo on the Grand Canal and a wonderful wild fowling estate in the Po valley. I’ve been there to shoot wigeon, mallard and teal from barrels, like Hemingway did in Venice. An hour before dawn we were rowed, gondolier-style, to our allot-ted barrels and provisioned with soup, sandwiches and coffee for the never to be forgotten flight!

But back to pheasants. The first birds come nosing over the distant hills, their plumage glinting russet in the golden light. They are high and flying hard, some still rising, others drifting, making for cover, heading straight over our heads and into the trees behind us. A few come crashing down at our feet. Hearts are racing. I’m looking forward to shooting the last drive but before that I am here to observe and record the day. Watching a good shot is always a joy. Calmness with good footwork, judging the speed of the bird,

Marco Giol (on the left) who first introduced the author to his good friend Duccio Corsini

Six of the guns (all good friends) waiting for the off

following it with the muzzles, (all Italian over-and-unders), no rushing, smooth mounting before swinging through and firing. And all with double guns too, and loaders doing a good job.

The Giols shoot well. Alessandro already has his first pheasant and he’s over the moon; his father is smiling too. Meanwhile Marco’s wife Cinzia and her friend Claudia Foscari have stumbled on some giant mushrooms which makes an interesting addition to the bag! Another gentle stroll to the next drive and we’re off again. This time there’s some snap shooting to be had. Guns and loaders are in little clearings surrounded by deep cover with not much time to get on to the high birds which come streaking over them. This makes for an interesting drive and challenges the guns in a different way. But they love it. Dogs work well with some excellent retrieves.

The plan is to shoot right through and have a late lunch. Elevenses take care of any hunger pangs we might have and under a large umbrella, set up between drives, yet more delicious hams and cheeses are laid out along with flasks of bouillon and coffee.

The last drive quickly comes around and it’s time for me to show what an Englishman shooting a borrowed pair of Berettas can do; while we are waiting a huge black boar comes galloping out of the trees beside us. He heads hell for leather up a slope of grape vines and I watch him disappear into the distance. It must have been a good omen because I manage a right and left plus a few more single kills. When we eventually sit down to a most delicious lunch back at the villa, with the bag counted and admired, the talk is of a never to be forgotten day. Of course we also raise our glasses to a unique shoot and the man who made it all possible.

Duccio Corsini in action at one of the drives

Everyone gathered round to admire the bag at the end of a glorious day in the Tuscan countryside

BASC calls for clarity on grouse licensing timescales

BASC Scotland has written to the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie MSP, seeking clarification over the introduction of licensing for grouse shooting ahead of the start of the season.

With just over a month to go until the start of the season, BASC is calling on the Minister to confirm the date the licensing system will be fully operational and whether the processes needed to deliver the licences will be in place by that date.

BASC Scotland director Peter Clark said that while the Scottish Government’s intention was to have grouse shoot licensing in place for the start of the 2024 season, the process of shaping the Code of Practice underpinning it was still ongoing.

He said BASC members were concerned that the online system for licence applications was not yet operational and that members were not confident the system would be working and delivering licences in advance of 12th August.

In a letter to the Minister, BASC is seeking assurance that licensing will be in place by that date or that the commencement date of the licencing framework is pushed back to the start of the 2025 season to allow enough time to set up the relevant processes.

Mr Clark said: “Our members are concerned that with the Scottish Government seeking to introduce grouse shoot licensing before the 12th August, that time is running out.

businesses need time

“The grouse shooting sector in Scotland must not be placed in such a situation so close to its most important date, given the risk to jobs, livelihoods and the rural economy.

“We have written to the Minister seeking assurance that our sector will not be left in an uncertain situation”.

Women Who Work in Fieldsports Launches Membership

Women Who Work in Fieldsports has launched its new membership

Women Who Work in Fieldsports (WWWF) was created to establish a strong female network of women working within the fieldsport sectors. The launch of the membership aims to create a tighter network of women who can support and learn from each other. Membership benefits include

• Priority access to event booking and free-to-attend events

• Member-only events

• Monthly webinars

• Exclusive membership discounts from our partner brands

• Access to mentorship

• Access to a membership directory

“We hope that businesses will want to pay for their female staff to join WWWF as a way for them

to network with other women who work in the same area. Fieldsports can be incredibly isolating, but we have been overwhelmed by the engagement with our organization already and hope that we can inspire and unite the women who work within the fieldsports community.” - Louisa Clutterbuck, co-founder of Women Who Work in Fieldsports and CEO of Eat Wild.

The membership launch comes after they started a podcast interviewing senior women from the fieldsports sector; their first guest was Paula Lester from Country Life, and future guests include Anikka Purdey, SJ Hunt, and many more. Additionally, there is a monthly profile of a woman from fieldsports explaining how

The WWWF team: Vanessa Steel (Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust), Iona Campbell (Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Louisa Clutterbuck (CEO of Eat Wild)

they found their role and offering advice for other women.

Women Who Work in Fieldsports is for women who may not shoot, fish, or hunt themselves but help run shoot days, work in the office, run the estate office, organise fishing trips, help

process game, run a game meat business, master of the hunt, or have any other involvement within fieldsports.

Contact details for membership andanyqueriesforWWWFhello@ womenwhoworkinfieldsports. co.uk.

“All

to adapt to major changes, and grouse shooting is no exception.

Hopefully sense will prevail and proposal for DMNROs will

be

dropped says Chair of Association of Deer Management Groups

Tom Turnbull, Chair of The Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG) is hoping that “sense will prevail” and that one particular proposal which featured in the Scottish Government’s consultation on deer management, namely to introduce Deer Management Nature Restoration Orders (DMNROs), will not be taken forward.

The consultation closed at the end of March and responses are now being considered by the Scottish Government.

DMNROs if progressed would be one of the most radical measures introduced into deer management in Scotland in living memory and in Tom Turnbull’s view “a major step backwards for the delivery of

collaborative deer management in the future.”

The DMNRO idea is a completely new regulatory concept demanding reductions in deer numbers to levels to be specified over potentially extensive areas and over an undefined timeframe, possibly decades. It had been proposed that such orders could be implemented on the basis of ‘nature restoration and enhancement’ ie on a totally subjective basis, whereas current regulations can only be applied to counter or prevent damage following a series of rigorous steps and negotiation with the land owner or Deer Management Group.

The penalty for a land owner for non-compliance with the new

DMNRO was proposed in the consultation as a £40,000 fine and 3 months imprisonment.

The concept was thought to be one of a number of Green Party interventions in deer management, but which might no longer be taken forward with Green Ministers departing the Scottish Government.

Tom Turnbull says: “This draconian measure would completely over-ride the current system that we understood was to be updated through this latest round of changes to deer management regulation and legislation. It also blows the principle of voluntary deer management clean out of the water. There would be no room for negotiation and it’s unclear in the consultation whether there

would be any mechanism for appeal. If it goes ahead it will almost certainly end up in the courts.

Moreover, this concept was not one of the recommendations of the expert Independent Deer Working Group that was set up to advise government where legislation around wild deer might be improved and streamlined. This came completely out of left field - no science in support, no evidence that it will work - and actually at this stage very little if any detail, which is another reason for wanting to see it removed from any future thinking or plans.”

For more information about ADMG see www.deermanagement.co.uk

Tom Turnbull, Chair of The Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG)

How to train your dog like a gun dog

Mordor Gundogs, renowned for its expertise in training and showcasing exceptional gundogs, is set to make a triumphant return to the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Scottish Game Fair, which takes place from Friday 5 to Saturday 7 July at Scone Palace, Perthshire. Ahead of the show, we caught up with Charlie Thorburn, owner of Mordor Gundogs and Head Trainer, Ash Cunliffe for their top tips on training your dog to be as obedient as a gun dog.

Led by an expert team, Mordor Gundogs offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in professional training for pet and working dogs alike. With a focus on practical techniques and proven methodologies, the approach empowers dog owners to unlock the full potential of their four-legged friends.

Partnership

Charlie tells us that training your dog like a gun dog is not just about obedience; it’s about building a partnership based on trust, communication, and mutual respect. At Mordor’s sessions the team delve into the importance of building a strong foundation and the long-term impact of this on the success of your training. Charlie likened the foundation to building a house, once you have the solid base, you can build what you like, but you can’t start with the shed.

Consistency

with Mordor Gundogs

One of the fundamental parts of dog training once you have the strong foundation of a solid relationship and trust, is consistency and patience. Charlie recommends taking time Mordor

Gundogs puppy at Scone Palace, Scottish Game Fair

Ash Cunliffe, Trainer at Mordor Gundogs at Scone Palace, Scottish Game Fair

Photography by: Stewart Attwood

Photography

to gain a clear understanding of your dog’s needs and instincts and go from there. The most sustainable route he believes is by setting realistic expectations and celebrating every milestone achieved along the way.

The bigger picture

One of the most common issues that people face in dog training is simple recall. This may seem simple but is part of a much bigger picture within the training journey. Charlie encourages owners to focus on reflection of the journey so far, to understand how far you have come and to be able to strategically plan ahead for next steps.

Expert Advice

Whether it’s selecting the perfect canine companion or honing training techniques, seasoned experts can draw from years of hands-on experience to provide actionable advice tailored to your needs and aspirations. Ash explained that dogs board with Mordor frequently due to the owner’s lack of time or experience. However, they believe it is equally important to keep the owner engaged in the training journey to ensure that they are as well prepared as their pet. As an owner, don’t be afraid to tackle those one-to-one lessons.

Top Tips:

• Ignore internet ‘hacks’ for picking the perfect puppy from a litter, often when you visit puppies, they are too young to judge their character.

• Find a suitable environment for training, start out in remote, quiet areas to avoid distractions.

• Avoid using a harness, this gets dogs into the habit of pulling.

• Be realistic about when to ‘treat’ your dog, using the reward vs bribe technique.

• Try to enjoy the process as much as possible, it’s all about making your dog the best version of themselves.

Join Mordor Gundogs at the Scottish Game Fair for an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, education, and the undeniable charm of man’s best friend. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness

their captivating demonstrations and gain valuable insights into the world of gun dog training.

Ash Cunliffe, Trainer at Mordor Gundogs at Scone Palace, Scottish Game Fair

Mordor Gundogs at Scone Palace, Scottish Game Fair

Value of Shooting Report 2024

New report underlines the importance of shooting and conservation to the Scottish economy and countryside

Rural organisations are set to publish the latest ‘Value of Shooting’ report which will set out in detail the benefits the shooting sector brings to the economy and the conservation of the countryside in Scotland. The key findings will play an important role in shaping the debate around shooting in the run up to the general election and beyond.

Shooting is a key component of the rural economy and goes hand-in-hand with the conservation of the countryside, as well as bringing both mental and physical health benefits to participants and providing a healthy and sustainable food source.

The new Value of Shooting report was commissioned by 24 rural organisations and carried out by Cognisense, a market research and data analytics firm. The report will set out the following headline figures for Scotland:

• Shooting in Scotland is worth £340m (GVA) to the UK economy every year, and the equivalent of 5,600 jobs.

• £780m of wider economic activity is generated for the UK economy.

• Shooting providers and volunteers carry out £20m worth of conservation work in Scotland per annum.

• Approximately 68,000 individuals in Scotland are actively involved in shootingrelated activities.

The following headline figures cover the UK economy as a whole:

• Shooting is worth £3.3bn (GVA) to the UK economy every year.

• The new report has taken a more comprehensive and detailed approach than previous reports, attaching a value to contribution in kind (CiK) and supply chain value, which shows that £9.3bn of wider economic activity is generated for the UK economy.

• 620,000 individuals are actively involved in shootingrelated activities.

• Shooting providers and volunteers carry out £500m worth of conservation work,

equivalent to 26,000 full-time jobs and 14m workdays each year.

• Habitat management and conservation are carried out on 7.6m hectares as a result of shooting.

• Three out of four people who take part in shooting said that it is important to them and their personal wellbeing, with most claiming shooting specifically contributes positively to their physical and mental health.

• Shooters spend £4.4bn on their UK-based supply chain each year.

BASC’s Scotland director Peter Clark said:

“Shooting and conservation is vital to Scotland’s economy, to the tune of £340 million GVA.

“Shooting has so many spinoff advantages too, such as the work that goes into important conservation projects.

“We must also remember shooting employs people in remote and rural areas, where there is no other viable alternative employment.

“From positive mental health benefits right through to habitat management, shooting

in Scotland provides benefits in abundance”.

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said:

“The research underlines the significant value of shooting and country sports for people, jobs and nature in rural Scotland.

“Scotland is a world-class destination for shooting and the work of estates, land managers and gamekeepers in sustaining those activities should be widely celebrated.

“Land managed for shooting is vital for addressing biodiversity loss and is also hugely important in combatting for climate change, particularly in the uplands through projects to restore peatland and create landscape-scale resilience to wildfire.

“Much of this activity – and the downstream benefits to hoteliers, retailers, garages and other businesses – would not be possible without the value that shooting brings to the economy. Our desire is to work in partnership with other stakeholders to deliver a sustained contribution long into the future.”

BBC Landward goes grey partridge counting at Balgonie with the GWCT

Benefits of wild game to school kitchens

Eat Wild have created new and accessible flyers for schools to share the benefits of wild game in classrooms and kitchens across the country.

Educating the next generation about the benefits of wild meat is so important, and in recent months alone, Eat Wild has made significant strides in doing so, creating new markets for wild meat across a plethora

of venues including importantly, in schools.

Eat Wild’s educational work doesn’t stop in schools; through their ongoing campaigns, presence at events, cooking demonstrations, direct work with chefs, and social media outreach, Eat Wild is continuously introducing and teaching new people about wild game in order to secure markets for it.

Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Scotland’s Fiona Torrance recently took Dougie Vipond from BBC Landward on a grey partridge count around the fields of Balgonie, where conservation efforts have seen numbers of this iconic farmland bird soar in the last 10 years.

The grey partridge was once common in the British countryside, but it has suffered a dramatic 94% decline since the 1980s. Grey partridges have been on the UK’s Red List since its inception in 1996.

The GWCT has been working with the farm team, Kingdom Farming, at Balgonie near Glenrothes, Fife, since 2014 with the aim of increasing populations of grey partridge and other wildlife

through targeted management interventions, primarily in the form of creating novel habitats such as wider field margins providing cover and food for them.

Spring counts have recorded a 40% increase in grey partridge pairs, and autumn counts, which include chicks, have gone up by 300%.

Fiona told Dougie: “It’s extremely satisfying. I absolutely love what I do and to see the effects of the habitat and the other measures we are putting in is incredibly rewarding.”

Farm manager John Drysdale also spoke to Dougie about the joy his employees experience seeing the increase in wildlife around them as they go about their daily tasks around the farm.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE

Rural life defined by election outcome

By Jake Swindells

While most rural issues are devolved to the Scottish Parliament the position of the UK government and parliament matters. Both need to understand and respect rural communities and their way of life. They must recognise that if we are to meet the challenges of food security, climate change and biodiversity loss then this means working with those that live and work in the countryside not against them, as well as with the devolved governments. Too often politicians, whether in

Holyrood, Westminster or elsewhere in the UK seem only interested in doing things to the countryside rather than for it.

With fifty-seven Scottish Westminster seats up for grabs at the recent General Election it was a vital time for rural Scotland. Hustings, debates and canvassing all played a big part, but did the people of rural Scotland know what their vote achieved? It’s never as easy as it seems.

In the last Scottish Parliament elections there

was an element of tactical voting. Some voted SNP as it was becoming clear that the Scottish Greens might increase their presence if they did not, but did tactical voting play a part this time around? Manifestos were published and there were no real surprises. The SNP obviously continued their campaign for independence, Labour made it clear that they will ban trail hunting in England and Wales and ban the use of snares in England. Labour MSPs supported both the Hunting

Jake Swindells

with Dogs (Scotland) Act and the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act. The Liberal Democrats aim to ban the routine burning of heather on moorland, ignoring all the research and evidence. The Conservatives pledged to invest in river restoration whilst ensuring that tree planting and peatland commitments are met. Preelection polls from Wales clearly showed Reform UK gathering momentum, and the Green Party manifesto showed a remarkable

Muirburn site visit

lack of understanding of the countryside and its management.

What has happened in Scotland in recent years is evidence of the irreparable damage that can be caused by pursuing policies that fly in the face of science and evidence, damaging the countryside, its communities and wildlife. The Scottish Countryside Alliance is, and will remain, an allparty organisation, but we will continue to speak out against harmful policies coming from any party whether in Holyrood, Westminster or anywhere else.

Recently, the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie MSP, spoke at a moorland conference organised by Scottish Land and Estates. Mr Fairlie used key phrases, such as “proportionate” and “partners” when talking about legislation and rural constituents who face the new regulations and restrictions that are being forced on farmers and land managers. However, I can assure you that little of the recent legislation that has been rammed through, such as the Hunting with Dogs Act, is proportionate. Throughout the passage of that legislation the public were repeatedly told by ministers that “stakeholders had been consulted”. The reality was that while we had been consulted, we were also totally ignored, as indeed were the findings of their own independent inquiry, the Bonomy Review. Now the SNP want to be partners and work collaboratively, and all this just before a key election.

In Wales, Labour is open about its opposition to shooting and other legal and legitimate activities. In Scotland, they have often been a thorn in the side of rural organisations with damaging amendments proposed to legislation. Thankfully, most have failed, but this won’t always be the case. Liberal

Democrats in Scotland have too often sat on the fence when it came to key decisions in the Rural Affairs Committee and although their UK manifesto had a number of interesting commitments for rural communities, such as the “appointment of a crossdepartmental Minister for Rural Communities, to make sure that rural voices are heard across government”, their record is mixed. While there were commitments from the Conservatives on rural funding and broadband connectivity, there were also welcome policies in all the manifestos. However, it cannot have gone unnoticed that while some Labour policies could help rural communities, the word rural, which appeared in all the other manifestos launched, did not appear once in the Labour manifesto.

The Countryside Alliance set out its stall prior to the election in relation to what we wanted to see addressed, whichever party took on the hot seat. Our Rural Charter covered key issues such digital connectivity, access to services, food and farming and the importance of countryside and wildlife management, but perhaps most important is the need for rural people to be respected and understood. With one sixth of the UK’s population living in a rural area, our leading party cannot ignore the rural community or refuse to work with it. Many of those in power, despite all the rhetoric about listening to the experts and following the science, seem more interested in ideologies which ignore the evidence and do nothing but harm communities, landscape and wildlife, No political party is perfect, but what we want to see now and in the future is support for our farmers and landowners and any legislation based on fact, rather than public opinion. For now, and for always, the Alliance will continue to fight for the rural way of life.

Supporting our professionals

Helen M J Benson CEO

The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust are on record in expressing extreme disquiet at the proposed changes to deer licensing seasons, and other legislation directly affecting the uplands of Scotland.

We understand there are areas where deer are a concern especially on urban fringes which can cause problems but is not necessarily the case further North. To think that hinds can be slaughtered at the latter stages of pregnancy surely goes against fundamental principles of animal welfare. It is also an anathema to professional stalkers and ghillies who care deeply for the deer on their hill and forest.

Fishing ghillies, boatmen and managers are also at the forefront of change and challenging times. Pollution and increasing populations of predators not least seals for example, all have an adverse impact on salmon stocks and the riparian economy.

Grouse keepers are busy ensuring there is the best chance for red grouse and ground nesting birds but also keeping an eye on

further developments and detail regarding the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill.

As the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust, we are concerned for the welfare of the people involved, the gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies. We are concerned for the families too; stress and anxiety can percolate and adversely affect homelife and rural communities.

The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust is working hard to support these remarkable professions, steeped in history and tradition but looking to the future, employing technology and educating future generations.

GWT Initiatives include a housing and benefits officer to help with enquiries, our nurse team offering health checks on shoots and estates as well at events and the health and wellbeing hub providing valuable advice and support on any health-related issue (physical and mental health) are just a few of the ways in which we support gamekeepers, stalkers, ghillies (deer and river).

www.thegamekeeperswelfaretrust.com enquiries@thegamekeeperswelfaretrust.com

Tel: 01677 470180

Want to Catch More Salmon?

What were/are the signs of a poorer run of salmon?

Part 1

By Ian Gordon

Back in the 1990s those of us working on the river noticed a drop off in the number of salmon on the Spey. All the classic signs were there, but unfortunately, because no one at the time wanted to hear such talk, they were all ignored. But what were the signs? I try to outline them below.

My Salmon fishing experience began, not on the Spey, but it’s much smaller cousin 30 miles east, the Deveron. At this time, the mid 1970s, good runs prevailed, and most fishing was by invitation only. Pressure on the river and beat by rods was minimal.

As a boy I was lucky to fish Forglen, the best beat on the

Deveron and had many days of catching between 3 and 7 salmon, sometimes more. Those were all “Autumn” Fish. For the eyes of a young boy at this time, the sight of so many salmon jumping was just so exciting. It was nothing to count 100+ fish jumping in a pool on the way through it. Our rivers were

running on full. Life, and fishing was awesome!

A few years later in 1985, I began working as a Ghillie on Lower Pitchroy, the uppermost of the 3 Knockando beats on the river Spey. This was also a time of plenty on the Spey with so many fish visible in each of the five named pools. However, over a relatively short period it became obvious that less fish were resident in each pool.

Although the overall catch remained at 10k+, those of us with a keen eye could see the overall number entering the river was dropping. But what were the signs? As it was not visible in the catches. In fact, due to the part played by “conditions” both water and weather, along with advances in method and tackle and more competent anglers, with better method, anglers now caught a higher percentage of salmon. Sea Trout too we’re dropping in number but need to be dealt with separately.

Estimating the overall numbers of salmon in a river solely on rod catch has serious flaws and for those trying to manage rivers, can be dangerous to say the least! For the reasons listed above, a season with extreme weather and water will not produce anything like as many fish to the rod and line and has no relevance to the season before, especially in years when fish were scarce.

So how do know this? What do I base this information on? Was

this guesswork based on a formula, or was it factual?

During the 1980s whilst working on Lower Pitchroy, each year in the summer I would snorkel and count the fish in my 5 pools. At this time, on most years I would see good numbers of salmon in all 5. However, in the early 1990s it became clear that 3 of the 5 pools had little or no salmon resident in them. However, catches generally remained unchanged. By the end of the decade only 2 of the 5 ever had decent numbers of resident fish. By the time I left the beat in 2003, apart from the best holding pool in the area there no resident fish anywhere. Through snorkelling each summer, I knew that numbers of fish in my beat had declined from 1k – 1.5k in the 80s to less than 200 in 2003. However, the fact that there was still “some” resident fish, meant my guests had a decent chance of catching a few and importantly, seeing a few gave us confidence! Fishing for fresh running or moving fish is always easier when there are a few residents in the pool you were targeting. I had watched the

5 pools in my beat go from all holding resident fish to just one. The important thing here was, even with this massive drop in overall numbers, at this point, on a good season (weather and water conditions) we still caught decent numbers150-180. For me, the red flag was there and glaringly obvious. However, when tying to point this out I was repeatedly told by the then Chairman of the board not be so negative, the long term catch on the Spey is 10k and has not changed in 50 years. Based on what I had seen in the 90s, I knew this wouldn’t be the case for too long. This was the time we could have done something about the problem, but heads were buried firmly in the sand, or, possibly, in a new fledgling business!

My first fish of this year (2024), caught in the Fiddich pool on Easter Elchies, reminded me of the importance of having residents. On the day (26th April), I was super confident because I knew it had produced 20 of the 25 fish caught on the beat this season. Did it surprise me when it was the only place I saw any fish on the beat too? Nope! But why this pool

and not the others? Well, the short answer is, not only was the pool in good height when fish arrived, but it is also the top pool in Zone 2 with an important juvenile producing tributary flowing into it. It is also a “Gathering” pool for Juveniles.

The presence of a tributary and “gathering” is also extremely relevant but requires much more explanation than I have time for here!

What, I hear you say, is Zone 2? It’s my personal code for what is historically the best and most productive part of the Spey, the area between two tributaries, the Mulben Burn to the River Fiddich. More fish stop in this, than any of the other 5 zones on the river. On the Spey, this is the benchmark, the area that spring salmon will initially rest/stop on their way upstream as adults. A good, bad or indifferent run of Spring Salmon can be measured, not by how many fish are caught, but by how many of the holding pools in this zone have fish in them by the end of May. This year has been particularly poor. A little like we saw on the Dee a few years back.

Here is my take on the 5 zones on the SpeyZone 1 – The sea to the Mulben Burn.

Zone 2 – The Mulben Burn to The Fiddich Burn.

Zone 3 – The Fiddich Burn – River Ann

Zone 4 – River Ann – River Dulnain

Zone 5 – Above the Dulnain.

Correct height of water, not only for specific beats, but specific pools within that area or zone.

In order for salmon to take up residency in a pool, it’s important that the river level suits that particular pool. Two days of the correct water height is no good. The mean height must be over a longer period. This year, unusually, we had higher water throughout the spring, meaning those beats with good “high water” pools faired best.

In part 2 (my next blog) I will highlight why, in my opinion, some beats in Zone 2 faired better than others, whilst those in other zones had the most awful spring. I know you will find my thoughts interesting.

The new Mile 2 range for thermal imagers (infrared cameras) from Pixfra has just launched, and the M625 model is set to be an exceptional buy! What makes the M625 thermal imaging monocular really stand out from the crowd is its compactness, performance, clarity and usability. Pixfra has taken its time with understanding what professional users need from a thermal device and integrated this knowledge into the new M625, which is part of the recently launched Mile 2 range.

Hot on their trail

Thermal imaging equipment has become very popular with gamekeepers, deerstalkers and pest controllers, as it allows them to covertly observe and track animals during day and night. Generally, thermal devices use a thermal camera and heat sensor, which with the use of a special lens, detects body heat. Depending on the thermal imaging device, a gamekeeper will be able to view animals over a range of several hundred metres and even behind loose cover, such as tree branches or hedges. A few years ago, you would have had to pay upwards of £2,250 for such performance, but Pixfra’s M625 model has been very sensibly priced.

All thermal imaging devices are designed to display body heat, with varying degrees of detail and clarity. What makes the M625 stand out is its ability to create a clear, detailed image in such a compact unit. Priced at only £1,259.95, the M625 is £1,000 cheaper than the Pulsar Helion XQ38, which was one of the most popular thermal imaging monoculars in the UK just a few years ago. But today, the Pixfra Mile 2: M625 model is smaller, provides a clearer image, is easier to use and cheaper!

Small but mighty Compact and lightweight, the range-topping Mile 2: M625 will fit into your shooting jacket pocket, or you can use the

Pixfra Mile 2

supplied pouch, which provides a silent open/ close feature and mounting options – either attach it to the shoulder strap of your backpack, onto a bino harness or even a trouser belt. The M625 fits neatly into the hand and the smooth focus rings at the front and rear assist with fast focus of the image and near-eye display. Very few devices of this size provide both front and rear focus rings.

Pixfra has very cleverly placed the on/off/standby button on the side of the Mile 2 to prevent accidentally placing the Mile 2 into standby mode. The main function buttons are situated centrally at the top of the unit –making it easy to use with either left or right hands – and there are only 3 buttons to operate all the features. Photo/ video recording, colour palette change, full menu access, and digital image zoom are all quickly available from these three buttons.

The choice is clear

If you need a compact, high quality and sensibly priced thermal imaging spotter, take a look at the Pixfra Mile 2: M625. It comes with a quality pouch, neck strap, USB type-c cable and a 3-year warranty, which is supported by a UK service centre. If you would like to know more about this incredible product, please contact the team at Night Master on 01535 611688

Pixfra Mile 2: M625

Price: £1,259.95

www.nightmaster.co.uk

Buckle up for your next African adventure with the Rigby Canvas & Leather Belt

Embark on your next safari in style with the latest addition to London gunmaker John Rigby & Co.’s safari clothing collection with the Rigby Canvas & Leather Belt. Crafted for the modern adventurer, this belt seamlessly combines durability with timeless style.

Handcrafted by the skilled artisans at Els & Co. in South Africa, the belt features a soft cotton canvas in a sand-coloured tone, perfectly complemented by tan leather tips for a striking contrast reminiscent of a bygone era.

Designed to stand the test of time, the non-slip, suede-lined leather tips are hand-stitched using a thick wax-coated cotton thread. The belt’s solid cast brass buckles, ensure longevity in even the most demanding environments and each leather belt proudly carries the iconic Rigby ‘double R’ logo.

Available to purchase from the Rigby Shikar Store, this belt is a versatile accessory suitable for any adventure, from tracking game to exploring the great outdoors.

Available in sizes 38-inches or 46-inches,. Canvas & Leather Belt is priced at £192, plus P&P. For more information visit: www.johnrigbyandco.com

Rigby’s new .500 Nitro Express

cufflinks

are not for the faint hearted

Developed in the 1890s, the .500 Nitro Express (NE) rifle cartridge was developed for intrepid hunters who dared venture off to the wilds of Africa and India in pursuit of large and dangerous game. London gunmaker, John Rigby & Co.’s new cufflinks adorned with the inner rifling of a .500 NE barrel offer a steadfast reminder of strength and courage.

Meticulously hand-crafted, these enamelled sterling silver cufflinks, part of Rigby’s Objet d’art collection are inspired by the company’s long history of gunmaking and feature a seven-grooved rifling spiral design, as influenced by the iconic .500 Rigby Rising Bite double rifle. With enamelled oval swivels baring the Rigby name, they are perfect for collectors or those searching for the ultimate gift.

As with all items in Rigby’s Objet d’art collection, each are stamped with the Rigby maker’s mark, alongside the London hallmark. Each set of cufflinks come presented in a beautiful Rigby blue box, bearing the iconic Rigby ‘double R’ logo.

Rigby .500 Nitro Express Cufflinks: £1,080, plus P&P.

For more information about Rigby’s Objet d’art collection, visit: www.johnrigbyandco.com

Savour your sundowner with the Rigby

Whisky Travel Bar

London gunmaker John Rigby & Co. is proud to introduce their latest luxury travel companion – the Rigby Whisky Bar, now available at the Rigby Shikar Store. Handmade by Els & Co. fine leather craftsmen, it is crafted for the modern adventurer who seeks a touch of luxury even in the heart of the great outdoors.

Made with durability in mind, it features a robust handle and two brass buckle fasteners that secure the opener. Inside, it’s ingeniously partitioned to house six tumblers, each thoughtfully accommodated in its own slot, ensuring they remain safe and ready for your next pour. A spacious compartment is dedicated to cradle your chosen bottle, safeguarded by an internal buckle fastener, ensuring it stays firmly in place during your adventures.

Whether you’re venturing deep into the wilderness or simply seeking a refined drink on the go, the Rigby Whisky Travel Bar is your perfect companion.

RRP: £600, plus P&P

Shop here: www.johnrigbyandco.com/shop/rigby-whisky-bar

50 Years of Improving Livestock Health and Performance

MSD Animal Health UK Limited (a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE: MRK)) is celebrating almost half a decade of working with livestock farmers in the UK.

Following the acquisition of Allflex Livestock Intelligence and its sister companies Sure Petcare and Biomark in 2019, MSD Animal Health is celebrating 50 years of working with livestock farmers in the UK.

Commenting on the milestone, and reflecting on the heritage of the combined businesses, Kevin Parker, Ruminant Business Unit Director said, “MSD Animal Health has a long and proud history of working with generations of livestock farmers to enable them to meet the industry’s changing

needs and challenges, and to improve the performance and profitability of their herds and flocks.

“The story of our SenseHub herd monitoring system goes back to 1976 when SCR was established. During its early years and before being acquired by the Allflex Group in 2014, SCR designed a range of milking pulsators and automatic cluster removers (ACRs), after which it became the industry leader in advanced cow monitoring solutions.”

MSD Animal Health’s heritage goes back even further: “Established in the 1940s, we’ve been developing and supplying a range of animal health products, including vaccines for the dairy, beef and sheep sectors, for over 80 years,” Mr Parker adds.

“And with Allflex, our livestock identification division, which has roots that stretch back to the 1950s, MSD Animal Health is the global leader in monitoring,

identification and animal health products for species as diverse as dairy cows and beef cattle, pigs, poultry, equine, companion animals and aquaculture.”

Bryce Post Drivers have completed their development work on their TR400 trailed post driver

There are customers out there who do not have a tractor with the lifting capacity for handling the Bryce 3pt. linkage models, so for the farmer or contractor who only have a 50-90HP tractor at their disposal the TR400 makes the perfect choice.

The Bryce TR400 had all the features of the Bryce Profi models, including a 400kg hammer, sideshift, backshift and a 95mm hydraulically engaging rock spike plus it can also carry a substantial load of straining posts or stakes/stobs. Provision is also made for carrying all hand tools, chainsaw etc., making the TR400 the complete machine for one man working on his own or otherwise erecting all types of farm stock fencing, deer fencing, post and rail or industrial security fencing.

Built in counterbalance and heavy duty swivel hitch offer safety and stability when working on steeper gradients and these two features are included as part of the standard specification. Two additional hydraulic jack legs ensure the post driver operates with little or no movement during the post driving process. A rear positioned safety leg is employed to ensure the machine does not tip backwards when unhitched on uneven ground.”

“Another interesting and desirable feature of the Bryce TR400 is that being trailed it is so easy to hitch up, and as a fencing machine all tools for the job are on the post driver including a worthwhile load if materials, making it an instant ready to go outfit”

Collaboration to help propel Scotland’s red meat sector forward

By Sarah Millar, CEO at QMS

Over the last few weeks the hot word has been ‘collaboration’. Proper, old fashioned, ‘let’s sit down and agree the best way to do this’ collaboration. It hasn’t been easy. Proper collaboration is hard. It takes time, it requires moving on a timeline that isn’t always your own, it means being prepared to compromise on detail for the greater good of the wider objective. But it’s extremely satisfying when the last few weeks of hard yards see some of the big pieces come together, all with a core purpose of delivering better, delivering more for the businesses through our red meat supply chain.

One of the biggest results of our collaborations launched just a couple of weeks ago; a major project from QMS and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) revealing the net carbon position of farms, addressing

The Royal Countryside Fund and McDonald’s UK & Ireland launch new programme Savings in Soil

the intense pressure faced by farmers to deliver on environmental targets.

The £2.875m project will individually baseline up to 170 farms across Great Britain, with the long-term vision to a nationwide standardised data set across the beef, lamb, pork, dairy, cereals and oilseeds sectors. It will bring more accurate reporting of emissions and the environmental impact of agriculture, and integrity.

It will help to demonstrate the real environmental benefits of British agricultural products, and provide a more accurate reflection of its position and progress towards Net Zero. It’s the proof that the hard work that goes into collaboration can help everyone involved – and beyond - achieve game-changing results.

AHDB and QMS are currently in the process of recruiting farms to join the pilot project. More information, including an expression of interest form can be found at www.ahdb.org.uk/baselining.

The programme is designed to help farmers save money whilst improving their soil health for a more profitable and sustainable herd.

The Royal Countryside Fund is proud to announce their new programme, Savings in Soil, sponsored by McDonald’s UK & Ireland. Starting this summer, the programme will help livestock farmers in Herefordshire, Norfolk and Northumberland to understand more about the practical ways soil health can help save money on-farm.

Soil is the foundation of any farm and is a fundamental asset; efficient management of soil health can produce better yields, improve animal welfare and ensure a healthier environment –all of which can result in financial benefits for farm businesses.

Savings in Soil will look at practical ways to manage and improve soil health and grassland to maximise agricultural efficiency and environmental opportunities. In addition to this, the sessions will introduce ideas linked to regenerative agriculture, such as the role of herbal leys, reduced movement and disturbance, and touch on carbon sequestration opportunities.

“Healthy soil is the foundation of a sustainable and profitable farm,” said Keith Halstead, Executive Director at The Royal Countryside Fund. “With support from our partners at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, we aim to equip farming families seeking a sustainable future with the knowledge and tools to help them enhance their soil health and improve grassland management, leading to cost savings and better environmental outcomes.”

Hetty Gittus, Agriculture & Sustainable Sourcing Manager at McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: “We are proud to be working with The Royal Countryside Fund, collating and sharing knowledge to support farmers on their journey towards fully understanding and improving their approach to soil health. Healthy soils are critical for sustainable food production, and as part of our Plan for Change strategy we are committed to improving the economic resilience of farming families and to supporting the future of British farming through environmental initiatives like Savings in Soil.”

NFU Scotland calls for mandate to introduce Ultra-High Frequency Electronic Identification for cattle

Responding to Scottish Government’s consultation on Cattle Identification and Traceability, NFU Scotland has called for a clear mandate for the introduction of Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Electronic Identification (EID).

Discussions on EID for Scottish cattle are now more than two decades old and the Union, in its response to the consultation, is adamant that years of industry discussion, lobbying, research and development must now lead to the introduction of Bovine EID in Scotland.

NFU Scotland Livestock Policy Manager Lisa Hislop,

who wrote the Union submission, said: “Our position is clear. We want to see a mandate for the introduction of Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) EID.

“UHF is the newer technology versus the now dated Low Frequency (LF), which is currently used in sheep. The benefits of UHF outstrip those of LF, notably the ability to achieve 100 percent read rates on-farm, in transport and in markets which improves the health and safety of anyone who works with cattle.

“UHF will be able to streamline the husbandry tasks on-farm including any inspections, as well as the

potential to phase out paper passports, saving the industry more than £20,000 and the Scottish Government more than £500,000 on paper and postage.

“We appreciate there is confusion and misunderstandings around EID which is understandable given the considerable time taken to get to this point. But fundamentally UHF EID gives those who want to use technology the opportunity to get the most out of it.

“However, the benefit of UHF for all cattle keepers is that the tags will continue to be ‘What You See Is What You Get’ (WYSIWYG), meaning

the animal’s ID will be printed on the tag and you can request a paper passport as is today. This also mitigates any concern about cross-border trade.

“We want Scottish Government to introduce the mandate with a clear timeline for introduction as soon as possible. This will give industry confidence to invest in the necessary equipment and technology for EID.

“Any savings for Scottish Government generated by the move to EID should be retained and spent on the Scottish cattle industry including investment in the likes of MyHerdStats, a

free programme from ScotEID that gives basic herd data from the national animal movement database to all cattle keepers in Scotland.

“We would also like to see capital funding available for the transition to EID through the future support framework. As the industry is encouraged to use data to become more efficient, we need the policy and tools to do so.”

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

Next issue out September 2024

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Nofence reaches major milestone of 100,000 collars sold

“A very exciting milestone,” says CEO of Nofence, Joachim Kähler. The grazing technology company is also launching an online store and has collars in stock.

Nofence’s collars have increased in popularity since its pilot customers first began using in 2019, with the company recently surpassing 100,000 sold - a strong testament to the demand for the new technology in both domestic and international markets.

While the number of collars sold is not the main goal itself, Nofence is thrilled to have reached this milestone. “The main goal has been, and will always be, quality, so we can

deliver reliable Nofence collars to anyone who wants to use this technology for their animals. That’s where we are now - with short delivery times. That’s

something we celebrate just as much,” says Kähler.

As the company continues to grow, Nofence has supported farmers who raise cattle, goats,

Grazing to Promote Red Clover

Discussed in last month’s article, white clovers multi-branched creeping stem, the stolon, makes it grazing tolerant and persistent in well managed swards. Its low growth habit means that effective grazing management to promote it is based on maintaining short pasture swards, 4-6cm set stocked or 8-10cm entry with 4cm residuals on rotation. This maintains light levels to the low growing white clover plants for photosynthesis, preventing grass dominance and shading out of clover. Red clover however is a very different plant, requiring different grazing management. It has a single growing point, the crown which stores nutrients and from which stems and a deep tap root grow. Also, unlike white clover, red clover has an upright growth habit allowing red clover to be situated higher in the pasture canopy to capture sunlight and photosynthesise. Whilst these traits make it capable of higher yields (10-14 tDM/ ha), drought tolerance and nitrogen fixation (150-250

and sheep as their livelihood. Nofence’s technology is well-suited for grazing over larger areas and landscape management, enabling farmers to easily alter grazing boundaries remotely by using the app. In some places, virtual fencing may be the only option - topography and ground conditions may be incompatible with traditional fences. The technology is

used both on cultivated and uncultivated land, although most people acquire the system to utilise untapped resources in uncultivated areas.

“We’re here to make a difference for farmers. They can utilise new grazing resources and thereby strengthen their livelihoods. In addition, they also get better oversight of their animals,” says Kähler.

Feed quality milk protein to heifer calves to unlock better lifetime performance

kgN/ha), these also make it much less grazing tolerant and persistent.

Compared to a conventional ryegrass and white clover swards, grazing management to promote red clover should be rotational and target:

• Higher residuals of 6cm to prevent damage to the crown and maintain some leaf area for photosynthesis. Likewise, if cutting for silage, increase cutting height to 7-8cm.

• Longer rest periods (30 days in spring and summer) to build covers and energy reserves for the next grazing to allow recovery and quick regrowth.

• Short grazing durations (1-3 days) in each paddock to reduce selective grazing. Red clover is very palatable meaning stock will selectively over-graze it (below target residual) leading to crown damage and poor persistency whilst under-grazing other plants leading to reduced sward feed quality.

Heifer calves reared on a concentrated whey protein-based milk replacer diet are younger at first calving and more fertile than those receiving lower quality milk protein in early life; a potential financial benefit worth more than £63 per heifer.

Dairy heifers at AFBI Hillsborough in Northern Ireland fed different milk protein-based diets as pre-weaned calves have now been monitored up until their third calving.

According to Dr Jessica Cooke from Volac Milk Replacers, the experimental study involved 80 Holstein Friesian calves fed four different milk replacers from birth until 56 days of age. The trial highlighted

that well formulated, high quality milk replacers with either skim milk powder (at above a 40% inclusion level) or concentrated whey protein as the major source of dairy protein both deliver comparable animal performance.

“This work clearly showed that the presence of skim – and therefore the clotting effect of casein – is not the fundamental element within a calf milk formula influencing optimum calf growth. If the important milk components are processed correctly, both skim and whey proteins will be highly digestible by the high milk-fed preweaned calf and will deliver good performance. The trial clearly demonstrated that there

was no significant difference in calf growth or health between the different milk replacer formulations.”

Importantly though, Dr Cooke stressed that good nutrition and calf performance is linked to more than just the type of dairy protein included in the finished milk formula.

“Important differences in amino acid and fatty acid profiles, amount of lactose, vitamins, minerals and trace elements, processing conditions and overall digestibility all contribute to calf performance,” she said.

What’s more, the data has confirmed that high quality preweaned calf nutrition favourably influences better lifetime productivity. ‘What calves are fed pre-weaning certainly makes a difference as these heifers join the milking herd,” Dr Cooke said.

New organic mineral bolus launched

Nettex has announced the release of the first organic EnduraBol bolus which will offer six trace elements in a resin coated formulation, providing up to six months of supplementation with a measured release rate.

“This new bolus is approved by Organic Farmers and Growers (OF&G) and is suitable for those farming under Soil Association guidelines. The formulation provides high levels of iodine, copper, selenium, cobalt, zinc and manganese to help balance potential deficiencies,” says Emily Hall from Nettex.

The bolus has been designed with single point erosion to enable a consistent and measured release of nutrients over a 180day lifespan.

“A small circle at the end of the bolus releases the minerals more evenly than if the whole surface were to erode. This also ensures the bolus continues to deliver the optimum release of nutrients throughout the whole period,” adds Ms Hall.

A unique resin coating has been used for the Endurabol

Organic product to protect the structure of the bolus and to make it easier to administer.

“The resin coating has multiple benefits. It protects the bolus from being chipped or broken, prevents moisture compromising the nutrients, and helps it to slide down the animal more easily,” she says.

The ingredients offered by the bolus help to support improved muscle growth and performance whilst supporting the uptake of vitamin B12 to provide extra energy.

“This bolus is an excellent option for organic producers looking to support and improve animal health whilst maximising growth, development and performance,” concludes Ms Hall.

Livestock management platform receives innovation award

iLivestock’s revolutionary integrated management platform has been awarded a Royal Highland Show silver award recognising technical innovation that advances efficient farming practices.

The iLivestock platform offers a simple, affordable and integrated package of advanced on-farm software, hardware and a digital support hub, for sheep and cattle monitoring.

Ewen Wardman, CEO and co-founder of iLivestock, has big ambitions for the company; to disrupt the livestock monitoring market and encourage farmers to think differently about animal performance.

“Our platform allows farmers to adopt a precision, data-driven

approach, making the recording and analysis of farm operations and livestock productivity easy and accessible,” he says.

“For years, the UK sheep and beef sector has been underrepresented by agritech advancements, with most solutions geared towards ‘large scale’ enterprises, leaving the majority of farms behind.”

In the current climate, this has to change. The iLivestock platform aims to address the challenge head-on to support these farms in driving profits by managing what they can monitor.

“We wanted to provide an affordable, easy-to-use precision livestock technology that will help farmers monitor and

improve efficiency and therefore profitability,” says Mr Wardman.

“iLivestock doesn’t just offer products; as a company, we’re committed to the future of

farming and aim to ensure every farmer has the tools to thrive in an increasingly competitive world focused on sustainability,” adds Mr Wardman.

Focus on Youngstock Disease Prevention

MSD Animal Health UK Limited (a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE: MRK)) has announced that dairy herd managers can improve the health and productivity of their adult cow population by ensuring post-weaned calves receive the same level of care and attention as their younger and older cohorts.

That is according to Kat Baxter-Smith, MSD Animal Health Veterinary Advisor, who explains that not all calves in the 3-12 months age bracket receive the necessary attention they need to keep them free from key diseases such as pneumonia (otherwise known as Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD)) and scour.

“When not diagnosed or treated quickly enough, both diseases can lead to short and longterm effects including a 6kg/month reduction in daily liveweight gains, a 525kg loss in first lactation yield, lower sales values for youngstock, and an increased susceptibility to other diseases later in life,” Kat explains.*

“And while pre-weaned calves typically receive plenty of care, there is a risk that the level of attention received might fall away after weaning – either due to a lack of time, the animals being housed off-site, or because of the assumption that they require less management.”

However, research shows that post-weaned calves are still very susceptible to performance restricting illnesses and must therefore be managed accordingly.

The VET Trace Element Deficiencies in Lambs

A wet spring with warm spells here in Orkney has unfortunately made for ideal conditions for coccidiosis and gastrointestinal worms to boom in the growing lambs. Although parasites are often at the forefront of our mind when it comes to poor growth, this is only one of the big three contributors to ill-thrift in lambs:

1) Suboptimal Nutrition

2) Gastrointestinal Parasites

3) Trace Element Deficiencies

This article focuses on the three most significant trace element deficiencies of growing lambs:

Cobalt

Cobalt is transformed by rumen bacteria into Vitamin B12 which is essential for normal metabolism and growth.

Deficiency in lambs (known as ‘pine’) often presents as ill-thrift, poor quality open fleeces, weeping eyes, and pale mucous membranes.

Deficiency can be picked up on blood tests or via post-mortem. Although deficiency may occur due to low soil levels, parasite burdens can have a massive impact on gut absorption in the lamb.

Selenium

Alongside Vitamin E, selenium is hugely important for

By Balfour S Hay BVMS MRCVS

supporting the immune system and protecting the muscles.

Deficiency leads to ill-thrift, immunosuppression (increased risk of infections), and in severe cases white muscle disease (a cause of sudden death).

Deficiency can be picked up on blood tests or via postmortem. Deficiency occurs in the soil regionally, but may also be exacerbated in lambs by dietary factors and parasites inhibiting absorption.

Copper

Copper plays a wide variety of roles in the body. Although less commonly associated with illthrift, copper deficiency is still significant in growing lambs as it can lead to ‘delayed swayback’ which causes progressive weakness and eventual irreversible paralysis of the hindlegs. Another sign of copper deficiency is a poor quality fleece lacking crimp. Unless deficiency is severe, blood levels may be normal so post-mortem samples are most reliable for diagnosis. Deficiency can be due to low soil copper levels, but more commonly due to high levels of molybdenum, iron, or sulfur which inhibit its absorption. As always, prevention is better than cure. There is a wide range of supplementation options available (e.g. boluses, longacting injections, drenches, licks), each with their own pros and cons. However, be aware that there is always the potential for too much of a good thing! Oversupplementation is a real risk in sheep especially which can lead to potentially fatal toxicities, particularly for copper but also for selenium - ideally stick to one source of quality supplementation.

Moredun Research Institute awarded £1.2M grant to tackle resistance to sheep scab treatments

The Moredun Research Institute, in collaboration with partners, has been awarded a £1.2M grant to explore the mechanism of resistance to the macrocyclic lactone (ML) injectables in the sheep scab mite, Psoroptes ovis, and how this resistance has spread across the UK. The threeyear award involves project partners from the University of Glasgow, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), and the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Industry Group.

Project lead, Dr Stew Burgess, Moredun Research

Institute, says:

“The £1.2 million award is a pivotal investment in our mission to combat the growing challenge of macrocyclic lactone resistance in the sheep scab mite, P. ovis. Sheep scab remains a significant threat to livestock health and welfare, imposing substantial economic burdens on farmers across the UK. With this funding, we aim to decode the genetic basis of resistance and its spread, providing the agricultural community with vital tools and updated strategies to manage this pervasive issue effectively. This project

strengthens our collaborative efforts with partners at the University of Glasgow and SRUC and reinforces Moredun’s commitment to pioneering research that drives real-world impact.”

The Moredun Research Institute, and its partners, will be presenting their innovative research at Scotland’s premier rural event, the Royal Highland Show, this week at Ingliston near Edinburgh. Visitors to the Show will have the opportunity to learn about Moredun’s efforts in improving animal health and welfare on farms, including their pivotal research into sheep scab.”

Project Overview

Sheep scab, a highly contagious disease caused by the ectoparasitic mite P. ovis., represents a significant welfare and economic concern for UK livestock production, costing the industry between £80-200 million annually. Current control strategies rely on organophosphate (OP) sheep dips and ML injectables (ivermectin, doramectin, and moxidectin). However, overreliance on ML injectables for controlling gastrointestinal

nematodes (GIN) and sheep scab has led to the emergence of ML-resistant parasites, posing a significant threat to sheep health and welfare. While OP dipping is an effective alternative, it is associated with more complex safety requirements for both operators and the environment and if overused scab mites could also develop resistance to OP.

“Maintaining two effective control methods is essential for our ability to control scab in the future”, says Lesley Stubbings of SCOPS. “Understanding the basis of resistance in the MLs, together with the potential for early detection, will allow the industry to develop strategies to manage and slow resistance.”

This new project will explore the mechanisms underlying ML resistance in P. ovis. The project aims to provide updated advice and guidelines on sheep scab management and develop novel diagnostic tools to track the spread of resistance, ensuring the optimum use of the available treatments.

As Dr Jenni McIntyre, part of the research team at the University of Glasgow explains “ML resistance is complex and poses a real challenge to farmers

in controlling both GIN and scab. This exciting project will be the first to apply cutting-edge genomic tools to understand ML resistance in sheep scab mites.”

To produce this new guidance, the project will use new tools, including samples of P. ovis mites that are either resistant or susceptible to ML treatment and a detailed map of their genes. The project team will study these samples to understand how ML resistance has developed and then track how this resistance has spread across the UK.

“Translating basic research on the understanding of drug resistance in parasites to improve control strategies has undergone huge progress in recent years” says project partner, Jack Hearn, SRUC. “We can now target parasites of veterinary importance like the mites that cause Sheep scab with a variety of research methods. This will lead to much swifter recommendations for improved scab management than previously possible to the benefit of animal welfare and farmers.”

UK’s young sheep farmers show off their skills in world shepherding competition

Four enthusiastic and skilled young farmers from each of the UK nations have fought for the title of ‘World Shepherd of the Year’ at a recent contest held in France.

The weeklong competition gave the young shepherds chance to network and compete against fellow young farmers from far flung countries including Australia and Canada, and African nations such as the Ivory Coast. With the competition travelling across the sheep farming regions of France, attendees were also able to use the event as a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the sheep industry outside of their home nations as well as become part of an expanding international network committed to supporting the next generation of farmers.

Representing the UK were Liam Doyle from Northern Ireland, Matthew Fearon from England, Caryl Davies from Wales and Lana Bell from Scotland.

Following six competition stages that included tests of shearing, foot care, ewe and lamb selection, body condition scoring and electric fencing,

Matthew, who works on his family’s hill farm in the Lake District, Cumbria, emerged as the top UK competitor finishing a respectable fifth out of 30 participants. Liam, a student from Greenmount College, County Antrim also finished in the top ten, coming in ninth place.

NSA Support & Activities Officer Fiona Parker, accompanied the group on their trip and comments: “The group enjoyed a fantastic week of competition and networking, being welcomed by our French hosts with warm and generous hospitality. Our four UK competitors demonstrated impressive knowledge and skills throughout the week that will have undoubtedly aided those at the event with lesser understanding of progressive sheep systems.

“NSA must thank MSD Animal Health for its sponsorship of the UK team, allowing them to benefit from what I’m sure will have been a memorable and hugely beneficial week.”

The four UK competitors were selected having previously successfully competed at NSA Sheep Event’s national finals

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Hopefully that other lot don’t get in!

By Peter Myles NSA Scotland chairman

As the election leaflets and paraphernalia get swept up and binned along with their copious and dubious promises. By the time you read this, the election will have, been and gone. Much as I treasure and cherish democracy that our forefathers fought and died for; I would never disrespect them by not using my vote. However, I have been somewhat disillusioned by the calibre of the people we get to vote for.

I come from a political family and in years gone by political campaigns were exciting as we engaged in the political debates, for or against important issues of the day. You got to know the candidates what they stood for, their strengths and weaknesses. I always wanted to know their history and the skills they were to give to our constituency from the life experiences

they have had and how they dealt with them. Basically, my vote was the result of a complicated job interview where I and many others got to employ someone who we could trust to look after our interests for the forthcoming 5 years or so.

Now you get a leaflet that tells you “We are not that other lot, look how bad they are!”

No, no, no. How would it look in a job application if your CV said you were definitely not someone else!

I would like someone who will listen to the people on the ground and try their best for agriculture. An MP who has agricultural experience and has a flavour for the business and yes, occasionally speak against the party line and make me feel he or she has got my back.

But sadly, I will go into that wee polling booth mark an X, then just hope, that, the other lot don’t get in!

For further information, please visit https://www.nationalsheep.org.uk/webinars/

of the NSA Next Generation Shepherd of the Year in 2022 or were chosen following a competition to find competitors in Scotland.

NSA Sheep Event 2024 will once again be host of the NSA UK Next Generation Shepherd of the Year competition when it takes place on Tuesday 30th July at the Three counties Showground, Worcestershire. 18 skilled young farmers from across the country will come together at the event, sponsored by The Texel Sheep Society, to compete for their chance to take home the prestigious title and a piece of the generous prize pot.

Blowfly warning for Scottish sheep farmers

Sheep farmers are being warned to act now and take preventative measures, as high blowfly risk alerts are being sent to farmers across Scotland.

Matthew Colston, Elanco ruminant technical consultant, urges farmers in the surrounding area to be vigilant and apply a preventative treatment to protect their flock before strike occurs.

However, the true economic impact of blowfly strike is often underestimated with costs of

£209 per lamb, and £184 per breeding ewe, being quoted.

Mr Colston says early preventative treatment has been shown to be the most costeffective strategy to combat the flock health and economic risks due to blowfly strike.

However, by signing up to Elanco’s Blowfly Watch alerts, farmers will get the heads up on when to apply a preventive treatment before cases occur. Farmers can also report cases

of strike on the Elanco Blowfly Tracker to help alert other farmers to local cases.

Sign up for Blowfly Watch

How pigs are still thriving despite zinc oxide ban

Pigs can still thrive despite the removal of potentially harmful zinc oxide from their diets, according to a leading industry specialist.

Animal feed firm Harbro said it’s currently working with a number of pig farmers which are achieving excellent results without medicinal zinc in their livestock’s diets.

Zinc oxide has been used for many years in the industry to reduce diarrhoea in post-weaned pigs. However, as a result of potential risks to the environment and in line with regulations set by the EU, therapeutic use of zinc oxide was banned across the EU in 2022.

The UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate granted an extension in the UK, allowing the industry to use up any product purchased before the authorisation expired in June 2022.

Following the ban, pig producers have been on a deadline to use any remaining products and utilise alternative methods of supporting gut health and preventing post-weaning diarrhoea in their weaned pigs.

Harbro, which offers a tailored nutritional programme to its customers, began removing medicinal zinc oxide from its Fostercare piglet range in 2023, and has also added a number of new products.

James Hall, Harbro’s pig business development manager, said: “We are not seeing any negative impacts from removing the zinc oxide from the diets when the adjusted nutritional approach is combined with good hygiene and management in the nursery.

“We have customers who are currently achieving weights of 35kg in their 10-week old pigs, compared with the industry average of just 30kg.

“On an average 300 sow unit, improving nursery weight by 5kg could be worth an additional £200,000 a year.”

Kevin Stickney, interim head of technical at Harbro, said: “Piglets, when you wean them and take them away from their mother, are immunologically naive and prone to particular levels of infection, notably infections in the gut.

“Before they’re weaned, they rely on their mother for immune protection, but once weaned, the pig is then susceptible to bacteria it brings with it or encounters in the environment that it’s weaned into.

“Zinc is not only antibacterial, but there are a number of things going on that it can influence - including stopping gut leakage and certain bacteria attaching itself to the gut wall.

“Whenever I have been giving presentations on this subject where we’re looking for a replacement, my comment is that there is no silver bullet. Zinc oxide was pretty unique in that category.

“What you need is a number of different strategies, including increasing hygiene. One of the calls has been to improve onfarm management and a lot of that requires human input. One of the problems that we have in the industry is that, due to a shortage of skilled labour, a lot of things don’t get done as well as they should, and therefore there is an increased onus on the feed to deliver the entire solution.

“You’ve got to go into a mode of improving the digestibility of the feed and that means selecting better quality raw materials the piglets find easily digestible.

“As early as the late nineties and early noughties, we effectively started looking at processes that would help to reduce the impact of the medicinal zinc ban, i.e. shortly after the ban on antibiotic growth promoters, and I do now think piglets can thrive without it.

“But there has got to be good hygiene on the farm, plus some kind of assistance coming through the water supply because there is an enthusiasm for piglets to consume water immediately after weaning, when rates of feed intake are less predictable. In addition, introducing a digestible, palatable diet with reduced crude protein and buffering potential is less likely to feed the bugs in the lower gut.”

Oliver Thompson runs a farrow-to-finish system based near Sheffield, producing 5,700/

year pigs from 200 breeding sows and has been leading the way in high production without using zinc oxide by focusing on hygiene, nutritional tools, and bespoke ration management.

The family business has produced high-quality pork since the 1990s and has continued refining its processes.

crofting pigs

The farm strongly emphasises targeted nutrition for each production stage. It has been working closely with Harbro for over 10 years for nutritional support, alongside high biosecurity, to achieve its growth and required carcase traits.

The transition away from the reliance on zinc oxide has effectively been managed through nutrition.

“If successful, removing zinc oxide is better for pig gut health. It also has low palatability, so it depresses appetite,” said Oliver.

“We began to use a probiotic product alongside supplementary milk and solid feed on advice from Harbro. The pigs didn’t show any scouring, and we never looked back. We have had no issues not using zinc oxide.

“The Harbro Tropper mobile mill and mix visits every Monday morning as the first call of the week as we are a highhealth herd, and biosecurity is important for us. Anyone visiting the farm must be 72 hours pigfree, wear clean clothes and use site footwear. We also don’t have any pig farms close to us, which is handy.”

The farm rarely uses antibiotics and its quarterly average is 2 mg/kg, significantly below the industry threshold and average use.

“Antibiotics create a poor gut microbiome and are therefore detrimental to our animal’s gut health,” said Oliver.

Attention has gone into the pre-weaning period with

tailoring rations to support feed intake and gut health.

Allison Elliott, monogastric nutritionist for Harbro, who supports the Thompson’s farm, agrees with this strategy.

“Nutrition has to change without zinc,” said Allison. “Customers will notice more additive products on starter feed labels, be that essential oils, short chain fatty acids or enzymes, but the focus area for Harbro is the pre-weaning feed intake.

“Medicinal zinc oxide was used to improve intestinal morphology, reduce pathogens by activating the immune system and improve nutrient digestion. Without it, piglets must develop the ability of the gut to digest food quickly.

“Farmers can use the time while suckling from the mother to increase feed intake pre-weaning to help develop gut enzymes, alongside group feeding and familiarity with feeding dishes. We can prepare as best as we can for when weaned by making sure the peak feed intake in the farrowing room is well managed to stimulate digestion.”

The Thompsons aim to get their piglets off to the best start by combining their nutritional approaches with the mother’s milk, a little and often strategy, providing highly palatable food similar to milk. This encourages group feeding and adaptation to feeding from a source other than the mother’s teat.

“Our Fostercare One provides all these benefits and is advised to be given until piglets increase their feed intake, until day 14 at most,” said Allison.

“Once feed intake is established, the ration can be moved to Fostercare Two, which introduces uncooked cereals and vegetable proteins to trigger endogenous enzyme production alongside immune activation, and can be fed until weaned.”

FARMING SCOTLAND

A month is a long time in politics!

By Donna Smith

A lot of our behind the scenes work at the SCF revolves around lobbying politicians to ensure a better deal for crofters and crofting across a range of policy areas so what happens in politics is very important to our work, and my goodness, what a couple of months it’s been! Not only do we now have a new First Minister, but we are also hurtling towards a snap general election which will have some impact on rural issues because the UK government still holds the purse strings when it comes to agriculture support.

In welcoming John Swinney to his new role, the SCF have urged him to address the government’s previous shortcomings in their direction of travel in respect of rural issues. As the agriculture bill moves towards its final approval in parliament, there is still time for a change of track,

introducing a system that truly supports crofters and other small producers, and we will continue to push hard for this in the coming weeks. Leaving politics aside and on a much more positive note, May saw us complete our latest round of roadshows where we visited Tiree, Oban, North Uist, South Uist and Skye. These roadshows are an enjoyable way for us to meet and chat with crofters and build an understanding of issues affecting them and crofting in their area and of course, the craic is always great. We’re taking a break now from these and turning our focus to the summer diet of agricultural shows. The first one is the Royal Highland Show and we will also be attending the North Uist and Barvas shows in late July. If you are planning to attend any of these, please do drop by and say hello.

Holyrood committee launches follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland

Holyrood’s Rural Affairs & Islands (RAI) Committee has launched a follow-up inquiry to ask if recommendations made to the Scottish Government in 2018, to address economic, social and environmental issues related to the salmon farming industry in Scotland, have been implemented.

In November 2018, the then Rural Economy & Connectivity Committee (RECC) said that urgent action needed to be taken to improve the regulation of the Scottish salmon farming industry and to address fish health and environmental challenges.

At the time, the Committee set out 65 recommendations about how challenges, such as the control of sea lice, rising fish mortalities and the need to reduce the sector’s impact on the environment, should be addressed. The Committee also said that the current standards of regulation of the sector was ‘not acceptable’.

Commenting, Rural Affairs & Islands Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said; “The RECC recommendations of 2018 aimed to put in place measures

that would maintain the reputation of Scottish salmon as an internationally recognised premium product, and so preserving the significant economic and social value this industry brings to Scotland.

“Picking up the baton from our predecessors, we will find out what progress has been made in developing the industry since 2018 and how the various fish health, environmental and climate change challenges it faces are being addressed.”

Over the course of nine evidence sessions, the RAI

Committee will revisit the recommendations hearing from aquaculture stakeholders; salmon farming representatives; non-governmental organisations; and regulators.

In September, the Committee will meet with local community groups to learn more about the impact salmon farming is having on local communities. Members will also visit the Scottish Association for Marine Science and salmon farms to increase their understanding of how the sector is developing.

Finlay Carson MSP

Beatha an eilean

Aonta air a’ Bhile mu dheireadh

Nuair a bha Bile an Aiteachais agus nan Coimhearsnachdan Duthchail aig an ìre mu dheireadh de na deasbadan ann am Pàrlamaid na h-Alba, bha sgeulachd ri innse.

Aig a’ mhionaid mu dheireadh, chur na buillparlamaid air adhart 83 moladh airson atharrachadh, dearbhadh nach eil cùisean mu thimcheall seo cho reithe sa bhithear an dòchas no a’ sùileachadh. Tha e ciallachadh nuair a thig e na Achd oifigeal, gur e toiseach tòiseachaidh mì-chofhartail a bhios ann.

‘S e slighe fhada is connspaideach a tha air a bhith aice agus e soilleir gur bidh dè thigeadh aontachadh ris aig a’ cheann thall gun robh e gu bhith gu math duileach an dà phriomh amas a thoirt còmhla: dìon na h-àrainneachd agus na thathas ag àrach de bhiadh san duthaich seo a chumail cho àrd sa ghabhas.

Chan eil an dà rud cho fad às a sin bho chèile, ach bhiodh e ciallachadh toiseachadh a-rithist le siostaman bho thùs. Agus bha e follaiseach nach robh sin gu bhith comasach: an fheadhainn a bha faighinn, cha robh iad airson sin a’ chall, mar a thuigeadh.

Mar is fhaide a bha cùisean a’ dol ‘s ann a bu dhuilghe a bha iad a’ fàs agus cha robh dol às air ach ceumanan air ais a ghabhail. Cha robh càil ceàrr air an amas fhèin, ach bha e follaiseach nach robh fhios ciamar a ghabhadh a thoirt beò ann an seagh practaigeach a chumadh gach taobh toilichte.

Agus le sin chaidh Bile aontachadh ris anns a bheil mòran farsaingeach, a tha toirt an cothrom dhan Riaghaltas cùisean atharrachadh nas fhaide

sios an rathaid ma tha sin a dhìth.

Agus ma bha na h-atharraichean a chaidh an cur air adhart aig a’ mhionaid mu dheireadh ag innse na sgeoil fhèin, bha cuideachd agus na chaidh a ràdh mu dheidhinn às dèidh a ghabh am pàrlamaid ris a’ Bhile gu foirmeil.

Thuirt Caidreachas Croitearachd na h-Alba gur e cothrom caillte a bh’ann agus ged a tha beagan ann son croitearachd a dhìon tha fada cus fhathast ri dhèanamh.

Thuirt cathraiche na buidhne, Jonatan Hedges: “Tha sinne a’

cur cuideam air an Riaghaltas plana taic dùthchail a dhealbh ann an dòigh a bheir cothrom dha croitearan barrachd a dhèanamh a-thaobh biadh na dùthcha àrach agus stuth ionadail, agus aig an aon àm a bhith ag obair a dh’ionnsaigh amasan a’ Bhile air an àrainneachd.

“Leis an taic cheart, gheibh croitearan air mòran a dhèanamh - dha coimhearsnachdan dùthchail, dha biadh, dhan àrainneachd agus dha nàdar.”

Bha Aonadh nan Tuathanach beagan na bu dhochasaiche mun

Bhile agus na bhios e ciallachadh - agus ‘s dòcha g’eil sin, a rithist, ag innse na sgeoil fhèin.

Thuirt stiùiriche nam poileasaidh, Seonaidh Hall: “Tha gnìomhachas àiteachais a tha prothaideil is leanntaineach riatanach son amasan na h-Alba a choileanadh agus feumaidh na cumhachdan a bhith ann an àite son an taic cheart a thoirt seachad.

“Ach ‘s e aon rud a tha ann an cumhachdan; ‘s e rud eile a tha ann dè feum a thig a dhèanamh leotha. Tha Riahaltas na h-Alba air a ràdh uair is uair nach eil iad airson gun tig croitearan is tuathanaich thairis oir na creige.

“Tha an ath ire leis a’ Bhile gu bhith riatanach a-thaobh sin. Tha an gnìomhachas ag aithneachadh gu feum atharrachadh a thighinn, ach feumaidh e bhith ciallach.”

Thuirt e gu feum na sgeamaichean a tha ann an dràsta an cumail agus obrachadh taobh a-staigh an t-siostam a tha an riaghaltas air a chur air adhart: ‘s e sin paighidhean a thoirt dha tuathanaich is croitearan anns an dòigh is sìmplidh.

Bha coir gun robh am Bile gu bhith na chothrom slighe ùr a dhealbh dha àiteachais agus ciamar a thathas a roinn a-mach £600 millean sa bhliadhna.

Ach, tha e follaiseach gu bheil an deasbad agus an còmhradh dol a leanntainn son bliadhnachan fhathast, gun fhios le cinnt - fiù ‘s fhathastdè saoghal a tha gu bhith ma choinneimh a’ ghìomhachais: fear a tha crochadh gu mòr air an àrainneachd no a’ cumail a’ dol ag àrach bidh. No ‘s dòcha nas fheàrr buuileach, fear anns an tig an dà rud a thoirt comhla mu dheireadh thall.

Cathraiche an SCF, Jonatan Hedges

NORTHERN ISLES News

Farmers and crofters are being urged to make preparations to ensure they can

meet conditions for future support

Osla Jamwal-Fraser of SAC Consulting is urging producers to act fast by ensuring they have ticked at least two out of five boxes within the next year.

She says farmers and crofters should carry out soil samples and a carbon audit, or think about getting QMS certification, which will add “sale ring value” to livestock.

It comes amid plans for a Whole Farm Plan to form part of the requirement for tier one support.

Mrs Jamwal-Fraser said questions remained over many of the conditions being put forward.

She stressed major concerns remain about compliance costs, and the need for Shetland producers to have a level playing field compared with large-scale farmers on the mainland.

But she stressed carrying out simple measures would help farmers and crofters stay ahead of the game.

“The things we are advising folk to think about is getting a couple of soil samples done, to get a carbon audit done, or to think about QMS certification,” she said.

She added soil sampling was a “practical and useful thing” for

folk to do – “especially anybody that is cropping in any sense, or that is doing silage”.

“They should be taking soil samples occasionally, anyway, just to check their lime levels and the fertilisers they are putting on are actually what they need to put on.”

However, she said there was a lack of guidance on just how much soil needed to be sampled.

“It’s bad enough here, where many folk have just got a lot of grazing parks where they wouldn’t necessarily be putting fertiliser on anyway. If you think about that applied to the Western Isles, why on earth would you be soil sampling on the machair?”

And while a carbon audit may help tick the box for the Whole Farm Plan requirements, she warned it could be of minimal use.

The “data crunching exercise” analyses a croft’s data surrounding things such as feeding, bedding and electricity use.

“Generally speaking, for the majority of Shetland businesses, it’s going to be an exercise of limited use – in terms of how much they can change their business through a carbon audit

– because most folk are already running on a shoestring, in terms of how much fuel or inputs they use.

However, she said the carbon audit could be useful as a means of analysing why certain things are done on a croft, and how to best optimise outputs.

“For example, am I carrying cast ewes that should have been gone last year. Because every animal you’re carrying, if they’re not productive, they’re still costing the same amount of carbon, and they’re still costing the same amount of feeding.

“A lot of things that people maybe don’t think of as carbon decisions actually are.”

She said QMS certification was worth doing, not least because it exempts crofters

from having to get a veterinary attestation number (VAN) –“another piece of Brexit hellery”.

The VAN number is essentially a sign off from the vet to say producers have adequate health and welfare provision on their holding.

But with even a simple carbon audit costing £600, the economies of scale clearly work better for a farmer with 300 head of cattle on the mainland than a Shetland crofter with 60 sheep.

“The risk of that is that there will be lots of people that just walk away from the support schemes, and we will see negative impacts in terms of animal health and welfare, in terms of record keeping.”

Also associated with the Whole Farm Plan are a biodiversity audit and an integrated pest control plan, while an animal health and welfare plan will have to be conducted annually (see separate story).

It is hoped the pest control plan will, at the very least, be watered down for Shetland, because of the lack of badgers or foxes in the isles, which can cause problems on mainland settings.

Osla Jamwal-Fraser

Claas-Foundation celebrates its 25th birthday

The Claas-Foundation was established in 1999 under the patronage of Helmut Claas. On 28 May 2024, it celebrated its 25th birthday. To mark the occasion, a 25-year-old plane tree was symbolically planted on the CLAAS site, symbolising the steady growth of the ClaasFoundation.

The Claas-Foundation is the first of its kind to focus on promoting young talent in the field of agricultural engineering in East WestphaliaLippe (Germany). “The ClaasFoundation has developed steadily over the past 25 years,” said Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees. “With its diverse initiatives, it supports research in agriculture and agricultural technology and makes the possibilities and prospects of modern agricultural technology tangible - especially for the younger generation, but also for the general public. This was a matter close to my father’s heart and is still close to mine today.”

Around 200 students have been awarded a Helmut Claas scholarship since the foundation was established. The Claas-Foundation also maintains a lively network with schools, universities and other educational institutions in Germany and abroad, including Harper Adams University in the UK, promoting projects and collaborations. A total of more than 2.5 million euros in funding has been awarded since the foundation was established.

Two further celebrations are planned during the anniversary year. In June, former scholarship holders will come together for an alumni reunion. ‘Maintaining personal contact with our award winners in the long term is important to us,’ emphasises Sylvia Looks from the ClaasFoundation’s Executive Board. The award ceremony, which takes place every year in October and honours the new young talents, will form the festive conclusion of the anniversary year.

Southern Belle

Change…not always for the better

By the time you read this, we will have a new government and we will all be champing at the bit to see them carry out all of the promises given prior to election (heavy sarcasm).

Change can be good, but sometimes change is unnecessary or just plain confusing. Sunday morning, I popped on Radio Scotland and caught the Sunday service, where the minister was reciting The Lord’s Prayer, in an ‘updated’ form, from the words that we have known and understood all of our lives. Is the meaning of this century’s old prayer not clear? Is the detail confusing? Has God changed and doesn’t understand what we are saying?

For the past six months we’ve wished that the weather would change but it always comes right eventually and our weather helps to give us the most beautiful country in the world. A country I shared recently with a group of Texan students. A country, which Winston Churchill described ‘of all of the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the Ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.’

We had a great time guessing some of the things they use every day,

invented or discovered by Scots, including refrigerators, toasters, television, telephone, tarmacadam, steam engine, colour photography, the ATM, gin & tonic, whisky, curling, golf, ice hockey, disposable contact lenses, insulin, penicillin, saline, finger printing, wave turbines, Harley Davidson bikes, the plough, the American Navy, Buick motors, The Bank of England, The Bank of France, The Savings Banks, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and Irn Bru … to name but a few!

Some things we cannoSt change, like our history, which we can be both proud of and appalled by but it is history, we can’t change it. We don’t need to change our future to be proud of being both Scottish and British and people died to allow us that choice, to allow us to vote for change or not, to give us the freedom we so often take for granted.

Thankfully, some things will never change, like waking up on Islay after an amazing party, where the guests arrived in a quad trailer accompanied by a piper and were carted off the same way, balanced by the piper comatose on the bike front minus his bagpipes, which languished among the mist and midges of an Islay morning. Some things should never change.

A new tree welcomes all employees and visitors

Nature finance investment fund passes £4 million mark

From the Solway Firth to the Highlands, and from rural farms to urban greenspace, new funding totalling more than £1 million for eight projects will support Scotland’s next steps to increase investment in nature.

NatureScot and The National Lottery Heritage Fund have announced the latest funding under the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland programme (FIRNS). The fund was established to support responsible private investment in nature that creates benefits which are shared by Scotland’s unique habitats and ecosystems, and its communities.

With the latest funding news FIRNS, which launched in 2023, has created almost £4.8 million of support for nature-based investment in Scotland.

The eight projects who will receive support from the £1,055,117 funding announcement include agricultural, fishery, woodland, and urban and rural nature restoration. They are:

• Soil Association - Governance mechanisms for whole-farm and farm cluster natural capital project implementation.

• Dumfries and GallowaySolway Coast and Marine Project (SCAMP).

• City of Edinburgh Council

- Edinburgh New Gardens

- Urban Nature Restoration Investment Scheme.

• The Knoydart Foundation - The Knoydart Credit: A Partnership of Nature and Community.

• Fisheries Management Scotland - Developing a portfolio of river restoration investment packages and delivery support measures for a source to sea, nature finance model.

• Deciding Matters LimitedCommunity Benefit Certification Plug-In.

• Galloway Fisheries TrustAnnan Riparian Restoration Network.

• Ecosulis Ltd - Project L-AND Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “If we are going to meet our aim of halting biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions and restoring and regenerating biodiversity by 2045, public and responsible private investment in Scotland’s nature will be essential.

“FIRNS is supporting innovation and projects that will create ethical natural capital investment opportunities and bring benefits to communities. This work with NatureScot and the National Lottery Heritage Fund is creating a pipeline of nature-based projects that can meet demand from responsible buyers and investors.”

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: “Scotland has a huge wealth of natural capital. FIRNS supports communities

to unlock this potential through responsible and sustainable investment with benefits for people and communities at its heart.

“We are delighted to join with NatureScot in announcing funding for these eight projects. It is particularly exciting that alongside the projects the FIRNS community of practice is sharing knowledge, ideas and experience gained to continue to attract investment that is good for Scotland’s nature, communities and economy.”

NatureScot Chief Executive Francesca Osowska said: “Partnerships are at the heart of how Scotland will succeed in protecting more of its land and sea for nature, by creating the right relationships and conditions for everyone to play their part in this vital collective effort. The inspiring recipients of the second round of FIRNS funding are leading the way in devising new approaches and financial models to ensure Scotland can scale up its progress for nature, so that our communities and nature both thrive.”

Soil Association Project Manager Clive Thomas said: “The Soil Association and our partners at Finance Earth, Woodland Trust and Soil Association Certification welcome the funding for our Round 2 FIRNS project. Our farmed landscapes are crucial to

nature recovery, and we have seen some important natural capital projects by large landowners and estates in recent years. However, it has been more difficult for small and medium size farmers to get involved.

“We aim to explore mechanisms for wider participation in nature markets by adopting a whole farm approach to natural capital projects, as well as mechanisms to help individual farms group together to scale up delivery.“

A total of 35 projects have now been awarded funding totalling £4,759,129 under the NatureScot and The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s FIRNS programme. They cover several broad areas of nature investment including market infrastructure, woodland, peatland, agricultural, marine and coastal, freshwater and urban.

A Community of Practice (CoP) has been established with the support of Social Investment Scotland, that brings together FIRNS, IRNS and Riverwoods Investment Readiness Pioneer projects. The CoP provides a forum to exchange the knowledge gained through these projects and to amplify their impact by sharing with a wider audience of those with an interest in investment-ready nature opportunities.

Stranraer Oyster Festival. FIRNS projects like Solway Coast and Marine Project will deliver benefits for communities. Picture Colin Hattersley.

The Soil Association’s FIRNS project will involve farmers across Scotland. Picture Bolfracks Estate Aberfeldy - Credit Matthias Kremer.

finance Million pound milestone for NFU Scotland finance

Dedicated financial service for farmers and crofters completes first loan target in three months.

NFU Scotland Finance, a dedicated division of Anglo Scottish which offers bespoke business finance solutions to NFU Scotland’s 9000 members, has completed its first £1 million of business.

NFU Scotland Finance offers tailored loans, commercial mortgages, asset finance, business credit cards, and refinancing opportunities to NFU Scotland members.

In its first few months, NFU Scotland Finance has assisted members with business loans and funding for agricultural vehicles, commercial vehicles, and robotic milking machines.

NFU Scotland Finance is confident that it will shortly achieve its second milestone of £2 million with credit approval already received for requests to support asset re-financing, business loans, machinery purchases and further interest in robotic milking systems.

Members can start their quote at: https://www.

angloscottishfinance.co.uk/ asset-finance/nfu-scotlandfinance/

NFU Scotland CEO John Davidson said: “It is fantastic to see this partnership, which is built on a shared philosophy to help NFU Scotland’s members to achieve sustainable and profitable businesses, get off to such a positive start.

“We’ve seen how impactful and innovative our members can be when they are supported by reliable financial services, and we expect many will use this opportunity to grow their businesses, and thus create a stable future for Scottish agriculture.

“The positive feedback we have received from members who have used the service, highlighting the speed of reply and the competitive lending rates offered, is great news and we hope to have some case studies soon that we can share, highlighting the investment and innovation taking place on our farms and crofts that have been supported by NFU Scotland Finance.”

Scottish farmland market sees early surge in activity

The Scottish farmland market is experiencing an unexpected early surge in activity despite weather-related pressure, as well as economic and policy factors.

According to Savills, the number of acres advertised for sale on the open market to the end of May was 64% higher than for the same period in 2023, and 50% higher than the 10 year average, reaching a total of 14,142 acres. This marks the third highest supply level since 2012, a surprising development given the adverse weather conditions throughout winter and early spring impacting the start of the customary launch period in May. In addition, these figures do not take into account private sales of farmland handled by Savills so far this year which

accumulatively account for over £50 million of sales.

Preliminary data from private sales and pre-emptive offers show that values for both arable and productive grassland are trending above 2023 levels. This is happening even as interest rates and input costs have risen over the past 18 months.

Two -tier demand

However, according to Savills, buyers are increasingly discerning, placing a strong emphasis on land quality. Prime land, classified as classes 1 to 3.1, remains the most soughtafter among arable farmers, achieving £11,000 - £13,000 per acre.

Infrastructure has also become a pivotal factor for buyers. A two

tier market is emerging, with robust demand for well-equipped units and adaptable buildings. The escalating costs associated with erecting or repairing large general-purpose sheds or specialized facilities mean that properties with well-maintained infrastructure are significantly more attractive in the current economic climate.

Policy and legislation

The recent cuts to forestry grants are likely to influence market dynamics. The reduction may temper the mandate for planting land which has previously provided upland farmers with roll-over funds for investment, and has significantly supported the rural land market over the past two years.

The latest land reform proposals may be perceived as an unwelcome distraction for some considering either buying or selling, yet recent activity suggests farmland is still considered a solid and attractive investment.

Evelyn Channing, Head of Rural Agency in Scotland at Savills, commented:

“We have some very good, well equipped farms on the open market, or about to launch: we anticipate that these will be highly contested. In contrast, those farming enterprises of a poorer land quality, or where investment is required, will need to be competitively priced in order to achieve a sale as supply figures increase.

“There are some very committed buyers in the market,

so the best properties will continue to sell - and sell well. However, more occasional or discretionary buyers need clarity from the Scottish Government over future farming subsidies: this will help farmers enormously in planning for their futures and in making decisions about selling and buying.”

Quality Meat Scotland serves up support with new community fund

Applications are being invited to access support from a new £50,000 community fund set up by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

The Community Marketing Fund is a dedicated resource designed to support local projects and events that educate consumers on the characteristics and encourage the purchase of Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork.

Emma Heath, QMS’s Director of Marketing, said:

“This new Community Marketing Fund aims to make asking us for help simpler, with an easy application form and clear guidelines.

“At Quality Meat Scotland, we’re committed to supporting initiatives that promote our red meat brands within the industry and communities across Scotland.”

Emma says examples of the sort of grassroots applications the fund has been set up for include sponsorship of local

farming events or providing a speaker for a talk.

“Whether you’re aiming to enhance awareness, education or engagement, we welcome applications across a diverse mix of activities and locations. It might simply be giving some aprons for a charity cook off,” she explained. “Or providing burgers for a fundraising barbeque or a prize for a local sheep show.

“It’s open to anyone and everyone aiming to enhance awareness, education or

engagement with the red meat industry in Scotland.

“People put a lot of time and effort into organising some fantastic events across the length and breadth of Scotland and it is really important to us all here

at QMS that we make it as easy as possible to access this new pot of money and support. Our emphasis will very much be on local and community-based events that in turn promote Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and

Specially Selected Pork.”

Whilst QMS can’t guarantee to support to every initiative, Emma says that the team will review and acknowledge all submissions and respond as quickly as possible. “Simply

fill in the form giving as much notice as possible, and we’ll get back to you,” she says.

For more information and to apply visit: https://qmscotland. co.uk/marketing-development/ marketing/marketing-fund

Lloyds Banking Group champions farmer-focused ESG investment

Lloyds Banking Group held a panel event with Cambridge Judge Business School, focusing on how environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments can support sustainable agriculture, identifying the benefits for UK farmers.

Tom Martin, Lloyds Banking Group’s Ambassador for the East of England and Business Platform Lead for Economic Crime Prevention, said: “The ‘Finance in the Field: Investing in the Agricultural Transition’ event was planned to convene experts from finance, farming and research to explore intersections between the sectors.”

The event, part of Cambridge Judge Business School’s ESG

week, aimed to create a deeper understanding of how sustainable finance can drive positive change in agriculture, reflecting the school’s commitment to further integrate ESG into its Executive MBA programme.

“The major priorities ESG investors are concerned with are environmental issues linked to carbon emissions, biodiversity, and land/water management. This presents an opportunity for UK farmers as they can prove an ESG benefit where they are boosting production and profitability through sustainable practices,” explained Mr Martin.

As the largest lender to British agriculture, Lloyds Banking Group is at the forefront

of sustainable finance initiatives and providing practical support for UK farmers.

Mr Martin said: “ESG investment can often seem far removed from farmers’ day-to-day realities. Our role is to advocate for farmers in this transition and make ESG tangible from their perspective, not just in institutional terms.

“We want to bridge the gap, framing ESG not as taking land out of food production, but rather as enhancing productivity, food production, and profitability.”

Ben Makowiecki, Agriculture Sustainability Director at Lloyds Banking Group, added: “There is a lack of clear and trustworthy information

about ESG options because these concepts are relatively new and non-regulated, which is currently a barrier.”

“For ESG investment to be practical, the approach needs to be tailored to suit different farm business models, this is where Lloyds is working to expand its support and lending options.

“Investment options include our Clean Growth Financing Initiative (CGFI), which offers fee-free lending for farm businesses to implement sustainable projects and purchases that reduce their impact across water, waste, energy, and carbon/greenhouse gas emissions,” explained Mr Makowiecki.

Farming Yesteryear and Vintage Rally

Scone Palace Parklands on 8th September 2024

by kind permission of The Earl of Mansfield

The 45th Farming Yesteryear Rally takes place at Scone Palace Parklands on Sunday 8th September 2024, with a preview day (a quiet day, without main ring attractions) on Saturday 7th September.

The organising committee of The Scottish Vintage Tractor and Engine Club has been making plans since the 2023 Rally for this year’s event.

Alongside 1,400 entries of tractors, stationary engines, military vehicles, cars, motorbikes, commercial vehicles, buses, steam engines and horticultural machinery on display from vintage and classic enthusiasts will be Clydesdale horses, Highland cattle, alpacas, pipe band, Highland dancing, children’s entertainment and more.

The oats have been planted for the ever popular threshing display, which takes place on the hill, close to the entrance from car parking areas. Subject to weather conditions, the oats will be harvested by binder in the week prior to the Rally. Last year the threshing machine was running so well a couple of committee members had to disappear for a couple of hours to harvest more oats for the threshing machine. The grain is bagged and the straw baled.

Further along, towards the river, is the horticultural demonstration area. Horti enthusiasts put on a great display of what these machines can do.

The agricultural exhibits include Ferguson, Fordson, Allis Chalmers, David Brown, Case, County and International, amongst others.

The main day on Sunday features a full day of main ring entertainment, which kicks off at 9.30 am with the City of St Andrews Pipe Band, followed

by displays of the different types of vehicles and drive rounds by the clubs in attendance. Tay 4 x 4 club’s display is full of action and excitement. The Farming Yesteryear Rally is fortunate to have Peter Small as commentator on the day. Pete has a wealth of knowledge, which he readily imparts.

The main ring displays also feature Highland dancers from the Jeanette Shearer School of Dancing. The City of St Andrews Pipe Band plays again in the afternoon.

The ever popular auto jumble stalls are raked through with a fine toothcomb over the weekend, by the collector seeking that elusive part. Alongside the essential catering and ice cream units is a range of food and drink stalls to delight the taste buds, including the ever popular, locally made Cairn o’ Mohr wine and cider.

Shoppers can browse the stands which include garden furniture, tools, towing accessories, trailer parts, bags, candles, crafts, bird

Tractors at Scone Palace

feeders, leather goods, trailers, jams, training companies, country wear, wood pellets and stove.

This year’s charity cheque presentation is being made to Sands - Saving Babies’ lives. Supporting bereaved families. The donation is made from the monies raised at the annual Vintage tractor Charity Road Run held in and around Scone in May.

The 2024 Tractor of the Year celebrates 60 years of the MF100 series and the engine of the year is Fowler.

At the end of the main ring entertainment in the afternoon, the trophies are awarded, after the all-important draw of the raffle. The main raffle prize is an Allis Chalmers B vintage tractor which is a restoration project. Second prize is a stationary engine and third prize is a child’s pedal tractor.

Before the fields have cleared and all the equipment has been put away, notes have been made, suggestions received and plans are being made for the next Farming Yesteryear.

The Scottish Vintage Tractor and Engine Club was formed in 1976 as the Tayside Group of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club. The aims of the club - to preserve and display ageing and historic agricultural vehicles and machinery - remain the same today - almost fifty years since inception.

Membership is spread across the UK but the base is at Sconenow at Ardgilzean farm, having recently moved, after thirtyseven years at Balboughty, and prior to that, a couple of years at Innerbuist Farm. The club is indebted to Scone Palace estate for the lease of the sheds, and venue for Farming Yesteryear.

Club members work on their machines at Ardgilzean and enjoy the camaraderie and banter. Members also repair and maintain the agricultural machinery owned by the Club.

The group held their first Rally at Boyne Farm, Inchture,

on 18th September 1977. There were forty-five entries.

In 1979 the club broke away from the National Club and became known as the now familiar Scottish Vintage Tractor and Engine Club. Two Rallies were held at West Inchmichael Farm, Errol, but unfortunately the 1980 Rally became known as the “Year of the Mud”.

The hunt was on for an alternative venue and between 1981 and 1984 the Rally was held at Lochlands Farm, Forfar. This sadly came to an end when the Forfar bypass was routed through the field used for the Rally.

In addition to the Rally, SVTEC also organised auctions, which were held at Hays Mart, Perth.

During the search for a new venue for the Rally, a suggestion was received to ask Scone Palace. The Earl of Mansfield kindly agreed for the Rally to be held on the parklands. The first Farming Yesteryear was held at Scone Palace in 1985. The Rally has been made very welcome by the Palace and the Club is indebted to the Estate.

The Club holds monthly talks during the winter months, on a wide variety of topics. There is a cup ploughing match in October and a charity ploughing match in February. The annual open day is in May, along with the Vintage Tractor Road Run. Several engine days - or crank ups - are held throughout the year. The popular Christmas Crank Up is held between Christmas and New Year.

The Club continues to grow and is always keen to welcome new members. If you have an interest in agricultural machinery and enjoy attending vintage rallies, you may wish to join the Club.

More details on the website at svtec.org. Up to date information on club events and Farming Yesteryear is on the Facebook page: SVTEC - The Scottish Vintage Tractor and Engine Club.

Entries for the 2024 rally close on 31st July (or when spaces fully booked). More information on the website at www.svtec.org or to book online: www.tickettailor.com/events/scottishvintagetractorandengineclub/ We look forward to seeing you on 7th and 8th September at Scone Palace Parklands, Perth, PH2 6BB

Admission is £14 for adults, £8 for concessions and children 12 - 16 years. Under 12s free. Car parking free. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. Enquiries: secretary@svtec.org Website: svtec.org

Threshing mill

Fordson tractor at Scone Palace

Clydesdale horse and cart

Travel Scotland

One Foot in Scotland, One Foot in England

By Janice Hopper

The land on the English Scottish border is historically linked by conflict between the two nations, and its’ rich cattle reivers country too. Towns and villages like Coldstream, Ford, Etal and Braxton offer up fascinating rural attractions, history and heritage.

Today, one small bridge at the end of Coldstream in Scotland, leads you over the River Tweed to England. Much of the land just south of the border comes under the vast Ford and Etal Estate. We’re talking around 5500ha strong, and home to roughly thirty micro-businesses and over 35 farms. Visitors can drive from one agricultural attraction to another, from one cute cafe to quaint tearoom, from one rural village to another, without leaving the estate. Thankfully there are many attractions to occupy tourists who visit.

The Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre is a Rare Breed Approved Conservation Centre that celebrates the life, work and history of Clydesdales, Shires and the Suffolk Punch. Admire the old farm machinery and meet some of these handsome creatures and learn a little about their individual characters. In the summer, the farm offers afternoon carriage rides from the centre for £5 per adult.

In terms of equestrian history, war horses are especially honoured. The museum explains that within a fortnight of the outbreak of WW1 ‘Special Purchasers’ acquired over 165,000 light draft and heavy horses in twelve days. The impact on farms and rural businesses was immense. Britain lost over 484,000 horses during the war

and, when the conflict ended, the animals were sold to the Belgian Government for meat. The farm is also home to British Lops, and the meat is available in the cafe in a range of pies. Choose between the Signature Hand Raised Pork Pies to the Award

Winning Fully Loaded (pork pie meat sandwiched in pastry with homemade Bradley apple sauce, with sage and onion stuffing). A second agricultural attraction is Heatherslaw Corn Mill. Buy stoneground flour in the gift shop, and explore the restored 18th centre water mill powered by the River Till. Bakery classes can also

Lady Waterford Hall

Farm Machinery at Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre

be booked: in July learn how to make a beetroot and dill loaf; in September a Spiced Bread Workshop is available. Next to the mill is the Heatherslaw Light Railway, so hop aboard for a ride through the countryside on England’s most northerly steam railway.

Antique hunters can make a beeline for the The Old Dairy, to uncover curios, furniture, antiques and memorabilia. Each dairy stall has a different theme, from hunting and fishing, to fashion. Meanwhile, beer lovers should consider Cheviot Brewery; guided tours are available, or enjoy Cheviot Tap’s pizza and ale. A third option is to visit The Black Bull, Northumberland’s only thatched pub, run by Cheviot Brewery since 2019.

For something more calming, head to the model estate village of Ford to discover Lady Waterford Hall. Originally built in 1860 as the village school, its delicate watercolour murals were painted by Lady Waterford herself over two decades. The artworks depict Biblical scenes and feature local children and animals from the estate. Look out for David the Shepherd with his flock, the sacrificial lamb of Cain and Abel, plus beautifully depicted fruit, veg, vines and grasses. Nearby Ford Castle is worth a pitstop too. It was originally part of the border defences against the Scots, and was selected by Scotland’s King James IV, as his headquarters before the fatal Battle of Flodden in September 1513. In less turbulent times it was inherited Lady Louisa Waterford in 1859, and today it’s utilised as an outdoor activity centre for children, but it’s still possible to admire the grand exteriors.

It quickly becomes apparent that you can’t visit this border region without stumbling across multiple castles and battlefields. The ruins of Etal Castle sit quietly in the village of Etal. The fortress was originally built as a defence against Scottish raiders, but subsequently fell to James IV’s invading Scots army in 1513. The site of James’ brutal end at nearby Flodden is a key site to visit too, marked by a windswept memorial

cross, with fields of oilseed rape blooming in agricultural lands nearby. The landscape is quiet and peaceful now yet in 1513 around 14,000 men died in the space of a few hours, including the king himself. The tiny yet quirky Flodden Visitor Centre, set within a red phone box, can be discovered a short walk away in the village of Braxton.

Returning to Scotland, more military history can be uncovered at the Coldstream Museum. Naturally the museum showcases the battles of the Coldstream Guards, but it also touches on local history, including Coldstream grocers and agricultural seedsmen R. Carmichael and Sons. A final Scottish stop is the elegant Hirsel Estate just outside Coldstream. Its Homestead Farmshop sells meat such as braising steak, shin

Travel Scotland

beef, short rib, burgers and chuck steak. Visitors can enjoy around five walks on the estate, and drop by local makers for unique arts and crafts inspired by Scotland’s land and wildlife.

Finally, for those wishing to combine a visit with a local event, consider Coldstream Civic Week in early August. This celebration dates back to the 1950s and include sports, parades and fireworks. The highlight of the week is the Thursday Rideout to Flodden Field, where a cavalcade of around 300 equestrians ride out to the site and wreaths are laid. History is never forgotten in this part of the world.

INFO

Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre - hayfarmheavies.co.uk

Heatherslaw Corn Mill - fordand-etal.co.uk/heatherslaw-mill

Heatherslaw Light Railwayheatherslawlightrailway.co.uk

Lady Waterford Hall - fordand-etal.co.uk/attractions/ladywaterford-hall

The Old Dairy - ford-and-etal. co.uk/shops/the-old-dairy

Cheviot Brewerycheviotbrewery.co.uk

Etal Castle - english-heritage. org.uk/visit/places/etal-castle

Coldstream Museumliveborders.org.uk/culture/ museums/our-museums/ coldstream-museum

Hirsel Estate - dandaestates. co.uk/visitor-facilities/hirselvisitor-facilities.php

Flodden 1513 Ecomuseumflodden1513ecomuseum.org

Coldstream Museum

Flodden Memorial

This is the Life

The Kite was believed to nest in a locality in the north of the area as late as 1877 . . . I remonstrated at the time for having disclosed the site, but was answered by the person who recorded the fact that he ‘did not think that there was much chance of outsiders invading the locality,’ and gives us the information that ‘keeper’ in latin is custos . . . Two gentlemen, who are well known as careful recorders, informed me: ‘We were told in 1902 that the “Gleds” were extinct there now,’ the last one having been killed more than a dozen years ago . . . Alas for the custody.

J. A. Harvie-Brown,

A Fauna of the Tay Basin & Strathmore,

1906

There are moments of sadness in every nesting season. Spring is as much a time of death as of life. In previous years chicks have blown from the nest on windy days and been found broken on the ground below. Keith has climbed trees to discover fullbellied pine martens on the nest, the young birds devoured. It was no different in 2018. We found chilled eggs, a nest that was empty but for bits of buzzard chick – ‘Martens, Tom,’ Keith shouted down to me. ‘It’s like an abattoir up here.’ A tawny box filled with blood, feathers and

claw-marks. Martens at work again. Nature can be ugly.

The positives outweighed the negatives, however, and the things I saw in my first nesting season will stay with me for life. Peregrines shooting like bullets from a cliff-face, whole sandy banks excavated by badgers, barn owls gliding like ghosts through the broken windows of an abandoned house: this whole world had been on my doorstep for so long and I’d never realised.

Of all the memories, the most thrilling was when Keith climbed up to a nest for the first time.

Works of fiction are stocked with moments when time stands still. I’ve seldom experienced this sensation, but when he opened his mouth to tell me how many, if any, chicks were in there, the feeling hit me. Weeks of hard work were defined in those seconds.

We returned to the woods to ring the kite and buzzard chicks in June. A kite nest is a fascinating thing to see. These birds are terrible kleptomaniacs, stealing all manner of things to adorn their homes. In the days when they frequented Britain’s towns and

cities they had a habit of stealing caps from the heads of men walking to work. Such thievery continues to this day. From socks and gloves to women’s underwear, we’ve found so many strange items over the years. Once, a severed teddy bear head was in there. Various theories have been put forward as to why kites behave in this manner. Some think that clothing is intended to strengthen the lining of the nest; others say it is to soften it. In his book The Red Kite, Ian Carter suggests that the items are a form of decoration, warning other

Red kite chicks in the osprey platform. These were the first ever kite chicks to fledge an artificial osprey nest in the UK

Photo by (Lawrence Monckton)

birds that the nest is in use. All theories, I suppose, are possible, but Carter’s makes most sense to me. Were I a rival eyeing the nest, the head of a decapitated teddy would certainly scare me off !

Given the beauty of an adult kite, it is something of a surprise when one sees their chicks. A kite egg is roughly the same size as a hen’s and when the chicks hatch they are little more than white balls, all beak and dandelion fluff. To look at this tiny alien life form, one would never think that, in two months, it will have transformed into a beautiful, fully grown kite; a day-old kite and an eight-week-old are about as alike as the caterpillar and butterfly. Three weeks after hatching the transformation from alien to kite is well underway. Downy fluff remains on the head, but immature feathers, known variously as pin or blood feathers, have started to grow. For the first time, it’s possible to believe that the bird before you is

indeed a kite. We leg-ring them at around the four to five week mark. The parents circle high overhead, waiting for us to leave so they can return. The bond with their young is strong. Once the chicks have hatched, only the most colossal disturbance would make the parents desert them.

In the end, 2018 was a poor nesting season on Argaty. We found only three successful kite nests, ringing just five chicks. (To put this in context, in 2017 Mike had ten nests and nineteen chicks.) I wondered how much harm the frozen February did. In cold weather, food is harder to find; some birds may have been unfit to breed. The heatwave that followed was scarcely any more use. Although food became easier to find, chicks can dehydrate in those long, rainless weeks. Much as I wished to blame the weather for it all, privately I knew there must have been nests I’d failed to find. I’d spent so much time searching for them, walking until

my feet were blistered, but on the days that he could join me I realised how easily Keith spotted nests I’d missed. This frustrated me. I wanted to be better.

Next year, I told myself. Next year you will be.

In July, Keith and I took a final trip out, to a barn owl nest I’d found by accident weeks earlier. Barn owls are always susceptible to bad weather. They can tolerate a mild Scottish winter, but a cold one can be fatal. Mike used to have several pairs on the farm, but after successive big chills only one remained.

Last year they’d nested in an abandoned house miles from anywhere, but when I’d climbed through the broken window and searched the floors earlier that summer I’d seen no fresh pellets. Those I found were dry and brittle. It was a long time since they’d been coughed up. Winter had been so protracted that I had expected this and, so as not to have wasted my time, had brought

a kestrel box with me when I set out that morning. If there were no owls, at least I could install that somewhere. Near the ruined house were several old trees. One of them would do nicely. I opted for an ash, which slanted at such an angle that climbing it looked easy. No sooner had I leant against the trunk than, from the far side, two owls soared out and floated silently away, white shadows moving through the sky. Heart racing, I stood watching them, struggling to still my breathing.

Having climbed up and craned my neck to peer around the trunk, I saw that the tree was hollow. A branch had severed, leaving a chasm as deep as a well. I shone a torch down, but the light penetrated only so far. Had this tree stood any nearer to civilisation, someone would have chopped it down. Up here, in this wilderness, it had been left to stand, providing an ideal shelter for the owls.

The author with tawny chicks, circa 2010

In the woods with Keith Burgoyne

Sold-out conference sets tone for the future of land reform

Gathering highlights opportunities for future of Scottish land ownership

Hundreds of leading experts from all backgrounds in Scotland’s land reform debate recently came together at a soldout event to discuss the future of the country’s land journey.

Opened by the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes the event saw public, private and third sector stakeholders participating in panel discussions, keynote speeches and innovative workshops all focussed on how to make more of Scotland’s land.

In its fourth instalment, the Scottish Land Commission’s (SLC) conference, themed “Pioneering Practice: Shaping Scotland’s Future Through Inclusive Land Ownership,” brought together key stakeholders to focus on making change happen in practice.

Hamish Trench, Chief Executive of SLC, said: “We have seen an incredible exchange of ideas and experiences that highlights the potential for transformative change.

“We heard from communities and land owners putting in place innovative ownership and governance arrangements, sharing experience to expand these opportunities.

“By supporting innovation in a more diverse pattern of land ownership, we can address significant challenges such as economic resilience, housing and rural repopulation.

“As well as legislation and policy change, the ideas and experience shared at this conference show the potential we have now to put into practice more inclusive and productive approaches to land ownership.”

The conference featured a range of workshops and panel discussions addressing critical topics in land governance.

These included international experiences and innovative approaches, improving access to land for small-scale ownership and management, and community collaboration in governance of land holdings.

Sessions also focused on innovative governance to support

housing delivery, challenges in land governance, community benefits, natural capital, and governance for collaboration on common grazings in crofting.

Michael Russell, Chair of SLC said: “Land reform has been a key element in Scotland’s devolution journey, and it remains essential for ensuring fairness and public good.

“The discussions from this conference reinforce the opportunity we have through land reform to empower people and create prosperity.

“Our central task is to drive land reform forward in all possible ways, not just through legislation. We need to

celebrate the progress made and acknowledge that much remains to be done.

“By pursuing the practical benefits of land reform, we can ensure more people and communities reap the rewards.”

Next issue out September 2024

Two Orkney farms for sale with superb potential

Galbraith is bringing to the market two productive farms in a stunning setting on the isle of Sanday, Orkney.

The adjacent properties, How Farm and Backaskaill Farm offer outstanding potential to continue the established livestock and cereal business, as well as the successful 5-star holiday letting accommodation. In addition there is potential to develop a further tourism business on the land.

How Farm has a modern 4 bedroom farmhouse, a traditional 4 bedroom farmhouse, a hugely impressive range of traditional and modern farm buildings, and

574.66 acres (232.56 hectares) of land.

How Farm also includes Bea Loch covering 94.79 acres, which is stocked with wild trout, and beautiful beach frontage.

The adjacent Backaskaill Farm has a superb threebedroom farmhouse, a beautifully renovated farm cottage, a range of traditional and modern farm buildings and 665.34 acres (269.26 hectares) of land as well as extensive beach frontage on an idyllic sandy beach.

Both farms are situated in a productive area on the breathtaking idyllic island of Sanday.

New agricultural legislation

By Eleanor Kay Senior Policy Adviser Agriculture & Climate Change at Scottish Land & Estates

New agriculture legislation has now been passed by the Scottish Parliament and the new Agriculture & Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill is a milestone moment for Scottish farming.

This Bill presented a crucial opportunity to create legislation that is fit for Scotland. The fact the Scottish Government and opposition parties listened to key concerns and embraced important amendments is to be welcomed.

Farmers will benefit from these changes to the Bill which include more detail on the content of the Rural Support Plan as well as engagement with farmers and stakeholders, the need for government to produce a report on each support plan, more reporting requirements for food security, clearer opportunities for natural flood management and resilience support, greater monitoring and evaluation of support schemes and the inclusion of reintroduced native species in provisions to assist farmers who have sustained loss or damage.

We campaigned vigorously on these issues but the ‘real work starts now’ and we appeal to government to ‘seize the moment’ and follow through on its commitment to work with stakeholders to ensure that the new legislation can be built on to maximise benefits to farming and rural Scotland.

There is clearly lots of work still to be done for agriculture to transition to the new agriculture support however farmers need to take action now to be in the best position to take advantage of the new schemes. The passing of this bill provides a clear signal to the sector that sustainable and regenerative agriculture will be supported. As detail on new schemes is being decided, clearer communication will be needed from government on what to expect, and when.

Scottish Government must work with stakeholders to overcome any challenges holding back the development of the future policy and support framework in Scotland, ensuring that we use diverse expertise to develop a coherent and sustainable future policy. We remain concerned that communication to the sector on future support is not sufficient and more must be done by the government to ensure true co-design of policy.

We firmly believe that extensive consultation will be required for the secondary legislation associated with the Bill and are reassured that Scottish Government has acknowledged this in the passage of the Bill. This will provide greater reassurance for the sector and deliver a clearer message to the sector so it can make strategic business decisions before the new support framework is delivered.

How Farm

Backaskaill Farm

estate

Currently benefitting from the Organic Aid Scheme, How has a carrying capacity of 200 cows and calves, 200 stirks, in addition to 300 breeding ewes. Backaskaill has a carrying capacity of 100 cows and calves, and 100 stirks, in addition to 150 breeding ewes. There is an ample land area on both farms for the growing of forage and cereal crops to sustain the current stocking rate.

Both farms currently benefit from a range of support payments including the Organic Aid Scheme, Basic Payment Scheme, Less Favoured Area Support Scheme, Scottish Beef Calf Scheme and the AgriEnvironment Climate Scheme. The payments apportioned to How are forecast to generate an income of £105,000 for the 2024 scheme year, while payments to Backaskaill are forecast to generate an income of £110,000 for the 2024 scheme year.

Backaskaill Farmhouse has been tastefully renovated

and decorated to a very high standard and is currently let as 5-star holiday accommodation. The accommodation includes: Kitchen/dining room, utility room, hallway and bedroom with en-suite. Upstairs there are two further bedrooms, lounge and bathroom.

Backaskaill Cottage is also let as part of the award winning, five-star self-catering holiday business. The cottage has a lounge, conservatory, kitchen/ diner, and bedroom with ensuite.

Tom Stewart of Galbraith, said: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire one, or both, of these productive farms, which form part of a highly successful rural business. The setting is absolutely beautiful, on one of the most stunning beaches in Scotland and the current owners have created a sustainable and diverse farming enterprise as well as the established 5-star holiday accommodation.

“There is the potential to

further diversify and perhaps create an additional tourism business at How Farm, if desired. Orkney offers an outstanding rural lifestyle, tranquillity and superb quality of life, within easy reach of the mainland.”

Included in the ownership of How Farm is the Bea Loch, which extends to approximately 95 acres, and 1,250 metres of sea shore on Backaskaill Bay. The potential for diversification opportunities of both the loch and the shoreline is considerable and includes wildlife photography, (Orcas often pass through the bay), sailing, boating, both sea and loch fishing, in addition to the wild fowling when in season.

Bea Ness Farmhouse is a modern, and well-presented farmhouse with good insulation throughout. The accommodation includes: dining kitchen, utility room, office, family room, dining room, lounge, WC, master Bedroom with en-suite, three further bedrooms, (one with ensuite) and main bathroom.

How Farmhouse is a traditional property with four/ five bedrooms, and one reception room.

The productive farm land at How extends to 574.66 acres.

In addition there are some 154.34 acres of cliffs, fore shore, roads, yards and buildings, plus 94.79 acres, which is the Bea Loch.

According to the James Hutton Institute the majority of the land at How and at Backaskaill is classified as Grade 4(2) and Grade 5(2). The land at How is in good heart having been farmed in a grass rotation, with cereal and swede breaks in recent years and is fenced and watered. The land has benefited from regular applications of dung, slurry and shell sand which has a 32.5% lime content.

There is a hugely impressive range of traditional and modern farm buildings at How Farm including sheds, cattle courts, silage pits, byres, barns and grain stores.

Backaskaill Farm has a smaller range of traditional B-listed and modern farm buildings.

Orkney contains some of the oldest and best preserved Neolithic sites in Europe. The islands also have an abundance of marine and avian wildlife and are popular with tourists.

Kirkwall, the largest settlement in Orkney, has services including banks, supermarkets, sports centre and swimming pool. The area is well resourced in terms of agricultural infrastructure being well served by general merchants, agricultural suppliers and machinery dealers, in addition to Kirkwall Mart.

Sanday is the largest of Orkney’s outer islands and is well known for its rich, agricultural land and outstanding livestock. The island is blessed with stunning coastal scenery, long sandy beaches and benefits from a range of shops, primary and secondary schooling, hotels, a medical practice and a thriving community. There are excellent transport links by sea and air to the mainland.

How Farm, Sanday, Orkney Islands, is for sale through Galbraith for Offers Over £2,200,000.

Backaskaill Farm, Sanday, Orkney Islands, is for sale through Galbraith for Offers Over £2,000,000.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

Youngsters enjoy day out at Findynate Estate learning about the countryside

In April the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and Royal Highland Education Trust Perth and Kinross (RHET) held a rural education day at Findynate Estate, Strathtay, Perthshire.

The day was sponsored by CR Smith, RHET and BASC Scotland with significant input and support also from Findynate.

The event was attended by around 70 pupils from the Primary 5 and 6 class years from five local Perthshire schools. At a number of stations around the estate pupils heard short talks and saw demonstrations about the importance of woodland and forestry, what’s involved in moorland management, what a gamekeeper does, some basic game cookery, farming for sheep and cattle, and the importance and delivery of conservation in the countryside.

Iona Laing, GWCT’s events and education officer in Scotland said:

“It was clear to see how much the youngsters enjoyed their time on the beautiful Findynate estateand hopefully learned a little about our countryside in the process. Events like this are vital in fostering an interest

and understanding among the younger generation about what happens in rural Scotland and why - and might even encourage some to think about a future career in the rural sector.

“We are grateful to the sponsors of the event, CR Smith, RHET and BASC Scotland, to RHET Perth and Kinross, and to our hosts Findynate Estate for all their input and support and, of course, the schools and youngsters who took part.”

Tara Clark, RHET Perth and Kinross, said:

“We are delighted to be co-organisers of this event at such a special location at Findynate. We have been linking with schools across Perth and Kinross and have been able to take more pupils than ever before onto farms and estates with the support of volunteers and our hosts.”

Gerard Eadie CBE, CR Smith’s Chairman, said:

“I have always strongly backed education and training for young people in all sectors as it is important they understand there are different types of employment and not just inside an office.

“There are a lot of young people that don’t necessarily

think about jobs until later in life. However, it is essential for them to get an awareness that there are jobs everywhere, doing many different things.

“The day at Findynate Estate will have inspired the children, providing a real insight into what it takes to manage the countryside around them and maybe a possible career they might pursue.”

Peter Clark, Director, BASC Scotland, said:

“BASC is always delighted to support countryside education, through Estates that Educate and the GWCTRHET day, as the next generation will be vital to managing Scotland’s land.

“Through showing the youngsters the importance of moorland management right through to conservation, we are inspiring them to learn more about rural Scotland.

“We aim to further educate people on the different opportunities that are out here, whilst promoting shooting and conservation”.

“We have a jam-packed calendar of Estates That Educate events ahead to deliver exactly that.”

www.gwct.org.uk/auchnerran/

Learning from the expert - youngsters with Findynate gamekeeper Levi Bird

Photo: Craig Somerville

Riverwoods Blueprint Project Announces Successful Completion of Shovel-Ready River Woodland Planting Projects in Scotland

Three ‘shovel-ready’ river woodland planting projects have been completed as part of the Development Phase of the Riverwoods Blueprint Project. Led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the funding was awarded to projects along the River Peffrey, River Spey and River Oykel. Each project exemplifies innovative river woodland restoration techniques across a variety of landscapes and ownership models, including private and public lands as well as forestry and agricultural settings.

River Peffery – Headwater Seed Islands

In response to significant flooding in Dingwall, Lockett Agri-Environmental initiated a forward-thinking catchment scale restoration project, utilising nature-based solutions to reduce flood risks and enhance local ecosystems.

The River Peffery –Headwater Seed Islands initiative is a key component of this expansive project. Set to transform two kilometres of riparian zones adjacent to conifer plantation, this initiative sees Forestry and Land Scotland

deliver work on land that they manage to plant trees within and outside of fenced enclosures.

This novel approach will allow effective evaluation of the impact of herbivores on tree survival and the potential for natural regeneration. Despite the low deer population in the area, the absence of a native seed source has historically hindered natural regeneration. This project represents a significant step forward in addressing these challenges.

River Spey – Balliefurth Riparian Planting:

Balliefurth Farm, a prominent livestock operation nestled beside the River Spey, is embarking on an ambitious environmental restoration project aimed at reintroducing lost tree species and fostering woodland establishment along the riverbank.

Confronted with the challenge of securing funding for long and narrow riparian planting projects—which are often ineligible under current Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) models— farm owners Patrick and Abby Harrison explored alternative

funding avenues. Through perseverance they achieved a stacked funding model, combining contributions from the Cairngorms Trust Nature Restoration Fund, the Woodland Trust, and Riverwoods.

Farm business owner, Patrick Harrison expressed his enthusiasm for the project’s progress: “One of our primary goals at Balliefurth is to bolster biodiversity through strategic tree planting on our farm’s less productive areas. Not only will this initiative enhance riverbank stability, but it will also provide much-needed shade for salmon in the River Spey. We are delighted that this project has got off the ground so quickly.”

The Balliefurth riparian planting project is set to deliver a wide array of environmental benefits, including the creation of vital habitats and nesting sites for riparian wildlife such as the goldeneye. The project aims to significantly reduce riverbank erosion and channel siltation, benefiting the wellbeing of aquatic invertebrates and spawning grounds of salmonids. Furthermore, the project is

Photograph Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust

designed to maintain access for fishermen, canoeists, and other users of the River Spey, preserving the natural beauty of the area for all to enjoy.

River Oykel – Benmore Riparian Planting:

The Kyle of Sutherland, located in the Highlands, is one of Scotland’s most susceptible regions to increasing freshwater temperatures. Soaring water temperatures are an existential threat to salmon populations.

Not only are salmon a keystone species in the freshwater system, the local economy is also dependent on salmon angling and its contribution to the tourism

industry. The Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust has rolled out its ambitious Kyle Riverwoods project to provide shade and cool the waters.

Unplanted riparian strips are a common sight among the large conifer plantations in this region and beyond. This piece of the project, on the privately owned Benmore Estate, marks a significant milestone as part of the Kyle of Sutherland’s larger plans. Located along the River Oykel, the project covers 1.3km of riverbank and involved the planting of 2,850 native broadleaf trees abutting spruce plantations.

Forest school on a croft and mass tree planting win big at prestigious woods awards

A youngsters’ nursery on a croft and a huge tree project at a secondary school have taken the Schools and Early Years categories at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2024.

For the Early Years Award 2024, the winners of the Alba Trees Early Years’ Trophy was NewCroft Childcare and Forest School near Keith, Moray.

Lynne Cameron set up a forest school on her croft where

she childminds pre-schoolers and provides after-school care for older children.

The judges said they were impressed with what Lynne had managed to achieve on her own and the “extent of the learning opportunities for the children”.

They added: “Lynne was so inspiring. Most impressively, Lynne runs sessions for other childminders as an opportunity to network and share good practice.”

Extra pair of eyes needed

There’s no doubt that it is becoming more of a challenge to protect our forests and woodlands from a growing range of tree pests and diseases.

There’s plenty of top-level research and surveillance going on and Scottish Forestry is working closely with Forest Research, and other UK governments to halt the march of many diseases.

Scottish Forestry is urging woodland owners, both large and small, to be their extra pair of eyes and familiarise themselves with symptoms of the eight toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus).

The call for vigilance comes as summer is in the air and in case any of the beetles emerge as they are more active in warmer temperatures.

Adult beetles seek shelter over the colder months in conifer stumps, fallen trees and leaf litter, but become more active as the season changes.

Scottish Forestry is keen to ensure all woodland managers, land owners, processors and tree nurseries become very familiar with the symptoms caused by the beetle.

Stressed spruce trees, possibly from drought or other conditions, or those damaged from windblow, are the most susceptible to the beetle.

Cameron Macintyre, Tree Health Planning and Contingency Manager with Scottish Forestry said:

“We’re asking everyone to be vigilant and submit suspicious symptoms to TreeAlert. Any reports that could be Ips typographus are immediately prioritised by Forest Research and sent to our tree health officers for further investigation.

“All you need to do is take photographs of the trees, the symptoms, and record the date and location of your finding.”

The eight toothed spruce bark beetle is a serious pest of spruce trees, including both Norway and Sitka spruces.

Adult beetles were intercepted for the first time in Scotland in September 2023 by traps situated in woodlands surrounding the port of Grangemouth. No indication of a wider environment breeding population was found by follow-up surveys at the time.

The runner up for the Early Years category was Johnston Nursery in Kirkcudbright, previous winners in 2022 who were this year praised for expanding their site to allow for poly tunnels, shelter areas, wildflowers, “secret dens” and fires.

For the Schools Award 2024, the winners of the Crown Estate

Scotland Schools’ Trophy was Selkirk High School in the Borders.

The judges praised the work of two teachers, Maddy Pope and Anna Johnson, highlighting a “superb enthusiastic duo of staff who know how to nurture teenagers, plants and animals and want to help their young people to do their best”.

Jean Nairn, Executive Director of Scotland’s Finest Woods, said: “It was heartening to see the range of entries for schools and early years categories.

“We now look forward to November and a new home for the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards at the Scottish

Parliament. We are very excited to be celebrating climate, community, forestry and farming during National Tree Week.”

The winners of the Schools and Early Years categories have also been invited to the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards ceremony in November.

Versatile, task-focused attachments for todays’ forestry industry

Albutt Attachments have been supplying the UK agricultural industry for over 50 years, but this is not the only industry that benefits from their high specification, adaptable attachments. 25 years ago, founder Robert and son Alistair Albutt moved into the forestry sector building their first log grabs. They have expanded their range since then to meet the specific demands of forestry harnessing their innovative design team to trouble-shoot issues with managing forestry loads.

The Albutt Log Grab range are specifically designed to adapt to the machine they are fitted to and withstand an intensive workload. There are individual models to fit Tractor loaders, Telehandlers and loading shovels. The attachments incorporate high strength materials much as Domex and Hardox in key stress areas enhancing their durability and longevity. This includes the Hardox serrated edges, these bolt on to the log grab with twin arms which are ideal for managing uneven loads. A popular option of note within forestry is the LG500 which has an innovative ‘beak’ design with Hardox tines making it ideal for clearing brash.

One of Albutt’s recently launched ranges is the Site Pro. The design team identified the need for an attachment which moved trees, rocks and waste without picking up dirt. After listening to client feedback,

the team developed this unique design for hard raking, digging and site clearance. The range is made from Hardox steel allowing it to be both hard wearing and reliable.

The Albutt’s versatile timber grapples are designed to be used with telehandler, loader or tractor 3-point linkage. The attachments have a lift capacity of 2.5 & 4.0 tonnes. The grapple has a rotate

function allowing timber to be positioned when loading timber trucks. As well as being agile, the Strenx high tensile steel gives high strength and longterm reliability.

For moving large volumes, the go-to attachment is the Albutt high-capacity wood chip bucket to be married with high-capacity telehandlers or loading shovels. This heavy-duty bucket features

internal strengthening gussets, full length corner gussets and a high-grade weldmesh spill guard. As standard the bucket also comes with a 500 Brinell bolt on reversible toe plate, another example of high-quality, long-lasting, fit for purpose and reliable attachments.

Contact Albutt Attachments to discuss your attachment needs.

M Large - OPEN DAYS

Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September 2024 - 10am - 4pm 9 Michelin Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 4PT

Looking for incredible deals on forestry equipment? Don’t wait for trade shows - our Open Days are here! Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September 2024

We’re slashing prices on machinery, offering you the chance to grab amazing deals on Hakki-Pilke Firewood Processors, Bilke Firewood Guillotines, Thor Logsplitters, Greenmech Woodchippers, BMF Forestry Trailers/ cranes and much more.

Exclusive open-day discounts on ALL your forestry equipment needs - perfect for those looking for a bargain on reliable equipment

Machinery demonstrations throughout the day with loads of opportunities to operate these machines yourself. Pick your machine and haul it away the same day

Get expert advice from our knowledgeable staff.

Food and drinks - grab a beer and a burger (donations to Macmillan Cancer welcome!)

Clearance Corner for incredible deals on a variety of items - Score a steal on reliable, previously owned equipment

Free event with free parking. The perfect opportunity to see firsthand the full range of M Large products.

Skewers of Barbecued Venison with a Berry Sauce

By Wendy Barrie

It’s the perfect season to combine our Scottish berries with barbecued venison. Select a cut that will cook quickly, creating succulent tender bites with the skewered vegetables. I prefer to use wooden skewers that can be burnt after use. These are best pre-soaked in water whilst the ingredients are marinading to prevent them charring too soon. The berry sauce is a great way to use a mix of berries, whether picked fresh or hiding in your freezer from last year. The quantity of sugar will vary according to your taste and the sweetness of the berries used. Brambles and redcurrants can be deliciously sharp creating a sweet’n’sour combo with the venison. Venison is available through Scottish Food Guide from Winston Churchill, Carmichael Estate & Rothiemurchus Estate.

600g venison steaks

2 medium courgettes, sliced in chunks

2 red onions, peeled & cut in wedges

A generous drizzle of Summer Harvest Rapeseed oil

Method:

• Cut venison in generous chunks and place in a bowl.

• Prep onions and courgettes and add to bowl.

The juice of 1 lemon Marjoram/oregano sprigs for marinade

A scrunch of Blackthorn sea salt

A generous twist of black pepper

• Add remaining ingredients and coat meat and vegetables entirely. Allow to marinade for 20 minutes or so.

• Thread alternately onto skewers and grill over a high heat for 10-15 minutes, turning once, until meat is a rich dark colour and vegetables are lightly charred.

Makes 6 large skewers. Serve with a good quality artisan loaf on the side to mop up juices.

Summer berry sauce

150g berries (rasps/redcurrants/blackcurrants/brambles)

The juice of half a lemon

25g brown sugar

½ red onion, peeled and sliced

A small drizzle of Summer Harvest rapeseed oil

Milled black pepper

Method:

• Place all the ingredients in a pan and simmer gently until the onion is fully cooked by which time the sauce will be a lovely consistency.

• Taste to adjust sweetness if necessary and serve with venison.

Wendy is a cook, food writer & campaigner for local sustainable produce & biodiversity. Founder Director of award-winning Scottish Food Guide & Scottish Cheese Trail, Wendy is also Leader for Slow Food Ark of Taste & Cooks Alliance in Scotland, IGCAT Global Experts Network member, co-founder of Scottish Bread Championship & pioneer of East Ayrshire Council’s school lunch programme. She has co-written “Meadows: The Swedish Farmer & The Scottish Cook,” with her husband, on regenerative food production, available online & from selected farm shops.

Photograph © Wendy Barrie

George Colliar Ltd joins Merlo dealer network

Merlo are delighted to announce that George Colliar Ltd has joined the Merlo agricultural dealer network. This announcment came just ahead of the Royal Highland Show, where George Colliar Ltd displayed a range of Merlo machines on display on their stand.

“This strategic appointment marks an exciting expansion of our dealer network north of the border in the Fife and Perthshire regions of Scotland and symbolises Merlo UK’s commitment to providing our agricultural sector customers with strong and comprehensive coverage across the region”, commented Owen Buttle, National Sales Manager, Merlo

UK, “We are delighted to welcome George Colliar to the Merlo dealer network.”

Founded in 1974 and celebrating 50 years of experience in the industry this year, George Colliar is a seasoned agricultural dealer. Based at Balado in Kinross, George Colliar serves a large and varied customer base, representing respected brands such as Same Deutz Fahr, Alpego & Vicon. Adding the Merlo franchise will further complement their offering across Fife and Perthshire.

“We are thrilled by this partnership with Merlo,” said Dunan Whyte, Managing Director of George Coliar Ltd. “Joining the Merlo dealer

New model launch - Hawk Evo 7.5P Power Plus

The launch of the Hawk Evo 7.5P Power Plus reach arm mower now brings something new to the market. Based on the existing format of the popular Hawk Evo 7.0 arm mower the

new 7.5m model now offers additional reach.

Naturally, the Hawk Evo 7.5P is packed with features that are demanded by today’s ever advancing customers and

network allows us to enhance our product offerings and provide our customers with even greater value and service. We look forward to a successful collaboration.”

KATTRAK INTERNATIONAL LTD

Newly appointed HOLP –ROTOP ATTACHMENT SCOTTISH DISTRUBUTOR & TOWMATE TRAILERS

Distribution, Sales, Hire Fleet, Service, Spares, Training Wheeled dumpers, tracked dumpers, excavators, telehandlers, special machinery

Kattrak International Ltd is proud to be an official Scottish dealer & distributor for Sunward, Hidromek and Holp Rototop Attachments

Kattrak offers a broad range of wheeled & tracked dumpers as well as other machinery for hire at competitive rates

is available with either 3-point linkage with our 4-point linkage stabiliser bracket or as an axlemounted option. The stabiliser bracket connects the tractor hitch to the chassis of the machine, adding important additional torsional

stability, and can also be retrofitted on older reach arm mowers.

Increased reach to an impressive 7.5m now gives the Hawk Evo 7.5P the edge over its competitors in this popular model range and is perfect for contractors

and municipal environments. Useful features such as electronic rotor reverse and electronic head and arm float are also included as standard.

The ICS4 (Intelligent Control System) is fitted as standard and

includes a fully proportional control joystick, programmable hydraulic ram cylinder speeds plus driver aid functions like grease and oil change reminders which are all fed back to the operator via a large colour LCD screen display.

Tong unveils innovative new Stinger Hopper for the US and Canadian markets

Tong Engineering, leading UK manufacturer of advanced vegetable handling equipment, is excited to introduce a new Stinger Hopper, specifically engineered to meet the demands of the USA and Canadian markets. This innovative new even flow hopper solution is designed to streamline the unloading of live-bottom trucks and semis for maximum efficiency and reliability.

“With our dedicated Tong USA division in Michigan, we’ve worked with many customers throughout the USA and Canada unloading crop with Stinger elevator solutions that feed our even flow hoppers,” says Charlie Rich, Sales Director at Tong Engineering. “What we have developed now, is the ultimate Stinger Hopper; one fully integrated even flow machine with a built-in stinger elevator, resulting in a complete unloading

solution that can receive crop direct from trucks.”

The new Stinger Hopper features a deep-flighted 6ft wide stinger elevator at the infeed, which is hydraulically adjustable to suit the height of the unloading trailers for ultimate versatility.

“We’ve fitted the stinger elevator with what we call a Droop Snoop. Like our popular box fillers, the end of the elevator lowers into to the hopper for the gentlest handling,” explains Charlie.

“Both the stinger and the hopper are fitted with sensors that automatically detect the level of crop in the hopper, keeping the droop snoop in optimum position as well as controlling the speed hopper according to the level of crop. This ensures there is always a constant flow of product onto the handling line.”

The new built-in Stinger elevator can be specified on any

Tong even flow hopper, whether it’s unloading onto a static handling line or a mobile grading and sizing solution. When added to a mobile even flow hopper, the

Stinger elevator can be moved hydraulically into a transport position within seconds, making the machine quickly and easily transportable to its next destination.

Kverneland UK gains silver award for PUDAMA

Kverneland Group UK Ltd has been granted a silver award for its PUDAMA precision fertiliser placement by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) in its 2024 Technical Innovation Award scheme.

PUDAMA is a fertiliser placement system jointly developed by Kverneland Group and the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, Germany. RHASS judges praised the system for its ability to meter-out a precise

amount of fertiliser for each seed at exactly the right time, and while working at high forward speeds.

of fertiliser within easy reach of the seed, compared to conventional maize drilling processes that apply

The PUDAMA principle enables easier uptake of nutrients by placing a concentrated amount

fertiliser in a continuous row beneath the seeds.

Available for the Kverneland Optima maize drill, PUDAMA is triggered by a pulse from each of

the Optima SX’s sowing units. As the seed reaches a predetermined point on the sowing heart, fertiliser placement is triggered. Each precise dose of fertiliser is then

pushed into the ground by a jet of air, with the seed placed directly above it.

Trials have proved that PUDAMA uses around 25% less

fertiliser than traditional maize sowing systems, while maintaining 100% of the yield compared to crops that get continuously applied starter-fertiliser.

The Original Contractors Engine Drive Pump Unit Trailer

Tramspread had been producing slurry spreading booms for a decade when it begun contracting with an umbilical spreading system in 1998. For this task company founder Terry Baker designed the first purposebuilt Contractor Trailer engine driven pump unit (EDPU). It was 24ft long and fitted with a used Iveco six-cylinder turbocharged engine driving a Bauer SM3500 pump via a Comer gearbox. It was controlled by a Murphy

control panel. Remarkably, this original engine is still working for Tramspread Contracting with over 25,000 hours on the clock.

The contracting enterprise expanded rapidly, and a second Contractor Trailer was soon produced. These early singleaxle versions used commercial trailer axles without suspension and carried a tractor-mounted 1200m or 1400m hose reel.

The second-generation Contractor Trailer was

introduced in 2013 having been redesigned using first-hand contracting experience. It was new from the ground up, with a longer 8.6m chassis, twinaxle running gear, suspension, 435/50R19.5 wheels and tyres and hydraulic brakes. The front section was reconfigured to carry two 1000m random wrap hose spools. A larger fuel tank placed between the axles more than doubled capacity to 900-litres. A compressor was placed above the front axle, with room for a work platform and two large tool boxes over the second. The EDPU sat at the rear and was skid-mounted for easy removal if required. These purpose-built units carried everything needed by a slurry spreading contractor with a self-contained enginedriven pump, compressor for blowing out the drag hose, hose spool carrying locations and storage for oils, tools, couplings and anything else needed. No straps were needed, saving time

during loading and unloading, with the spools secured by locking pins.

Field testing of the prototype by Tramspread Contracting identified the need for a longer drawbar and greater rear ground clearance when reversing up lagoon banks, and these features were incorporated into production versions which proved to be very successful. Further modifications in 2022 saw the Contractor Trailer widened by 200mm to accommodate Doda and Cri-man pumps specified by some customers and higheroutput compressors. Current standard specification includes a six-cylinder FPT engine and air-brakes. Compressors of 140 CFM, 180 CFM, 260 CFM and 425 CFM outputs can be fitted, and a suction hose transport kit is optional. Remote control options include a Tramspread Teletram 2020 GSM system or Tramspread SIL Vision IV radio remote control.

In addition to the Contractor Trailer, Tramspread also offers a range of engine-driven pump unit options including skid-mounted

More

and trailed with and without compressor. All of these typically use up to 35% less fuel than the typical tractor-driven pump unit.

than 500,000 success stories

CLAAS celebrate half a million combine harvesters

CLAAS is celebrating a major milestone in its combine harvester history, with half a million now built since the first CLAAS M.D.B. combine was produced in 1936, followed by the HERCULES/SF, which was the first European built

self-propelled combine harvester, in 1953.

Since then CLAAS combine harvesters, such as the MATADOR, SENATOR, DOMINATOR and most recently the LEXION have set new

standards both for technology and as a result of that for high levels of output and efficiency.

Alongside this has been the development of operator assistance systems such as yield mapping in the early 1990’s, Telematics in 2005 and now CEMOS introduced in 2013.

As is traditional, CLAAS will also be recognising this major milestone with several anniversary machines, sporting a special paint finish and branding. In addition all combines manufactured this year will have celebratory stickers on them.

Harvest Tec establish dedicated UK distribution division

distribute its Baler’s Choice preservative and advanced applicator range via its own

Bale preservative application specialist Harvest Tec has announced that it is to directly

dedicated UK and European sales and service network.

The change in distribution arrangement has been made to enable the Wisconsin based company to have direct control over the sales and service of its products. To ensure prompt availability of applicator systems after sale and a rapid supply of spare parts, Harvest Tec will be working with Carr’s Billington, who will act as a central distribution hub.

For simplicity, all applicator systems will in future be marketed under the Harvest Tec name, instead of individual OEM brand previously. The company’s market leading Baler’s Choice buffered Ph neutral preservative will continue to be manufactured under licence and supplied by the agricultural division of Monarch Chemicals.

Baler’s Choice enables hay and straw to be safely baled at moisture contents between 16

and 30% without the reduction in hay quality from the development of moulds, while also reducing heating and the subsequent risk of spontaneous combustion. The range of Harvest Tec applications vary from simple, straightforward manual systems through to advanced automated units where the application rate is adjusted automatically according to baler throughput and moisture content.

Merlo Tremme attachment offer

Merlo UK is excited to announce an exclusive offer of genuine Merlo attachments. Until July 31st, 2024, Merlo is offering a FREE Tremme Bucket & Tremme Muck Fork & Grab with every Merlo Agricultural telehandler retailed to end-users. This promotion underscores Merlo’s commitment to its customers by showcasing the full benefits of our attachment recognition or Advanced Stability Control System (ASCS). The system ensures a high level of safety, checking the operating parameters of the handler in real time to improve its stability.

This limited-time offer provides significant benefits to end customers including: Cost Savings: By receiving a free Tremme Bucket and Tremme Muck Fork Grab with the purchase of a Merlo Agricultural telehandler, customers save on the cost of these essential attachments.

Enhanced Efficiency & Safety: the genuine Merlo attachments are designed to work seamlessly with the telehandler, maximizing its performance, safety and efficiency.

Hassle-Free Integration: customers avoid the hassle and potential compatibility issues of sourcing and fitting thirdparty attachments, ensuring their telehandler operates optimally from the start.

Improved Productivity: essential attachments on any farm, customers can immediately put their telehandlers to use without additional investment.

Increased Value: enhancing the overall value of the telehandler, providing more functionality and utility for the investment made by the customer.

By using genuine Merlo attachments, customers can significantly boost the safety, performance and efficiency of their telehandlers, ensuring they get the most out of their investment.

Eligibility:

Machines must be retailed and warranty registered with Merlo UK by July 31st, 2024. Full details can be obtained from your local authorised Merlo dealer.

McConnel introduces new 72-Series and 77-Series Power Arm ranges

McConnel has introduced two new Power Arm ranges: the 72-Series and the heavierduty 77-Series. Designed for farmers, contractors, and local authorities, both ranges feature a 70hp hydraulic system with reach options from 5.5m to 7.0m, including Telescopic and VFR options. The 77-Series offers added durability and power with larger diameter

pivot pins and an optional 85hp hydraulics system.

Both series include an optional integrated debris blower located within the rear guard, which clears roadside debris and enhances cooling by drawing in cool air over the pumps and tank. Additional new features include LED road lighting, a redesigned hydraulic tank, a two-piece rear guard for easy service access,

and a sculpted polypropylene top cover to prevent debris and moisture ingress.

As standard, both series come with McConnel’s in-house designed 70hp gear hydraulic system, featuring a 180-litre hydraulic tank, high-capacity oil cooler, electric rotor control, and

Soft-Start rotor engagement. The 77-Series also includes larger diameter pivot pins, allowing for a 48% increase in bush area for added durability and longevity. An 85hp hydraulic system is available as an option for the 77-Series for those seeking more power.

Kverneland UK offers more Siloking feeding options

A host of updates are available across Kverneland’s Siloking feeder range, including a new range of battery-powered eTrucks, a stepless auger gearbox on trailed models and the ability to run self-propelled diesel models on HVO fuel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil).

This second generation of Siloking eTruck models now includes capacities from 1220 cubic metres, and unlike its predecessor, the latest range has been designed from the outset around a robust, high-tech 20 cube model.

The revised design concept is said to make it easier to produce

smaller eTruck models, using the same engineering featured in the range-topping 20 cube machine, rather than upscaling a 12cube model into larger capacity versions.

With a high-tech approach, the eTruck sheds its former leadacid battery power in favour of advanced battery technology with lithium ion phosphorous cells, creating a 96-volt battery-electric vehicle (BEV). This advanced BEV technology affords lownoise, zero-emission feeding that can deliver from two to four mixings without recharging, and offer a projected battery life of 3,000-5,000 full charge cycles.

The eTruck uses Siloking’s 4.0 SelfLine cab, though centrally mounted at the front of the eTruck chassis. Prices start at £188,000 for the 12 cubic metre capacity eTruck 2012.

High capacity TrailedLine mixers, which offer twin and triple auger designs, are available with Variospeed – a stepless gearbox that is said to require less horsepower to drive and need a lower start-up torque to engage. It is a development that allows larger capacity mixers to be operated without the need for ever more powerful tractors.

Three pre-defined auger speeds can be selected to suit cutting, mixing and emptying, with push-button control available, along with remote activation from the telehandler used for loading. The benefits of Variospeed can include reduced fuel consumption, easier speed changes for enhanced mixing efficiency, plus lower driveline vibration.

Working with its engine supplier, Siloking has thoroughly tested and approved the use of

HVO fuel in its self-propelled feeder wagons. Compared to diesel, HVO has been proven to

reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent, and can be used as a direct replacement to fossil diesel.

Alvan Blanch invests in largest of its kind machinery to support continued growth

A North Wiltshire-based manufacturer, specialising in agricultural drying and processing equipment, is driving down its cost of production and delivering on growth potential with an investment into the largest bending machine of its kind in the UK.

Alvan Blanch, based in Chelworth, Wiltshire, boasts over 70 years of experience developing and manufacturing large-scale equipment for the post-harvest agricultural industry. Its products, which offer farmers and agro-businesses a reduction in post-harvest losses and improved value addition of their crops, are exported to customers across six continents.

Their best-selling product, the continuous drier, is responsible for the drying of everything from grain and bananas to woodchip and seaweed.

The new automatic bending cell robot, which was acquired with the support of a near £700,000 loan from Lloyds Bank, will allow the firm to speed up, and reduce cost of, production and prevent backlogs.

The firm predicts that the investment will be instrumental in its ambitions to double production in future. The new equipment offers a greater level of automation, with pre-punched steel sheets being fed-in by the machine itself, allowing for unattended operation to the very

highest precision. Wireless laser sensors automatically control the bending, delivering a perfect bend every time.

It is also able to run overnight, meaning that tasks that previously could have taken days can be completed much quicker. Manufactured by

Trumpf of Germany/Austria, the global market leaders in sheet metal automation, the TruBend 5230 (S) brake press – with 4.25m bend length x 230 tonne capacity with BendMaster robot is one of only three of this top of the range models operating in UK.

New HORSCH Avatar 6 SL drill

The all-new HORSCH 6 SL is the smallest and most manoeuvrable Avatar seed drill from Horsch.

The 6m drill adds a mounted 3-point configuration to the renowned Avatar family. It is designed for precise sowing in mulch seed conditions in a more compact format suited to UK farming. The depth control roller of the SingleDisc coulter ensures a regular depth placement even in uneven conditions. Row spacings of 25cm or 30cm pave the way for mechanical weed control.

Hydraulic weight transfer achieves a coulter pressure of up to 240kg per coulter, with the weight of the tractor transferred to the seed coulters. This is useful especially in harder conditions and considerably extends the range of use of the machine.

The Avatar SL is available with trash wheels that smoothly manage

high amounts of straw. The trailed layout of the trash wheels allows for a perfect soil adaption as each trash wheel can be adapted individually to the desired depth and the soil is only minimally disrupted.

The optional selective hosing allows for alternately supplying the seed coulters with two different crops. Due to the individual depth control, fine seeds can be placed shallowly and coarse seeds can be placed deeply. In addition, double row spacing can be achieved with cereals sown with a 25cm spacing and soybeans at 50cm, for example.

The Avatar SL can be combined with the HORSCH Partner front tank or 800-litre rear seed tank is available as an option.

Combine with a Partner FT front tank

The Avatar 6 SL can be combined

with the HORSCH Partner FT to create a highly manoeuvrable mounted drill setup and optimises the weight distribution of the tractor and seeding rig.

The Partner 2000 FT has a double hopper and a total capacity of 2200 litres with a 60:40 partition allows for applying seed and fertiliser, two different seeds or fertilisers. A 75:25 partition has a combination

of a large hopper capacity for seed or granulated fertiliser and 550 litres for micro-granular compounds with the HORSCH fine metering insert.

The Partner 1600 FT features a single 1600 litre hopper has a compact design that allows for optimum visibility to the front. The feed opening is large and allows for a quick filling with a front loader or a telehandler.

Scotland Set to Host World Agritourism Conference in 2026

Scotland’s agritourism sector is celebrating after winning a bid to host the World Agritourism Conference in 2026. The announcement was made in Bolzano, Italy on Friday 17th May, at a gathering of world leaders in agritourism, who represent the recently formed Global Agritourism Network.

The international conference in 2026 will showcase the diversity and growth of Scotland’s agritourism sector on a world stage and it is expected that up to one thousand delegates will attend. The main conference will take place at the P&J Live, on the edge of Aberdeen, from 23rd to 25th June, with a pre-conference programme in the Edinburgh area to include a visit to the Royal Highland Show. A range of Scottish cultural activities will be offered throughout the programme along with the opportunity to enjoy the best of Scotland’s farm and fishing produce during every meal.

Pre and post conference tours ranging from one to ten days in length have been developed which will welcome delegates on to farms and crofts in every part of Scotland from Orkney to Dumfries and Galloway. One hundred free scholarship places will be made available for visitors from developing countries to attend the conference with Scottish farmers opening their homes to host scholars post conference.

Lisa Chase, Chair of the Global Agritourism Network, commented; “Scotland demonstrated many features to deliver an extremely strong bid including a key focus on showcasing food and drink from agritourism farms, both on farm and throughout the conference menus. The review team felt delegates would be interested in learning about the diversity of quality agritourism businesses on offer, Scotland’s connected agritourism network,

the 2030 national strategy and growth ambition, and monitor farms programme. The offer of agritourism businesses to showcase Scottish hospitality and to open their doors throughout all of Scotland during the pre and post tours as well as the offer to support one hundred scholars to

attend and be hosted on farms made the bid very compelling.”

Working closely with businesses to help develop and market those unique and authentic experiences we know visitors are seeking and that many of our country’s farms and crofts are perfectly placed to offer.

This conference will now help showcase that work to delegates across the world, creating opportunities to share learnings while allowing attendees to enjoy Scotland’s famous hospitality, delicious farm produce and unmissable agritourism offering.

Countryfile star joins return of Agribusiness Growth Summit

Countryfile star, farmer, and entrepreneur Adam Henson will be headlining the country’s leading conference for agribusinesses when it returns to Yorkshire later this year.

Following the success of the inaugural conference in 2023, the Agribusiness Growth Summit organised by Red Stag Media, returns on October 24 this year and is once again bringing together business leaders from across the UK agricultural sector.

The summit explores how businesses linked to agriculture and horticulture can continue to drive growth while still providing innovative solutions and systems to the under-pressure farming and growing sector.

Featuring panel debates, expert presentations, interviews and a range of educational sessions, the Agribusiness Growth Summit was a huge success last year, with delegates describing the event as “fascinating and brilliant”.

This year, it is being held at the Pavilions of Harrogate – the home of the Great Yorkshire Show – and Adam Henson will be delivering the keynote address, describing his farming and business journey and discussing how he has delivered growth across his range of enterprises.

He says: “We are constantly told this industry must diversify to survive. This conference will offer advice and guidance helping us all to understand how agribusinesses

can succeed in a challenging climate.

“Farmers need support from innovative agribusinesses across the UK and beyond but it’s difficult to know how best we can all work together.

“I’m looking forward to sharing my own business experiences but, more importantly, hearing from a diverse range of business leaders on how they have driven growth and successfully partnered with farmers on that journey.”

The Agribusiness Growth Summit is organised by East Yorkshire-based agricultural PR and marketing agency Red Stag Media and features a range of sessions with top business leaders alongside sales, marketing, PR and finance experts.

The summit will also be exploring international PR & marketing, effective growth strategies and will also include a “Meet The Buyers” session allowing businesses to understand how they can best work with dealers, merchants and buying groups.

This year the hugely popular farmers panel will also make a return, enabling businesses to hear directly from their customers and ask the questions they’ve always wanted to ask.

Managing Director of Red Stag Media, Nick Glaves, said: “Agribusinesses are fundamental to the success of the farming sector in the UK and, as a result, the nation’s food security.

“We created this summit as there weren’t really any events dedicated to agribusiness leaders where they can share insights and experiences and learn about new strategies for creating business growth.

“The Agribusiness Growth Summit has changed that, and we were absolutely blown away by the support we received last year and the feedback on the value of event to agribusinesses. The goal of the summit is to help hundreds of agribusinesses to thrive and grow and, most importantly, ensure that farmers around the UK can benefit from their innovative products and services.”

NSA Breakfast Club ‘live’ to question the new people in power over future farming plans

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is looking forward to welcoming visitors to its first ever NSA Breakfast Club ‘live’ this summer providing visitors to the NSA Sheep Event with the chance to question and hear firsthand from newly elected MPs on the future of farming in the UK.

Taking place on Tuesday 30th July 2024 at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, the NSA Breakfast Club will be one part of an insightful line up of

seminars taking place throughout the day, featuring well known names from industry discussing the topical issues facing sheep farmers in Britain today.

With the event now set to be one of the first major farming gatherings post general election, the NSA Breakfast Club seminar will be the ideal opportunity to hear from those confirmed as responsible for future faming policy decisions. NSA has representatives from all the main political parties committed to attending NSA Sheep 2024 and

prepared to take part in NSA Breakfast Club in the event of them winning the election.

The NSA Breakfast Club ‘live’ will also be available to those not able to join the event on the day as it will be livestreamed via NSA’s social platforms.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker comments: “NSA is looking forward to welcoming key political influencers and government decision makers to NSA Sheep 2024 this July and in typical NSA style, we will not shy away from ensuring the

issues affecting the sector are top of the list of discussion topics.”

Outdoor Clothing

Introducing TorraMór’s Innovative Wool Filled Gilet: Crafted for Comfort and Style

TorraMór, a leading name in outdoor apparel, proudly announces the launch of its latest creation: The Wool-Filled Gilet. Proudly crafted just 38 miles from our headquarters in Dunkeld, Perthshire, this gilet embodies our unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and supporting the British Wool industry.

Designed for both men and women, the TorraMór woolfilled gilet offers unparalleled comfort and insulation making it the ideal companion for outdoor

adventures or causal urban outings.

Key features of the TorraMórWool-filled Gilet include:

- Premium wool filling: carefully selected wool filling provides exceptional warmth without compromising on breathability ensuring comfort in a variety of climates.

- Precision Craftsmanship: Manufactured with precision in Cumbernauld, each Gilet undergoes rigorous quality

control measures to guarantee durability and performance.

- Versatile Design: available in two timeless colours for both men and women, the Gilet effortlessly complements any wardrobe, whether layered over a shirt or worn under our TorraMór Jacket or Smock.

“At TorraMór, we are committed to crafting highquality apparel that meets the diverse needs of our customers,” says Alex Brewster, Director at TorraMór. “With the launch

of our wool-filled Gilet, we continue our tradition of blending innovation with timeless design, providing our customers with versatile outerwear that stands the test of time.”

Experience the perfect blend of warmth, style, and functionality with the TorraMór wool-filled Gilet.

Visit www.torramor.com to explore our full range of products and make your purchase today.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

John Flanagan

NFU Scotland has appointed John Flanagan to head up its Food and Farming Team and to lead on arable issues.

As well as lead the team, John will be responsible for cereals, potatoes, pesticides, and organic farming.

From a farming family in Tipperary, Ireland, John went on to study for his degree at the University of Aberdeen. Since graduating from there in 1998, John has had a wealth of experience in Ireland, France, but mostly Scotland.

John has previously worked for NFU Scotland as a regional manager, so has a good grounding and understanding of the organisation and how it works to the advantage of its membership. Upon leaving NFU Scotland, John was a self-employed farmer, running a mixed unit of cattle, sheep and arable in the Limousin region of France.

Laura Young

Scottish agricultural charity RSABI has announced the appointment of Laura Young as its new Fundraising Executive.

Laura’s role will involve executing a fundraising strategy to support RSABI’s work to provide financial, practical, and emotional support to people involved in Scottish agriculture. With demand for the charity’s services steadily increasing, Laura’s support will help ensure RSABI has the income needed to meet expected demand in the coming years.

With a background in global brand marketing, Laura brings over a decade of valuable experience in brand management to her new role at RSABI.

Chris Sparrow

The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF) is delighted to welcome Chris Sparrow MRICS as the newest member of its Board of Trustees.

Chris brings twenty-seven years of experience as a chartered surveyor and business owner. In 2020, he established Recce Rural, a company that provides professional services to the landed-estate sector, and as the Founder and Director of the Environmental Farmers Group (EFG), Chris leads a farmer-owned cooperative that spans 125,000 acres, primarily within the Hampshire Avon catchment. EFG’s mission is to leverage scale and member cooperation to achieve the best environmental and financial returns for various natural capital goods and services.

Neil Everett

Neil Everett has joined BOSS OffRoad Vehicles as National Sales Manager. Neil’s focus initially will be to develop the Corvus OffRoad Vehicles dealer network. He brings a wealth of experience from over thirteen years in the off-road vehicle market. Originally a parttime contractor to his previous company, he moved into a full-time role in sales support, working across all sectors from on-road motorcycles, Parts, Garments and Accessories, defence, and off-road.

“We’re delighted to announce Neil’s appointment,” says BOSS MD Phil Everett. “A lot of his time in the industry has been spent managing dealer networks. He will be responsible for growing the Corvus dealer network and making changes where required.

THE BOOK SHELF The Fresh and the Salt: The Story of Solway by

Ann Lingard

The Solway Firth, a jagged body of water running through Scotland and England, is a fascinating and unpredictable place. It is one of the least-industrialised estuaries in Europe, and an extremely important, unique ecosystem. The Fresh and the Salt by Ann Lingard aims to tell the story of this liminal, natural place, through a blended personal and scientific narrative.

This meeting of land and sea, tides and freshwater, has been impactful historically and geologically for the human and nonhuman inhabitants alike who have settled around its shores. The author herself lives in this area, in Cumbria, making her especially equipped to describe the conditions of life here. The prose is beautifully immersive, seamlessly weaving together her personal reflections and experiences with key historical and scientific facts about the Solway Firth which enhance comprehension.

Solway itself is treated like the most prominent character in The Fresh and the Salt. The unpredictability and ever-changing nature of the Firth becomes its personality, and the sense of it being alive within the narrative of this book made it a particularly unique read. Its ‘highly dynamic’ personality and how this affects the creatures large and small who live around it is the central focus of the narrative.

The book is structured around exploring different areas of the Solway’s ecosystem –invertebrates, fish algae, as well as the human stories of the people

who live and work along the shores and in the Firth’s waters, such as farmers, stonemasons, harbour masters, fishermen and marine surveyors. Lingard explains in the introduction that ‘the simple underlying theme of this book is how we all live together – for better, for worse – along the margins of this unique place. And because they are so much a part of my upbringing, education and academic research, I make no apology for occasionally giving the invertebrate inhabitants equal status with the humans.’

Ultimately, this book is a compassionate, thoroughly researched account of life along the Solway Firth, a place which many know so little about. Shortlisted for the Lakeland Book of the Year, The Fresh and the Salt is a stunning achievement in nature writing which deserves to be widely read and celebrated.

The Fresh and the Salt: The Story of Solway by Ann Lingard was published by Birlinn in paperback in March 2024 (£12.99) www.birlinn.co.uk