Farming Scotland Magazine (November - December 2020 Issue)

Scotland’s longest established national farming & rural magazine

Tuathanachas Alba

magazine

!46 S Diet Feeders Farm Security Rodent Control

Farm Diversification Christmas Trees

.EW TO -ARKET Leon Boots

In Focus 30 years of the Quality Assurance Scheme

World Farming Norway -ADE IN 3COTLAND Glengorm Highland Cattle

Travel Scotland Dreams for 2021

Interviews Athole & Christina Fleming

Cooking with Lamb With Wendy Barrie

£3.50

plus

December 2020

3COTTISH #OUNTRY ,IFE s "EATHA AN %ILEAN &LAVOUR OF 3COTLAND s !GRI 3HOWCASE s -ACHINERY including our regular news areas and columns

contents

16 ATV’s Rodent Control Farm Security Diet Feeders

59

Home-grown feeds

Ladybirds

NEW TO MARKET 21

Christmas Trees

TRAINVIEW TALK

TOPIC 20

FARMING DIVERSIFICATION 42

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND 16

30

20

MAIN FEATURES 24 32 40 68

December 2020

Leon Boots

By Valerie Orr

IN FOCUS 66

30 years of Quality Assurance Scheme

COOKING WITH LAMB 67

With Wendy Barrie

WORLD FARMING

TRAVEL SCOTLAND

22

76

Norway

Travel Dreams for 2021

MADE IN SCOTLAND

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE

30

82

Glengorm Highland Cattle

With Linda Mellor

INTERVIEWS

BOOK SERIAL

34

84

With Athole & Christina Fleming

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

Final part of ‘Into The Peatlands’

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

52 BEATHA AN EILEAN 86

Life on the Islands

NEWS AREAS 6 18 36 38 44 45 54 60 64 78 82 88 93 94 113

Arable & Root Crops Food Renewable Energy Environment Science & Technology Livestock Dairy Sheep Pigs Estate Forestry Agri Showcase Finance Machinery Xmas Ideas

COLUMNS 6 7 10 15 19 37 39 46 50 62 63 65

Editor’s Bit In my view R.S.A.B.I. Hutton Institute Farm Advisory Service Next Generation Farming for the Climate The Vet NFU Scotland Crofting NSA Scotland Quality Meat Scotland

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

84 79 81 114 114

Conservation Matters Scottish Land & Estates People on the Move Book Review

SUBSCRIPTIONS 87

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COVER IMAGE: Red sky at night

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

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

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

ISSN: 2041–918X

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arable & root crops Scotland’s growers call on UK government editor's bit to make crucial decisions on Age is only seasonal workers for 2021 a number, right?

This year, Christina and I both reached that little landmark where we get rewarded with our bus pass and national entitlement card, whoop!

“How did we survive and get here?” was my thought on the matter I must confess.

“With age comes experience,” they say. Well they never told me about the pain, or the “oo ahh!” when you stand up from a chair or bend down!

My main problem is that I mostly sit all day working on my mac. Talking and typing is what publishers do, right?

Eighteen months ago, I was still with my band playing forty gigs throughout that year, and up until February this year, playing indoor football once a week.

Add in band rehearsals every week and I was quite busy away from the office life.

Not now though! Here we are in another lockdown scenario and the office has almost become my home.

Anyway, I digress. On both of us turning sixty I thought it was time that we became the latest victims of our ‘Interview’, a little peak into the personal side of things, you might say.

That aside, I hope you enjoy this latest edition, and keep safe everyone.

Slàinte, Athole.

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As Scotland’s soft fruit season has closed and vegetable harvesting and packing has been done for this year, NFU Scotland has called on the UK Government to make decisions now that will allow the crucial recruitment of nonUK staff in 2021.

The Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme introduced by UK Government recognised the specific need to bring in workers to undertake work in the fruit and vegetable sector.

NFUS strongly welcomed the pilot being scaled up in 2020, to allow 10,000 permits to be offered to workers from outside the EU to work in the UK this year. However, this will fall significantly short of requirements when the free movement of people from the EU comes to an end on 1 January 2021.

NFUS and the UK farming unions have consistently provided evidence to the UK Government which demonstrates that around 70,000 seasonal staff are required in the UK fruit, vegetable and ornamentals sector each year. Of this number, approximately 10,000 workers are understood to undertake work on Scottish farms, undertaking essential horticultural work for between six and nine months.

From NFUS’ surveying of its horticulture members, 100 percent indicated that their businesses depended on non-UK seasonal agricultural workers.

NFUS understands that the UK Government intends to review the current pilot imminently, with a view to

deciding how, or indeed if, it will replace the scheme following the end of free movement from 2021 onwards.

NFU Scotland has written to MPs this week calling for a fully functional Seasonal Workers Scheme that will ensure Scotland’s vibrant fruit, veg and ornamental sectors can secure the necessary numbers of non-UK staff in the future.

Without urgent clarity on the UK Government’s intentions for the future of the Seasonal Workers Scheme, planting and investment decisions cannot be taken, and the sector could face

severe productivity and financial challenges in the 2021 season and beyond.

More than 40 percent NFUS horticultural members who responded to our most recent survey stated that they would cease activity altogether if they could not recruit workers from outside the UK. Loss of this productive capacity because of worker shortages would be highly damaging to Scotland’s agricultural output and the rural economies and communities which horticultural operations underpin in Scotland.

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arable & root crops Root and yieldboosting seed treatment gains UK approval for spring wheat

UK spring wheat growers have a new seed treatment option for this season’s plantings, with news that the SDHI-based fungicide seed treatment, Vibrance Duo, has gained UK approval for the crop.

This adds to the list of cereal crops that the seed treatment can now be used in, says Vibrance Duo producer Syngenta, a list that has increased since its launch in 2017, which was chiefly into winter wheat.

“This new approval marks an important milestone for UK spring wheat, which can often be planted in challenging growing conditions,” says Gillian Colman, seedcare marketing manager for Syngenta.

“Vibrance Duo controls a range of diseases that threaten crop establishment. However, as well as doing this and improving

early vigour across a range of cereals in trials, it has also repeatedly been shown to boost root growth and, even more importantly, to increase yield.

“In spring wheat specifically, independent university research showed that seed treated with sedaxane, the SDHI active ingredient in Vibrance Duo, produced plants with greater root and shoot mass, even in the absence of known disease.

Improved rooting effects were also long-lasting, still evident when the crop was coming into ear.”

Establishing good root structures can be particularly important in spring cereals with their short growing season, says Mrs Colman. It is associated with improved access to soil moisture and nutrients, she notes, and greater resilience to drought.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 87 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

In my view

By John Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Fife

A BROAD FRONT These last few weeks have seen the industry having to tackle not just Brexit but also a number of other critical issues which have now moved into the front line!

First of all the future of support for the LFA’s which in 2018 amounted to £65M is required to support a sector of the industry worth more than £1B to the economy as well as being the backbone of the social fabric in these areas. The present Government gave a pledge in their manifesto to maintain the CAP rate of funding – but since then - silence!

However trying to be impartial, I do think the Government received some unfair criticism recently regarding their recent Agricultural Capital Grant Scheme when it was criticised for being ‘excessively bureaucratic’. Personally, I didn’t consider it to be bureaucratic bearing in mind it could support a 50% grant – to a limit of £20k per holding – for a range of new equipment to allow better control of environmental impacts. My retort would be if you don’t want to avail yourself of the scheme – then fine, but don’t criticise an offer of financial help!

Some good news on the Marketing front with an announcement from the new owners of Asda that they would join Lidl. Aldi and Morrisons and sell only ‘British Beef’. Let’s hope these commitments will be sustained.

There is currently a new demand from Europe for meat ingredients and terms to be replaced by plant based products. Unfortunately – thanks to the ‘green lobby’ – plant based products are now more attractive politically and we will all have to counter this argument whenever we can.

And finally to our ‘old friend’ Brexit! It does appear that there is now a spirit – by no means a certainty – but a spirit of compromise in the air.

However before we all start clapping let us also note in passing that at the recent ‘virtual Conservative Conference’ the Prime Minister’s main speech on environmental matters made no reference to agriculture!

What do we have to do to get the message across that without the co-operation and participation of farmers – the environmental targets set by both Edinburgh and London will simply not be achievable. As I have said before – time will tell!

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arable & root crops Haith and Grimme keep Stewarts of Tayside moving during factory upgrade Haith’s new working relationship with Grimme has helped Stewarts of Tayside maintain its output during a factory redevelopment project.

Grimme and Haith entered into an alliance in April crossselling machines and working together to deliver integrated handling and service solutions.

Recently Haith began the installation of a new intake system at Stewarts of Tayside’s Tofthill site as part of a significant investment in an improved washing and grading system. Normally, Haith would undertake this type of project during a factory shutdown.

However, the increased demand for fresh produce caused by the COVID-19 pandemic meant

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Haith had to find a way of allowing Stewarts of Tayside to continue working while the new intake system was installed.

The answer was a Grimme Cleanloader.

“The pandemic has seen demand for fresh produce go through the roof and Stewarts of Tayside is incredibly busy, which meant we had to work in a slightly different way,” says Duane Hill, Sales Director at Haith. “We developed a three-phase installation, which will allow Stewarts to remain operational throughout the upgrade. The first phase was the removal of the intake line. Due to our close working relationship with Grimme, we were able to arrange for a Cleanloader to

be used at Stewarts of Tayside, which means the intake line could remain operational. The Cleanloader was up and running in under an hour of arriving at the site, which is amazing!”

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Built around Grimme’s proven RH24-60 self-emptying receiving hopper, the CleanLoader is road legal and requires no external power source to operate due to an on-board engine.

arable & root crops Day degrees point to BYDV triggers All early sown cereal crops have already passed 170 day degrees since emergence - the trigger point for aphid control to prevent the imminent secondary spread of BYDV. It comes at a time when aphids are actively on the move, in higher numbers than some reports, combined with testing that revealed over a third of aphids were carrying virus.

Together with the shift to earlier drilling this season, it’s a highrisk scenario for BYDV, warns Syngenta Technical Manager, Dr Max Newbert.

“It has been one of the highest years on record for aphids. The numbers of grain aphid being caught in suction traps were above average, and crucially bird cherry aphid - the other key vector of BYDV - have been picked up in water traps

on Syngenta monitoring sites from the south coast, to eastern counties and at highest numbers in Scotland,” he reported.

Dr Newbert pointed out that the very heavy rains and winds of Storm Aiden only slowed

the migration, with little or no apparent effect on aphids already in the field.

“Delaying wheat drilling until after mid-October could significantly reduce the risk of BYDV, as well as grass weeds.

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But after the experience of last autumn most growers elected to plant earlier this season,” he reported. “With warm soils the crops have emerged quickly, and the higher temperatures have seen day degrees rising rapidly.”

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New charity book is perfect Christmas stocking filler

A new book packed full of light-hearted tales from the agricultural community is now available to order.

All profits from the sale of “Farming is Still a Funny Business” will go to RSABI, the charity supporting people in Scottish agriculture.

The book, compiled by Andrew Arbuckle, includes stories, jokes and anecdotes kindly contributed by farmers, auctioneers, vets, journalists and many others involved in the farming community.

The book also features colourful cartoons from former Cartoonist of the Year Brian Petrie, as well as sketches by Graham Lang.

Andrew Arbuckle said: “I am extremely grateful to those who took the time to contact me with their story suggestions.

“The content I received was very wide-ranging and, while it was not possible to include every quirky tale sent in, I very much hope the selection which has made it into the book might prove to be a useful record of farming experiences, as well as providing an entertaining read.”

The latest initiative follows two previous books compiled by Mr Arbuckle, and his brother John, which have collectively raised over £72,000 for RSABI. Mr Arbuckle hopes that the proceeds of the third book will take that total to over £100,000.

Nina Clancy, Chief Executive of RSABI, said: “Recent months have been incredibly tough time for everyone. We are extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to contact Andrew to share their memories of fun and lighthearted experiences which I am sure will raise the spirits of those who read the book.”

The new book is available to buy, along with a selection of farming-themed Christmas cards and previous books, from the RSABI online shop – https://www.rsabi.org.uk/ RSABI-Shop or by calling 0131 364 4205.

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

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

arable & root crops BASF bucking trend with packed pipeline for potatoes

Potato growers’ armoury against pests, diseases and weeds has been shrinking in recent years.

More than ten active ingredients have already been lost and a further 50 are under threat from non-renewal. One manufacturer, BASF however, is bucking that trend with four new potato products in the pipeline.

In total BASF has seven crop protection products coming to market in the next five years, a result of continued research and development.

“We invested 900 million in R&D in 2020 and it’s bearing fruit,” says Matthew Goodson, BASF Marketing Manager for Specialities. “The FAO estimate over 30% of potential yield is lost to weeds, pests, pathogens and viruses in the field, yet potato growers are losing chemical controls at an unprecedented rate. With our growing portfolio of products, we’re offering some solutions to some of these real-world problems.”

The news has been warmly welcomed by Mike Renouard, Business Unit Director of one of the UK’s most recognisable potato brands, The Jersey Royal Company.

“Growing a heritage variety with fewer crop protection products on fields that have an average size of just two acres inevitably increases the potential for weeds, soil-borne pests and diseases,” he says.

Farming more than a third of the island’s cultivated land mass, The Jersey Royal Company faces more scrutiny than most.

It’s activities have a significant bearing on the island’s aesthetics and many of firm’s fields are catchments for the island’s water supply.

“Through the Action for Cleaner Water Group we devised a risk-based assessment for herbicides and fungicides.

Though it restricts the range of products we can use on some fields, it’s helped reduce our impact on the environment which is more important.”

With early crops covered with plastic mulches leaving little time for herbicide applications, options are limited further. So the announcement of a new herbicide, currently known as BAS 656, coming to market is good news for Mr Renouard.

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arable & root crops Tong announces record sales of next generation Barrel Washer

Tong Engineering has announced record sales of the company’s next generation stainless steel Barrel Washer throughout 2020.

Sales of the company’s advanced Barrel Washers have been boosted in the UK and export markets by an increase in orders for the new, advanced design which was launched early last year,” says Edward Tong, Managing Director at Tong Engineering.

Built with efficiency, reliability, and ease of maintenance in mind, Tong’s proven barrel washer design has been enhanced with several advanced features as standard including a new direct-drive,

inverter-controlled barrel drive shaft with heavy duty coupling.

“This year has been an unprecedented year in so many ways,” says Edward. “It’s been a landmark year for us as we’ve celebrated 90 years of business whilst opening our new stateof-the-art production facility.

However, there is no doubt that being a UK manufacturer, producing equipment during a Global pandemic has certainly had its challenges.”

“Nonetheless, we are delighted that our order book has remained strong throughout 2020, including a record number of orders for our next generation stainless steel Barrel Washer.”

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue out January 2021 Subscription details on page 87 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

arable & root crops New carfentrazone active answers calls from growers and agronomists Last season’s extremely wet weather meant that preemergence weed control wasn’t applied with some growers expressing the need for a new answer to halt the spring emergence of some broad leaf weeds (BLW).

Adam Espir, commercial technical manager at FMC, explains following this increased demand from growers and agronomists, FMC has launched a new carfentrazone product, Aurora, to support the suppression of BLW, particularly ivy leaf speedwell, cleavers and bur chervil, to fill the gap in the market.

“What became apparent in autumn 2019 was that when growers couldn’t get preem residuals on, weeds were appearing that would normally be controlled. Growers were in touch looking for other options, but if you look at the autumn herbicide market there are only about five actives and quite a limited number of products they can use,” he says.

This new addition of Aurora adds a new mode of action (MOA) to the herbicide armoury which will also reduce the risk of resistance build-up.

“As an agronomist’s tool, this product is exceedingly flexible as it can be used with

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arable & root crops residual herbicides where BLW are present in both the autumn and spring. It can also be tank mixed with a wide range of products, including insecticides.

“It’s a contact acting herbicide which works very well against small weeds, but good coverage is important. To get the most out of this product, water volume is crucial so I would recommend at least 200 litres per hectare, while ensuring weeds are still at the twoleaf stage, will deliver the best results,” says Adam.

“With unpredictable wet weather a regular occurrence for the sector to deal with, it is very useful for agronomists to know that if growers inadvertently miss the window to apply their pre-ems and have to rely on early post-em herbicides, they now have the security of Aurora.

“With the addition of Aurora, growers and agronomists now have more choice and solutions to allow them the flexibility to successfully control weeds,” says Adam.

Shellfish to fight potato pest Farmer-led innovation leads to breakthrough A group of farmers and researchers has developed an innovative, sustainable method of tackling a pest that threatens to “annihilate” Scotland’s potato industry within 30 years.

The group worked with the Soil Association Scotlandled Rural Innovation Support Service (RISS) on a range of ways to manage potato cyst nematode (PCN), which has been increasing exponentially and is estimated to be costing the Scottish potato industry £2-3 million per year.

One of the methods developed by the group, facilitated by Helen Glass of the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS), is a chitin-rich compost. Chitin is a fibrous substance that occurs naturally in shellfish, amongst other species, and acts as a biocontrol for PCN. Farmer Martin Cessford of arable Whanland Farm, Brechin, developed the compost with

others in the group as part of his agribusiness Angus Horticulture and is currently trialling it on his farm. He says: “We’ve applied the compost to a PCNscheduled field [one that PCN has put out of production] and we’re monitoring the decline of PCN with a research station in Flanders, Belgium. Dr Andy Evans of SRUC got dispensation to use seashells from food waste 12 years ago, and in six years the fields were clear. We know it enhances the flora in the soil, we know it improves the soil, we just need to prove it!

“RISS has helped us get better scientific knowledge and has opened the door to research stations at Harper Adams, Thomas Been in Holland, and we’ve worked with Professor Henry Lyon. Helen Glass has been instrumental and I can’t give her enough credit.”

Cessford started the group with Mark Clark of Grampian

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arable & root crops Growers, both of whom have struggled with PCN. “We stopped our daffodil business because of the risk due to PCN,” continues Cessford. “It’s a global problem – it will annihilate seed potato growing within the next 30 years if we don’t get on top of it.

“The chemicals used to regulate PCN in the past are being slowly withdrawn – they’ve been found to be carcinogenic or they don’t help the flora in the soil. They’re either harmful to humans or the soil, so we need to look for alternatives.” Soldier flies are another source of chitin that the group is exploring alongside shellfish.

Facilitator Helen Glass says: “The group was farmer and supply chain-led and I’m proud of how they co-operated, and how Martin and Angus Horticulture grabbed the baton to set up meetings with academics and innovation centres.”

The RISS group has also developed work to improve soil sampling, with farmer Jim Wilson of Hilton of Fern, by Brechin, who runs precision agriculture company SoilEssentials. SoilEssentials, Scottish Agronomy and SASA received a Make Innovation Happen grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to take and analyse large volumes of

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soil for PCN. SoilEssentials will extend their existing tools to map the results, to help farmers and agronomists decide what measures to take.

“The industry has known for a while PCN was rising,” says Wilson, “and we were all thinking there had to be a better way of dealing with it. The RISS group was a way of moving the problem forward and making a difference. We knew that unless we got together we would struggle to get traction.

“At SoilEssentials we use high intensity sampling to locate the PCN nematodes – they don’t travel far. It gives us a foundation – unless you know where the problem is and how big it is, you can’t make a plan to tackle it.”

Other RISS group members are working on trap crops, where the nematodes hatch and attach themselves to other plants where they can’t complete their lifecycle, and PCN-resistant potato varieties.

The group has also worked with another RISS group, facilitated by Calum Johnson of SAC Consulting, which has tried to develop an industrywide strategy to tackle PCN. That group is still working together on a range of solutions, alongside Philip Burgess of Scottish Potatoes.

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arable & root crops Independent trials recognise best performing and most consistent bio-stimulants

Independent trials conducted in drought prone soils, comparing the performance of commonly used bio-stimulants on Skyfall winter wheat with a 50% fungicide programme, have found AminoA FLO to be one of the best performing and most consistent bio-stimulants in the study.

The NIAB trials conducted at Cirencester saw AminoA FLO, a UK manufactured, highly concentrated natural biostimulant and nutrient source, produce a statistically significant yield increase above the reduced fungicide programme, and also a significant increase in green leaf retention.

“Statistical analysis of data showed that the treatments had a substantial effect on the grain yield,” explains Richard Phillips, managing director of AminoA. The full fungicide programme produced a higher yield (9.18 t/ha) than the reduced rate of fungicide treated plots (8.69 t/ha).

The untreated yield was 7.54 t/ha.

“The use of AminoA FLO with the reduced rate of fungicide at T0 and T1 had a positive effect on the grain yield and produced 9.17 t/ha.

Reduced fungicide with AminoA FLO at T1 and T2 produced 9.00 t/ ha,” explains Mr Phillips.

The AminoA Flo T1 and T2 programme resulted in pointedly higher green flag leaf retention (78.30%), compared to the untreated at 28.30. The full fungicide inputs (36.7%), was much lower than the 63.30% AminoA FLO T0 and T1 treatment.

“This shows the importance of early applications to establish yield potential, and the importance of including AminoA at all fungicide timings,” adds Mr Phillips.

The findings back up NIAB’s previous claims that AminoA FLO can reduce reliance on fungicide inputs. The Cirencester trial site was in drought prone, shallow soils, with little moisture, and the results provide strong evidence that AminoA bio-stimulants can reduce fungicide use by around 30-40%.

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Pioneering natural capital approach to land use management in the Scottish uplands A pioneering analysis

by James Hutton Institute social scientists explores the potential and value of applying a ‘natural capital’ approach to the land-based business of the Institute’s Glensaugh farm, where the aim is to demonstrate climate-positive farming.

The report shines a light on how the recently published Natural Capital Protocol (NCP) may help land managers when considering agricultural land use decisions, and contributes to ongoing initiatives to test natural capital approaches in land-based business in Scotland.

Natural capital means the stock of renewable and non-renewable resources, including plants, animals, air, water and soil, that combine to provide benefits to people, and the NCP is a framework that enables organisations to identify, measure and value their impacts on natural capital, and in that way provide better ways to measure results from nature for decision-making.

The study assesses the impacts of past, current and future farm management strategies through a natural capital lens in the context of a Scottish upland farm. If offers insight into management decisions from 2002 to 2018 and the trade-offs arising from

further woodland expansion, as one of the actions to help work towards net-zero emissions farming.

Author of the report Dr Paola Ovando Pol said: “The NCP acts as a framework for a systematic analysis of dependencies, impacts, risk and opportunities involving natural capital. The Glensaugh application shows that natural capital assessment can be useful to inform decisionmaking pertaining to land use and management strategies.”

The work is being funded by the Macaulay Development Trust.

Glensaugh is an upland livestock farm of just over 1000 ha, with sheep, cattle, red deer, improved and extensive pastures, moorland, and woodland. At 7%, its current woodland cover is close to the average across all farms in Scotland but is actively being expanded for carbon storage, biodiversity, and other benefits, reflecting UK and Scottish government ambitions.

For more information about the climate-positive farming initiative at Glensaugh, visit its brand-new website.

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

Producing Quality Meat on Home-Grown Feeds Producing quality assured Scotch Beef to a high standard and utilising home-grown feeds is a system the McEwan family from Arbroath has been working successfully for a number of years.

McEwan Farms is a family run business based at West Mains of Colliston and is home to 1000 acres of owned land and 1600 acres of contract farmed land nearby.

The family grows 700 acres of potatoes and 2000 acres of cereals including oilseed rape, spring barely, winter barley and wheat, while the beef enterprise comprises of 150 Simmental cross suckler cows which are bulled to the Charolais and Aberdeen-Angus.

All progeny is finished on farm, as well as an additional 1000 head of store cattle bought in each year from Stirling, Thainstone, Forfar and Dingwall auction marts.

Three generations are involved in the running of the business - grandfather William, his sons Graham and Gavin, and Graham’s three sons, Guthrie, Murray and Fraser.

It’s Fraser who has shown a real passion for the beef enterprise and he now buys in all of the family’s store cattle as

well as establishing an additional market for selling their beef.

Fraser and his partner Jodie Jackson, founded The Beef Box Company, last December, to sell home-reared beef direct to the customer’s door.

Keen to promote the agricultural industry to the general public, while making extra income from the farm, the young couple have enjoyed an extremely successful 10 months in business and have been particularly busy since the pandemic.

“The agricultural industry has received a lot of bad press recently and the general public seem to have a lack of farming knowledge and understanding,” said Jodie, who was born and brought up on a beef and sheep farm.

“Our new business is not only a diversification project but has also been set-up to make people realise where food comes from and give customers the chance to buy direct from the producer.”

During lockdown, Jodie has been busy doing cooking demonstrations on The Beef Box Company Facebook page which has encouraged followers to get involved and try out the Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb recipes at home.

The Beef Box Company is a member of QMS Brands Licensing Scheme and offers individual cuts of meat or Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb

boxes which include a range of different cuts.

For more information on the QMS Brands Licensing Scheme email info@qmscotland.co.uk.

From Bridge of Allan to the Isle of Skye: Graham’s launch a new butter Graham’s The Family Dairy and Isle of Skye Sea Salt Co partner on a new artisan sea salt butter Grahams The Family Dairy has announced the launch of a delicious new artisan Scottish sea salt butter, partnering with Isle of Skye Sea Salt Co. The 16

two family businesses have come together to develop a pure, fresh and great tasting butter, made with milk from Graham’s 100 Scottish farmers

and mixed with top quality, natural, unrefined sea salt from the Isle of Skye.

Jean Graham, Director, Graham’s The Family Graham

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said: “Many years ago, Grandma Isabella Graham used to spend hours in the kitchen making the naturally fresh Scottish milk into rich, creamy butter. The butter

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Graham’s Announce New Milk Ambassador!

was churned for just the right length of time to give a taste and flavour no other butter could match. We use the same recipe today with natural, unrefined Isle of Skye Sea Salt for an extra special taste experience. Ideal

for cooking or spreading on a freshly baked loaf of bread”.

Graham’s Isle of Skye Sea Salt Butter is now available in SPAR stores across Scotland, and in Tesco from 26 October, with the aim to roll out across the rest of the UK.

Photograph © Wendy Barrie

Industry stakeholders united in encouraging consumers to choose Scotch Lamb for St Andrew’s day

(See Wendy Barrie’s recipe on page 67) United Auctions has been joined

by NFU Scotland, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) and NSA Scotland to promote the use of Scotch Lamb PGI to celebrate St Andrew’s Day (30 November).

The campaign to get Scotch Lamb onto menus and dinner tables for St Andrew’s Day has kicked off, with the stakeholders asking farmers, crofters and producers to get involved and spread the word at a local level.

This year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the campaign is not

encouraging public events, but instead asking families to enjoy a lamb dinner with those already in their household.

The industry will be backing the consumer-facing work of QMS, who will be promoting Scotch Lamb to the Scottish public. The campaign is also encouraging local organisations, schools and businesses to include special lamb options on their menus for Scotland’s National Day, supporting local farmers and rural Scotland in the process.

Graham’s The Family Dairy announce their search for a new Milk Ambassador is now over.

Michelle Kibaris, from Fallen Tree Coffee, Blair Drummond in Stirling has been awarded the honour and free milk contract for one year!

The competition kicked off in July to mark the indoor opening of pubs, restaurants, and cafés across Scotland after nearly four months of lockdown closure.

At that time local coffee shops, family run restaurants and local pubs needed their customers more than ever.

Robert Graham Snr, Chairman, Graham’s The Family Dairy said: “Michelle’s application stood out immediately; her ambition and drive for her business, passion for coffee, active community spirit and love of milk shone through. We are delighted to welcome Michelle and her wonderful business, Fallen Tree Coffee into our herd as new

Milk Ambassador. Together, we will inspire others about the wonderful health, taste and quality credentials that only our milk has to offer.”

Michelle Kibaris, Fallen Tree Coffee: “It’s been a really challenging time trying to run a small family mobile coffee business over the last year.

However, on both a business and personal level the last 6 month has really hit home and emphasised the importance of shopping local and supporting local business. Living within the farming community of Blair Drummond, I immediately jumped at the chance to apply to be Graham’s new Milk Ambassador. I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to raise the profile of my business in these challenging times, talk lots about my favourite subject of milk and how the quality of taste can impact the coffee experience, and of course get free Graham’s milk for a year!

For more information and Milk Ambassador terms and conditions, please visit www.grahamsfamilydairy.com

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food Aberdeenshire Butcher Celebrates 65th Anniversary An award-winning, family-run Aberdeenshire butchers, known for its wide range of quality local produce, has celebrated its 65th anniversary.

Bert Fowlies Butchers in Strichen, Fraserburgh, celebrated the occasion today (23 September 2020) with customers being entered into a prize draw to win two £65 gift vouchers.

Owners Hebbie Fowlie, his wife Eileen, son Gavin and daughter Donna also decorated the shop with posters, balloons and old photos, providing a bit of light relief for customers in these difficult times.

The business, which is a member of Quality Meat Scotland’s Scotch Butcher’s Club, was established in 1955

by Bert Fowlie Senior with his son, Hebbie, joining the family business in 1972, after having left school at the age of 16.

Ten years later, Bert decided to retire and Hebbie took over the running of the business with Eileen. Donna joined them in 2007 after leaving the oil and gas industry after 13 years, and in 2012 Gavin left his career in joinery to start within the company.

In 2018, Hebbie and Eileen’s grandson, Aaron, started working on a Saturday learning the basic skills of butchery, making Bert Fowlie Butcher’s a fourth-generation family business which, in addition to the shop, supplies over 52 retail stores and over 24 fishing boats.

The business, which has won the prestigious accolade

of Scottish Butcher Shop of the Year three years in a row, prides itself on its locally sourced, diverse offering from Specially Selected Pork sausages to Scotch Lamb PGI roasts.

Their beef, which is all topquality, farm-assured Scotch Beef PGI, comes from cattle reared by a local farmer and

is also provided by three top Scottish processors - Scotbeef (Inverurie), Munro’s Dingwall and Broxburn-based processor AK Stoddarts. This allows the family to sell meat which has been matured for a minimum of 21 days, giving it the tenderness their customers are looking for.

Vets lament ‘severe blow for animal welfare’ as MPs vote against Agriculture Bill amendment on import standards The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has responded after a crucial clause that imposes a requirement for agricultural and food imports to the UK to meet domestic standards was voted down in the House of Commons as part of the passage of the Agriculture Bill.

MPs voted down Amendment 16 by 53 votes (322 votes to 18

279). The amendment, which was tabled in the Lords by Lord Grantchester, Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, Lord Krebs & Baroness Boycott, had garnered a swathe of cross-party support, including from several Conservative MPs. Amendment 18 (the Curry amendment) which would have made the Trade and Agriculture Commission

statutory was deemed by the Speaker to be disagreed to as it would impose a charge on the public revenue.

BVA, which represents over 18,000 vets across the UK, has previously urged the Government not to allow animal welfare standards to be compromised in pursuit of future trade deals.

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James Russell, BVA President, said: “This result is a severe blow for animal welfare and a betrayal of the Government’s own manifesto commitment to maintain and improve on health and welfare standards.

“After such a strong show of support in the Lords, it is bitterly disappointing that the

food majority of MPs have chosen to ignore the groundswell of public and professional feeling and have voted against a clause that would have safeguarded our own renowned standards and offered crucial protections to the reputation and livelihood of the UK’s farming industry. We have long argued that the UK cannot commit to raising the bar

domestically while allowing in goods that don’t meet the high standards that British consumers rightly want and expect.

“If the government won’t legislate to protect our standards it is vital that the Trade and Agriculture Commission is given more powers and stature to safeguard them in future trade deals.”

Scots back UK farming with greener shopping habits Research released by Barclays has uncovered the impact of the pandemic on consumer grocery shopping habits, as over a quarter (29 per cent) of Scots now suggest they buy produce in local shops and farm stores, instead of supermarket-only purchasing pre-Covid.

Over 500k2 Scots had never visited a farm shop prior to the pandemic, but now visit regularly. Further to this, 66 per cent of Scots suggest they will be buying more home-grown produce as a result of the pandemic and Brexit.

These trends are encouraging as the bank launches its Sustainability Through AgriTech campaign in partnership with Nigel Owens MBE, world-renowned rugby union referee and cattle farmer based in Pontyberem, Wales. The campaign aims to support the

whole agriculture industry in becoming carbon net zero by 2045, an ambition outlined by the Scottish government.

The research uncovers appetite among Scots for sustainablysourced foods, with 49 per cent looking to purchase seasonal produce, an indication that consumers recognise their role in helping the sector become carbon neutral. Additionally, close to two thirds (65 per cent) believe grocery shopping from local stores and farm shops is better for the environment, and 52 per cent think purchasing from these outlets helps them to better understand where their produce has come from. Encouragingly, farms look increasingly likely to help, with over a half (57 per cent) of farmers planning to sell and process at least some of their produce locally within the next three years.

Understanding the Accounts!

For many farmers it is natural to have a quick look at the bottom line and then put the accounts back into the envelope.

However the accounts can tell you a lot about your business, you have paid for them to be produced, spent time entering the bookkeeping information throughout the year and the final step is to understand what they can tell you. This will mean you get the most of out of your investment in the accounts production exercise, and it can be easier to understand than you might think.

One of the most important things your accounts can tell you is whether the profit that you are making is enough to meet the needs of the business. You need profit to provide for Drawings – in cash (e.g. partners’ ‘wages’), private expenses things paid for by the farm (e.g. a tax bill, or life assurance payments), or private uses (e.g. the private share of farmhouse or vehicle costs).

Debt repayment – with regular loans the repayments you make usually include an interest element (which is what you see in the accounts as an expense) and a capital element (which is not).

You may also have hire purchase type agreements to pay down.

Investment – for the business to be sustainable beyond the very short term you need to be able to afford to invest in the business, replacing key equipment, adopting new technologies.

All of this information can be quickly gleaned from your accounts if you know where to look. The Farm Advisory Service are holding a webinar on Tuesday 10th November at 7.30 pm which will show you exactly that, explaining the terminology and concepts in the accounts in an easy to understand way. The event is free to attend and can be booked at https://www.fas. scot/events/event/farmbusiness-toolkit/

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription details on page 87 Next issue out January 2021

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

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topic

How ‘natural enemies’ can be farmers’ friends

With evidence mounting that insect populations are declining; farmers are being encouraged to act now to save these vitally important species.

While some can be classified as pests, many – including earthworms, bumblebees and spiders – play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter, pollinating crops or providing a crucial first line of defence against more harmful species.

A new Farm Advisory Service fact sheet, Natural enemies, their lifestyles and how to promote them, highlights the importance of invertebrate species – particularly with the reduction in the availability and effectiveness of pesticides.

Written by Lorna Cole, agricultural ecologist at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), and Paul Chapman, senior consultant at SAC Consulting, part of SRUC, it says: “Managing farmland to support these beneficial invertebrates is an important component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Understanding the ecology of these natural enemies is our first step to protecting and increasing their populations.

“Determining where in a crop these natural enemies are active gives us an insight into the pests they will effectively control.

“There is even evidence that predators in different areas of

the crop can work in synergy increasing the efficiency of biocontrol.”

While ladybirds, money spiders, hoverfly larvae and parasitic wasps are frequently active in the crop canopy controlling aphids, cereal leaf beetles and pollen beetles, ground predators such as rove beetles and wolf spiders will prey on leatherjackets and slugs at ground level. These insects can also work in synergy, with ground active predators consuming aphids which fall to the ground to escape ladybirds.

However, although it is important to support a diversity of ‘natural enemies’ in order to control the wide range of pests that

For more information visit: www.fas.scot 20

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damage crops, it can be difficult to achieve the perfect environment as different species require a variety of resources, and these vary throughout their lifecycle.

In order to overcome this dilemma, the authors recommend providing a diversity of farmland habitats, including floral-rich field margins, tussocky grassy field margins and hedgerows, and beetle banks, to provide forage and resources for the range of insects that protect crops.

They write: “The maintenance of a diversity of farmland habitats will not only favour natural enemies but also other economically important groups such as insect pollinators and wider biodiversity.”

new

to market

The ULTRALight Wellington Boot from Leon Boots Co Leon Boots Co was introduced into the UK market in 2018 with the impact & growth it has achieved in two years being unprecedented covering many different market sectors.

Renowned as a revolutionary alternative to heavy rubber or PVC footwear, Leon Boots’ range of ULTRALight Unisex Wellington Boots maintain a plethora of advantages over outdated heavy alternatives.

Using a combination of EVA and TRC Polymers, the boots are up to 65% lighter than rubber

boots, more durable, supportive, are both split and crack resistant unlike PVC or PU wellingtons and far more comfortable than any other wellingtons. They also contain a removable and washable sock liner for extra comfort & warmth should you need it even though EVA is a great insulator down to -30ËšC, making them a truly unique product.

Over the last few years, Leon Boots has expanded within the UK into many different markets, where it has gained

recognition for the effectiveness of their footwear & collecting several awards along the way as mentioned below. • 2019 Build - UK Most Outstanding in Construction Footwear. • 2019 Tradex Magazine Product of the Year • 2020 Four Oaks Trade Show Product of the Year. • 2020 Dairy–Tech - Innovation Award • 2020 Business & Industry Today - Business of the Year

In terms of the future ambitions for the company, Leon Boots plans to reach and continue its dominating market presence. The company’s main goals are to gain further market share Worldwide through our nominated partners in AUSA, Canada, EU & Asia. With the overall mission to provide people with lighter, more durable & far more comfortable wellington boots, as daily comfort, especially in wet and cold conditions is of fundamental importance for every level of employee.

Boots

s ,"# "OOTS ARE LIGHTER THAN ANY OTHER WELLINGTONS AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET TODAY s ,"# "OOTS ARE RESISTANT TO SPLITS CRACKS AS THEY ARE MADE BY A DIRECT INJECTION MOULDING process with no gluing or vulcanizing. s ,"# "OOTS ARE MORE DURABLE HARDER WEARING AND COMFORTABLE AS THEY COME WITH A REMOVABLE LINER sock that is machine washable. s ,"# "OOTS CAN BE USED IN THE DEPTHS OF WINTER AS THEY CAN WITHSTAND TEMPERATURES AS LOW AS -30ËšC without the sock as EVA is a natural insulator.

Leon Boots Co. Ltd (UK Office) Unit 74, Gazelle Road, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset, BS24 9ES Office: 01934 315386 Mobile: 07917 548729 (Charlie) or 07525 772427 (Kev) Email: charlie@leonbootsco.com or kevin@leonbootsco.com www.leonbootsco.com

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NORWAY Adapting to your surroundings – the way forward for Norway

By Fiona Sloan

WORLD FARMING From its trading status within the EU, to its handling of the Covid crisis, Norway is often held up as an example to other countries in Europe, as the way things could or should be done.

Norwegian agriculture is no different and continually strives, through government and farming policies, to ensure the health and welfare not only of its animals but its farmers and consumers alike.

When talking about Norwegian agriculture, one should keep in mind, how far north the country is situated.

Some parts of the country are considered to be arctic areas,

The famous Geiranger fjord

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which renders agriculture in these areas impossible.

Only 3% of Norway’s total land area is farmed land. With 39% of its land area (approximately 12.6 million hectares) covered in

WORLD FARMING ancient and commercial forests.

Of the 3% in agricultural use, only a smaller part is located in areas, where climatic conditions are suitable for growing cereals and with a climate which produces a lower tonnage than other European countries.

Any grassland areas are only suitable for growing grass and rearing livestock and not for arable, fruit or vegetable crops.

However, one of the advantages of the cool climate, is that it limits the spread of plant diseases and pests, allowing Norway to boast one of the lowest ant-biotic usages in agriculture in the world.

Despite the average Norwegian consuming less than half the milk they did 30 years ago there has been a doubling in the consumption of meat over the same period. The country is selfsufficient in milk but with little land suitable for grain and fruits, it is reliant on imports for much of its food.

The demand for organic food, has increased although the numbers of organic farms has decreased and like most of Western Europe, the numbers of farms have decreased by around 50% in the past 30 years, although the government have been keen to develop agricultural policy towards the importance of family farms.

Farm sizes, almost half of which are rented, are relatively small with the average farm size increasing from 15ha to 25ha in the past 20 years and an current dairy herd of around 28 on average.

Norway produces about half the food it eats so as well as imports it is dependent on protecting its own food production.

The annual consumption of beef, veal, lamb, mutton, pork and poultry has grown steadily since the 1980s, with pork and poultry having the highest consumption.

Norway is the first country in the world with the goal of keeping their pig herds free from MRSA, which is important for public health.

Focus on nutrition and food safety has a huge influence on the country’s meat production and consumption and has encouraged the industry to head towards using anti-biotics for treatment only and not as a preventative method.

Publicity following the use of antibiotics (Narasin) in poultry in 2014 led to a significant drop in poultry consumption.

Through various tariff agreements within and outwith the EU, Norway has 29 freetrade agreements (FTAs) with 40 countries, is a member of the WTO (World Trade Organization) and the EFTA (European Free Trade Association). Norway is an open economy.

The status of the produce from the country is paramount in maintaining these markets and together with the emphasis

on restrictions of antibiotics, Norwegian animal health and welfare are among the best in the world. The farms are smaller and well spread out, with small herds and a requirement for space per animal both indoors and outdoors in any new constructions.

For cows, there is a requirement of outdoor grazing for a minimum of two months a year, while the sheep are required to be out for a minimum of four months.

In Norway, the journey from “farm to fork� is short, making it possible to demand levels of animal welfare and to make sure

these demands are followed, with the added benefit of Norwegian agriculture using the second lowest amount of antibiotics in agriculture in Europe. This is the results of targeted co-operation between government, vets and farmers breeding animals that are well-adapted for the climate and conditions.

Traceability and transparency at all stages of production provide a basis for trust and confidence within the industry and its consumers, ensuring a promising future for this forward thinking country.

Mountain farming in Norway

Many areas are only capable of growing grass

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ATV’s

ATV’s The farmers small and flexible friend A look at some of the ATV models for 2021

Corvus – a first in Europe Corvus, Europe’s first manufacturer of 4x4 Side by Side vehicles, has the strongest pedigree and states an aim to offer technologically superior and highly capable, pioneering UTVs. A new British company, BOSS ORV, has been formed to introduce, distribute and support the Corvus brand in the UK. BOSS officially launched three models in 2019: Terrain DX4 EPS, Terrain DX4 PRO EPS and Terrain DX4 CAB EPS “When you first look at the Terrain you can see immediately it’s a well-designed and tough, professional UTV.” Says Phil Everett, BOSS ORV’s Managing Director. “Look deeper and it stands out for environmental and technological advancement, a powerhouse engine and a great payload capacity. We’re proud to be able to offer the Corvus

range in the UK and we have built a small, specialised dealer network throughout the UK to offer customers the highest level of service and support.”

The Corvus main construction facility is in Murcia, Spain with an area of 25,000m2 dedicated to manufacturing and assembling, using their own parts and components: gear box, transmission, chassis and technology systems. The Terrain is powered by a normally aspirated, inline 3-cylinder 993cc Yanmar Diesel engine which gives excellent fuel efficiency and range. The engine is Euro 6 compliant which puts it right at the forefront of the market, leading the Corvus programme of designing systems for reducing emission levels. All the above mentioned Terrain

models are homologated to T1b tractor regulation and have a top speed of 40mph/65kp/h.

Corvus is building the Terrain for work primarily in

agriculture, livestock, forestry, turf care and construction but they are highly adaptable vehicles ready for any demanding off-road workout.

The Honda ATV’s and UTV’s for 2021 Honda’s ATVs and UTVs (sideby-sides) bring the durability, reliability and features necessary to safely operate on the toughest farms.

From £6,425, the Fourtrax 420 is available in multiple specifications. Each offers easily selectable 2wd/4wd and power steering is available, helping with manoeuvrability along with a limited-slip differential that maximises traction in low-grip conditions.

A thick seat cushion promotes all-day comfort; a characteristic most appreciable on 420s running independent rear suspension that improves ride quality and grip. Manual and electric shift 24

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transmissions are available, as well as DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission), which allows for manual and automatic operation and delivers the immediate gearchanges needed to maintain precise control. All 420 models can tow up to 385kg.

The heavy-duty Foreman 520 (from £7,850) can haul 600kg loads smoothly thanks to the engine’s longitudinal engine layout, which fosters a smooth torque-delivery making accurately measured throttle inputs easy.

Disc brakes are fitted all-round, while the features, suspension and transmission options found on the Fourtrax 420 models are available to the 520.

ATV’S From £9,999, Honda’s Pioneer brings extra protection and power to the traditional abilities associated with an ATV. Available in two- or four-seat configurations, the sideby-side is capable of hauling loads over a tonne between towing and the cargo bed.

The powerful 675cc engine drives two or four wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission.

Ensuring none of the power deployed is wasted is independent suspension, all round, which also sees the Pioneer ride pliantly.

Rollover bars provide protection and the mounting structure to fit a full cabin, which keeps the elements at bay, while a heater can be equipped too – long days in the Pioneer are safe and comfortable.

0% finance packages are available from October 1st to November 30th 2020 across Honda’s ATV and UTV models bringing great value to classleading machines ahead of the winter working season.

The 2021 Brute Force 750 from Kawasaki The 2021 Kawasaki utility range features two ATV machines, the Brute Force 750 4x4i EPS Camo and the Brute Force 750 4x4i EPS in Super Black. The Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i EPS is designed for high performance off-road riding and boasts industry leading features.

The Electronic Power Steering marries a sturdy yet refined fuelinjected, water cooled, V-twin engine with a 567kg towing ability plus electronically selectable two or four wheel drive. The speed variable Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and revised steering column assembly contributes to improved handling and makes light work of changing direction on tough terrain. The double

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ATV’S wishbone front suspension ensures generous wheel travel and minimal body roll to ensure safety on uneven ground. Rider control is improved by the specially designed handlebar

grips and reduced vibration contributes to everyday comfort. Adding security, the rear brake can be operated via either the handlebar lever or foot pedal. Powerful twin,

round headlamps cast a broad beam when working in lowlight conditions, perfect for those early morning feeds during the winter months. For those looking for an entry

version, Kawasaki also has the Brute Force 300 ATV available.

To find out more about Kawasaki’s ATV range, visit the website or contact your local Kawasaki Utility Dealer.

The new Polaris Ranger XP 1000

Top of the range and built to be the most capable and comfortable Ranger ever, the Ranger XP 1000 also receives notable upgrades for 2021; now featuring a brand-new look with the addition of striking LED headlights to the three-seater model, and new colour options.

Not only do the updated LED lights give the Ranger a more aggressive and premium look, they also deliver 90-percent more output than the traditional 26

halogen lights for improved visibility in low-light conditions, allowing riders to stay outside for longer to get the job done.

The Ranger XP 1000 EPS is available in Matte Navy with 12inch aluminium wheels - for both three-seater and Crew models - and Polaris Pursuit Camo - for the three-seater only - as well as the new special edition finish – Nordic Pro. Similar to the Ranger 1000, the Nordic Pro sees an in-

cab heater fitted as standard, in addition to the sparkling black pearl paint finish with bright blue springs, 12-inch black aluminium wheels and a Polaris PRO HeavyDuty 2041kg winch. The ABS version of the Ranger XP 1000 EPS is available in Burgundy Metallic.

With its ProStar 1000 doublecam overhead engine, 1134kg towing capacity, 454kg cargo bed capacity, 33cm ground clearance

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and 27.9cm suspension travel on the front and rear, the Ranger XP 1000 is the top-of-the-range in quality and features. Available on certain models, the three-position engine switch on the dash allows users to switch between work, standard and performance settings to suit their ride, whilst the premium paint finish, 12-inch alloy wheels and huge 27-inch Maxxis tyres make it look bolder and more stylish than ever before.

ATV’S

Suzuki ATV unveils special limited edition colours for the KingQuad 500XP Suzuki GB has introduced two exciting new limited edition colours for its KingQuad 500XP Power Steering ATV. The new options for the 500XP are the all-new Metallic Rocky Grey and the True Timber Kanati pattern. Both special editions also now feature stylish new black alloy wheels as standard.

Numbers of these headturning machines are strictly

limited and initially are being restricted to one per dealership, supplied on a first come first served basis. Designed to handle any terrain and equally at home trail riding or on the farm, this ATV is the ultimate in iconic design combined with capability, comfort and legendary reliability.

The retail price for each of the new special limited colour editions is £8,999 plus VAT.

NEW!!

RHS are appointed Dealers for CORVUS UTV’s for North East Scotland “Whether you work in agriculture, with livestock, forestry, turf care or construction, the new TerrainDX4 places in your hands the ability to keep all kinds of working land, under control. Key to this control, are an efficient diesel engine and market leading onboard storage capacity – so no obstacles will get between you and your tasks. A professional UTV created to adapt to you, and your work environment.”

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ATV’S

New 2021 Yamaha ATV line up announced The Yamaha Kodiak 450 ATV has been updated for 2021 with diff lock as standard on all electric power steering (EPS) models and includes a safer, utility focussed rear braking system throughout the range.

“This machine is nimble, easy to handle and now offers greater off-road traction, stability and safety,” explains Yamaha ATV manager William Kay. The addition of diff lock to the Kodiak will enable the operator to lock in power to all four wheels for better off road traction. “This is especially advantageous in wet and muddy conditions. The locking differential forces all wheels to spin at the same speed, regardless of traction, helping the ATV to maintain drive momentum,” explains Mr Kay. All Kodiak models will be specified with Ultramatic®

Old Glasgow Road, Kilwinning Ayrshire, Scotland, KA13 7QJ Tel: 01294 557835

www.kattrak.com 28

transmission which maintains tension on the drive belt to provide a consistent throttle response. “The constantly variable transmission (CVT) provides the correct gear ratio as the ATV speeds up and also acts to provide engine breaking when the ATV is going downhill,” he explains. The rider is also able to automatically switch between 2WD, 4WD and diff lock settings with the push of a button.

Yamaha has also announced the release of a new Kodiak 700 EPS which will be available before the end of 2020. The 700 and the 450 Kodiak models will both benefit from a wet braking system.

“Our multi-disc wet rear brake is designed for farm work. The sealed, oil cooled brake cannot be inhibited by dirt and debris that can get stuck in conventional disc brakes. This makes the ATV better suited to year round farm use, more predictable in braking and will reduce the need for costly brake repairs,” says Mr Kay. The range topping Grizzly 700 ATV is being relaunched in a range of new colours and

will be supplied with alloy wheels as standard for the first time. Yamaha has committed to fitting Warn VRX 25 winches as standard on all Kodiak and Grizzly models. The 15-metre winch has a 1,134 kilo pulling capacity and a rocker switch mounted to the handlebar.

“Modern winches are used by farmers on such a regular basis, for jobs like pulling cut trees, fencing, or recovering vehicles.

It is a vital piece of equipment for farmers and should therefore not come at an additional cost,” says Mr Kay. Yamaha has kept the unique compact design of its ATVs in the new models to offer farmers machines that are easier to manoeuvre in, and through, tight spaces. “We understand farmers need a stable ATV, but we don’t believe this should come at the cost of versatility. It is important that an ATV can go anywhere, and our streamlined design enables riders to pass through tight gates and operate in small spaces,” says Mr Kay.

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organics Organic Conversion Provides Way Forward for Young Aberdeenshire Farmer Yorkshire & Clydesdale Bank facilitates the future of under 30s environmentally conscious farming A new generation of farmers are looking for ways to reposition their businesses in a context of environmental degradation and accumulating changes across the agricultural sector.

Over the next year, Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank is excited to be showcasing examples of successful farming endeavours from the new agricultural generation of under30s, with Farmers Diaries and reallife case studies of their businesses across the region.

Siblings Sally and Kenny Mair are an example of young farmers at the forefront of this trend, helping to take their long-established family farm in Turriff through the process of Organic Conversion with financial support from Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank (owned by Virgin Money UK plc). Currently encompassing three generations and very much a family enterprise, the Mairs are known as successful and highly reputable livestock breeders and former dairy farmers operating out of Aberdeenshire, the North East corner of Scotland.

Yet, brought on as farm partner in 2018 when the sector was facing difficulties, Kenny stepped up to the responsibilities of succession and helped to begin a phased withdrawal from the dairy sector.

The aim being to take the business back to basics in order to secure Organic Farm status.

During National Organic Farming Month, Kenny talks about the inspiration for the change: “We were finding that the most difficult thing was this need to constantly push to keep things viable in terms of making greater efficiencies. After taking the time to step back and reassess, it dawned on us that it was possible to go about things in a slightly different way. After much family

discussion and debate, the decision was made to wipe the slate clean and pursue a different angle on livestock farming. It was a horrible feeling when the dairy herd had to go, however was nice to be able to start with a blank canvas. The plan is to run it simply, taking inspiration from old fashioned farming alongside implementing data and technology to maximise output from our livestock”.

The large-scale farming enterprise, with 830 arable acres, started the organic conversion in April 2019. The business has two years to convert to a fully organic farm holding for both sheep and cattle in a five year plan. Kenny, Sally and the rest of the family will work closely with their Regional Specialist Agricultural Bank Manger – Gregory Hannon, to benefit from his financial guidance in terms of knowledge and support on how to deliver the changeover.

The aim is to also attract AgriEnvironment Climate Scheme (AECS) grant funding through the conversion cycle.

“We will be running a 100 suckler cow herd by the third year of the organic conversion period, after purchasing around 50 cows initially and then retaining some home bred heifers to integrate into the herd each year. Because of the limits on purchasing livestock replacement, it forces you to breed your own stock, which actually, we love doing. We are a livestock farming family and our passion is and always has been breeding livestock. By the end of year two, in April 2021, we will be classified as fully organic cattle.”

The family also leases land for growing vegetables, planted on a rotational basis, including grass, oats, carrots and potatoes – all of which is part of the organic conversion story.

Kenny touched on some of the challenges that the Mairs are overcoming in terms of keeping the levels of fertility in their soils: “Soil quality is key and we are keen to keep the grass as a major factor, with rotations and some cropping, as this regenerates the

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soil as opposed to stripping it bare.

This has helped us strip the farm back and not be spending needless money.”

The Bank has provided much needed support, building on their long-term relationship with the family in order to deliver the flexibility of funding required for the change in cash flow from a monthly milk cheque to seasonal payments to facilitate the family’s organic journey. Gregory Hannon, Commercial Agribusiness Relationship Manager from Yorkshire & Clydesdale Bank spoke about the partnership and the ambitious project: “To make this conversion on this kind of scale, it was essential for the Bank to support the Mairs both financially and with specific expertise. Right now, we’re seeing many of the younger generation farmers coming up and wanting to make changes for the future sustainability of their businesses, both economically and environmentally. This I believe is both important and encouraging”.

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

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

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

All Roads Lead to Mull

By Wendy Barrie Scottish Thistle Award Regional Ambassador (2018/19) for Central, Tayside & Fife Director of Scottish Food Guide groups. Highlanders would have once been the traditional house cow across north-west Scotland and as such be dual purpose (before the term existed). Possessing ancient genes, the bloodline of Highland cattle – and indeed Kerry - can be traced back to Auroch bones dating from over six thousand years ago. A few years back, we tested the milk quality of Highlanders and found it to be of an exceptionally high standard, particularly for making ice cream, cultured dairy products and fresh cheese. Its profile was less suited to maturing hard clothbound cheeses but I am sure that would not stop a cheesemaker making a fine truckle. Something to think about.

In a world where meat production in general and cows in particular receive undeserved negative press, Scotland is blessed with pasture, heath, hill and meadow where ruminants can graze freely in sustainable numbers, giving more back to mother earth than they take away.

When researching cattle with my Leader–for-Scotland’s-Ark-ofTaste hat on I contacted many folk with knowledge of Highlanders and all roads led back to Tom Nelson and the Glengorm Fold on Mull where records exist of Highland cattle at Glengorm Castle, hefted on the hills, for over one hundred and seventy years.

Photographs courtesy of Glengorm

It would be a challenge to find a stronger image to portray Scotland than that of Highland cattle - unless of course there was a kilted lad or lassie in the photo too! Whether golden-haired or black, blonde or brindle the flowing locks of Highland cattle are stunning and come to think of it I have rarely seen a mucky coo! They seem to have the ability to keep their coats in good order! Their horns give them a don’t mess with me air however if handled from early years they can be passive and gentle. It is important for animals to be familiar with the farmer and also given the opportunity to follow their natural behavioural instincts such as hanging out in their family

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Tom was born and raised at Glengorm. His parents bought the estate in 1969. They had been looking for a hill farm to purchase and were invited up to view the five thousand acres on the northern tip of Mull. Shrouded in mist and typical west coast weather, his Mum was initially unconvinced but awaking next morning to brilliant sunshine on a perfect Scottish day she was instantly won over and the rest is history! The farm was exactly what they wished for, and the castle an intriguing incidental extra! These days it provides valuable income as B&B and self-catering holiday accommodation in addition to still being their family home.

On graduating from agricultural college, Tom went travelling, returning to run the estate in 2000, making it home for his wife and family. The heather hills and the good in-by grass provide the perfect environment for their Blackface and Cheviot-cross ewes along with sixty pedigree Highland cows.

They are excellent mothers and easily handled, rarely needing an ounce of help in calving. Tom’s fold is predominantly red with a few brindles because he likes it that way.

Using this low input extensive farming system, the right breed in the right place, they live off the land, growing slowly, maturing and developing a terroir in flavour. The in-by gives good summer grazing, leaving the rougher hill grazing for winter where they happily graze without poaching the land. All the bullocks are kept on until four years old, the fine marbling only developing in adulthood, after which they are either sold for breeding or killed at the local abattoir on Mull where they also butcher it. Small abattoirs are so vital for sustainable ethical food production where the animals are not subjected to undue stress and discomfort in lengthy transportation.

Their meat is then sold at Tobermory farmers’ market, home delivery, retail, Glengorm’s coffee shop and to local restaurants. Whether it be pies or sausages, burgers or BBQ’s, casseroles, steak or roasts, Highland meat is rich, dark and flavoursome with a light gamey finish and tastes superb. So impressive in fact that Franck Ribière features the Glengorm Fold, along with Hardiesmill Native Bred Aberdeen Angus in the Scottish Borders, in his movie Steak (R) evolution. Scotland certainly has

unique beef to be proud of, which is why both of these are also on Slow Food’s International Ark of Taste.

Like us, Tom reckons the cheaper cuts are so often undervalued and he enjoys nothing better than a potroasted brisket or beef cheeks. Both he and his wife Marjorie enjoy cooking and have brought up their children to appreciate their farm produce too.

At the Royal Highland Show, we always make a point of visiting the Highland Hall to marvel at the cattle, admire their rosettes and see if we recognise any of the winners’ names.

It is sheer joy to see the traditional

breeds, including the Highlanders, often with the most loveable calves at their side. Their heritage and history is almost tangible: to think of the drovers bringing the many thousands of cattle down from the hills over the centuries.

Highland cattle are also revered in Scandinavia where I have seen them roam the hills in Norway and Sweden. Indeed one year at the Highland Show I recall the lovely Mike Gibson enthusiastically telling Bosse and me that if you were to draw a line from Stockholm on the east to Gothenburg on the west coast, there would not be a Highlander in

Sweden south of that line that did not possess Edinvale Farm genes!

Such was their popularity in the 1980’s and 90’s, Jock, his son, remembers Swedish characters visiting their home, checking out their fold - and Mike’s single malts!

We often think of Mike when we see highlanders grazing in Småland or Skåne. He is sadly missed however Jock and his family are following in his footsteps, farming Edinvale and running Macbeths Butcher and Game Dealer. He too rears fabulous Highlanders alongside highlandshorthorn and is once again building up the pure bred fold.

For further information on both these family enterprises… http://glengormcastle.co.uk https://www.macbeths.com

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RODENT CONTROL

Spiralling rat numbers controlled using new rodenticide A Scottish farm was forced to seek help from a professional pest controller when rat numbers spiralled out of control. Rats were seen in large numbers running away from the combine towards the farm’s cow sheds during this year’s harvest. Shortly after, rats were also spotted running across the slurry crust below the slatted floors of the sheds. This confirmed that rats had moved onto the farm and it now had an infestation.

James Milligan farms at Culvennan Farm near Castle Douglas. The 200-acre farm is largely cereals with some grazing for heifers, which are sold on. “I farm in partnership with my brother Andrew and father Michael. We have chosen to focus on arable and don’t milk here anymore, but we have retained the sheds for sucklers and heifers which we sell on,” he explains. James further explains that the farm has had problems with rats in the past and that he has brought in the help of local pest controller John Galloway of South West Pest Control before.

“John has been working with us for nearly twenty years but in the last few years rat numbers have increased and he has been spending more time trying to control them,” he says.

Pest controller, John Galloway, has successfully controlled rats at Culvennan Farm using Storm Ultra Secure®

John Galloway has been a pest controller for 26 years. Now 68, he is looking to retire, but is able to reflect on the problems he has had with rats locally.

“Culvennan Farm is like so many in this area. Nobody wants to think they have a rat problem, but if left alone rats can breed so quickly that their numbers can be uncontrollable for farmers,”

Bait boxes were positioned around the permitter of buildings

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he says. “The area near Castle Douglas is perfect for rats. The river acts like a motorway. The rats come up the banks to feed in the fields, like visiting a service station. When the crops are harvested and the temperature begins to drop, the rats seek shelter in farm buildings and that’s when the problems start,” he adds.

Culvennan Farm is close to the River Dee, situated in an area with a network of ditches and banks around rich arable land that make it an easy target for rats. In more recent years Mr Galloway has found controlling rat numbers more challenging. “Last year I started with a bromadiolone bait and it had almost no effect. The rats were eating plenty of it, but

Rats were sighted moving below the slats of the cow sheds

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RODENT CONTROL

Rats were coming up from the banks of the nearby River Dee to feed in the fields and find harbourage in farm buildings.

the bait take continued to be high and I recovered very few dead bodies,” he says. He changed to another bait with a different active, difenacoum. “I started to recover dead rats, but the bait take was still high, which meant there were still rats feeding on the bait and I wasn’t reaching a control point,” he says.

John suspected resistance, an issue that has been affecting rodent control in the UK. Some rats have evolved to be resistant to certain anticoagulant baits such as bromadiolone and difenacoum. A resistance map has been created to help rodenticide users select bait based on the likelihood of resistance in their area1. “This year I have chosen to use a bait that contains flocoumafen because there is no known resistance to this active,” says Mr Galloway. “Storm Ultra Secure® is a new product manufactured by BASF and this year I have been getting good results with it,” he says.

Storm Ultra Secure is a single feed anticoagulant that is pulse baited. “Single feed baits are effective for farm use because less bait is required and control can be reached in just 14 days,” explains Mr Galloway. The bait is placed in sealed bait boxes that Mr Galloway located on the farm before using any bait. “It is important to establish bait boxes before using bait. This helps prevent a neophobic reaction from rats,” he says. Neophobia is a fear of new objects, which is a survival mechanism rats have to protect them from the

unknown. It can delay rats feeding from boxes for a week or two. Therefore, to increase the efficacy of a baiting program, boxes should be positioned ahead of using any bait to allow the rats to accept the boxes as part of their habitat.

“I checked the boxes after the first pulse on day three and almost all were empty, which was a good sign. I replenished the bait and returned on day seven to find that the take had reduced,” he adds. Mr Galloway returned after 14 days to find very little bait take in almost all of the boxes. Only one box had a take of over 15 percent. “I am happy that this has controlled the bulk of the infestation. I have removed dead bodies and topped up each box to control any remaining rats. The treatment has been fast and effective, so I will remove the bait in a week and continue to monitor the farm,” says Mr Galloway.

Mr Milligan has spent time cutting back weeds and removing any available habitat that the rats could use to breed. “Working with John has made me more aware of how to minimise the chance of an infestation. I routinely remove rubbish and weeds, but some of our buildings are in need of repair so offer excellent harbourage for rats which is why John has been an important part of controlling the rat numbers here at Culvennan,” he says. “We know that rats are in the fields and that they come up from the river looking for food. I have removed all food and water sources that

aren’t essential for the cows, to make the farm as unappealing as possible. This will hopefully keep them at bay,” he adds.

Controlling rodents is becoming more of a challenge, especially as resistance has been recorded in many areas of the UK. “I would always advocate using nontoxic methods to reduce the likelihood of rats trying to seek harbourage on a farm. Proofing buildings by blocking entry points and making sure that areas outside and around buildings are tidy is the least farmers should do to discourage rats on their farms” says Mr Galloway. “Using rodenticides should be a last resort and now, more than ever, it is important to establish whether any resistance has been recorded in the area,” he adds.

A recent study suggested rodent numbers have risen sharply during 2020, due largely to the Covid-19 lockdown. The research was carried out by the British Pest Control Association

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(BPCA) in the spring. The Covid-19 impact study carried out by the BPCA revealed 51% of pest controllers have reported a rise in rat activity and 41% have reported a rise in mouse activity2.

“There is no doubt that rats pose a mounting threat to farmers. Being vigilant, working together and using effective control methods is important if we are going to stay on top of rat numbers,” concludes Mr Galloway.

1. Rodent resistance maps can be found at: https://guide.rrac. info/resistance-maps.html If you suspect that you have resistant rats on your farm then these can be tested free of charge.

All it requires is for you to cut the tail off three freshly trapped or shot rats and to pop in the post. Details can be found here https://www.thinkwildlife.org/ downloads/ 2. Source: BPCA Covid 19 impact study 20 April 2020.

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On both turning 60 this year, Athole & Christina agreed to be our latest interview victims...

IN THE BEGINNING Q1) Where were you born?

Glasgow on 11th September 1960 in the Rottenrow Hospital

We recently bought a campervan, Christina and I love getting away for a trip and tinned ‘Full Monty’ breakfasts!

Q2) What is your earliest memory?

Looking through the side railings in my cot beside Mum and Dad’s bed, I would have been maybe 10 months old.

Q14) How is life today for you?

Well, hitting 60 was a mile stone I suppose. We are very lucky in that we have a good solid business, working with great people, and an office in our garden. We work hard, but we get the rewards in so many other ways too. Not being restrained to a 9 to 5 regime is the best thing ever!

Christina and I both love Art Galleries and we have quite a collection of original works now. We also love the Scottish countryside.

Christina is from the Isle of Lewis, so we love the wild Places, and Brugge in Belgium.

Q3) How would you describe your childhood upbringing?

Mostly very happy, but stressful on going to school for the first time. I remember holding on to the fence not wanting to go, and being sick all over my Ford Anglia toy car in the classroom, My freedom had been taken away from me.

Q4) How was school for you?

Toryglen Primary School has its’ fair share of bullies and I can’t say I enjoyed it much.

Secondary was much more fun and I still have friends from those times.

I was ‘arty’ rather than academic.

THE INTERVIEW up close & personal Your Name: Athole Murray Fleming Your job title: Managing Director Company name: Athole Design & Publishing Ltd What you do for the company?

Arrange editorial contents, edit and sell advertising for our magazines

MOVING ON Q5) What were you into during your teenage years?

Playing guitar, growing very long hair, dressing like a hippy and loved The Beatles (I still do).

I learned that playing guitar was very attractive to girls…nuff said!

Q6) Who was the first influence in your life?

My Mum. Although she had dreadful Rheumatoid Arthritis, she could still play a piano and make clothes.

She bought me my first guitar from the Kays catalogue. My mum liked music, so I guess that’s where I got my interest from. Although she died when I was seventeen, I am still thankful for her influence on me today.

Q7) College, University or straight into work?

Art College studying Graphic Design, although I left after only six months – I got bored!

But I did meet my future wife and partner Christina there, although we did not fancy each other at the time. Strange how life changes things!

Q8) Any unusual working experiences from those early years?

First job was with a publisher 34

INTO BUSINESS Q16) Your current job, can you tell us a little more about what you do?

Editor of Farming Scotland Magazine and Shooting Scotland Magazine. Working in partnership with Christina to design and publish both magazines to be the best we can make.

We started on our own in 1992, so we must be doing something right!

Athole playing at one of his many gigs

selling advertising space on Police Magazines. Being before computers we had to hand draw each advert. My favourite being a ‘Wedding Cake’ advert that when published showed a roast chicken instead of a wedding cake.

The client repeated the advert as it got so many enquiries!

GROWING UP Q9) What was your first car?

A £50 Volkswagen Golf from my Dad. We called it ‘Peggie’ as it kept pegging out when slowing down.

Q10) Be honest now, did you pass your test first time?

Yes, for some reason I felt totally relaxed and it was a breeze.

Q15) What is the best advice you have been given and would like to pass on to our readers?

From my eldest brother Gordon just before my Engineering Drawing Higher.

I had failed the O' Level, and got an F in the higher prelim. My teacher even joked that if I passed, he would appeal.

The advice? “Don’t think about what you can’t do, think about what you can do”. I passed!

Q11) Can you remember your first love or passion?

Learning about bats in primary school, a brilliant project. I am still fascinated by them today.

First love? It has to be art and music.

LIFE AND LEISURE Q12) Do you have a talent that you would like to share with us?

I play guitar, write and record my own songs/albums and for the last twelve years, fronted my own rock band doing around thirty gigs a year. Now working on solo material.

Q13) Away from work, how do you like to relax?

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Q17) Is there a ‘dream job’ out there waiting for you?

Not any more, I am perfectly happy with what we are doing now. Had things went differently when I was in my teens, I would have loved a career in a rock band for a living. But who wants to die at 27 right?

LAST THOUGHTS Q18) Is there a single person (alive or dead) you would love to meet?

John Lennon.

Q19) And finally, is there one thing in the world you would like to change?

An end to religious and political conflict.

THE INTERVIEW up close & personal

IN THE BEGINNING Q1) Where were you born?

I come from North Tolsta on the east coast of the Isle of Lewis. The hospital I was born in was called the Lewis Hospital in Stornoway which has now been replaced by flats. My first language is Gaelic. English was spoken in the classroom and when we were in the presence of English speaking people.

Your Name: Christina Fleming Your job title: Production Director Company name: Athole Design & Publishing Ltd What you do for the company?

Layout text and photographs into magazine format

Q14) How is life today for you?

Athole and I have a good lifestyle.

We are lucky to work from home and look out onto our garden. Some people don’t have that choice.

Q2) What is your earliest memory?

My brother and I were having our photographs taken by a professional photographer in our living room. I remember standing on the sofa and looking into the viewfinder.

Q15) What is the best advice you have been given and would like to pass on to our readers?

Can’t really think of any.

Q3) How would you describe your childhood upbringing?

A happy childhood. Well fed on homemade cooking. Coming from a seafaring place we ate a lot of fish served with homegrown potatoes.

Q4) How was school for you?

Primary school was okay but as I was the only girl in a class of boys it was quite lonely sometimes. Later I went to a two year secondary school which I loved and have fond memories of the friends I made.

MOVING ON Q5) What were you into during your teenage years?

Art, sewing and athletics.

Q6) Who was the first influence in your life?

I would say both my parents were.

My mother did a lot of sewing and knitting. She was an excellent knitter and I still have jumpers and cardigans she made. She taught me to knit when I was four years old.

My father loved the sea and would take me to the nearest

Q13) Away from work, how do you like to relax?

Athole and I like to explore places.

Last place we went to was Applecross in our campervan. Went to Kishorn and showed him where my two great aunts lived next door to each other.

It’s a beautiful place.

Christina and daughter Helen taken many years ago on the way to one of the many North Tolsta beaches

beach. He showed me how to catch crabs living amongst the rocks.

I don’t drive but had my first lesson in my father’s Vauxhall Viva.

Q7) College, University or straight into work?

Went to college in Glasgow to study graphic design.

Q10) Be honest now, did you pass your test first time?

No.

Q8) Any unusual working experiences from those early years?

My first job was as a sample maker for a box making company. Spent most of the day doing nothing and eventually was made redundant. It was the start of the recession in the 1980s.

GROWING UP Q9) What was your first car?

Q11) Can you remember your first love or passion?

Definitely art. Found it very relaxing.

LIFE AND LEISURE Q12) Do you have a talent that you would like to share with us?

Maybe art but haven’t done anything for years. I made the curtains for our living room with gold lining. Was really pleased with them.

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INTO BUSINESS Q16) Your current job, can you tell us a little more about what you do?

Production Editor of Farming Scotland Magazine and Shooting Scotland Magazine. Basically I do the layout of the magazines so people can read them. Athole and I have been working together since 1992 and we’re still together after all these years!

Q17) Is there a ‘dream job’ out there waiting for you?

I am perfectly happy with what we are doing now.

LAST THOUGHTS Q18) Is there a single person (alive or dead) you would love to meet?

Mary Queen of Scots. Love that period but wouldn’t like to be around then.

Q19) And finally, is there one thing in the world you would like to change?

Get rid of all the rubbish we’ve polluted the land and the oceans with.

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renewable energy

WELTEC BIOPOWER Builds 7-MW Biogas Plant Near Seoul Plant in South Korea to Produce Heat from Food Waste WELTEC BIOPOWER has started building a biogas plant in South Korea. The plant is being set up in the province of Gyeonggi-do, some 60 km north of Seoul, and will transform biogas into heat in an integrated gas boiler. As early as spring 2021, the seven megawatt plant is to go live and digest up to 93,000 tons of food waste a year, some of which will also come from local households.

Since President Moon Jae-in assumed office, the government has been making concerted efforts to achieve autonomy in the power and heat sector and to significantly increase the share of renewable energies.

Recently a Green New Deal was announced in order to deliver net zero carbon emission by 2050. South Korea will be the first country in East Asia to set a timeframe to end its contribution to climate change. First efforts were already made in 2017 with the “Renewable Energies 2030 Implementation Plan�, where biogas was given a key role. Nevertheless, the biogas market has not yet developed as desired. This is due to the immature technologies of some providers, which merely deliver an inefficient process for the digestion of biomass to biogas.

This is now to change.

In view of these experiences, it was only sensible that this waste-to-energy project was awarded to WELTEC BIOPOWER. Around the globe, the German biogas specialist is renowned for its technologically 36

mature plants and has received multiple international prizes in recognition of its waste processing plants. Moreover, WELTEC had already planned

and built two biogas plants in South Korea based on the digestion of organic waste in 2012 and 2016. Both plants are custom-tailored to the

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framework conditions and boast a high level of plant availability and profitability.

The experience that WELTEC has gained in the

waste industry is especially valuable for the modern plan in Gyeonggi-do. Every day, the two bioreactors are filled with more than 250 t of food leftovers. “For this purpose, we customized the two duplex steel digesters of the newest generation with a capacity of 6,200 and 2,700 m , respectively, to the conditions on site”, says Vladimir Bogatov, the responsible sales manager for Asia. For example, a special format will be used for these digesters: “Due to the space limitations on site and local requirements, the tanks are very slim and have a height of 8.80 m”, says Bogatov.

In addition, the other components are custom-tailored.

For instance, the raw materials will arrive in processed form and will be fed into the plant as a ready-to-use liquid mix.

Bogatov explains: “To ensure efficient pre-treatment, we will equip the upstream storage units with special mixing and pump technology.” In gas boilers with a thermal output of seven megawatt, the carbon-neutral biogas will be transformed into heat. Vladimir Bogatov continues: “Our custom-developed SPS-based LoMOS control system will make sure that the substrates are automatically pumped from the pre-storage unit into the digesters, thereby ensuring uninterrupted heat supply.” The sustainable cycle finishes with the processing of the digestate in a clarification stage. The solid matters generated in this process are used for composting.

The project stands out with its efficient transformation of the versatile biogas into heat.

In South Korea, law supports the use of green and sustainable heat. Therefore, the climatefriendly energy source from technically mature biogas plants is set to unleash its potential.

NEXT

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

Supporting our rurally based young people

By Rebecca Dawes Over the last five months, the pandemic has demonstrated how vulnerable our rural communities have become resulting from the lack of infrastructure such as good broadband, access to local services and the supply of basic daily needs such as food.

In recent years, there has been a steady depopulation of young people from rural areas and strategies used so far, have failed to stem the flow. From Covid-reflections research we’ve carried out as part of the Rural Youth Project, we have found that, during lockdown, many under 30s have returned to their rural homes, preferring to move back to be with family or friends, and it is clear from that there is a new sense of ownership and commitment to rural areas. My hope is that young people will be an important catalyst for rural economies and communities to not just survive, but thrive.

Whilst we don’t know the full extent of the impact, we do know that socially, economically and in terms of mental health, the experience of 2020 will leave a lasting memory for many. The transition back to “normality” is something that some young people are fearing while others are looking forward with optimism, seeing opportunity. The ability to work from home with flexible hours, the development of virtual meetings reducing travel time, and the new enthusiasm for participating in online training, are just some of the changes seen as positive.

Creating businesses and social enterprises is key to this growth, with a growing number of the next generation inspired to take the risk and become their own boss. Just last month, Twitter released a report that found 54% of users between the age 18 to 24 had found a new way to make money in lockdown.

Food Punks in the Scottish Borders is an innovative social enterprise that empowers young people through the appreciation of food. The income generating social enterprise from Tweeddale Youth Action, started by teaching young people to cook, but soon evolved into a catering business servicing the south of Scotland. Now funded by Scottish Borders LEADER and the Robertson Trust, all profit generated goes back into youth work and services for young people benefiting the local economy and the health and wellbeing of its residents.

Whilst our research has demonstrated the majority of young people do not want to move to a town or city to live or work, it has also shown that rural communities, can at times, be too cliquey and unwelcoming, and if we are to take the positives from pandemic, we must embrace this new era, new businesses and new perspectives.

Rebecca Dawes is the Next Generation Trustee for the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, and Director of the Rural Youth Project. The report looking at the impact of covid-19 to young people can be downloaded from www.ruralyouthproject.com www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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environment Science report highlights challenge in meeting UK net zero carbon goals for livestock An independent report assessing the carbon intensity of all UK livestock production systems has identified that currently available technologies cannot deliver even half the industry’s 2050 carbon emissions reduction goal.

Commissioned by CIEL (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock), written by environmental, climate and livestock scientists from eight renowned UK research institutions and endorsed by a further six, the ‘Net Zero Carbon & UK Livestock Report’ will be used to inform the debate about climate change

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and the role livestock can play to reduce emissions that contribute to global warming.

“The report represents a widely agreed summary of the current research available on greenhouse gas emissions from the main farmed livestock species in the UK - with interpretation and a number of recommendations from leading livestock, environmental and climate scientists,” says Lyndsay Chapman, CIEL Chief Executive.

“We wanted the report to review current knowledge and identify areas where there are gaps in our ability to measure or achieve

the target reductions in emissions set for UK agriculture. We also wanted to provide benchmarks for the carbon footprint of farmed livestock, hotspots where the greatest emissions occur and where there are opportunities to focus future efforts to reduce emissions.”

The need for innovation Lead scientist, Professor Bob Rees, from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), stresses the need for new innovations to further reduce emissions beyond the levels that currently known mitigation strategies will deliver.

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Lyndsay Chapman, CIEL Chief Executive

environment “The report has identified that even if all known methods for mitigation of carbon emissions were taken up rapidly, the industry could only deliver 19% of the aspirational carbon reduction target by 2035, highlighting the urgent need to advance technologies and develop new innovations to address this critical issue,” he says.

“Livestock farming is an integral part of UK agriculture, our landscape and food systems, but it’s a complex system involving flows of carbon, nitrogen, water and atmospheric gases.

“In order to help balance the reduction in emissions with the production of high-quality nutritious food, a combination of strategies is needed. These must consider all dimensions of sustainable agriculture including carbon efficiency, soil health, animal health and welfare, and much more.

“And for that we need more innovation, collaboration and widespread adoption,” he adds.

Call to action Dr Elizabeth Magowan, from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), coordinated the report, and says the intention is for it to be used as a baseline to drive change throughout the livestock supply chain.

“The report should be used by all parties in the wider supply chain and policymakers to inform debate and complement the good work already being carried out elsewhere in the sector.

“It is a call to action. While the industry is making steps in the right direction, the ambition to achieve the UK’s target is huge and known technologies and practices can only get us part of the way. The report concludes that a combination of greater investment (resources, intellectual capital and financial), improved carbon accounting and education resulting in adoption, are required for the UK livestock industry to achieve its net zero carbon goal within the next 30 years,” she concludes.

Do you know how much your cows are eating?

By Lorna MacPherson, SAC Dairy Consultant.

With dairy cows settled on winter rations, now is the time to consider accurately measuring dry matter intakes.

Measuring intakes is not common practice on many dairy farms, as this takes into account refusals which are not often weighed. However, monitoring and improving intakes can greatly impact on feed efficiency, reduce waste and increase milk output.

Feed conversion efficiency (FCE) can be calculated from milk yield (kg) divided by dry matter intake (kg), with the target being around 1.5. It varies according to stage of lactation, and will be highest in early lactation, as milk yield peaks before dry matter intake peaks. In early lactation, once maintenance requirements are met, every extra 1kg dry matter consumed, will support on average an extra 2kg of milk.

Feed space is very important, especially for newly calved cows and 1st lactation heifers. They are most susceptible to low feed intake and most negatively affected by it. A minimum 24 inches of feed space is commonly recommended but fresh cows will benefit from more, with 36 inches being optimal.

FCE is driven by forage quality, with higher NDF silages lowering FCE. To some extent, feed additives such as yeasts, plant extracts and rumen buffers can help improve FCE. Management practices can also play a huge role. Consider the following: more regular pushing up of feed, moving from once a day to twice a day feed out, proper mixing of the TMR and adequate processing of forages. All these things can help reduce wastage and encourage intakes.

Aim to feed for no more than 3 to 5% refusals for the milking herd and weigh leftovers to accurately assess dry matter intake and FCE. What is the dry matter of the TMR? If too wet, mixing and feed presentation will be poor and if too dry, spoilage and sorting may occur, reducing intakes and FCE. If the ration is greater than 45% dry matter, consider adding water to target a dry matter around 40 to 45%.

There is more information about feed budgeting at www.fas.scot along with other practical ideas about improving farm efficiencies and reducing the farm carbon footprint at www.farmingforabetterclimate.org. Find us on Facebook and Twitter @SACFarm4Climate.

Farming for a Better Climate is funded by the Scottish Government as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service www.fas.scot www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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FARM SECURITY

Protecting your farm equipment, livestock and buildings From high quality surveillance to trackers on machinery, advice is only a phone call away.

Your local security firm, Police or NFU office will be able to help and advise you.

The new DGPS4U tracker 2 and TRAC>DOWN tracking systems

The latest security product from farming specialists DGPS4U to help combat the thefts of expensive farm vehicles and equipment is now available. It can be integrated quickly into the TRAC>DOWN gps tracking system. The Tracker 2 has real time tracking, and a host of alerts and safety measures including geofence function, remote alerts for power cutting, vibration, low battery and displacement. In tracking mode there is facility for tracking a route and route history, cutting out/restarting vehicle remotely and AGPS location.

Easy and quick to fit securely, the small DGPS4U Tracker 2 is easy to hide and comes with all the wiring required.

DGPS4U supplies a host of physical security equipment including cameras, trackers and remote monitoring hardware.

They also have one of the best mobile tracking systems in TRAC>DOWN. TRAC>DOWN is capable of following people, plant, machinery and fleets and using the system is so easy you can 40

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even track items on your mobile phone (subject to reception).

The TRAC>DOWN app provides you with many other benefits including checking the location history of each device through to operating in the background without any indication of running - it automatically operates every time that the phone is restarted without giving any telltale notifications on the unit.

Key features of the TRAC>DOWN system include: TRAC>DOWN supports most protocols and GPS Tracking Devices in the market.

The modern fully featured web interface has both desktop and mobile-friendly layouts and we also provide native mobile apps for Android and iOS platforms.

TRAC>DOWN enables you to view your GPS devices in real-time, with no delay. We offer various mapping options, including road maps and satellite imagery. Our large capacity server manages a wide variety of sensors and additional information supplied via GPS units.

Our software provides you with instant web notifications

FARM SECURITY or email and SMS reports.

Warning you immediately of important issue including harsh driving behaviour, speeding and excessive fuel and maintenance events, geo-fencing, and many other types of alerts.

Simple location history, trip, chart, and summary reports. You can view data directly on the web or mobile app and export and download an Excel file. History can also be projected on the map providing a detailed visual representation.

Interested? Then call us today on +44(0)1339 883361 Mob +44(0)7770 765411, email info@dgps4u. com or visit the website www.dgps4u.com for more information on these or our other products including guidance systems, antenna, mobile DGPS, camera and monitors.

Keeping an eye on your farm Livestock Eye are leading specialists in livestock surveillance & rural security systems.

We are a family run business based in South Yorkshire providing high quality affordable & selfinstalled CCTV surveillance cameras.

Livestock Eye cameras use the latest technology, combined with a simple easy to use system to provide remote round the clock viewing accessible on a

smart phone, tablet or laptop.

No Wi-Fi – No electric – No problem – Livestock Eye can provide a camera that works anytime, anywhere.

Not only do we supply 4g sim cameras but we also stock Wi-Fi cameras. The 4g sim cameras run on a mobile phone network & are for use in areas where no Wi-Fi signal is available.

All of our cameras can be powered by mains electricity or a 12v battery & being water

resistant IP66 rated they can be used indoors or out.

The cameras can be used in many areas • Livestock sheds • Farms • Stables & Tack Rooms • Fields • Construction Sites • Holiday & Park Homes • Fishing Ponds • Workshop & Storage Units • And many, many more areas Using motion detection & humanoid technology you can set up alerts to send notifications to your phone & tablet when

activated. Having the ability to record all footage & playback direct to your phone means you never miss a thing. Infrared night vision provides quality clear footage even in total darkness.

Saving you not only time on unnecessary journeys but the economic saving of fewer lives lost means the initial outlay of the cameras is soon recovered.

We offer 12 months warranty on all cameras & ongoing technical support.

Head over to our facebook page Livestock Eye to view footage & testimonials provided by many happy customers

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4g Sim Dome PTZ Camera 5 megapixel High definition footage For use in areas where no Wi-Fi signal is available 355° rotation, 90° tilt & 30x zoom View live & playback recorded footage to a phone, tablet & iPad Can be powered by mains electricity or a 12v battery Infrared night vision up to 80 metres Plug & play, simple to install system Motion detection alerts IP66 rated for use indoors or out Prices from £105 Please visit our Facebook page for camera footage & testimonials All cameras are available to purchase on our website

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farming diversification

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree in Buchlyvie

By Janice Hopper

Festivities will certainly feel very different this year, but farmers who sell Christmas trees are still hoping for bumper sales.

Duff Christmas Trees is based at Wester Auchentroig Farm near Aberfoyle. This family business boasts half a million Christmas trees in the ground, and sells to both the commercial and retail market.

Euan Duff started out as beef, cattle and sheep farmer before diversifying into Christmas trees thirty years ago. With his first harvest he sold seven trees, but sales have certainly increased.

“My grandfather was a forester who grew Christmas trees in Dunblane,’ says Euan.

‘He encouraged me to plant a few trees on the farm, and it’s simply grown since then, to the point we stopped livestock farming roughly ten years ago. It’s now a family business, with my sons Dougie and Sandy working alongside me. Now, out of 450 acres, approximately 300 acres are dedicated to trees. Each year we plant 80,000 trees, annually we harvest around 40,000 trees, with 38,000 heading for wholesale customers and two thousand sold to retail.”

To offer customers variety the Duffs grow three types of tree. Euan started out planting the Norway Spruce, because that was the only tree considered to be a traditional Christmas tree thirty years ago, but times have changed.

“Nowadays different trees suit different people’, says Euan.

‘There’s the popular Nordman Fir, known for its symmetrical wide shape, strong branches, and soft shiny needles. The Fraser Fir has rich green needles with a 42

fresh citrus sense. Its soft foliage is notably family friendly, and, as a narrower tree, it suits smaller homes and tall ceilings.

Lastly, the original Norway Spruce is a classic because it smells so festive, but with prickly, low retention needles (especially indoors in the heat) it’s a popular Christmas tree for an outdoor setting. People decide which trees suit their home and surroundings best.”

Wester Auchentroig’s USP allows retail customers to get festive down on the farm, selecting and sawing down their own tree.

“The idea came about right at the beginning, when a family from East Kilbride asked if they could cut their own tree,’ says Euan. ‘The concept mushroomed from there. We usually provide

visitors with a saw, gloves, and carpet to kneel on. It’s a real family adventure, like something out of a Hollywood movie. It’s also lovely that this original family still return to Wester Auchentroig to buy their Christmas tree, kickstarting their festive season on our farm. What started out as a family of four now spans four generations and nineteen family members. It’s hugely rewarding to welcome them each year and meet any new arrivals.”

As well as helping people create great memories, the Duffs add value by selling wreaths, tree stands, mistletoe and Christmas lights. Treats, such as homemade mince pies, jams and marmalade, are made by Euan’s wife Flick and are available to purchase. But for anyone

Euan Duff

Flick Duff

Dougie Duff

Sandy Duff

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considering a potential move into Christmas tree farming there’s lots to consider.

‘It’s worth appreciating that there’s a seven to eight year cycle between planting and harvesting a tree,’ explains Euan. ‘It’s not comparable to a crop such as potatoes or wheat, whereby you sow in Spring to harvest later that year. As growers, we also have to look out for and control aphids, you have to protect your trees from rust. And in terms of welcoming the public onto the farm, you need public liability insurance and it’s essential to carry out the appropriate risk assessments.”

Naturally things will feel a little different this year due to Covid-19. The Duff team is setting up new pay points, asking customers to provide their own gloves, and arranging saw cleaning between each use.

Clients who wish to keep to themselves can choose a pre-cut tree, opt for click and collect, or book a Christmas tree delivery straight to their door (in the FK8, G63 and G66 postal areas). The magic of Christmas will not be dampened. For the Duff family Christmas is the culmination of a year’s work.

“Christmas is our rush period but we’re busy all year round,’ say Euan. ‘For every plant we harvest we plant two saplings, which we regularly weed, and prune by hand. Pruning takes up much of January, February and into March. We plant in April and May, controlling the amount of fertiliser provided to our trees to achieve the desired shade of festive green. In August and September it’s time to label and sort the trees, before we harvest,

farming diversification net and palletise them, ready for distribution. We also do some Autumn planting as well. It’s a busy year all round.”

Duff Trees push the environmental appeal of their products. They stress the trees’ carbon monoxide absorption, the wildlife habitats they provide, and the recyclable nature of the tree after use.

“We have created new woodlands, planted with oak, birch, rowan and hazel on a seventeen acre site,’ says Euan. ‘When transporting the trees, our lorries use the latest engines to reduce emissions. Our farmhouse and office use biomass for heating and hot water, and so much of our tree nurture is carried out by hand, rather than machinery. We do what we can.”

As more people consider spending Christmas 2020 at home, rather than travelling or visiting friends and family, customers may buy more trees for their home or invest in bigger and better trees to make their house feel extra special this year.

Who knows exactly where we’ll be on 25 December 2020.

‘Whatever happens with Covid-19 the Christmas tree business is a lovely industry to work in. There’s a small, relatively close-knit band of growers in Scotland. Plus we get the joy of witnessing very happy customers, smiling children, and festive families spending quality time together. It makes all the work worthwhile.”

But the million dollar question? Does Euan choose and decorate his own tree?

“No, my wife does it. She has the eye for it.”

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

Christmas trees

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43

science & technology

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Scientists launch key principles to ?????? preserve:???????t Scots plant health Scotland’s plants underpin the health of the nation, but plant pests and diseases can cause major economic, environmental, and social costs. Increased global movements of plants and soil, coupled with the effects of climate change, are allowing novel pests and diseases to take hold or endemic ones to flourish. Scotland’s Plant Health Centre has launched a set of five Key Principles, which outline important steps to protect Scotland’s plant resources.

Scotland’s five Key Principles for Plant Health are: • Source plants with care: Human movement of plants is an important pathway for spreading pests and diseases which may hitchhike on plants, in seed, soil and packaging.

• Keep it clean: Biosecurity best practice can reduce the spread and establishment of plant pests and diseases. These organisms may be microscopic and can easily go unnoticed.

• Plan now for future challenges: Designing, modifying and managing systems to increase their resilience can reduce the impacts of pests and pathogens in future.

• Embed plant health in policies and practices: Developing consistent practices, incentives, guidance and regulation can minimise the risk of outbreaks and their consequences.

• Promote widespread understanding and awareness of plant health threats: Informed individuals and businesses can minimise threats to plant health and reduce 44

the unwanted impacts of pests and diseases.

These principles were the focus of a series of short stories, released over the course of UK Plant Week, to bring the Principles to life and celebrate Scotland’s plant-based assets.

These went live on the Plant Health Centre website (www. planthealth.scot) in September.

Professor Ian Toth, director of Scotland’s Plant Health Centre, said: “Plant diseases don’t respect borders and cause problems across all plant species, from iconic forest trees to the smallest of wild flowers and taking in ornamentals, garden plants and all our crop species as they go.

“With thousands of plant species in Scotland and 1000 novel pests and diseases listed on the UK plant health risk register, there has never been a more crucial time to pool resources and bring scientists and land users together to act.

“We hope those with a need to consider plant health, from mass planting of trees or best garden practice, will find our Key Principles useful The Principles will be the focus of resources published during the UK Plant Health Week, touching on diverse Scottish plant health topics, so keep an eye on our website www.planthealth.scot for updates.”

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Scotland’s Plant Health Centre was launched in 2018 and is funded by the Scottish Government through its Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division. It brings the plant sectors for forestry, horticulture, environment and agriculture together to co-ordinate plant health knowledge, skills, needs and activities across Scotland.

The Centre Directorate is headed up by the James Hutton Institute, and has sector leads from Scotland’s Rural College (agriculture), Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (horticulture and environment) and Forest Research (forestry).

livestock New Single Dose Vials for Early Life Calf Pneumonia Vaccine MSD Animal Health’s early life intranasal calf pneumonia vaccine – BOVILIS® INtranasal RSP™ Live – is now available in single dose vials, allowing users greater practical flexibility to vaccinate individual animals as and when needed.

The intranasal vaccine can be administered to calves from as young as a week of age and reduces the clinical signs of respiratory disease and viral shedding from infection with Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Parainfluenza-3 Virus (Pi3V).

No other UK-licensed BRD vaccine can be administered earlier in life. The vaccine also delivers the fastest on-farm protection, with an onset of

immunity after administration of just 5 days for BRSV and 7 days for Pi3V. Duration of immunity is 12 weeks for both viruses.

“Having this early life calf pneumonia vaccine available in single dose vials will give farmers more practical leeway to be able to vaccinate vulnerable young calves from as young as a week of age, rather than delaying administration until a batch of calves are available.

We know that early-age protection of young calves through intranasal vaccination can help prevent pneumonia and positively impact a beef or dairy calf’s productive future,” says MSD Animal Health livestock veterinary adviser Dr Kat Baxter-Smith.

The new single dose vials are supplied in packs of five,

complementing the five dose vials already available. Farmers interested in this new early life

calf pneumonia vaccine should contact their vet for further information.

Measuring grass helps aid animal performance After attending one of Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) grazing group meetings nearly six years ago, David Girvan began trialling rotational grazing and has since developed the system to utilise all 600 acres of in-bye and improved pasture on his 8,000-acre hill unit.

Made in Britain

With the majority of Corrimony farm, Glenurquhart near Inverness covering hill and rough pasture, David, who farms in partnership with his wife Barbara and parents Lindsay and Mamie, has made the most of the in-bye grass and forage crops to

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

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

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D750 feeding clamp silage

For a leaflet or more info and advice contact: Sales Tel : 07901 338473 email: sales@fostersalescompany.co.uk website: www.fostersalescompany.co.uk

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45

livestock

The

VET

When is your cow going to calve?

When does your vet eat his lunch?

help reduce costs and increase outputs from their 1,000 Lleyn and Highlander cross breeding ewes and 150 Stabiliser suckler cows.

“I heard Michael Blanche speak at a QMS event about the benefits of rotational grazing and decided to go home and give it a try.”

Prior to rotationally grazing, ewes were heavily set stocked on in-bye land during the winter which David states had a knockon effect on grass growth in spring.

“I previously put poorquality pasture growth down to our location and climate, but once we started rotating stock in winter and resting paddocks from the turn of the year, swards started to develop two to three weeks earlier.”

David, who was part of QMS’ successful Graze + project, has since signed up alongside eight other Scottish farmers to be part of the GrassCheckGB programme – which aims to look at new grassland technologies and techniques.

“I decided to get involved with GrassCheckGB to help improve my weakness when it came to measuring grass. I would occasionally measure some of the paddocks but wasn’t making best use of practice.

“The programme has given me a bigger incentive to measure grass accurately and has allowed me to expand my network with farmers across the UK, reporting on the factors that influence pasture growth and quality,

To the first question the obvious answer is 9months after she was bulled. But do you know when she was bulled? or just when the bull went in with the cows. That’s often the case with beef herds. Where AI is used it becomes slightly clearer, but did she hold to that or was a sweeper bull involved too?

So we’ll get her scanned which can be pretty accurate up to the first 3 months but becomes more of an “art” after that. Many of our cows just get scanned when they come in which can be 5 months after the bull went in.

So say we’ve got our date will she go over go over her time? Many do, and by 2-4 weeks sometimes so we’re still left not sure. We can use EBV and chose short gestation lengths - that might help.

So at best we might get within a couple of weeks of being fairly certain and then it’s down to observation of making up and slackening down. So now we’re down to a matter of days perhaps. But when?

Morning, noon or night?

pressure in the rumen, increases rumenal contractions, so again is likely to delay calving as is the general activity involved.

By Andy Cant Northvet Veterinary Group There are various factors that affect the time of day a cow will calve: feeding, physical activity, daily rhythmic hormone secretion, ambient temperature, light/dark, weather etc etc Time of feeding is that one that gets a lot of press, but how does that influence time of calving? A couple of theories: Its known that a cows body temp will reduce in the 12hrs before calving and often the falling night time ambient temperature helps that. If an animal is fed at night (1600-1800hrs) the metabolic heat load produced by digestion can offset that precalving maternal body temperature decline and keep the temperature maintained, so delaying calving. Also rumenal contractions are known to decrease prior to calving. The stimulus of food intake and

(Graph 1)

(Graph 2)

(continued on page 48)

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So is it true? Does it work?

(Graph 1) Here is calving times from one of our clients herds who got fed up of being up all night with nothing happening during the day so he feeds at 17.00hrs So sorry I don’t have figures from before he changed but he is pleased that the bulk of his cows now calve at more sociable hours.

(Graph 2) Here at the practice we always think we attend more calving’s out of hours than during the day. So I thought I would check that out and looked at what we did in March 2020.

Wrong! Well I didn’t expect that! Most of our call outs for calvings are in the afternoon. (I’ll need to check a bigger sample!)

So this adds another aspect to the whole theory of cows feeding delaying calving. Could it be that, actually, calving problems are brought on, depending on when the vet eats his lunch?!

livestock combined with measures of animal performance.

“I’ve seen the biggest impact by rotationally grazing the ewes through autumn and early winter.

Grass is now recovering quicker, resulting in more availability as we head into spring.”

Lambing now commences 10-14 days earlier from the middle of April, with ewes set stocked a few days before lambing. Once the lambs are old enough, David reintroduces ewes with their offspring onto rotations of approximately 2-5 acres blocks.

Hereford bull calf sells for £13,000 In a £13,000 deal, Hereford bull calf Solpoll 1 True Grit has sold to the Clipston herd of Rod and Rose Westaway, Leicestershire.

Breeders John and William McMordie, Co Down, described the September 2019-born bull as the ‘most stand out calf’ they have ever bred and is the ninth Panmure 1 Henry son to sell from the herd for £8,000 or more.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue out January 2021 Subscription details on page 87

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Less Favoured Areas – Delivering for Scotland

By Robert Macdonald

Livestock farmers across the country can now take advantage of a leading liquid feed range directly from Brinicombe Agri and its one-of-a-kind delivery service, TransAg. Neil Ashwell, head of agriculture at Brinicombe Agri, explains that for over 30 years the company has offered a range of top-quality liquid feeds through a bespoke metered delivery system and is now offering a price match guarantee so customers can buy quality with confidence in the cost.

“The unique direct to farmstore pumping equipment on Brinicombe’s TransAg lorries means farmers will receive a precise, measured amount of their chosen liquid, only paying for the exact volume they receive,” he says.

“This format of delivery takes away the hassle of disposing

IBCs after the liquid has been consumed, playing a part in helping the industry reduce plastic waste.”

Why use liquid feeds?

Neil explains the challenging weather this cropping year has led to increased concentrate feed prices. “This is where the use of competitively priced liquid feeds can help keep winter feed costs down.

“Our range of protein, mineral and energy liquids are tailormade to maximise performance from forage, and make up for any shortfalls, allowing farmers to utilise forage and feed already available on farm,” he says.

“We can also offer ball or wheel feeders for livestock to lick, meaning liquids can be fed with minimal mess, regardless of whether or not a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) is being supplied through a diet feeder.”

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NFU Scotland

livestock Take advantage of precision liquid feed service

Farming and crofting in Scotland’s Less Favoured Area is the glue that holds the rural economy in Scotland’s fragile areas together writes NFU Scotland’s LFA Committee Chair Robert Macdonald.

Accounting for 86 percent of Scotland’s agricultural land, 90 percent of its sheep and 83 percent of its beef herd; LFA agriculture is the backbone of Scotland’s world-famous red meat industry.

In addition, our precious LFA is critical in the delivery of local jobs, outstanding landscapes and biodiversity, carbon sequestration and storage, thriving communities and cultural heritage.

The importance of agricultural activity in Scotland’s LFA has never been more apparent than during Covid-19, where it has underlined the resilience of remoter communities as well as the contribution it makes to Scotland’s overall food security.

Yet huge question marks remain over future funding levels for farmers and crofters in the LFA. The Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS), the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) and the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) all provide lifeline funding to LFA farmers and crofters, in addition to the mainstay of support via the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening.

In our flagship policy document “Less Favoured Areas – Delivering for Scotland”, launched in October, we state that to safeguard and enhance the significant contribution of

active farming and crofting in the LFA, the Scottish Government must act with urgency to: ¬Retain LFASS from 2021 with a £65 million budget and rebase the scheme to better reflect current activity Reinstate LFASS 2020 payments made in Spring 2021 to 100 per cent of 2018 payments Retain SUSSS with the added safeguard on the number of ewe hoggs claimed limited to 20 per cent of the ewe flock to ensure better targeting to those most reliant on Region 3 land.

The Union believes that only by securing and targeting vital support in the short to medium term will active farming and crofting be properly underpinned to enable the continued delivery of the many valued outcomes it provides. The Union wrote to Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy Fergus Ewing outlining our priorities and provided him with an advance copy of the document ‘Less Favoured Areas – Delivering for Scotland’. As a committee, we have been privileged to have the Cabinet Secretary attend in the past and we are certain he knows how important a profitable and vibrant LFA is to Scotland’s future.

The importance of LFASS payments through what will be a turbulent period for LFA farmers and crofters cannot be overstated.

The full reinstatement of LFASS support until at least 2024, moving away from the disruption and uncertainty we have seen around LFA support in recent times is the key ask.

www.nfus.org.uk

livestock Mycoplasma bovis vaccine proves successful Vaccinating calves against Mycoplasma bovis significantly reduces post-weaning mortality and antibiotic use, according to results from an independent farm-based trial.

The trial, which looked at growth rates, mortality and antimicrobial usage for 1582 calves born into eight herds in Scotland, considered the efficacy of a new multi-strain vaccine imported from the US. “Although the vaccine has proven effective after its recent introduction to the US market, this is the first time we’ve been able to use it in the UK,” explains Graeme Fowlie at Meadows Vets, which secured the import license with the help of Dutch pharmaceutical firm Kernfarm.

Mycoplasma bovis has recently become the most common

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cause of bovine respiratory disease – particularly pneumonia in calves – with other symptoms including mastitis, arthritis and otitis. And it is notoriously difficult to treat. “It doesn’t respond to most common antibiotics, so prevention is definitely better than cure – but until now the only vaccine available has been a bespoke autogenous one,” says Mr Fowlie.

Given the multi-strain vaccine is new to the UK market, he organised a set of trials in Scotland to see how it would work in a real farm environment (see panel). And the results have been impressive: In total, weaned calf mortality fell from 5.8% pre-vaccination to 0.4% post-vaccination, whereas it remained relatively unchanged on control farms at 7.3-7.8%.

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dairy

New rotary parlour for Dourie Farm Rory Christie farms in partnership with his brother Gregor near Port William on the south west coast of Scotland. The farm has been in the family since 1954 when the brother’s grandfather set up a limited company to create The Dourie Farming Company Ltd. The farm focuses on a grassland system similar, in part, to a New Zealand model. However, Rory was keen to demonstrate how he has taken the pastoral grazing system and developed it further.

In the late 1990s the company made the decision to close the four dairies that made up the company and build a new dairy unit. This decision was made to increase the herd size

from 600 to 1500 and improve farm efficiency. “We had already moved to Kiwi genetics and were focused on a pastoral grazing system similar to that of New Zealand,” says Rory.

“Gregor and I knew we had to rationalise and reinvest. We wanted to focus that investment on livestock and believed that pastoral dairy farming was the best way to make use of our land rather than invest in an intensive indoor system,” he adds.

The milk produced at The Dourie is bought by the Caledonian Cheese Company.

“They pay for high protein milk which pastoral dairy farming lends itself to,” says Rory. The

uplift in herd size was based on economics and survival. Rory was aware that milk prices were not increasing fast enough for the herd to stay at 600. He grew the herd and in 2015 purchased 300 jerseys from Denmark to reach the targeted 1500. “We made a lean assessment of the business to cope with the drop in milk prices at this time. We cut costs wherever we could and moved to once a day milking. This helped us reduce walking distance, waiting time and stress for both the cows and our staff,” he says.

This model continued for four years. However, it was clear that economic pressures required the herd to provide more milk.

In 2019 Rory invested in a second parlour to move to two milkings a day. “Having a good reputation with the Bank of Scotland for debt repayment we were given the money to build a 60-point E100 DeLaval parlour.

We invested in a piped slurry system, more slurry storage and housing for staff. This will hopefully help us hit our production targets of 5500 litres per 500 kilo cow, feeding 500 kilos of concentrate per year,” he explains. The parlour is one of two DeLaval units, the first being a 44-point rotary that was installed in 2005. “Before we added the second parlour it was taking us ten hours to milk the

Rory Christie has installed a DeLaval E100 rotary parlour to increase milkings and yield from 3500 litres to 5500 litres per cow

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dairy herd, which was not sustainable.

By adding the second we have been able to reduce this to two and half hours in each parlour.

It has increased yield from 3500 litres to 5500 litres, which makes the farm more sustainable,” he says.

This rotary is one of eight E100 series rotaries installed in the UK. “It was the first E100 to be installed in Scotland and we worked closely with local DeLaval dealer Mathers Dairy Utensils who also installed our original DeLaval herringbone parlours. Their engineers are always attentive, and they know how to cut a deal with farmers like us,” says Rory. The E100 was installed to a design that Rory developed himself. “The angle is offset to speed up entry and exit which makes cow flow faster. We also have two gates meaning we can draft from four directions,” he adds. The parlour is coupled to the DelPro system that enables Rory to draw data about each cow, which he sees as key to improving yield in the future. “We see data as the best way to make improvements in the 21st century. We do in race weighing so we can monitor live weight compared to production.

It is a quest to understand cow efficiency, and data will give us the information we need,” he says.

Cow health is a core concern for Rory who believes in a natural life focussed on longevity rather than just annual yield.

From late November to midFebruary the cows are housed in outdoor cubicles and fed silage.

“We benefit from a moderate climate that sees warm air reach our shores thanks to the Gulf Stream. The cows are outside all year round and we only feed them the grass we grow here with a relatively small amount of concentrate,” he says.

Rory’s grass is a picture and he has invested heavily in his soil and seed varietals. “We have chosen a three-way mix of Aber varietals using the Irish PPI list to select them. Our local contractor, W McCracken, direct reseeds our grass and we aerate all of our paddocks annually. RG

The E100 is a 60-point rotary and one of two Delaval parlours at Dourie Farm

Contracting provide umbilical slurry spreading which reduces ground compaction,” he says.

The net result is soil with a pH of 6.5 and organic matter of eight to ten percent. Rory admits that the farm is still experimenting with novel grass management methods and that further adjustments will be made to improve grass leys year on year.

Rory is more than aware that his investment has left the company with significant debt.

However, he is fully committed to continually developing a sustainable business and proud to be paying the debt off. “Sadly, we are in a race to the bottom, a commodity trap, where milk prices have not inflated for many years and therefore the only way to make a profit is to grow and be ever more efficient. There is a real need for farmers to be valued in a better way. We invest so much in natural and social capital yet get no reward,” he explains philosophically. “There is no farmer that wants to see a loss of biodiversity and I am sure that all of us will understand and support what Sir David Attenborough explained in his recent ‘Extinction’ programme.

While the food system of the UK continues to demand more for less, driving farming harder than

ever before, the true value that farmers can bring to our planet will remain an untapped resource

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whilst efforts are concentrated on merely helping big businesses to make a profit,” he concludes.

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dairy New parasite tracker from Boehringer highlights high gutworm but low liver fluke exposure in cattle this grazing season A new parasite tracking initiative from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK is reporting an increase in exposure to the gutworm Ostertagia ostertagi in cattle over the 2020 grazing season, across England, Wales, and Scotland. The tracker has also indicated that liver fluke exposure is currently low, except for a hot spot in south west Scotland.

The company’s Senior Brand Manager, Victoria Hudson, explains that the data collected from 90 dairy farms in Great Britain in association with National Milk Laboratories, is helping to track parasite risks and provide more specific guidance to livestock producers, animal health advisors, and vets on monitoring and treating parasites. She says: “Our data is collected from ELISA bulk milk tests from dairy farms, but we expect this information will be of use to all livestock producers due to the prevalence of liver fluke and Ostertagia ostertagi across

Great Britain. When bulk milk tank antibodies to these parasites become elevated it provides an indication of regional risk that is relevant to other cattle producers, and the liver fluke results will also be relevant to sheep producers.

“We hope when this data is used in combination with parasite forecasts, farm-specific conditions, and herd history, livestock producers, animal health advisors and vets will be able to make better-informed decisions on parasite monitoring and control.”

Data to the end of August 2020 showed that around 80% of tested herds now have high levels of Ostertagia ostertagi antibody in a bulk milk sample, which indicated high exposure to this worm during the grazing season.

Producers can sign up to receive seasonal email alerts from Boehringer’s parasite tracker on the Beat the Parasites website: www.beattheparasites. com.

Maintain cow selenium status to help reduce SCC levels and offset the effect of falling farmgate milk returns With UK farmgate milk prices maintaining a downward trend since the start of 2020, dairy farmers are being urged to maximise their contract returns by continuing to produce low somatic cell count (SCC) milk.

And feeding protected selenium can help, says a nutrition expert.

“Milk buyers penalise you for high SCC milk, which can be an indication of sub-clinical mastitis, so it makes sense to continually manage your herd to minimise this potential loss of income. It pays to target less than 100,000 cells per ml of milk year-round, which indicates disease-free (continued on page 58)

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dairy status and secures your payment bonuses,” says ruminant specialist Jacob Lakin from Azelis Animal Nutrition.

However, he explains that alongside the immune status of the cow, many factors can influence SCCs, including breed, stage of lactation, body condition score,

parity, seasonality, milking hygiene and even poor nutrition.

“Consequently, dairy farmers must employ an integrated strategy to reduce mastitis incidence and high SCCs – and effective breeding, husbandry, disease management, nutrition and milking routine hygiene are all important,” he says.

Mr Lakin says that maintaining an adequate selenium status is particularly important as milking herds move into the early winter feeding period.

“Dairy cows have a selenodependent enzyme known as glutathione peroxidase, which

protects the epithelial cells in the mammary gland from oxidative stress. And research has clearly shown the beneficial effect of ensuring the selenium levels supplied are adequate, within recommendations and that the source of the trace element is of high quality.”

Sustainable feed source helps dairy sector adapt to consumer environmental demands Consumer pressure is dictating how livestock farmers, particularly in the dairy sector, are managing diets, and overall feed management systems, to meet growing environmental concerns.

Demands from processors and supermarkets to reduce carbon footprints and develop sustainable practices, and alignment to the NFU’s NetZero goal by 2040, is adding further pressures on farmers to find innovative alternatives for dairy herds whilst maintaining productivity.

Ensuring adequate energy intakes and supplying the essential fatty acids that cows need remains the foundation of any efficient milk production unit. Notably, essential Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, play a huge role in supporting the immune system and fertility during the transition and early lactation period.

With concerns over the environmental impact of sourcing Omega-3 fatty acids through fish oils, a sustainable approach should be adopted.

These concerns have been addressed through Dynalac,

a carefully formulated blend of fatty acids from nutritional supplement manufacturer UFACUK, delivering the energy required to ensure cows milk to their potential, including EPA and DHA fatty acids from the most effective and environmentally responsible marine oil source.

“Long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA help to increase progesterone, the pregnancy maintenance hormone, as well as giving the immune system a boost,” explains UFAC-UK national sales manager, Nigel Bateson.

Leading Dairy Cow Breeding Expert Scoops Royal Accolade A renowned researcher who has been instrumental in driving forward the genetic development of UK dairy cattle has been awarded the prestigious Princess Royal Award.

Professor Mike Coffey, team leader of the Animal Breeding and Genomics Team at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and head of EGENES, was presented with the award by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today (Monday 14 September).

The award is presented each year to an individual who has an outstanding lifetime contribution to the dairy sector.

Prof Coffey has spent almost 40 years working in the dairy breeding industry and has written more than 85 published papers to date. He has dedicated his working 58

life to dairy cattle breeding and specifically, identifying breeding goals that are important to the entire supply chain including most recently the implementation of genomic selection.

Starting out milking cows after finishing his Animal Science degree at Nottingham University, Prof Coffey went on to work for the Holstein Friesian Society where he developed one of the first sire selection programs.

During his 15 years at the Society, he became embroiled in developing new breeding indices for dairy cows as the Holstein breed increased in popularity.

He then joined the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) now SRUC, where he has continued driving forward dairy genetic development. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

TRAINVIEW TALK

The Autumn nip is in the air and that spells a pretty busy time for us. James is up the Glen 6 days a week with his Ghillie work. With the main driven grouse days over the rut is getting into full swing and the race is on to get on with the stalking before the season closes. The Covid protocols put in place are working well to help keep the wheels turning with just some cancellations from overseas.

Fresh air and an unimaginable area of acres makes for easy social distancing!

Without a doubt I find this time of year one of the most hectic and challenging. We’re time short with just darkness or Sundays to catch up with stock work. The flowers at Blooming Bees have been going steady too although the season will have finished by end of October. One huge kick in the teeth was that our Honesty Box was broken into and a small amount of cash stollen, it has been truly gutting for us and sadly on the same day another local egg vendor had theirs raided too. However the outpouring of support from our customers has been truly uplifting and makes us even more determined to keep going.

One recent challenge has been facing a day I have been dreading for quite some time and I have to admit I have shed quite a few tears over it all. Putting cull cows away is part and parcel of the job with some you may even welcome their departure but many can mean so much more. I headed off early one morning to Stirling with 2 cows that have done us well, both where the 1st cows in their respective breeds, Irish Moiled and Beef Shorthorn

DIARY

Autumn days Diary page

By Valerie Orr to be classified Excellent. But one in particular has been part of most of my young adult life. She was my 1st pedigree Irish Moiled heifer born in to my herd, Knowehead Lily but always known as Minnie.

I did my 1st ever show with her and we came away with Breed Champion filling me with that showing bug that many of you will know. She continued to do well over the years with my proudest moment being Reserve Breed Champion at Balmoral Show.

Folk were sick of the sight of her and we were often beaten but we had lots of fun and it opened the doorway to so many opportunities that I

probably wouldn’t be where I am today without. My Minnie was quite a girl and will be sorely missed.

The herd of Moileys is now quite diminished from what it was back in NI, we just didn’t have the space for both breeds on moving to Scotland and the lack of an Irish Moiled bull means many miss the AI and run with the Shorthorn. After having a very successful inaugural online sale the breed’s profile is very much on the up and even more heartening that the top priced lots go back to a daughter of Minnie’s so nice to see her legacy lives on.

With the launch of the

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new Capital Grant Scheme we hope to take advantage of some new technology to improve our use of AI and hope next year to run a teaser bull with a heat detection collar, sending us a text message when he has been with a cow matched up to her electronic ear tag.

I have crunched some sums and with our relatively small numbers cost wise it works out around the same as doing an AI syncro at the 1st service. With our success rate at less than 50% with that this year AI accurately on natural heats should leave a great cost benefit in the long run with what should be a higher conception rate.

For us it seems a no brainer especially when our stock are scattered about the country and with some other things on the grant wish list including a calving camera, weigh platform and head scoop it fulfils my new mantra pinched from crofting friend from up north ‘Work smarter not harder’.

Of course, we still need to find the other 50% to fund these things so we’re hoping for good sales of our weanlings and have launched the 1st of our lamb boxes.

The sheep enterprise is also expanding with some more draft Herdwicks home although their timing coming up the road from their home in the fells was a little off.

A surprise phone call one evening from a lorry driver a week earlier than planned declaring he had sheep for us all on a night James wasn’t getting off the hill until well into darkness to then meet a lorry at midnight and let them lose into the night…. thankfully they where all still there by the morning!

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sheep AFBI warns about the risk of chronic copper poisoning in sheep by Dr Siobhan Corry Disease, Surveillance & Investigation Branch AFBI Veterinary Sciences Division

AFBI would like to make flock owners aware of the risks of chronic copper poisoning. This condition can be seen throughout the year but circumstances in autumn such as prolonged concentrate feeding of ewes in lactation, concentrate feeding to rams and lambs for sale, coupled with stress associated with sales and the changeable weather are risk factors for the disease.

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While copper is an essential part of enzymes governing many biological functions, sheep are particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of excess copper. Toxicity is most frequently observed in the Charollais, Texel and Suffolk breeds, and less frequently observed in the mountain breeds.

Clinical disease follows a period of excess intake and occurs when

the liver’s capacity to store excess copper is exceeded and there is a sudden release of copper by the liver into the circulatory system.

This typically occurs after weeks or months of accumulation of copper and often coincides with a period of stress on the animal.

The sudden release of copper by the liver causes haemolysis and irreversible damage to the kidney

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and the brain. Copper poisoning is slow to develop but sudden in onset. The eyes and skin become jaundiced and post mortem examination reveals an orange liver, black kidneys and red/brown urine. Biochemistry results show a toxic level of copper in the liver and the kidney. Serum copper levels do not provide a reliable warning of imminent toxicity.

sheep While blood tests for liver enzymes can assess how much damage has occurred to the liver these tests are not specific for copper toxicity and liver damage can be due to other conditions such as the presence of parasites.

Feeding concentrates containing high levels of copper, excessive administration of copper containing mineral supplements or boluses, and grazing pastures which have been dressed in pig slurry are typical scenarios in which cases of copper toxicity in sheep may develop. However even a diet with an acceptable copper concentration can also cause subclinical toxicity if fed for long enough to vulnerable breeds. This is because copper is a cumulative poison with the combination of daily exposure and prolonged feeding playing a

part. Every opportunity to reduce the concentrate intake between lactations should be taken.

Particular care should be taken with rams as they are usually fed concentrates more regularly and for more prolonged periods.

The best way of managing this condition is to minimise long term concentrate use in the diet.

Treatment options exist but they are only effective in the early stages of the clinical disease and are not always effective. Contact your local vet for advice if you are concerned about copper poisoning.

If you would like a post mortem carried out on a suspect case, this can be undertaken at AFBI Stormont or Omagh laboratories but should be arranged via your local vet who can advise on carcase submissions.

New studentship at Moredun will work with farmers to investigate sheep parasite control An EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership PhD studentship has been awarded to Moredun to investigate ways to optimise parasite control in hill and upland sheep The four-year studentship, which has been awarded to Eilidh Geddes, is entitled “A Holistic approach to internal parasite control on hill and upland sheep farms” and will be supervised by researchers from Moredun Research Institute, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and The University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

In Scotland, there are approximately 15,000 hill and upland farms with sheep, representing around 60% of the whole sector. Despite these

numbers, sheep production on these farms is becoming increasingly demanding for a number of reasons, including parasite infections.

The main parasites that affect grazing sheep and lambs are roundworms and liver fluke, which are usually controlled by the use of chemical wormers known as anthelmintics. However, both of these parasites have developed resistance to these drugs, threatening the ability of farmers to sustainably control these infections on their farm.

The aim of the project is to identify the scale of anthelmintic-related issues faced by hill and upland sheep farmers by gathering questionnaire information from both farmers and veterinary practices. In

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sheep

crofting Anti-crofting campaigns

By Patrick Krause, Chief Executive, Scottish Crofting Federation Crofting seems to be getting it in the neck from industry ‘colleagues’, with recommendations from the farmers union aimed at securing less favoured areas payments for their morefavoured members and the national beef association apparently suggesting a means to the demise of extensive native cattle via an ‘environment tax’.

The paper published by NFUS “Less Favoured Areas: Delivering for Scotland” could have been written by the crofters’ representative, SCF, in the most part. It has collected together all the facts and figures that amply illustrate how the disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged areas of Scotland contribute to food production, environmental health, landscape, thriving communities and so on. All good, except that when you get to near the end you find the ulterior motive; retention of the Less favoured Support Scheme (LFASS).

LFASS has been consistently misused to divert public money intended for support to the fragile areas to act as a ‘top-up’ for the industry farms on better land.

It was to be replaced by the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) support scheme which was developed to target

support and which, as NFUS note in their paper, would move money to those areas that are genuinely constrained.

But Scottish Government decided to not move to ANC and NFUS supported, indeed take credit for, this decision.

The penalty for not joining ANC is that LFASS will be reduced to 40% next year.

As we leave the CAP, there is a gathering consensus amongst stakeholders that there needs to be support based on ANC in the new agriculture regime for Scotland.

Scottish Government has made it clear that it is minded to go this way, hence the lobby from the industry farmers.

As for an environmental tax on beef slaughtered after 27 months - this really hasn’t been thought through. This would be a major issue for native cattle breeders/meat sellers of which there are many in crofting. They are already penalised by having to send unfinished cattle to slaughter before 30 months. And on balance would it benefit the environment? Native breeds tend to be kinder to the land, are hardier, increase biodiversity in their grazing habits and the list can go on.

This proposal is being met with wide-ranging rejection, not just from the crofters.

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parallel, focus farms will be identified, their parasite challenge assessed and their approach to internal parasite control monitored over a full production year.

Anyone who is interested, please contact Fiona Kenyon (Fiona.Kenyon@moredun. ac.uk) or Eilidh Geddes (Eilidh.

Geddes@moredun.ac.uk) for more information.

Interdisciplinary collaboration leads to new early sheep scab test A new diagnostic technique has been developed by Scottish scientists to help in the early detection of sheep scab, marking a significant development towards improved monitoring and control of the parasite. This was made possible through an exciting interdisciplinary collaboration looking at new methods of protein expression and production.

The highly sensitive technique, created by a team of researchers from SEFARI consortium members the Moredun Research Institute near Edinburgh and the James Hutton Institute in Dundee, exploits a protein named Pso EIP-1 to detect asymptomatic infestations with very high levels of accuracy. Importantly, it will enable differentiation between vaccinated and infested sheep.

Dr Alasdair Nisbet, Head of Vaccine and Diagnostic development at Moredun, says: “The technical breakthrough that led to this development was a result of a longstanding, productive and highly collaborative relationship between the research groups at these two SEFARI Institutes.”

Sheep scab, or Psoroptic mange, is caused by an infestation with the parasitic mite, Psoroptes ovis, resulting in a severe skin irritation in livestock. The disease is highly contagious and has profound financial and welfare implications in areas where it is endemic worldwide.

Rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential to help control this parasitic disease. Conventional diagnosis involves timeconsuming and expensive analysis of the skin or wool of the sheep under a microscope, which lacks specificity and sensitivity. It also often fails to detect asymptomatic cases, which are responsible for spreading the parasite.

To overcome this issue, the team looked at methods of detecting the mite before symptoms occur.

They discovered that early infestation by the mite triggers an immune response in the sheep, which leads to the production of antibodies associated with particular proteins that are excreted by the mite.

One particular protein, termed Pso o 2, was found to specifically induce antibodies in sheep blood in the early stages of an infestation and before the appearance of symptoms. It was shown that Pso o 2 is also an excellent vaccine candidate as it triggers antibody production in the sheep, offering a degree of protection against mite infestation.

“Although Pso o 2 is also a promising candidate for the prototype sheep scab vaccine being developed at Moredun, it cannot be used both diagnostically and in a vaccine as vaccinated sheep would give a positive test even if they weren’t infested.” says Dr Stewart Burgess, Principal Investigator at Moredun.

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sheep Be Aware of Scab Risk and Manage Appropriately, Leading Vets Warn Farmers bringing any sheep onto their farm this autumn and winter with an unknown sheep scab status should assume they have scab and manage appropriately; two leading vets are warning.

Advanced Veterinary Practitioner Joe Henry, of Black Sheep Farm Health, says sheep scab is a very real threat, especially at this time of the year with the volume of sheep movements taking place.

“There are a lot of sheep arriving on farms at this time of the year from sales and summer grazing. Any new arrivals should be viewed as a potential source of infection.”

Diagnostics Where possible, farmers should look to use blood diagnostics to see whether sheep are suffering from an active infection, advises Recognised Sheep Specialist Vet Emily Gascoigne from Synergy Farm Health.

She said: “Because of COVID-19 and evidence of an increasing number of sales moving online with sales direct from the holding, there is an opportunity to conduct blood serology tests (ELISA test) pre-purchase. Blood serology will give you an idea if sheep have been infected and can reduce the need for treatment.

“It is important you don’t share trailers with flocks of an unknown status and also ensure transport is thoroughly disinfected to avoid the scab mite being transmitted onroute,” she added.

Ms Gascoigne also encourages farmers to conduct blood serology on their own flock. “Knowing your flock’s own scab status can help you manage the situation. Where there may have been contact with another flock at a boundary, or shared equipment, this may be as much of a risk as newly purchased animals,” she said.

“Testing can also be particularly useful in organic flocks pre-purchase where the use

of Organophosphate Dips (OP) are not permitted,” she added.

Management Where blood serology cannot be conducted pre-movement, then ideally, any stock moving onto farm should be quarantined for at least three weeks. Blood testing can be conducted 2 weeks into quarantine to identify any active infection. However, where that is not possible, sheep should be treated.

Mr Henry said: “Practically very few farms can maintain biosecurity for that number of weeks at this time of the year. The problem is the scab mite can live in the environment off sheep for 17 days, so you need to be managing as soon as they arrive on the farm.”

Where quarantine is not possible, he suggests: • Using an organophosphate (OP) plunge dip (not showering). This is a method of control with no resistance issues. However, this is not always possible, especially where only small batches of sheep are arriving on the farm and possibly at different times.

• Using a macrocyclic lactone (ML) injection such as CYDECTIN 2% LA. There is some evidence of scab resistance to all the injectables, so it is important to take this into consideration. These products are also wormers, so it is important to consider the impact they may have on wormer resistance.

Ideally, sheep should be unloaded and treated straight away in cattle pens not sheep pens to prevent any scab mites remaining in the environment.

Sheep infected with the scab mite may not show symptoms for at least 40-50 days or longer post-infection depending on how many scab mites the naïve sheep was infected with. In this time the disease could have spread rapidly within a flock and to neighbouring flocks, which is why blood testing is important as well as telling your neighbours.

Swallows in the summer?

By Maime Paterson Upper Auchenlay, Dunblane Well, who’d have thought just six months ago that the sheep sector could, or would, surpass all expectations and so spectacularly? Late August and September is usually when the price of lamb starts its annual slide, accompanied by producer protests about NZ lamb imports and complaints about supermarket disloyalty.

This year - silence! The lamb price has held up, imports are at a low level and prime lamb producers are wondering what’s going on.

Similarly, the store lamb trade has been in the stratosphere, and as for breeding stock, there is much sympathy for any brave soul taking on a new farm with a bound ewe stock where the in-going valuation will be eye-watering. The cancellation of the Kelso tup sale presented many tup breeders with a challenge, but most have risen to it by using social media to advertise their tups and attract buyers to purchase directly off-farm.

Auctioneers have also faced challenges and have adapted quickly to the restrictions which severely

limit the number of buyers permitted to be present in the marts. The major auction firms have installed online bidding systems which enable buyers to bid from their laptops at home, or from their phones where there is a signal. Online bidding has proved its worth in these difficult times with bidding battle for several top-priced animals taking place online instead of at the ringside.

However, as the saying goes, ‘one swallow doesn’t make a summer’. Sheep farmers are not so naïve as to believe that this sudden, welcome upturn in their fortunes is permanent, although according to another saying, ‘Hope springs eternal’ and farmers are optimists by nature. “Wot’s ‘appenin’?” the regular TV soap opera question is now a regular question in sheep farming circles. Don’t bother looking for answers - just make the most of the good times while they last.

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

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pigs Scottish pig farms share in the success of Quality Assurance Standards In 1990, Slains Park Farm wasted no time in signing up to Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) Pig Assurance Scheme, currently celebrating 30 years, which ensures that pigs produced for the food chain are reared to a stringent set of standards.

Located south of Aberdeenshire, Slains Park Farm is a mixed enterprise of pigs, beef, dairy and arable across 5,000-acres.

“We have 3000 sows, all outdoors, with the progeny finished across 18 Quality Assured ‘bed and breakfast’ farms, which are located from Fife all the way to Banff,” said Derek Ambrose, Pig Manager at Slains Park.

He added: “We sell between 55-60,000 pigs per year, with 90% processed locally at Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd, in Brechin and 10% at Woodhead Brothers in Lancashire.

“We joined the scheme in 1990 as soon as it was set up.

Not only does it allow you to sell at a premium but, more than that, it’s good to have an independent body come and check our farms.

It helps you do the job right

knowing what standards you have to meet and that there will be people who come assess what you’re doing.”

Almost 100% of significant pig farming businesses in Scotland are members of the QMS Pig Assurance Scheme and are signed up to the Scottish Pig Health Charter which enables producers

to work collaboratively together with other producers to protect the health status regionally and nationally.

Derek believes the real benefits lie in the knowledge sharing and whole chain assurance for the consumer.

“The standards, which ensure ‘whole of life’ assurance, helps

with public image of the industry as a whole. We operate in a country where our welfare standards are high, and legislation is strict. We prioritise putting in place measures to protect, monitor and improve pig health and it’s great to be part of the Quality Assurance scheme which provides peace of mind to the consumer.”

Farmgate Prices Remain Firm for Scottish Pig Producers For much of 2020 the volume of pigmeat leaving UK abattoirs has been lower than year earlier levels, a contributory factor in the firmness of farmgate prices, according to the latest market commentary from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

However, June and July broke this trend with year-onyear increases in production which, in turn, led to farmgate prices softening.

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“Latest estimates for UK production show volumes have once again dipped below year earlier levels,” said Stuart Ashworth, Director of Economics Services at QMS. “Despite this slight tightening in supplies, UK prices have continued to drift downwards through August and into September.

“Nevertheless, Scottish pig producers find farmgate prices

pigs remain 5% higher than last year and 9% higher than in 2018, with heavier carcase weights resulting in larger increases in the value of each pig sold,” he added.

In contrast to the UK average farmgate prices, across Europe they are much lower than last year, and also much lower than the five-year average.

“With the UK price significantly higher than elsewhere in Europe, some of the fall in UK prices, despite lower production, may be accounted for by competitiveness of European prices,” said Mr Ashworth In this regard, UK pigmeat producers are keeping a wary eye on the implications of the conformation of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Germany.

Although not unexpected because of the presence of ASF in Poland, close to the German border, the conformation of ASF in Germany could be very destabilising for the European and UK market.

One consequence of ASF is that most importers of pig meat immediately suspend all imports from countries with ASF. This has proven to be the case with significant importers of German pigmeat like China, Japan, South Korea all suspending imports from Germany.

Germany is hoping that China, in particular, may be persuaded to adopt a regionalization policy where regions within a country can be considered to be ASF-free and trade can continue and mitigate the impact of the restrictions on exporting to China and elsewhere.

“This is the policy adopted internally within the EU and which would allow pigmeat from some parts of Germany to be exported to EU countries,” said Mr Ashworth.

“As the UK is still transitioning out of the EU, current EU rules still apply and, consequently, German pigmeat could continue to be available in the UK,” he added.

Producing Quality Meat on Home-Grown Feeds Producing quality assured Scotch Beef to a high standard and utilising home-grown feeds is a system the McEwan family from Arbroath has been working successfully for a number of years.

McEwan Farms is a family run business based at West Mains of Colliston and is home to 1000 acres of owned land and 1600 acres of contract farmed land nearby.

The family grows 700 acres of potatoes and 2000 acres of cereals including oilseed rape, spring barely, winter barley and wheat, while the beef enterprise comprises of 150 Simmental cross suckler cows which are bulled to the Charolais and Aberdeen-Angus.

All progeny is finished on farm, as well as an additional 1000 head of store cattle bought in each year at Stirling, Thainstone, Forfar and Dingwall auction marts.

Three generations are involved in the running of the business - grandfather William, his sons Graham and Gavin, and Graham’s three sons, Guthrie, Murray and Fraser.

It’s Fraser who has shown a real passion for the beef enterprise and he now buys in all of the family’s store cattle as well as establishing an additional market for selling their beef.

Fraser and his partner Jodie Jackson, founded The Beef Box Company, last December, to sell home-reared beef direct to the customer’s door.

Keen to promote the agricultural industry to the general public, while making extra income from the farm, the young couple have enjoyed an extremely successful 10 months in business and have been particularly busy since the pandemic.

“The agricultural industry has received a lot of bad press recently and the general public seem to have a lack of farming knowledge and understanding,” said Jodie,

who was born and brought up on a beef and sheep farm.

“Our new business is not only a diversification project but has also been set-up to make people realise where food comes from and give customers the chance to buy direct from the producer rather than supermarkets.”

Fraser buys in mainly continental store cattle, aged 16 to 24 months, with an aim to source well-grown cattle which already have frame and can be finished at 90 to 100 days.

“We have found that the Aberdeen-Angus steers are finishing just as good as the Charolais, if not better,” said Fraser, pointing out that the majority of meat is sold direct to ABP. “Continental stots are taken to as close to 700kg as possible to maximise returns, but also ensuring overweight penalties are avoided, while the heifers are finished at 650-680kg.

“The Aberdeen-Angus cattle are selected lighter between 600-650kg for both stots and heifers, with all carcases achieving a 4L grade for fat cover.”

The family’s finishing system utilises home produced feeds, with all cattle fed a TMR of home-grown silage, and barley as well as molasses and high protein nut. The McEwan’s also feed additional home-grown brock tatties.

“We have tried finishing the cattle on grass before but it didn’t work for us as the cattle didn’t make enough profit per acre and were on the farm too long,” commented Fraser.

Fortunately, the McEwan family has a regular supply of beef and Fraser and Jodie are able to select suitable cattle from home for butchering and to sell on to customers.

With Jodie particularly keen on the sheep, the duo now have home reared Scotch Lamb available for sale.

They buy in store lambs for finishing and own a flock of Suffolk cross and Texel cross ewes which are tupped to the Texel.

During lockdown, Jodie has been busy doing cooking demonstrations on The Beef Box Company Facebook page which has encouraged followers to get involved and try out the Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb recipes at home.

The Beef Box Company is a member of QMS Brands Licencing Scheme and offers individual cuts of meat or Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb boxes which include a range of different cuts.

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Celebrating 30 years of Quality Assurance in Scotland The Scottish red meat industry’s Quality Assurance Scheme - the longest established scheme of its kind in the world – is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year (2020).

Established in 1990, the scheme which aims to provide the industry and consumers with total assurance that animals, produced for the food chain, are reared to a stringent set of standards covering all aspects of animal welfare, food safety, traceability and the environment, boasts over 10,000 members across the red meat industry.

“Scotland was the first in the world to introduce quality assurance schemes to underpin our standards of red meat production and we are very proud of what the industry has achieved,” said Kathryn Kerr, Head of Brands Integrity at Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

“More than 90% of Scotland’s breeding cattle population, over 80% of the breeding sheep flock and almost 100% of significant pig farming businesses are currently covered

by QMS quality assurance.

“It’s an incredible achievement for the Quality Assurance Schemes and QMS to celebrate 30 years of working with farmers, hauliers, markets, processors and feed merchants to deliver our ‘whole chain’ consumer assurance programme which underpins the integrity of our world-class Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork brands,” added Ms Kerr.

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Currently, just under 10,000 farms in Scotland operate under the scheme – but it wasn’t always the case. Like anything revolutionary, it required cultural change and a transformation of the thinking for the entire industry.

John Morison, who has been a Quality Assurance Assessor for cattle and sheep farms for over 25 years, said that his first role was to speak at industry events to inform and explain to farmers the benefits of operating under the new framework.

“In the early days, there was resistance to the standards with farmers unsure of the benefits. I think it was fear of the unknown.

When Quality Meat Scotland took over the scheme and started putting in place whole chain assurance, farmers started to see the benefits and willingly came on board.”

John believes that the Quality Assurance Standards, which have not been dramatically changed in 30 years, is a testament to the success of the scheme.

“There have been small amendments here and there to the standards, but the reason that there haven’t been any dramatic changes to the standards in the 30 years is because they got it right from the start. Farmers were at the forefront of the decisionmaking process and as a result they are practical and attainable for any farm to achieve.

“Assessments are in place to help farmers and other members of Scotland’s red meat industry

John Morison, Quality Assurance Assessor

ensure we keep our world-class status. We aren’t there to trip farmers up or find faults, we’re there to ensure best practice and that the facilities and administration are kept to the standards they need to be.

“Over the years, and from speaking to farmers across Scotland, I feel that the assurance assessments have helped farmers in particular adapt to the increase demand of record and book keeping and eased the burden when inspected by other organisations as it is covered in their assurance documents,” said John.

With Brexit looming, John notes that it is important to be

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part of a scheme with worldclass status.

“Although it’s a voluntary scheme, and with Brexit in sight, it’s key to keep the assurance scheme going now more than ever to continue to promote Scotland’s world-class welfare, environmental and traceability credentials.”

Over the coming months, QMS will be releasing a series of features and case studies covering the whole chain assurance schemes and highlighting the important role they play within the industry.

For further information on any of our schemes please email info@qmscotland.co.uk

COOKING with LAMB

Lambs Liver with Buttery Mash

By Wendy Barrie Offal is awfully overlooked these days and yet it is so delicious and nutritious – and we love it! This simple recipe is a winner every time, served with a fluffy heritage potato to mop up the juices. I used chives because our kitchen garden is brimming with them but you can sautÊ sliced onions with your liver if you prefer. We were delighted to receive some liver in our Shetland lamb delivery but alternatively support your local farm shop or butcher – you may have to order it to be sure they have liver in stock.

Photograph Š Wendy Barrie

Ingredients: 300g lambs’ liver, cut in bite-sized chunks 4 average sized potatoes, peeled and quartered e.g. Edzell Blue Flour for dusting 3EA SALT FRESHLY MILLED PEPPER 200mls double cream 50g butter A generous handful of chives Supernature or Summer Harvest Rapeseed oil

Method: s 0LACE POTATOES ON TO BOIL IN LIGHTLY SALTED WATER AND COOK UNTIL TENDER s $RAIN AND RETURN TO PAN -ASH WITH BUTTER AND SOME OF THE CHIVES s -EANWHILE PLACE SEASONED mOUR ON A DISH OR IN A FREEZER BAG AND TOSS WITH LIVER TO DUST EACH MORSEL EVENLY s !DD A GENEROUS DRIZZLE OF OIL TO A HOT FRYING PAN ALONG WITH THE LIVER 4OSS AND SAUTĂ? IN THE PAN FOR APPROX MINUTES UNTIL liver is roasted and browned. s $EGLAZE THE PAN WITH CREAM ADDING CHIVES AND SEASON WITH MORE BLACK PEPPER 3IMMER A FEW MINUTES TO ALLOW CREAM TO deglaze the pan, reduce a little and absorb all the juices. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve in warmed bowls, spooning the liver and juices over the buttery mash. Enjoy!

Serves 2

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

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

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DIET FEEDERS

Diet Feeders A brief look at some of the models on the market today

Abbey Plus Range Feeders Customer demand has led to the innovation of Abbey Machinery’s new range of Plus Size Diet Feeders.

These models are the solution to the greater feeding demand of larger herds by facilitating more loads per day and larger load capacities. Abbey’s new Plus Range include VF2450, VF2650, VF2850, VF3050 models. A 50% thicker auger is standard in these machines for extended working life while the wider base coupled with improved gearbox mounting flange guarantees better mixing performance. A raised top knife auger is included for faster breakdown of dry materials while bolt on wearing plates on the lower flight of the auger provide extralongevity. The Plus Range Diet Feeders are expertly engineered for extra strength, support, and versatility for trouble-free diet feeding.

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Technology innovations to the Plus Range feeder include a new horizontal and tilting monitor, which has been designed to keep operators further away from PTO’s (for added safety) and includes (a serial port and-Remove) auto-on for added versatility. Abbey’s new door design delivers improved flow of material positioning the feed to the centre of the door as it exits the feeder to give a more even and rapid feed-out. A safety platform and folding ladder for easier viewing into the mixing chamber is also included standard.

BvL - 40 years of diet feeder expertise It’s over 40 years since BvL introduced the first vertical feed

mixer wagon to the market, during which time the company

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has grown to become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of diet mixers.

Today, the BvL V-MIX range of diet feeders covers a wide range of machines, available in single, twin and triple augers variants and in capacity from 3.5m3 up to 46m3.

BvL’s knowledgeable team, who have been operating in the UK for 20 years, recognise the fact that no two farms are the same. Therefore it’s important that a wide range of specifications and options are available, so that we can look at your needs and tailor a machine to meet those requirements.

At the heart of all BvL mixers are powerful mixing augers, with Hardox leading edges and adjustable knives. Twin and triple auger versions incorporate mixing wedges for a thorough and consistent mix, while the patented EDS (Exact Dosing System) discharge ensures an even forage discharge.

DIET FEEDERS New for this year and also available for retro fitting onto older BvL diet feeders is the V-Connect mixer control. Using the control, the operator can easily monitor both auger speed and total revolutions, in addition

to displaying and controlling mixer time. So instead of relying on PTO speed, by being able to monitor the actual auger speed the operator is able to achieve improved repeatability and ration consistency.

Conor vertical feeders The Conor vertical feeder is the result of extensive field testing and its unique design ensures that even the toughest of bales are mixed quickly and efficiently. The design of the auger and the shape and angle of the tub allow a mixing process that is gentle on the fibre and is fast and exact in the mixing of all fodder components. The design of the auger ensures the ration is cut uniform and square. This increases the rumen “scraping�

effect which increases saliva production which increases feed intake which increases milk yield. The mixing auger and tub are perfectly matched to give

fast and homogenous mixing.

The blades are positioned to give a uniform cut along the length of the blade, this reduces blade wear and fuel consumption.

Through the use of a Conor diet feeder you can achieve increased milk production per kg of feed and improved beef yield. You will be feeding a total mixed ration which improves

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digestibility in the rumen allowing cattle to extract more nutrients from their food and produce more milk or beef. The gentle mixing process produces a better ration for your cattle. The position of the large one metre wide discharge doors on the corners of the tub is the optimum position for the even distribution of the ration.

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DIET FEEDERS

Hi-Spec Vertical Auger and MixMax diet feeders With its range of Vertical Auger and MixMax paddle type feeders, Hi-Spec Engineering Co Ltd offers one of the widest ranges of diet feeders on the market.

A particular feature of HiSpec diet feeders is the wide range of options available, and they offer one of the widest range of feed-out options available of any machine on the market, ensuring that there is an option

to suit all types of building and feeding system.

The Hi-Spec Vertical Auger range of feeders is available in both single and twin auger variants and sizes from 7m3 to 32m3.

A specific feature of the Hi-Spec range is its ability to quickly and efficiently incorporate complete bales into the mix, due to the unique knife arrangement, which also allows the Vertical

Auger mixer to be used with lower horsepower tractors. The Vertical Auger range uses a low pitch mixing and chopping auger that creates a simple cycle action and is fitted with eight self-sharpening knives one of which runs close to

the body of the Vertical Feeder.

This ensures that once the mix is drawn up by the auger, as it falls back down the side it continues to be chopped and mixed, ensuring a quick and thorough mix can be consistently achieved.

conveyor (either left or right as determined when ordering the machine) can also be tilted by up to 45 degrees, enabling feed to be delivered to troughs up to

1.2-1.3 metres in height.

Kuhn’s self-propelled vertical auger machines start at 12m3 hopper capacity and go up to 27m3 .

Kuhn diet feeders KUHN Farm Machinery now offers the broadest range of diet feeders available on the market, with over 2,000 machines manufactured annually and sold all over the world.

Profile and Euromix trailed diet feeders are available as single, twin or triple vertical auger machines, from 4 to 45m3 hopper capacities, with either direct side feeding or cross conveyor feeding options.

Profile Plus models include an integrated bedding system.

One of the most recent developments in the Kuhn range

is the upgrade of its Profile trailed mixer wagons with the addition of a telescoping and tilting distribution conveyor belt.

The patented Flexilift conveyor is available as an alternative to a standard cross-conveyor on all new Kuhn Profile mixer wagons and is designed to make it easier to distribute feed in buildings where space is limited: the reversible, cradle-shaped conveyor can be offset laterally via a telescoping mechanism to distribute feed to either side of the mixer wagon. One end of the

Lucas G “Innovation in Livestock Feeding & Bedding” Lucas G are a straw bedder and diet feeder manufacturer based in the heart of the French livestock region. In the UK

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and Ireland, they offer one of the most comprehensive ranges of straw bedders and diet feeders with a machine

to suit all sizes of livestock farms. The diet feeder range includes ‘Qualimix’ paddle mixers, ‘Spirmix’ vertical auger,

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and ‘Autospire’ self-propelled.

Vertical auger Diet Feeders are available with single, twin, and triple augers ranging in cubic

DIET FEEDERS

More options for Kverneland Siloking trailed feeders

capacity from 8m3 to 46m3! All farms have different distribution requirements which is why Lucas G diet feeders are available with options including trap doors, front or rear conveyors, elevator conveyors and front mounted blowers. The ultra-low body L range is suited to farms with height and width restrictions, a 14cube twin auger model comes in at under 2.5m in height! The Spirmix Jet range features a front mounted straw blower which is

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taken from the renowned straw bedders, its unique design turns a diet feeders into a truly versatile 2in1 machine capable of bedding straw up to 18m or distributing any type of TMR directly through the blower for feeding out over barriers or in narrow passages where side conveyors or elevators are not an option.

High capacity feeders can be built with tandem or tridem steering axles or a walking beam axle.

Recognising the importance of large capacity trailed feeders, the Siloking System 1000+ tri-axle models in the TrailedLine 4.0

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range can now be equipped with more options.

Aimed at improving logistics where mixed rations are moved

DIET FEEDERS between farms, the 35-45 cubic metre models can be equipped with a three-speed powershift gearbox making it easier to restart mixing a prepared load, thanks to gentler start-up torque.

Seko feeders from Harry West

In its lowest ratio, the gearbox provides an auger speed of 16rpm; the second speed achieves 29rpm; and the fastest speed achieves 53rpm. Speeds can be changed using the radiocontrolled data terminal, which allows a smaller and lesser powered tractor to be used.

In addition, the steered, tri-axle chassis configuration of the System 1000+ models can be substituted

for a heavy-duty, non-steered tandem axle, designed to operate up to a 32-tonne gross weight.

With so many options to choose from within the Siloking range, Kverneland forage and feed specialist Dan Crowe is increasingly focussed on supporting dairy customers via dealers, to ensure expert advice is readily available to get the best from Siloking feeders.

“We’ve taken a partnered approach to help our dairy customers to find the best solutions and improve their businesses, while helping them get the very best out of their investment in Kverneland machines,” he says. “And that support extends from the smallest bale shredder to the largest self-propelled diet feeder.”

The Seko range of diet feeders is possibly the most comprehensive line up of models produced and offered in Europe. From tub mixers, horizontal mixers, trailed, static and self propelled there is a size and model to suit all needs and applications. The whole range is imported and distributed in the UK via the Harry West (Prees) Ltd dealer network.

The Seko Sam 7 Unifeed range of trailed Diet Feeders have models from 5 to 30 cubic metre capacity requiring tractors from 30 -170HP. Models of the horizontal mixer are also available in both stationary and self propelled machines.

Seko Diet Feeders have the ability to chop any kind of fibrous material including bales of silage, hay or straw and to quickly and homogeneously mix ingredients thanks to their “Double Mix” system. They give excellent results even with very moist material that equivalent machines would struggle with. The simple but effective design provides greater reliability, reduced maintenance and a longer www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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DIET FEEDERS machine life. Low horsepower requirements reduce wear and tear and running costs.

The range are equipped with two augers with four convergent windings rotating towards the

centre with star shaped blades on their periphery. These and the centre counter blades quickly chop any fibrous materials.

A large bale of forage can be broken down in 4 to 5 minutes.

Powermix Plus 24 30 diet feeders from Shelbourne With those farms committed to dairy and beef farming continuing to grow in size, many now require greater capacities than the largest models in the existing Powermix Pro diet feeder range are able to provide, without compromising mixing and feeding times. This has led to the creation of new 24 and 30 cu m Powermix Plus models to complement the Powermix Pro machines of up to 25 cu m, which remain in production.

Key features include replaceable

lower tub liner sections, a first for Shelbourne Reynolds, aimed at helping maximise machine life and minimise lifetime running costs. “With many farms increasing herd sizes around existing buildings, Powermix Plus machines have been designed to offer higher capacities and swifter processing and feed-out times without greatly-increased dimensions,� explains Neil Smith, sales and marketing director at Shelbourne Reynolds.

D-K-R

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD.

“To meet the needs of businesses that may be mixing up to 150t/day of feed, we’ve created a machine that’s been beefed up in a number of key areas, ranging from the axles to the tub design and from the feedout conveyor to the gearbox.

However, dimensions have been kept compact, with the 24 cu m model only 3.0m tall and 2.8m wide at the top of the tub.�

Chassis specification includes a 24-tonne capacity tandem

axle with parabolic spring suspension, 435/50 R19.5 tyres and robust steel mudguards. Air braking and a steering rear axle are optional. “By designing the new Powermix Plus with a bolted-in lower liner which can be replaced relatively quickly on farm, we are aiming to help users maximise the life of their machine and the value of their initial investment, while minimising operating cost over its lifetime.�

Strautmann Verti Mix range

Main Dealers for Lucas G Diet Feeders

D-K-R AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD. Westfield, Coulter, Biggar, Lanarkshire ML12 6HN 4EL s &!8 E-Mail: dkrcoulter@hotmail-com 74

For over 80 years Strautmann have been building their expertise in livestock feeding. Strautmann’s first vertical mixer was introduced in 1994 with the current VertiMix range incorporating the unique Vario2 stepped mixing auger introduced 22 years later in 2016. The Strautmann self propelled range of single and double auger mixer wagons was introduced to the UK in 2018.

All Strautmann diet feeders are

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fitted with the unique Vario² auger which has a “steppedâ€? flight design meaning the ration is tumbled. This not only improves the mixing and nutritional intake but in doing so also reduces the time taken and thereby reduces fuel usage making it more than a rapid efficient mixer wagon.

Strautmann Verti-Mix wagons range from a single auger with capacity of 7.5m twin to a triple auger machine with 45m3

DIET FEEDERS capacity. The mixing tub design is also patented and provides the container with additional rigidity but it also adds flexibility, by enabling attachments to be added, increasing the capacity of the

mixing tub. The double auger 2401 (capacity 19m3 – 24m3 ) is the most popular model in the UK and is typically suitable to feed out between 190 and 240 animals.

The Petter business partnership, 14 years of success with Triolet “It’s possible to feed multiple groups, several times a day. That is an important factor. The better you can treat the dry cows, the better they deliver and the less problems you get later on.”

“They were so amazed, they could barely believe it.

You should have seen them.”

Sitting round the kitchen table, Henry Petter tells us proudly about the figures that his partner Herman van Dijk showed people at a meeting of their study club.

“Herman told them the feed rations and the milk yield. ‘That much yield with so little feed?’, they asked in amazement.” The

farm produces an average of 9,500 kg of milk per cow per year, with 4.34% fat and 3.5% protein and a BSK (business standard cow) of 47.8. The feed efficiency number is between 1.55 and 1.57, while the average feed efficiency in Western Europe is 1.30. So a good number. “We are currently feeding 21.9 kg of concentrate per cow per day.

We can do this because we are feeding each group twelve times per day. That is possible thanks

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to the automatic feeding system”, explains Henry Petter.

The Petter business partnership now has more than ten years’ experience with using the Triomatic T40 automatic feeding system.

The benefits have turned out to be greater than he expected. Henry: “It has done more for us than we could ever have imagined. In particular, the flexibility in setting the timing is a major plus. We can now plan a few days ahead, without having to come back and check on it.

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Travel Scotland

Travel Dreams for 2021

by Janice Hopper 2020 certainly hasn’t been the greatest year for travel so take a little time to look to the future and imagine a year’s worth of travel treats in 2021.

January - Stay in a Castle Start the year triumphantly by booking a night in the luxurious Crossbasket Castle near Glasgow. This seventeenth century castle has been lovingly restored, offering nine suites and rooms.

For added indulgence, the two new self-catering lodges feature saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs. A grand day out can be had at the National Museum of Rural Life in nearby East Kilbride, Greenhall Country Farm Shop stocks local produce, or wander around Chatelherault Country Park and the ruins of Cadzow Castle. crossbasketcastle.com February - Romantic Getaway Sometimes travel is simply about escape, booking a relaxing

bolthole where there’s no pressure to do anything or be anywhere.

One such destination is the Sheep Cote (2-bedroom) or the Coach House (3-bedroom), situated at Spittal Farm near Penicuik, a working sheep farm surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Pentland Hills. Take hikes into the countryside, eat, drink, read, sleep — there’s little to distract you here.

Four legged friends are welcome too. crabtreeandcrabtree.com/ properties/the-sheep-cotepentland-hills crabtreeandcrabtree.com/ properties/the-coach-housepentland-hills/ March - Meet the Animals Spring is in the air, so it’s an ideal

time to meet the cutest farm animals on the block. Head to Dunfermline to stay in a cosy Shepherds Hut and meet the lambs at Craigduckie Farm. Or head further north to The Loft at East Grange Farm in Kinloss, Morayshire. This working farm grows barley for the local malt whisky industry, and offers a variety of accommodation including luxury cabins with hot tubs. The Loft’s USP is its herd of friendly goats, visitors can even book goat walking sessions when Covid restrictions allow. craigduckie.co.uk wigwamholidays.com/the-loft April - Stay on a Boat Forget the farm, and leave the land behind by taking to the high seas. The Majestic Line offers

a host of cruises aboard their vessels ‘Glen Etive’ and ‘Glen Shiel’, taking in destinations such as Mull, Skye and the Southern Hebrides.

These smaller ships can navigate and explore sheltered anchorages and remote destinations, whilst still complying with new Covid measures and regulations. If you haven’t quite discovered your sea legs yet, then book a stay aboard Edinburgh’s Four Sisters Boatel. Moored at Lochrin Basin in Edinburgh, it offers two double cabins, and a bunkbed for little ones. With beautiful interiors, it’s a quirky location from which to explore Scotland’s capital. themajesticline.co.uk thefoursisters.co.uk May - Discover Douneside Known in farming circles for its award-winning herd of Highland, Friesian and Aberdeen Angus cattle breeds, Douneside House is now an elegant country house hotel situated in Tarland, Aberdeenshire. As the only triple AA rosette restaurant in the region Downside is renowned for its cuisine, and the chef prides himself on using seasonal produce from the house’s Walled Garden. Dog friendly self-catering cottages are also available. A health club, featuring a swimming pool, gym, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room complete the picture. dounesidehouse.co.uk June - Fall for Foyers If you wish to appreciate the beauty of Scotland, then a weekend break at Foyers Lodge offers sweeping views over Loch

Crossbasket Castle

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Travel Scotland Ness. The owners, Anna Low and Philip Crowe, have stamped their unique style on this 19th century property, creating a stylish child-free haven in the Highlands. Local hikes take guests to the Falls of Foyers or along the South Loch Ness Trail.

Alternatively, escape day-to-day livestock to search for a truly special beast — the Loch Ness Monster. foyerslodge.co.uk July - Make a Splash Not many farms can boast their own pool, but head to Arnprior Farm in Stirlingshire to dook in a 10x4m heated indoor swimming pool. Book a private swim from £15, or make a weekend of it by reserving one of Arnprior’s glam glamping pods. arnpriorfarm.com August - Hot Tub Fun The Campbell Family, who breed sheep in and around Lochgoilhead, now run eight holiday parks across the West coast of Scotland, with more than 50,000 holidaymakers visiting every year. Many Argyll Holiday lodges come complete with hot tubs, allowing guests to enjoy an isolated rural break. Yet resorts like Drimsynie are also ideal for social interaction: usually this resort offers a pool, amusement centre, lots of activities for kids (from crazy golf to zorbing), bar, restaurant, baby discos and evening entertainment, meaning guests can be as involved or selfcontained as they wish. argyllholidays.com

Four Seasons Beatles Bed Chalet

September - Enjoy ‘Loch’ Down Seek calm by the water’s edge by booking a Four Seasons chalet on the banks of Loch Earn.

Meals are prepared in the Four Seasons hotel by an AA Rosette and Michelin-trained chef so there’s quality alongside natural beauty. The Beatles sought out this secluded spot in 1964 when they were gigging in Scotland, sleeping in two of the lochside chalets, so this location provides a remote bolthole to escape the pressures of the world. thefourseasonshotel.co.uk October - Something Spooky Macbeth’s Hillock’s five witch-inspired glamping pods are based at the site where the Scottish king is said to have met the three witches who prophesied his doom. Each pod has a small kitchen, shower room and heater, but the picnic table and fire pit tempt guests outdoors to toast marshmallows, dine al fresco and tell ghost stories around the campfire.

The owner, Karen, is a farmer’s daughter, and still keeps a few sheep grazing on the hillock.

Situated in Brodie, Morayshire, key attractions in the area are Brodie Castle, Brodie Country Fare, not to mention a beautiful stretch of coastline to explore. macbethshillock.co.uk Alternatively, look up farms near you that offer Pumpkin Picking, such as Udny Pumpkins near Pitmedden in Aberdeenshire - udnypumpkins. co.uk

Argyll Holidays - Drimsynie Hot Tub

November - Cosy Cookery School Ballintaggart Farm in Perthshire is a wee creative hub. Usually it offers an onsite Cookery School - guests can book an hour long class to create a seasonal supper, or a full day focussing on a range of skills and specific produce. Yoga retreats are also held throughout the year. Covid put paid to many activities in 2020, when the steading operated primarily as a self-catering country retreat, but Ballintaggart reacted with Virtual Cook-a-longs live on Instagram, whipping up dishes such as Venison Carpaccio. Keep an eye out for the revival of the cook school at ballintaggart.com.

December - Festive Vibes Woodland Experiences’ 2020 Santa experience was cancelled, but hopefully in 2021 the big man will return. Book tickets to visit North Ballochruin Farm near Balfron, and climb aboard Santa’s festive tractor. Once aboard, families set off through the forest in search of Santa’s woodland home where children meet Father Christmas to intensely discuss what they would like to receive on Christmas morning. Afterwards, visitors return by tractor to the shed for refreshments. Menu highlights have included local butcher Skinner of Kippen serving up pulled pork, burgers and stovies. woodlandexperiences.co.uk dufftrees.co.uk

Ballintaggart Cook School Knife Skills

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estate Roxburghe Estates announces appointment of managing director

Jaap Röell has joined Roxburghe in preparation for the phased retirement of Factor Roddy Jackson, after 34 years on the Estate.

Jaap has until earlier this year been employed by Goodwood Estate in Sussex and has held different roles since he joined the Estate in 2009, most recently as 78

Sporting Membership Director and a senior member of the commercial team.

Announcing the appointment, the Duke of Roxburghe said: “I am delighted to welcome Jaap to the Roxburghe Estates.

With the mix of commercial and property interests at Roxburghe, Jaap’s experience

at Goodwood and previously in his property management roles brings valuable skills to the management team and will help us grow the business successfully in the years ahead and I have no doubt he will be an able successor to Roddy who has made an outstanding and much valued contribution to the estate.

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Jaap Röell commented: “It has been a rather strange, extremely quiet and yet challenging time to start at Roxburghe Estates, but it is such a pleasure to see the whole business come back to life since the end of lock-down. It is a great privilege to join the Duke’s team and work with the talented people across our businesses.”

estate Successful first year for the Scottish Land Matching Service The Scottish Land Matching Service (SLMS), supported

by NFU Scotland, has had a successful first year and is looking to build on its momentum.

Managed by Ian Davidson, former Head of Agriculture Policy at Scottish Government, the SLMS is a consortium approach, involving several Scottish stakeholders, which aims to match new entrants and developing businesses with wellestablished farmers and crofters who may be looking to step back.

In the past year, the service has received 152 enquiries with four times as many people looking for opportunities compared to those in a position to offer.

Enquiries have included all scales and types of enterprise from market garden up to extensive sheep, cattle and arable operations. Four successful matches have been made, including a joint venture and partnership agreement, and this provides an excellent platform for a more successful matches in the future.

Ian Davidson said: “It has been a busy first year for SLMS and tremendous strides have been made. I am really pleased with the number of enquiries and that SLMS has been able to help a number of parties reach successful agreements.

“There is a clear need and demand for this service. Its strength is that it provides free independent advice and facilitation for anybody thinking about a joint venture. This means that it can help parties interested in ventures of all scales and types”.

4HE 'AME 7ILDLIFE #ONSERVATION Trust (GWCT) Advisory Services in Scotland launches Muirburn Advisory Service

By Hugo Straker, GWCT Senior Advisor, Scotland

Muirburn, which covers the controlled burning of heather, gorse bushes and grasslands under the Hill Farming and other relevant Acts, is an important land management and conservation tool. With the muirburn season underway from 1 October, our new service provides an excellent opportunity for managers to review their muirburn practices. This is particularly important in light of the recent Scottish Government commissioned review of grouse moor management which made recommendations for increased regulation of muirburn activities.

The muirburn season was temporarily suspended earlier in the year due to the Coronavirus lockdown and the Scottish Government may once again impose

restrictions if the COVID-19 situation worsens. But at the time of writing it is business as normal.

The new Muirburn Advisory Service has been designed to help estates develop, maintain and deliver simple user-friendly muirburn plans in what is becoming an increasingly politically charged and sensitive environment. GWCT’s professional advisors will help estates and farms through specialist advice to evaluate and manage risk of harm to the environment from muirburn, and to undertake it in line with the revised Muirburn Code and meeting all necessary statutory requirements.

The new service provides three distinct options: moorland risk-mapping; muirburn planning; and

muirburn mapping and monitoring.

Whilst GWCT has offered advice on muirburn in the past, it has not been formalised in the way that we can now present through the creation of a distinct and dedicated Muirburn Advisory Service.

In the current climate, with muirburn under increasing scrutiny every season, we believe that this service will provide invaluable support for safe, compliant muirburn planning and management, as well as assistance with Agrienvironment Climate Scheme (AECS) applications.

It builds on the training that we already offer and is an important step towards safeguarding this important conservation tool for the future.

For more information and prices contact the GWCT Muirburn Advisory Service via: Hugo Straker, Senior Advisor, Scotland 07713 074147 hstraker@gwct.org.uk or Nick Hesford, Advisor, Scotland 07896 006322 nhesford@gwct.org.uk See also https://www.gwct.org.uk/muirburn

estate Rural businesses boosted by shooting sector The importance of the shooting sector to rural businesses has been underlined by new research from the University of Northampton which found that the direct economic benefit of grouse shooting is estimated to be £67.7million per annum for the UK as a whole.

In Scotland the grouse season is estimated to be worth £32m each year, directly supporting 2,640 jobs.

One business which benefits from shooting visitors is the Allanton Inn in Allanton, Berwickshire, an award-winning traditional pub and restaurant with rooms. Husband and wife team Katrina and William Reynolds have just celebrated ten years at the helm, with Katrina’s family farming in the local area for over 70 years.

Sporting visitors make up a significant part of their business

in a normal year, some staying as guests and others dining in the restaurant. Katrina Reynolds said: “Country sports are really important in Berwickshire there are lots of sporting estates and the shooting season has a major impact on tourism.

“Many of the visitors are from the UK although we have an increasing number from Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Eastern Europe, especially Latvia. They love Scotland and its traditions. The shooting visitors extend the season into the Autumn and Winter so we have reliable revenue at a time when we wouldn’t normally be busy.”

In addition, a new business has been established, Andersen & Sondergaard Wild Game Charcuterie, selling charcuterie made from grouse, pheasant and

venison. In 2019 their salami was awarded a Great Taste Award from the Guild of Fine Food.

Thor Sondergaard said: “I have developed the shooting business over the years and as well as taking on the fulltime keeper at Dunglass, I also offer 20 seasonal jobs every year for beaters and pickers-up.

These seasonal workers include everyone from young people still studying and one man who is 90 years old and still enjoying the work.

“Obviously 2020 is not a good year for tourism but in normal times we have visitors coming in April and May for deer stalking and from October to February for pheasant shooting.

It’s a 50-50 split between those coming from Europe and from the rest of the UK. They stay in the local hotels, holiday cottages and B & Bs and eat in the local

restaurants, so it’s a major boost for the rural economy.

Muirburn vital in aiding carbon storage and preventing wildfires Muirburn – the controlled, cool burning of heather on Scotland’s moorlands – is becoming ever more important in the fight against wildfires in Scotland, land managers are saying.

The latest science, published in May by Duke University in North Carolina, USA, has concluded high-intensity fires, such as wildfires, can destroy peat bogs and cause them to emit huge amounts of their stored carbon into the atmosphere whilst low-severity fires – such as muirburn - spark the opposite outcome.

Tim Baynes, Moorland Director at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Muirburn – or heather burning – is a traditional land management practice backed by the latest science 80

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and best practice. If muirburn is not carried out then we could gradually lose Scotland’s muchloved heather forever and that would be a tragedy for us and also the species which depend upon it. Grouse thrive in this habitat but so do other bird species – especially curlew, lapwing and golden plover which are low in numbers and are at real risk.

“Now, muirburn is also becoming an ever more important tool in combating wildfires. Scottish Fire & Rescue Service has supported controlled burning which involves lighting small strips of vegetation before they are quickly extinguished.

This removes the top layer of old heather growth – reducing fuel load without damaging the land and mosses it sits upon.

estate “We have seen some huge wildfires across Scotland in recent years including the fire on peatland on part of the Flow Country which is estimated to have released carbon into the atmosphere equivalent to six days’ worth of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Had muirburn by skilled practitioners been allowed in this area then there is a chance that wildfire could have been prevented or lessened in severity due to a much reduced fuel load for the fire to spread.

“The Muirburn Code, launched by the Scottish Government in 2017, provides good practice guidance for burning and cutting of vegetation. This code is important for gamekeepers and estates and it prohibits muirburn on deep peat, something which is often misunderstood by those not familiar with the code.

“We are constantly reviewing the latest science on this subject as we strive to contribute to Scotland’s net zero targets.

The latest international science from Duke University suggests controlled burning could help reduce carbon loss from peatland and it is something that needs to be closely considered as we continually update our knowledge and practices.”

Iain Hepburn, head gamekeeper at Dunmaglass Estate, part of the Loch Ness Rural Communities, and also a part-time firefighter with the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, has been engaging with firefighters to share best practice when it comes to tackling wildfires on moorland.

Iain said: “Muirburn largely takes place in the spring and is conducted in line with the Muirburn Code which we fully support. This controlled burning helps hugely in preventing the spread of wildfires and there is an army of gamekeepers on estates across Scotland who work together to stop wildfires which are a real problem in the summer months. Managing vegetation growth is key to tackling wildfires.”

Protecting jobs and our ecosystem

By Stephen Young, (EAD OF 0OLICY AT 3COTTISH ,AND %STATES Whilst Covid-19 continues to dominate our daily lives, farming is a sector which is often seen to have been largely unaffected by the pandemic.

Food production has continued fairly seamlessly but this is testament to a resilient sector rather than one which has not had hurdles to overcome. Price volatility remains a major concern.

Many businesses have diversified to spread risk and tourism is a key element of this, making use of the beautiful countryside that we are rightly proud of.

However, it is a sector that has been under immense pressure during the pandemic, with travel restrictions and shutdowns proving catastrophic for tourism in many cases.

Sadly, the recent announcement of new restrictions in households being able to meet has delivered another hammer blow.

After government initially gave the green light to continue the rule of six for self catering units, this was then

changed at the last minute.

The initial exemption for selfcatering accommodation, ALONGSIDE HOTELS " "S

bunkhouses and others was down to the hard work of the accommodation providers in meeting the Visit Scotland “We’re Good To Go” requirements, carrying out risk assessments and putting in place mitigation measures.

Throughout the pandemic both Holyrood and Westminster governments have been very supportive, going beyond what many would have thought possible to shore up businesses and employment. As part of Fergus Ewing’s remit, we have been fortunate to have a Cabinet Secretary who understands the challenges facing rural tourism businesses. The First Minister said that “if the Scottish Government had the power…so we could mitigate the impact on jobs, it is very possible, perhaps even likely, that we would have reached a different decision on hospitality.”

These impacts are being felt now by the self-catering

sector and the Scottish Government does have some tools to support these businesses and jobs if they feel they cannot change the decision. Grant schemes which were open earlier this year could be re-opened with previous eligibility restrictions removed. Similarly, planned increased regulatory burdens should be paused to allow the sector some breathing space.

The impact of not being able to welcome mixed households to rural selfcatering properties will be felt widely. Hospitality and activities such as country sports and mountain biking will suffer due to their remote nature and the need for accommodation to be part of a trip. Local retailers, farm shops and services will also miss potential income.

These businesses are all part of the ecosystem of the rural economy and if one segment fails then all of the others suffer. We hope that the damage can be minimised and businesses and jobs can be maintained.

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

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Foresters and conservationists are questioning the decision by Forestry Commission Scotland to agree to a blanket licence for NatureScot, formerly Scottish Natural Heritage, to harvest timber in red squirrel areas, warning of potential devastation to populations of this protected species.

“While NatureScot has accepted in a statement that the licence will lead to some ‘collateral damage’, this is effectively accepting that it will result in knowingly killing red squirrels,” explains Charles Dutton, chartered forester and trustee of the European Squirrel Initiative (ESI).

“Red squirrels are a protected species, and it is an offence to disrupt and damage their habitat, this whole licence needs reviewing, updating and revising,” he adds.

Mr Dutton cited the work of Dr Craig Shuttleworth, scientific advisor to the Red Squirrel Survival Trust and director of Red Squirrels Trust Wales, who has a petition in parliament to review how licences are applied for.

“The power of the timber harvesting industry has

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been witnessed worldwide, specifically in Finland and even in Australia, with some horrendous footage of koalas at the top of trees, while the cutters are going through them,” Mr Dutton says.

“We can not allow this to happen here, and in these red squirrel rich areas, we the foresters need to be carefully managing these trees. At the very least, a corridor of trees should be left, and certainly trees should not be harvested in known red squirrel areas when young squirrel are in dreys.”

Mr Dutton also questioned why the red squirrel populations have not increased in the past 2030 years in known red squirrel areas in Scotland, when greater understanding and protective measures should have seen an expansion. In these areas, where there has been an opportunity to increase, nothing has changed.

“The concern is, with the very localised populations of red squirrel, blanket licences could decimate populations. For example, in Tayside, home for many of Scotland’s red squirrels, the mature timber, largely planted around 1900-1940, is full of squirrels. It is similar in parts of Aberdeenshire,” he says.

With the recent spike in timber prices, Mr Dutton and the ESI fear this could damage populations to such an extent, that it could take a decade or two to recover.

“Despite claims to the contrary, it is clear that the timber harvesting industry is not checking what is on the ground ahead of harvesting, and the blanket licence is effectively giving them free range to plunder this red squirrel rich habitat. We call for an immediate review in to how these licences are applied, and support Dr Shuttleworth’s work in this area,” concludes Mr Dutton.

Isn’t the world a different place? Our lives have changed, our habits have shifted, and our routines have altered. We adapted.

We had to stay safe. The seasons have moved on, and while many people counted the days of lockdown and weeks of furlough, farms and estates across Scotland did not stop working. The harvest was brought in, winter crops planted, and the summer preparations for the shooting season meant everyone was ready for the opening on the glorious twelfth.

Countryside workers never grow idle because their work aligns with seasons: the wheel of nature slowly turns and never stops.

Adaptability was certainly a key component for this year under the shadow of the C-19 pandemic. Looking back, I do not know if any of us were sure the shooting season would open. There were so many changes in the government guidelines and subsequent cancellations in other sectors across Scotland, it would not have been a total shock if the powers-at-be said no to outdoor activities.

Estates worked throughout the summer and across the minefield of changing C-19 guidelines and remained hopeful the season would open. Of course, it was not just the estates staying safe and adapting their working practices, there are many strands to country

by Linda Mellor

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE sports: accommodation, food, transport, equipment and supplies, shotgun coaching, and clothing. These are only a few examples of the many aspects of country sports that had to acclimatise.

Country sports participation is vital to helping Scotland’s rural economy, and this year, more than ever (like every other sector of business) they needed people to spend their money, to get involved and take part in the outdoors sports they love. If you shoot, fish or stalk, you’ll likely stay IN A HOTEL BOOK " " OR SELF catering accommodation, eat local produce, visit local sights, buy fuel for transport, spend money in shops, maybe you’d break up a long journey and have lunch in a cafe. Many people travel to Scotland to take part in grouse shooting in August and September, and they all spend money in Scotland.

Country sports, like countless other outdoors events and tourist-based activities, were able to continue under government guidelines and with social distancing measures in place. However, there were a few comments singling out country sports and attacking them. The criticisms stemmed from factions that did not take part in, or support, country sports. They complained country sports should not be permitted to go ahead while Covid restrictions were in place. Yet estates, like other outdoor event-based businesses, were able to put social distancing measures in place and ensure masks were worn and hands were sanitised. They made changes to transportation, breakfast and lunch arrangements were altered, and the social side of a shoot days were modified or removed all together. They kept everyone safe, and socially distant, and were able to carry on. At the time of writing, I had not read about any virus clusters forming from shoot days.

There has been so much upheaval this year, isolation has been forced upon us all.

We made staying safe and Corona virus-free a priority at the expense of everything else. I hope the opening of the season and the continuation of country sports in 2020/2021 has helped ease the loneliness and isolation

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many people felt. All country sports are much more than just going shooting, fishing or deer stalking: they are a lifestyle choice. A great way to meet old friends and make new ones (all at a social distance in 2020!). The dates fill up your diary. If you are fishing, beating or picking up, shooting, cooking or hosting, it gives you something to focus on, and keep you busy.

Debbie Anderson, the mastermind behind the Scottish marque Be Coorie, based in Comrie, has positively embraced the changes and challenges of 2020. Debbie expanded her business and added two luxury VW campervans to her Be Coorie brand. The deluxe vans are available for hire and offer an ideal way to explore Scotland responsibly in comfort and style. Debbie said, “you can tour around Scotland, explore new places, get away for a long weekend, or escape for a couple of nights to your favourite location. The choice is yours.

The vans are luxurious, topspec and solar panelled for off-grid camping journeys.”

The new VW vans are ideal for Scotland’s roads: explore country or coast, and they are perfect for couple get-aways, solitary sojourns or family adventures.

Find Be Coorie luxury Campervan Hire on Instagram @be-coorie or @cool_ campers 83

BOOK SERIALISATION

Smoke gets in your dram Concluding his exploration of the Scottish peatlands, Robin A Crawford looks at how they help to fire up many of our finest single malts

Would Orwell, even in his final days, have imagined a dystopian future where the Jura distillery would produce in the year 1984 a whisky in his honour, limited to 1,984 bottles?

Edinburgh airport in September after the end of the Festival and in the duty-free shop is a wall of whisky, stacked with row upon row of bottles. Bargain deals on massmarket blends for £15, exclusive hand-crafted wooden boxes lined with tweed containing limited edition malts for £3,500. No matter the price, what is on offer here is

Scotland, distilled. For the Scot leaving, a reminder of home; for the homeward-bound, a memory of a now fast-receding present.

Said to be the oldest licensed distillery on the island of Islay, Bowmore was established in 1779 and, like all the island’s whiskies, is known for its strong peaty taste. In the past, most would gradually move on to drinking Islay malts after first trying blends, then softer, gentler Speyside malts. But today the peaty malts are the most popular – perhaps, experts

suggest, because it offers an ‘authentic’ taste, which appeals to an adventure-seeking young whisky drinker who appreciates full-flavoured foods, whether extra virgin olive oil, homemade farmhouse cheeses or craft beers.

Islay distilleries love the smoky peats cut from the top of the bank, going through about 2,000 tonnes per year. It is the burning of the peat to dry malted barley in a kiln that makes island whiskies distinctive. Given that virtually all the Islay distilleries use pure rainwater that has passed through

the peaty filter of the sphagnum, it is doubly peated.

Although we now associate peated malt with the Highlands and Islands, this has not always been the case. Just as in peat-cutting, the practice was once widespread across Scotland.

The aroma of burning peat has been described as having antiseptic qualities – like bandages being manufactured from the absorbent sphagnum moss. I can still clearly remember tasting my first ever Laphroaig. TCP, hospital ward,

Bowmore Distillery, Islay: A piper would lead the peat cutters out to the moss in spring. They would cut one load for the distillery, one for the landowner, and sell a third to the people of the town for a shilling per cartload.

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BOOK SERIALISATION disinfectant – it sounds weird that these could be good flavours in a drink, but they are – peaty, smoky, delicious! And after my dram is drunk, nosing the glass: it smells like a miniature peat fire has been burning in there. The contrast between the delicate smell of the moor and the strong reek from the peats in the whisky is like the difference between ingredients when baking: the flour, eggs, sugar and butter are almost odourless, but the aroma of the baked cake is delicious.

The making and selling of whisky is a modern, international, multi-billion-pound business that generates huge revenues for the companies producing it and for the governments that tax it. Its roots are as a ‘cottage’ industry produced domestically on a small scale, and whilst the remnants of the culture that produced it still survive, would it be naive to presume that it doesn’t still exist in that form?

The moors are big, dotted with semi-habited shielings and hidden places. Does that curl of smoke signify that someone is drying his socks by the fire, or making a cup of strong, black tea . . . or brewing something stronger?

have never tasted anything quite like it in that respect. In these old days, when it was the custom to have a fire in the middle of the floor with a hole in the roof for the chimney, some specks of the old glistening soot from the rafters had fallen amongst the malt.

Perhaps during the first few years of maturation this might hardly have been detected – or, again, may have been deliberately aimed at as an elusive part of the whole flavour! – but certainly in this extreme age it was all-pervasive; it had become, indeed, the spirit’s very breath.

Peat has that retentive quality. In the digging of it out of the moor you see its timeline stretching back over thousands of years, from fresh buds sprouting on the living turf through the older vegetation down into the roots; the gradation of tone and colour from ochres to umber to chocolate and rich black-brown marking the passing of centuries and millennia of sphagnum – tiny individual lives making up a huge community compressed by time.

The liquor in that 104-yearold bottle was matured to an incredible smoothness. I have never tasted anything quite like it.

In burning this and releasing the peat’s aroma there is an immediate sensory connection with the past. Memories of people and times, of generations now gone, are conjured up. For those still living on the peatlands, there is a two-fold element of honouring those who have come before.

First, there is a physical connection in cutting on the family peat banks, which not only your parents and grandparents cut but which were shared in an annual ritual by your wider community.

Whether your family had had that croft since a land-raid post-First World War or since your people had been cleared off ancestral lands to make way for sheep in the nineteenth century, or it had been in the family since way back, there is a ritual there in performing the same actions with the same tools – cutting, catching, throwing – that is almost meditative on this open expanse of moor under huge skies, under the eyes of your god.

The novelist Neil Gunn was a lover of whisky. In The Silver Bough he describes an illicit, moorland drinking den inside a remote wheelhouse (an underground Iron Age storehouse) and in his classic 1935 Whisky and Scotland recounts visiting a friend from Caithness who produced a homemade bottle containing whisky that had passed down through his family and was 104 years old. Intrigued by the chance to savour a true Highland throwback made before industrialisation and marketing men dictated taste, they open the centurion bottle: Let it be said at once that the liquor in that bottle was matured to an incredible smoothness. I

Every peat has its own smoke, And every person has his own sorrow.

On entering a blackhouse, you are enveloped by the ‘peat reek’. The soot from the peat fires could also find its way into the whisky, adding further flavour.

Second, there is the burning.

By doing this you are not only releasing the smell of your childhood, of people’s houses that you knew, of your own memories, but also the memories of everyone who grew up in your community and those who have always lived in your community.

The slightly disinfectant tang holds an almost curative quality; there is a sense of cleansing and renewal.

As the smoke escapes through the chimney, the private becomes public and, walking past, you smell the reassuring and wonderful mix of peat smoke and salty Atlantic air that is as rich as a glass of Bowmore Islay whisky. No matter what time of year, many home fires are kept burning, just as in the past.

You also connect in a domestic way to the wider Gàilteachd and similar communities who share your culture and belief systems.

Tha a smuid fhein an ceann gach foid, ‘S a dhorainn ceangailte rig ach neach.

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Every peat has its own smoke, And every person has his own sorrow.

In days where the fog is down and the ghostly sweeping beam of the Butt of Lewis lighthouse highlights the nothingness and its foghorn boom reverberates like a footstep on the quagmire moor, the smoke hangs heavy, close. But on a clear day with a brisk wind you fancy that the peat smoke can reach all the way to America, twitching the genetic Scots noses of emigrant communities in Nova Scotia, South Carolina and into the West and beyond.

Into the Peatlands: A Journey through the Moorland Year by Robin A. Crawford is published

by Birlinn, £12.99. Readers of Farming Scotland can purchase copies at a special price - £10 (inc p&p in the UK). To order please phone Booksource on 0845 3700067 and quote FS2020.

A second book by Robin A. Crawford, The River: Journeys Along the Tay, will be published in July.

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Beatha an eilean Leudachadh obair Coimisean na Croitearachd le Rod MacCoinnich

San Iuchar, dh’iarr an Rùnaire Caibineit, Fearghas Ewing, air a’ Choimisean a dhleastanas a thaobh leasachadh croitearachd a leudachadh, agus cho-leasaich e buidseat a’ Choimisein gus ceadachadh dhuinn dreuchdan ùra a thrusadh, le ceithir dhiubh gu bhith stèidhichte sna h-Eileanan an Iar. On uair sin, tha an Coimisean air a bhith a’ beachdachadh air na dòighean as fheàrr air am maoineachadh ùr seo ùisneachadh, agus tha trusadh chun nan dreuchdan ùra air tòiseachadh.

Tha mòran bheachdsmuaintean aig na Coimiseanairean mu dheidhinn na dh’fhaodas an Coimisean a dhèanamh gus croitearachd a neartachadh, agus tha sinn air aontachadh dlùthaire a chur air a dhà dhiubh sin sa chiad àite: leudachadh ar sparradh dhleastanasan còmhnaidheachd is cleachdadh fearainn chroitearan; agus ag obair le croitearan gnìomhach agus comataidhean ionaltraidh gus an cuideachadh leis an fheum as motha a thoirt às na cothroman a tha fosgailte dhaibh.

Tha fada cus chroitean air am fàgail bàn no gun obrachadh, agus tha ar sgioba còmhnaidheachd is cleachdadh fearainn (RALU) ag obair gun sguir a’ dèiligeadh 86

ris an duilgheadas seo. San dà bhliadhna a dh’fhalbh, tha iad air sgrìobhadh gu ceudan de chroitearan gus an dùbhlanachadh a thaobh am brisidhean dleastanais a chur ceart, agus tha còrr air ceud dhiubh air sin a dhèanamh: tha 48 croitear air còmhnaidheachd a ghabhail; tha 29 air an croitean a shònrachadh, tha 98 air an toirt air fo-ghabhail, agus tha 37 air cead fhaotainn a bhith às-làthair mar thoradh air na suidheachaidhean sònraichte aca. Ann an àireamh bheag de chùisean, far nach robh an croitear comasach no deònach am briseadh a chàradh iad fhèin, tha an Coimisean air seasamh a-steach airson an gabhaltas a thoirt gu crìch agus a’ chroit athleigeil gu neach-gabhail ùr.

Ach tha mòran fhathast ri dhèanamh, agus sin an t-adhbhar gu bheil leudachadh

air ar sgioba còmhnaidheachd is cleachdadh fearainn na àrd-phrìomhachas ann an caitheamh ar maoineachaidh ùr. Tha sinn air Buidheann Obrach de Choimiseanairean, Measadairean agus Luchdobrach a stèidheachadh, gus an obair a bhios na h-oifigearan ùra RALU a’ dèanamh, a phlanadh.

Is e seo aon de dh’àireamh de Bhuidhnean Obrach Geàrramail a bhios a’ coinneachadh gu cunbhalach air-loidhne, a tha sinn air a chur air bhonn o thoiseach a’ ghlasaidh.

Tha an t-àrd-phrìomhachas eile againn co-cheangailte ri croitearan agus comataidhean ionaltraidh gnìomhach a bhrosnachadh agus a chuideachadh, a tha airson an gnìomhan croitearachd a leudachadh no eugsamhlachadh.

Tha ar fearann ionaltraidh na ghoireas nach eil air a

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chleachdadh gu làn-ìre, an dà chuid airson ionaltradh agus sgeamaichean àrainneachdail.

Bidh sinn a’ rannsachadh chothroman do chroitearan gu h-àraid, ann an co-obrachadh le uachadarain, gus pàirt a ghabhail ann an iomairtean maoinichte leis an Riaghaltas, airson ar fearann rèisg a leasachadh.

Ged a bhios Coimiseanairean a’ gabhail stiùir air adhartachadh croitearachd, chan urrainn dhuinn seo a dhèanamh leinn fhìn. Bidh sinn a’coimhead ri ar ceanglaichean le buidhnean riochdachaidh croitearachd a neartachadh, Riaghaltas na h-Alba, buidhnean àrainneachdail, Comhairlean, SAC agus mòran eile. Mar phàirt den seo, leasaichidh sinn an dòigh a tha an làrach-lìn againn a’ stiùireadh gu na seirbheisean a tha air an tabhann le buidhnean eile, gus a dhèanamh nas fhasa do chroitearan faighinn nas luaithe chun an fhiosrachaidh air a bheil feum aca.

Faodaidh gach neach aig a bheil ùidh anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan, mar a tha am fearann air a chleachdadh, agus mar a tha na coimhearsnachdan a’ fàs agus a’ soirbheachadh, obrachadh còmhla rinn gus an siostam croitearachd agus na tha na lùib a neartachadh.

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87

AGRI SHOWCASE

Agri Showcase In the absence of this years AgriScot event, here are a few innovations and award winning news stories.

Successful Season for BDC Systems BDC Systems Ltd reports another successful season for the wellknown BDC SVEGMA grain driers and Skandia elevating and conveying equipment. As we all missed out on Shows and Open Days in 2020, we are actively planning ahead for Harvest 2021.

We can arrange along with our dealer network, site visits and assist with design, budgets and proposals, including installation and associated works as required.

Sales of Skandia’s range of elevating and conveying equipment has grown year on year, due to competitive prices, extended warranties, quality products and quick deliveries. With the addition of New Products and accessories across the range, the future looks very promising. As the official Skandia UK agent, BDC Systems keeps a vast number of spares for the equipment in stock

at its warehouse in Wiltshire for immediate delivery.

Ventilation equipment sales have also increased this year, with more new stores looking to install below floor ventilation systems, for ease of loading / unloading and even airflow through the crop. Heavy duty level floor laterals, Corraducts, New Pyramid Terminals ventilators and ventilation fans from 0.25kw to 7.5kw are also available from stock.

Bespoke livestock solutions from FarmFit UK FarmFit UK is a family-run business with over 15 years of unrivalled experience at the heart of the agricultural industry. The expert team offer a full fitting and installation service should customers require this, and they’ll be with you every step of the way to create a layout which will maximise the efficiency of your farm. As well as standard items, FarmFit also offer a made-to-measure service with which they create bespoke products

for customers, understanding that no farm is the same or has the same needs. Recent projects have included the full design, manufacture, and installation of a bespoke handling system, as pictured below. The team have also worked with longterm partners Robinsons to kit out agricultural builds they have worked on with internals. At present, the team are working at the exciting Buffalo Mozzarella Farm to install a full internal layout and they have also

Foster forage boxes Our Forage Boxes have undergone a design overhaul. We have increased the size of the XC belt and the discharge outlet to reduce blockages. The canopy is 6” higher and we have added an extra wooden board all round to increase capacity. Faster augers will attack and shred material more easily creating a mixed fluffy feed.

Floor runners and chain channels are now thicker metal for greater wearing and longevity.

The drawbar is bigger and stronger.

Factory fitted road light options are available as extra.

Our GG range of Super Scrubcutters have been in the 88

gym and now have the X Factor!

GG1700X and GG2000X now have a 12mm top deck and additional RHS struts for greater protection from the chain underneath. New skid design using 120x60x5mm RHS to give greater support in wet conditions and allows easier plating for a total 17mm of skid thickness. 4 cutting height options on the skids and new wire rope slings for greater protection from fire complete the new design.

Further design improvements will be made to our range of Livestock Boxes and watch out for brand new products later in the year. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

worked with the team at Robinsons to kit out numerous dairy, beef and sheep sheds. One of the teams most loved projects as of late has been a calving shed for Roans Dairy which was made completely of bespoke items.

FarnFit has worked on projects of all sizes throughout the U.K. and has excellent motorway links and their own fleet to provide the best service possible for all their customers.

AGRI SHOWCASE

It’s a rat trap…and you’ve been caught!

A new non-toxic, automatically resetting, and humane trap offers an efficient and safe solution to the challenge of controlling rodents at a time when the use of control measures based on toxins is coming under increased scrutiny.

The Goodnature® A24 rat and mouse trap available in the UK from Gallagher is a spring method trap. Rodents are lured into the trap by a highly attractive

bait before being dispatched by a piston powered by compressed CO2.

“Rodents are a persistent nuisance in many locations including on farms, small holdings and equine units, and in feed stores,” comments Gallagher UK Sales Manager Mark Oliver. “Efficient rodent control reduces the risk of the spread of disease to humans and animals, cuts the damage

Lemken fertiliser spreaders in UK and Ireland

The product range of fertiliser spreaders from Lemken have been well received in the first season in the UK and Ireland.

With 3 ranges to offer, Spica, Tauri and Polaris come with tank volumes from 900 to 4,000 litres and a broad range of control options, from a basic version through to 100% ISOBUS. The new fertiliser spreaders meet the most stringent requirements regarding precision of application and economy.

Comfortable setting options guarantee that fertiliser is applied precisely and economically comments Lemken UK’s General Manager Paul Creasy. The Lemken fertiliser spreaders are therefore high-quality products 90

which optimally complement the company’s existing product portfolio in tillage, sowing and crop care.

The entry level model Spica with tank volumes from 900 to 2,100 litres and working widths of up to 24 metres, makes the Spica ideal for smaller growers, The Mid-range Tauri offers a large loading volume of up to 3,000 litres. This implement delivers higher fertilising efficacy through large working widths of up to 36 metres.

Equipment such as the weighing system, width section control and ISOBUS preparation make the Tauri 12 not only highly precise but also very comfortable to operate.

caused to crops and stores and the consequences of structural damage, particularly to wiring.

“EU Biocide Regulations are restricting the use of toxins in pest control and consumers are becoming more aware of the

environmental impact of toxinbased pest control, meaning there is a need for alternative efficient control methods. The Goodnature® system provides a, proven, reliable and safe way to reduce rodent problems.”

Low-emission slurry spreaders from Mastek

Mastek Ltd, one of Ireland’s leading low-emission slurry spreading machinery manufacturers, are today launching a brand-new product, the Mastek Micro Trailing Shoe.

With the continued success of our Professional Universal Dribble Bar (PUDB) with sales of over 2,000 units to date, Mastek is launching a brand-new 7m & 7.5m Micro Trailing Shoe. This tankermounted trailing shoe is designed to provide the ultimate value to the farmer, with a simpler design that’s easier to operate compared to our Eco Trailing Shoe and other trailing shoes on the market.

Like our Eco Trailing Shoe, each spring is capable of putting

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up to 8kg of pressure on the coulter to ensure the slurry is placed under the grass cover and to prevent grass contamination. The machine is light, yet it is a very strong and robust machine.

This machine has a specially designed hyrdaulic system where it lifts and tilts for headland turning, and continues to fold the booms for transport with one single hydraulic service.

On this machine, we are also launching the new SuperCut Micro Macerator. After the renowned success of our awardwinning SuperCut Macerator, the SuperCut Micro Macerator is a variant designed for smaller applicators.

AGRI SHOWCASE

McHale V8 Variable Chamber Baler Range Over the last ten years, the McHale V6 range has become the machine of choice for making bales from 0.6m – 1.68m. As always, McHale has listened to their customer base and reacted to customer requests from markets such as UK, Australia, America, France and Poland to produce a variable chamber baler with a larger diameter bale.

Over the last 3 years, McHale have worked with these markets in both design and testing of its

largest variable chamber baler, the V8, which can produce a bale up to 1.9m in diameter.

For the 2021 season, McHale have expanded their range of variable chamber balers with the introduction of the McHale V8940 non-chopper baler and the McHale V8950 15-knife chopper baler.

These high output machines are designed to produce dense bales from 0.6m - 1.9m in diameter. This increase in bale size and improved density means the McHale V8

baler can produce bales with up to 30% more crop in a 1.9m bale then what is achievable in a 1.68m V6 bale.

The new McHale V8 variable chamber baler range is fitted

with heavy-duty components ensuring long life, high levels of reliability and a machine that is rugged enough to handle the toughest of crops and ground conditions.

Technical Innovation Award FLOWTAST from Pottinger for Murray Machinery The TOP 842 C centre-swath rake offers high output and the best ground tracking over a working width of 7.7 to 8.4 metres. PĂśttinger has upgraded this rake with an innovative

Established in 1979, Murray Machinery Ltd has been operating from within Aberdeenshire for over 40 years, manufacturing material handling attachments to fit telescopic handlers, forklifts and tractor loaders for the UK agricultural sector.

We have an extensive product range of over 40 machines with numerous variations such as bale handling equipment, muck-grabs, grain buckets, push-off buckrakes, stone forks, snow blades, access platforms and quick hitch adaptors as well as our award-winning gravel road grader.

Our gravel road grader recently won the Silver Award at the Royal Highland Technical Innovation Awards 2020. The purpose of the

feature: The new glide bar is available as an option instead of jockey wheels to track the ground close to the tines over the whole surface. FLOWTAST glides effortlessly over wet and

Murray Gravel Road Grader is to reinstate gravel roads which have fallen into a state of disrepair, to a new and pristine condition.

The grader has various options available including hardox edges, hydraulically operated ripper teeth and a hydraulically operated tilting frame. And now with the new addition of a rear packer roller, the Murray Machinery gravel road grader is now able to carry out four different functions in the same machine. With careful adjustment of the levelling beams the road grader is able to leave the road surface high in the middle or the machine can also put a camber or a slope on the whole width of the roads therefore helping to take care of rain water management. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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AGRI SHOWCASE

SlurryKat launches all new front reel range

peaty soils even with deep marks and holes.

Pöttinger presented the innovative glide bar for the first time at the Agritechnica in Hanover (GER) last year. This spring, the new kit proved it met expectations in the field.

Pöttinger has been focussing on the production of clean forage.

During development, they paid special attention to situations

where a wheeled chassis reaches its limits. This is the case, for example, on wet, peaty soils with deep wheel marks, and when working with whole crop forage in fields where the sward does not provide full surface cover, or even in areas that have been damaged by wild boar. If the wheels sink in, the tines inevitably scrape the ground and the forage becomes contaminated.

Award Winning Farm Safety App Smart Farmer is a mobile and webbased app that allows operators to ensure safe and well machinery, by recording prestart checks digitally, which can be shared across all the workforce on the farm.

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Focusing on designing lighter yet stronger machinery, SlurryKat has just launched a series of new front reeler models. This is just the latest new machinery that the innovative company based in Waringstown, Northern Ireland, has launched as it continues to lead the slurry equipment manufacturing sector.

SlurryKat CEO and principle design engineer Garth Cairns said: “These latest reels are a completely all new design. We have manufactured the reels 30 percent lighter than the very successful previous generation of SK front reelers which we designed and introduced in 2008.”

There are three models available in the new range with hose capacities of 600m, 800m and 1000m.

SlurryKat has incorporated special high grade steel into the latest reel design to help decrease

Develop by British Farming Agri tech Innovator of the year 2020 and Aberdeenshire Farm Manager Marc Skivington, the app aims to provide a simple method to ensure the safe and optimum use of farm machinery, by creating a safe working environment. The tool uses a unique traffic light system to show the state of the machine, with an easy-to-understand indicator of the machines status.

Previous checks are instantly presented to users so they know the current state of the machine, with the app using QR codes for rapid identification. This allows the operator to identify which machines are in use today and by who, with any potential issues being flagged up that require attention before the machine can be used. In the event of an incident, the app can provide reports to show routine pre-start checks that were carried out in line with current industry standards. The system offers a free 7 day trial and a yearly subscription only cost £495 + VAT per annum. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

the overall weight yet at the same time increase structural strength in the units.

The latest reelers have a new tubular design with innovative coupling sockets that clamp the hose for the start of the rolling up process without the coupling being displaced.

Reelers are open section as standard with bolt-in adjustable sections. Each section can be placed to the desired width and adjusted by sliding it along the reel by simply loosening the two bolts.

finance RHASS’ £2m fundraising campaign to secure future gathers pace Six months since the cancellation of the 2020 Royal Highland Show and the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland’s (RHASS) £2 million fundraising appeal is gathering momentum.

Over £70,000 has been raised in just four weeks since the appeal’s launch, with RHASS’ members donating generously to secure the future of the Society, and that of the Royal Highland Show (RHS).

This is the first stage of an ongoing fundraising campaign which will include appeal mailings to RHASSS members followed by a digital campaign targeting past show visitors.

The Society’s future, and that of the RHS, was called into question following the substantial loss of income due to mass cancellation of events as a result of the pandemic. This follows years of investment in showground infrastructure, including a new multi-million pound members’ area.

A root and branch review of income and expenditure was instructed by RHASS Directors with across-the-board cutbacks implemented, including senior management salary cuts and a significant number of redundancies, mainly across the Society’s events team.

Taking advantage of Government support, RHASS took part in the furlough scheme and were successful in securing a Scottish Government Resilience Grant.

Furthermore, in an unprecedented step for the Society, RHASS directors approved a £2 million fundraising campaign in a bid to raise additional income streams.

Commenting on the campaign, RHASS Chief Executive, Alan Laidlaw said: “It is the right thing to do: we have a responsibility as a charitable organisation with thousands of supporters and stakeholders, to do all in our

power to make sure both Show and Society survive and that we increase our charitable impact for the next generation and for Scotland’s rural industries.”

With funding being generated by the appeal, RHASS is now beginning to prepare for next year’s Royal Highland show, albeit against a backdrop of reduced visitor capacity and increased costs due to additional social distancing measures.

Alan added: “We are committed to hosting the 2021 Royal Highland Show in whatever capacity we are able to do so, however, we also want to be able to celebrate the 200th Show in 2022.

SRUC tops UK list for SME consulting income New Universities UK report shows value of operating model Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) provides more business value to SMEs than any other higher education institution in the UK. This is according to a new study

by Universities UK that found – over a four-year period – that SRUC generated more than £57.5 million of income through its consultancy and Veterinary Services.

SRUC was ranked above the University of Liverpool (£54m) and the Royal Veterinary College (£31.5m), with the University of Edinburgh (£16.5m) and

the University of St Andrews (£12.5m) the only two other Scottish entries in the top ten.

In terms of the UK, Scotland finished above the North West (£83.5m) and London (£76.1m), with SRUC responsible for more than half of Scotland’s £102m total revenue.

The news is hot on the heels of SRUC being named as one of the top 50 UK universities by Times Higher Education (THE).

Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive,

said the new report showed the value of SRUC’s modular operating model that embraces mission diversity, giving equal emphasis to research, education and business engagement through consultancy, contract research and services.

He added: “While this is a tremendous accolade, this is not an overnight success story but builds on the long-term commitment that SRUC and its predecessor, SAC, has to serving the farming and rural

communities across the length and breadth of Scotland.

“At a time when the education sector is under huge pressure and traditional university business models are being challenged, the most resilient institutions have multiple strings to their bows.

This, together with our focus on the sustainable natural economy, puts SRUC in a strong position to build on this business model and play an important role in Scotland’s green economic recovery.”

Barclays launches £250m in financial support to help farmers drive Sustainability through Agri-Tech Barclays has teamed up with Nigel Owens MBE, worldrenowned rugby union referee and Welsh cattle farmer, to launch a new campaign to drive awareness amongst consumers on the benefits of helping the food system become carbon net zero. Sustainability Through Agri-Tech will also provide farmers with access to £250

million which is available to support their business to become carbon net-zero through AgriTech solutions.

In a survey of 276 Scottish farmers from a larger sample of 1,000 across the UK, eight in ten (84 per cent) say that they believe they could be carbon neutral by 2035. This is ahead of the target set by the Scottish government to

reduce the country’s emissions of all greenhouse gases to net zero by 2045. One in five (20 per cent) believe their business has already reached the carbon net zero goal, while 60 per cent said they were thinking about how to make their businesses more sustainable in the wake of the pandemic. Almost two thirds of Scottish respondents (63 per

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cent) also said that becoming greener will increase their farm’s competitiveness after the UK has left the EU, indicating Brexit could accelerate their transition to becoming carbon neutral.

More information on how farmers apply to the £250m available can be found at: www. barclays.co.uk/agriculturesustainability 93

machinery FLOWTAST: Clean forage in difficult conditions from Pottinger

The TOP 842 C centre-swath rake offers high output and the best ground tracking over a working width of 7.7 to 8.4 metres. Pöttinger has upgraded this rake with an innovative feature: The new glide bar is available as an option instead of jockey wheels to track the ground close to the tines over the whole surface. FLOWTAST glides effortlessly over wet and peaty soils even with deep marks and holes.

Pöttinger presented the innovative glide bar for the first time at the Agritechnica in Hanover (GER) last year. This spring, the new kit proved it met expectations in the field. Pöttinger has been focussing on the production of clean forage. During development, they paid special attention to

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situations where a wheeled chassis reaches its limits. This is the case, for example, on wet, peaty soils with deep wheel marks, and when working with whole crop forage in fields where the sward does not provide full surface cover, or even in areas that have been damaged by wild boar. If the wheels sink in, the tines inevitably scrape the ground and the forage becomes contaminated.

With FLOWTAST, the rake glides smoothly over problem areas in the field. The large area of contact improves load-bearing capacity on wet, peaty soils. A hydraulic cylinder alleviates the weight of the TOP 842 C rotor unit. This results in a low pressure on the ground of approx. 200 kg.

This protects the soil and the glide

bar. Repair work and downtime are minimized thanks to the reduced wear and lower stress on the frame of the rake.

The Pöttinger engineers tested various materials and selected a special plastic (PE 1000) for this application. This synthetic material possesses an enormous resistance to wear and abrasion. Each glide bar consists of five individually exchangeable 15 mm thick plates. To provide

perfect ground tracking and tine guidance, the glide bar is installed close to the tines. It tracks the ground along the full raking length of the tine arc. The sickle shape bar also offers the best gliding properties during sideways movements.

The proven MULTITAST jockey wheel system can be fitted as an option for additional ground tracking excellence when using the FLOWTAST glide bar.

AGCO Announces Expansion of Dedicated Valtra Dealers in Scotland AGCO has agreed changes with existing dealer partners in Scotland on the distribution of the Valtra brand. These changes support AGCO’s longterm strategy driving brand exclusivity, and building dealer viability over the long-term, and will be fully implemented by 1st April 2021.

Under these changes, CAM Engineering, based from existing premises in Castle Douglas, will expand their territory responsibilities to cover SW Scotland, while Alistair Young Engineering Ltd, at Dunphail near Forres, will also expand west to support customers

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across the Black Isle and N. Scotland. “Both dealerships enjoy an excellent reputation for customer service and overall support” comments Mark Casement, Director Distribution Management for AGCO. “We continue to drive brand exclusivity while always looking to improve dealer viability, and we are pleased offer our existing partners the opportunity to further grow their business with us. We are confident that these expanded Valtra responsibilities will offer new and existing customers the very best support as they look for excellence from committed dealer partners.”

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

“New features across the range include Xpress restart, Multispeed steering, advanced LED lighting package, and Tractor Implement Management (TIM),” explains Kubota product manager for agriculture, Luke Sellwood. “The M7003 buyer also has access to a greater range of optional extras.”

The M7003 series offers three models – M7133, M7153 and M7173. Power outputs from

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machinery the four-cylinder engine remain unchanged at 130hp, 150hp and 170hp respectively, with a 20hp boost on the two lower powered models, and a 5hp boost for the flagship M7173.

Revised engine characteristics deliver a constant power band from 1800-2100rpm, while a constant torque level extends from 1200-1600rpm. Full power is delivered at 1900rpm, while maximum torque arrives at 1500rpm.

EU Stage V emissions compliance is achieved using a combination of advanced diesel particulate filter (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR), allowing low-pressure

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue out January 2021 Subscription page 87

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EGR to be eliminated. The DPF cleaning interval has been doubled from 3,000 to 6,000 hours, contributing to lower operating costs.

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

The powershift transmission now benefits from additional functionality, with the development of Xpress restart.

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

All models are now equipped with Multispeed steering control.

This new development allows the operator to select the steering ratio to suit working speed and application, offering greater comfort and convenience with headland turns, for example.

Spread the load better with twin floor chains

Ktwo, a well-known British manufacturer of innovative and lasting farm machinery, design their muck spreaders with

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twin floor chains to ensure an increased longevity, exceptional reliability, and a better spread of product along with many

additional benefits over a single chain design.

The floor chains in muck spreaders convey the material towards the rotors and require a constant and even feed to ensure all the load is spread accurately.

All leading manufactures now use heavy duty, mining conveyor chain systems which are far superior to the early light weight, flat link agricultural chain systems of the past.

Traditionally the market saw larger “trailer type” 2m wide muck spreaders designed using single floor chain systems, but when a large amount of material was tipped into them it did not support the floor well and it would bow and eventually stove in, impinging the conveyor system .The twin floor chain system naturally gives a more robust floor slat, but permits support to the centre of the spreader floor.

Ktwo muck spreaders have a flared body throughout which gives an increased volume capacity but also allows a stronger floor

design. By starting to taper from the floor, the innovative design acts as a funnel to help move materials down to the chains increasing volume and allowing for easier emptying with less bridging. Even with the central gap between the two chain systems, the nature of the manure itself ensures complete emptying of the spreader. ‘’A single chain is a simple system that allows for easier slat bending and requires a bigger and more clumsy chain to achieve the required pulling capacity.’’

Explains Ashley Knibb, Ktwo Senior Design Engineer. “And suffers from inherently more chain wear on the gearbox drive side”, As observed over the years by Stewart Freeman Ktwo Service and Parts Manager. ‘’Spreading the load” across a twin system with four chains and two runs of slats, means it is not imposing such a big load onto the slats, a smaller more compact chain can be used and the floor is supported better”.

machinery Richard Western to collaborate with Dutch designers for new push-off trailer products Richard Western is bringing the safety and efficiency benefits of push-off trailer design to its product line, with the launch of a three-model range to be built at its Suffolk factory.

The introduction follows the signing of a deal agreed with Dutch firm USA Equipment, which for some time has had the trailer design manufactured for it under licence in the Netherlands.

Richard Western will be

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manufacturing the product for sale through its network of dealers in the UK and in a number of other European countries.

The principle behind the trailer’s design is not only push-off discharge, but also load compression, allowing the potential capacity of the trailer to be fully utilised, and forager harvester output to be thoroughly exploited, while also potentially reducing required trailer

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machinery Striking new CLAAS UK headquarters officially opened

numbers. Further advantages include the ability to eject in restricted spaces, such as within sheds, and part-discharge of full loads.

The trailer body is of a monocoque design, using high quality steel with folded side walls for high strength. Initially a tandem axle 40m3 version will be available, while triple axle models with 50m3 and 60m3 capacities are planned.

Both tandem and triple 2 axle variants use 150x150mm highspeed axles with hydraulic or air braking options. Triple axle models have a self-contained onboard hydraulic system, while the hydraulics on tandem-axle trailers operate from the tractor system. All models are equipped as standard with sprung heavyduty suspension to ensure an equal axle load and good roadholding.

Following three years of construction work, during which time the headquarters site for CLAAS UK and their dealer MANNS of Saxham has been completely redeveloped, the striking new headquarters building has been officially opened by Cathrina ClaasMühlhäuser, Chairwoman of Supervisory Board and Chairwoman of Shareholders’ Committee CLAAS KGaA mbH. Work on the redevelopment of the site, at the centre of which is an impressive new 33,000m2 state-of-theart headquarters building,

commenced in November 2017.

Construction work has been carried out in phases to enable day-to-day work for the 130 people employed on the site to continue with the least possible disruption.

“By supporting this major redevelopment and impressive new building, both the CLAAS Group and the Claas family have shown their commitment to CLAAS dealers, their customers and UK agriculture as a whole, and also to Bury St Edmunds and west Suffolk where we are now one of the largest employers,” says Trevor Tyrrell, Senior Vice-President (continued on page 102)

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machinery (Western Europe & Oceania) for the CLAAS Group’s Sales and Service division.

The new 16.5 metrehigh building, which stands prominently alongside the A14 near Bury St Edmunds, was designed by BCR Infinity Architects of Cambridge and built by R G Carter Ltd. It serves as the headquarters for CLAAS UK and for their East Anglia dealer MANNS. In addition to offices for both companies, the design also incorporates an impressive full height, glass fronted TECHNOPARC machinery showroom. This will be an important alternative to national exhibitions which are at risk due to the pandemic, and therefore a further field training and demonstration area is also being developed to complete a Customer Experience Centre.

To the rear of the office building is a new 10-bay workshop complex for MANNS and a large 4,336m2 parts warehouse for CLAAS UK, that supports its dealers throughout the UK and Ireland.

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Kuhn extends film binding to variable chamber baler-wrapper range KUHN’s patented twin-reel film binding system is available for the first time on its variable chamber baler-wrappers following its introduction to the VBP

3100 series machines. This development now brings the advantages of film binding, which include better forage quality, improved feeding efficiency

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and easier environmental management, to KUHN’s full range of round baler-wrappers.

Proven on KUHN’s fixed chamber baler-wrappers, including

machinery FBP and i-BIO ranges, this unique system uses two regular 750mm stretch-film rolls, which offers several advantages compared to other film binding systems available on the market that are using wide mantle film.

According to KUHN, film binding with its twin-reel system enables customers to benefit from a lower film purchase price and to use a much higher pre-stretch ratio compared to conventional wide film binding systems.

Moreover, the processing time is optimised as the starting and end string are as short as possible.

This reduces the film binding costs by up to 37% and extends the intervals for changing film reels by another 30%.

Alongside the advantages of having only one film type to manage, the regular stretch-film rolls are lighter and easier to handle, and film roll loading is made easier still by the relatively low access point on KUHN baler-wrappers.

Kubota appoints HRN Tractors as full-line dealer for Scotland Kubota UK has announced that HRN Tractors Ltd has become a Kubota full-line dealer in Scotland across its six depots.

While HRN Tractors will represent Kubota construction equipment for all of Scotland,

its agricultural products will be available for depots north of Perth, with groundcare and professional turf products for the region north of Dundee.

“This appointment reinforces Kubota’s commitment to its

customers and the market,” explains David Hart, managing director of Kubota (UK). “As a full-line dealer, HRN Tractors will be in a strong position to make the future investments required in facilities, technology

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and staff, to actively support our customers across agricultural, groundcare and construction sectors.”

HRN Tractors was established by the Barclay family in 1980, and is a well-known and

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machinery respected name throughout the farming community. In addition to its extensive dealership activities, the family also farms across 2,000 acres of combinable crops and is home to the pedigree Harestone herd. With its head office at Insch, HRN Tractors has depots at Turriff, Kinloss, Muir of Ord, Caithness and Balbeggie.

“HRN is delighted to have received the Kubota franchise,” says Hamish Bruce, dealer principal of HRN Tractors. “It supplies us with a wide range of agricultural, construction and groundcare products to sell to our growing customer base. We believe that Kubota has massive potential for market growth in Scotland, and that HRN and Kubota have a very bright future together.”

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription page 87

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machinery Major manufacturing expansion in Ballymena at Blaney Group Blaney Group, based in Ahoghill Co Antrim are pleased to have completed the first phase of their new purpose built manufacturing facility which will help futureproof the business and expand the capacity Blaney requires to meet customer demand across all of its engineering divisions.

The new facility houses Blaney’s precision engineering company Blaney Gears and gives significant space for assembly of the Blaney Agri tractor machinery and Quad-X ATV equipment. This new site also allows for extra yard space and some warehousing and spare parts storage. Blaney Gears who are specialists in precision engineering, gear manufacturing, component production and

industrial gearbox refurbishment are involved in a diverse range of engineering projects and this new building permits ample space for their wide range of machining technology.

This expansion further cements the valuable and unique synergy Blaney draws from each of its engineering divisions including Blaney Agri, Quad-X, Blaney Gears, Blaney Fabrication and Blaney Motor.

This new facility has allowed for the enhancement of Blaney’s existing manufacturing plant which is situated just 100m away, to focus on metal fabrication giving greater capacity for welding, laser cutting, folding, bending and CNC machining.

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machinery Massive wheel and telescopic wheel loader models from Kramer The Kramer brand stands for all wheel steer loaders, telescopic wheel loaders and telehandlers with extreme manoeuvrability, all-terrain mobility and high efficiency. The Kramer 8 - series of wheel and telescopic wheel loaders sets new standards in terms of technology, performance and comfort. All models combine modern engine technology, decades of experience and know-how in development for daily and demanding agricultural use. After all, telescopic wheel loaders from Kramer are fullfledged wheel loaders with a plus in reach, stacking and dumping height.

The latest additions to the Kramer machine portfolio include the telescopic wheel loader KL55.8T and the wheel loaders KL60.8 and KL60.8L. They impress with maximum stability, manoeuvrability and a constant payload. The machines are driven by a 100 kW Deutz TCD 3.6 engine with exhaust emission level V and 100 kilowatt power. The even more powerful Deutz TCD 4.1. engine

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with level V and 115 kilowatt is optionally available to the customers. The exhaust aftertreatment is carried out by DOC, DPF and SCR. Kramer offers the KL55.8T with Z-kinematics and telescopic loader unit in the 9 – 12 tonnes performance range.

This expands the full quality wheel loader to include the advantages of a telehandler with the even

further increased load-over height, stacking height, dumping height and reach. In addition to loading all agricultural machines and trailers, an important application area in particular is the loading of, for example, fodder mixing vehicles or biogas systems and stacking bales.

The telescopic wheel loader is also equipped with the “Smart Handling” overload system.

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It prevents the vehicle from tipping over in the longitudinal direction. With a bucket tipping load of 5.500 kilograms and a stacking payload of 3.900 kilograms, the telescopic wheel loader is convincing, despite its low dead weight. It´s equipped with a telescopic loader unit (Z-kinematics), which gives the full fledged wheel loader the advantages of a telehandler.

machinery New tractors arrive at UK dealerships Over thirty dealerships in the UK are taking delivery of the all-new Fendt 300 and 700 series tractors.

The fourth generation 300 series is available with four power outputs ranging from 113 horsepower to 142 horsepower, whilst the 700 series has six models offering 144 to 237 horsepower.

The eagerly awaited new tractors are the first to feature the new FendtOne interface which connects the tractors to a new Fendt farm management system. This enables the farm or fleet manager to send tasks to the tractor’s terminal and receive data from the operator when the task is complete.

“FendtOne is the future for Fendt operators worldwide. The new terminal in the cab, and the option for additional screens, enable operators to structure their tasks more easily and efficiently. It also facilitates the real time transfer of data from tractor to office so that all tractor tasks can be monitored, and PDF reports created,” explains Peter Henson, Fendt’s UK tractor sales engineer.

A new cab layout with a new armrest and joystick offers a more ergonomic driving experience.

The new screens have a six-tile layout and can display different views on a page layout. A “one touch” entry reduces the number of clicks and sub menus needed to access implement settings. “It’s a more intuitive system that has all the same functionality of the previous generation of tractors, but in a more accessible way.

Operators can create and save their own screen layout, this will help those sharing tractors or wanting to save a wide variety of implement settings,” says Mr Henson.

Further advances in technology include additional section control capacity which will see the new tractors capable of more sections than the current 36 sections as the software develops.

“These machines are about future proofing farming and offering operators the ability to be more precise. FendtOne provides farm managers with the data needed to improve efficiencies and make cost savings,” concludes Mr Henson.

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machinery Update your offroad style with the Sportsman 570 Black Edition

The Black Edition Sportsman 570 also comes standard with a 1134kg winch with cut steel gears and a sealed drivetrain, as well as premium synthetic rope for superior flexibility and strength to help get the job done

faster, and to stay prepared for unexpected situations.

Electric power steering (EPS) and an all-new and improved engine braking system (EBS) come as standard on the 2021 Sportsman 570

Black Edition. The EBS has been developed to allow a more controlled riding experience regardless of the terrain type, alongside a new clutch for smooth engagement at lower speeds.

Following the global launch of the all-new 2021 Sportsman 570, Polaris has introduced a variety of special edition trims to meet every rider’s needs and style, including the new Sportsman 570 EPS Black Edition.

With a shimmering Black Pearl paint finish - a Polaris colour exclusively available for customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa - alongside the new accent colour springs in Titanium Metallic and special edition graphics on the body, the Sportsman 570 EPS Black Edition offers a premium look and unquestionable style.

The new special edition has an aggressive stance thanks to 14-inch aluminium wheels in matte black, as well as 26-inch CST tyres. The MacPherson Strut front suspension and Dual A-Arm Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) provides 20.8cm front and 24.1cm rear suspension travel along with 34cm of ground clearance to conquer demanding trails and harsh terrain. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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machinery Massey Ferguson MF 1700 M Series compact tractors Massey Ferguson has announced the introduction of the new MF 1700 M Series of compact

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tractors. All are powered by the latest Stage V compliant engines delivering powers up to 67hp.

“Equipped to a high specification, the powerful MF 1700 M Series is designed

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and built to provide excellent performance in a wide range of horticultural, amenity, municipal, grass care and agricultural applications,” says Francesco Murro, Director Marketing Massey Ferguson Europe & Middle East All models come with fourwheel drive as standard, plus a choice of a comfortable, quiet cab or with a platform, as well as hydrostatic or mechanical transmissions to perfectly match the task and users’ requirements.

These new, well-equipped tractors complement the existing 20hp, MF 1520 and 25hp, MF 1525 models. With its compact chassis the MF 1700 M Series is the perfect choice for those looking for a narrower and lighter tractor than the MF 3700 Series and MF 4700 Series, which begin at 75hp.

“With the introduction of the MF 1700 M Series Massey Ferguson has now completely renewed our entire range of tractors dedicated to the smaller farm, groundscare and amenity sectors,” says Mr Murro. At the same time, we took the opportunity to greatly increase the compact tractors’ specifications to boost productivity and comfort for both professional and occasional users.

“The new MF 1700 M Series is also a perfect fit with Massey Ferguson’s current tractor line-up, providing more models and an even wider choice for professional farmers and operators,” he adds.

Powered by the latest, 1.8 litre Stage V compliant engines, the 35hp MF 1735 M and 40hp MF 1740 M, combine compact dimensions with powerful performance. The perfect mowing tractors, both models come with the well-proven, improved HST hydrostatic transmission and a choice of versions with a platform or cab.

Both tractors are available with a new factory-fitted, three-

machinery blade, 60-inch-wide mower deck. With its drive-over design it is simple and easy to mount.

Cutting heights are adjustable from the seat in eight stages from 25mm to 115mm and the deck offers 150mm of ground clearance, thanks to the larger tyre sizes.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue out January 2020 Subscription page 87

To meet the strict Stage V engine emission standards, the common-rail engine is fitted with All-In-One after-treatment.

This system, which offers automatic regeneration, contains all the components in one compact unit, which is mounted under the bonnet with no impact on visibility and requires no additional maintenance.

At 1,065mm, the comfortable cab is wider than before.

Standard air-conditioning ensures it is a cool workplace, and it’s quiet too, with low noise levels of just 76dB(A).

For further comfort there is an optional air-suspended seat.

Tramspread launches new dribble bars Tramspread has launched the new Suffolk range of dribble bars. Manufactured at a new facility in Suffolk, the dribble bars range in width from 6 metres to 24 metres.

Boom widths from 6 metres to 15 metres fold vertically and feature automatic transport latches with safety lock. These can be fitted to tankers or tractors as umbilical applicators.

The 24-metre boom neatly and horizontally folds around the tractor’s cab without impairing the operator’s vision.

“The low profile does not block the view out of the rear

of the tractor and the position of the swinging arm does not compromise the tractor’s pickup hitch. This allows the tractor to tow a pump or reeler whilst the dribble bars are fitted,”

machinery

MAX CUT cutter bar now available from 2.2m working width

explains Tramspread Managing Director, Terry Baker.

Dribble bars from 6 to 12 metres feature a single macerator and tractor spool valve controls.

The 12 metre is also available with twin macerators, which are fitted on the 15 metre and 24 metre models as standard.

All twin macerator dribble bars benefit from electro-hydraulic folding mechanisms, with power beyond, operated from cab mounted controls.

Leftand right-hand geometric control is standard on all twin macerator dribble bars and allows for independent boom adjustment, a feature that will help those spreading on undulating land. “This feature enables the boom height to be adjusted for field gradient and out crops,” says Mr Baker.

The Suffolk range has pipework designed for flow meters and slurry monitors to be retro fitted using the Tramspread Isobus Raven Box.

“This transmits monitoring and mapping data to a monitor in the cab, which should encourage all users to test and measure slurry to make the most of its nutrients,” says Mr Baker. “We have focussed on connectivity and automation for easy management and recording,” he adds.

All booms up to 15 metres are made of galvanised steel whilst the larger 24 metre model has an aluminium construction.

“The balance of strength and weight is important. Spreading umbilically is only better for the land if the weight of the dribble bar is not too high. We chose aluminium to reduce the weight which will also reduce soil compaction,” concludes Mr Baker.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue out January 2021

The Air Compressor and Pressure Washer Specialists

CLAAS has introduced two new ranges of rear mower that feature a centre-of-gravity side mounted system. The two new ranges, the DISCO 10 and DISCO 100, comprise seven brand-new models that cover working widths from 3.4 down to 2.2m and also incorporate the proven MAX CUT mowing bed, which was previously only available on wider working width models. They replace the DISCO Inline and DISCO 50 series for the 2021 season.

A new feature for all sidemounted DISCO disc mowers is a centre-of-gravity hitching system, which ensures that the mower bed, much like mowers with centre pivoting, has a uniform contact 112

pressure over the entire working width. The large suspension spring engages in the middle of the machine frame in this case.

Furthermore, the line of force of the spring runs exactly through the centre of gravity of the mower unit.

The force is evenly distributed to the mower bed by the inner and outer support, resulting in clean forage and an undamaged sward.

CLAAS is now introducing the MAX CUT mower bed, familiar from the DISCO family and proven thousands of times over, to the entry-level segment of disc mowers with the three new DISCO 32, 28 and 24 side mounted mowers with working widths of 3.0, 2.6 and 2.2m.

Manufacturers and suppliers, W Bateman & Co has an enviable reputation for manufacturing and supplying both domestic and industrial pressure washers and air compressors.

Nationwide DELIVERY on all orders

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01772 862948 email: sales@bateman-sellarc.co.uk www.bateman-sellarc.co.uk

XMAS GIFTS Here are a couple of ideas to keep someone warm this coming festive season

Shotgun cartridge hip flask J Boult Designs has expanded its range of ethical gifts with a Shotgun cartridge hip flask gift set. Each full leather-bound 6oz (177ml) stainless steel hip flask is made with an upcycled 12 bore shotgun cartridge riveted into the British sourced leather. It is a must-have for any whisky or sloe gin lover for the bitter days on the peg or up the windswept hill.

J Boult Designs has a full range of handsome handmade products inspired by the Scottish countryside. The workshop overlooks the scenic Sound of Mull from the remote Morvern peninsula in the Scottish Highlands. The hip flask is an ideal companion on any Highland adventure, each flask is presented in a tin gift box with a funnel.

Price: ÂŁ50 with free shipping within the UK www.jboultdesigns.com

Perfect for the winter season, why not a pair of ULTRLIGHT wellington boots from LBC* LBC Boots are a new innovative brand offering an ULTRALIGHT range of unisex wellingtons taking the market by storm‌ use discount code FSM25 to take advantage of our Christmas offer!

RRP - ÂŁ49.95 Christmas Offer Price is ÂŁ39.95 – 25% OFF! www.lbcboots.com * Take a look at our ‘New to Market’on page 21 for even more information www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Southern Belle RULES WERE MADE TO BE BROKEN‌.

Sitting in my first woolly jumper of the season, while the rain is amplified on the conservatory roof, I look out and the one thing that has made me smile through this terrible year is my giant daisy flowers. I have no idea what they are, as I planted them from seed and lost the marker.

My efforts in the butterfly and bee friendly department have also been rewarded with loads of butterflies who produced enough caterpillars to eat my entire cabbage crop and my nasturtiums. Success?

Note to self‌order nets for cabbage crop 2021.

Hopefully, 2021 will be better and we won’t have so many restrictions. Why would drinking wine with your meal inside the pub be more infectious than freezing your ass off outside, with your cold dinner and glass of wine? Did they really expect everyone to go home alone after the pubs shut at 10pm. It didn’t work in the 1960s!

So, don’t blame students for enjoying their first freedom from the confines of home

regulations and widening their social circles. That’s life, with or without Covid!.

People wander in out of No 10 without masks and our own MPs ignore the laws. The same people who ignored those previous rules, will ignore these ones as well.

Keep yourself safe and others around you and that’s the best you can do.

As an avid fan of Off The Ball on BBC Radio Scotland, I look forward to Professor Jason Leach’s weekly update. Scotland’s Medical Director and voice of reason. This week he stated that things would not be back to normal by next June. Good enough for me and great news for Scottish tourism.

While there hasn’t been much to laugh about, two old Irish farmers, neither of whom were wearing masks, wandered in through the local agri-store, ending up AT THE CAFĂ? )T WAS POLITELY explained that they should wear masks until they got to their table, to which one replied ... “But we’re only in for a cup of tea!â€?

Rules?‌..what rules?...

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Page Turner’s Dennis Overton A Scottish entrepreneur whose achievements include bringing the world’s first organic salmon to market has been named the new chair of the SAC Commercial Board.

Dennis Overton, who is also chair of Scotland Food and Drink, takes over from Sandy Cumming.

Stephen Hepburn NFU Scotland has appointed Stephen Hepburn as its new Senior Group Secretary and Senior Agent based at the busy NFU Mutual Thainstone Agency, Inverurie.

He takes over from Duncan Low who retired after 38 years in June.

Mr Hepburn has over 30 years of experience of working within the financial sector in the North East for Clydesdale Bank.

Charlie Wilson OPICO has appointed Charlie Wilson as a new Territory Manager to cover western, central and northern Scotland, adding further strength to the sales team, reflecting the company’s increasing customer base and portfolio of products.

Charlie Wilson will take responsibility for all the OPICO, Sky, HE-VA, Strautmann and Maschio Gaspardo brands in this area.

Sascha Grierson Sascha Grierson, a partner in her family’s organic farming and “fledgling” agritourism business, has joined SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), to head up the Scottish Farm Business Survey.

A scientist by background, Sascha’s passion for how data shapes understanding, combined with her hands-on experience of building up her farm’s direct meat sales, make her an ideal lead for delivering the insights that the Scottish Government needs from the Survey.

Neil Baker BDC Systems, one of the UK’s top suppliers of grain drying, storage and handling equipment has announced the appointment of a new “Commercial Sales Manager”.

Mr Neil Baker, joined the company at the beginning of September 2020 to promote and establish the BDC portfolio of products including Skandia elevating and conveying equipment, Svegma driers, BM hoppers and Zanin cleaners into the commercial grain handling, feed/flour milling, pet food and malting markets. ˇ

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BOOK REVIEW Riders on the Storm: The Climate Crisis and the Survival of Being

by Alastair McIntosh ‘The best soils are rich in humus, sticky without being claggy and therefore nicely friable – crumbly, so that roots can penetrate… You can smell the earthy richness – a real farmer with real soil will pick it up, roll it around between palm and fingers like a good malt whisky warming in the glass, and not just smell but even taste it. Not only is humus high in carbon as naturally sequestered CO2, but it also functions as a sponge. It regulates the give and take of flood and drought… the ground beneath our feet is this earth’s living skin…’ – Alastair McIntosh We are now a year out from Cop26 to be held in Glasgow – the delayed UN Climate Change ‘Conference of the Parties’ to be held in November 2021 at the SEC. The event will bring together over 30,000 delegates from nearly 200 nations including heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to discuss and attempt to agree action to address the greatest challenge of all those facing us today.

It is timely then, that amongst the latest releases from Birlinn Books is Riders on the Storm: The Climate Crisis and the Survival of Being from the pen of our home-grown campaigner Alastair McIntosh, widely respected both at home and around the world. The book is grounded in local experience and lays out the science and history in accessible, approachable language before exploring the politics, psychology and spirituality surrounding (and at times underpinning) the crisis with a touch of wit and a great deal of insight.

If you don’t already know his name, McIntosh is a writer, scholar, broadcaster, a voice of reason and a leading environmental campaigner. He

hails from the Isle of Lewis and he brings a deep understanding of climate change observed through place. He is a wise and informed speaker on the most challenging questions of our time including globalisation, land reform, community empowerment and non-violence with an emphasis on psychological and spiritual depth. If you are searching for a well-reasoned, thorough and balanced review of the climate crisis, with Scotland at its core but the future of the world at its heart, you will find it here.

The book is bang up to date covering the raging fires of Australia and even Covid-19 and takes a close look at two extremes: deniers and alarmists.

But McIntosh looks too at wider human behaviour and what we can all do, without hysteria. He points to a middle way, a change to our chosen way of living – a balance between population, consumption, technologies and emissions. His phrase, ‘a dignified sufficiency in our consumption of material things’ should be a mantra adopted by all, addressing the problem of the ‘insatiable excess of the never-satisfied consumer and the commercial forces that push insatiability.’

And the last word in the book? Compassion.

Riders on the Storm: The Climate Crisis and the Survival of Being by Alastair McIntosh is published by Birlinn (£9.99 pbk)