Farming Scotland Magazine (May - June 2018)

ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW 2018 - 53 PAGE PREVIEW INSIDE

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Royal Highland Show Preview 2018 John Deere Centenary Cereals 2018 Scottish Game Fair Open Farm Sunday ‘Helping It Happen’ Awards £3.50

june 2018

Scotland’s national farming & rural lifestyle magazine

Interview Jim Fairlie Country Woman Julie Rutherford Competition with Hoggs of Fife & Fife Country Farming Travel Guide Scotland Crieff plus Flavour of Scotland s Artworks s SWI including our regular news sections and columns

contents

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Cereals 2018 John Deere Centenary Royal Highland Show Open Farm Sunday Scotsheep 2018 Scottish Game Fair Preview ‘Helping It Happen’ Awards

TOPIC 17

Warning on heat lamps

OUR FARM SHOP 21

Craigie’s Farm Shop

NEW TO MARKET 23

Methane reducing product from Harbro

INTERVIEW 23

With Jim Fairlie

Tanzania

EXOTIC FARMING 88

109 Readers competition with Hoggs of Fife and Fife Country

ARTWORKS

FARMING TRAVEL GUIDE SCOTLAND SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE BOOK SERIALISATION 134 Part 3: Walking with Cattle

COUNTRY WOMAN 136 Julie Rutherford

SWI

WORLD FARMING 84

WHISKY

133 With Linda Mellor

Food events & awards

115

READERS COMPETITION

116 Crieff

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND 18

88

87

MAIN FEATURES 10 25 29 86 98 114 118

june 2018

138 Fund raising in rural communities

BEATHA AN EILEAN 139 Life on the islands

141 Limited Edition offer

142 Featuring Mel Shand

NEWS 6 13 22 28 82 83 90 93 97 100 106 108 110 111 120 126 130 131 143 144 145

Arable Potatoes EU News Investing in People Environment Renewable Energy Beef Livestock Pigs Sheep Dairy Gadgets Forestry Estate Machinery Finance Future Farmer Horses Lifestyle @Home Cars

133 12 14 15 19 20 82 83 91 95 96 101 112 113 129 130 132 137 143 146 146

R.S.A.B.I. Crofting Hutton Institute Let’s Cook Farmers Markets Farming for the Climate Scottish Government NFU Scotland Quality Meat Scotland The Vet N.S.A..

Conservation Matters Scottish Land & Estates The Money Man S.A.Y.F.C. Equine angle Southern Belle Rural Style People on the Move Book Review

SUBSCRIPTION 140 Order your own copy now

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IN FOCUS 104 ProCross from Viking Genetics

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arable The future is bright for the Limagrain wheat breeding programme editor's

bit

Here comes the Scottish summer!

At last we can feel some warmth in the air and in the soil below our feet. Lambs are in the fields and life is blossoming once again. Away from politics, isn’t it a wonderful feeling!

In this issue we look ahead to the Royal Highland Show, one of Scotland’s greatest events of the year, and yet again we have a magazine packed full of interesting and diverse articles for you to enjoy, and maybe even to learn something from?

This is my favourite time of the year, a time of hope and prospect, a time to look forward to a stunning Scottish summer! – LOL. Okay I’m maybe pushing it a bit there, but I do hope that we all have a good summer of farming and a successful harvest to show for the hard work.

Meanwhile we are working away on new ideas for the magazine going forward, and one of these ideas is looking at how we can play a part in supporting Scottish made produce?

While ‘Scotland the Brand’ seems a little too corporate to me, I like the term “Product of Scotland”. It does what it says on the tin!!...and we will be happy to get any ideas on what role we can play in promoting our fantastic Scottish produce to our readers wherever they me be.

Here’s to a great summer.

Slàinte, Athole.

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Bringing high yielding wheat varieties to market that offer a range of attributes to reflect the differing agronomic and marketing requirements of farmers across the UK, has always been a focus of the Limagrain UK wheat breeding programme.

This has never been more evident than in this year’s winter wheat candidate list, where Limagrain has 7 out of the total 11 varieties up for recommendation to join the 2019-20 AHDB Recommended List, spread across almost every quality sector. “We are particularly excited about our soft feed variety LG Skyscraper, which is the highest yielding wheat candidate at 109% and will potentially be the overall highest yielding wheat variety, should it gain full recommendation to the 2019-20 List”, says Les Daubney, marketing director for arable seeds, with Limagrain UK. LG Skyscraper’s very high yield shows a significant 4% increase over the control feed variety KWS Santiago in treated trials and demonstrates that the variety is capable of competing with many of the high yielding feed varieties that have been added to the AHDB RL in the last couple of seasons.“What is also exciting and really valuable on-farm, is that this yield potential has been consistent across both seasons and regions.” “With excellent grain and end-use quality attributes on offer, LG Skyscraper is bucking the trend that soft wheats don’t yield or have the desirable quality characteristics of the hard Group 4’s as here is a soft wheat that does both and very well,” Les says. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

In my view

arable Spring under-sowing option will boost forage production

By John Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Fife

The importance of Agriculture to the Rural Economy

Under-sowing spring cereals with a perennial ryegrass ley has the potential to increase production whilst cutting establishment costs, advises Germinal’s William Fleming. Livestock producers drilling spring cereals for wholecrop or grain could gain significantly by under-sowing crops with a following grass ley.

Along with fully cashing in on the land’s production potential by minimising any barren period, the practice also takes time pressure off post-harvest when the ley would otherwise be established.

“Under-sowing this spring could be particularly important to producers who may be concerned about a shortage of silage or forage stocks,” he adds.

As with any reseeding or establishment of a new crop, soil tests should be done in good time, with attention paid to soil fertility, pH and structure.

According to William, for best establishment, cereals must be planted first - at a slightly lower rate – and then grass seed is drilled or broadcasted into the surface. Cereals and grass seed can both be drilled the same day, but not at the same pass. Ideally, the field will be ploughed to prepare the seedbed for the cereal crop and drilled at 40 to 50kgs/ acre (100 to 120kg/ha), 2.5 to 4cm deep, and then rolled to prepare a fine and firm seed bed for the grass ley. Grass should then be broadcast or drilled, no deeper than 1cm.

Omex opens Scottish liquid nitrogen and sulphur facility OMEX Agriculture’s brand new 16000t liquid nitrogen and sulphur storage and distribution facility at Port of Dundee is now fully operational with its first load having left the site recently to service Scottish farming businesses in the area. Forth Ports, who run the site, have worked alongside OMEX to bring this state of the art facility on line, and with Dundee-based haulier Harry Lawson delivering product all over

Scotland it should give farmers huge confidence in the unrivalled level of service provided to new and existing customers. Port of Dundee represents a significant part of OMEX’s total of 170,000t liquid nitrogen and sulphur fertiliser storage capacity available to UK farmers, and makes almost all customers reachable within two hours of an order leaving one of its many strategically positioned facilities.

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The much hoped for and eagerly awaited early spring with a desperately needed appearance of some early grass has unfortunately just not materialised.

That coupled with a severe scarcity of winter fodder following last summer’s prolonged wet spell has meant that for many livestock farmers this winter will have proved to be the most expensive in terms of feed costs – before we even consider the resultant lower level of productivity from breeding stock – particularly hill and upland sheep flocks.

At the time of writing there is much talk of possible aid for those worse affected and whilst the present situation would certainly justify an appropriate form of aid – we have to ensure that any financial aid ensures that it incentivises a desirable result from both the farmer and the taxpayers’ consideration.

“Animal Health and Welfare” come to mind as being generally acceptable but we certainly wouldn’t want to create any vision of rewarding bad management, or indeed of excluding those who had acted prudently earlier in the season and taken steps to minimise any weather fodder related problems.

Our Cabinet Secretary will undoubtedly be sympathetic but he also has to be realistic!

Meanwhile for those with prime lambs to sell, - the current finished lamb trade offers some opportunity to offset some of our additional costs. Lower imports from New Zealand, later delivery of this year’s lamb crop and increased exports due to the value of sterling have all

contributed to reduce supply of prime lamb whilst demand has continued to be strong.

This last factor is of critical importance to the whole of the livestock industry and underlines the importance of the work undertaken by QMS to promote our produce – particularly in these uncertain times.

We also have to remember that the arable sector has not come through the winter unscathed. Spring sowing and planting are about a month behind in many places and this will undoubtedly have an effect on yield and profitability. Although cereal prices are firm because of competing fodder prices, the potato world is still suffering from an oversupply situation.

Apart from the weather the wider implications of Brexit are still causing anxiety throughout the industry. At least in Scotland in political circles there seems to be some understanding of the implications of a ‘hard Brexit’ on the Scottish sheep industry in production, environment and social consequences. I say this because the industry has just heard that Emma Harper MSP – the Parliamentary Secretary to our Cabinet Secretary – has organised a cross party reception in the Scottish Parliament entitled ‘Sheep in the Rural Economy’.

This will allow hands on sheep farmers to discuss their concerns and ideas directly with Scottish MPs. Well done Emma! Perhaps – at last – the importance of Agriculture to the Rural Economy is beginning to dawn!

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arable Utilising risk factors in proactive cereal disease management at Cereals event With cereal variety choice at the start of the season playing a big role in how disease pressure develops later on, visitors to the Syngenta stand (number 619) at this year’s Cereals Event can learn about planning cost-effective fungicide strategies taking this plus other risk factors into account.

Using a range of cereal variety plots on the stand as a backdrop, Syngenta experts will explain how to utilise ‘known’ risk factors – of variety, drilling date and location – together with ‘evolving’ in-season weather risks, to develop practical approaches to minimise yield loss.

“Proactivity is key when planning fungicide programmes,” says Syngenta fungicide expert, Dave Ranner. “You can’t simply base decisions on disease levels around the time of spraying, because these other factors can have a big

influence on how disease develops after that point. “As a combined plant breeder and research-based crop protection manufacturer, we have a lot of information on how variety choice and fungicides affect disease levels. Most recently, much of this is with our latest foliar SDHI fungicide, Elatus Era, launched last season. “The T2 spray, in particular, is clearly a critical timing to get right because the flag leaf which it protects contributes more than 40% to winter wheat yield. “With Elatus Era offering such a strong option at T2 – because it has been shown to provide outstanding retention of green leaf area as well as powerful control of Septoria and rusts – we will be explaining how to take into account the various risk factors when using Elatus Era to get the best results.”

Six new cereal varieties to feature in Syngenta plots at Cereals 2018 Two new winter wheat varieties will be unveiled on the Syngenta stand (number 619) at this year’s Cereals Event – a potential new bread-making candidate variety, SY Medea, and a new highyielding hard Group 4 feed wheat, Gleam. Added to the AHDB Recommended List for 2018/19, and due for launch for this autumn, Gleam, like its recently-introduced stablemate feed varieties, Graham and Shabras, combines high yield with robust resistance to Septoria tritici, says Syngenta seeds campaign manager, Tracy Creasy.

“As Septoria tritici has become more difficult to control, growers have increasingly turned to growing more resistant varieties,” says Mrs 8

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Creasy. “As well as high yields, Gleam, Shabras and Graham provide a minimum resistance rating of 6.2 against Septoria tritici on the AHDB Recommended List, with Graham up at 6.9. “They also offer good resistance to rusts and early maturity. Early maturity has become important to help spread harvest workloads as farm sizes have increased, but also to provide a longer window after harvest for preparing stale seedbeds for managing black-grass. “Graham was launched in 2016 and remains highly popular, underlining the importance that growers attach to agronomic benefits such as good Septoria tritici resistance,” she adds.

arable New blight strain requires fresh approach to control Blight control strategies will have to change this season if potato growers are to combat the spread of a new aggressive, fungicide-insensitive/ resistant strain of the disease, leading agronomy firm Hutchinsons says. The dark green 37_A2 form of Phytopthora infestans has quickly spread across Europe, reaching England two years ago when five cases were reported. Around 20 cases were officially recorded in 2017, mainly in the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Kent, and more recently in Suffolk, but Hutchinsons root crop technical manager Darryl Shailes believes the actual figure could be higher and all crops no matter where they are grown are potentially at risk. The new strain is at least, if not more, aggressive than the

dominant blue 13 and pink 6, but the crucial difference is that it appears equally aggressive on foliar and tuber blight, he warns.

“There was a massive failure of fluazinam at the Eurofins blight trials last year and dark green 37 was implicated in several cases of store breakdown.” Furthermore, dark green 37 has reduced sensitivity to fluazinam, which is in many fungicides often used towards the end of the season to reduce tuber blight. “Fluazinam has been a cost-effective option for tuber and foliar blight, especially against the blue 13 strain, but until we have access to real-time information to determine the exact genotype of blight spores present in the field, we have to question its position in blight programs. “The yield loss from foliar infection of blight

is often very small except in the worst years but the consequential

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losses from tuber blight can be massive.”

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arable

A look ahead to Cereals 2014 Cereals 2018 is all about change.

From the structure of the event itself to preparing businesses for changes ahead of Brexit, there is an abundance of new features and advice at this year’s event (13-14 June).

“We have made significant, positive alterations to both the content and layout of the event to ensure it meets the needs of our most important people: arable farmers and agronomists,” explains Jon Day, event director.

These changes have been based on feedback from farmer and exhibitor advisory boards, which were formed at the end of last year. “It is really positive to see the new Comexposium team fully behind the changes we want to see,” explains Cambridgeshire farmer, David Knott. “There are plenty of good ideas and it will all bring change for the better – I really felt like we were being listened to more than ever before.”

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The experience will begin the moment visitors set foot on the site, thanks to the new Innovation Entrances, which provide a

preview of some of the exciting technology and ideas across the event site. “We want a visit to Cereals to be inspiring from start to finish – not just while looking around exhibitor stands,” explains Mr Day. “Therefore, some of the latest arable innovations will be highlighted at both of the visitor entrances – giving farmers a flavour of what they can expect to see and hear during the day.”

Other new features at this year’s event will include Cereals Controversial and Cereals Conversations. These seminars are replacing the popular Arable Conference, splitting into two areas to give visitors a greater depth of knowledge. Cereals Controversial will include panel

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debates with politicians and leading industry officials – and will be a hub for discussion on the hottest topics in the sector. In the Cereals Conversations marquee, talks will take a more technical and practical approach, arming visitors with the latest scientific knowledge and research to put into action.

In response to feedback from farmers, topics include: Business resilience, crops of the future, sustainable soil health and nutrition, emerging weed control strategies, and making better data-driven decisions.

Following the introduction of Knowledge Trails last year, visitors to this year’s event can benefit from guided tours led by

arable industry experts covering a range of different topics. Tour topics will include everything from Recommended List crop varieties to innovation in action and weed control techniques.

Of course, many existing favourites will also make a return to the event, including the Soil Pit. Sponsored by NIAB, the pit has become an integral part of Cereals, allowing farmers to get below ground to understand some of the most complex and interrelated problems they face.

Soil health and management has been highlighted in the news recently, with Michael Gove’s proposal to incentivise minimum tillage practices.

Whether through mechanical practices or cropping choice, there are many options available for improving soil structure. Plenty of the latest cutting-edge kit will be on display, and experts from AHDB, NIAB and Yara will be on hand to arm growers with all they need to know about monitoring and managing soils.

Machinery choice is also an area of focus for many growers, with constant innovation meaning there are more options than ever before. Whether you’re looking for improved precision kit, want to compare the latest tractors or see some of the newest sprayers in action, there’s plenty on offer at this year’s event.

Among the manufacturers returning to this year’s event is New Holland Agriculture which will be showcasing its new T6 DCT tractor. Other firms returning this year include Amber Valley Developments, Camgrain, Caulkett, Cheffins, Ecosure, Mark Weatherhead, P. Tuckwell, Prodata Weather Systems, Rand Brothers, Samco, Tees Law, Terrington Machinery, UK Power Networks, and WMEC. For those wanting a sneak peak at the future, the event will also host the only live demonstration of Harper Adams’ Hands Free Hectare outside of the university, which is likely to draw a lot of interest from visitors.

While AHDB has chosen to focus on preparing businesses for the changes that lie ahead rather than crop plots this year, there will be plenty on site for growers to compare from the biggest names in the industry. Independent seed specialist, Senova, will also be found among the plots showcasing its winter wheat variety Costello, which continues to increase in popularity after another good harvest performance in 2017.

NIAB’s crop plots will showcase 40 winter wheat and 27 winter oilseed rape varieties either already established on the AHDB 2018/19 Recommended List or candidates – with more demonstration plots this year than ever before. The untreated plots will give visitors a head start in their variety selection for next season, with independent specialists on hand to point growers in the right direction.

In the day-to-day running of any farm, it’s easy to overlook the importance of having a clear business structure in place.

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However, with uncertainty over trade deals in the near future, it’s essential that arable businesses have plans in place to ensure they remain profitable after Brexit. On hand at this year’s event will be some of the most knowledgeable firms in the industry, including Andersons Farm Business Consultants and AHDB, offering advice and practical tips on how to get your business ready for 2020.

Another significant change to this year’s event is a simplified online ticket purchasing system for advance tickets, and improvements to the on-site box office, based on visitor feedback – meaning it’s now easier than ever to attend. “Over 20,000 farmers, agronomists and industry experts visit Cereals each year,” adds Mr Day. “With this year’s changes, it really is the place to discover the latest arable innovations, hear from key opinion leaders and find the best arable products and services to help businesses thrive.”

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arable

A Summer of Fundraising Gets Underway in the Southern Uplands

New tool for powdery mildew control

By Paul Tinson

Powdery mildew is notorious for impacting yield and fruit quality, and with limited control options available, the announcement of a new bio-fungicide for control of the disease is understandably welcomed.

Selchuk Kurtev, Certis’ IPM Manager, explains the importance of this development for the soft fruit industry.

“Strawberries represent almost 50% of the value of all UKgrown fruit, and are one of the highest value, home-grown fruit crops for the country. “However, a high proportion of the most favoured commercial strawberry varieties, such as Elsanta, Sonata and Malling Centenary, among others, are highly susceptible to powdery mildew. “Growers have access to a limited number of

control options for the disease,” he says. “As temperatures start to rise, increasing disease risk, a new preventative bio-fungicide is a timely addition to the crop protection armoury.” Amylo-X® WG is a fully registered plant protection product formulated with a unique mode of action, which works proactively to compete for space with other pathogens in the plant canopy.

Containing the bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum strain D747, at higher levels of bacterial colony forming units, means that dose rates are relatively low compared to other preventative products based on Bacillus species.

For more information on Amylo-X® WG visit www.certis. co.uk.

A keen walker is aiming to cover over 200 miles along the Southern Upland Way in just 12 days beginning on 29th May. Individuals and groups of walkers are invited to join Gregor Caldwell, Chair of the RSABI Volunteer Ayrshire Committee, as he takes on the route in aid of RSABI which provides emotional, practical and financial support to people in need in Scottish agriculture.

The Southern Upland Way stretches from Portpatrick on the South West coast to Cocksburnpath on the East coast. Jill Sloan, RSABI Development Officer says, “We invite individuals and groups from local businesses or clubs to join Gregor along the route for a day. We encourage everyone to walk with the rural community for the rural community. Those wishing to get involved to walk part of the route, donate or volunteer can get in touch with me”. Call 07725 629181 or email: jill.sloan@rsabi.org. uk

Entries now open to Journey the Southern Upland Way for RSABI Gregor Caldwell talking about his forthcoming challenge says, “I’ve been involved with farming all my life and I want to put something back. Fundraising on behalf of RSABI allows me to do that.”

Donate at http:// uk.virginmoneygiving. com/GregorCaldwell Guy Jefferson of main sponsor SP Energy Networks, said: “We work very closely with the farming community, being the providers and maintainers of the electricity network in farming communities across Central and Southern Scotland.

We know RSABI do incredible work supporting farmers in times of need - we’re proud to be involved with the event.

Team entries are also open for RSABI Great Glen Challenge 2018, sponsored

by Ledingham Chalmers, solicitors, taking place at the end of the summer on Friday 31st August. Visit www.rsabi.org.uk to learn more.

To donate to the Supporter Scheme online as an individual or business visit www.rsabi.org.uk or call RSABI on 0300 111 4166 Please sign up for a regular annual payment if you can Read about people RSABI is helping in farming at www.rsabi.org.uk

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potatoes The Caretaker’s latest optical sorting option proves top-grade Since Tong Engineering launched the option of integrated optical sorting within its market leading grading machine, the Caretaker, back in 2016, the inclusion of advanced optical sorting on dirty grading systems has proved to be a very welcome addition.

Introduced to offer potato and vegetable growers and processors automated optical sorting of dirty crop, Tong has been offering the option within its Caretaker mobile grader and static grading lines, as an alternative to traditional manual inspection facilities. The optical sorter for dirty crop can also be specified as a stand-alone unit or within a complete intake grading line, to replace manual removal of stones and clod from crop.

And now, after almost two years in daily action sorting up to 40 tons of potatoes per hour, the optical sorter has proved itself to be invaluable. “One of our most recent Caretaker installations that features the optical sorting system, is for a large potato grower and processor in France, where the integrated optical sorter is working very well on dirty crop,” explains Charlie Rich, Export Sales Manager at Tong Engineering. “The addition of the optical sorter, which is built upon the Caretaker’s heavy duty chassis, has meant that they are now achieving very

consistent and reliable removal of debris from crop without any manual inspection, and at high capacities.”

When specified as an option on the Tong Caretaker grader, the optical sorting unit is fitted in place of a standard inspection table, working very accurately on unwashed crop, separating foreign material from crop. Using the latest camera technology, the optical sorter scans all items whilst in-flight to identify and separate crop from clod, stones and foreign objects including wood, plastic, glass, bone, rubber, metal and

more. The machine offers effective separation for a wide range of

potato varieties, including main, seed and processing crop.

New nematicide e-learning course launched The potato industry is being urged to take part in a free interactive e-learning course on best practice nematicide usage that has been launched by the NSP and ARTIS. With the cold and wet weather delaying planting and nematicide applications in some areas, now is the perfect time to refresh knowledge on responsible application. “The new online tool aims to encourage and increase the adoption of nematicide stewardship,” says Dr Sharon Hall, chair of the Nematicide Stewardship Programme (NSP).

“It’s suitable for all farm staff

and operators who handle nematicides, to ensure that they’re applied efficiently, accurately and safely, protecting the consumer, the operator and the environment,” she explains.

Developed by ARTIS, the programme will consist of three short 30 minute online modules, the first of which is available online now at www.artistraining. com/e-learning, and focuses on analysis of soil type, potato cyst nematode counts and variety choice when deciding whether to use a nematicide. “The courses are designed to build upon the

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information delivered at the ARTIS Nematicide Stewardship half day courses, which have seen over 1,295 participants to date,” she explains. “Through commissioning this project, we hope to bring training in best practice use of nematicides to a wider range of participants, and to ensure a permanent up to date resource is available to all.

More information on the NSP’s e-learning course and access to best practice advice videos on potato cyst nematode control can be found online at www.nspstewardship.co.uk.

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potatoes

crofting Crofting and agriculture futures

By Patrick Krause, Chief Executive, Scottish Crofting Federation Following on from the crofting consultation at the back-end of last year, Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing put forward his plans for proceeding with the reform of crofting law at a specially convened meeting of the Cross Party Group on Crofting organised by the Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF).

He promised that we will have a bill in this parliamentary session which corrects the main anomalies in the current law and so enables it to work appropriately for crofters.

This is the essential course of action needed and will pave the way to a consolidation bill in the next session. It is exactly what SCF, the Crofting Commission and crofting lawyers asked for and is very good news for crofting. This ensures that crofters’ rights are protected whilst a fundamental review runs in parallel which may enable more far reaching changes to crofting law in the future.

Meanwhile, the paper on the NFUS vision for agricultural support postBrexit ‘Steps to Change’, published recently, seems to ignore crofting and the wider social aspects of crofting and farming. It is a considerable

piece of work and it must be very challenging trying to write policy that will satisfy all members.

There are some aspirations that crofters would support to be sure, such as food production thriving whilst providing positive environmental outcomes and public goods, but, unfortunately, the paper comes across as a thesis on the shoring up of the industrial agriculture model.

It is disappointing that, whilst having made a passing reference to Scotland’s ‘full range of farming systems’, an explicit statement that provision for hill farmers and crofters will always be needed – reiterating what Michael Gove said – has been omitted.

There is no mention of the provision of croftingspecific support measures, environmentally-sound extensive grazing or the capping of support payments; perhaps no surprises there.

But it is striking that a document which claims to be a vision for the future of Scottish agricultural support doesn’t seem to have considered the future – new entrants.

Increase gross margins while meeting new Defra rules Recent trials have proven that using a controlled release fertiliser (CRF), in place of a standard nitrogen programme, can significantly increase marketable potato yields by over 7t/ha, lifting gross margins by as much as £580t/ha.

These trial results have come at a key time, as Defra recently introduced a new set of ‘farming rules for water’ to help protect water quality. And the use of CRFs could help meet one of the key aims, of minimising nitrate leaching. “The innovative CRF technology is simple but effective, the fertiliser granules are coated with a semi-permeable layer that acts like a gateway,” explains Dr Richard Collins, ICL technical

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sales manager. “As the soil temperature increases, cracks open in line with the plant’s nutritional needs. But if the temperature drops, these close and reduce the nutrient flow to the crop, so that wastage is avoided, and leaching is greatly reduced.” He goes on to explain that careful planning of fertiliser applications is also a requirement of the new farming rules. “Using the right fertiliser blend for the field is key to productivity, and as stated in the rules, regular soil testing can help farmers to understand the specific crop requirements. “While individual fields will have different needs, some potato crops will require a small amount of straight nitrogen just after emergence, in addition

potatoes to the base applications, to give the crop a boost. “After this, a CRF such as Agrocote, that offers a gradual ‘drip-feed’ of

nitrogen is preferable throughout the growing season and can eliminate the need for follow up applications.

Green Headland Mix Special Offer now available for all potato and vegetable growers Potato and root vegetable growers could better utilise unproductive field headlands to deliver significant environmental enhancements, as well as protect valuable soil and water resources, according to Dr Max Newbert, Syngenta Field Technical Specialist. At this year’s Potato Science Live events, he reported that Syngenta Operation Pollinator research, in conjunction with ASDA, had

demonstrated clear improvements in soil protection and structure on areas sown using a Green Headland seed mix alongside crops, along with the opportunity to reduce nutrient leaching. The Green Headland mix, developed by seed specialists, Kings, incorporates vetches, clover, phacelia and radish. Sown in the spring to achieve fast growth, it generated 36 tonnes/ha of green organic matter over the summer,

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Set pulses racing, or racing to set pulses: considering greenhouse gas mitigation targets Dr Pete Iannetta Agriculture accounts for 25% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among the major drivers of high GHG emissions is the inefficient use of nitrogen fertiliser, so whether trying to combat climate change or improving efficiency on-farm, the development of approaches that enable natural nitrogen cycling should be prioritised.

Traditionally, natural nitrogen input was achieved using legumes. Legumes are that group of plants which can capture atmospheric nitrogen directly using symbiotic bacteria (called rhizobia) in their root systems.

They need no man-made nitrogen fertiliser to do this.

Legumes include crops such as peas, beans and clovers.

Legumes can meet their entire nitrogen demand from air, by this natural process called biological nitrogen fixation.

Legumes use this nitrogen to provide their own growth and crop yield but also the residue of roots and stem left over provide nitrogen-rich organic matter to offset nitrogen fertiliser requirements for the following crop.

However, use of legumes this way in Scotland is low and currently accounts for only 3% of the crops grown.

This is despite science reports establishing that production systems could

have around 25 to 50% legumes in their crop rotation without compromising yield.

So how Scotland can profitably deploy legumes more effectively and improve our unrivalled position as a major provider of high quality, sustainably produced, food and drink? The Scottish fish farming industry is halfway there, since aquaculture feed already contains high levels of legume grains via field beans, peas and soybean in their feed. Significant research funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union is now addressing these issues in several new projects.

Perhaps in future Scottish meat and aquaculture producers will source all their feed from local legumebased systems, so helping to establish Scotland a world leader in green farming and supply-chains?

The James Hutton Institute’s research on the transition towards legume supported food- and feedchains is supported by the Scottish Government and the EU-funded projects: www.true-project.eu, www. plant-teams.eu and www. tomres.eu.

Dr Pete Iannetta is a plant biologist based at the Institute’s Ecological Sciences group in Dundee and can be contacted at pete.iannetta@hutton.ac.uk.

potatoes including capturing 106 kg N/ ha, that would help improve soil structure and fertility. The cover crop can help to trap and retain soil movement in the field, whilst the rooting acts to stabilise the soil surface and protect from damage by tractors and irrigation equipment through the crop’s growing operations.

Furthermore, independent insect monitoring of the ecologically enhanced Green Headland sites in 2017 sampled 41,000 invertebrates, involving 312 different species. Of those, 60 species were identified as being positive pollinators for crops and 113 known to be predators or parasitoids during their life cycle, including targeting crop pests.

Potato stock levels and ‘drawdown’ at record levels Potato stock levels reached a record 2.4 million tonnes in January – up 25 per cent on last year, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. The latest data survey also showed that the rate at which they were drawn from store was also at its highest level since 2010, when AHDB began measuring stock.

According to the new figures, GB stock levels held by growers rose by 492,000 tonnes compared to the 2017 end-January estimate.

And from November to January 2018. 1.19 million tonnes were drawn from grower’s stores – 226,000 more than the same

period last season and 14 per cent higher than the five-year average drawdown rate. Peter Collier, analyst at AHDB said: “Retail sales of fresh potatoes were up 3.6 per cent in the three month period to the end of January, as measured by Kantar Worldpanel.

While this is good news, it does not entirely explain the increase in drawdown rate. “Another factor is a greater level of grade outs in this year’s crop. With quality reported as reduced in 2017/18, there has been an increased tonnage requirement to meet specifications, as seen by reports of a higher ‘out grade’ percentage than usual.”

Water conservation agent trials show potato yield increase Trials have proven that using a water conservation agent can significantly increase potato yields, which could bring in an extra £1,100 per hectare[1], while reducing irrigation water use by approximately 25%.

One farmer who has experienced the benefits of a water conservation agent first hand, is Norfolk based Tim Papworth.

Dr Richard Collins, ICL technical sales manager, explains that the final digs on Tim’s farm showed that the treated plot yielded at a higher level that the untreated site, with an increase of

Your produce will stay fresher for longer with our wide range of energy efficient storage solutions

BRADLEY REFRIGERATION LTD 929 Abbeydale Road Sheffield S7 2QD Tel: SHEFFIELD 0114 553 7780 Email: agriculture@bradley-refrigeration.com www.bradley-refrigeration.com

16

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11 tonnes from 61.45 t/ha to 72.63 t/ha.

“This improvement in productivity could directly improve farm profits by over £1000 per hectare and can be attributed to the way in which H2Flo works.

“We use an average of 0.67 hectare metres of water in a normal year, which costs us in the region of £8,600, so any saving would be a huge benefit to us and the environment.”

For further information on the trials or H2Flo, please visit https:// icl-sf.com/uk-en/ or contact the ICL team on 01473 237111.

topic

Firefighting farmer issues heat lamp warning

A firefighting farmer has called for caution over the potentially devastating use of heat lamps ahead of the spring lambing season.

Stewart Macpherson has been a farmer for more than 25 years – and since 2010, the dad-of-three has helped keep his community safe as a retained firefighter at Foyers, on the banks of Loch Ness.

The Macphersons are currently preparing to welcome thousands of new-born lambs to the familyrun Dell Farm in Whitebridge, near Inverness – and Stewart has warned against the increased use of heat sources in sheds and barns.

“All across the country, especially at this time of year, firefighters respond to fires at farms caused by heat lamps or fan heaters,” explained Stewart, 48.

“Last year, there was a terrible fire that was caused by an unwell calf knocking over a lamp in a barn full of combustible hay bales.

“I’ve been a farmer for a long time, and I am well aware of the

critical importance of using a heat sources to warm a new-born lamb to boost its chance of survival.

“Farmers and crofters will continue to use these devices, that’s not debatable – but I would urge caution, and for anyone using these heat sources to take simple but hugely effective measures to reduce the risk of fire.

“For example, you should always ensure any heat sources is secured and kept away from flammable material. I also always keep a fire extinguisher nearby.”

There are over 9,000 farms in Scotland, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) regularly responds to a host of farm-related incidents, from fires to flooding to large animal rescue.

Stewart added: “Farms are especially high-risk of fire, in terms of fuel stores and volumes of combustible materials such as hay and straw.

“The consequences can be tragic, with animals killed, and fire

can have a devastating impact on your livelihood.”

The SFRS has already been working in close partnership with rural communities to ensure general safety.

In 2016, SFRS launched the Rural Risk Project (RRP) in the Highlands, South Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway in partnership with the National Farmers Union (NFU) and Police Scotland.

The RRP is a secure database that exists to ensure local firefighters are aware of any risks if called to an emergency at a farm – and Stewart has urged all farmers and crofters to sign up.

He said: “This data is absolutely vital for the safety of firefighters first and foremost, but could also be crucial in terms of reducing any loss or damage at your farm in the event of emergency.”

Rab Middlemiss is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Local Senior Officer for the Highlands.

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He said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service exists to save lives, and we will always look to work with partners to ensure the safety of our communities.

“The Rural Risk Project is a dynamic partnership, and is another key example of how local communities can play a vital role to improve public and firefighter safety.

“As retained firefighter, Stewart Macpherson is a pillar of the community and has been instrumental in building this innovative and potentially lifesaving partnership all across the Highlands.

“I would urge all farmers and crofters to complete our questionnaire to help ensure our firefighters and control staff are fully prepared with vital information about your land and property.”

You can find more information on the Rural Risk Project at firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety 17

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Scotland’s National Chef Looking Forward to Savouring Taste of Grampian Scotland’s national chef, Gary Maclean, is looking forward to attending Taste of Grampian for the very first time this summer.

Mr Maclean, who was crowned the winner of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2016, will be joining the throngs at the festival, which celebrates the best of north-east produce and is sponsored by Specially Selected Pork. The event, which last year attracted a record 16,000 visitors, takes place at the Thainstone Centre, near Inverurie, on June 2nd 2018. Born in Glasgow, Mr Maclean’s career started working in hotels and by the age of 30 he opened his own restaurant.

From there he went on to run the kitchens at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art and the Burrell Collection. Currently a senior lecturer at City of Glasgow College, Gary was appointed in 2017 as Scotland’s first national chef. Tasked with celebrating national produce, he has gone on to teach communities how to make the most of locally sourced, healthy and affordable food.

He is also a great believer in healthy cooking with quality

products such as Specially Selected Pork, and is committed

to encouraging more Scots to cook.

The Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards 2018 are calling for entries from food and drink businesses across the region. The award’s fifteen categories will be open for nominations and entries until the 15th June.

New this year, is the Young Ambassador of the Year category in line with Scotland’s ‘Year

of Young People’ which aims to unite the generations and celebrate the nation’s young people. This new category will support the region’s younger generation by highlighting their contribution to the food and drink industry across the Highlands and Islands. Donald MacLachlan from Salar Smokehouse was

awarded the Young Shining Star Award last year: “I didn’t expect to win the award, I was very chuffed with myself when they called out my name. Since winning the award I have been promoted to Production Manager, I am only 19 so I feel very privileged to have this position at this age. I

often visit the local schools to speak about the award and my job and talk to the kids about why they should consider a future in the Highlands and Islands. It is very important that they think about staying as they are the future of the region.”

Entries can be made online at www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com

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FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Young Aberdeen Angus Scotch Beef Chef Returns from OZ

Mini Sticky Orange and Almond Cakes Gluten Free

A twenty-year-old Inverness-based chef has returned from a once-in-alifetime trip to Sydney as a prize for being crowned the overall winner of the Aberdeen-Angus Scotch Beef Award. Hayley Bruce works at McBains Catering, a family run business based at Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, which specialises in producing top quality catering using fresh local and seasonal produce.

Hayley, a talented and enthusiastic young chef, won the prestigious cooking competition run by the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) in 2017. The competition saw the students challenged to devise a main course dish featuring AberdeenAngus Scotch Beef PGI as the main ingredient.

Hayley has now returned from Australia, where she

experienced a once-in-a-lifetime trip and an opportunity of work experience at Jason Atherton’s Michelin star restaurant, Kensington Street Social in Sydney. Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of QMS, said: “The competition was a fantastic opportunity to reward young talent in the industry and we are ecstatic Hayley enjoyed her time in Australia. “The main ingredient in the competition - Aberdeen-Angus Scotch Beef – has earned a global reputation for quality and we have been delighted to see how enthusiastic young chefs like Hayley are about our top-quality beef.

“2018 is Scotland’s year of young people, a chance to allow young people to showcase their ideas and talents but more importantly celebrate their successes.

Order your FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Subscription Form See page 140 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

2 oranges 6 eggs beaten 250g granulated sugar 250g almonds 1tsp baking powder

35x25cm baking tray.

Cook whole oranges in boiling water until soft around 1 Cool completely.

hours.

Preheat oven to 190°C/Gas mark 5.

Cut oranges in half, and remove any pips. Place in a food processor and process to a smooth puree. Add eggs, almonds and baking powder; pulse until combined. Pour batter into a baking parchment tray. Bake until firm to touch. About 35-40 mins.

Cool.

Cut out into desired shape.

Top with Greek yoghurt or mascarpone and pomegranate kernels for canapés or serve in larger pieces and serve with double cream flavoured with orange or an orange liqueur!

Makes 25

Sarah Mellersh runs One Day, Two and Four Week Cookery Classes, just 10 minutes from Perth.

To find out more :

www.letscookscotland.co.uk Tel : 07932 642605

17

FLAVOUR OF SCOTLAND

Graham adds Scottish flavour to Drum Marketing Awards judging panel

magazine Supporting

FARMERS MARKETS IN SCOTLAND Aberdeen Country Fair www.aberdeencountryfair. co.uk Alford Farmers’ Market www.spanglefish.com/ alfordfarmersmarket Argyll Country Markets katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk Ayrshire Farmers’ Market www.ayrshirefarmersmarket. co.uk Balerno Farmers’ Market www.balernovt.org.uk Blairgowrie Community Market www.strathmoreglens.org Cairndow and Loch Fyne Farmers’ Market katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk Campbeltown Farmers’ Market katie@barbreckfarms.co.uk Clarkston Farmers’ Market enquiry@ lanarkshirefarmersmarket. co.uk Cupar Farmers’ Market www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk Dundee Farmers’ Market lorna.mckenzie@dundeecity. gov.uk

Carol Graham, Marketing Director at Graham’s the Family Dairy has joined 20 top marketers as the only Scottish representative – and the only judge from a family-run business - in the panel of the prestigious Drum Marketing Awards. With more than 20 years’ experience marketing the number 1 Scottish food brand and an award-winning marketer herself, Carol will join some of the world’s elite to share her knowledge and expertise to judge the awards, which celebrate the very best marketers and campaigns from across the globe. Not only are Graham’s the only Scottish brand amongst the judges, but Carol brings the expertise of marketing a family business. Carol said: “There is a huge amount of talent working across the UK industry and to be

part of these Awards is incredibly exciting. I’ll be looking for campaigns that not only impress with their creativity, but excite the audience and deliver real, tangible benefits to the business.

Standing out for the right reasons whilst staying true to the brand is key. “I’m delighted to be the only Scottish representative on the panel. Scottish food and drink is admired the world over and we take pride in reflecting our Scottish provenance in our branding which is incredibly important to the farmers we work with and in addition, is helping us to break into new export markets and secure more international listings.”

The Awards take place on Wednesday 30th May at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London.

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Dunfermline Farmers’ Market www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk Edinburgh Farmers’ Market www.edinburghfarmersmarket. com Edinburgh - Stockbridge Farmers’ Market www.stockbridgemarket.com Falkirk Farmers’ Market howard.wilkinson2@btinternet. com Fencebay Farmers’ Market fencebay@aol.co.uk Forfar Farmers’ Market www.angusfarmersmarket. co.uk Glasgow Farmers’ Market Mansfield Park www.citymarketsglasgow. co.uk Glasgow Farmers’ Market Queen’s Park www.citymarketsglasgow. co.uk

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

Stornoway Farmers’ Market kennylhhp@btopenworld.com

For your market to be listed mail@farmingscotlandmagazine.com

O U R FA R M SHOP

Craigie’s Farm Deli and Cafe, just outside South Queensferry, is run by myself, John Sinclair, and my family – my mother, Anne, my wife, Kirsteen and my two children, Sophie and George. The Sinclairs have been farming for over 200 years, ever since my great grandfather, George Sinclair, came to Home Farm, Dalmeny in 1892 as the farm manager. His son John (Jack) took over as Lord Rosebery’s manager in 1931 until he died in 1952.

My father, George (the Sinclair’s have never been adventurous with names!), was

only 14 when his father died so he was a bit young to follow in his father’s footsteps, but when he was only 18 Lord Rosebery gave him the tenancy of Bankhead Farm where he farmed for 10 years before getting the tenancy of West Craigie in 1966.

West Craigie was originally a dairy farm, selling milk direct to customers in Edinburgh. As the dairy industry became less profitable, my father gave up the dairy and started growing fruit in the mid 1980’s, encouraged and helped by a friend from Alyth.

A small farm shop sold fruit,

potatoes, jams and not much more!

However, in the early 90’s, we decided to convert a barn for more space to sell our own vegetables and ever-increasing range of jams and the new shop and café has been open since the summer of 2007, doubling in size in 2009 when we added a butchery and much more.

Nowadays, visitors flock from around the corner, from Edinburgh and from further afield because we work very hard to provide what we hope is the perfect place for coffee, brunch, a great basket of supper ingredients and some fresh air - all combined with some of the best views in the Lothians!

Craigie’s is just a short drive from the very centre of Edinburgh and yet we are proud to offer a delicious taste of the countryside.

Whilst Craigie’s is no longer such a well kept secret, it offers excellent space and facilities for anyone looking for a great family day out, a delicious shopping experience, a bite of lunch or all three! We even have a Canine Cafe catering specially for the pooch in your life!

Throughout the year we hold and run numerous special events, offers and competitions at Craigie’s including sausage making workshops at the butchery,

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nature and bird-watching weekends, name the new lamb, piglet and calf competitions and much more.

The spring and summer are particularly busy times at Craigie’s, with lots going on.

Each June LEAF’s Open Farm Weekend (www.farmsunday.org) takes place at the farm and we often work with organisations such as the RSPB and local charities, such as It’s Good to Give, to run family events.

The butchery at Craigie’s, which is run by Steve Mitchell of S Mitchell of Auchtertool Farmer and Butcher, famous for his Puddledub Buffalo, has a superb selection of delicious Scottish meats all year round.

Summer is of course the right time for some fruit picking!

Starting in June, visitors can pick their own strawberries at the farm for jam making, eating fresh or freezing. Later in the summer the raspberries start and there are also gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and plums to choose from! Delicious!

Craigie’s is a superb place to visit, come rain or shine, and you’re always guaranteed a warm welcome. Please come along and see for yourself!

Telephone : 0131 319 1048 www.craigies.co.uk 21

EU NEWS

By Chris McCullough

Lack of farm labour amid Brexit uncertainties pushes farms to crisis point Politicians right across the UK say farm labour shortages triggered by the onslaught of Brexit are already at a crisis point.

And the point was made even clearer at an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) meeting when it took evidence from Caroline Nokes, Minister for Immigration at the Home Office, and George Eustice, Minister for Agriculture at Defra.

The use of foreign labour for seasonal work has been highlighted numerous times but now it seems it has reached crisis point according to EFRA. Calls in the past to set up a seasonal workers’ scheme to ensure fruit and vegetable farmers have the staff necessary to harvest their crops have not blossomed at all.

This type of scheme would mean time-bound visas for agricultural workers, should they wish to travel to the UK to work on the farms.

Fresh calls have now been made again for such a scheme and the government is consulting once more on the issue. Farmers and politicians say if such a scheme is not introduced then some of the farms may face closures.

However, others critical of the scaremongering surrounding Brexit and its effect on the labour force say there are plenty of people in the UK willing to work on the farms if the pay and conditions were acceptable.

The EFRA meeting concluded with the committee saying it had 22

“little confidence” that the problem is being resolved.

Neil Parish MP, chair of EFRA, said the agricultural industry is reaching a “crisis point” and was critical of both Defra and the Home Office for the lack of communication between the two.

Mr Parish said: “The UK’s food and agricultural sectors are hugely reliant on foreign labour.

This is unsustainable; food has been left to rot in the ground this year due to labour shortages.

“There has clearly been a breakdown in communication between Defra and the Home Office over the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS).

“In February, Michael Gove has stated that an announcement over SAWS would be made ‘shortly’, but today we have heard that it is unlikely to happen in 2018. This is simply not good enough,” he added.

Back in October last year Prime Minister Theresa May suggested the SAWS could be reintroduced after Brexit.

According to the government, the migration advisory committee is currently looking at Brexit and its impact on farming, and whether or not it will be necessary to reinstate the scheme.

Mr Parish added: “My committee has little confidence that real action is being taken to resolve this problem. 2020 is simply too late to put an

agricultural workers scheme in place. Businesses and workers need clarity now.

“The Home Office and Defra should take the SAWS seriously, and action should be taken at the earliest possible moment.

The Government is consulting widely, but now is the time for action not more reports,” he said.

A previous scheme for the workers was shut down in 2013 when a number of East European countries gained full entry to the European Union. Workers from these countries were then able to come to the UK under freedom of movement rules.

Northern Ireland MP David Simpson is a member of the

EFRA committee and said horticulture companies and the wider agri-food industry were under pressure to get the workers they need.

He said: “We’ve got to get this sorted. I can’t emphasise this strongly enough. Every single week I’m talking to the industry, it’s the same message `we can’t get the workers`. I think we’re at crisis point,” he said.

THE MP said he feared that as the economies of Eastern European countries strengthened and their workers stopped travelling for work, there would be a serious problem for UK producers which rely on migrant staff.

Bayer gets EU approval for multi-billion dollar Monsanto buy out European Commission officials have given the thumbs up for Bayer’s $66billion (£46.95billion) Monsanto takeover with some conditions of sale.

The permission granted is on condition that German company Bayer sells some of its herbicide and seeds businesses to rival BASF in order to keep the Commission happy about reduced competition and increased prices in Europe.

After the deal is completed to buy US based Monsanto, this will create a company with control of

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more than a quarter of the world’s seed and pesticides market.

The EU competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, said: “We have approved Bayer’s plans to take over Monsanto because the parties’ remedies, worth well over 6 billion (£5.25billion), meet our competition concerns in full.

“Our decision ensures that there will be effective competition and innovation in seeds, pesticides and digital agriculture markets also after this merger.”

new

to market

Harbro leads the way in reducing methane emissions on-farm Harbro has developed a product that has been recognised by The Carbon Trust to reduce methane emissions and, consequently, carbon footprint for livestock farmers, without affecting productivity.

RumiTech is a feed additive which has been proven in trials and in practical on-farm situations to improve rumen function and feed use efficiency as well as to reduce methane emissions. After independent review, the Carbon Trust has provided assurance that RumiTech is an effective tool for reducing cattle enteric methane emissions and that, within a predominantly forage-based diet, it reduces dairy or beef enteric methane emissions by 6% per day, and by 17.7% per litre of milk in dairy herds.

“Agriculture has been identified as an industry with a big part to play in reducing emissions, with the environmental impact of the methane produced by cattle being in particularly sharp focus,” explains Willie Thomson, Technical Director at Harbro.

“Within our business, we feel that we have had a responsibility to play our part in supporting farmers to reduce their carbon footprint, and one of the most important places to start is in the environment of the rumen.”

The figures speak for themselves, says Mr Thomson.

Recent data shows that 40% of greenhouse gas emissions come from methane produced by predominantly ruminants, with the wider agricultural supply chain also identified as being

responsible for a further 8-11% of human-induced emissions. Mr Thomson and his team at Harbro started to explore how, through feeding, farmers could reduce their farm methane output, without impacting on animal health and farm profits.

“We started by looking at our nutritional advice and the role that Rumitech could play.

Rumitech is a unique feed additive that encourages a more efficient rumen environment, enhancing rumen function and maximising performance,” Mr Thomson explains. “There are also a number of secondary gains to be had, including improved grading and killing out percentages, improved fertility, reduction in feed intake and also a reduction in cases of ketosis.”

Beef and dairy trials across

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the UK using the product have shown clear benefits in feed conversion efficiency, amounting to £24,000 p/a for dairy, based on a 100-cow herd. With minimal cost to feeding the additive of just 2p/cow/day for beef cattle and 4p/cow/day for dairy, and with availability in a range of different packages, introducing the mineral into a ration is simple and straightforward and an option available to every farm.

It is a key component of the Harbro product portfolio and when used as part of a consultative data driven approach, delivers significant financial benefits. The Wilson family in Scotland finish 2000 cattle a year on an intensive 150-200 day finishing ration that includes Rumitech. Their tailored nutritional program devised with Harbro has enabled the farm to reduce dry matter intake by 10% which in turn has prompted a substantial reduction to their feed costs. In addition, grading and killing out have seen significant uplifts with 60% of the cattle being killed hitting a fat class of 4L, 30% 4H and 10% 3.

Available in a blend or compound, or as part of an onfarm mineral pack, the product can be easily introduced to the ration with visible effects seen within a short period of feeding. With a significant direct correlation seen between reduction in energy lost as methane and increase in productivity, whether in terms of litres of milk, or weight gained, illustrating that working towards a sustainable future for the planet as well as the farmer go hand in hand.

23

IN THE BEGINNING Q1) Where were you born?

Perth.

Q2) What is your earliest memory?

I remember being introduced to my Great Grandfather at around three years old and being intrigued by him. He was very old sitting in a chair at Hogmanay, he had a long white beard and was wearing a suit and sat with both hands on his stick. He had a real twinkle in his eye and I’m not sure if that was mischief or happiness because he had his family round him. Id have like to have spoken to him and hear about his time at war and the life he had led, but unfortunately I didn’t get to speak with him when I was old enough to do so properly.

Q3) How would you describe your childhood upbringing?

Happy, we didn’t have a lot but we were very happy.

Q4) How was school for you?

Hated it, I genuinely felt confined when all I wanted to be was outside. I could tell you what every bird in the playpark was but I couldn’t tell you what the teacher was saying MOVING ON Q5) What were you into during your teenage years?

I was into music and live gigs in Perth where my first live band experience was Fiction Factory in the Plough Inn which is sadly no longer there.

Q6) Who was the first influence in your life?

My parents were probably the biggest influence in my young life.

Q7) College, University or straight into work?

After staying on to make a mess of my Highers I went straight to work for George Sinclair who was a livestock dealer and farmer in Perth.

Q8) Any unusual working experiences from those early years?

Everything about my first job was unusual and new to me - as I went straight into livestock from being a 24

loving it! Keeping enough stock for only the catering means I’m getting time to really enjoy being amongst them as well so all in all, I’m very happy.

THE INTERVIEW up close & personal Your Name: Jim Fairlie Your job title: Farmer & caterer Company name: The Kitchen Farmer What you do for the company?

I rear and fatten all the stock that we use for our catering company of which I am Director. To be honest, Anne and I do most of what needs to be done, set up, break down cooking and serving, so I’m hands on pretty much all of it. Anne does everything to do with computers and systems though, I’m a Luddite.

‘townie’. I couldn’t quite believe that I was able to work with a dog and be hands on with stock every day, and I got money for it as well!.

GROWING UP Q9) What was your first car?

A two – tone Vauxhall Chevette that cost me £300 from the scrappy!

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

Nope, third time lucky for me!

Q11) Can you remember your first love or passion?

Wildlife, being out in the countryside and I was also an avid pigeon racer, I started with them when I was 12.

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

I used to do amateur dramatics, but I was thirty before starting so left it a bit late, although I did think about becoming an actor at one point.

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

To be honest, due to business commitments I get very little time off and I find it difficult to relax totally.

Q14) How is life today for you?

Life is very good, in fact brilliant.

Our new catering business is firing me up, and I’m absolutely

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

This is a tricky one because my wife gives me amazing counsel on a daily basis, but I’m not sure if that’s the same as advice.

My Dad once told me “Don’t let other people’s prejudices cloud your judgement about other people, find out who they are for yourself”. However, the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling is definitely something I’d encourage everyone to read.

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

The catering business is our main concern these days while the farm supplies the produce. So we are providing high quality outside catering to agricultural, sporting, music and major outdoor events such as – TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow, European Athletics Championship in Glasgow, Perth Show and of course The Royal Highland Show at Ingliston.

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

No, I think what I do now is pretty good, although having said that, I have always had an inkling to be an actor.

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

I’d have liked to have met my Great Uncle Jim. He was the reason I was given my first job

by George Sinclair because he had worked for George and his late father before him. It was on his memory that George gave me a start.

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

I would like to see Scotland become an independent country again.

John Deere celebrates tractor centenary

Celebrating 100 years of John Deere tractors – the Waterloo Boy Model N and the 9520RX.

March 14, 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the day Deere & Company bought the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company of Waterloo in Iowa, makers of the already highly successful Waterloo Boy tractors and stationary engines, for over $2 million – and officially entered the tractor business for which it would become famous worldwide.

This was a much debated and controversial investment at the time, as many critics did not believe in the future of tractors and continued to rely on the use of traditional horse power. Nobody expected that this new business would develop into the key foundation of the company’s growth. Today John Deere is the world’s leading manufacturer of agricultural tractors, and the company produces ‘intelligent’ tractors in 12 factories worldwide.

John Deere’s oldest tractor, the 27hp Waterloo Boy, was originally sold in the UK from 1915 under the Overtime name by L J Martin of The Overtime Tractor Company in London E1, and cost £231 – the equivalent cost today would be over £15,000.

This tractor was given credit for helping to win World War I by putting in many hours of overtime producing food for the war zone and the home front, hence the name.

Later in the 20th century, John Deere three-wheel, high-clearance tractors came into East Anglia from America at the end of the Second World War, under the US Lend-Lease policy.

The 27hp Waterloo Boy Model N (12hp at the drawbar), manufactured from 1917 to 1924,

was the first tractor built and marketed by John Deere. In 1920 the iconic leaping deer logo was added, and the tractor was painted green and yellow with red hub caps.

The first John Deere branded, fully green and yellow tractor was the 27hp Model D, which lasted from 1923 to 1953. This became the longest production run of any farm tractor, and helped to establish the company’s manufacturing success.

John Deere’s all-time bestseller was the Model B, with 300,000 sold from 1935 to 1953, while the 4020 became the company’s most widely sold single model tractor, with a total of 175,000 produced from 1963 to 1971. John Deere became the tractor sales leader worldwide for the first time in 1963.

As the marketing business for the UK & Ireland, John Deere Company Limited was first incorporated on 22 August 1951, but plans to set up a UK manufacturing site near Glasgow in the 1950s were frustrated (although John Deere Limited’s registered office is still in Edinburgh). As a result, in 1956 John Deere bought the manufacturer Heinrich Lanz, AG in Mannheim, Germany. Lanz also had a long history in the tractor industry, introducing the popular Bulldog model in 1921.

With this acquisition Deere expanded its manufacturing business into Europe for the first time. The deal included factories in West Germany and Spain, and access to established dealer organisations in both those countries as well as France. The Mannheim tractor factory is still John Deere’s

main European manufacturing base today.

John Deere Limited was eventually incorporated on 12 January 1966 and started trading that month from its present day headquarters at Langar, near Nottingham. The company topped the UK tractor market share table for the first time in 1998 and has retained that position ever since.

For a short time in the early 1960s, a handful of dealers sold large John Deere tractors such as the 4010 – the UK’s first 100hp tractor – and 4020, which were imported from the USA through a franchise operation. Of those original dealers who continued with the new company from 1966, which at that time included T M Simpson of Fife, two are still John Deere dealers today and are owned by the same families – Ben Burgess in Norfolk and L E Tuckwell in Suffolk.

Firsts for John Deere tractors included hydraulic implement lift, power steering and castor action steering on modern four-wheel drive machines. Another major milestone was the introduction of the RollGard rollover protective structure

(ROPS) on John Deere tractors in 1966, which set the standard for the entire industry. The company went on to make the design available free to all its competitors, emphasising its commitment to product safety.

Initially available as an option in the early 1970s, the SoundGard body was the first dust-free, temperature controlled operator station, while the PowerShift transmission first introduced in 1964 provided John Deere tractors with better, more comfortable gear shifting and higher field productivity.

Selected new John Deere tractors ordered by customers this year will carry a special 100 years anniversary badge, and in addition dealers will have a range of special offers at favourable prices. The 100 Years of John Deere Tractors anniversary activities can be followed on www.deere.com, Facebook and YouTube. More on the company’s tractor history and a variety of fan merchandise can also be found at www.deere.co.uk and at https://johndeerejournal.com/ category/history.

March 14, 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the day Deere & Company bought the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company of Waterloo in Iowa, makers of the already highly successful Waterloo Boy tractors and stationary engines, for over $2 million – and officially

The cheque that wrote John Deere’s name into the tractor history books. The amount of $2.1 million was the balance of the $2.25 million that is usually quoted; Deere had already made two payments totalling $150,000, with a ‘down payment’ of $100,000 effectively sealing the deal, and $50,000 paid to a broker.

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

25

JOHN DEERE 100 entered the tractor business for which it would become famous worldwide.

This was a much debated and controversial investment at the time, as many critics did not believe in the future of tractors and continued to rely on the use of traditional horse power.

Nobody expected that this new business would develop into the key foundation of the company’s growth. Today John Deere is the world’s leading manufacturer of agricultural tractors, and the company produces ‘intelligent’ tractors in 12 factories worldwide.

John Deere’s oldest tractor, the 27hp Waterloo Boy, was originally sold in the UK from 1915 under the Overtime name by L J Martin of The Overtime Tractor Company in London E1, and cost £231 – the equivalent cost today would be over £15,000.

This tractor was given credit for helping to win World War I by putting in many hours of overtime producing food for the war zone and the home front, hence the

name. Later in the 20th century, John Deere three-wheel, highclearance tractors came into East

Anglia from America at the end of the Second World War, under the US Lend-Lease policy.

The Model D was the first John Deere branded, fully green and yellow tractor

The 27hp Waterloo Boy Model N (12hp at the drawbar), manufactured from 1917 to 1924, was the first tractor built and marketed by John Deere. In 1920 the iconic leaping deer logo was added, and the tractor was painted green and yellow with red hub caps.

The first John Deere branded, fully green and yellow tractor was the 27hp Model D, which lasted from 1923 to 1953. This became the longest production run of any farm tractor, and helped to establish the company’s manufacturing success.

John Deere’s all-time bestseller was the Model B, with 300,000 sold from 1935 to 1953, while the 4020 became the company’s most widely sold single model tractor, with a total of 175,000 produced from 1963 to 1971. John Deere became the tractor sales leader worldwide for the first time in 1963.

As the marketing business for the UK & Ireland, John Deere Company Limited was first incorporated on 22 August 1951, but plans to set up a UK manufacturing site near Glasgow in

D-K-R

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D-K-R AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LTD. Westfield, Coulter, Biggar, Lanarkshire ML12 6HN 4EL s &!8 E-Mail: dkrcoulter@hotmail-com 26

BEITH - 01505 500011 AYR - 01292 285921 STRANRAER - 01776 707030 Email: sales@jsmontgomery.co.uk

Website: www.jsmontgomery.co.uk

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

JOHN DEERE 100 the 1950s were frustrated (although John Deere Limited’s registered office is still in Edinburgh). As a result, in 1956 John Deere bought the manufacturer Heinrich Lanz, AG in Mannheim, Germany. Lanz also had a long history in the tractor industry, introducing the popular Bulldog model in 1921.

With this acquisition Deere expanded its manufacturing business into Europe for the first time. The deal included factories in West Germany and Spain, and access to established dealer organisations in both those countries as well as France. The Mannheim tractor factory is still John Deere’s main European manufacturing base today.

John Deere Limited was eventually incorporated on 12 January 1966 and started trading that month from its present day headquarters at Langar, near Nottingham. The company topped the UK tractor market share table for the first time in 1998 and has retained that position ever since.

For a short time in the early 1960s, a handful of dealers sold

large John Deere tractors such as the 4010 – the UK’s first 100hp tractor – and 4020, which were imported from the USA through a franchise operation. Of those original dealers who continued with the new company from 1966, which at that time included T M Simpson of Fife, two are still John Deere dealers today and are owned by the same

families – Ben Burgess in Norfolk and L E Tuckwell in Suffolk.

Firsts for John Deere tractors included hydraulic implement lift, power steering and castor action steering on modern four-wheel drive machines. Another major milestone was the introduction of the RollGard rollover protective structure (ROPS) on John Deere tractors in

The 91hp 4020 tractor became the most popular tractor of its era, and arguably one of the top three or four classic tractors of all time. It was the first tractor to appear on the UK market with a powershift transmission, and is pictured here with the pioneering Roll-Gard ROPS.

1966, which set the standard for the entire industry. The company went on to make the design available free to all its competitors, emphasising its commitment to product safety.

Initially available as an option in the early 1970s, the SoundGard body was the first dust-free, temperature controlled operator station, while the PowerShift transmission first introduced in 1964 provided John Deere tractors with better, more comfortable gear shifting and higher field productivity.

Selected new John Deere tractors ordered by customers this year will carry a special 100 years anniversary badge, and in addition dealers will have a range of special offers at favourable prices. The 100 Years of John Deere Tractors anniversary activities can be followed on www.deere.com, Facebook and YouTube. More on the company’s tractor history and a variety of fan merchandise can also be found at www.deere.co.uk and at https://johndeerejournal.com/ category/history.

John Deere Dealers for Orkney and Shetland Suppliers of Agricultural and Groundscare machinery, parts and service

MLM ENGINEERING

KIRBISTER GARAGE ORPHIR, ORKNEY KW17 2RA Tel: 01856 811282 email: info@mlmengineering.co.uk

www.mlmengineering.co.uk www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

27

Investing in

People

Duncan Farms Celebrates Double Win at Regions Top Food & Drink Awards

Duncan Farms is celebrating after winning the Investing in Skills Development and the Innovation Award at the North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards 2018.

The awards ceremony took place last Thursday at the Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen. 280 attended the sold-out event, which welcomed journalist and BBC Radio Scotland presenter, Stephen Jardine, as host.

Duncan Farms is a large egg producer, packer and arable farming business based near Turriff, Aberdeenshire. Since entering the egg industry in 2011 the business has grown 28

rapidly to become the 3rd largest egg producer in Scotland and currently employs 50 people from the local area.

Dave Green, Chief Executive of Duncan Farms, said: “We would have been delighted to win one of these prestigious awards, but to win two was amazing. It really was an excellent and well-run event, our whole table was buzzing!

We are an ambitious company, with strong growth plans and we recognise the importance of investing in our talented people to bring future success. These two awards not only recognise our structured business and staff

development approach, but will help us win new business to take us to the next level.”

At the core of Duncan Farms is its vertically integrated business model, that guarantees traceability throughout its supply chain, ensuring consistently high quality eggs. This unique model was praised by the judges and resulted in Duncan Farms winning the 2018 Innovation Award. Meanwhile, Duncan Farms clinched the Investing in Skills Development Award after demonstrating their ability to cultivate talent from within and for creating a work place full of opportunities for employees at all levels.

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

North East Scotland has an excellent base for growth in food, drink, agriculture and seafood. It’s a significant part of the region’s economy, directly employing more than 22,000 people. Excluding the whisky sector, it contributes an estimated 20% of Scotland’s food and drink industry output.

The awards are delivered in partnership with Opportunity North East (ONE) and Aberdeenshire Council.

For more information on Duncan Farms visit www.duncanfarms.co.uk

Welcome to our 2018 Royal Highland Show Preview

The place to be…

The dates of the Royal Highland Show are always the first entries on our family and business year planner, yes I do need to use a year planner!

Our family year planner is like a life-route map through the year, showing birthdays, magazine production and publication dates, gig dates for my band (over 40 this year!), weekends free, holidays and special events & days out. So I tend to know what I will be doing a year in advance, it is a very colourful, busy and useful tool indeed.

This years Highland Show is no exception and once we choose the day, usually based on the weather, it is a great day out. Be it business or recreational, the RHS is a brilliant window on rural life in Scotland.

The organisers do a wonderful job behind the scenes and that should never be forgotten, with the work on the next year beginning almost immediately.

So, I hope that as many of you as possible will get the chance to attend this year and enjoy the spectacle, the exhibits, the shops, music etc.

The Royal Highland Show is truly a jewel in the crown of Scottish events.

And see!...I didn’t even mention Brexit once!....

Slàinte.

Athole Murray Fleming Publisher/Editor Farming Scotland Magazine

David Jackson Royal Highland Show Manager

Welcome to the 2018 preview of the Royal Highland Show. 2017 was yet another great year for the Show with exceptional livestock, a huge display of farming equipment, a gathering of farmers and friends from all over Scotland and the UK helping to create, and enjoy, the best of food, farming and rural life.

The four-day event, this year from the 21-24 June, is organised and hosted by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS). The Show is Scotland’s biggest outdoor event and, as highlighted in a recent report, is a significant economic asset to the Scottish economy, worth an estimated £54 million, as well as advocating the importance of farming, food and forestry to the reputation of Scotland and to everyday life.

The Show also offers a perfect opportunity to learn about the latest industry innovations and information, speak to experts and interact with like-minded individuals.

The Show’s 2017 Visitors’ Survey, and we had 190,000 visitors in 2017, found that 94% commented on the Show’s ‘great atmosphere’ and I believe this is a major factor in the loyalty we see - with almost two thirds of visitors saying they had attended five times or more. However, equally as important is the number of people trying the Show for the first time which rose by 20% in 2017 illustrating how the Show appeals to people who are interested in the best of farming, food and rural life. I find this extremely positive and encouraging for our industry.

In this ‘Year of Young People’, we want to encourage and promote the next generation of the farming community. It’s wonderful to see so many generations coming to the Show and younger family members getting involved. This is what the Show represents – old and new coming together to promote and build a strong industry. We also work closely with the Scottish Association of Young Farmer Clubs and are a major funder of The Royal Highland Education Trust, both of which work to inspire our young people to engage with our farming community.

Our promotional image for this year celebrates the iconic Scottish Blackface Sheep which has made such a vast contribution to Scotland’s farming industry and landscape. Malcolm Coubrough, a familiar face in the farming community, is the owner of the ewe - Emily, and you will see her image on trams, buses, billboards, TV and social media over the next few weeks. She is truly an outstanding animal and huge credit to Malcolm and his family for the years of commitment and dedicated management to breed such an exceptional animal.

If you feel an affinity with the Show and would like to support our work, please look into become a member of RHASS. Our membership office is near the Main Ring and our team will be happy to highlight the benefits and your involvement can help shape a vital and important sector.

The Royal Bank of Scotland continues to be a partner of the Royal Highland Show and their ongoing support is greatly appreciated, so to the hundreds of volunteers who make this prestigious event such an amazing success.

There is no doubt that the Show is an inspiring way of discovering where food comes from and the diversity of Scotland’s rural industries. It showcases innovative and progressive businesses that excel in their field, so if you are committed to the farming sector, can afford to miss it?

We really hope to see you at this year’s Show.

David Jackson Show Manager, Royal Highland Show www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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The countdown is on for this year’s Royal Highland Show Preparations for the 178th Royal Highland Show, which will be held on 21-24 June 2018, are well underway, and promises to offer the best of Scotland’s farming, food and rural life.

Supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland, partner since 1981, and staged at the Royal Highland Centre, in Edinburgh, the four-day event is a once in a year opportunity to really experience rural life; with over 6,000 farm animals and horses; rural crafts; a dedicated forestry area, award winning farriers’ display, a busy countryside arena with a wide variety of exciting displays and any number of big tractors – not forgetting the biggest food festival in Scotland.

Entertainment plays a big part of the Show with a huge variety of live music across two stages and shopping in the 13th Avenue Arcade includes fashion, artwork and even furniture for home and garden.

Children aged 15 and under go free with an accompanying adult, and the RHET discovery centre is a must visit for curious youngsters looking to discover about the countryside and where their food comes from.

If you are interested in where your food actually comes from, then Scotland’s Larder Live is a must-see part of the Show with the award winning food and drink on display as well as top chefs cooking delicious dishes.

With 94% of visitors questioned in 2017 commenting on the Show’s ‘great atmosphere’ it is an event with huge urban appeal with 88% of non- farming visitors agreeing that there is so much to see and do. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the ‘Early Bird’ ticket promotion to book early and save over 17% on a family day out.* “There is real customer loyalty to our Show, says David Jackson, Show Manager, with almost two thirds having attended the Show five times or more, which I think is testament to just how exciting, different and authentic a day at the Show is for everyone. However, what is equally exciting is the number of people attending for the first time illustrating how the Show is attracting a new audience due to the growing interest in farming, food and rural life.

“The Show continues to expand in size and popularity.

Scottish livestock on display in the main arena

In 2017 we welcomed a record breaking 190,000 visitors and generated £65m for the Scottish economy. The Show is a truly unique event offering a day packed full day of entertainment and enjoyment for under £50 for a family of four*.”

Finest Livestock The Highland Show’s biggest attraction is, without doubt, the exhibition of world class livestock – with more than 6,000 of the finest cattle, sheep, goats, horses and poultry, heading for the Ingliston showground.

With generations of expert husbandry and months of detailed preparation, the animals represent the highest skills in stock management.

Discover in farming in everyday life The RHET (Royal Highland Education Trust) Discovery Centre is a must-visit for families, with over 30,000 young people welcomed last year for FREE.

Equine events and competitions are a great attraction

30

Traditional skills brought to life With a focus on showcasing rural skills, the Forge and the sheep shearing arena bring to www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

life the work undertaken in the countryside. While the Forestry area and the hugely popular pole climbing is back again for the 2018 show. The Scottish Women’s Institute Handcrafts Competition, staged in the Handcrafts Pavilion, has some of the best examples of rural crafts from across Scotland and attracts competition entries for other parts of the world.

The largest display of food & drink Scotland’s Larder Live, the country’s biggest exhibition of food and drink, is a must visit destination for visitors and offers everyone a great opportunity to taste new and exciting foods from Scotland – it also gives farmers and producers a great opportunity to meet with consumers for feedback and consumers the chance to learn how food is produced and the process involved. Meanwhile award-winning cheese, bread and ice-cream is judged with the winners announced at the Show.

Award-winning chefs In the cookery theatre, Scotland’s chefs demonstrate how incredible meals can be created using quality ingredients from Scotland.

Royal Highland Show 2018 Shopping for him, her, kids, home … and pets!

The wide range of shopping outlets brings together an amazing range of retailers, from fashion to home wear, jewellery to furniture, pet accessories to arts and crafting, many of which will see their biggest sales event of the year.

The best of food-to-go Working alongside all our on-site caterers, the Show has devised a strict Food Charter that all foodto-go outlets must adhere to ensuring top quality food, be it chips and a burger or something a little more exotic. There is a

wide selection to choose from and the Food Charter requires that only ingredients that have been locally produced, wherever possible, and ethically sourced can be served at the Show. This means that not only quality is high but also Scottish farmers and growers are supported. To ensure that highest quality is maintained all on-site caterers are independently assessed every year.

For further information please visit www.royalhighlandshow. org, @ScotlandRHShow and #HighlandShow

The Royal Highland Show – an economic powerhouse for Scotland A recent report commissioned by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) has illustrated the significant economic impact of the Royal Highland Show on the Scottish economy, which is estimated to be £54 million.

Held every year in June, the event welcomed a record 190,000 visitors in 2017 making it Scotland’s biggest outdoor event celebrating the best of

farming, food and rural life.

The event attracts a global audience and is a unique and major marketing platform for trade exhibitors and livestock competitors.

Staged at the Royal Highland Centre, in Edinburgh, the four-day event is a once a year opportunity to truly experience rural life; with over 6,000 livestock; rural crafts; countryside and forestry areas,

An overhead vista of the Ingliston Show Ground

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Royal Highland Show 2018 farriery and sheep shearing as well as live music and entertainment. An area that has seen tremendous market growth in recent years is Scotland’s Larder Live showcasing Scottich producers and cookery demonstrations, which attracts huge interest from visitors.

David Jackson, Royal Highland Show Manager said: “The Royal Highland Show has yet again proven to be a major economic asset for Scotland and we continue to see increasing interest from exhibitors and competitors across the UK and abroad who now recognise this to be an international event, with a solid reputation and genuine business opportunities.

Almost 40% of our exhibitors are from outside Scotland, as there is growing interest in this prestigious event.

“The 2017 Show attracted over 1,000 trade exhibitors from across the agricultural, non agricultural and food sectors.

The Show represents a perfect opportunity to generate business as a direct result of being at the Show or as part of a marketing and relationship campaign to build future business.

While sales are important to exhibitors, brand awareness is also key and our exhibitors know that the footfall the Show generates will result in both income and brand recognition which are key to business success.”

Beth Fenney, Marketing Manager from Kvereland, who won the Gold Technical Innovation Award at the Royal Highland Show in 2017, added, “For Kverneland, the Royal Highland Show is always one of the busiest shows that we attend and we enjoy catching up with existing customers and meeting new ones. We find the Show is excellent for increasing brand awareness. Last year Kverneland won the Gold Technical Innovation Award for the Exacta TL GEOSPREAD spreader which is the most popular model in the range and has been the main contributor in increasing market share. Receiving the award was a proud moment for 32

everyone, not only for the product manager in the UK, but also for our factory personnel in our Crop Care Competence Centre in Nieuw Vennep, Holland who we presented the gold award to.”

The event also has a positive impact on the hospitality sector with the Show attracting a significant amount of visitors that stay overnight in the area.

From the research, this equates to

approximately 62,710 bed nights and, based on an average cost of £75 per night, would total an economic impact of £4.7 million.

The Show’s 2017 Visitors’s Survey found that 94% commented on the Show’s ‘great atmosphere’ and it is an event with huge urban appeal with 88% of non- farming visitors agreeing that there is so much to see and do.

“The Highland Show has a loyal and engaged audience,” said David Jackson, Show Manager, “with almost two thirds having attended five times or more.

However, the number of people attending for the first time rose by 20% in 2017 illustrating how the Royal Highland Show appeals to new visitors who are interested in the best of farming, food and rural life.”

The A-Z of the Royal Highland Show 2018 A – Agricultural equipment – see the fantastic display of farm machinery and an opportunity to visit the stands, compare brands and find out about the latest developments.

B – Bars – as always, we will have a variety of bars and a wide range of beverages available to enjoy whilst relaxing at the Show.

C – Crafts – see the fabulous results in the Handcrafts Competitions and pop in to the giant marquees of Rural Crafts Association and 3D/2D Craft, Art & Design Marquee to admire the outstanding craftwork.

D – Dairy - the Scottish Ice Cream, Cheese and Butter Championships will be taking place once again at the Highland Show. We are in for a treat!

E – Equestrian - the Show welcomes an impressive lineup of horses – with classes for all abilities including show jumping, Pony Club games, to the majestic Clydesdales class - and, of course, a great chance to buy all things equestrian in the shopping outlets.

F – Food – Scotland’s Larder Live! is back bigger than ever with many top chefs showing us how the pro’s make their incredible food. Wander through and enjoy the smells, tastes and sights of the best Scottish food and drink on offer.

G – Get your tickets early - make

‘On Parade’ in the main arena

the most of the discount available by visiting the website H – Highland Hall - arguably, the heart of the Show, where over 1000 cattle call home for the duration of the Show. From Belted Galloways to British Blues, Ayrshires to Aberdeen Angus come and see what it takes to be a Champion!

I – Information. The Royal Highland Show is a rare opportunity to see the latest technical updates and developments within the industry and discuss industry issues with a range of specialists J – Judges – attracting some of the industry most respected individuals and tasking them with the difficult job of choosing the Champions!

K – Kids. Call by the Countryside area and visit the goats - breeds such as Anglo Nubians, British Alpine, Golden Guernsey,

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Saanen and Toggenburg will all be in attendance.

L – Legging it up the Pole! Great entertainment is offered at the Pole Climbing area.

M – Music - the Show caters for all musical tastes, from jazz and folk to brass bands and opera, - we also welcome Stevie McCorie, winner of the Voice 2015 to the stage this year!

N – New – a chance to treat yourself in the shopping area at the 13th Avenue Shopping Arcade, - from luxury clothing, furnishing and jewellery, there’s a vast selection of quality products awaiting your arrival!

O – Online. Get all the latest up-todate information on the Show P – Presidential Initiative. This 2018 Show will celebrate the farming achievements of the Lothians and the amazing success of the rural businesses in that area.

Royal Highland Show 2018 Q - Queen Bee. All you need to know about honey and the importance of bees in their role as pollinators.

R – RHET – the Royal Highland Education Trust always inspire young learners and this year is no different with a wideranging mixture of bookable and drop-in events.

S – Sheep – this year we pay homage to the Blackface Sheep – watch out for the images on trams, buses, billboard and the media!

T – Technical Innovation - see the latest innovations and find out how they can benefit your business U – Unwind. Fuel up with some of Scotland’s best food and drink. Visit one of several Food Courts, catch a coffee, or sit by the many show rings and enjoy the livestock classes, rural crafts, or activities.

V – ‘Variety – There’s so much variety of things to see and do – From cattle and sheep, the

Forge, Show jumping, Heavy Horse Turnouts, Ceilidh bands, Choirs, Shopping, Cookery Theatre, Artisanal Foods and Drinks.

W - Wool! Always a visitor highlight, The MacRobert Theatre is the venue for some of the fastest action in the show as champion sheep-shearers compete.

X – Xcitement. There’s plenty of excitement at the Show – make sure you get your programme, so you don’t miss out!

Y – Young people. It’s the Year of the Young People in Scotland and we want to celebrate their contribution to the industry – watch out for the SAYFC who have a full programme Z – Zone. To make the most of your visit we want to ensure you can get around the Showground easily watch out for the coloured zones - –e.g. The Motor Zone where you can see the latest pick-ups, commercials, 4 x 4s, quad bikes and ATVs.

Many skills are on display

John Kerr Linlithgow

Your dealer for the best range of farm equipment in Central Scotland

Please visit our stand at this year’s Royal Highland Show

Why not come to one of our upcoming Open Days.

For more information phone 0800 269 453 or visit our website at: www.sruc.ac.uk/opendays www.facebook.com/sruc.ac.uk www.facebook.com/sruc.ac.uk

34

|

Find SRUCStudy on Find SRUCStudy on

Avenue F. Stand 121 01506 842280 07836 527 480 (Andrew) email: andrew@john-kerr.com

www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

Royal Highland Show 2018

Judges For 178th Royal Highland Show The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), organisers of the Royal Highland Show, has announced the judges for next year’s event which will be held on the 21-24 June 2018.

The task of placing around 6000 head of the country’s top cattle, sheep, horses and goats will be in the hands of 41 judges from Scotland, 47 from England, 11 from Wales, 9 from Northern Ireland and one from the Republic of Ireland.

The sheep rings will yet again attract some intense competition, following on from 2017 which saw the highest ever entries for sheep with over 2000 animals. High calibre and experienced judges are always of utmost importance and this year is no exception.

The Overall Sheep Inter Breed Championship will be in the very

capable hands of James Sinclair from Crookston in Midlothian, and the Overall Sheep Pairs Inter-Breed Championship & Young Handlers Classes will be judged by James MacGregor, Dyke Farm, Milton of Campsie, Glasgow. Beltex will be judged by Jonathan Aiken from Dromora, Co. Down, and the Texel class will be the responsibility of Steve Richardson from Mount Pleasant Farm, Great Houghton, in South Yorkshire. The increasingly popular Zwartbles, will be under the watchful eye of Rachel Meggarell from Co. Londonderry.

In the dairy rings, the job of judging the Overall Dairy will be carried out by William Whiteford from the highly respected Middle Ayrshire herd at Middle Farm, Ruleholme, Carlisle. The Ayrshire &

Judging the cheese!

British Red and White classes will be judged by Robin Barr from Calderglen, near Campbelltown, who is a great addition to the line-up and a huge supporter of the Royal Highland Show. All the way from Ballinhassock, Co. Cork

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will be Richard Barratt who will judge the highly contested Holstein class, and Peter Prior, Nortons, Radley Green, Nr Ingateston, Essex will place the Jersey class. The Dairy Shorthorn will be judged by Graham Bell from Chesterton

35

Royal Highland Show 2018 Farm in Tarporley, Cheshire.

Willie Fleming from Hillhead Farm, Kirkpatrick Fleming in Dumfriesshire will be in charge of the Dairy Calf and Showmanship.

The enviable task of selecting the Overall Beef Native Inter Breed Team Champion 2018 will be in the very capable hands of Orkney farmer Liam Muir of Upper Onston Farm in Stenness, and Tom Arnott from Kelso, past Chief Steward of Beef Cattle for the Royal Highland Show, will decide the Beef Inter Breed Team Competition and Overall Beef Inter-Breed Championship.

Other beef judges include Libby Clarke, the hugely respected Chief Steward of Beef Cattle and Commentator at the Royal Ulster, who will judge Beef Shorthorn. We also have one of our youngest ever judges in Laura Green from the ‘Corskie’ Simmental herd, who will

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judge Young Handler. Laura, who has been involved in the Aberdeen Angus Youth Development Programme and graduated from agricultural college, now works alongside her father Iain. The muchloved Highland Cattle will be ranked by Dochie Ormiston who runs the Balmoral cattle for our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen, and the Simmental cattle will be the responsibility of the very competent RHASS Past Chairman, John Dykes.

The Charolais and Salers will be looked over by the father and daughter combo Peter and Sophie Donger from Towcester in Northamptonshire.

There will be 35 horse sections in 2018 and, from within these, 40 HOYS Championship Qualification classes. All classes will be judged by some of the most experienced and able individuals in the equine industry including Jill Cousens, known to all in

the Scottish horse world as ‘Granny Jill’ and incredibly respected in the industry, who will oversee the St Johns Wells.

And synonymous with quality Highland Ponies, Gillian McMurray from the ‘Trailtrow’ prefix, will be in attendance to judge the Waxwing Trophy for overall Mountain and Moorland in hand.

In the heavy horses, the Clydesdale Male judge is George Skinner, well known for his involvement with the breed across the spectrum including driving and riding, bringing his expert eye to the ring. Our second youngest judge this year is Amanda Stewart who has come up through the ranks as a young handler showing her family’s Clydesdales, and will this year judge the HOYS Ridden Clydesdale (Conformation), Clydesdale Young Handlers, and Young Stockmen. The Highland Ponies in Hand

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Females Class will be in the exceptional care of Charles McQuattie from Strathmore in Angus. And the recipient of the Sanderson Trophy will be the decision of Ronnie Black, the face of our 2017 campaign, who has bred and shown winning Clydesdales for generations.

Having returned earlier this year from Australia where he judged the New South Wales Spring Spectacular, Chris Nye, from Holly Oaks near Ely, Cambridgeshire, will join our impressive line-up of judges for the goat classes.

“Yet again the Royal Highland Show has attracted the biggest names in the livestock industry, illustrating the standing this event holds in the sector,” says David Jackson, Royal Highland Show Manager. “We have an incredible line-up and I looking forward to welcoming them to what promises to be the biggest Show in our history.”

Royal Highland Show 2018

Horses at the Highland Show THE Royal Highland Show hosts the largest equestrian event in Scotland and the north of England and continues to strengthen its commitment to Scottish showjumping with a 25% increase in prize money for the winner of the Grand Prix, pushing it up to £7,500 from £6,000 awarded in 2017.

Show organisers also announced a partnership with Spire Edinburgh Hospitals for the 2018 Show, which will see the Grand Prix change its name to ‘Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Grand Prix’. Taking place on the Saturday afternoon, the event is the one of the true highlights of the Royal Highland Show and is the ultimate test for horse and rider in technical skills, and incredible entertainment for all.

FEI international course designer Mark McGowan will once again challenge competitors

with his trademark course design which proves so taxing with riders, this coupled with some innovative new fences, including the Forth Road Rail Bridge a Drystone Dyke and an Aberdeen Angus embossed set of planks definitely caught out the riders.

In fact, last year’s winner Keith Shore was the only rider to achieve the first round one clear with Mystic Hurricane.

The highlight of Scotland junior showjumpers is the pony classes - ridden by junior riders 16 years and under – with qualifiers held across Scotland and the north of England there is a huge desire to qualify. One of the most popular classes is the Liz Fox JC Championship for novice ponies, sponsored by John Fox, in memory of his wife Liz who did so much to promote junior Scottish riders. The height classes – 128cm, 138cm, and 148cm –

Heavy horses have to look good for their public

also are highly prized with all finals taking place on the Sunday.

The young masters championship for riders under 26 takes place on Sunday afternoon in the main ring and is a fitting climax to the top quality showjumping that can be seen at the show.

The opening day highlight is Scotland’s native breeds

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with Clydesdales, in-hand Highland ponies and Shetland ponies filling the main ring.

In the afternoon the hunters take over the main ring with a host of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers on offer this will be highly contested. A new section this year is the miniature Shetland pony classes.

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Royal Highland Show 2018 The second day has all the in-hand classes including all of Britain’s native mountain and moorland pony breeds and the inhand riding breeding pony section come together to be judged for the overall champion which is a direct qualifier for the HOYS Cuddy championship.

Another new section this year is the ridden cobs, split into lightweight, heavyweight for those under 15.2hh and max-cobs which have no height limit. These will follow on from the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) riding horse qualifiers in the afternoon.

The ridden show classes move to the all-weather ring for the extremely popular HOYS qualifiers for the mountain and moorland working hunter pony classes and plaited working hunter ponies.

Sunday host the popular ridden mountain and moorland ponies all chasing elusive HOYS tickets followed by the coloured horses.

Prize money increased for the Showjumping Grand Prix The Royal Highland Show hosts the largest equestrian event in Scotland and the North of England and continues to strengthen its commitment to Scottish show jumping with a 25% increase in prize money for the winner of the Grand Prix, up to £7500 from £6000 awarded in 2017.

Show organisers also announced a partnership with Spire Edinburgh Hospitals for the 2018 Show, which will see the Grand Prix change its name to ‘Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Grand Prix’. Taking place on Saturday 23 June, the event is the one of the true highlights of the Show and is the ultimate test for horse and rider in technical skills, and incredible entertainment for all.

The horse-jumping competitions are hugely popular. The Grand Prix in full action.

International Course Designer Mark McGowan will once again challenge competitors with his trademark course design which proves so taxing with riders. In 2017, winner Keith Shore was the only rider to achieve a round one clear with Mystic Hurricane.

The Royal Highland Show has an unmatched reputation with equine competitors throughout the UK and attracts the best talent in the sector.

“The Royal Highland Show is a premier event for the

equestrian world,” says David Jackson, Royal Highland Show Manager. “It is truly inspiring to witness the skill and dedication that the competitors bring to the competition.”

“We continue to invest in the Showground and, in particular, the show jumping facilities. The Olympic standard all-weather jumping ring, has proved a great success and assures competitors of a perfect jumping surface.

I look forward to enjoying the outstanding ability on show at this year’s event.”

Quality Meat Scotland The Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) team will be pulling out all the stops over the coming months to make the most of the opportunity the Royal Highland Show offers to showcase our industry and its brands.

The event, which runs 21 – 24 June, offers an unrivalled opportunity to show the public the work, skills and dedication which go into the production of Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork.

Visitors to the QMS stand will be able to watch a range 38

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of activities – from celebrity cooking demonstrations, butchery demos and fun competitions and giveaways.

There will also be a range of fun interactive activities for families in our health and education area, where the key messages will include animal welfare, the red meat industry’s great sustainability message and red meat’s role as part of a healthy diet.

Our stand will also host meetings with buyers from key retailers and showcase a range

Royal Highland Show 2018 of promotional materials along with announcing the winner of a national school street food competition in partnership with Food and Drink Federation Scotland.

BBC Radio Scotland presenter Bryan Burnett will be with us for show week and the irrepressible “Queen of Cuisine” Lady Claire Macdonald will be entertaining the crowds in our cookery theatre on Thursday and Friday. Jak O’Donnell, owner of the Sisters restaurants in Glasgow and Justin Maule of Wild Fig Foods will take over the reins and wow show-goers with delicious demos over the weekend.

In addition to our celebrity demonstration chefs, there are plans for a “Surf & Turf” cook off between a top Scottish butcher and fishmonger, a “Pie-

off” competition between the 2017 and 2018 World Scotch Pie Champions and a series of interviews with well-known faces from the farming sector throughout the show.

QMS is also delighted to offer hundreds of children the chance to cook simple, nutritious dishes with Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork at this year’s show at the Scotch Beef Children’s Cookery Theatre, in the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) Discovery Centre.

Hamish, Ewenice and Harry Trotter, our Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork brand mascots will be joining our brand ambassadors to give away goodies and a special Scotch Kitchen magazine packed with recipe ideas throughout the show (you’ll find more at

Must be hot under that costume!

www.scotchkitchen.com). There will also be the chance to buy a the much sought after limited edition Royal Highland Show

2018 Scotch Beef t-shirt with all proceeds going to charity.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Scotland’s Larder Live 2018

By Wendy Barrie As populations migrate to cities and corporate governance aims for bigger, faster, industrialised productivity, our food systems can be commoditised instead of nurtured; our farmers economically squeezed instead of respected. Across Europe big agriculture events are dwindling and many have ceased in UK too. This is one of the many reasons the Royal Highland Show is a precious institution and collaboration, one to be cherished and applauded.

Having been involved in the RHS in some form or another since student days I confess I may be biased however it is a very special show and a privilege to play a modest part in it.

Sure there are big players that are very significant for Scotland’s economy, but there are also thousands of family businesses that, collectively, are highly influential in our food culture, tourism and also custodians of the landscape we love - and too often taken for granted. It is our opportunity to meet them and support them at 40

RHS and it is their opportunity to meet their customers and receive feedback on their products.

As I explore cities, hills and glens for my guide, it inspires me to see an increase in young people joining family enterprises or starting their own, wanting to bring up families in rural communities. This is fantastic on so many levels: stabilising fragile country villages, their schools, medical services and public transport; local food production for food security and food sovereignty; positive environmental effects and healthy clean food systems.

Whether they are escaping city life, joining the family farm, or seeking prepper or sustainable lifestyles, many are interested in food heritage, the Slow Food movement and environmental issues around food production.

They bring great benefits to the local economy.

Such food producers not only attend the RHS and take stands in Scotland’s Larder Live Food Hall, they also enter their produce in the Scottish Dairy and Scottish

The chef’s seem to enjoy the event too!

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Royal Highland Show 2018 Bread Championships, show their animals in the ring, exhibit their honey and even handicrafts.

Stallholders can take part in the Tastings & Talks Theatre and tell their story to some of the 190K visitors who come along. They have the opportunity to mingle with kindred spirits, catch up with old friends and forge new links, providing valuable social networking, support and advice.

This is all part of the unique atmosphere at RHS and also immeasurably valuable for the life force of farming.

The RHS is for city dwellers too, to come along for a grand day out: seeing, tasting, experiencing and also appreciating where our food comes from. When supermarket shelves were empty after two days of snow, local food networks came to the fore and should not be forgotten when the sun shines! The Show is also a fun way to educate children: see animals close up, climb on tractors, watch lumberjacks and

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wood carvers, and of course taste amazing food. There are many gifts and crafts as well as hampers of goodies.

Last year RHS launched the Scottish Bread Championships, created and convened by Scotland The Bread and Scottish Food Guide, and had an excellent response with a great range of entries. We set the bar high, stressing in our criteria the need for natural ingredients and quality loaves, following the benchmarks set down for Real Bread. We received much positive feedback from the entrants and the post-competition bread display in Scotland’s Larder Live throughout the Show was very popular with visitors over 100 loaves of every shape and size imaginable!

The Scottish Dairy Championships has gone from strength to strength and both competitions are encouraging young entries for this Year of Young People – we are even

Great cooking with fantastic produce

enlisting a couple of youngsters as guest judges. Scottish Cheese Trail will be hosting the pop up Tasting Kiosk again and chefs have fun in the theatre on the last day creating Sunday Sundaes with winning ice creams!

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Naturally high quality local produce also brings out the best chefs! Dining out in Scotland has improved dramatically since the 90’s when I was Chief Inspector for another guide. Now there are award-winning chefs across

Royal Highland Show 2018 the land who support artisan producers and go the extra mile to enthusiastically source and promote the produce. We are extremely lucky to have such a line-up demonstrating at the RHS where they generously give their time - Scotland’s food is the celebrity and these guys and girls are legends! Folk flock to the Scotland’s Larder Live Cookery Theatre – nonticketed and one of the many experiences all included in your entry pass – to watch the highly entertaining cookery shows and taste the dishes. Our team of students are also essential, ensuring our kitchen is kept in fine fettle throughout the speedy pace of eight shows a day. We are incredibly lucky to have such a great variety of chefs from the Highlands to the Borders and I think it fair to say we feel like one big family backstage!

As this goes to print the timetable is almost complete and

so far we have…

Tom Lewis, Mhor, Winner of Regional Ambassador for the Central, Fife and Tayside region 2017 Neil Forbes, Café St Honoré.

Chef of the Year at the Catering in Scotland Excellence Awards 2014 & Scotland’s first Soil Association Organic Restaurant Award.

Graeme Pallister, 63 Tay Street. CiS Chef of the Year Award 2013 Paul Newman, Errichel House and Cottages, Thyme at Errichel Restaurant, Aberfeldy, Winner of Food & Drink Awards 2018 David Haetzman, Chef Proprietor, Firebrick Brasserie, Lauder, Winner Restaurant Newcomer of the Year Catering in Scotland Excellence Awards 2017 Iain Campbell, 7th generation Master Baker, Campbell’s Bakery, with Ark of Taste Selkirk Bannock

Cringletie House - a hilarious double act!

Chris Rowley, Ballintaggart Farm, newly opened autumn 2016 Andrew Whitley, Bread Matters & co-founder of Scotland The Bread

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AliBob @ Cairn O’Mohr, Errol Morven Hastie, Wishingwell Farmhouse, Drymen Wendy Barrie, Founder & Director award-winning Scottish Food Guide & Scottish Cheese Trail

Photos © Wendy Barrie Scotland’s foodie, Wendy Barrie www.wendybarrie.co.uk is a highly respected campaigner for local sustainable food, popular cookery show presenter and food writer. Founder & Director of award-winning www. scottishfoodguide.scot & www. scottishcheesetrail.com . Wendy is Leader in Scotland for Slow Food Ark of Taste & Slow Food Chef Alliance Member.

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Royal Highland Show 2018

NSA Scotland marquee a major feature all about sheep at the Royal Highland Show The NSA Scotland marquee located on avenue O, behind the main grandstand is one of the largest promotional marquees if not the largest at the Royal Highland Show. It is regarded by the Highland show Directors as a main attraction for the 180,000 plus visitors attending the show over four days.

This year the NSA Scotland committee and office bearers will be putting on a great display of all things related to sheep.

The marque included sheep breed stands, British Wool Marketing Board, the RHS fleece competition, International Sheep Dog Society, Moon’s high quality woollen fabrics, tag manufactures, the Tweed Forum with their working

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model showing the importance of an active integrated farming system for the reduction in water pollution. Live displays included stick making, spinning, lamb butchery, cooking and tasting, and a lamb dressing competition for the younger generation run in partnership with the RHS. A new business area was created two years ago which proved very successful allowing members and guests to sit and have a coffee and catch up with the NSA office bearers on duty, which again will continue this year. NSA Scotland feels that the RHS has to be one of the best opportunities for us as a sheep industry to connect with the general public.

Christopher Trotter and Stewart McClymont preparing lamb

Butchery & Cooking Demonstrations This year the NSA Scotland committee will demonstrated how easy and versatile lamb

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is to put on the BBQ, stir fry or even just cook in the oven or pan. Master Butcher Stewart McClymont from Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop

Royal Highland Show 2018 will demonstrate the cutting up of a lamb carcase into different cuts and speak about the benefits of Scotch lamb. The cuts of lamb will then be cooked

by Christopher Trotter an award winning food ambassador and chef who has published a number of cookery books, from Fife. The lamb dishes with the recipes he will cook from the cuts produced by Stewart will be available for the public to sample along with recipe leaflets. This will be carried out each morning and afternoon on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the show.

NSA Scotland/RHASS Lamb Dressing Competition As part of its commitment to the next generation of sheep farmers, NSA Scotland and RHASS will stage a lamb dressing competition in conjunction with the Young Farmers on the Sunday afternoon of the Royal Highland Show, where 10 to

26-year-olds will compete in two classes to show their skills at presenting a sheep for a show or sale. Anyone can enter and you can enter at the NSA Scotland marquee.

NSA Scotland Marquee at 2017 Royal Highland Show Invitation NSA members, farmers and the general public should make a point of visiting the marquee at

the show from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 June and see what activities are on and find out more about what NSA Scotland is doing on behalf of the sheep farmer.

Technical Innovation We talk to Beth Fenney, Marketing Manager from Kverneland Group, who won the Gold Technical Innovation Award at the Royal Highland Show in 2017, to discuss the importance of innovation to remain in the marketplace.

RHASS has a historic reputation for recognising and rewarding excellence.

Technical Innovation is pivotal to the future of Scotland’s key industries, whether in keeping with the industry, improving the environment, promoting best practice or ensuring operator safety and comfort.

Gold Award Winner - The Kverneland Exacta TL GEOspread

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Royal Highland Show 2018 And this has never been so important as it is in today’s rapidly-changing agriculture.

The Technical Innovation Awards, which are presented every year at the Royal Highland Show in June, aim to acknowledge the individuals, or businesses that are striving towards improving efficiencies in the rural sectors.

Last year Kverneland Group won the Gold Technical Innovation Award with its Kverneland Exacta TL GEOSPREAD, a fertiliser spreader that automatically adjusts the working width to suit the overlap and coverage. The company also markets a wide range of additional products that aim to increase efficiencies including forage harvesting and feeding equipment, ploughing equipment, soil cultivation equipment, seeding systems, fertiliser spreaders and precision farming technology.

“In recent years Kverneland has launched more new and

innovative products than ever before,” says Beth. “Efforts are constantly under way to ensure ongoing renewal of the existing product range and creation of new and improved products. The development of new, innovative products is the key to success of future product generations, and to ensure future competitiveness and profitability of both Kverneland and our customers.

“With the advancement of precision farming technology Kverneland has introduced more iM Farming and GEO products into the range. For example, the 2500 i-plough, which was launched in 2016, uses Furrow Control technology to automatically straighten furrows.

Additionally, the Kverneland spreaders with GEOSPREAD technology automatically adjust the working width to suit the overlap and coverage using GPS positioning and automatically adjust the application rate.

“At the beginning of the 21st century, Kverneland applied for a patent on an invention that made ISOBUS possible.

ISOBUS enables standardised communication between tractors and machinery. After releasing the patent in 2001, ISOBUS grew to become the international standard for data communication in agricultural equipment.

Thanks to the ISOBUS technology, farmers can connect tractors, machines and terminals on a ‘plug & play’ basis.

“Kverneland has a competence centre in Holland, known as Mechatronics, and it is the team there that are responsible for the ISOBUS invention, as well as the continued development of advanced precision farming solutions. The R&D team has over thirty employees developing software and hardware, product design and prototyping. The precision farming technology contributes to lower costs, less use of raw materials, easier work and higher yields as well as lower environmental impact and higher profitability for farmers and contractors.

“It’s vital to our company that we work with our customers to offer solutions. Dealers across the UK host Kverneland Know How events, where our

specialists share their knowledge with groups of farmers to enable them to improve their farming processes. We encourage our customers to take an active role in value co-creation. By providing us with valuable feedback about their farming processes, the challenges they have, and the solutions they require, Kverneland is able to make improvements to products and develop new ones.

“In the UK we plan to focus even more on precision farming technology, not only on product development but also ensuring our dealers are fully up to speed and able to pass the required knowledge onto farmers. Knowledge transfer is a concept that we have found is increasingly important and we will continue to facilitate this with our Kverneland Know How events.

“The Royal Highland Show also offers us a platform to meet with our customers. For Kverneland, the Royal Highland Show is always one of the busiest shows for us and it’s excellent for increasing brand awareness and discussing the latest developments from Kverneland.

We look forward to returning this year and seeing what new and innovative solutions win the awards.”

The Scottish Beekeepers’ Association The Scottish Beekeepers’ Association (SBA) have been involved with the Royal Highland Show (RHS) for a considerable number of years.

We started in a corner of one of the buildings before moving into a small marquee. The SBA now occupy a large marquee next to the West Gate. We are extremely grateful to Morton Fraser Solicitors for their sponsorship and to the RHS for everything they do for the SBA. 46

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The RHS is one of the SBA’s main events during the year.

The marquee is certainly popular when the schools visit on the Thursday and Friday. The children are fascinated to learn all about pollination and how important this is to the farmers and fruit growers and also to gardens and their general plants. Part of the tour round the honey marquee explains how the bees make the honey and how the beekeeper extracts the honey so it is suitable for bottling.

Royal Highland Show 2018 An important part of the education tour is watching the live honeybees in the three observation hives on display.

We have even been asked why we keep wasps until the understanding and patient steward with the observation hive explains the difference between honeybees, wasps and bumblebees.

The highlight of the tour for the children is always making their own candle and everybody enjoys tasting the different honey with the opportunity to purchase as they leave the marquee.

Beekeeping has become a popular hobby and many local beekeeping associations organise beginner courses. All this information is available at The Scottish Beekeepers stand

within the marquee. What we do try and emphasise is the need to get your bees locally and the work involved in looking after them. During May, June and July it is necessary to examine the colony at least every week.

Particularly in May and June which is the time of year when the colony builds up to its peak of around 50,000 bees and then there is the possibility of swarming. A beekeeper does not wish to lose the bees in a swarm as these are the honey gathering bees for that year.

Honeybees are fascinating and the work they do is amazing so its thanks to the farmers, gardeners and all the wild flowers there are which allows the honeybees to forage and gather nectar and pollen.

Bees wax display

Please do come and visit the Scottish Beekeepers Association

within the Honey Marquee at the 2018 Royal Highland Show.

Music to the Ears – SWI’s notable contribution to handcrafts pavilion Visitors to the Royal Highland Show’s handcrafts pavilion will be able to watch a variety of live craft making demonstrations during their visit to this year’s showcase, courtesy of Scottish Women’s Institutes.

Talented members will be giving a hands-on guide to fabric brooch-making, pastels, ribbon embroidery, basketry, corn dollies, and papercraft at selected times throughout the four-day show.

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SWI members from across Scotland will be sharing their flair for arts and crafts and a warm welcome will be given to all, but particularly younger people who may be interested in taking up new skills.

2018 is the year of young people in Scotland and Scottish Women’s Institutes is keen to encourage the younger generation into the fold, as it offers a great way to make new friends, develop skills and learn new things.

National chairman Linda Retson said: “It’s always great to get the chance to try out something new or revisit an activity that you may have done in the past. That’s what happens at SWI meetings across Scotland every month.

“From wet felting to book folding, cake decorating to crochet, meetings offer a chance to share skills and knowledge and become better at your chosen activity in the company of friends. We’re placing a focus

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on encouraging interest among younger girls.

“There’s a revival in interest in handcrafts, and little wonder; this kind of activity proves relaxing and mindful and being able to make something gives a great deal of satisfaction. Pop in to see us at the pavilion and we’ll be delighted to meet you.”

There’s a lot more to the Scottish Women’s Institutes than knitting and cakes, but there can be no denying that members’

Royal Highland Show 2018 undisputed talent in handcrafts and baking have become synonymous with this much-loved organisation for generations.

Little surprise that the SWI has a long connection with the Royal Highland Show and its Handcrafts Pavilion in particular – not only do members steward the area, but they supply some of the stunning entries that will be on display including patchwork, embroidery, lacework, handspinning, weaving and dyeing, knitting, crochet, other crafts, crookmaking and there’s a dedicated children’s section. Classes are open to the general public too.

This year’s theme is Musicals and some of the best loved shows feature in the collection, like: My Fair Lady Trio - medley of crafts Cats - three Items by the same person A Christmas Carol - crochet Guys and Dolls - hand knitting High Society – lace and tatting

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The Wizard of Oz - handspinning, weaving and dyeing The Lion King - embroidery The Sound of Music - Patchwork, Applique and Quilting.

Paint Your Wagon – children’s theme Girls game to give it a go!

Across Scotland, the SWI is actively working towards recruiting the next generation of members.

Latheron at Caithness has a dedicated junior section with girls as young as eight are queueing up to join. Although in its infancy, the youngsters are already making their mark in the community.

Supported by parents, they have been involved in a community project to provide a goat playground of their own design at the Puffin Croft Petting Farm at John O Groats and some have won prizes at the county show.

With their own meeting night and a tailor-made programme, the juniors have the benefit of

‘The sound of moosic’ perhaps

help and guidance from their senior counterparts. This practical support is helping the girls become confident in crochet and machine knitting and they have made cushion covers and knitted granny squares.

Three juniors who competed in the county show gained

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first, second and third prizes in craft and baking competitions.

Crochet and machine knitting are going down a storm and as well as handicrafts, the girls are encouraged to try other handson activities to encourage their personal development and creativity.

Royal Highland Show 2018 Once the girls build up their confidence, it’s hoped to introduce junior office bearers, and they have already started to take it in turns to offer a vote of thanks Meanwhile, Perth and Kinross is forging ahead with a group for young girls which if successful, could pave the way to the introduction of National Youth SWI groups.

The first meeting of Junior Dippers, so called because the youngsters will be dipping in and out of activities, was held in January, with further meetings planned for the last Saturday in May, August and November.

It’s being billed as a new pilot group for girls interested in learning new crafts and life skills from SWI mentors.

National chairman Linda Retson said: “Moves like this can help strengthen our network by showcasing what the SWI does to a younger audience.

“This, combined with having flexibility in meeting times,

encouraging groups to try a wider range of activities, and using technology to keep in touch, will help show the SWI is moving with the times and trends.

“The appeal of socialising with likeminded women, making friendships and learning new things will never go out of fashion.

“While we realise we may lose some in this age group for a while in their late teenage years, we hope they may return to the organisation later in life.

“We will share experiences gathered from the Young Group pilot in the hope that it may inspire others and provide a catalyst for the setting up of younger groups that become part of the SWI family right across Scotland, engaging with a new generation of young women whom we hope will remain connected with the SWI in future years.”

For more details of how to find your nearest Institute, or advice on how to join online, visit www.theswi.org.uk

‘Sit down next to me’ is a song you know!

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Royal Highland Show 2018

Huge variety of world class music on show The Royal Highland Show, one of Scotland’s most iconic events, has announced this year’s music and entertainment line-up.

Acts from across the musical spectrum will perform throughout the event, giving visitors a spectacular range of entertainment to enjoy. Stevie McCrorie, winner of The Voice 2015, will perform at the Royal Highland Show for the first time on Saturday afternoon. Stevie has seen tremendous success since his appearance on The Voice, having had a Top 10 single in the UK charts and his album, Big World, entering the iTunes chart at No 6 in the UK. He continues to play festivals and his own headline shows.

“I have heard nothing but great things about the Royal Highland Show, so I am hugely looking forward to performing,” said Stevie. “The crowds can

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‘The Farmers & Wives’ choir

expect some popular covers as well as my own material from my Album and recent E.P. “Alive”, which will be performed with my live band.

The National Youth Choir of Scotland Edinburgh Choir will also perform for the first time this year. The Choir is very much in demand having

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recently performed at BBC Children in Need and at the Teatro Regio Torino production of La Bohemme at Edinburgh International Festival.

Royal Highland Show 2018 If its opera you enjoy, the Royal Highland Show has a special treat for you this year with Scotland’s Newest Independent Opera Company, Opera Bohemia, performing Opera highlights.

Back by popular demand is the Farmers & Farmers Wives Choir, who have proved to be a massive crowd pleaser at the Royal Highland Show since their first performance in 2014. The Farmers & Farmers Wives Choir were formed in September 2013 after a call for past and present young farmer members to take part in the 75th Anniversary Concert of the Scottish Association on Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC). On the 30th November 160 members formed the choirs which took to the stage in the Hydro Arena, Glasgow.

“One of the highlights in our calendar is to perform at the Royal Highland Show,” says Kate Picken, Musical Director of the Farmers and Farmers Wives Choir.

“The choirs will be performing on

the West Stage and in the Main Ring. Many of us have attended the Royal Highland Show for a number of years and this Show is a marvellous display of everything that is good in Scottish agriculture.

We are very much looking forward to singing again at this national event again!”

Scottish Schools and Youth will be out in force with some amazing young talent on display – West Lothian Schools Pipe Band, James Gillespies School, St Aidens High Band, City of Edinburgh Music School and Queen Victoria School.

The Royal Highland Show will also welcome a school band from Norway, Hasle Skole Musikkorps, from Oslo.

Visitors can look forward to enjoying the musical performances of Irish singer Marty Mone and the ever-popular Artie Trezise.

There’s a wide array of bands to enjoy - the Duncan Black Ceilidh Band (2017 Scottish Ceilidh Band

Steve McCrorie and band

of the Year), George Penman Jazz Band, Revival Blues Band and Vardo Gypsy Swing. Brass bands, Brox & Liv Brass Band and Clackmannan District Brass Band will show us their amazing talents as well as the Royal British Legion Band and the Uddingston & Strathclyde Pipe Band.

Royal Highland Show Manager David Jackson, “This year’s programme is exceptional,

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and really does cater for all musical tastes, from jazz and folk to brass bands and opera. It gives visitors the chance to enjoy a broad range of music they wouldn’t necessarily otherwise experience.”

The Royal Bank of Scotland continues to support the Royal Highland Show and the agricultural industry in Scotland.

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Royal Highland Show 2018

A look at some of this years exhibitors Abbey Machinery

This year Abbey Machinery enters its 8th decade in the Farming sector building various machine technologies to cater for the ‘Total cow’. At the show this season there will be a wide selection of their technologies on show. Unveiling new heavy duty ultimate diet feeder to cater for intensive users.

The machine on show will be their VF3050 feeder. This industrial spec feeder is 30 cube in capacity with heavy duty augers to ensure a long trouble free life. It comes complete with Digistar TMR

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Tracker technology to allow a more scientific approach to diet feeding form monitoring feed intakes, usage, refusals, stocks, animal performance, variances and margins over feed costs. Also on display will be a selection of Tandem Tankers to facilitate the rapid filling and application of slurry. In addition there will be Applicator Technology to get the slurry below the crop canopy.

This is the safe zone that allows rapid absorption into the soil profile and minimal ammonia and nitrate losses thru the air. So it’s a win for the farmer and the environment. It also virtually eliminates smell. So you are keeping your neighbours happy as well. Farm yard manure, when applied at the correct levels helps to build humus in the soil, while also adding valuable nutrients.

With Abbey’s Side Spreaders this

is done cost effectively and evenly.

The machines, by their design also keep the optimum weigh on the tractor hitch, which helps minimise and tractor slip and compaction in the field. There will be Toppers and Shakers also on display completing the range on show. As always their technical team will be on-hand to answer any specific questions and of course they invite you to the stand for some hospitality. For further information contact Abbey Machinery on 00353-67-26677 or www.abbeymachinery.com or visit their Facebook page.

Agri-Spread International

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Founded in 2006, Agri-Spread International is a family run agricultural machinery manufacturer based in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Over the years the company has developed an extensive range of agricultural machinery, specialising in trailed fertiliser and lime spreaders.

Agri-Spread International export over 90% of production to over a dozen countries including the UK, Australia, North America & South Africa. The company operates from a purpose-built 40,000 square foot factory in Mayo, Ireland, which boasts the latest technology for cutting, bending, welding and spraying. The facility has recently undergone an upgrade with the addition of a half a million-euro investment in their shot blasting, paint and oven baking systems to bring the paint quality to the level required for international

Royal Highland Show 2018 sales. The production process is split into three well-defined parts, fabrication, painting and then the final assembly, before entering a PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) area, where the machines are put through their paces before shipping.

Agri-Spread International are an innovative company. Recent developments like Agri-Spread’s ISOBUS rate controller for trailed spreaders is now leading the way in trailed spreader applicators.

Another new development which is currently out on trial for the last two years is the Agrispread Section Control Fertiliser Spreader. More to come on this new machine over the coming months. Come visit us at the Royal Highland Show 21 – 24th June at the Dales Agri Sales stand (Agricultural - Avenue E) For more information in the UK, contact Charlie or Robert at Dales Agri Sales - 01434 683 626 or email: sales.dalesagri@ btconnect.com For more information in Ireland, contact 0949631808 or email info@agrispread.com. Visit website: www.agrispread.com Amazone

Amazone Ltd will use the Royal Highland Show 2018 as a platform to launch a ruck of new high-tech

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kit onto the market. The Centaya brings a new level of sophistication to the world of drill combinations.

At the heart of the new Centaya is the plastic seed hopper which has been created to reduce the lifting power requirement of the complete combination. The distribution head has now been repositioned above the coulters meaning that centre of gravity of the 1,600 or 2,000 litre hopper has been brought substantially further forward. Calibration of the drill has been simplified with the new operator station which groups all the controls into one area to the left hand side of the drill. The metering unit is driven electrically and the complete seed housing has been spun through 90° to get easier access the metering cassettes.

Placing the calibration tray, opening up the calibration flap and carrying out the calibration process are all carried out remotely from the side of the drill. The TwinTerminal 3.0 makes the calibration procedure all possible from groundlevel negating the need to trot backwards and forwards into the tractor cab. Coulter pressure and harrow pressure are also set from the operator station. The seed is distributed using a new segmented seed head which mounted directly over the coulters. The short pipe runs mean an exceptional accuracy of seed spacing as well as giving a faster response to seed being available at each coulter.

The arrival of seed at the coulter is monitored by the AutoPoint system. AutoPoint controls the start and stop time of the metering roller automatically and irrespective

of crop, fan sped, seed rate and forward speed to avoid any overlap between the headland run and the long work.

AP Wireless

If you are a telecoms landlord, you will receive rent from mobile operators for as long as your site facilitates their network needs.

APWireless partner with landlords to offer a financial alternative to your current arrangement by purchasing the rent associated with the telecoms mast for a fixed lease period. APWireless is the largest global lease prepayment company and has invested almost £450 million across 17 countries. We have acquired over 4,300 leases around 1,300 of which are in the UK. The future for landlords with telecoms mast leases who rely on the rental income looks uncertain.

One of the biggest benefits APWireless offers landlords is removing the risk of rent reduction and decommissioning while helping the landlord maximise the rent. Experience has shown that APWireless’ clients consistently

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out-perform the telecoms rent and achieve security and higher returns by putting the company’s upfront lump-sum payment to better use. APWireless has offered thousands of landlords like you the opportunity to convert their telecoms site lease into a better investment. The capital could be invested in other projects or assets that you own and fully control.

We are few weeks away from the Royal Highland Show 2018 and we are happy to announce that APWireless will be participating for the fifth year in a row. If you are a landlord with a telecoms mast on your property, come meet us at Avenue P. Our Acquisitions team will be answering any questions you might have about your telecoms mast and the services we are able to offer you. We look forward to seeing you there.

Balgownie Balgownie is a company which has served the North-east farming industry for more than 100 years and today is a major force in the agricultural, construction and ground care sectors. With modern, purpose-built depots at Thainstone Business Park, Inverurie, and Markethill Industrial Estate, Turriff, the business continues to be a major supplier of machinery to farming, construction, ground care and domestic customers, with a range of leading franchises, including the full range of Case IH, Bobcat, Ifor Williams trailers, Pottinger grassland equipment, Maschio ploughs and grass toppers, Sulky fertiliser spreaders and seed drills, Doosan excavators

Royal Highland Show 2018 and ground moving equipment and many more. It is a measure of the company’s professionalism, both in terms of sales and service backup, that Balgownie has the honour of being a Royal Warrant Holder as a supplier of farm machinery to the Queen’s Balmoral Estate and was recently named Doosan’s European Dealer of the Year for 2017. The award of the prestigious Case IH dealership to Balgownie last year for tractors, combines and balers for Aberdeenshire has taken the company to a new level, with a brand renowned throughout the world and the fourth biggest seller in the UK.Agricultural telehandlers from Bobcat is a big seller for the company with its new improved range of machines launched last year – offering excellent value for money, a three year full manufacturer’s warranty as standard, with an option to extend to 5 years and currently 0% finance options available. The customers of Balgownie are supported by an excellent service and parts team.

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Phil Finnie, service manager, and 15 fully trained engineers, along with Alan Robertson, Agri and construction parts manager and his team, understand how important it is to keep machines well maintained for reliability. In the event of breakdowns, the team act quickly to source the correct parts, to get the engineers out to site and get machines moving again.

Bargam Sprayers (Cleveland Sprayers Ltd)

Bargam Sprayers will be exhibited by Cleveland Crop Sprayers (UK distributor). The latest, incredible value, high specification, Fox 3700 litre 24m

trailed sprayer. Ideally suited to the midsized farm where easy “hook up and go”, is vital to cover the ground more quickly to cope with the short spray windows that we seem to get nowadays. This machine will have, hydraulic steering, GPS nozzle control and much more.

Check out the show offer of this high spec sprayer on our website. www.clevelandsprayers.com With this years record self propelled sales, Cleveland Sprayers will be exhibiting the new Hydrostatic drive BARGAM Grimac J Series 4000 litre, sporting a 30 to 36m boom.

This sprayer will be fitted out with GPS guidance, auto boom section control, in cab controlled variable axle width adjustment, a full ISOBUS systems as expected by the large scale modern farming enterprise. The Grimac J series starts on farm at £170k. Also there will be a New 1650 litre 24 to 30 metre tractor mounted sprayer on show with rate controller

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with the option to fit the sprayer with ISOBUS connection to any suitable tractor.

With the increasing use of liquid fertiliser application at the point of sowing, a Bargam front tank, kitted out with computerised fertiliser application equipment and our unique nozzle flow monitoring gauges. Our aim is to give farmers an easy insight into our accurate and inexpensive computer controlled applicator.

Did you know Cleveland Sprayers are now one of the largest stockist of sprayer parts in the whole of the UK. Supplying many of the tractor dealer across the country. With such a large turnover our prices for pumps, controls, fill metres, GPS systems are the cheapest in the country. We stock sprayer parts for Bateman, Bargam, Farmgem, Hardi, Househam, John Deere, Knight, Landquip, Lemken, Sands and many more.

Call on our stand or visit www. clevelandsprayers.com

Royal Highland Show 2018 BDC Systems

Svegma Grain Driers and Skandia handling on display at RHSS show - Following on from a very successful and productive Highland Show last year, BDC Systems Ltd will again be exhibiting at the 2018 event. As a leading and well respected provider of grain handling, drying and storage equipment, the company’s stand will be in the same area as last year.

The company’s extensive product range to be featured including

the BDC range of Trench Intake Hoppers, Svegma grain driers, Skandia handling equipment and ventilation systems. Skandia handling equipment have 3 ranges of specification from L range farm duty up to 60tph to H range heavy duty up to 600tph, elevators, chain and flight conveyors and belt conveyors up to 150tph capacity.

The Svegma continuous flow drier range starts at 5tph with a 2m wide unit and is available to over 100tph capacity at 8m wide. All galvanised construction for indoor or outdoor use, smooth internal grain column particularly suited for seed crops and malting barley, various fuel and fan options to suit all requirements, touch screen control panel with remote viewing.

BDC ventilation systems are designed to suit each specific site requirements, with laterals, fans, formers and controls all available.

For more information on any of BDC Systems’ equipment please visit: www.bdcsystems.com, e-mail: info@bdcsystems.com or

telephone: 01672 810851. The BDC Stand will be staffed by Scotland and Northern England Sales Manager, John Wilson (07468 698188, john@bdcsystems.com) and BDC’s Managing Director Andrew Head (07775 696075), andrewhead@bdcsystems.com).

BD Supplies

B D Supplies have been established for 18 years. Originally being a supplier of Animal husbandry equipment, specialising in Hoof trimming equipment ranging from KVK Hoof Trimming Crates (winning ‘Gold’ in the Royal Highland Technical Innovation Award 2016) to knives and bandages, cattle handling

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equipment, electronic weighing, ear tags and general agricultural supplies and farming products.

With expansion in the last few years to incorporate Biomass Wood Pellets, becoming fully BSL and Hetas registered and offering both bagged and bulk deliveries into the domestic and commercial market. This side of the business has grown considerably in the last twelve months, with two lorries specifically designed to deliver bulk pellet in their optimum form.

Agriculture is still a huge area and we are always looking at bringing new products to the UK market and promoting products we feel have a benefit in the UK farming industry.

At the 2018 Royal Highland show we will be showcasing all our products, offering customers, both old and new, to come onto our stand and have a look at what products may help them in their day to day running of their farming enterprise.

We pride ourselves on customer service and to us ‘the customer does come first’.

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Royal Highland Show 2018 Bomford Turner

A leader in green maintenance technology for more than 100 years, Bomford Turner is recognised around the world for its high-performance Hedge-cutters, Boom mowers, Remote controlled flail mowers and Cultivation Machinery. Bomford Turner prides itself on quality and innovation delivering durable and productive machines that are a firm favourite with farmers, contractors and governmental departments.

Key products include: Reach arm boom mowers, Reach arm boom mower attachments, Remote controlled flail mowers, Flail mowers and rotary toppers, Forestry mulchers and Soil preparation machinery.

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Bryce Post Drivers

As is the norm Bryce will be featuring upgrades to existing machines - plus the introduction of something different.

Over the years Bryce have won countless prestigious Awards for their post drivers, and now with a proven formula for high performance and durability, the focus is on producing post drivers that are as near bombproof as possible. Like everything in agriculture nowadays, performance and output is the key to moving forward with efficiency. Good labour is scarce so getting more done in the shortest time with less man hours available is what it is all about. Jock says “ today we have

sprayers with 40mt booms and hill men need livestock handling systems that allow high throughput of animals with speed, safety and efficiency, and that’s what we are doing with Bryce post drivers.”

Bryce have post drivers now that will drive strainers in hard ground in less than 60 seconds and press stobs in rather than hit them with multiple strokes of the hammer. Not only are these machines much quicker but they reduce wear and tear, as bigger hammers mean less strokes which of course means less wear.

One-man tracked machines are increasing in popularity amongst the contractor sector and there will come a time when these 2nd hand units will find their way into farmers’ hands. “Everyone is looking for ways of making the job easier - but only if it doesn’t give you grief” Jock adds. It’s easy in today’s hi-tech world to get sucked into electronics and the like. That costs more money and then the big reliability factor kicks in when you may be left high and

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dry in the middle of nowhere with a dysfunctional machine – going down that route isn’t in the mindset of Bryce.

C-Dax Systems

Weed Wiping implement.

Designed by C-Dax who are based in Palmerston North in the North Island of New Zealand. It is designed to operate in a wide range of conditions to efficiently control a variety of weeds. Two different sizes are now available, both come as trailed units, the original having a effective wiping width of 2.35 metres and the Ne Winged Eliminator which The C-Dax Eliminator is a particularly simple but highly advanced offers

Royal Highland Show 2018 an overall effective wiping width of 4.3 metres. Both Eliminators ( or Weedlickers as they are also known) have a heavy duty galvanized frame and feature a pressurized and patented chemical feed system to ensure that both ends of the wiper are fed equally with chemical, irrespective of the angle of terrain on which the Eliminator is being operated. This makes the C-dax Eliminator unique to all other wipers on the market.

The New Winged Eliminator not only offers an effective wiping width of 4.3 metres but comes with new self angling wings with dual or individual left or right wing operation to allow easy weed control on banks and edges of waterways.

Chemical is fed to the wool covered wiping arms which are strategically angled to the forward direction thereby providing increased contact time with vegetation. Natural wool is chosen for its ability to retain a high capacity of chemical and to optimize chemical transfer to the

vegetation. The amount of chemical which is pumped to the wiping arms is determined by an electronic controller which the operator adjusts according to the level of weed infestation being treated.

The 2.35 metre and 4.3 metre units are both available with a fully integrated 50 litre tank producing a completely self contained unit, alternatively the Eliminator may be supplied with chemical from a remote tank mounted on as ATV or other vehicle. Application rates are between 3.9L/Ha and 40L/Ha. Wiping speed typically is between 10-12 kph.

Chafer Machinery

Returning to the Royal Highland Show this year, Chafer Machinery

will be exhibiting their range of crop sprayers and Horstine granular applicators. Produced in Lincolnshire, all Chafer and Horstine equipment is designed, fabricated and assembled in the United Kingdom. Chafer’s trailed and self propelled sprayers have a worldwide reputation for being robust, simple to operate machines, with a low cost of ownership.

The newest Guardian and Sentry trailed machines were released in 2015, offering improved boom and chassis stability along with updated precision farming options. Updates for 2018 included Chafer’s new gyro steering system that removes the need for potentiometer being connected to the tractor, improving reliability and reducing hitching times. The automated ‘ePlumbing’ system has also been updated and now offers users feedback on the exact position of plumbing valves at all times. This ensures the operator can be confident the system is working as expected,

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as well as being able to alert the user if an issue arises, removing the chance of cross contamination occurring.

Released in 2017, the Interceptor marks Chafer’s return to the hydrostatic self propelled market. Boasting a premium cab, Deutz 240hp engine and Bosch Rexroth CVT transmission, the Interceptor brings new levels of comfort, efficiency and accuracy to this sector. Available with 4000 and 5000 litre stainless steel spray tanks and booms in widths of up to 36 metres, the machine can be equipped with all of the options available on Chafer’s trailed range, such as the previously mentioned ePlumbing and Contour boom levelling systems. Representing the Horstine business will be the range of granular applicators, capable of applying fertilisers, seeds and granular chemicals. All Horstine equipment features the individual metering system that ensures each outlet is applying exactly the same

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Royal Highland Show 2018 amount of product, ensuring even application across the full width of the machine.

Claas UK

CLAAS will have a number of new additions to their extensive green harvest, tractor and material handling ranges on display at this year’s Royal Highland Show. New at this year’s show will be: The JAGUAR 970 (Type 498) with PICK UP 300, TORION 1812 wheel loader, New SCORPION range, VOLTO 55 tedder, AXION 900 (Tier 4F) and ARION 600 (Tier 4F). The latest additions to the AXION and ARION ranges include the new Touch Screen CEBIS terminal and the addition of a new CIS+ specification. The new Touch Screen CEBIS terminal makes it extremely easy and simple to enter, set and change settings, using the clearly arranged user interface. With CIS+, electronic spool valves and the CMATIC CVT transmission are now available without needing the full CEBIS specification. Other new features include a more powerful addition to the AXION range, the 445hp AXION 960. As with the rest of the AXION range, this is powered by the latest FPT Cursor 9 engine with a variable geometry turbo. A benefit of this is that 70% of maximum torque is now available even when idling and the engine develops 18% more torque

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at a lower engine speed. Engine speed when idling is also now cut to just 650rpmThe ARION 600 and 500 range also benefits from two new models at either end of the range – the 125hp ARION 510 and the 185hp ARION 660 which has a power boost to 205hp for transport and PTO work. Again the engine idling speed on ARION 600 models has been reduced to 650rpm and all ARIONs feature an updated HEXASHIFT transmission with cruise control.

Another new feature on all ARIONs is the CLAAS developed PROACTIV front axle suspension, which has only 4 grease points, compared to 19 previously.

Dal-Bo

frame build allows the fitting of a number of accessories. In the case of the Greenline, this includes front mounted harrow tines and mole hill board together with a pneumatic seeder rear mounted with seed distribution pipes placed between the harrow tines and the roller. The roll section comprises 3 drums, 710mm diameter that can be water filled to increase the overall weight to 5.5ton for the 6.3m model and 7.5 ton for the 8.3m model. Rounded edges on the drum prevent any scuffing when turning. The Greenline has hydraulic weight transfer via an accumulator that ensures even pressure across the full working width with the DUOFLEX system ensuring contour following.

The traditional approach to rejuvenation of permanent pasture in the spring would involve a pass with a chain harrow followed by a pass with a heavy flat roll and in some cases grass seed would be applied if there was a need to fill in bare patches. Today there is a much more modern approach where all operations can be carried out in a single pass and with a 6m or 8m hydraulically folding machine that allows a move from work to transport without leaving the tractor seat. The DalBo Greenline roll is based on its MaxiRoll model where the

David Ritchie Implements The extensive range of farmer proven agricultural implements from this six generation Scottish family run business, will be proudly displayed at the Royal Highland show 2018. A business surviving 148 years of trading, has had to adapt its products to farmer demands whilst meeting ever changing stringent manufacturing legislation. Ritchie is one of a few companies whose proud heritage can be found in agricultural equipment still performing on farms even when the machine is well over 40 years old!.

To meet the need of modern farming, Richie’s range now includes technically advanced animal monitoring equipment incorporated into stock men are friendly machines. All farm animals are catered for with

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advanced handling products from the Ritchie range including Highland and continental specific equipment.

A new calving cube, comprising of a removable calving gate with self-locking head yolk is a recent addition. Easily attached to a tractor front loader, the Calving Cube can be simply moved around the farm be it yard or field.

The Ritchie Beef Cube launched this sector into UK farming back in 2015. The success of this self-contained unit, where stockmen can carry out health checks and access heavy cattle safely, has enabled Richie engineers to develop the concept into new product ranges.

Cattle crushes, mobile cattle crates, field gates and friction bale accumulators are just a small part of the product range to be seen on avenue R. A warm welcome awaits you.

Deutz-Fahr

2018 is proving to be a bumper year for Deutz-Fahr with the introduction of another new range of tractors, this time in the 120 to 140 hp sector. Hot on the heels of the 6 Series 155 to 226 hp range comes the new mid range 6120 – 6140 models. This new range fits perfectly between the current 5 Series and higher hp 6 Series, the

Royal Highland Show 2018 new range comprises of 3 models available with both powershift and CVT transmissions – no other manufacturer is able to offer both transmission variants in this hp sector. The make-up of the new 6120-6140 models appeals to all sectors from loader work and grass harvesting to transport and tillage applications. Key features include – Deutz T4F four cyl engines, intelligent powershift and CVT transmissions, high capacity hydraulic systems, new cab and axle suspension configurations and the latest Agrosky systems to manage all precision farming applications. The full range will be on display at the RHS2018. DeutzFahr will also be exhibiting models from the higher hp 6 Series – 12 models with features including full auto power shift and CVT transmissions, adaptive front axle suspension, Maxivision cab with Infocentre pro and Agrosky ready availability, new heavier duty front linkage and a host of new auxiliary hydraulic functions. The range is powered by a Deutz T4F engine with SCR and a passive DPF system; the engine compartment and cab are completely separated, reducing noise, heat and vibrations into the cab. The entire range has been designed and styled in partnership with Giugiaro for a distinctive look. Models from the new 5 Series will feature at RHS 2018; the 5 Series is a well established range from 75 to 126 hp available with both mechanical and Powershuttle transmissions, with added features of Stop & Go and SDD steering, which are simply a must for yard and loader work.

Farmers & Mercantile

reporting a sharp rise in incidents across the country,” says Charlotte Wilson of agricultural insurance broker Farmers & Mercantile (F&M). “We have certainly seen an escalation in the number of claims.”

Social media is proving an effective tool to educate dog owners on the importance of keeping dogs under control around livestock, focusing not only on the devastation that can be caused for the farmer, but also to the dog owner if the animal is shot, or later put down. “While the first step should always be to educate the public, other steps do need to be taken to protect farmers from what now, unfortunately seems almost like the inevitable!” says Charlotte. With the increasing number of houses being built in rural areas, and farm diversifications into camp sites, the chances of an attack have rapidly increased. With the unfortunate likelihood that the culprits will not be caught and brought to justice, livestock farmers really should be looking at making sure their insurance protects them.

“Although there is no protection for emotional losses, by having sheep worrying cover on your farm insurance policy, the loss of income from the incident is at least negated,” adds Charlotte. Cover for sheep worrying is available as an extension to a standard livestock policy, and will apply regardless of whether animals are being grazed on a farmers’ own land or a rented field.

“It is frustrating for farmers that they are having to pay for this additional protection, but if insured correctly, the extra premium paid for this extension of cover will be nominal in the bigger picture,” concludes Charlotte. Call 01292 471097, email ayr@fandmgroup.co.uk or visit www.fandmgroup.co.uk for details.

Flemings Agri Products

Show. As well as their usual range of agricultural and groundscare products the company will have a TR14 silage trailer on display.

Introduced to the market in 2017 after a years field testing this is the largest model in Flemings trailer range. The model shown on the stand will be a high specification version with additional galvanised silage extension kit, hydraulic back door as well as full commercial axles with air/hydraulic brakes with load sensing valve. These trailers are fitted with 550/45 22.5 Floatation tyres as standard. With a unique design sprung draw bar, working in combination with the multi leaf spring bogie suspension reduces the stress on the towing vehicle. The tapered body and the twin heavy-duty rams ensure a fast and clean unloading time. Flemings have received excellent feedback from end users complementing both the quality of ride and also the excellent stability of the trailers.

This machine is the latest addition to the company’s growing range of trailers, which serve a wide range of sectors including agriculture, groundscare and construction.

The company is currently testing a 10 Ton dump trailer (TR10HD), which will enter production later in the season. Fleming are also in the process of building a new state of the art facility at its base in Newbuildings, Northern Ireland dedicated to the manufacturing of larger wheeled equipment. Further additions to the line of trailers are expected over the next few years.

If you need more information on this product or any other machines from the Fleming range, please call in to our Stand during the show where David Watters and other members of the Fleming of the sales team will be on hand to deal with your enquiry. Stand Number and all product information is also available on the Fleming Agri website - www.fleming-agri.co.uk George Colliar

Sheep farmers are being urged to take cover against the potential financial losses incurred by sheep worrying after the latest spate of distressing attacks reported across the country.

“While dog attacks on livestock are no new thing, police are now 64

This year Fleming Agri Products will be once again showcasing their extensive range of Products at the 178th Royal Highland www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

George Colliar Ltd is an established Agricultural Dealer and Engineer in Kinross serving a large and varied customer base, from agricultural farmers to fish farms, from demolition companies to builders and local authorities across Central Scotland since 1974. We are main dealers for Landini, RABE and Vicon, among others. We also have a range of Construction and Plant equipment for Sale/Hire such as Skidsteer Loaders, Mini Excavators, Telehandlers and Dumpers from Mustang, Amman, Cormidi and Ausa. We have recently been appointed as dealers for Yamaha ATVs offering Quads and Sideby-sides, with demonstration machines available. A selection machines we have to offer will be on display at the George Colliar Stand. In 2018 we have opened a new Welding and Fabrication shop within the business, equipped with the latest equipment from Jasic including MIG/TIG and Plasma Cutting, for fabrication of steel and aluminium at competitive rates. Our site at Balado has gone through extensive groundworks and renovation to ensure we can continue to offer great service and new solutions for the next forty years, and beyond.

Greencrop

Greencrop has enjoyed a steady growth in Scotland and the Boarders and sees the Highland show an excellent shop window, for both customers and our northern dealers. This year we will be showing the Elite irrigator from Irrimec designed with the professional grower in mind. The drum is driven from a cut gear ring positioned on the outer diameter of the drum. Unlike a chain drive, the hose drum is driven by a lowtorque gear drive, which is positive and low wearing.

The new

Royal Highland Show 2018 dosicontrol pro computer has built in GSM, ability to record hours worked and water used among other diagnostics. The chassis’ are constructed of large steel frames using a 5mm thick box section.

The hydraulic legs are 50% larger with built-in internal rams for improved weather resistance and are designed to exert a central push against the drum for added stability. It is supplied with a full hydraulic system with the control levers now mounted on its own adjustable stand at the front of the machine.

The hose guide has not one but four metal bearing rollers guiding the hose onto the drum. Gun trolleys are self-pivoting, have been made 50% stronger. The latest version of our successful irrigation pump sets with the latest vision 4 panel will be on display. Greencrop are also the sole importer for the very successful range of Wam Sepcom slurry and digestate separators both horizontal and vertical range which are working on farms, crop

feed and food waste AD plants, plus a full range of umbilical spreading equipment from layflat hose reelers, twin spreader plate to 24m booms and pto or engine driven pump sets. Along with the Sepcom Visscher Green bedding separator system. On show will also be our highly recommended high speed 1000lt bunded fuel bowser with a 220lt Adblue unit all inside the bund. Further details on www.greencrop.co.uk

Harry West Machinery

Harry West machinery will be exhibiting again their extensive range of farm machinery at this

year’s Royal highland Show. In addition to lasts years introduction of the new Maelstrom 14 we will be showing for the first time in Scotland the new Maelstrom 8.

This will continue the introduction of the “Maelstrom” range of rear discharge spreaders. The Maelstrom 8 unit incorporates the new “Y” shape body giving additional volume but allowing a low loading height. This allows for a wider loading access allowing quick and easy fill with any loader.

The rear spreader benefits from the care and attention giving to all West machines in its design and construction. The twin vertical beaters fitted with specially designed blades spinning at 400 rpm offer an even and consistent spread pattern and handles all types of manure, waste and are driven by new highly rated gearboxes. This coupled with two 14mm hardened chain drives rated to 65ton strain ensures a long and productive life.

The wide angle p.t.o. is standard and is driven through a slip clutch

unit giving additional protection to the machine. In cab electrical controls for the bed speed are optional with a further upgrade available, this being the FYM GPS controller which analysis the field requirements giving the users the greatest benefit from the nutrients in the manure by effectively breaking down the muck and evenly spreading it behind the machine.

John Kerr Farm Equipment John Kerr Farm Equipment, Central Scotland’s well established farm machinery dealer will once again be exhibiting at this year’s Royal Highland Show. You will find us on stand 121, Avenue F, where we have been based for many years. We will be displaying a large range of implements from prestige brands such as JCB, Deutz Fahr, Same Tractors, Amazone, Krone, McHale, Fleming, Marshall etc. We have technical experts on hand to assist you with any queries you may have, and we are always

Da Vis it l Ag es A us a ric gri t th ult ura Sales e lA ve stand nu eE

Royal Highland Show 21st - 24th June 2018 www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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Royal Highland Show 2018 keen to do a deal on the day. We hope that you can find the time to visit us over the four days.

Krone UK

Win a Comprima Round baler!

KRONE UK Ltd, are a leading supplier of hay and forage harvesting equipment who understand the importance of effective aftersales.

As a leader of innovation Krone UK Ltd will be exhibiting at this year’s Royal Highland Show a range of machines demonstrating their understanding of hay and forage harvesting. On display will be the newly launched BiG X 780, a part of the wide body range of forage harvesters. Available with six feed rollers and VariStream, the new MaxFlow drum and rear wishbone suspension, the BiG X 780 has been designed with performance and comfort in mind. To celebrate 40 years of Krone round baler production, a range of Comprima round balers will also be on display, including the F 155 XC which is been raffled with the proceeds donated to FCN, RABI and RSABI, all fabulous charities which support the farming community. All Comprima round balers feature the Krone EasyFlow camless pick up providing the swiftest pick up in the field and the NovoGrip bale chamber consisting of metal slats and rubber belts to produce a bale with a perfect body. A selection of EasyCut mowers featuring the SmartCut mower bed with SafeCut disc protection will also be on display. Along with Krone tedders with Octolink drive, Swadro rakes with the lift tine designed to minimize crop contamination. To find out about Krone’s special show offers or for more information on the full product range please come along and visit the Krone stand.

Following on from the successful launch of KUHN’s film binding system on the iBIO+ integrated baler and wrapper, KUHN has now introduced its unique wrapping system to the latest version of its FBP 3135 Bale Pack machine. Unlike other film binding systems which use wide mantle rolls to perform the bale binding function, the KUHN system uses two standard 750 mm stretch film rolls to fully encapsulate the bale. As well as improving silage preservation and making the recycling of waste plastic easier, this system also reduces plastic usage by up to 30% by pre-stretching the wrapping film by 70% prior to application. Film loading is also quicker and easier as each roll weighs just 27 kg, compared to the wider rolls which can weigh between 40-90 kg. The upgraded FBP 3135 twin satellite machine also uses KUHN’s IntelliWrap system which gives complete control of the wrapping process by allowing the operator to select even and odd numbers of film to be applied. The FBP is also available with KUHN’s 3D wrapping system which wraps around the cylindrical surface of the bale first to exclude more air, thereby improving forage preservation and maintaining bale shape for longer. The FBP 3135 Bale Pack can also be used with conventional net binding: switching between film and net binding is quick and simple as the two systems are separate, making it easy to switch from one system to the other for different crops.

The FBP 3135 Bale Pack machine is just one of a range of KUHN machines which will feature at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

Other machines in the KUHN baler range include fixed and variable chamber round balers and baler-wrappers, and high density square balers.

Kuhn

Landini

Kramer

German agricultural machinery specialist Kramer has recently appointed four new dealers in Scotland.

Netherton Tractors of Forfar and Glenrothes, Thomas Sherriff & Co Of Haddington, J&S Montgomery of Beith and MLM Engineering of Orkney.

Kramer traces its history back to 1925 and has since become one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of compact wheel loaders, telescopic wheel loaders and telehandlers. The company’s products are perhaps best known for their combination of rigid chassis and four wheel steer system. This design combination, plus 4-wheel drive, makes Kramer machines both highly stable and incredibly manoeuvrable. This manoeuvrability, together with excellent all-round visibility from the cab, ensures safe and accurate working, even in very confined areas. Commenting on the appointment, Netherton’s general manager Garry Smith said: “We haven’t been involved in the telehandler business since John Deere discontinued its range and we had been looking for a suitable replacement. We were therefore delighted to have the opportunity to take on the Kramer range which includes a wide range of compact wheel loaders.

“We visited Kramer’s impressive factory at Pfullendorf in Germany where we able to witness the care and dedication Kramer takes to ensure its products are of the highest possible quality and this visit confirmed our decision to take on the franchise. We look forward to a very successful partnership.

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New features and improvements have been introduced to further increase the appeal and performance of Landini 4 Series tractors. Now comprising six models, the three smallest tractors in the line-up sit on a compact 2100mm wheelbase and stand 2447-2497mm tall with a cab fitted. Power outputs now start at 69hp with the 4-070, include a 75hp version as before, but go higher than before with 88hp from the 4-090.

These models have gained a HiLo two-speed powershift option, which adds to the tractor’s versatility by providing a shiftunder-load 18% increase or decrease in ground speed. The HiLo feature is available with the 12x12 base transmission to provide 24x24 speeds or the 16x16 creep version to obtain 32x32 speeds. It comes as a package with a fingertip-operated forward/reverse power shuttle in place of the mechanical synchro shuttle, hydraulic ‘comfort’ pto and four-wheel drive clutches, and response adjustment for the transmission clutch. Disc brakes in the front axle are also part of the recent upgrades package for these tractors, which share new gear lever designs with their slightly larger siblings in the 4 Series. The 4-095, 4-100 and 4-105 with 90hp, 99hp and 107hp outputs have a 2230mm wheelbase to maintain stability with heavier implements, and come with a higher capacity hydraulic pump and rear linkage.

An uprated braking system and a revised circuit for hydraulic trailer brakes are also evident on the latest versions, which like their smaller counterparts come with a 32-litre/min pump dedicated to the steering system to ensure that the main hydraulics system is never in short supply.

Twin mid-valves and a joystick are available to make it easy to install and operate a loader from the Landini MClassic range or the front linkage option. Despite having a low overall height, the cab on all Landini 4 Series tractors has a flat floor and ample headroom thanks to an ultra-slim roof panel, which results from installing the air conditioning filters in the rear pillars.

Royal Highland Show 2018 Lemken

Major Equipment

Visitors to the LEMKEN stand at the 2018 Highland Show will be able to take a detailed look around the Juwel 8VT mounted plough with Isobus technology.

The Turncontrol system on the Juwel mounted reversible plough, with electro-hydraulic swing gear and hydraulic angle adjustment, creates an ideal environment for ISOBUS operation.

Turncontrol Pro now allows these functions to be controlled easily via the CCI 200 terminal or the ISOBUS system on the tractor, without needing to operate the spool valves. The user interface on the display is intuitive and clear, making it easy to adjust any plough settings as needed. The ease of using the system can be increased even further by integrating additional elements operating under the ISOBUS IL4 standard such as joysticks and the tractor’s multifunction lever.

As standard, the Turncontrol Pro system in the Juwel 8 controls plough rotation and the settings for working angle, width and depth via the hydraulic support wheel. GPS-controlled working width adjustment has also been integrated. Additional functions such as front furrow width adjustment, packer operation or settings for the Hydromatik overload protection are available as options. The Turncontrol Pro on-board computer allows operating functions to be combined, saved and activated for up to four different scenarios, for example for ploughing on slopes and ploughing out surfaces. To prepare a shallow end furrow, a scenario with a shortened top link and a shallower support wheel setting would, for example, be activated.

This novel feature finally allows the ISOBUS functionalities of tractors to be utilised in mounted ploughs as well.

Major Equipment Ltd will be returning to the 2018 Royal Highland Show with a selection of machines from their extensive grass cutting and slurry handling equipment range. If you’re looking for a new grass mower, Major will be showcasing their Cyclone mower range. There are seven models available in working widths from 2.0m to 5.6m. The 2.5m, 3.0m and 3.5m winged models will be on display on the Major stand at this year’s show. The Major Cyclone mower bridges the gap between grass topper and flail mower. It performs brilliantly in everyday grass land management but also delivers a superb finish in the heaviest of conditions. The Henderson family farm on the Isle of Arann in Scotland is just one of many Scottish customers now running a Major 2.5m Cyclone mower. The mower is used by the Hendersons across the farm for everyday grass topping but where it really shines is in the clearance of rushes and gorse. “We run the mower on a 100hp tractor and it’s under no pressure even when mowing in heavier conditions,” explained David Henderson. “A flail mower in an equivalent working width would require far more power than we’re putting into the Cyclone so there is a fuel saving there too,” commented David.

The Major 2.5m Cyclone Mower has four rotors, each with a ‘tri-cut’ blade system which mulches the rushes and disperses the cut material evenly behind the tractor.

“It’s a very reliable and cost effective mower,” said David.

“If we’d bought a flail mower and seen this after we’d have been annoyed!”

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Royal Highland Show 2018 If you’re considering upgrading your grass topper to a Cyclone mower, visit the Major stand at the Royal Highland Show 2018 and speak to one of our team. Major will also have a 2800 gallon LGP contractor tanker and a selection of slurry application systems on display. For more information visit www.majorequipment.com.

Manitou

Centre stage on the Manitou stand will be the new MLA-T. Launched at the beginning of 2018 the Manitou articulated loader is a tailored response to needs in areas such as feeding animals, shifting silage and bale handling. The central positioning and width of

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the driver’s cab is really different than the traditional telehandlers.

In fact, with this configuration, visibility and comfort are both greatly improved, particularly with handling operations requiring good visibility in front of the machine.

The position of the overhead protection grid incorporated in the cab, offers clear visibility of the load even at maximum height. Access to the cab is also improved with the possibility to enter either from the left or right hand side. The famous JSM joystick on a floating armrest is part of well- being inside the cab.

Noise pollution is also reduced in this MLA. This machine offers an impressive load chart with maximum capacity of 3300 kg with a 5.2m lifting height, achieved by the unique 2D central articulation and oscillating rear axle. This successful proven Manitou design feature creates impressive stability at full articulation. The operator experiences a sense of connection with the telescopic boom improving comfort and safety when operating

on uneven terrain. The second key advantage is manoeuvrability, with the sharp turning radius: the MLA is even capable of performing a U-turn in cramped quarters. With the ”Intelligent Hydraulics” (providing features of Quick Lift, Bucket Shake and Return to Dig) combined with “Active CRC” boom suspension, this model allows the user to do a lot of movements and get more productivity. With a 143hp Deutz Tier 4 engine driving the Vario-Plus hydrostatic CVT transmission, this machine delivers the performance for modern day agriculture and is designed specifically to meet the needs of diversified crop and livestock breeding farms.

McCormick

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The the all-new McCormick X8 VT-Drive tractor, which will make its Scottish debut at the Royal Highland Show, is being produced with three engine power outputs of 264hp, 286hp and 310hp, taking McCormick into a new performance class. The newcomer sits above the 141-192hp X7 VT-Drive and 141-225hp X7 P6Drive, which have stepless and semi-powershift transmissions, respectively in terms of scale, power and performance potential great driver appeal and a unique combination of fuel-efficient FPT engine, ZF heavy-duty transmission and high-capacity hydraulics. Ploughing, cultivating, sowing and powering big grass mowers and other harvesting machinery will be the main roles performed by these big tractors but road work with large capacity slurry tankers, muck spreaders and trailers will also be in their remit.

Key features include a heavy-duty CVT transmission providing fine speed control, different operating

Royal Highland Show 2018 modes for optimum performance and cost-saving fuel efficiency.

Electronically-controlled hydraulics with 157-litre or 212-litre load-sensing pumps – plus 115-litres/min dedicated to steering and other ancillary systems – are also part of the package. An integral front threepoint linkage and pto assembly on the cast steel load-bearing chassis complements the 12 tonne capacity rear three-point hitch, while tyres up 900/60 R42 on the rear axle will enable the tractors to put the power down while operating with low inflation pressures for maximum traction and soil protection.

The McCormick Premiere cab completes a driver-focused package; apart from providing a comfortable workplace for long hours in the seat, the cab ensures the operator has excellent all-round visibility – especially forwards through the wide onepiece windscreen. It also provides fingertip control of all functions via a seat-mounted console and the touch-screen colour display with ISOBUS capability.

McHale Engineering

McHale will be exhibiting a wide range of machinery over the 4 days including the new McHale

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Centre Delivery Rake, the McHale Pro Glide range of mowers, the McHale Fusion Vario with single belt and the Orbital High Speed Round Bale Wrapper. McHale will be exhibiting the McHale Pro Glide F3100 Front Mower and the R3100 Rear Mower from their Pro Glide Mower Range. All Mowers are fitted with 3 metre cutter bars with steel tine conditioners. McHale have developed unique patented ground adaption technology which delivers 3 dimensional ground contour tracking and allows an arc of movement from left to right and forward and back movement adjusting to changes in the contours of the ground. The McHale B9000 Combination mower is now available with hydraulic width adjustment. McHale have harnessed the proven vertical wrapping ring technology used in the McHale Fusion to produce the McHale Orbital High Output Bale Wrapper which is capable of keeping up with multiple balers.

Once the bale is loaded onto the bale wrapper, the high-speed vertical wrapping ring can apply four layers of film to a 1.25 metre bale in approximately 18 seconds or six layers of film in less than 25 seconds. McHale will be displaying the Fusion Vario which has a number of changes for the 2018 season which include, most notably a single belt replaces three endless belts. The new McHale Centre Delivery Rake will be on display. This comes in two sizes, the R62-72 has a working width of 6.2m – 7.2m while the R68-78 has a working width of 6.8m – 7.8m.

McHale will also be showcasing their Fusion range. Also on display will be the F5000 Fixed Chamber Balers and V6 Variable Chamber Balers along with a selection of round and square bale wrappers.

The McHale C4 range of Silage Feeders & Straw Blowers will also be exhibited.

Merlo

Merlo is a an innovative and extremely vertical industrial company that designs, develops and produces most of its components in-house. This makes it possible to always find the best solution for the requirements of the customer. Merlo’s success in the world stems from its capacity to know how to anticipate the needs of the markets and every machine produced proves the company’s commitment to offering their customers the best technology available today, with the guarantee of fifty years of experience in research and innovation. Thanks to the research, the innovation and the continuous development of new products, Merlo further strengthens its leadership in agricultural and construction technologies and quality. The Merlo Group, founded in 1964, has over 1,200 employees. Over 90%

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of production is exported all over the world through a commercial network divided into 7 subsidiaries and over 600 dealers. Today Merlo is the market leader in telehandlers with its rotating turret, patented suspension cab and hydrostatic transmission.

Murray Machinery Set up in 1979 Murray Machinery operates from its base in Aberdeenshire, manufacturing material handling attachments for Telescopic Handlers, Tractor Loaders and Forklifts. For the last 39 years they have been supplying Dealers throughout Scotland, UK and abroad.

With a product range of 30 different machines with numerous variations, Murray Machinery take pride in the quality and presentation of their products, and with the help of the latest CAD design and CNC machine tools, reliability and durability are also at the forefront.

The latest machine to be fully designed on CAD and come off the production line at Murray Machinery is the ‘Octa-Quad’ Bale handling system, which will transport 12 big round bales fully mounted on any large tractor, eight bales on the rear transporter and four bales on the front transporter.

The Octa-Quad will also transport six full sized square bales.

In 2018 Murray Machinery Ltd will have been exhibiting at the Royal Highland Show for 29 years.

At the Royal Highland Show there will be approximately 20 different machines on display on avenue D

Royal Highland Show 2018 along with the NEW ‘Octa-Quad’ Bale Handling System.

For Murray Machinery the Royal Highland Show is an important venue to be exhibiting at, ‘not only do we do good business at the show’, say’s Peter Murray, ‘it is an excellent opportunity to show new products, to meet new customers and gain an insight to the future needs of customers, and very importantly to get feedback from customers which all goes towards creating new and better products for the future.’

Osmonds

Established in 1854, Osmonds has 160 years of service to the farming community. Their wealth of experience has led to the development of many popular and

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successful products over the years, ensuring that they provide the trusted level of performance that customers depend on. Osmonds manufacture a vast range of products for lambing and calving including their superior Premium Brand Colostrum Supplement, packed with 100% pure dried EU Colostrum, Vetoxan Probiotic, Nucleotides and readily available energy to give new-borns the best possible start in life. They further supply a fantastic range of vitamin and mineral drenches to supplement deficiencies, along with a range of drenches specifically formulated to improve condition and support wellbeing throughout the season.

Osmonds have a great range of products to improve performance during the show season. Muscle Master is particularly effective at promoting muscling properties, with its high levels of Amino Acids, Vitamins, Minerals and Trace Elements. If you are looking to improve coat quality and skin condition try their popular liquid

feed supplement Sho-Glo. The range also includes Osmonds all natural Valerian supplement NoStress, brilliant at helping animals cope with stressful situations as well as Osmonds Elektrolite Supplement to help quickly rehydrate animals after travelling/showing. Osmonds also cater for a variety of other animals, having quality ranges to supplement general health, competition and breeding for horses, alpacas, dogs, along with supplying the pigeon fancy for over 20 years. Locate Osmonds at the Royal Highland Show at their new stand location outside the Highland Hall. They will be show casing their full range of nutritional supplements as well as promoting special show only offers. Live locally? Visit their shop at Bradeley Green, situated on the A49 just north of Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Open Monday – Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm. Alternatively find out more on their website: www.osmonds. co.uk or contact them by phone: 01948 668100.

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Perry of Oakley

John & Allan Marshall from Fife have an arable farm with a 1,400T barley store and a 3,800T wheat store. They farm 695 acres of wheat, 217 acres of barley, 247 acres of OSR & 80 acres of potatoes. The father & son team recently refurbished their store which included erecting a new building and upgrading their drying plant. They contacted K M Duncan Agricultural Engineering Ltd to undertake the refurbishment work who in turn, recommended Perry of Oakley Ltd as the supplier of the grain handling & drying equipment.

The intake comprises of two

Royal Highland Show 2018 60tph Perry mechanical reception pits which feed an aspirator precleaner. The grain is then elevated via a 60tph belt & bucket elevator.

The Perry model M511 drier is capable of 41tph and has had our light grain & chaff recovery system installed, which removes the need to clean out light grains and chaff from the drier exhaust plenum as it’s pneumatic flaps open periodically to allow this back into the drier column. The dried grain is then delivered to stores via a belt conveyor which has been installed with a motorised tripper which is winched along the building as the level of grain builds up. The whole system, including the handling equipment is controlled using a Perry 12” touch screen with a PLC program which is designed & programmed in house at Perry’s factory in Devon.

The Marshall’s Said: “We particularly like the PLC control panel. It’s simple to use & the

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text message alerts are really helpful. The automatic set up has simplified getting our drier performing at its optimum, and with the inclusion of handling, re-routing the crop is easier than we could’ve hoped for.”

For more information please contact Perry of Oakley Ltd on +44(0)1404890300 or email sales@perryofoakley.co.uk Polaris

Polaris has lined up an extensive and impressive range of UTVs and ATVs for the Royal Highland Show.. Starting with the world’s best selling Sportsman ATVs, there are few if any to match the

off-road abilities these Polaris machines have to offer. Take the Sportsman 570 EPS. It boasts 44hp, Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and Engine Braking System (EBS) to complement the class leading suspension, and true, on demand All-Wheel Drive. A long-time favourite, the Sportsman is thoroughly at home negotiating the toughest terrain while providing the rider with an ergonomic, all-round work horse.

If you want an ATV that will carry two people, the Sportsman X2 570 EPS is the ideal choice, offering the features of the single-seater with the addition of Polaris 4 wheel Active Descent Control (ADC) for safely traversing the steepest hills in all types of weather. It’s designed for getting two people who need to work together into and out of the most inaccessible areas and safely down the steepest inclines, with optimum traction and control in all conditions. If you’re looking for more power consider the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000,

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featuring EPS, EBS and ADC. The Polaris Ranger offers the perfect solution in off-road working transport capable of carrying up to six people, from the two-seater Ranger 570 to the General, Ranger XP1000 EPS and Ranger Crew XP 1000 which accommodates six people. Most importantly, the Polaris Ranger series gives you the choice of petrol, diesel or electric power. Polaris Britain: 0800 915 6720 www.polaris-britain.com Pottinger

A new smaller trailed tedder model joins the Pottinger Hit T tedder line up for the 2018 season. This new addition offers an 8.86 mtr working utilising

Royal Highland Show 2018 8 DYNATECH rotors each equipped with 6 tine arms, complementing the larger 10 & 12 rotor models in the range.

Aimed at those using smaller tractors this new trailed model can be used with tractors from as little as 60 hp offering a secure and stable option when working for example on steeper ground. For transport the tedder is folded hydraulically and then rests horizontally on its own dedicated transport chassis.

Equipped with side safety guards the tedder is held securely whilst in transport position and does not require the operator to leave their seat to fold or unfold the tedder. A choice of the standard ring hitch or a Cat II lower linkage headstock is available.

The cranked tine arm design of the Pottinger DYNATECH rotor system ensures crops are spread cleanly without bunching and left with an even spread pattern.

Double coil asymmetric tines are fitted with tine savers as standard

and supported by solid steel tine arms offer a secure and rugged mounting. Drive to the rotors is delivered via the maintenance free double universal joint drive line, thus ensuring the rotors can adapt effectively to changes in ground contour unhindered.

The small 1.42 mtr diameter DYNATECH rotors offer an ideal rotor speed which ensures a consistent and even spread, critical for ensuring an even and consistent dry matter throughout the crop being wilted.

Powerwasher Services

This year sees Powerwasher Services Ltd celebrate 35 years in business. Started by Jack back in 1983, the company is now run with three generations of the

Whitecross clan on board, with Jack, his son Jim and daughter Liz as partners and more recently all three of Jim’s children.

Operating all over Scotland with a fleet of eight service vans and two sales representatives out on the road daily, the friendly and knowledgeable team of specialists are out there dealing with all sales, service and repair requirements, as well as collection and delivery of your machines. With their extensive range, their knowledge covers Power Washers, Scrubber Driers, Floor Sweepers, Vacuums, Compressors, Heaters, Generators, Janitorial Supplies and a varied range of cleaning Chemicals suitable for all needs.

Having recently secured a sixyear cleaning contract with local abattoir, QPP, Powerwasher Services have taken ownership of an additional premises in Brechin to accommodate this.

This is an exciting time for them as they continue to grow

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and further develop services to the customers. Although ever growing, rest assured they will continue to deliver their high standard of customer care. To view the range of machines, visit their showroom at Powerwasher Services HQ, Bridgemill, Northwaterbridge.

Here equipment demonstrations can be given or if more convenient can be arranged at your own premises.

Powerwasher Services Ltd pride themselves on the after sales care, with no call out or mileage charges and an expectation to attend repairs on the same day or next day where possible. This year Powerwasher Services will continue their presence at the agricultural shows, showcasing their range of machinery at The Royal Highland Show and Fettercairn Show in June and the Turriff Show in August.

For any further information contact the team today on 01674 840412.

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Royal Highland Show 2018 Proctors of Blairgowrie

Proctors of Blairgowrie has been occupying the same site on the corner of Avenue Q and 6th Avenue at the Royal Highland Show for more than 40 years.

Over that time, like all other companies, the business has adapted to meet the prevailing market conditions and although still known by many as ‘the insulation and ventilation people’, the company has moved on and focusses now on several different sectors.

Since 1999 when Proctors bought ARM Buildings Ltd, the specialist pig building and equipment company based in Staffordshire, there has been steady growth as ARM has increased

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market share. This means that pig building sales are now the biggest agricultural market sector for Proctors. The last 15 years have seen many innovations in pig buildings mainly concentrated on improving the quality of the buildings in terms of efficiency, ease of use and ultimately pig performance.

A joint venture by ARM with German technology company EnviTec Biogas AG saw Proctors move into renewable energy in 2007. EnviTec Biogas UK Ltd has grown to become one of the UK market leaders in medium to large biogas projects in UK with 16 plants built or in construction.

The first plant in Scotland, at Peacehill in Fife, began injecting biomethane into the national gas grid in June 2015.

Livestock and potato storage ventilation systems are still important to Proctors business, especially in Scotland, and many visitors to the show will be familiar with the CalfCare ‘poly tube’ which

has sold so well over the years to improve ventilation for calves and older cattle. Market demands have resulted in a renewed interest in Potato store ventilation with many growers now convinced of the advantages of more positive ventilation of potato boxes by using ‘Drying Walls’.

Always open to new ideas we look forward to another Highland Show to hear from the market what is needed next!

Rolland Trailers

Rolland’s 17th year at the Highland show.

Rolland trailers have been selling in the UK since the late 70’s with over 4,000 machines sold. Working from the most modern factory in its field with

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30,000m2 of buildings Rolland offer Trailers, manure spreaders and hydraulic lowering as the main stream of their 20 families of different products. The factory situated in North west france offers un unrivalled paint process with machines shotblasted through a 30m long shot blasting chamber with angled shot post welding, then the bodies and chassis are dipped 6 times, degreasing, Phosphating, Electroplating, Powder coating and twice oven cured for a finish that is only offered in the automobile industry. Come and see us on our stand avenue B and look at our new Rollvan livestock trailers very popular in Scotland for their ease of loading and comfort through a hydraulic suspension models start with a 15ft and go up to 28ft all have a non slip resin floor as standard .Hydraulic lowering trailers change farmers lives loading cattle with a small step rather than steep ramps! We will

Royal Highland Show 2018 also be showing our latest heavy duty dump trailer the Rollroc which has a hardox body and 26.5 rims with a heavy duty axle a truly professional’s piece of machinery. Come and ask us for a price!

Rutland Electric Fencing The market leaders in electric fencing in the UK. Their products, expertise and distribution network will ensure you obtain the best electric fence for your animal control, whether it is for farm animals, horses, wildlife, vermin or pets.

Electric fencing can provide safe and secure boundaries for permanent, semi-permanent or temporary applications at a cost lower then conventional fences. Their extensive web site has been designed to assist you in designing your fence and selecting products from our range of Electric Shepherd energisers, posts, insulators, wire, tape and accessories. They

also offer several tips and advice for installation and maintenance of your electric fence. See for yourself at www. rutlandelectric-fencing.co.uk Scanstone &Tong Engineering

Tong Engineering will once again be showcasing its latest potato and vegetable handling equipment at this year’s Royal Highland Show, alongside the company’s recently appointed dealer for Scotland, ScanStone Potato Systems. ScanStone and Tong are very pleased to be exhibiting at Scotland’s iconic agricultural event on stand R262, and will be delighted to welcome customers old and new to discuss the latest equipment

developments.

On stand at the event, ScanStone Potato Systems will be showcasing its popular range of soil separation equipment, including the company’s new Patriot harvester. “As a Forfarbased company, the Royal Highland Show is a key date in our events calendar and we are excited to be exhibiting alongside Tong to display our own range of equipment and discuss our customers’ upcoming harvesting and post-harvest requirements,” says Alison Skea of ScanStone.

With the latest equipment upgrades from Tong including advanced and intelligent HMI touch screen controls, as well as market leading grading, washing and optical sorting, Tong will be on stand to welcome farmers and growers to discuss the latest labour-saving post-harvest handling solutions. “At Tong we are dedicated to providing growers and processors with intelligent machinery that

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saves time, reduces labour and increases productivity; the latest additions to our range are bringing very noticeable cost savings whilst allowing our customers to increase product yield and minimise crop waste,” explains Nick Woodcock, Sales Manager at Tong Engineering.

“We look forward to discussing this and other equipment developments with our visitors at the Royal Highland Show,” added Nick.

Schäffer

Visit Schäffer’s stand at the Royal Highland Show to see the very latest models from the leading German loader manufacturer’s extensive range. Pride of place

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Royal Highland Show 2018 will be the powerful 9640 T and 8620 T – two ‘next generation’ telescopic loaders packed with smart features and the latest Schäffer efficiency systems.

The 8620 T succeeds the very successful 8610 T. With its wealth of options, including two different motor options, speeds and heights, it provides a tailored solution for larger farms, biogas plants and agricultural contractors. The 8620 T has two engine options: a 75 kW/102 hp or 90 kW/122 hp Deutz engine.

Both engines meet the Tier IV final emissions standard without the need for a maintenanceintensive diesel particulate filter - a major advantage when it comes to operating costs.

The standard driving speed is 20 km/h. The loader is also available with a maximum speed of 40 km/h - particularly advantageous for use outside the yard. These latest loaders use technologies that focus on a more efficient conversion of

fuel into performance while increasing driving comfort, such as HTF (High Traction Force) which ensures maximum thrust. Electronically controlled drive SPT (Schäffer Power Transmission) comes as standard on the 8620 T and is an option for the machines of the 96 series. ECO Mode reduces the engine revs while maintaining the same speed, minimising fuel consumption. Machines in the 96 series have the option of the patented ’SDCT’ drive – Schäffer’s doubleclutch transmission that combines the advantages of a powershift transmission with those of a purely hydrostatic drive. Also on show are the Schäffer 2336, the compact, low height 2345 T SLT now with cabin, 3550 T and 6680 T – showcasing Schäffer’s ability to produce outstanding machines, both small and large.

Visit the Schäffer stand on Avenue S at the Royal Highland Show or get in touch to find out

more about what Schäffer has to offer.

S.R.U.C.

Agriculture has currently the single greatest influence on the global landscape today so never has it been more important for students to be interested in a rural or land based career. Courses at SRUC are underpinned by innovative science that supports these land based industries and the way they interact with and support the environment around them and the businesses that rely on them. Agriculture and

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the production of foodstuffs are becoming increasingly integrated with other sectors of the food chain such as processing, distribution and retailing to form the agrifood industry. With this in mind, Agriculture and poultry courses at SRUC consider the wider food industry and focus on production agriculture along with related issues such as environmental sustainability and animal welfare. With six campuses in locations across Scotland, SRUC offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree and Higher National (HND/HNC) courses as well as vast range of National Certificate, vocational study options and skills-based training in a wide range of subjects relating to the rural and land-based sector. Studying at SRUC equips students with the skills, knowledge and experience to move confidently into their chosen career and offers a wide selection of progression pathways through a range of

Royal Highland Show 2018 courses. In many cases, one level of qualification will offer a number of alternative progression routes to allow students to reach their full potential. Whatever the academic level students will leave with the knowledge and practical skills required to thrive in their chosen workplace. We are proud to say that 95% of our graduates are in work or continued education within 6 months of completion of their course. For an informal chat, drop by and meet our Student Recruitment Team at the Royal Highland Show or visit our website at www.sruc.ac.uk/study for further information.

Shufflebottom

Farmers throughout Scotland have invested in durable Shufflebottom steel-framed buildings, designed to withstand the rigours of the Scottish climate. Mr William J Millar’s double-span cattle and sheep house at Huntingfaulds Farm, Tealing, near Dundee, is pictured. The main span is almost 24 metres wide, with a narrower 14.5 metre span to the side, and the total length is 52.8 metres. The complex has prestressed concrete panels around the perimeter of the closed sides. On Seggarsdean Farm at Haddington, East Lothian, Mr Andrew Kennedy opted for a galvanised steel side extension to an existing cattle court, with side cladding of vertical 0.5mm plastic-coated box profile Ventair except on the side adjoining the existing building.

At Kelso in Roxburghshire, Rutherford Farming Ltd added a monopitch end extension to a prior Shufflebottom

building on Burnside Farm, and a new general-purpose galvanised steel-frame building clad in vertical timber Castle boarding. These buildings all have P6R fibre cement roofing.

Shufflebottom director Alex Shufflebottom remarks that Scottish farmer customers often favour this roofing, sourced from Marley Eternit. “It’s vapour permeable and so condensation is minimal, creating comfortable and healthy conditions for livestock,” Alex said. “The material is weather-proof and non-combustible, highly rated for fire resistance. Acoustic and thermal insulation properties are very good, and resistance to corrosion is high.” The buildings also incorporate the Shufflebottom galvanised 3mm eaves beam gutter system, in which the gutter is part of the integral structure of the building and adds to its strength. In addition, it is often a far neater solution than a conventional

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gutter system. Paul Dickson, 01397 722388, is the person to contact about Shufflebottom buildings in Scotland. He has expertise across the range of farm buildings, from arable stores to pig units, from livestock housing to machinery sheds, from barns to workshops.

All buildings can be supplied in kit form for the buyer to erect, or Shuflebottom will provide a full construction service.

Storth Machinery

Experts in slurry management, Storth Machinery pride themselves in manufacturing a comprehensive range of robust and reliable Slurry Handling

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Royal Highland Show 2018 Machinery.

Established in 1999 by the founding directors Chris Richardson and Alan Looker, they have since used their extensive knowledge of the market to grow the business into what is today, a worldwide brand, exporting to over 30 countries. They conduct their own in-house Research, Design, Testing and Manufacturing, so nothing is taken for granted.

With a product range of over 100 different machines with multiple use options, they ensure their products are tailored to suit even the most unique of situations. Their objective is to provide a complete coverage of the slurry cycle, from farm to field, meeting the demands of the client. Storth have recently seen a vast increase in their Export market, to countries such as New Zealand & Russia. This is an encouraging sign that clients old and new require quality British manufactured products - Great news for UK businesses. As

every farm is different, Storth has developed a range of Umbilical Equipment to help accommodate both farmers and contractors.

Current market interest is very focused on maximising the use of nutrients via Dribble Bars and Trailing Shoes. Storth’s Vertical Fold Dribble Bar incorporates a close coupled central frame design, giving narrow transport width, as well as the strength to facilitate the optional heavy duty Female A-frame. Prior to slurry being applied to the ground, it is processed by Storth’s own NovaCut Distributor, giving an even-better consistency to the slurry being applied. Storth’s Trailing Shoe Injector, is designed for use on grassland and arable land, for applying slurry to the soil surface with minimum contamination to the plant leaves. To find out how Storth could help you, please visit our website www. storthmachinery.co.uk or call 01524 781900.

Zetor UK

At the 2018 Royal Highland Show Zetor UK will focus on the lower end of its portfolio with the introduction of the Utilix and Hortus ranges of tractor in the 40 to 70 Hp market segments. The new models are made up of the Utilix HT 45, Utilix HT 55 and Hortus CL 65 and Hortus HS 65.

Despite their size, at the heart of the Utilix and Hortus is a fourcylinder engine with ratings at 43, 49 and 67 Hp, add to that a choice of hydrostatic, mechanical and power shuttle transmissions (dependent on model) makes these tractors suitable for a variety of applications including municipal, grounds care and small holdings.

Also for viewing will be the Major CL and HS variants both fitted with the same 2.9-litre engines, the 76hp HS model gets a broader spectrum

of gears to play with via a threerange transmission with four gears in each and a splitter, 24 forward gears and 12 reverse are available – maximum speed is 40kph. In addition, a power shuttle affords clutch-less direction changes. Cab space has also been increased, now featuring more steering wheel adjustment, more storage space, a new dashboard, and the addition of a passenger seaton our 2018 models. Also on stand will be the ever popular Proxima CL 100 and HS 100 & 120 models giving the choice between absolute mechanical or power shuttle transmissions from 100 Hp to 120 Hp offering superior value for money. Pushing the Hp higher and finalist in the 2017 Tractor Of The Year awards is the Zetor Forterra range. We will be displaying both the Forterra CL 140 and HSX 140 further demonstrating Zetors product strategy of offering both a low specification and higher specification at every horsepower level.

Future Royal Highland Show Dates

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Royal Highland Show 2018 2015

Royal Highland Show Visitor Information Showground Opening and Closing Times Visitors are advised of the Conditions of Entry which are published on the Royal Highland Show and RHASS websites and are displayed at the public entrances to the Show.

Thursday 21st June General Public Opening Time - 07:30 - 20:00 s ,ICENSED 0REMISES ARE OPEN FROM s 2ESTAURANTS WITH BAR FROM s TH !VENUE !RCADE 3COTLAND S ,ARDER ,IVE s 'ENERAL 4RADE 3TANDS OPEN FROM s 2(%4 $ISCOVERY #ENTRE s -AIN 2ING s #OUNTRYSIDE !RENA s &ORESTRY !RENA s 4HE &ORGE s %NTERTAINMENT 3TAGES Friday 22nd June General Public Opening Time - 07:30 - 20:00 s ,ICENSED 0REMISES ARE OPEN FROM s 2ESTAURANTS WITH BAR FROM s TH !VENUE !RCADE 3COTLAND S ,ARDER ,IVE s 'ENERAL 4RADE 3TANDS OPEN FROM s 2(%4 $ISCOVERY #ENTRE s -AIN 2ING s #OUNTRYSIDE !RENA s &ORESTRY !RENA s 4HE &ORGE s 3HEEP 3HEARING s %NTERTAINMENT 3TAGES

Saturday 23rd June General Public Opening Time - 07:30 - 20:00 s ,ICENSED 0REMISES ARE OPEN FROM s 2ESTAURANTS WITH BAR FROM s TH !VENUE !RCADE 3COTLAND S ,ARDER ,IVE s 'ENERAL 4RADE 3TANDS OPEN FROM s 2(%4 $ISCOVERY #ENTRE s -AIN 2ING s #OUNTRYSIDE !RENA s &ORESTRY !RENA s 4HE &ORGE s 3HEEP 3HEARING s %NTERTAINMENT 3TAGES Sunday 24th June General Public Opening Time - 07:30 - 18:00 s ,ICENSED 0REMISES s 2ESTAURANTS WITH BAR s TH !VENUE !RCADE 3COTLAND S ,ARDER ,IVE s 'ENERAL 4RADE 3TANDS OPEN FROM s 2(%4 $ISCOVERY #ENTRE s -AIN 2ING s #OUNTRYSIDE !RENA s &ORESTRY !RENA s 4HE &ORGE s 3HEEP 3HEARING Entertainment Stages 11:00-17.00

Ticket Prices (inc VAT) Adult Anyday Single Admit £24: advance e-tickets (available until 5pm on 20th June), sent by email attachment for print-at-home, or display on a mobile device e.g. smartphone.

Adult at-the-gate single admit ticket: £29. Concessionary ticket (only offered at-the-gate): £27 Gift Ticket: £27 printed and sent by post in a branded RHS Ticket Wallet with some special enclosures. Available until 5pm Monday 11th June.

Parking £8: Advance e-ticket (available until 5pm on 20th June), sent by email attachment for print-at-home, or display on a mobile device e.g. smartphone.

Parking at-the-gate ticket per day: £10 Readmission to the Showground will be available each day during the public opening hours and will be by handstamp, administered

by Security Staff. www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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environment Scottish Government must drive Just Transition towards carbon-neutral farming Fifty organisations, academics and individual farmers including the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, Scottish Crofting Federation and Scottish Environment LINK members are calling on the Scottish Government to do more to help agriculture turn a corner and substantially reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. In a joint letter, the signatories urge Cabinet Secretaries Roseanna Cunningham and Fergus Ewing to support farming practices that are less damaging to our climate, putting us on a path to netzero greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2050. Pete Smith, Professor of Soils and Global Change at University of Aberdeen Science and Director of Scotland’s ClimateXChange said: ‘The land sector contributes about 24% of all human greenhouse gas emissions, so action in farming needs to be part of the climate solution.

By adopting this ambitious net carbon neutral target for the agricultural sector, Scotland has the opportunity to lead the world toward the goals and targets set out under the Paris Agreement.’

Jim Densham, from RSPB Scotland, said: ‘Farmers and crofters can help halt climate change by adopting carbonneutral farming systems and practices. Such action can help farmland wildlife at the same time; the benefits go hand in hand.

It’s clear there is widespread demand for Government to take action and put in place a strong 82

suite of policies to make the transition to these systems the obvious choice for all farmers and crofters’ Pete Richie, Executive Director of Nourish Scotland and Leader of Scottish Environment LINK’s Food and Farming Subgroup, said: ‘We welcome this commitment from the farming sector and others to an ambitious long-term target to tackle climate change. All farmers, large and small, tenants and owners now need the support and knowhow to help them deliver’. Andrew McCornick, President of NFU Scotland, said: ‘Scotland’s farmers and crofters deliver a huge amount for the environment whilst producing high quality food. With the right support, I am confident we can increase this alongside reducing our emissions and increasing our profitability. That bright future is a goal we should all unite around and I am delighted to see the widespread support it has already secured.’ Davide Johnstone, Chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said: ‘Scottish Land & Estates is pleased to support this drive towards carbon-neutral farming. No sector should be immune from our collective efforts to tackle climate change and farmers and land managers have a vital role to play. Some of the changes that we need to see will be challenging to established ways of doing things, but with the right policies in place, and the right support, advice and training, farmers and land managers can deliver a great deal.’

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The benefits of slurry to the farmer Gavin Elrick, SAC Consulting

Livestock slurry and manures have a cash value in terms of nutrient content, but this can be variable. It is recommended that slurry from the different parts of the production system be analysed to provide definitive values.

The amount of nutrients that are applied to land in slurry and manures will also depend on the volume applied; Table 1 indicates the amount of nutrient applied at various application rates:

However not all the nutrients are available in the year of application, with only around 50% of the Phosphate and 90% of the Potash being accessible. Depending on timing and method of application, between 10% and 65% of the Total Nitrogen is available to the following crop.

The best time to apply slurry is during the spring and summer to obtain the maximum amount of Nitrogen for the following crop. Band spreading or shallow injection methods of application maximise the amount of Nitrogen for plant growth compared to surface spreading.

The value of an application of slurry at the correct time and using the best equipment can be seen in Table 2. The values have been calculated using current costs for Ammonium Nitrate (£243/T), Triple Super Phosphate (£305/T) and Muriate of Potash (£280/T).

As the value of the Sulphate has not been included, the total benefit to the farm could be slightly higher than the value in the table above.

SRUC Technical Note “TN650 Optimising the application of bulky organic fertilisers” provides additional information, including typical nutrient content of various slurry and manures. The Technical Note is available via the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) at www.fas. scot/publications/technical-notes/ For more ideas on improving farm efficiency which can in turn reduce the farm carbon footprint, see www.farmingforabetterclimate.org and find us on Facebook and Twitter @SACFarm4Climate.

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

renewable energy

Record year for renewables generation 68.1% of gross electricity consumption in Scotland met by renewables New figures demonstrate renewable electricity generation in Scotland in 2017 increased by 26% on last year, and 14% on the previous record year in 2015, making 2017 a record year for renewable electricity generation and for the first time ever Scotland has more than 10GW of installed renewable capacity.

The latest figures show that in 2017, it is estimated that the equivalent of 68.1% of gross electricity consumption came from renewable sources, up 14.1 percentage points from 54% in 2016. This is 45 percentage points more than the equivalent figure for the rest of the UK. The latest figures, published today also show: At the end of Q4 2017 a record, 10GW of installed renewables electricity capacity was operational in Scotland, a 13% increase over the year from Q4 2016 In 2017, wind generation increased by 34% and hydro by 9% Renewable electricity generation in Q4 of 2017 in

Scotland increased by 45% from the same time last year (Q4 2016) Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse welcomed these figures saying: “These figures show that Scotland’s renewable energy sector is stronger than ever and has a strong pipeline of further projects still to be constructed.

“Despite damaging policy changes from the UK Government that will soon come into full effect, we continue to harness, galvanize and support Scotland’s renewables potential, both in generation and infrastructure.

“Scotland’s Energy Strategy recognises and builds on our achievements to date and on our country’s capacity for innovation. Renewable energy will play a hugely significant role in powering Scotland’s future and through the strategy we want to ensure the correct strategic decisions are taken to support this much valued sector of Scotland’s economy as it goes from strength to strength.”

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The Scottish weather FARMING

By Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing I’ve seen first-hand the significant impact that the prolonged wet and severe weather has been having on farmers and crofters, resulting in higher numbers of dead animals, and acute shortages in feed and fodder in some parts of the country.

There’s a lot that the Scottish Government is already doing to help farmers and crofters cope with the adverse weather conditions.

This includes paying millions into the rural economy through our LFASS and BPS loan schemes to help alleviate potential cash flow problems.

We are also actively seeking derogation from the European Commission from the Three Crop rule to help arable farmers and continue to provide advice through our Farm Advisory Service. And the Weather Panel we set up last Autumn to share information and find solutions to short and long term issues.

However, there is more we can do to help That is why I have announced a package of support to address three key issues. First, we are providing £250,000 to help offset part of the additional costs farmers have faced in the uplift and disposal of dead sheep and cattle. This will be operated through the National Fallen Stock Company in a similar way to the 2013

scheme and will involve payments being made for the February to April 2018 period.

Final details of the process by which payments will be distributed will be made available shortly.

Second, there is also real pressure on feed and fodder currently and in many parts of the country, winter and spring sowing has been compromised, resulting in likely further problems come the autumn. We need to explore potential ways of addressing these, so I’m meeting commercial feed companies, cooperatives and stakeholders to explore what more can be done to reduce shortages, increase resilience and create collaborative solutions.

Finally, I recognise that the harsh weather and long working hours can take an awful toll on people’s wellbeing. That is why I am also providing RSABI with additional funding to help them provide more vital practical and emotional support to farmers and their families.

We will always have weather to cope with in Scotland – what we need to do is work together to ensure everyone can cope with the impacts of the winter weather we’ve just had as well as the impacts that will result in the farming year ahead.

Tanzania WORLD FARMING

One hundered year old genetics produce‌one of todays super foods

By Fiona Sloan

There are few places in the world, where advancement in genetic development has not improved production. However, the highly successful avocado growers of Tanzania and in particular, the market leader, Africado Ltd, have combined modern techniques and the genetics of the 100-year-old trees, that still inhabit the plantation.

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Africado Ltd, under the watchful eye of its Managing Director, James Parsons, was established in 2007, on a run-down coffee plantation in the Kilimanjaro region of Northern Tanzania. Prior to the establishment of the avocado plantation, those coffee plants, which were still alive, were overgrown with couch grass and

weeds and riddled with disease.

The buildings on the plantation derelict and the main house had been looted and had holes in the roof. What little coffee was produced was being carted away.

James took over the plantation and over the next ten years, turned it around to become the biggest producer and exporter of Avocados in Tanzania.

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In 2008 micro clones were imported from South Africa to form the basis of the new plantation and in conjunction with the introduction of a drip and micro sprinkler irrigation system, 42,000 avocado trees were planted. Seed maize was used as a cash crop, until the plants matured and produced their fruit. Two years later, the

WORLD FARMING first harvest of 5 tons, saw the start of what has become a very successful operation. The old manager’s house was used as a makeshift pack house and a borehole was drilled to provide the much-needed water for the crop. Only a year later the crop produced 86 tons; in 2012 this had risen to 488 tons, rising to 2,580 tons by 2015, a level which it still maintains.

While waiting for the crop to mature, Africado successfully raised business growth capital from the Norwegian Development Finance Institution, to complete the development of the Kifufu

Estate plantation, which now runs to 137 acres of avocado trees. Maize is still harvested and the stalks used to mulch the trees for soil improvement. A small coffee plantation remains, which has also thrived and works well alongside the main crop.

A reservoir was added to the hydration scheme and the cookhouse was also utilised as a makeshift pack-house but without a proper packing station, the fruits had to travel to Kenya to be packed and from there, were exported to France for distribution. Since then a new packing house has been built to enable the company to pack on

site and another two dams have been added to the plantation.

Now exported to Holland, France and Denmark, Africado avocados, are also to be found in Sainsburys, Waitrose and Tesco in the UK and are described by Waitrose as “having excellent eating quality and some of the best fruit we had seen.”

With a regular workforce of around 150 and another 200 at harvest time, the company have taken the welfare of their workers and work in the surrounding community very seriously. As well as a new staff canteen and wash facilities, with fresh running water, they have also

built a new kitchen and canteen at the local Dahani school.

To enable smaller producers to have the opportunity to join them and export their fruits, they have subsidised 85,000 trees for 2000 farmers at a cost of 150,000,000 shillings (£47 million).

The old plantation house has been steadily repaired over the years and James and his family now live there and enjoy one of the most fabulous views over the avocado trees, with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.

This is a project, which owes its success to hard-work and great planning and to the care of those who rely on it most.

African Food Security Prize Launched to Stop Devastating Crop Pest Feed the Future seeks digital solutions to help stop the spread of Fall Armyworm across Africa Feed the Future, supported by Land O’Lakes International Development and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, has opened its call for applications for the Fall Armyworm Tech Prize. The prize offers to fund up to $400,000 in digital solutions that aim to help stop the spread of fall armyworm in Africa—a pest that is devastating agriculture and demolishing billions of dollars’ worth of crops across the continent. Selected digital solutions will strengthen resilience against fall armyworm and mitigate risks to food security across the continent.

Fall armyworm attacks over 80 different plant species.

Agriculture experts estimate the pest could cause between $2.4 and $6.2 billion in losses for maize,[1] a major staple crop in Africa on which more than 200 million people depend. Crops like sorghum, rice, and sugarcane are also at risk. Unchecked, fall armyworm is a threat to the livelihoods of farmers and to food security across the continent.

How the prizes will be awarded: • One grand prize of $150,000 will be awarded to the most viable solution • Two awards of $75,000 for the most promising solutions • Two runner-up awards of $50,000 for early stage developments that show potential

Applications may involve a range of digital solutions and must demonstrate how the proposed tool(s) will help smallholder farmers and those that reach them, such as extension agents, monitor, identify, treat or report the incidence of fall armyworm.

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The application deadline is 14 May 2018 via https:// fallarmywormtech.challenges. org/. The Prize welcomes entries from around the world that are specific to the context of fall armyworm in Africa. Final prize awards will be announced later this year.

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Visit a farm on 10 June for LEAF Open Farm Sunday… …and be inspired to open your gates next year

By Rebecca Dawes, Scottish Co-ordinator

The start of 2018 can only be described as challenging for almost everyone working within the agricultural sector – the snow, rain and wind has certainly made it a year we will not forget quickly.

However farmers are resilient and through this resilience the poor weather has highlighted some of the many positive aspects that the general public often do not get the opportunity to see.

Whether it was farmers rallying together to help free vehicles that 86

were stuck in the snow, protecting the welfare of their livestock by sharing resources or using tractors to deliver necessities to their local community - including a midwife in one area - farmers certainly have made the news this year.

This collaborative nature is fundamental to the success of LEAF Open Farm Sunday, managed by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming). The industry’s annual open day to date has welcomed more than two

million visitors to farms across the UK, with hundreds of farmers taking part annually. With a shared passion for British farming, and a love for what they do, their individual stories are helping to bridge the gap between the general public and the food and drink they enjoy.

In Scotland, support continues to grow with between 15 and 30 farmers opening their gates each year, covering a wide range of geographical areas including the

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highlands and islands. In the last five years, over 110,000 people in Scotland have visited one of these farms and with more farmers than ever taking part in 2018, we are set to have a record-breaking year.

But for those who have been considering LEAF Open Farm Sunday but are still not 100% sure, or have perhaps never heard of the initiative, the event on 10th June is an opportunity to visit a fellow farmer who is taking part to gain some ideas. Whether you go

OPEN FARM SUNDAY along as a visitor, or volunteer to help on the day, it is a great way to see how it works and ask some key questions and see first-hand why 91% of visitors were more appreciative of the work farmers do following an Open Farm Sunday experience.

Events of all size and scale are organised by farmers, from onehour pre-booked farm walks with limited numbers to public open days where you just turn up on the day. The day is very much about you and your farm, but there are resources and activities available free of charge from LEAF Open Farm Sunday that will help you promote the farming messages. If you visit a participating farm this year, you will be able to see some of these resources in action, and discuss how you can incorporate them into your own farm. With the option to use a pre-booking system, you can also control your visitor numbers to limit them to a number you feel comfortable hosting.

Collaboration is not only key at a national level but also local, and a visit to someone in your area who is taking part could inspire you to work together in 2019. Could you organise the event on one farm, and alternate it each year? Or could you both host an event and jointly promote the day so visitors enjoy a LEAF Open Farm Sunday trail? They could attend one farm in the morning and another in the afternoon.

Last year, 59% of the visitors were attending a LEAF Open

Farm Sunday event for the first time and one in five had never visited a farm before. With a national call for farmers to engage more with the general public, you don’t have to do it on your own – let LEAF support you.

All farmers are welcome to take part, you do not need to be a member of LEAF and it is free to register. So if you are thinking of taking part in 2019, visit the website at www.farmsunday.org and find a farm to visit.

Here are just a few to get you started...

Bellevue Farm - Isle of Arran Taking part for the first time this year, a guided tour of the working farm will include sheep, cattle, machinery and the story of their cereals with barley grown for a local distillery. Pre-booking is required.

Dalmore Farm – Angus This 12-acre smallholding will show the full food chain with produce reared and grown for their own consumption, and the local area. A guided tour will include hens, pigs, sheep, cattle, vegetables and fruits. Prebooking is required.

Orkney Buffalo – Orkney A family farm with water buffalo, Mangalitza pigs and pet goats. These experienced hosts continue to offer something a little bit different as they share their story.

Peel Farm – Angus A guided walk along a nature trail will allow you to see some glacial erosion, wild plants, livestock and birds. Along with the pet lambs, hens, rare breed pigs and red deer the mixed beef and sheep is home to a coffee shop, gift barn and farm shop.

Dourie Farm – Wigtownshire New for 2018, this 1400-cattle dairy farm supplies milk from Seriously Strong and Galloway Cheddar. The tour will include a visit to see cattle and an opportunity to watch the milking.

Pre-booking is required.

Glensaugh Farm- Aberdeenshire An upland sheep, cattle and deer farm run by the James Hutton Institute with a clear focus on research and the science behind farming. A focus on the soil, water, nutrient and carbon stocks will all feature on the day.

Hirsel Estate – Berwickshire One of the larger enterprises opening in Scotland for 2018, this estate consists of five farms predominately growing cereals, oil seed rape, beans, peas and potatoes. There will be an opportunity to meet their Highland cattle and learn more about the work they do to preserve their 750 acres of woodland.

Treshnish Farm – Isle of Mull As part of the Mull and Iona Food Trail “Moveable Feasts 2018”, this is an excellent example of a farm that is working with others to promote sustainable farming. The sheep and cattle hill farm put a strong emphasis on biodiversity, cutting silage late to protect the birds and avoiding the use of artificial fertilisers. Pre-booking for the “Moveable Feast” picnic is required.

For a full list visit www.farmsunday.org or to find out more about LEAF Open Farm Sunday contract Scottish Co-ordinator Rebecca Dawes on 07792 467730 or ofsrc.scotland@gmail.com www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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exotic farming scotland

The Bees Knees…

Protecting the Colonsay Black Bee

By Janice Hopper Many farmers and breeders work with relatively rare breeds, but when Andrew Abrahams goes to the ‘office’ he’s safeguarding a gene-pool of local, national and global significance. Andrew lives on the Hebridean island of Colonsay. Colonsay has one of the few pure and isolated populations of Apis mellifera mellifera (Amm) in Europe - that’s native Scottish black bees to those of us outwith the beekeeping fraternity. Andrew has spent forty years working with black bees; looking after their wellbeing, the breeding cycles, the harvesting of honey, as well as the admin and marketing side of getting his honey in front of the customer.

“The primary focus is maintaining the bees as an important genetic resource,’ says Andrew, ‘But equally we have to be productive. I have to make a living, and honey is a key part of that, therefore both conservation and honey production are equally prioritised, as one maintains the other.”

In the 1970s Andrew arrived on Colonsay and came across the abandoned hives of Joseph Tinsley, a bee inspector who, in the 1940s and 50s, embraced Colonsay’s isolation to select and breed lines of Amm bees. The discarded hives piqued Andrew’s interest and, in 1977, he took up beekeeping training under the tutelage of the renowned Athole Kirkwood at Heather Hills Farm in Perthshire.

“I was soon introduced to Bernard Mobus, the Bee Advisor for the North of Scotland, who strongly advised me to populate my hives with black bees, rather than imported bees that wouldn’t withstand the harsher island climate,’ explains Andrew, ‘After 88

A hive of activity

I’d finished my training I went looking for native black bees, sourcing pockets of them from Strathardle, the Fintry Hills, the Ochils, and from Mobus’s Maud bees. I had to ensure genetic diversity to avoid inbreeding.”

These native Scottish bees were ideally suited for Colonsay.

The insects are prized for their hardiness, in comparison to European bees, which allows them to thrive on exposed islands such as Colonsay.

“The Virgin queens wait in the hive for the right external temperature to take flight for mating, normally above 18C,’ says Andrew. ‘Blacks will get out and mate at 16C, vitally important in cool wet summers. The black worker bees are also willing to

gather nectar on cool or windy days, the type of weather that would keep foreign bees snug in the hive. The black bees have qualities particularly developed over millennia for life in Scotland.

Despite all the native bees’ adaptations, it’s still difficult. You need to be a skilled beekeeper to work on the west coast of Scotland in this climate. You need to get everything right, there’s simply no margin for mistakes.”

Britain’s native honeybees took a battering in the early twentieth century when the ‘Isle of Wight’ disease wiped them out.

Today the new threat is the Varroa mite, which rampaged through apiaries the length and breadth of the country. Colonsay’s isolation is its trump card.

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“We have to be isolated,’ insists Andrew, ‘Drones can fly for over five miles, so isolation is key to breeding single strain breeds.

Cooperation between beekeepers is another potential approach but isolation is, arguably, easier to control.”

The importance of Andrew’s bees was recognised by the Scottish Government when the Beekeeping (Colonsay and Oronsay) Order 2013 was passed.

It essentially made it an offence to keep any honeybees on the islands except Apis mellifera mellifera.

This protects the species from disease and cross-breeding with non-native bees. Andrew made this change happen.

“It was a ten year struggle, I had to fight hard for it,’

exotic farming scotland

Colonsay Blacks Bees

to spread the word and promote black bees: this wouldn’t have happened ten years ago.”

From a consumer’s point of view, purchasing a jar of Colonsay Honey helps preserve

the hives but, from a more selfish point of view, Colonsay Honey also delivers a unique flavour.

The bees feast in a very particular microcosm creating an inimitable sweet treat, and the concentration

Photograph courtesy of Wendy Barrie

says Andrew, ‘Agricultural departments couldn’t deal with the issue as bees aren’t classed as agricultural domestic animals.

Wildlife organisations couldn’t fight the bees’ corner as they only handle wild animals. Bees had fallen through the legislative structure. I spent years banging on doors and was supported by a few dedicated Scottish beekeepers.

European scientists also helped put pressure on the Government, writing letters urging them to protect the bees as a valuable genetic and scientific resource.

On a positive note I believe it was only a devolved Scottish Government that finally made this happen. I wouldn’t have got an order through Westminster.”

Slow Food Scotland also placed the bees into the global ‘Ark of Taste’, which celebrates, promotes and protects rare animals, products, crafts and processes. The value of the bees is now in the spotlight.

“Colonsay’s disease-free stocks play an important role supplying honeybees to the scientific community studying diseases and genetics,’ says Andrew, ‘They’ve also created a national focus, demonstrating the positives of preserving native black bees. The new Scottish Native Honeybee Society is keen

of nectar from thousands of Hebridean wildflowers is considered something to savour.

Another layer of craftsmanship that enhances the taste is the traditional processes used to extract the honey, preserving many of the natural enzymes, the essential oils and their flavours.

For a product that’s known for quality and rarity, jars of Colonsay honey aren’t cheap but they don’t break the bank.

Sold in one pound glass jars, at £15.00 a jar, it’s similar to buying cashmere over cotton, or indulging in a fine single malt whisky. But in the bigger picture the main issue for Andrew is the long term future of the Colonsay hives.

“I’ve still got a decade or two of beekeeping in me,’ concludes Andrew, ‘but find me a skilled beekeeper, willing to move to an isolated island on the West coast of Scotland, and they may discover a very rewarding job, protecting a hugely valuable resource for the beekeeping world.” www.colonsay.org.uk

Colonsay Honey

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beef Banchory Family Successfully Raising the “Steaks” Producing an award-winning, juicy, tasty steak is about as good as it gets in terms of accolades for a beef farmer and last year’s winner of the Tesco Best Scotch Steak Competition is keen to repeat his success.

Graham Robertson and wife Elaine farm Tillyorn at Lumphanan near Banchory in partnership, while son, Gary (26) also works on the farm. They sell all their beef to McIntosh Donald and entered the competition in 2016, getting to the final 12, so it was an easy decision to enter two cattle again last summer.

The 18-month-old steer out of a home-bred Simmental cross cow by a British Blue sire was typical of the type of cattle the Robertsons put through the Portlethen abattoir every month. Weighing in at 369kg and grading U+4L he ticked the specification boxes to make it through to the final 12 from an initial entry of 180.

The blind taste testing was carried out at the Royal Highland Show in June by a panel which included the chairman of Quality Meat Scotland, Jim McLaren.

He said: “The standard of all the entries was consistently high but the winning steak was fabulous.”

Graham left the family farm when he was 21 to take on the tenancy of Tillyorn, then he took on the family farm Knockando,

when his father retired in 2008, and has since grown the business to just over 320 hectares, 100 of which is owned and the remainder rented. He grows 120 hectares of spring barley, which mostly goes for malting but he retains 150 tonnes for finishing cattle.

The farm supports 120 Simmental cross suckler cows traditionally put to Simmental and Limousin bulls but since 2015 Graham has been using a neighbour’s British Blue bull with some success. He said: “I’m keeping the heifers because they are smaller, more modern cattle with good shape, which should

produce calves which meet the new weight specifications at the abattoir.”

He finishes all the cattle on the farm, either off grass or out of sheds where they are fed straw and home-grown barley mixed with 34 per cent protein cake.

The British Blue cross cattle he finished last year certainly did well, and Graham appreciates the feedback from McIntosh Donald who pay a premium of 5p/kg for cattle under 380kg.

His aim is to finish everything at 18 months and under 420kg but he intentionally has a very spreadout calving from August through to May due to limited housing

and also so he can supply beef throughout the year. He explained: “I turn the finishing cattle back out to grass for their second summer and they tend to grow on before finishing which can make them too heavy, but I think it is wrong to force finish them.”

He has noted the trend for smaller cows and a return to native breeds and he is making his own moves towards the former but he said: “I feel very lucky that Gary has chosen to come and work at home because the fashion for low-maintenance, native type cattle means there is less work for stockmen on farms and some crucial skills are being lost.”

Scotch Beef DNA Traceability Feasibility Study to be Undertaken A study to look at the feasibility of introducing DNA traceability as an additional measure to guarantee the authenticity of Scotch Beef PGI, is being commissioned by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

The study follows a period of engagement with different parts of the Scottish meat industry, to gauge the level of industry support for the potential introduction of an official programme of DNA traceability system.

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“Quality Meat Scotland has worked hard, alongside the Scottish red meat industry, to develop the Scotch Beef PGI brand which is now recognised throughout the world as an icon of quality,” said Jim McLaren, Chairman of QMS. “Our marketing and communications activities over many years have ensured the Scotch Beef PGI brand is one of the most recognised of all food brands in Scotland and

importantly our market research shows that there is now a high level of understanding from consumers’ of what the brand stands for.”

Mr McLaren also pointed out that Scotch Beef was one of the first meat brands to benefit from the coveted European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, which is hugely valued by customers all over the world.

“Crucially, our industry’s brand is underpinned by a

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world-leading, whole-of-life, whole-chain quality assurance programme – from farm to processor. Our beef producers in Scotland benefit from a price premium for their beef and it is vital this valuable reward for the work they do to deliver a quality product, is not undermined.”

The industry, he said, must be able to robustly defend the integrity of the brand and all that sets it apart, from any unscrupulous activity.

Emphasising that there are many steps already in place to prevent fraud at present, Mr McLaren said the introduction of a DNA monitoring program would further strengthen the checks already in place to underpin the integrity of the Scotch Beef PGI brand.

“Consumer trust is a key aspect of our Scotch Beef PGI brand and protecting the brand is vitally important,” added Mr McLaren. “We need to ensure its premium market position is protected and it is possible

Protecting your livestock

that DNA testing may offer the potential to take the existing quality assurance and brands integrity measures in place to a new level.”

The feasibility study, which is currently tendered, will consider the potential benefits that the introduction of a beef DNA traceability system could have on the Scotch Beef PGI brand. It will also consider how a DNA traceability system could be implemented, including when and where the samples would be taken.

NFU Scotland calls for decisions on live exports to be led by science As the UK Government calls for evidence on live animal exports for slaughter, the Union is highlighting the high standards which are already in place and based on years of scientific evidence The UK Government’s Department for Environment,

NFU Scotland

beef

Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published a call for evidence on live exports and animal transport which will run for 6 weeks. NFU Scotland is calling for sound science and existing standards to be the basis of discussions prior to any changes to live export regulation.

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NFU Scotland is urging all its members who have had livestock subjected to an attack by dogs to take the time to report the matter to Police Scotland writes Linlithgow farmer Jamie Smart, chair of NFU Scotland’s Legal and Technical committee.

Although some official statistics suggest that the number of incidents is declining, NFU Scotland has always contended that there is significant under-reporting of attacks and livestock worrying, particularly incidents involving sheep, continues to be a blight on Scottish farming Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual estimates that the cost of worrying to the livestock sector in 2017 amounted to £1.6 million but not all cases have been insured and the issue remains chronically under-reported.

Figures from a recent farming newspaper survey show that nearly half of the respondents who had an instance of livestock worrying did not report it and the fact that more than half of those who suffered a financial loss did not claim underlines that the true cost to Scottish farmers and crofters of livestock worrying is far, far higher than previously thought.

I would encourage anyone who suffers a dog attack on their livestock to report it to the police. If the attack is ongoing they should dial 999, otherwise use the 101 number. Only by showing the true extent of livestock worrying, and the impact that the actions of irresponsible dog owners are having on our farms and crofts can we drive the necessary legislative changes to make a difference.

At NFUS, we intend to submit a Freedom of Information request to each local authority to identify how many Dog Control Notices have been issued, to highlight their continued under-use as a method of control.

By Jamie Smart

We will lobby for an update to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code to provide that where taking access to land with sheep the public MUST have all dogs on a lead.

We will urge Police Scotland to adopt the use of DNA testing to prove a link between dogs carrying out attacks and the affected livestock, helping to underpin the prosecution process.

And, crucially, the underpinning legislation – both the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 and the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 - are out of date. They must be updated to guarantee that sanctions handed to offenders offer full cost recovery and have fines that fully reflect the crimes. This will ensure that farmers receive adequate compensation but also deter dog owners from allowing their dogs to worry livestock.

No farmer wants to resort to shooting. The Animals (Scotland) Act 1987 provides that where there are no other practicable means of ending a dog attack on livestock, it is a defence for the livestock keeper to kill the dog. This is a last resort option, and where this course of action is taken, it must be reported to Police Scotland within 48 hours of the incident.

Strengthening legislation and access codes will support responsible dog ownership, target and deter irresponsible owners and hopefully mean that the need to prosecute owners or shoot stray dogs becomes a rarity.

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beef The current legislation protecting animals during transport and related operations was introduced in 2005. The standards within that legislation were developed based on respected scientific evidence on the welfare of animals during transport, with subsequent reviews failing to identify new

evidence of a need for further change.

NFU Scotland Livestock Chairman Charlie Adam said: “Livestock welfare is a top priority for Scottish livestock farmers and we appreciate that live animal transport is an emotive issue for many.

“It is important that standards are in place to protect

animal welfare during transport.

Those standards must reflect the scientific evidence available, to deliver genuine benefits, and not be based purely on sentiment, delivering little benefit and damaging the livestock industry in the UK. “The UK Government’s ambition to be viewed as a

premier trading partner post Brexit means we need to be able to demonstrate robust, evidenced welfare standards delivering confidence to UK consumers and our trading partners. As a premier trading partner, we should not be seeking to dismiss the ability to export high quality, high welfare livestock.”

Importance of Successful Negotiation of Trade Agreements Highlighted The importance to Scotland’s red meat industry of trade agreements being successfully negotiated as part of the Brexit process, is being highlighted by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

Failure to build strong trading relationships could, according to Iain Macdonald, QMS Economics Analyst, result in significant trade volatility with agricultural products also facing knock-on effects from measures aimed at unrelated industries.

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This uncertainty, said Mr Macdonald, can be clearly illustrated by the scenario which has emerged following US President Donald Trump’s introduction of new trade tariffs, targeted heavily towards China.

Chinese retaliation, citing World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, has led to concerns about a trade war.

“Agricultural products have not been immune to this trade dispute and, with the US and

China being such large players in global agricultural trade, there are potential spill-overs to consider for producers in Scotland,” said Mr Macdonald.

The first stage of the recent trade conflict began in February with President Trump using powers under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium products to the US. China was one of the major suppliers of steel and aluminium

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to the US that failed to gain an exemption to these new tariffs.

In retaliation to this US action, Chinese authorities announced increased tariffs on a list of 128 US products with an annual import value similar to the value of US steel and aluminium imports from China. Since April 2nd, 120 of these products have faced an additional 15% tariff on top of the current tariff, while 8 products are now subject to an additional 25% tariff.

livestock FAR aims to reduce livestock emissions through latest training Module The Feed Adviser Register (FAR) run by the Agricultural Industries Confederation has launched its latest training module – Module 4 – which focuses on how nutrition and general livestock management can reduce environmental emissions. The Module is split into two sections featuring five presentations by leading experts.

Module 4 Section 1 includes

two on ruminants covering phosphorus and methane, and one on monogastrics dealing with phosphorus. Later in the year Section 2 will be launched to address nitrogen in ruminants and nitrogen in monogastrics. To maintain their membership of the Feed Adviser Register, Members must study the appropriate presentations and then answer i-validation questions. Feed

Advisers have six months from the launch to complete Module 4, Section 1.

The Feed Adviser Register now has over 1100 feed advisers spread across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, covering ruminants and monogastrics.

Inge Verwoerd, AIC Technical Manager for Feed and FAR (Feed Adviser Register) said: “The challenge of reducing

environmental emissions from livestock was one of the main reasons for launching FAR in 2013. FAR ensures that information is reaching feed advisers and livestock farmers and appropriate measures are taken on farm.Module 4 is critical to increasing knowledge on the subject among feed advisers and farmers and reducing emissions from livestock in the future.”

Action needed on antibiotics to future-proof UK cattle industry Voluntary reductions in the use of Critically Important Antibiotics (CIAs) must be accelerated to future-proof the UK cattle industry against the threat of legislation and regulation. This was the message from Professor David Barrett, speaking at the MSD Animal Health sponsored National Mastitis Panel, who said that more widespread understanding of the issues is urgently required particularly amongst farmers and cattle vets if real progress is to be made. “There are some notable examples of veterinary practices that have worked with their clients to eliminate the use of CIAs,” he said. “These are the exceptions, but they illustrate what is possible. As an industry, we need to speed up the rate of change and make a concerted effort to ensure more

responsible use of antibiotics becomes the norm, sooner rather than later.” Professor Barrett quoted the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) position on the responsible use of medicines, which includes the recommendation of minimal use of third and fourth generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinalones and colistin, with these CIAs being limited to use where it has been demonstrated by sensitivity testing that they are the only suitable option to avoid unnecessary suffering.

“There has been agreement on this position amongst the veterinary associations, farmer organisations and milk buyers, but there needs to be more widespread awareness at producer level, particularly within the vet and farmer relationship,” he added.

Mapping manure When thinking about the day to day tasks of an arable agronomist, manure management is not something that often springs to mind, however for Hutchinsons agronomist Jim Clark this is one of the biggest issues facing many of his mixed farming clients across Cumbria and Dumfries.

Managing and recording manure is a constant challenge for many farmers

as the current legislative requirement to demonstrate manure management and NVZ compliance means that every farm must have accurate and reliable manure management plans in place, says Jim. For many of his mixed farming clients who are managing large numbers of livestock alongside cropping, the paperwork is an extra

burden on an already heavy work load, and in many cases the calculations and records may not be kept up to date or accurate, which can incur heavy fines.

This is an area that I am increasingly being called on for advice, as many farms want to remain compliant and avoid costly fines, but also maximise the considerable benefits that

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can be made by utilising organic manures correctly as they are valuable resources for nutrients and organic matter for crops, he says.

Jim uses Omnia manure management, a web-based software system that has been designed to generate manure management plans that meet all the legislative requirements for livestock manures, digestate 93

livestock covering field and farm limits, field spreading areas, risk maps and storage requirements.

He adds that whilst other systems may carry out nutrient management calculations, they don’t generate the necessary risk maps.

Within these legal boundaries, Omnia allows the user to produce organic manure maps for each field on a field scale or zoned sub-field basis.

Jim uses the additional function of Omnia to generate maps for full nutrient recommendations of the crops on which the manure is being used and what fertiliser needs to be bought in.

Omnia can generate maps for soil organic matter, cation exchange, pH and micronutrients – all of which

ensure that manure and fertiliser use is optimised – avoiding any costly waste or non-compliance.

“It’s a user-friendly system that’s easy to change and update.

Accurate maps can be emailed easily across to whoever needs them

- for example where contractors are being used for fertiliser application, the maps generated by Omnia are easy to understand and follow.”

Consumers set to play role in livestock genetics Consumers around the UK could soon be playing an important role in livestock genetics, thanks to a unique mobile sensory lab being unveiled this week by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Members of the public will be invited into the lab – thought to be the first mobile unit of its kind – to taste different meats and other food products and indicate their preferences via electronic touch screens. The lab will be equipped with state-ofthe-art imaging technologies and meat quality equipment.

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SRUC’s world-leading livestock scientists will use the information collected as part of their genetic improvement research which, in turn, will influence breeding programmes for sheep, cattle and pigs.

Supported and funded by the Centre of Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) and Innovate UK, the SRUC sensory lab is contained within an articulated lorry. It will soon be spotted outside supermarkets, at regional shows and in other public places around the UK as

part of a three-year programme.

The mobile lab is the brainchild of Professor Mike Coffey, Team Leader for Animal and Veterinary Sciences at SRUC. It will be showcased this week at the Agricultural Engineering Precision Innovation Centre (Agri-EPI) Hub at Harper Adams University in Shropshire.

Hosted by the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) on behalf of Innovate UK, the event is a unique opportunity for the UK’s four Agri-Tech Centres:

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Agri-EPI, CIEL, Agrimetrics and the Centre for Crop Health and Protection (CHAP), to highlight their capabilities through bespoke ‘show and tell’ tours.

Prof Coffey said: “Our overall aim is to improve the quality of the meat we consume.

Instead of taking consumers into the lab, we will now be taking the lab out to consumers.

Learning the taste preferences of the public – people of different ages, from different places and from different backgrounds – gives us valuable insight and will help us to improve the genetics of our farm animals. Thereby ensuring the consumer gets the products they want.”

CIEL’s CEO Lyndsay Chapman said: “I’m pleased that CIEL funding has been able to bring this novel concept to reality. We believe innovations like this are vital for the UK agri-food sector to compete – in this case, making sure we are producing what the consumer wants. Breeding for specific traits like taste and tenderness of meat can takes years. Facilities like this will help determine breeding decisions and further improve the great products we produce in the UK.”

livestock SRUC will also be demonstrating how it uses various other state-of-the-art technology in its research, including 3D imaging for monitoring the growth and carcase characteristics of finishing beef cattle; collar-mounted individual animal sensors for

monitoring feeding behaviour and intake of growing cattle; GPS collars using LoRaWAN – a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) – for monitoring the location of extensive livestock and new SRUC/Agri-Epi calf-rearing facilities.

Eye-catching Advertising of Scotch Beef in London

Mind the immunity gap The transmission of BVD (bovine viral diarrhoea) is complex and protecting the foetus from the virus is at the heart of any control programme. The virus is passed from dam to foetus and, if this occurs in the first third of pregnancy and the foetus goes to term, a persistently infected (PI) calf will be born. These will then go on to shed virus throughout their lives, so infecting herdmates and the next generation of calves.

“The timing of when a vaccine is given is critical to the development of an immune response, which will protect the unborn foetus,” explains vet Jon Reader from Synergy Farm Health, an XL Vet practice. “Working out when you want the dam to calve and then calculating back shows when either a primary course of BVD vaccine or a booster should be given but, get this wrong and you will end up with what is known as an ‘immunity gap’. “It is vital that both heifers and cows have maximum protection during the breeding period and in early pregnancy,” Mr Reader adds. In the case of heifers, they MUST be fully protected before being served for the first time, and cows must have had immunity boosted

before they are pregnant again.

However, far too often heifers are adequately protected following an initial booster but given their age and date of service, do not receive further protection until they enter the adult herd.

“If heifers calve just after the herd booster, then there is a very real possibility that they will go for two years without a booster, and be severely exposed when they become pregnant as a first lactation heifer,” Jon Reader warns. “This is termed the immunity gap; a period when the animal is not protected from the virus at all. The aim should be to eliminate this period completely, so that there is no immunity gap,” he adds.

Reduce livestock health risks with the right housed environment Housing conditions are a major factor in controlling multifactorial respiratory diseases, says livestock health specialist and honorary research fellow at the University of Aberdeen Jamie Robertson, urging livestock producers to make ventilation, drafts,

air quality and humidity management key aspects in their disease prevention programme.

While preventative practices for respiratory diseases like pneumonia are essential for herd animal welfare, they also carry a significant financial safeguard.

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Four million Londoners have been targeted with eye-catching Scotch Beef billboard advertising as part of the high-impact campaign by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), with a focus on London and the Home Counties.

The campaign, which ran throughout March and April, included the use of high-impact billboard adverts which appeared in carefully-selected locations across the city of London.

The impressive array of advertisements aimed to build awareness of Scotch Beef and trust in the brand, reinforcing the message that it is the best beef money can buy.

Digital screens were located in high footfall commuter areas of London such as Waterloo station, Liverpool Street station and Fenchurch Street station.

The ads carried messaging on the quality of Scotch Beef PGI. Traditional and digital adverts outside retailers were also used to target shoppers during the final stages of their purchase journey.

The billboard advertisements alone were estimated to reach over four million Londoners featuring

various cuts of Scotch Beef including a focus on roasting joints.

The campaign aimed improve the already strong brand awareness of Scotch Beef PGI in the key GB regions. Currently 89% of the target market in Scotland recognise the Scotch Beef PGI logo and 37% in Greater London and the Home Counties are aware of the brand. Early feedback on the campaign has suggested that it has been incredibly successful, helping QMS reach a key target market.

Commenting on the campaign, Suzie Carlaw, Marketing Controller at Quality Meat Scotland said: “We have worked incredibly hard over the last few years to build the Scotch Beef brand and every single person involved in the process, from farm to fork, should be proud of its success to date.

“The very positive image of Scotch Beef PGI which the QMS campaign aims to further cement in London is particularly important.

London consumers greatly value the quality of products they buy more than the average British consumer” said Miss Carlaw.

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livestock

The

VET Freedom Come a Ye

According to research from Scarsdale Vets Farm, the average dairy calf with pneumonia costs £43.26 and the average beef calf costs £82.10 – with significant lower growth rates and increased treatment medicine use contributing the greatest costs.

Sheds need ventilation To keep adequate airflow in housed buildings, Robertson recommends farm buildings have a roof pitch of 15° to 22°, with steeper angles working to create a chimney effect to draw out excess heat, moisture and stale air from buildings.

“Buildings for animals need a hole in the roof to let the hot air, stale air, moisture, bugs and all the other excesses out,” notes Robertson. “If you don’t have a big enough hole in the roof, then you accumulate heat and moisture inside the building.”

Order your FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Limited Edition Whisky

By Andy Cant, Northvet Veterinary Group

We face many uncertainties, as Brexit gets closer. One is where we stand with trade agreements and the levels of animal welfare where animal products are imported. The UK has always set high standards of welfare for production animals during their lifetime and at slaughter.

It has been highlighted as one of the reasons we can claim to produce the best food in the world. So whilst we should question standards in other countries we need to make sure our own standards are beyond reproach.

The five freedoms of animal welfare were set out as guidelines in the 1960’s as intensive farming systems sprang up. They still hold true today and are worth going over. One of the issues with welfare standards is communicating the knowledge to the wider public so they can implemented, as we all have responsibilities in this area.

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst – this must be tailored to the production stage of the animal – maintenance, growth, pregnancy, lactation etc 2. Freedom from discomfort a suitable environment with shelter and comfortable lying area 3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease – this is where a health plan is invaluable, setting out preventive strategies and biosecurity measures as well as actions to take when problems arise.

4. Freedom to express normal behavior – this means providing enough space and the company of other similar animals 5. Freedom from fear and distress – these cover mental suffering and is important especially during transport, mixing, and at slaughter.

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All straightforward and common sense but to quote from Hamish Henderson’s song that I’ve used as the title, not always easy when ”Roch the win i the clear days dawin, blaws the the cloods heilstergawdie ower the bay” - certainly the late spring this year is putting a lot of pressure on keeping standards up.

But at least we have our Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare to guide us – the Five Freedoms of Animal Trade post Brexit are still a mystery and what the future holds is still in question. However….

“Sae come a ye at hame wi freedom Never heed whit the houdies croak for doom In yer hoos aa the bairns o Aidam Will fin breid, barley-bree and paintit room”

pigs Tell-tail signs A high-tech system involving 3D cameras could help UK farmers spot the early warning signs of tail biting in pigs – a health and welfare concern in affected pigs and a significant economic concern for industry.

New research by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has revealed that pigs hold their tails down against their body when tail biting is about to begin. Experiments saw 3D cameras placed above feeders to automatically measure whether their tails were up and curly, or held down.

The research was carried out using 23 groups of weaner-grower pigs which were regularly scored for any signs of tail injury. The animals were closely monitored and tail biting was stopped as soon as an outbreak was detected.

Outbreaks of tail biting have no single cause – there are a number of contributory factors that could include elements of the pig’s genetics, nutrition, environment and management. Outbreaks can occur unpredictably and quickly spread. Tail docking can be used as a measure to control tail biting, however this is no longer seen as an acceptable routine solution to prevent against outbreaks.

The research, which has been published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE, was the result of a collaboration between SRUC animal behaviour and welfare experts, Scottish farm technology company Innovent Technology Ltd, pig supply chain partners including feed company Harbro and Sainsbury’s supermarkets, and the Agricultural Engineering

Precision Innovation Centre (Agri-EPI).

Lead author Dr Rick D’Eath from SRUC said: “Tail biting results in pain and sickness for bitten pigs and severe economic losses for farmers as infection

through tail wounds results in abattoir condemnation of meat.

This condemnation alone can cost a producer up to 1 per cent of the carcase value and a loss for the processer of 1 per cent of saleable carcase from the pig.

Aberdeenshire Pig Business Focuses on Technology and Efficiency A commitment to making use of new technology and improving efficiency is a key part of the business philosophy of twentyfive-year-old Lynn Argo, who is making her mark on the pig industry.

Miss Argo, who is based at Harvieston Farm, Catterline, Stonehaven, has a BSc Honours in Agriculture from SRUC Craibstone. She has been working full time in the family business since she graduated in 2014 and, along with her father, David, is determined to drive the business forward.

The firm of DW Argo has two main pig units: Brigstanes, just a mile away from the home farm, and Ellismoss, about 45 minutes’ drive away at Kinnellar. Between them, there are 1,800 sows and 16 staff.

Miss Argo explained: “The nucleus herd is at Ellismoss. Each week, 90 to 100 gilts are either sold for breeding or retained from that unit, while the rest of the weaned pigs come to Brigstanes to be finished.”

The family have 400 hectares at their own farms and contract farm a further 150 hectares. Most of the land is down to cereals, which are all used for pig feed.

They also grow potatoes – and daffodils for both flowers and bulbs.

Since finishing her degree and joining the family business, Miss Argo has done a bit of everything, but her key responsibility is to look after the approximately 5,000 fattening pigs out at “bed and breakfast” all over Scotland.

She said: “I spend quite a lot of time on the road, checking the health of these pigs, selecting pigs for slaughter and organising transport at these outlying units.”

She reckons she is lucky that her father has given her a free hand on the farm and responsibility for certain areas. She said: “I did not expect to come home so quickly, but a long-term worker retired so the time was right, and I feel it is a natural progression to bring the knowledge from my degree back to the farm.” www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com

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Action-packed Scotsheep programme set to draw the crowds to Ayrshire host farm Sheep producers from across Scotland, North of England and Northern Ireland will be in optimistic mood as they head for NSA Scotsheep 2018 on Wednesday, May 30.

This year’s event in the south-west of Scotland will be hosted by Robert and Caroline Dalrymple, along with long-time farm manager, Andrew Maclean, at Kings Arms Farm, Ballantrae, Girvan, Ayrshire, where they run a highly-productive flock of 1000 Texel x Mule ewes with all lambs finished on the farm and 400 Scotch Mule ewes crossed with the Texel to produce replacement ewe lambs.

The reputation of the flock and the farm’s attractive location on the Ayrshire coast makes for an ideal setting for NSA Scotsheep and the event is set to attract its usual large attendance from sheep producers looking to keep up-to-date with all the latest developments in the industry.

With the hogget market hitting record prices this spring, and encouraging prospects for this year’s lamb crop, sheep producers will be anticipating a good year despite all the uncertainties of Brexit which is sure to be a major talking point at the event.

The implications of Brexit on the sheep industry, and its likely impact on future support, will be the focus of two of four short, sharp seminars at NSA Scotsheep and will feature a galaxy of leading figures in the sheep industry.

It will no doubt also feature in the official opening address by well-known Ayrshire farmer 98

Getting ready to host this year’s NSA Scotsheep at Ballantrae (l-r) NSA Scotland chairman, John Fyall, host farmer, Robert Dalrymple, farm manager, Andrew Maclean, and organising committee chairman, George Allan.

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scotsheep and Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Ayr, John Scott, who is a former chairman of the hill farming committee of NFU Scotland. The other two seminars will look at sheep disease and prospects for the next generation.

The farm tour is always a “must” at NSA Scotsheep and this year will be no exception.

And there will be plenty of other attractions in the packed programme to keep visitors occupied for the day, from the invitation sheepdog trials featuring top local handlers, sheep shearing and stockjudging competitions to practical demonstrations of grassland management, butchery, crook making, sheep dressing, wool spinning and fencing.

The event will also host the Next Generation Shepherd of the Year competition, with the winner going through to the final at the NSA Sheep Event at Malvern, and there will again be a show and

sale of pairs of ewe hoggs which has proved a popular innovation over the past few years. There is still time to enter for both events.

At the time of writing, bookings for trade stand space and sheep demonstrations are rolling in and organiser, Euan Emslie, is confident of finishing up with around 200 commercial trade stands and displays by both sheep breed societies and individual breeders.

Meantime, on the farm, it is all hands to the pump for lambing. Farm manager, Andrew Maclean, reports that lambing has been going well, despite adverse weather, ranging from very wet to hard frost.

“It’s been very cold and we’ve had frozen pipes and no running water in the sheds on occasion which is unusual in this part of the world,” says Mr Maclean. “The grass has just disappeared and we are still feeding 1.5lb of rolls to the ewes (late March) to maintain milk and condition when we

would normally be down to half a pound.”

Lambing was three days later in starting and the severe weather and strong winds meant that only 12 ewes and lambs had been turned out by March 3, despite 400 ewes having been lambed by that time.

However, with most of the 1340 ewes lambed by late March,

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there are plenty of lambs on the ground with 40 sets of triplets – slightly fewer than normal – but more sets of twins. Mr Maclean is confident the final tally will not be far short of the 200% recorded at scanning.

NSA Scotsheep is always a great day out for anyone in the sheep industry. Make sure you’re there!

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sheep New Video Highlights Control Options for Liver Fluke in Sheep Establishing whether your farm has a liver fluke problem, managing your grazing tactically and using the right product at the right time are three of the key messages in a new video launched this week to help farmers control liver fluke in their sheep.

In the video, produced by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), sheep vet Fiona Lovatt gives an overview of the problems liver fluke can cause in sheep, and highlights practical steps farmers can take to minimise production losses from the parasite.

“The control measure that is most appropriate at this time of year is to avoid turning out sheep that are shedding fluke eggs – as these will infect your snails and hence lead to further contaminated pastures by the end

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of the summer,” said Dr Lovatt, who runs a sheep veterinary consultancy business, Flock Health Ltd. Dr Lovatt was one of the main speakers at a series of worm and fluke control meetings for farmers arranged by QMS last month. At the meetings she explained that, at this time of year adult fluke living inside infected sheep will be laying eggs that can be identified in the sheep’s faeces.

She added: “Many farmers do not realise they have a chronic liver fluke problem until they have poor scanning results or they are faced with thin ewes.

Don’t try and guess what the issue is – take muck samples from thin ewes at scanning time or before turnout and check if fluke are present.”

The liver fluke parasite has a complex life cycle that uses both grazing livestock and mud snails as hosts. Adult fluke live in the bile ducts of sheep (or cows) and lay eggs, which pass out in the faeces and hatch into larvae on the pasture. The

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larvae burrow into mud snails where they multiply. After one to three months, depending on environmental conditions, fluke leave the snail and encyst on grass for sheep or cattle to eat.

Once inside livestock, the young fluke travel to the liver. Over the

sheep next 12 weeks they will develop to adults and again start laying eggs.

If large quantities of immature fluke, are accidentally eaten by the sheep, cause acute disease and death from blood loss and liver damage. In fact, sudden death, in the autumn or winter, can be the first evidence of there being a fluke problem.

Signs of a chronic fluke burden in sheep are seen later in the winter or into the spring, once adult fluke have developed.

Sheep with chronic fluke may be in poor body condition, have reduced fertility and a poor milk supply which will then lead to increased mortality and reduced growth rates in their lambs.

Feedback from the abattoir or from fallen stock can also give farmers an indication if

they have fluke on their farm.

Otherwise, in late summer or early autumn, when the risk of acute fluke is high, lambs in their first grazing season can be blood tested to detect the first sign of fluke, and alert farmers that they need to treat with a flukicide that kills immature fluke.

There are three groups of flukicide that kill liver fluke.

Many will only kill adult fluke – these are appropriate to use in the spring but not in the autumn when the fluke in the sheep are immature. Some products will kill the older immatures as well as the adults. But only Triclabendazole will kill fluke at all stages of its life cycle – so this is the most appropriate product in the autumn when immature fluke are active and stock are at risk of acute fluke disease.

New research shows sheep farmers can save money at lambing time and safeguard the future of their flocks Anthelmintic treatment of ewes around lambing time, often with long-acting products, has become common practice on UK sheep farms. However, new independent UK research carried out over three years by the Animal Plant and Health Agency (AHPA) and funded by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has found no advantage in blanket worming ewes at lambing.

Faecal egg counts from lambs reared on ewes that were wormed with either a shortacting or long-acting wormer were not lower than faecal egg counts taken from lambs reared on ewes not treated with a wormer. The study supports data generated by other researchers suggesting the practice of treating ewes at lambing to reduce contamination on pasture

and minimise subsequent disease may not always result in lower levels of infection in lambs.

Jane Learmount, lead research on the project, says: “Over-use of anthelmintics is a major factor in the development of resistance,and treating adult sheep unnecessarily only adds to the problem. We had the opportunity to see if this widely adopted practice of worming ewes at lambing really was beneficial to the lambs by analysing our data from our long-term project involving 16 commercial farms. The bottom line is that we could not demonstrate any clear benefit in terms of worm infection levels in lambs as a result of worming ewes on the farms studied.”

This research provides further support for the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep

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Perfect storm for the sheep sector

By George Milne Nearly the whole country was effected by the “Beast from the East “ and we are all fully aware of the consequences. However the problems are much worse than the headlines following that storm. Since the storm we have experienced the coldest, wettest spring for many years. With another two extremely bad spells of weather hitting the country when many farmers were lambing, once again the east wind picked up and blew rain , sleet and snow across many parts of the country causing severe losses of new born and older lambs on many farms. It was brutal, nasty conditions for two to three days at a time.

When I say the perfect storm I mean it wasn’t just the weather, there was no grass across the whole country, forage, hay and haylage was very scarce, making what was available very expensive, concentrate feed costs were up and sheep required more feed than a normal year.

Ewes lost condition which has meant less milk for the lambs that have survived and more costs and problems in try the keep them productive.

There will undoubtedly be on

going consequences for the national flock this coming summer. The lamb crop will be down and adult sheep will need the summer to recover. Hill ewes with later laming are likely to be leaner and lambing percentages will be hit as a result of this poor condition.

On the up side prime lamb prices have been good since February with reports of record prices across all markets. This is encouraging for the many finishers of lamb and hopefully this trend will continue for the remainder of the year. Whilst I accept that the prices have been good I would say that they are only at levels where they should be for farmers to make money. The industry seems to always be in a position of struggling along with prices never really rising much year on year, yet our costs continue to rise, so I would suggest the current lamb prices are where they need to be and where they should remain allowing for seasonal trends.

Let’s hope we see a dry summer, because we all need it not only for our livestock but also for our own wellbeing.

sheep (SCOPS) recommendation to use a targeted approach to the administration of wormers on sheep farms, including leaving the fittest ewes untreated around lambing.

Peter Baber, sheep farmer and SCOPS Steering Group Chairman, says: “With sheep farmers increasingly aware that

worm control is no longer as simple as regularly using a wormer (anthelmintic), this is an important finding. If you haven’t had resistance to one or more groups detected on your farm, chances are you know somebody who has and who is struggling with the consequences. These days, maintaining control of worms is

Kennel Club Joins Scottish Rural Organisations The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting the health and welfare of dogs, has added its support to a “sheepwise” video produced by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and the National Sheep Association.

A host of other organisations are also supporting the video, which warns the public about the consequences of failing to control their dogs in the countryside, including the Scottish SPCA, Police Scotland, the British Veterinary Association, NFU Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates and Scottish Natural Heritage.

The video is being posted on social media this week to coincide with the run-up to the Easter weekend, when 1,000s of people and dogs venture into the countryside.

The film, first launched last year, features powerful, firsthand accounts of sheep worrying from Aberdeenshire farmer John Fyall, chairman of NSA Scotland, vet David McLaren, of Kirkton Veterinary Centre, Stonehaven and Gill MacGregor, Scottish SPCA Senior Inspector.

Narrated by a dog lover, the film also articulates the anguish which dog owners face, along with potential criminal prosecution, if they fail to control their dogs properly in the countryside.

This united awareness follows a recent radio advertising campaign by Scottish Natural Heritage and compliments the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) livestock worrying campaign.

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Kathy Peebles, NSA Scotland vice-chairman, said: “For farmers, as well as lost income, it is heartbreaking to witness horrendous injuries in the sheep they work hard to look after.

“For pregnant ewes, the result of being hounded by dogs can be miscarriage of unborn lambs and for ewes with young lambs at foot the result can be offspring getting separated from ewes and dying of hypothermia or starvation.

“The outcome could be a vet putting a healthy dog down which is distressing for the owner and could easily be avoided by following the countryside access code.”

Douglas Bell, Director of Industry Development with Quality Meat Scotland, added: “A key message of the campaign is that sheep worrying is not a dog problem – it is a dog-owner problem.

“Any dog – whatever breed, size or age – has the potential to chase sheep and cause considerable harm but the responsibility lies with owners to keep their dogs under control and out of trouble.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Repeatedly allowing a dog to stray is a clear sign of irresponsible ownership; it needlessly puts dogs’lives at risk, as well as farm animals and wildlife.

We encourage the responsible majority of dog owners to report strays and support local councils in targeting the irresponsible minority at an early stage using Dog Control Notices.”

More information for dog owners is available by visiting www.outdooracessscotland.com or www.jessthedog.org.uk

all about striking a balance that minimises the risk that the worms will become resistant on your farm.”

Lesley Stubbings of SCOPS says: “SCOPS has been working with a number of farms for several years and they are not seeing any downside to worming only a small proportion of their ewes. This

research finding is a massive step forward. We have been advising farmers to leave 10-20% of their ewes untreated, but now with the support of the findings of this large project, we can confidently tell farmers that they only need to treat that proportion of the flock that is below ideal condition or immature shearlings or ewe lambs.”

For the best wool prices call Texacloth UK

Texacloth UK is looking expand its customer base again this season. With the market being unsettled again this year across the world, with fine Australian and New Zealand wools still in demand it leaves coarse wools sitting on the shelf.

When you can buy Australian and New Zealand cross wools at a lower price than uk wools it leaves us in a very tight spot.

The major players in the market are the Chinese, they have not bought the same quantity’s of wool in the last couple of years.

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With that and brexit on the horizon the market is looking unstable.

Texacloth is always looking towards the future and is working very hard with our suppliers and customers to create the best prices for UK wools and as a family business working together with farming families we as a whole hope to increase the payments back to the producers as much as possible.

Contact UK Manager and Scottish buyer Alan Walsh on 07836 547987.

IN

Better health and production powered by ProCROSS cows at Oulton House Farm herd in UK The Oulton House Farm philosophy is plain and simple: lots of milk from healthy cows, as the manager of the farm, Sally Lea sums up sore feet or mastitis. They actually produced more milk than the pure Holsteins we had, and were back in calf without problems,” Lea says.

Palmer, with the help of manager Lea and two other employees has been implementing the whole ProCROSS system since 2015 choosing the best bulls from VikingRed, VikingHolstein, and Montbelliarde. “When we are selecting bulls, we choose mainly bulls with high production indices because we know we already have the health traits, that’s why we are doing crossbreeding with ProCROSS,” she says.

Sally Lea, manager of Oulton House Farm, Newport, Shropshire. The farm has 430 ProCROSS cows.

10 years’ crossbreeding experience has shown them the path to achieving outstanding results.

Owned by Arthur Palmer, the farm has 430 cows and outperforms the average herd in the United Kingdom in terms of both health and production.

Sally Lea, who is also a veterinary surgeon, says there are rarely any cases of mastitis in the herd. A huge advantage if you consider that there are 32 cases of mastitis per 100 cows in milk per year in the UK - according to the NMR (National Milk Records) survey of 2017. In the meantime, lameness at farm level in the UK is 22% in an average performing herd, but can be 42% in the worst performing herds. These numbers are considerably lower at Oulton House Farm. Manager Sally Lea 104

says they have less than 5% cases of lameness.

The high health quality of the herd is not the only reason why Oulton House Farm stands out from the crowd; their production figures are something else they are very proud of. Lea explains that last year, they had an average production of 9,412 kg milk, compared to the average in England + Wales of 8,430 kg milk.

This win/win for Oulton House Farm is also reflected in the bottom line; less money spent on healthrelated treatment and more income from high yield production. The exceptional performance at Oulton House Farm has not been achieved by accident – it is thanks to a significant change in the breeding strategy that Palmer implemented 10 years ago.

“Arthur had a pure Holstein herd that 12 years ago he decided to cross with 40 VikingRed cows.

He noticed in the first lactation that these crosses enhance milk production and that they never had

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Future plans for the herd After starting to use ProCROSS, mastitis and lameness problems were significantly reduced.

The plan now is to increase the number of cows from 430 to 450, and Palmer is planning to build a new barn. The farm has no problems with reproduction with a conception rate of 47% on a rolling 12 month basis.

Replacement is 20% and heifer calving starts in July, while cows do this in August.

dairy Is it time for kinder dairy farming?

With livestock farming becoming more and more intensive, is it time to rethink how we run dairy farms?

For organic dairy farmer David Finlay that was the question that refused to go away. Nearly a decade after starting their journey to find a ‘new’ approach to dairying, David and Wilma Finlay today launch The Ethical Dairy; their answer to the public’s increasing criticisms of the dairy farming industry.

Their solution? Cow with Calf dairy farming - keeping the calves with their mums to suckle, and taking less milk as a result.

David Finlay explained: “What we’re doing is de-intensifying dairy farming. It’s almost the opposite of what’s happening elsewhere in the industry. By branding ourselves The Ethical Dairy we are not demonising farmers nor claiming to be perfect. What we’re trying to convey is that in everything we do we aim to meet the highest ethical standards. “Our goal was to farm in a way that is resilient, ecologically sound and less stressful for the animals and the people working with them. So we’re leaving the calves with their mothers to suckle. It means we take less milk from each cow but we’re seeing real benefits from this approach - longer living, healthier cows, less antibiotic use, faster growing calves and less purchased feed.”

Wilma added: “In traditional dairy farms calves are removed from their mothers within a few hours of their birth. Having married into farming rather than grown up with it, the stress this

places on the cow was always very obvious to me and I was never comfortable with it. So we wanted to find a way to keep calves with the cows and still have a financially viable farm.

We don’t want to have to choose between doing what’s right and staying in business.” The surge in interest in veganism, with campaigns like Veganuary becoming headline news, may be recent but planning for the Finlay’s ‘revolution in dairy farming’ began a long time ago.

Customers of their award winning business, Cream o’ Galloway, a luxury ice cream brand and family visitor centre, have had ringside seats with regular

farm tours and information events explaining their change in approach. Transitioning a family farm to this new model has been a long and expensive journey. It’s involved building a brand new dairy that can comfortably house the growing calves alongside their mums.

When an initial trial run in 2012 failed due to management and financial pressures there was no shortage of helpful comments from their dairy farming friends, neighbours and relatives!

Dumfries & Galloway, where the Finlay’s farm, is home to 45% of Scotland’s dairy industry, so introducing a radically different dairy model in the heart of one

of the UK’s biggest dairy regions has not been without challenge.

David added: “Many people in the farming industry think we’re completely crazy. Financially it’s been extremely challenging, but the cows and calves just love it. We’ve given ourselves 3 years to break-even and 18 months in, we are already seeing some daylight. It’s been a steep learning curve and we’ve had to learn a lot of things as we go along, but the benefits are clear.

More information about The Ethical Dairy and its products can be found at www. theethicaldairy.co.uk on Twitter on @theethicaldairy and on Facebook @EthicalDairy

Don’t overlook magnesium supplements The prolonged cold and wet winter weather has led to restricted grass growth, delayed turnout on many farms, and in some cases shortages of forage earmarked for buffer feeding.

However, as grass growth catches up and producers look to make the most of 106

spring grass, they are being reminded not to overlook the potentially fatal consequences of magnesium deficiency that results in staggers. Bronwen Pihlwret, QLF’s nutritional adviser, explains why cows may still be at risk this spring, despite the later calendar date

for turnout. “Cows rely heavily on diet to ensure a sufficient supply of magnesium, and as lush spring grass is naturally low in the mineral, buffering, or restricting access to lush grass, can help reduce the danger of cows getting staggers. “It’s important to understand that the

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risk is likely to continue until average temperatures reach 15-16ºC, and grass reaches maturity, both of which show every sign of coming late this year. “For this reason, it’s likely that supplementation of magnesium may be required for longer periods than normal this

dairy spring, particularly in situations where mineralised concentrate feeding is reduced.” Bronwen adds that spring grass is also typically low in structural NDF, and while this promotes DMI’s and subsequently milk yields, it reduces the opportunity for mineral absorption. “Because fresh grass has a low structural fibre content, it passes through the rumen much quicker reducing the opportunity for any magnesium in feed to be absorbed across the rumen wall. In combination with low magnesium levels this further increases the risk of staggers,” she says.

Farmers reaping rewards from multi-cut Dairy farmers adopting a progressive multi-cut approach to silage making are reaping the benefits through improved forage quality, according to a recent UK-wide survey carried out by Germinal and Volac. In the survey of over 150 dairy farmers, over 40% had shortened their cutting intervals in the last three years. Of these, a significant majority (92%) reported either much better or slightly better grass silage quality as a result. “The fact that the early adopters of multi-cut silage

making are seeing an improvement in forage quality is entirely logical,” says Germinal’s Ben Wixey. “Cutting grass earlier in the season and at shorter intervals will mean it is closer to optimum D-value at the point of ensiling and should therefore result in a higher feed value forage. We estimate that this could amount to as much as an extra 1MJ/kg of energy in many cases – so 12MJ/kg ME silage instead of 11ME – which sets the platform for increasing milk production from forage.” Mr

Wixey points out that to maximise the benefit of a multi-cut silage approach dairy farmers should be routinely reseeding their leys, using the best available varieties from the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists. It is also important to ensure all other elements of the silage making process are carried out with a ‘best practice’ mindset.

Ecosyl product manager, Jackie Bradley, of Volac, agrees and says as well as having a higher nutritional value, multi-cut can also mean the ensiling process, from

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cutting to clamping, is quicker because younger cuts of grass are typically easier to manage and wilt.

That is partly because the yield of individual cuts will be lighter, she says, but also, because younger grass contains more leaf material and less stem material, and a leaf will lose moisture much faster.

“That said, younger grass can be more difficult to ferment,” says Mrs Bradley, “so the argument for including a high-quality additive as part of the ensiling process, to boost fermentation and therefore better preserve nutrients, becomes even stronger. “If you are harvesting better quality grass to begin with, it’s all the more important to conserve it as well as possible. You don’t want to waste the opportunity to make better silage having come this far.

“In the survey, nearly two thirds of farmers said that grass silage is more important than previously in their plans to make more milk from forage. Also, 40% of respondents had already started taking more grass silage cuts per year over the past three seasons, and over 40% were intending to increase their number of cuts looking ahead.”

Extra investment in grass silage making will pay dividends, according to Volac and Germinal, as the extra feed energy in the clamp – which allows savings in bought-in feed – will boost milk from forage and underpin a more sustainable dairy business.

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GADGETS Kuhn launches new online customer portal KUHN Farm Machinery has launched a new online portal, MyKUHN, which makes it easier for customers to access an entire library of machinery specific information, operator manuals, spare parts catalogues and expert advice and information.

Already successfully launched on the Continent (the service was launched in Poland in June 2017 and is being rolled out in the UK, Germany, France and other European and North American countries throughout 2018), MyKUHN is free to access via any PC, smartphone or tablet where there is access to the

internet and is available for all new and used KUHN machines.

MyKUHN improves KUHN’s post-sales customer service experience by offering quick and easy links to resources from three main categories: 24/7 Technical Support, Click and collect KUHN genuine parts and Expert Advice.

Once registered to use MyKUHN, customers will be able to tailor the type and level of information they receive by customising their own preferences according to their areas of interest. In this way, users will be able to build their own library of content and will only receive information that

is of specific relevance to their machinery fleet or applicable to their farming operations.

For more information, or to sign up, go to www.mykuhn.com/uk

LEMKEN launches the online information portal LEONIS Comprehensive service has always been the strength of the German agricultural machinery specialist LEMKEN. LEMKEN has now launched the online

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information portal LEONIS on a global scale to extend this service even further. The LEONIS homepage provides customers with operating instructions,

spare parts lists, photos, videos and brochures, all available to download. Customers will have a choice of a wide range of options and search functions.

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The information area for specialist dealers is a new feature: A single registration via the LEMKEN dealer portal now gives LEMKEN distribution partners additional online access to assembly and service instructions, implement cards, technology newsletters and training documentation.

This allows distribution partners to conduct their own research and download relevant after-sales information, so they always have access to the latest information when needed. Service questions can be resolved via the search function, for example by entering an error code. The search then returns more comprehensive troubleshooting information to support specialist dealers in identifying and resolving problems. More supporting systems will be added soon.

LEONIS is available in German, English, French and Russian.

Farming Scotland Magazine

Tried & Tested

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Review The first impression that our production director had was one of comfort with plenty of stretch while doing the ‘bend test’.

Christina always does the ‘bend test’! Trying out a size 10, the fit was very well cut and the trousers were lightweight, suitable for any season. All in all our very pleased Christina was delighted with the quality, finish, feel and colour. The colour chosen was mulberry.

Review These brilliant shoes are like ‘outdoor slippers’, wonderfully comfortable and fitted absolutely perfectly with no difference in fitting for either foot, which is quite common sometimes. Superb lightweight shoes with a good solid sole. Our MD’s response was, “The most comfortable shoes I have worn in years!” So that’s not a bad reason for entering this competition is it?

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forestry Rejection of widened compulsory purchase powers welcomed The removal of a compulsory purchase power to ‘further sustainable development’ from new forestry legislation has been welcomed by Scottish Land & Estates. The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill passed its final stage in the Scottish Parliament today, completing the devolution of forestry in Scotland. Following an amendment by Conservative MSP Edward Mountain supported by all opposition parties - the substantial widening

of compulsory purchase powers was rejected by MSPs. Compulsory purchase powers existed in previous legislation which would allow the Forestry Commission to purchase land for the purpose of sustainable forest management. Despite this power never having been used, the Scottish Government wanted to keep the existing mechanism and also widen it substantially to include the power of purchase for land to further sustainable development. This widening of

CPOs was voted down by MSPs. Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We have been consistently opposed to the inclusion of such a wide-ranging CPO power in the legislation, not least bearing in mind the fact that the existing powers have never knowingly been used.

“Whilst the Scottish Government said that the power would be rarely used, we believe insufficient justification was provided as to why this power

was needed in the first place.

“We believe that there was also a significant difference between the power which the Scottish Government perceived as being in the Bill and the power which was actually conferred by the wording of the legislation.”

Scottish Land & Estates said it was also pleased to see amendments from Green MSP Andy Wightman, leading to the publication of information on ownership and management of forestry, passed by the parliament.

The UK forestry market posts another year of strong performance

Despite general uncertainty in the property world surrounding the potential effects of Brexit, the UK forestry market continues to demonstrate a degree of resilience and posted another year of strong performance, according to latest findings published in Savills Spotlight on the UK Forestry Market.

During the 2017 forest year the total value of the forestry investment market increased by 24% to over £112 million compared with around £90 million in 2016. The value of forestry transacted during 2017 was 25% higher than the medium term average, although significantly lower than the £146 million in 2015.

Despite this large increase in the overall value of the market, 110

the total area of forestry sold across the UK actually fell to just over 18,000 hectares during 2017 representing a reduction of -8% on the 2016 forest year, but was in line with the medium term average. Contraction of the market area, coupled with an increase in the overall value traded, resulted in rising average values.

Domestic timber is underpinning the forestry market and continues to drive value in the forest property sector, supported by a weaker sterling and the increasing demand for wood in biomass and construction, Savills research reveals average productive values across the UK rose by 20% to £9,300 per hectare. This

significant growth follows a fall in average values during the previous year, although in 2016 this was largely due to the location of properties traded with over 80% north of the Forth-Clyde canal.

In 2017 gross values grew by 19% to £7,300 per hectare.

On average productive values were 27% higher than the average gross value and the average unproductive area was 32% per property.

James Adamson, Savills Head of Forestry Investment said: “A sustained period of low interest rates has stimulated the UK Forestry investment market, driving cash holding investors to look for alternatives. Forest ownership is perceived as straightforward, long-term and

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low risk in uncertain times. Our research tells us that, cash on deposit would have accumulated 19% in value before tax since the financial crisis of 2008: meanwhile tree growing on a hill in South Scotland would have accumulated 35% over the same time. Throw in the inflationary growth in capital market value and the performance is boosted to over 80%. “New planting remains an area of focus. 2017 saw some progress in England, and Scotland is now beginning to reap the benefit of strong Government support and a keen industry, however there is still much to be done in this sector and the availability of physically suitable land at an appropriate price remains the biggest challenge.”

estate Mixed sporting estate amid spectacular scenery sporting, agricultural & lifestyle Wester Gartchonzie, the Trossachs, Callander, Stirlingshire

Galbraith has brought Wester Gartchonzie to the market, a delightful mixed sporting estate, which will offer the purchaser a rare opportunity to acquire a 600-acre estate with a desirable traditional farmhouse in an exceptionally scenic location bordering Loch Venacher in Stirlingshire. The property is for sale as a whole or in two lots. Duncan Barrie, who is handling the sale for Galbraith, said: “Wester Gartchonzie

offers the complete package of a lovely residential property, with separate steading and outbuildings, a mixture of hill ground suitable for country sports, productive in bye pasture, and varied areas woodland, all in a particularly beautiful but accessible location offering easy access to local services and Edinburgh and Glasgow. “It is rare to find an estate where you are just two miles from a good size town – Callander – and

yet you have the opportunity to enjoy complete tranquillity and exceptional views in a secluded setting within Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.”

Wester Gartchonzie offers a very attractive three-bedroom stone farmhouse, set on one side of a lovely courtyard. The other buildings around the courtyard include a reception hall, two guest suites, store and game larder as well as a double garage with the potential for conversion

to further accommodation, subject to planning consent.

Wester Gartchonzie is for sale through Galbraith as a whole, or in two lots: Lot 1 offers over £1,300,000 Lot 2 offers over £50,000 As a whole at offers over £1,350,000 For further details please contact the firm’s Stirling office on 01786 434600 or email duncan.barrie@galbraithgroup. com

Two Aberdeenshire farms for sale Aberdeen & Northern Estates, the property division of ANM Group, is launching to the market for sale two well-known and substantial Aberdeenshirebased farms – Cairnfechel Farm, Udny, Ellon, and Hill of Crimond, Keith Hall, Inverurie.

Aberdeen & Northern Estates Associate James Craig, said: “As the premier property specialists

in the North and North East of Scotland, we are delighted and honoured to launch Cairnfechel and Hill of Crimond to the market. This is a remarkable prime equipped Aberdeenshire farm property in a renowned arable and livestock region of the country.” Cairnfechel Farm at Udny includes an impressive 6-bedroom farmhouse, five farm

cottages, traditional and modern farm buildings and productive farmland, extending to 194Ha (480 acres) in total. Available for sale as a whole or in two lots, lot one – Cairnfechel Farm has an asking price of offers over £2,300,000 with lot two – Land at North Coullie inviting offers over £620,000. As a whole the asking price exceeds £2,920,000.

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Hill of Crimond, Keith Hall is located five miles from Cairnfechel, situated between the town of Inverurie and village of Whiterashes. This property comprises productive arable farmland extending to 46.4Ha (114.6 acres) and versatile farm buildings. Similarly available to purchase as whole or in two lots, lot one – Hill of Crimond 111

estate land, has an asking price of offers over £475,000, with lot two, seeking bids of over £65,000 for the farm buildings and paddock.

As a whole, Hill of Crimond is marketed at offers over £540,000.

Viewings are available by appointment for both properties with Aberdeen & Northern Estates. Interested parties can arrange a viewing by contacting 01467 623800.

Woodpigeon top the Big Farmland Bird Count poll in Scotland this year Dr Dave Parish, Head of Lowland Research, GWCT Scotland 4HE 'AME 7ILDLIFE Conservation Trust’s Big Farmland Bird Count takes place every year in February.

For this survey GWCT asks farmers, gamekeepers and land managers to spend just 30 minutes on one day noting the birds they see on their ground and their approximate numbers.

This year 43 Scottish farmers took part, and 79 different species were recorded across 32,424 acres. The most commonly seen species were woodpigeon, blackbird and pheasant. 18 red-listed species were spotted and four of these made it into the top 20: house sparrow, starling, yellowhammer, and fieldfare.

When it comes to numbers of birds seen, the most counted species over farmland in Scotland were woodpigeon, rook, chaffinch, common gull, jackdaw, greylag goose, starling, house sparrow and pheasant.

A lot of the work GWCT does relates directly to benefiting and encouraging farmland birds.

The PARTRIDGE project, in which GWCT is one of the partners, monitors several wild farmland species, birds and mammals, and ongoing work with game crops, cover crops and field margins at Whitburgh in Midlothian/East Lothian and Balgonie in Fife also focuses on farmland bird populations.

Whitburgh Farms was one of the properties to take part in the Big Farmland Bird

Count, and there 14 species of birds were counted in the 30 minutes allocated with numbers totalling 106 individuals. Chaffinches were most numerous with a flock of 60 observed, as well as 19 yellowhammers, five grey partridge and a few reed buntings too. A sparrow hawk also put in an appearance.

The Big Farmland Bird Count is just a snapshot but it helps to inform farmers about the excellent and varied work they are doing to keep farmland bird populations thriving.

Scotland – most commonly seen 2018 Woodpigeon Blackbird Pheasant Chaffinch Buzzard Robin Blue tit Carrion crow Great tit House sparrow* Rook Wren Jackdaw Starling* Yellowhammer* Coal tit Common gull Dunnock Mallard Fieldfare* *Denotes red list species Further information from: Dr Dave Parish 'AME 7ILDLIFE Conservation Trust T: 01738 551511 M: 07889 891956

Major project will put people at the heart of capercaillie conservation in the Cairngorms National Park Official figures put the capercaillie population in Scotland at just 1,114 birds but people power and funding from The National Lottery is set to change all that over the next five years. The Heritage Lottery Fund has committed £346,500 for the 18 month development phase of the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project with a further £2.25million possible for the delivery phase.

The funding package overall – should the delivery phase get the go ahead – equates to an investment of around £4million in the Park economy with finance

also coming from the lead partner – the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) – along with Scottish Natural Heritage

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estate (SNH), RSPB Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES), Cairngorms LEADER, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and The Highland Council through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.

The Cairngorms Capercaillie Project is being hailed as an innovative and ambitious project which has the potential to save the species for future generations. The

Cairngorms National Park has the last viable populations of the bird with the Badenoch & Strathspey area being particularly significant.

With that in mind, the village of Carr-Bridge has been chosen as a pilot community where they will have a major say on key elements of the project, helping to work up practical ideas that can be tried and tested with successful initiatives being replicated throughout the National Park in the future.

Renowned expert heads up new agriculture, estates and rural property team at Muckle LLP

The North East’s leading independent law firm for businesses, Muckle LLP, has appointed nationally-renowned expert David Towns to head up its new Agriculture, Estates & Rural Property team.

David’s appointment and the establishment of a new team dedicated to agriculture, landed estates and rural property means the law firm now has specialist expertise across the full spectrum of commercial property law. David will lead a team of specialist lawyers, which also includes partners Will McKay and Libbie Henderson, associate Richard Nixon and solicitor Beth Thompson. Having qualified as a corporate finance lawyer, David soon switched to agriculture and rural property work, and has since built up 14 years of significant expertise in this niche area,

acting for national charities and organisations and for rural estates, landowners and farmers across the North East and Cumbria, as well as further afield. He specialises in all aspects of agricultural law and is an acknowledged expert in the field of manorial rights and mines and minerals. He has previously given evidence to the Justice Select Committee’s Inquiry into manorial rights and often provides commentary to national radio and newspapers on this topic.

David Towns, Partner and Head of Agriculture, Estates & Rural Property, said: “I am delighted to be leading this brand new, dedicated team at Muckle LLP and to be helping our agriculture, landed estates and rural property clients to develop, grow and adapt their businesses.”

To find out more about Muckle LLP visit www.muckle-llp.com

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Challenges ahead for Scottish agriculture

By Sarah-Jane Laing, Executive Director of Scottish Land & Estates Two years have now passed since the Scottish Parliament voted through land reform legislation, which included substantial reform of agricultural holdings law.

Many aspects of the Act have yet to come into force but work is well underway in others, such as the tasks being undertaken by the Scottish Land Commission (SLC) and its Tenant Farming Commissioner, Bob McIntosh.

Already the SLC has published a number of research and discussion documents since it became operational exactly one year ago but its recent paper looking at the relationships of landlords and tenants, and the role of land agents within that, was particularly notable for the sector.

The new SLC’s survey largely confirms the findings of a similar survey from four years ago, with 82% of tenant farmers describing their relationship with their landlord as either very good or fairly good, whilst 88% of landlords described their relationship with their tenant as either very good or good.

Whilst there is always room for improvement, such results again underline that the majority of tenants and landlords do get along, contrary to the narrative which is frequently painted by some. It also provides a solid base for the

sector to move forward and implement initiatives such as the amnesty on improvements.

Whether it is through the amnesty, rent reviews or some other process, land agents can often be called upon by both landlords and tenants to provide professional expertise.

Their role within negotiations has also frequently been the cause of heated discussion but the SLC survey found only 17% of tenant farmers and 17% of landlords were dissatisfied with an agent they had dealt with – with communication issues being a major factor for this dissatisfaction. With headline statistics from the survey now established, the SLC is now conducting a follow-up consultation with relevant stakeholders.

There is no question that Scottish agriculture is facing enormous challenges in terms of farm viability and profitability. And to top it all, there is Brexit and the uncertainty over the future shape of farming support that will affect all farmers.

Therefore, confidence and trust between parties is more important than ever before and the shared goal across the sector should be a collaborative effort to build confidence at every turn. Communication is key to this – as a certain advertising campaign said, ‘it’s good to talk!’

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

Scottish Game Fair 2018 A packed-programme is planned to celebrate the 30th anniversary Friday 29th June, Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July Scone Palace Parklands, Perthshire The GWCT Scotland is proud to be celebrating its 30th year organising the Scottish Game Fair. Over the past three decades, the Fair has welcomed audiences from across the world who share a passion for the countryside and conservation. The Fair is a major fund-raiser for the GWCT and helps continue and expand the invaluable research and development work undertaken each year.

Celebrating the milestone anniversary in style, the 2018 fair will be hosting lots of firm favourites, as well as exciting new elements including a standalone Cookery Theatre, The Junior MacNab, The Rabbit Flush and The Hull Flush Challenge, bush

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crafts and countryside skills, and a 30th party on Saturday night!

A jam-packed programme of competitions, main ring events, ‘have-a-go’ activities, and many other attractions for country sport enthusiasts makes the Fair a mustvisit.

This year the Main Ring is highlights will include the Birds of Prey, Terrier Racing, The Fred Taylor Memorial Trophy for Working Hill Ponies and the Clwyd Axemen, as well as some spectacular displays to mark the 30th anniversary.

There will also be clay shooting, fishing, gundog and scurry competitions taking place throughout the longweekend; with lots of opportunities for expert tuition.

GWCT Central Exhibit This year the GWCT’s central exhibit will focus on the GWCT crest - the Grey Partridge.

Members and visitors are invited to enjoy ‘Then and Now’ displays showing the remarkable contrasts across the last 30 years in partridge population, habitats, predator control, as well as comparing older techniques with the latest tech. Scientific and advisory staff will be on hand to answer any questions, and a dram or two will be available courtesy of Robert Graham Whisky.

There will also be a new education area ‘The Covey’, which is a must-visit for all families, with a huge host of hands-on science, storytelling and fantastic arts

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and crafts throughout the show to inspire the next generation of budding young ecologists!

Shooting for Fun The ever-popular shooting area is one of the Fair’s top attractions offering a range of new experiences and competitions for experts or those who have never picked up a gun. 2018 will welcome lots of clay competitions to suit every age and ability. BASC’s ST-2 Shooting Simulator can offer advice for even the most accurate of shots!

Participants can take advantage of the on-site storage for shotguns (on production of a valid shotgun certificate).

‘Have-a-go’ is also on offer for those new to shooting with

safety briefing and equipment provided.

Fishing for All The fishing area, which was revamped in 2017, continues to expand and evolve with fishing enthusiasts set to enjoy an enhanced programme of events and guest speakers. There will be fishing demonstrations from industry experts, a casting clinic and competitions such as fly-tying on the banks of the majestic River Tay. For those looking for advice on technique, experts will be on hand at the casting clinic and there will be a plethora of fly dressing demonstrations and competitions to enjoy. Fisherman’s Row leads from the Game Fair show arena down to the bank of the Tay and the centre of fishing activity, where thousands of anglers descend each year. The bustling ‘Fly Fishing Mall’ is also an essential stopping point for kit updates as well as the usual traders and activities.

Four Nations International Gundog competition The inaugural Four Nations International Gundog competition was a resounding success in 2017, with England winning the challenge. Making a welcome return in 2018, teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have signed up for the competition with international competitors invited for the first time.

Classic Land Rover Display A treat for all Land Rover lovers; the Classic Land Rover Display will make a welcome return to the Fair as part of the 30th celebrations.

Visitors will be able to appreciate fine examples of a variety of models and makes from throughout the years, and find out more about this iconic brand and how it has influenced and benefitted rural life and work.

Don’t miss their grand tour of the show on Sunday afternoon.

‘Have-a-go’ Activities are open to all and includes expert advice and equipment: • World of Gundogs – open to all with their own dogs • The Scurry – open to all with their own dogs • Archery • Clay Pigeon Shooting • Air rifle Shooting • Fly Casting • Various children’s activities Cooking Up A Storm!

The new standalone Cookery Theatre will host a programme of leading chefs showcasing lots of exciting ‘field to fork’ game cooking demonstrations, baking and cocktail master classes.

The Food Hall is always a popular attraction featuring some of the country’s top food and drink producers exhibiting their scrumptious wares; from condiments, spices, cheeses, baked goods, fudge and sweet treats; all washed down with a choice of artisan gin, craft beer and fine whisky.

to join in, including scurry (with their own dog) and junior shooting competitions. Many of the Main Ring attractions will appeal to the young and the young-at-heart with Dog ‘n’ Duck, the Terrier Racing and the Falconry primed to be crowd pleasers.

A new attraction for 2018 is the bush crafts and ancient countryside skills area, where all the family can get to grips with wildlife tracking, carving a butter knife, knots and fire starting. There will be a series of talks and workshops over the three days of the Fair.

The Junior MacNab Challenge To celebrate the Scottish Government’s Year of Young People, the Fair is putting on a new event for youngsters with The Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group. The Junior MacNab Challenge is a free event for those aged 8-21 years and competitors will have the opportunity to ‘shoot a rabbit and a pigeon and catch a trout’ using the shows rifles, clays and casting area.

Rural retail Over 500 traders provide the perfect opportunity for those wanting to update their kit, to indulge in a bit of retail therapy or simply peruse the latest brands and equipment. There will also be a wide variety of specialist suppliers and manufacturers focussing on agriculture and farming.

Four-legged Friends As always, dogs are most welcome at the Fair. There is a dog crèche, water points throughout the Fair as well as many traders selling dog-friendly goods. There are some excellent competitions for dogs to join in; whether you have a seasoned competitor or a first time novice, there are a variety of options including scurry and gundog competitions.

Tickets To book tickets, and for more information, go to our new website www.scottishfair.com For a 10% discount on gate prices, please head to the website and buy your tickets before 25 June.

Adult £18 in advance, £20 on the gate Child £4.50 in advance, £5 on the gate Family £37.80 in advance, £42 on the gate A 3 day pass is also available for £51, allowing entry to all three days of the Fair.

Join the celebrations Help celebrate 30 years of the Scottish Game Fair by connecting with the Fair on social media for all the latest news and information.

Use the hashtags #SGF2018 #SGFTURNS30, #SGF30YEARS Facebook GWCT Scottish Game Fair Twitter @ScotGameFair Instagram scottish_game_fair www.scottishfair.com

Fun for all the Family The Fair offers a busy and enjoyable day out for all the family with lots to keep busy hands and minds occupied. There are lots of country sports for children to try out and competitions for them

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Farming travel guide Scotland

Crieff A Crossroads for Cattle, Crofters and the Cream of Society With Janice Hopper Crieff and the surrounding area has no shortage of farming history.

A big part of its heritage is as a crossroads, a hub for Scots selling black cattle, and a gathering point

for the Michaelmas cattle sale held every year. It’s said that the fields and hillsides around the town were black with tens of thousands of cattle, which must

have been a noisy, lively and perfumed experience.

Drovers moved their beasts down the Sma’ Glen from the Highlands, from Aberdeenshire

Farm shop, cycle shop, camping and glamping at Comrie Croft

Comrie Croft cycling experience

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in the North-East, and cattle made their way from the islands and the west coast of Scotland. And from the south came the buyers, in search of adventure and prime Scottish beef. Essentially all routes led to Crieff. Characters such as Rob Roy MacGregor visited the town, often to sell cattle, and his outlaw son was pursued through the streets before being killed by soldiers. Today the lush green countryside is still inviting with, thankfully, far fewer outlaws to be seen.

A great base for exploring the area is Comrie Croft. As the name suggests it once was part of the agricultural ebb and flow of the area, today it offers selfcatering, camping and glamping experiences, as well as renowned cycle trails, a farm shop (which stocks local Spring Heather Lamb from Carroglen) and a large cycle shop. Self-catering accommodation is offered in the three bedroom Farmhouse, the eleven bedroom Steading, or Combruith that can sleep up to 46 people. The glamping takes the shape of Nordic Katas set amongst the woodland. Each Kata comes with its own wood-burning stove (which pumps out an enormous amount of heat), private outdoor toilet, one vast bedding area, dining table and utensils, gas hob and an outdoor campfire area.

Watching families settle down to an evening of simple cooking and marshmallows in the great outdoors never gets old.

The croft connects into 87 kilometres of walks and bike routes, grass-sledging is on offer, and hiking is a popular option

Farming travel guide Scotland with Ben Chonzie on the doorstep.

On site during low season sits a very cool, shimmering, silver Airstream trailer. At its helm is farmer James Robb of Bonnie Mountain, frothing up cappuccinos and lattes to go.

As part of the usual picture of farm diversification James finds himself manning his mobile café at the croft, or attending festivals, weddings and events. For glampers, starting the day with a hot shower on site, followed up with a beautifully made coffee in the countryside isn’t a bad way to kick things off. Glamping is, after all, about enjoying the great outdoors with an element of comfort and indulgence.

A recommended next stop is Auchingarrich Farm and Wildlife Centre. Just outside Comrie, Auchingarrich is a family friendly gem. Here live a range of familiar Scottish farm animals and a mix of the more exotic - we’re talking ponies and alpacas, llamas and lemurs, monkeys and meerkats, wallabies and Scottish wild cats.

The setting and the views from the farm are unspoiled. Another key highlight is Auchingarrich’s ‘hatchery’, where chicks, ducklings, and all manner of tiny, furry and feathered baby animals

Scottish Wild Cats at Auchingarrich

charm visitors of all ages. There are two soft play barns, and an outdoor driving circuit boasting about twenty ride-on tractors for tots. This location is absolute heaven for little ones. Drop by the café for great views and casual informal fare, and avoid the gift shop as children will no doubt wish to purchase one of the many cuddly farm animal toys for sale.

Slightly more adult destinations in the region include the Famous Grouse Experience, based at Scotland’s oldest distillery, Glenturret, in Crieff. Clearly Famous Grouse wouldn’t be what it is without a supply of quality barley. Tours start at £10 (including a tasting), going up to £250 for a day’s Stillman Experience. Children are welcome, and receive a glass of Irn Bru for their delectation.

If you’re looking for a more unusual rural destination then Cultybraggan Camp 21 is intriguing. A POW camp for hardline Nazis in WW2, it was located near Comrie and Crieff precisely due to its remote rural location. In the 1940s the inmates of Cultybraggan were deemed too dangerous to leave the camp, but once the war ended they underwent a process of

‘reprogramming’ to highlight the truth about the regime they’d once supported. Carefully selected inmates were sent out on work parties - often in forestry, farming or construction - therefore some of these individuals worked the land around Crieff, which is difficult to imagine now.

Today, the camp is open to visitors and it’s possible to peer inside the 84 Nissan huts still standing. Some of the buildings have been hired by the likes of a cheese-maker and sour dough baker, so it’s a really unusual place to discover local produce.

Allotments have also been shaped out of the land, and the assault course erected post-war makes for an intriguing trellis for plants and bushes. It’s interesting how this land, once under the control of the Government, is going back to its roots, a place where things are being grown, baked and fermented - nature is reclaiming the area once more.

For those with a passion for history, on 12 May 2018 the Comrie Development Trust will receive cartoons sketched by a former inmate depicting prison life in Cultybraggan. Whilst some of the cartoons depict indoor activities, others reveal an inmate carrying a wheelbarrow of muck with the stunning Perthshire hills in the background, or a group of prisoners throwing snowballs in the Comrie countryside. It’s interesting how these men got to know the Perthshire land in their own limited way. It’s also no coincidence how many remote Scottish locations, be they farms,

estates or national parks, made ideal military sites for confidential training, secret projects or high security requirements. Crieff may have attracted secrets, as well as cattle farmers but it also appealed to the cream of society.

In the nineteenth century Crieff’s reputation as a cattle hub became far more genteel, a fashionable destination no less, for Victorian tourists seeking out the Crieff Hypopathic Establishment.

Now known as the much-loved Crieff Hydro, it opened its doors in 1868 and celebrates its 150th birthday in 2018. Originally the philosophy was clean eating, outdoor gyms and often ice-cold hydrotherapy treatments. With 900 acres at its disposal Crieff Hydro is a substantial landowner in the area and today encourages families to get active outdoors with a range of pony-trekking, archery, quad-biking, water-sports, cycling, clay pigeon shooting and 4x4 excursions.

For those visitors wishing to go back to basics, to Crieff’s farming heritage, then look up the Crieff & Strathearn Drovers Tryst.

It annually celebrates the life, work and play of the people who made Crieff the cattle crossroads of Scotland. Every October the charity runs a series of traditional walks in the area, from ‘Easy’ through to ‘Extra Hard’ hikes.

So from genteel hydrotherapy, to farmers, drovers, Nazis and cute, furry animals, there really is a fascinating mix on offer in this charming corner of Scotland.

Find out more at visitcrieff. scot

An unsual family day out at Cultybraggan

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RURAL SUCCESS TO BE RECOGNISED AT SCOTLAND’S ‘HELPING IT HAPPEN’ AWARDS People across Scotland are being urged to highlight the work done by local estates and land-based businesses to help their surrounding communities flourish.

Following a hugely successful inaugural year in 2017, Scottish Land & Estates is asking people across the country to get their nominations in for the Helping It Happen Awards 2018, before the deadline of 13 July 2018.

The national awards, which aim to recognise the role of estates, farms and rural businesses in enabling and supporting success in rural areas, are sponsored by The MacRobert Trust, with entries being considered in the following nine categories: • • • • •

Rural Business Award Tourism Award Rural Housing Award Education Award MacRobert Trust Award for Working with Communities • Conservation Award • The Iver Salvesen Green Business Award • Innovation in Farming Award • Enhancing Our Environment Award To nominate, people should share how their local estate, farm or rural business has made a positive contribution to their area. Entries can be submitted via the Helping It Happen website – www.helpingithappen. co.uk.

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In 2017, Dundonnell Estate in the north west of Scotland won the Helping It Happen Education Award for their work with Ullapool High School.

The Estate, which is owned by the Rice family, ran an event in conjunction with other estates on the River Broom to open the fishing season, giving pupils a chance to learn about salmon fishing and casting.

The event saw Ullapool High School pupils join anglers to cast the first flies of the season. Following a piped entrance for those gathered at the riverbank, the first flies

were cast by Inverlael Estate proprietor Johnny Whitteridge and Inverbroom keeper Craig Mackintosh at the Bridge Pool and students quickly followed, showing considerable skills at casting.

Dundonnell Estate’s Head Keeper and Ghillie Alasdair MacDonald said: “We were keen to create an annual event that will give a boost to the excellent salmon fishing we have in Wester Ross, and coming to the River Broom in 2016 also gave us the opportunity to involve the next generation of anglers who are

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coming out of Ullapool High School. It’s great to see such enthusiasm from the boys and girls and from their teachers.”

Meanwhile, East Neuk Estates in Fife secured the Conservation Award for their work to save the Corn Bunting population. The beautiful bird was once widespread but large declines led to extinction in Ireland and the bird becoming one of fastest declining species in England and Scotland.

The East Neuk Estates group, together with local farmers and land managers in Angus and Fife showed an

HELPING IT HAPPEN outstanding commitment to change the fortunes of this iconic bird by implementing a range of measures to offer them safe nesting places, insect-rich summer foraging habitats and winter seed food.

Studies carried out by RSPB Scotland since show that Corn Bunting numbers are now increasing and that the birds have recolonised farms in Angus and Fife, where they hadn’t been seen in years. The positive results demonstrate clearly what can be achieved when working together and what an immense difference it can make when people and organisations join forces.

The Rural Business Award went to Errichel Estate in Aberfeldy, Perthshire. Husband and wife Becky and Paul Newman and their team were recognised for their work to create a haven in highland Perthshire offering excellent holiday accommodation in rooms within the main building, as well as self-catering holiday cottages.

They have built two houses, completed a barn conversion, extended the main house and refurbished three holiday cottages. The accommodation also boasts green credentials with a district Biomass Boiler and Solar panels.

On the farm the Newman’s have wild deer, Shetland cattle, large black pigs, goats, rare breed ducks, hens and geese and Highland ponies. All the stock are housed close to the holiday accommodation so families can enjoy being close to all sorts of wildlife – a form of Agri tourism.

All this work requires manpower and although Errichel sits on only 182Ha, they have ten on the payroll, creating employment in a very rural part of Perthshire. The Newmans always try to use their own produce where they can and not just in the restaurant, but they also have a shop which promotes their own jams, chutneys and preserves, meat boxes, home grown beef Biltong and cured salmon. The online shop will go live in April 2017.

David Johnstone, Chairman of Scottish Land & Estates said: “We want to highlight and celebrate the significant positive contribution land-based organisations make in rural areas throughout Scotland – in particular, the ways in which they add value to the local economy and the environment for the wider benefit of the community.

We were incredibly pleased with the success of the augural

awards in 2017 and are building on this in 2018 through the creation of additional categories to celebrate innovation in farming and environmental enhancement.

“We urge people up and down the country to submit their entries for this year’s awards - the quality of entries last year was exceptional, and we are looking forward to receiving this year’s crop of stories. I am sure the

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judges will have a tough task in narrowing down the shortlist once entries close in July this year.”

Entries for the Helping it Happen Awards 2018 will be reviewed by an independent judging panel with three finalists selected in each category. The winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony which will take place at The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh on 3 October 2018.

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machinery Order book is open for all-new McCormick X8 VT-Drive tractors The order book is open and dealer demonstrations are underway for the all-new McCormick X8 VT-Drive tractor, which is being produced with three engine power outputs of 264hp, 286hp and 310hp.

The new range takes the McCormick marque into a new performance class above the X7 VT-Drive 141-192hp and X7 P6Drive 141-225hp models, which have stepless and semi-powershift transmissions, respectively.

Ray Spinks, Sales Director and General Manager at McCormick distributor AgriArgo UK says: “The McCormick name is closely associated with efficient power and performance and the new X8 VT-Drive tractors represent the ultimate expression of that image.

“They have great driver appeal and the unique combination of fuel-efficient BetaPower by FPT engine, ZF heavy-duty transmission and high-capacity hydraulics make it a powerful performer in the field.”

Ploughing, cultivating, sowing and powering big grass mowers and other harvesting

machinery will be the main roles performed by these big tractors but road work with large capacity slurry tankers, muck spreaders and trailers will also be in their remit.

Key features include a heavyduty CVT transmission providing fine speed control, different operating modes for optimum performance and cost-saving fuel efficiency. Electronically-

controlled hydraulics with 157-litre or 212-litre load-sensing pumps – plus 115-litres/min dedicated to steering and other ancillary systems – are also part of the package.

John Deere demos new sprayer at Cereals Event Featuring the new PowrSpray solution system, a larger 5000-litre capacity spray tank and an ultralightweight but extremely strong carbon fibre boom, John Deere’s R4050i self-propelled sprayer will

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be demonstrated for the first time in the Sprays & Sprayers arena at Cereals 2018.

Able to spray at widths of 18 or 36m, the high-performance spray boom is considerably

lighter than steel or aluminium designs. However, the carbon fibre material used in its construction is around 5.5 times stronger than steel and is able to flex, which relieves the boom structure from the stress that can cause fractures in metal booms. The carbon fibre boom is specially designed to withstand the high dynamic loads created at high application speeds of 20 to 30kph, even with very wide booms. The R4050i is powered by a 6.8-litre John Deere PowerTech PSS engine producing 235 rated hp (255hp maximum).

This engine meets Stage IV/Final Tier 4 emissions regulations by incorporating selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

The sprayer is also equipped as standard with the John Deere

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GreenStar 3 2630 touchscreen display with full FieldDoc spray documentation and ISOBUS compatibility. It comes AutoTrac ready and with a free JDLink Ultimate subscription for one year, which enables a range of additional FarmSight precision farming solutions including new Remote Display Access and Wireless Data Transfer, as well as Service Advisor Remote.

Order your FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Limited Edition Whisky See Page 141

machinery Polaris 0% finance to keep on running “A large proportion of our customers have been taking advantage of our 0% finance offer,” says Ben Murray, Polaris’ National Sales Manager, “so we have decided to continue offering interest-free financing on new Polaris Sportsman ATVs, Ranger 4x4 Utility Vehicles, RZRs and Scramblers.”

Originally scheduled to end in March, the 0% finance scheme will now continue running on these 2018 models throughout the year. Provided in conjunction with Rural Finance, the scheme is available over two years with 2 + 22 monthly payments up to a maximum of 80% of the Recommended Retail Price.

It’s available for new Polaris utility ATVs, UTVs, and Sport and Leisure vehicles (excluding Youth). Polaris also has one of

the widest ranges of accessories available and the 0% finance can include up to £1,000 excluding VAT on genuine Polaris ATV and UTV accessories.

The extended finance offer also runs alongside the arrival of new Polaris ATV and UTV additions to the range at Polaris dealers, with a number of other special offers available.

Purchase a new Polaris Diesel for example and it comes with free roof and rear panels, so there is another saving to be made. Enjoying a reputation for rugged durability, Polaris ATVs and UTVs come with a two year-warranty and CESAR security as standard for peace of mind.

A visit to a Polaris dealer is recommended for full details, any special deals, and to see the

extent of the Polaris range and accessories. The availability of the 0% finance through Rural Finance is subject to status; the offers and warranty are subject to terms and conditions.

Available in the UK, excluding the Republic of Ireland. The finance offer ends on 31st December 2018. Polaris Britain 0800 915 6720 www. polaris-britain.com

Low-weight, front mounted mowers available for medium-sized tractors KUHN Farm Machinery has added two new compact, low-weight, front mounted mowers to its range of hay and silage making equipment: the GMD 2820 F COMPACT and GMD 3120 F COMPACT are suitable for use with medium-sized (37-43hp) tractors and have been designed to be as light as possible whilst still providing KUHN’s unrivalled levels of performance and reliability.

The GMD COMPACT mowers are designed for use on uneven terrain and upland pastures and are available with either a bolted yoke mounting system or quick-hitch A-frame. A central pendulum-type single pivot enables the mowers to accurately follow ground contours: ground pressure adjustment can be made directly from the tractor for those equipped with an integrated

front lift system. Alternatively, powerful mounting springs, located between the attachment frame and tractor, can be used to control the mowers’ vertical movement. Both machines use KUHN’s proven OPTIDISC cutter bar which is fitted with six (GMD 2820 F) or seven (GMD 3120 F) cutting discs, each of which are equipped with two knives: each disc rotates towards the centre of the machine ensuring the crop is rapidly and neatly ejected to the rear of the machine. The GMD 2820 F cuts to a width of 2.70m (8’10”) and produces 1.30m (4’3”) swaths, while the GMD 3120 F cuts to a width of 3.14m (10’4”) and produces 1.50m (4’11”) swaths.

A sealed, lubricated-for-life gearbox makes the new GMD COMPACT machines easy and simple to maintain, while individual PROTECTADRIVE shear points on each disc’s driveshaft protect the cutter bar’s internal components from impact damage: in the event of a violent impact between a disc and an obstacle, the shaft holding the disc will shear just above the bearing.

The shaft can subsequently be replaced in less than 15 minutes, reducing downtime and eliminating expensive repair bills. Optional equipment for both models includes swath width reduction plates, suspension springs, an attachment offset kit and running and signalling lights.

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machinery

Gordon Agri Scotland Ltd – Newly Appointed Zetor Dealers Gordon Agri Scotland Ltd are delighted to announce that they have been appointed official and authorised ZETOR dealers for West Central Scotland and Stirlingshire.

Zetor have a comprehensive range of models from the Crystal, Forterra, Proxima and Major serving the 60HP to 160HP agricultural sector. More recently Zetor have introduced the Utilix and Hortus range to serve grounds care and commercial applications.

Hamish Watson from Zetor UK commented “We are pleased to appoint Gordon Agri Scotland Ltd to represent Zetor in the Central Belt of Scotland. They are a well organised dealership

combining experience and expertise that will represent Zetor core values well.”

Steven and David Gordon were keen to point out: “As an established agricultural dealership in this area we look forward to securing the continued custom of the Zetor users. It’s an exciting time for our company, as the Zetor brand offers a comprehensive range of tractors that will allow us to further support our customer’s needs” They are running some excellent introductory offers including low rate finance. So, contact them today to view the range of Zetor tractors or to arrange a demo.

OFFICIAL ZETOR DEALERS FOR WEST CENTRAL SCOTLAND Gordon Agri Scotland Ltd, Drymen, Loch Lomond, G63 0EX 4EL s -OBILE s 3ALES 7ORKSHOP 0ARTS

Selection of New & Used Stock

Zetor Proxima 120HS 4WD, Brand New, 2 Year Warranty, c/w ZX3.1P Loader, 120HP, 40K, Power Shuttle, £41495

Zetor Major 60CL 4WD, Brand New, 1 Year Warranty, c/w ZL26 loader, 60HP, 30K, Synchro Shuttle. £28495

Massey Ferguson 5445 4WD, 2010, c/w MF loader, power shuttle, 40k, 95HP, £28,995

Massey Ferguson 5455 4WD, 2007, c/w Massey Ferguson loader, power shuttle, 40k, 95HP, £20,995

Kubota M9540, 2010, c/w Kubota loader / bucket, hyd shuttle, 40k dual speed, ex caravan park, £20,995

Massey Ferguson 5455,4WD, 2004, 95HP, air con, 80% tyres, £18,495

New Holland TL100, 4WD, 2003,c/w Trima 340 Professional Loader, 95HP, 4637 hours, ex local authority, £17,995

Renault Ceres 345 X 4WD, 2002, c/w Stoll Robust 30 Loader / pallet fork, 87HP, only 2259 recorded hours, power shuttle, £17,495

New Holland TN60 4WD, 2008, c/w Quicke loader, turf tyres, ex local authority, 3000 hours, £15995

Zetor 7341 Super 4WD, 2004, c/w Traclift 120 loader only 3620 recorded hours, 78HP, synchro mechanical shuttle, 1 owner from new, £15495

Kubota KX61 2.5 Ton, 2011, 2 buckets, 1 owner, rubber tracks, £14995

JCB 8014 Mini Excavator, 2013, 1.5 tons, 3 buckets, rubber tracks 50%, piped for breaker, slew, blade, just of small local company, £12595

Neuson 3001 3 Ton Swivel Skip Dumper, 2013, AWD, Hydrostatic, low hours, 90% tyres, ROPS bar, Road lighting Kit, single joystick control, £11995

Honda Pioneer 700 side by side, brand new, fitted with cab half price, in stock, £11,500

Honda Fourtrax & Foreman New ATV;s, full range in stock, from £6210

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machinery New ‘NG’ Rings on all HE-VA rolls Strength, ease of use and reliability are key features of the HE-VA range of rolls and new heavy-duty ‘NG’ multi-spoke rings will further improve the resilience of all 2018 models.

The new generation rings are generally heavier and more robust and will be standard on all new HE-VA sets of rolls in 2018, from the entry level VIP rollers through to the 20.3m King Rolls.

Commenting James Woolway, OPICO Managing Director said, ‘The new NG rings are hard-wearing and have proven to be stronger and more resistant to breakages, giving our customers greater reassurance about the durability of their machines. They have been designed to cope with the demands of traditional and mintill cultivations across a range of soil types and have retained the

& 560mm (22”) 9 Spoke rings and XHD - 600mm & 620mm (24”) 10 Spoke rings

The NG Rings have a three year warranty, testament to HEVA’s confidence in the product.

Flemings are on their way to Russia for the 2018 World Cup time-proven qualities of longestablished ring engineering.’

The new NG multi-spoke rings are the same weight or heavier than the previous designs fitted on HE-VA rolls (dependent on model). Cambridge only and Cambridge and Breaker styles will be available in the new design in three sizes: HD - 500mm & 510mm (20”) 8 Spoke rings, HD Plus - 550mm

With the 2018 World Cup this summer in Russia, it seems like the timing couldn’t have been any better for the Groundscare team at Flemings to get in on the action. With a dedicated Export Manager appointed in 2016 and the announcement of the Groundscare division in 2017 it was a great opportunity to have both departments work together and have now successfully sent Trailers and Land Rollers to Russia for the pitch preparation

for the 2018 World Cup. Both Connie Burns (Export Manager) and John Fleming (Groundscare Manager) have a keen interest in Sports with Connie recently retiring from Ladies Football having played with John Moores University, Newry City Ladies and finishing with Armagh City Ladies in 2016 and John becoming a World Champion in BJJ - Brazilian Ju Jitsu in Las Vegas in 2017 and has high aspirations to reach the same

WILKS BROTHERS The Air Compressor and Pressure Washer Specialists

Main dealers in Perthshire for DEUTZ FAHR Tractors

The new 6 and 7 Series Tractors Manufacturers and suppliers, W Bateman & Co has an enviable reputation for manufacturing and supplying both domestic and industrial pressure washers and air compressors.

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01772 862948 email: sales@bateman-sellarc.co.uk www.bateman-sellarc.co.uk

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machinery Överum’s CX-plough for the next generation

level again in the Purple Belt Division. Having previously supplied machines for Football Clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Wembley Stadium via an extensive network of dealers, to supply machines for one of the biggest Sporting Competitions

is another great ‘claim to fame’ and the ultimate bragging rights to both Connie, John and everyone at Flemings for the duration of the tournament. To take a look at the full Fleming Agri and Groundscare range go to www.fleming-agri.co.uk for more information.

In 1995 Överum launched the CX-plough that set the standard for high-quality ploughing and low draft requirement.

Now they introduce the next generation – the Överum CX2.

The completely overhauled construction offers many significant benefits. Like its

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predecessor, the Överum CX2 is a fully mounted reversible medium class plough with three, four or five furrows and for tractors up to 160 hp. It features a lighter and stronger modular frame tube design replacing the previous CX-design, valued through more than 20 years.

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finance

Finance Q&A with…

Dugald Hamilton, Scottish Regional Manager (North and East), AMC What came first – farming or finance?

As a fifth-generation farmer, farming is in my blood. I grew up on the family farm outside Alyth as one of four boys but I didn’t go straight into farming when I left school. I went into livestock auctioneering, which I did for thirty one years with Oliver and Son, Speedie Bros and then Lawrie & Symington.

It wasn’t until 1988 when, eight years into my auctioneering career, I finally bought my own farm - Mayfield, near Cupar. We had around 140 suckler cows as well as ewes and arable. It was a great feeling being back doing what I loved. Farming was bred into me and I had really missed it.

When my job moved from Edinburgh to Forfar in 2002 we sold Mayfield and, on the very same day, I bought the farm we still own now – Bruceton.,, near Alyth. We now also own the neighbouring farm and across 600 acres we grow winter wheat, malt barley, raspberries and

vining peas and finish a variety of cattle and BF sheep.

My youngest son, Bruce, has taken over the day-to-day running of the business and my other son Stewart is a land agent, so I’m proud to say we now have had six generations of Hamiltons working in agriculture.

In 2008 I left my career as an auctioneer to join AMC as a Regional Agricultural Manager and have never looked back.

The role offered so much variety and a chance to really stretch my brain. But it also gave me the opportunity to work closely with the agricultural community and support farmers in growing their businesses. This is something that, for obvious reasons, really appealed to me.

What are the best things about farming?

There are many reasons why I love farming. It’s a good life, it’s a hard life, and it’s a way of life. You get to live in the country which is very rewarding. It hit me hard when I was out of farming for eight years

at the beginning of my career as an auctioneer and it felt good to be back when we bought Mayfield.

And what are the challenges?

It goes without saying that farming is full of challenges at the moment, and I’d say most farming businesses are suffering the same issues. For us especially, the biggest challenge is the rise of our fixed costs, such as machinery and fertilisers. We’ve taken steps to derisk the business, but there are only so many costs you can cut without effecting production – it’s a careful balancing act.

How does being a farmer help you in your AMC role?

Being a farmer and a Regional Manager at AMC go together like a hand in glove. Having my own farming business means I genuinely understand the conditions customers are operating under. For example, I know what price people are paying for what variety of grain or beef, and what farmers are charging. Having this up to date knowledge and insight

Come and see us at the Royal Highland Show 2018 Next to Ingliston House

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means I can give better guidance to the farm businesses I work with.

How does your role at AMC help you in your farming role?

Being in my position means I get to see the inner workings of many successful farms. I would be a fool not to cherry pick some best practices for my own farm! For example, from working with one client I completely altered the way we built our cattle sheds, from the building itself down to the feeding set up and much more.

What steps should farmers consider taking to overcome the challenges currently facing them?

From a fixed costs point of view, I would urge farmers to work in cooperation with their neighbours and where possible, share resources and equipment - we are very lucky here, as us East Scotland farmers work well together. They should also make good use of Ringlink for equipment use. The key is to try and take out as much of the cost as you can to de-risk, but there is only so much you can do before it impinges on production.

It goes without saying that I would urge any fellow farmers to have an early chat with their Regional Agricultural Manager to take guidance on options that are available. The benefit of AMC being one of the largest and longest-standing lenders to the agricultural sector is that we have seen it all before, and understand the challenges you face.

finance Excel-lent business advice and service assured Excel-A-Rate Business Services Ltd are an independent asset finance company based in the North West of England, with their values firmly embedded in service and satisfaction.

Established in 1996, ExcelA-Rate are heading into their 22nd year of asset finance, a feat of resilience given the industry’s rollercoaster climate over recent years.

Excel-A-Rate Managing Director, David Ballan, said,

“Even with the uncertainty over Brexit, we remain optimistic that we will continue to deliver an excellent service to our customers and clients in 2018.”

“Our focus for the year ahead is to extend our financial expertise and broaden our customer base with the help of our associate partners.”

The company aim is to strengthen their relationship with the broker community, particularly in Scotland, aided by

ANM Group profitability delivers trading members bonus ANM Group – Scotland’s most active and influential farming, food and finance co-operative – is reporting a trading profit of £572,000, for the year ending 31st December 2017. In addition, the group has announced it will pay a discretionary members trading bonus for a fourth consecutive year.

Pete Watson, ANM Group Board Chairman, said: “We are pleased that as a group we have recorded a trading surplus in 2017, and our balance sheet remains strong. As a result, we are once again delighted to allocate a discretionary trading bonus in appreciation of the ongoing commitment from our loyal members.”

their knowledgeable and trusted team. With such a vast array of experience in several sectors including renewable energy, agriculture, commercial vehicles and more, it’s easy to see why they have remained buoyant throughout the last two decades.

David continued, “Our recent results indicate our thirst for growth and with our target firmly set for future investments we see no reason why our 2018 objectives won’t be achieved.”

Not only do Excel-A-Rate have established financial links in England, they also have a strong reputation in Northern Ireland, especially within the farming and agricultural community. With a clear understanding of the needs and requirements faced by farmers in the current financial climate,

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Value: £3,000 Single Tractor: £117.60 On Fleet: £72.94

Don’t fall into the insurance short-fall by underestimating values and sums insured on your farm Farmers and smallholders are being urged not to underestimate their insurance responsibilities, simply because the scale of the farm operation is relatively small. The underlying principles remain the same, making it crucial to ensure suitable insurance cover is in place, or face being left exposed to serious risk in the event of a peril occurring.

From large-scale farmer to a new smallholder at the start of a new life journey, the insurance implications do not alter, simply because of the scale of the farm unit.

Emma Barnes, of the agricultural insurance brokers Farmers & Mercantile comments, “If for example you graze a flock of sheep, it does not matter the size of flock, if one escapes and ends up

Excel-A-Rate are firmly secured in the asset finance industry.

David concluded, “We are proud of our achievement and are looking forward to strengthening our ties with businesses and brokers in Scotland.” www.excel-a-rate.co.uk

Value: £7,000 Single Tractor: £194.60 On Fleet: £122.52 Value: £15,000 Single Tractor: £325.25

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finance causing a road traffic incident, the liability will be the same.

“With recent changes to personal injury law, claims costs have increased significantly in value and could devastate a smallholding or farm without adequate cover.”

Emma continues, “At the simplest level, you may have an outbuilding or shed in the garden in which you decide to house a goat, at which point the structure becomes an agricultural building and should be covered accordingly.”

Similar applies to use of machinery, value of farm buildings, value of livestock and crops. Having suitable and realistic sums insured to cover for damage or losses could be critical to the viability of any farm operation.

“Whether running a fleet of 30 high horsepower tractors, or a single vintage tractor around the yard, if the sums insured do not add up to the value of replacing the machine, you will be leaving

yourself exposed to risk,” adds Emma.

Farmers & Mercantile is one of the largest independent insurance brokers specialising in

agriculture, and its experienced team can advise on any concerns on farming or rural insurance.

It can also provide smallholders quotations specifically designed

around individual requirements, at a competitive price. Call on 01604 782 782, email info@ fandmgroup.co.uk or visit www. fandmgroup.co.uk for details.

HORSCH achieves record growth in 2017 HORSCH has again recorded record growth figures as the business continues to increase sales in all sectors.

A 19% growth over 2016 sees revenue grow to 356 million Euros for 2017. Stephen Burcham, general manager for HORSCH UK, highlights the company’s extensive product development. “As shown at the recent Agritechnica show, we continue to expand our products ranges with innovative new technology and machines.

We always focus on the needs

of the customers and build products that help them farm more productively.” HORSCH is among the fastest growing brands in the agricultural engineering sector with both exports and market share in Germany (10% share) rising.

Eastern European contributes 53% to the turnover with

outstanding sales success in the Ukraine. Western European accounts for 20% while the remaining worldwide activities are 7%. The latter is also increasing considerably due to rising demand in China and the development of production and sales facilities in Brazil and North America.

Celebrating a decade of success Clarendon Planning & Development are delighted to be celebrating their 10th Anniversary. Since the setting up of the business and despite an unprecedented recession hitting, the company has grown to a core team of professionals from wide ranging planning and development backgrounds, including both private, commercial and public sectors, into a multi-disciplinary consultancy providing services throughout the UK. This has been a significant achievement and the team are proud to be celebrating this milestone.

At Clarendon we are only too aware of the challenges 128

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currently being experienced by landowners in the current economic climate and the Scottish Government and EU Reforms relating to Land Reform and Common Agricultural Policy. We are passionate about advising on ways in which value can be added to land which can assure ongoing viability of agribusinesses. Whether through diversification projects or strategic housing development, expert advice can make the difference in turning visions into reality.

As part of our celebration, we are launching a new service, Clarendon Land, which gives

finance landowners the opportunity to promote their land through the planning system without any up-front costs with no payment until the successful granting of planning permission.

Come and see us at our stand at the Royal Highland

THEMONEYMAN Show 2018, next to Ingliston House.

Please get in touch to discuss further how we can help you to unearth the dormant value of your land.

Tel: 0131 297 2320

Farmers urged to insure flocks against sheep worrying Sheep farmers are being urged to take cover against the potential financial losses incurred by sheep worrying after the latest spate of distressing attacks reported across the country.

The graphic images and noticeable increase in reports of sheep worrying over recent weeks, once again brings to the fore the constant challenge farmers face in educating the public of the potential impacts their actions can have on livestock. “While dog attacks on livestock are no new thing, police are now reporting a sharp rise in incidents across the country,� says Charlotte Wilson of agricultural insurance broker Farmers & Mercantile (F&M). “We have certainly seen an escalation in the number of claims.�

Social media is proving an effective tool to educate dog owners on the importance of keeping dogs under control around livestock, focusing not only on the devastation that can be caused for the farmer, but also to the dog owner if the animal is shot, or later put down. “While the first step should always be to educate the public, other steps do need to be taken to protect farmers from what now, unfortunately seems almost like the inevitable!� says Charlotte.

With the increasing number of houses being built in rural

areas, and farm diversifications into camp sites, the chances of an attack have rapidly increased.

With the unfortunate likelihood that the culprits will not be caught and brought to justice, livestock farmers really should be looking at making sure their insurance protects them. “Although there is no protection for emotional losses, by having sheep worrying cover on your farm insurance policy, the loss of income from the incident is at least negated,� adds Charlotte.

Cover for sheep worrying is available as an extension to a standard livestock policy, and will apply regardless of whether animals are being grazed on a farmers’ own land or a rented field. “It is frustrating for farmers that they are having to pay for this additional protection, but if insured correctly, the extra premium paid for this extension of cover will be nominal in the bigger picture,� concludes Charlotte.

Farmers & Mercantile is one of the largest independent insurance brokers specialising in agriculture, and its experienced team can advise on any concerns on farming or rural insurance. Call on 01604 782 782, email info@ fandmgroup.co.uk or visit www.fandmgroup.co.uk for details.

Agricultural Wages in Scotland

By Charlie Carnegie At the time of writing we are all patiently waiting on Spring arriving and when it does there could be many overtime hours incurred just to catch up on the Spring sowing therefore I thought I would remind everyone of the new rates of pay. The hourly rate for agricultural workers in the past was reviewed in June and published in October. From 1 April 2017 the Scottish Government decided to fall in line with the national minimum wage and national living wage changes which are published annually on 1 April.

Detailed below are the following changes in agricultural wage rates which started on 1 April 2018: s 4HE MINIMUM HOURLY RATE has increased to ÂŁ7.83 for all agricultural workers, irrespective of age or duty. s /VERTIME MUST BE PAID TO an employee who works more than 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week for the first 26 consecutive weeks and 8 hours a day or 39 hours a week thereafter.

The overtime rate will be 1.5 times the agreed hourly rate. s !N ADDITIONAL SUM OF a per hour can be paid to workers with appropriate qualifications. s ! MINIMUM HOURLY RATE of ÂŁ5.00 for workers who undertake an SCQF level 4/5 or equivalent in agriculture. s 4HE DOG ALLOWANCE HAS increased to ÂŁ6.00 per week for each dog up to a maximum of 4.

If an employer wishes to pay more to a worker

employed on particular duties, then they can do so, however, they cannot pay less than the minimum stated above.

Another consideration for employers is the yearly holiday entitlement. This runs from 1 January to 31 December and it depends on the number of days worked by your employee. Where the number of days worked varies from week to week, the average number of days worked per week over a 12 week period should be calculated. Please see below the holiday entitlement: No. of days No. of days WORKED PER WEEK HOLIDAY PER year 1 8 2 13 3 18 4 23 5 28 6 33 7 38 As a result of the above increases there shall also be a knock on increase in pension contributions for employers and employees who have auto-enrolled into employers pension schemes.

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

futurefarmer ‘Are Ewe Okay?’

Campaign awarded ‘Rural Hero’

SAYFC Brexit Report launched

By Clare Sturla

The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, ‘Are Ewe Okay?’ campaign was recently recognised at the Scottish Rural Awards on Thursday 23rd March when it received the ‘Rural Hero’ award.

The award sponsored by Chiene + Tait, highlights rural Scotland’s unsung heroes and community champions.

The Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs (SAYFC) began the mental health awareness campaign in May 2016, aiming to target young people in rural Scotland to raise awareness of poor mental health.

‘Delighted to be recognised for our work promoting mental health, a topic which will touch most at some point, with one in four suffering poor mental health.

This is why it is important to encourage the conversation and break the stigma surrounding mental wellbeing.’’ says Penny Montgomerie, SAYFC Chief Executive.

Suzie Dunn, National Chairman of SAYFC added 130

‘There are issues which affects our young people in the agricultural industry, such as isolation and working in such an unpredictable industry, as well as the usual worries and challenges facing this generation.’

She continued ‘we are thrilled to be celebrating the campaigns second award, and overwhelmed with its impact, highlighting its importance within our Industry’ The campaign presents facts and figures to audiences on social media, as well as having an online presence through the association’s website promoting health triggers, recognising the signs and how to seek help if someone is suffering. Due to the encouragement and support the campaign has offered, we have had some members share their story, which has been an inspiration and key development.

The campaign is now completing its second year with the plan to continue the development, with the hope that the ‘Are Ewe Okay?’ brand will continue to grow.

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SAYFC are delighted to announce the launch of their Brexit report, which was officially launched at the SAYFC Agri and Rural Affairs AGM on the 15th April in Perth.

SAYFC has been considering its response to and its vision for post Brexit Agriculture and used the survey as a tool to collect SAYFC member’s opinions on some of the key Brexit themes. The survey was constructed by taking questions from a wider survey, originally initiated by the National Federation of Young Farmers in England, and adapted.

Outgoing Agri Chairman, Duncan Morrison commented: ‘The next 12 months will be crucial as we get closer to leaving the EU for good.

There is so much still to be decided and it is vitally important that concerns of young farmers raised in this report are remedied.’

Five key areas of policy were identified that are

particularly important to young farmers and new entrants, which are: ‘Availability of Markets, Farming Subsidies, Access to Land, Definition of ‘Young Farmer’ and the Confidence to Invest.’

SAYFC, through its Agri and Rural Affairs Committee, are committed to ensuring the five policy areas are addressed moving forward and to play our part whilst Brexit priorities for the industry continue to be discussed. We wish to engage as much as possible with industry stakeholders and policy makers to ensure the voices of our members are heard.

Iain Wilson, Agri Chairman added: ‘As we start a new year we felt it was essential that we had the thoughts and views of our members to allow our new Agri Affairs committee to push forward in this decisive 12 month period for the farming future of all our members.’

horses Blair Castle International Horse Trials welcomes Land Rover as title sponsor Following on from its role as official vehicle partner in 2017, Land Rover has increased its commitment to Blair Castle International by signing a threeyear title sponsorship agreement.

The event will now be known as the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

Scott Dicken, Jaguar Land Rover UK Marketing Director said: “Land Rover is excited to continue growing its equestrian portfolio in Scotland. Last year we provided a fleet of vehicles to help the operation team and this year we are proud to take title sponsorship. We see the equestrian market as key to our brand, and this form of association is a great opportunity to engage with both new and existing customers.”

Sarah Troughton, Head Trustee of Blair Castle said: “I am delighted that Land Rover has chosen to sponsor Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

Land Rover’s excellent vehicles have always been a well-known feature on Atholl Estates, and this support highlights the success of Blair Castle International in recent years.”

The Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials takes place from 23rd 26th August, featuring CCI1*, CCI2*, CCI3* and CIC3* classes, plus the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival where a BE90 and BE100 competitor will both be crowned champion. For the first time, the Scottish Novice and

Intermediate Championships will also be decided in the 1* and 2* respectively; Blair has long hosted the Scottish Open Championship in the CIC3*. To round out an exciting weekend of sport, Blair will also host the final leg of this year’s Event Rider Master series; to date it has been the penultimate leg of the annual league.

Land Rover now supports several major UK equestrian events, including Royal Windsor Horse Show, the Festival of British Eventing and the pinnacle of the eventing season, Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

Land Rover also values the importance in nurturing talent at grassroots level and is a major supporter of the Pony Club.

2019-2021 World Class Programme selection policies launched The British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Programme has launched the selection policies for its 2019-2021 Podium Potential squads and the new Podium Potential Pathway programme (formerly Excel Talent), and with them, a new structure for the performance pathway as we build to Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 and beyond.

Gordon Burton, equestrian Performance Director says: “We have been reviewing the performance pathway over the last few months, and as a result, have revised the structure of the pathway to ensure we are providing the best support to both our human and

equine athletes to promote their continued development.”

The equestrian pathway has three distinct stages – Podium, Podium Potential and Podium Potential Pathway – which support athletes across the three Olympic (dressage, eventing and showjumping) and one Paralympic (para-equestrian dressage) disciplines.

BEF Head of Performance Pathways, David Hamer explains more about the structure: “Podium Potential aims to identify, support and develop partnerships that demonstrate the potential to deliver medal winning performances at senior championship level.

The changes we’ve made to the policy recognise that it’s about the continuous development of two athletes – human and equine, as a combination.

“We have revised our criteria and, recognising that at this level performance can fluctuate due mostly to athletes acquiring or losing the ride on a horse, we have removed the previous age restrictions to ensure that athletes at any stage of their development, who meet the selection criteria, are eligible to apply.”

For Podium Potential Pathway, the key objective is centred around identifying, supporting and educating athletes, to develop

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the foundation skills needed for future performance. Within this programme there are set upper age limits.

David adds: “Supporting riders in their progression along the pathway is an integral part of the World Class Programme.

We know that at different stages athletes need different support, and the new Podium Potential Pathway squad structure will enable selected athletes to benefit from tailored support and education, to enable them to progress up to Podium Potential, or more widely into the industry.”

The two year programmes will open for applications later this year.

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horses

Equine Angle

New future for futurity

By Melanie Scott

Weather woes and feeding concerns The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) is pleased to announce the continuation of its Equine Development programme, following its handover to a new company formed by a partnership of industry experts. The group came together in a bid to take on the running of the activities, which consist of a stallion show, breeding magazine and the young stock evaluations known as the Futurity and Equine Bridge. The new organisation will take on the name British Breeding.

The company will be codirected by Jane Skepper of Horse IT; Rachael Holdsworth of Holdsworth PR; Sacha Shaw of Breeding British; Joris van den Oetelaar who is a director of the Anglo European Studbook; and Dr Eva-Maria Broomer of Horsepower Creative.

The CEOs of the three Olympic Disciplines, British Dressage, British Eventing and British Showjumping - and Sandy Senior representing the British Breeders Network, will each have a non-executive director seat on its board, in order to promote closer cooperation

between British breeders and the sport and to ensure inclusivity and a wide reach of the programmes. The company will have an independent nonexecutive chair, Jan Rogers, director of Research and Policy at The Horse Trust and the former head of Equine Develolpment at the BEF. In adopting the holistic approach of joining up the breeding world with the sport, the company has a strong business plan to secure the future of all elements of the programmes for the continued benefit of breeders and horse sport alike.

Says Iain Graham, chief executive of British Showjumping: “We are pleased to be involved in the continued development of young Britishbred sport horses through the activities of the new group.

The importance of strong links between breeders and the sport cannot be underestimated, and with the diversity of people participating in showjumping, there is a need to produce good quality horses that have the potential to compete at all levels”.

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The weather this last year has certainly tested horse owners.

From a non existent summer where grass failed to grow and very few farms made any good quality hay the horse owner was on a back foot heading into winter.

Although it initially started mild, the very wet summer meant that the ground has never completely dried so going into winter the water level was higher than usual and ground became wrecked very quickly.

It’ll be a hard slog to get ground repaired in time for any useful grazing or hopefully crop growing to commence as the poached ground simply won’t take any heavy machinery at this stage.

With feeding prices high and forage prices rocketing last winter I heard reports of hay reaching more than £7 per small bale. A hungry horse can eat this pretty quickly and with many livery yards enforcing the horses to keep off fields to

allow the ground to recover depending on the horse a bale could last just over a day.

It’s widely recognised now that horses should be offered forage ad-lib so a hay-net a day is simply not enough to keep their guts moving, preventing colic and a build up of acid which can cause gastric ulcers.

Competition wise the start of the eventing season has been decimated with numerous events around the country cancelled.

The popular event at Forgandenny in Perthshire was a victim and with so few British Eventing competitions held in Scotland it is a blow for those aiming for the Scottish Championships which will be held this year at Blair Castle International Horse Trials on the opening day. A new layout with a third ring in the Countryside Area will see the amateur riders contest the BE90 and BE100 Championships which will see a new cross-country course built especially for the event.

In March, I drove down to Kelso in the springtime sunshine (yes, really!) for the 5th annual Deer Stalking Fair (DSF). Longish drives across the country when the roads are not busy are interesting because you get to appreciate the countryside and the different characteristics of each county. Turn left at the Carfraemill and drive the beech-lined country roads of the Borders as they curve around the land and enjoy the big skies proffering vast views over many miles with fields dotted with sheep and new lambs. From the car I saw more than ten roe deer, greylag geese, pheasants, buzzards (but not as many as I see in Fife) and hares.

The DSF is a friendly, deerdedicated event with exhibitors in one hall and speakers and demonstrations in the other. I spoke to Richard Evans of UK $EER 4RACK 2ECOVERY 4HEY are a non-profit organisation offering a UK-wide, free service, tracking injured but mobile deer with a dog and handler. I accompanied two stalkers and watched a simulated stalk; seeing the deer (fake) and taking an imaginary shot and searching for the shot site. DSF exhibitor, deer stalker and Venator Pro MD Kenneth Larson said, “as deer stalkers, we sometimes forget the importance of examining the shot site and find the spot where a deer stood when we took the shot.

I had the pleasure of being part of simulated deer stalk and follow up with UKDTR. Even after many years deer stalking you need to be reminded how important the follow-up procedures are to find and despatch of a wounded animal.

The practical simulation and tuition was great, and it was very interesting to listen to the UKDTR sharing their vast experience in tracking wounded animals.�

Richard explained how to investigate the shot site and the importance of marking where you took the shot and the strike site when out stalking deer. it was surprising how different the site looked

by Linda Mellor

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE compared to looking through a rifle scope. Visit their website for more information: http:// ukdeertrackandrecovery.co.uk/ The legendary Rudi Van Kets from the Vlaamse Zweethonden Groep, talked to audiences about breeding, training, and working deer dogs and explored the differences between the UK and the Continent.

Roxburghe Shooting School’s Tracy Meston was a busy lady, “there was a great cross section of visitors ranging from those that ‘do’ who are in the business to those that don’t but want to! It is also a great meeting place for friends to catch up and have a blather!

I had a successful couple of days making custom ear

plugs and taking bookings for the shooting School.� Tracy also runs Scottish Borders Sporting offering roe deer stalking in the Borders’www. roxburgheshootingschool. co.uk Drewslab also had an eventful weekend, the Pulsar Digisight Ultra N355 and the Pulsar F155 Forward Night Vision attachment were popular. “This was our 3rd year exhibiting at the Deerstalking Fair. We enjoy the event hugely and always look forward to coming back – it brings us face to face with exactly the right type of customer for us. We think the visitors like coming to our stand as we have the very latest in thermal and night

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vision technology for them to play with. They certainly love picking Drew’s brain with technical questions about the products!� www.drewslab. co.uk The DSF offers variety and education, I enjoyed the talks and the UKDTR demonstration in the nearby woodland. The skinning, butchery and cooking demo was amazing to watch, nothing like seeing the experts work with sharp knives.

I am working with Stephen O’Rourke QC, to assist with a new undertaking by the Scottish Sentencing Council to produce sentencing guidelines for the full range of environmental and wildlife offences in Scotland. Stephen is a keen angler, has been appointed to the sub-committee and tasked with working on and preparing for guidelines. I will be accompanying him on a number of trips to engage with ghillies, deerstalkers and gamekeepers. www. scottishsentencingcouncil. co.uk 2018 continues to be busy but I like to set aside time to read as many books as I can.

Recently I re-read Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man by Siegfried Sassoon. It was a best-seller when it was published in 1928, it’s an elegantly written nostalgic story about a young man growing up in the idyllic English countryside with a life of horses and village cricket then goes off to fight in WW1.

You can pick up a copy for a few pounds via Google.

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BOOK SERIALISATION

Walking on water In the fourth part of our serialisation of Terry J Williams’ book about the last drovers of Uist, we look back to a time when 200 cattle at a time would make the two-mile crossing from Benbecula to North Uist.

In a photograph from the small exhibition on droving I’d brought to the North Uist Show, a stone jetty with an open boat alongside, well loaded with several overcoated and hatted passengers – some seated, one or two standing. A handwritten caption identified the group as cattle dealers, auctioneers and a vet. They were about to leave Benbecula for North Uist.

On the jetty, a dark-haired young man held the boat steady with a firm grip on the gunwale – Ewan Nicolson, like his father before him, was the North Ford ferryman.

He it was who took Ian Munro and Simon and Neil Campbell – all three of whom had worked as drovers on the island in the early Sixties – across the across the water for the second part of their droving week.

‘That’s my brother,’ said Anne Burgess.

There had been an article in the local press about the exhibition, and one result of that was a letter from a lady in South Uist who told me that I should contact Anne Burgess in Grimsay, the daughter of the postmaster who had operated the North Ford ferry. If the tide were in, he would row you across by boat; if it were out then he’d take you over in a pony and trap. This letter had led to an invitation to visit Anne at her home overlooking the ford. She had seen her seventieth birthday come and go and maybe a wellhidden decade more. When I arrived she was busy in the garden and bustled to settle me in her sitting room while she put on the kettle.

From the window, Anne pointed out the Grimsay Post 134

Angus Nicholson and Anne Burgess lead the way as we set out to walk the North Ford, with the Atlantic and the Minch on either side

Office where she, Ewan and their sister Joan had grown up.

The family home was within sight and sound of the cattle as they approached the ford from the Benbecula sale and began their trek across the sands. Joan lives in that house yet, though it’s no longer a post office. The Nicolson children were well used to crossing the sands and Anne regularly rode her pony across from Grimsay to the blacksmith in Benbecula.

‘Hello, are you in?’ A voice from the back door.

‘Now you’ll get stories,’ said Anne and introduced her cousin Angus from along the road. She was right. Short and sturdy, full of life, with a ready laugh, shining eyes, and a head of white hair, Angus had travelled the world,

returned home to Grimsay, taken up running and was still competing in marathons in his seventies.

Like Anne, he had known the North Ford from childhood. They both remembered hearing the bellowing cattle as the drove left the market stance. Then the herd would come into sight as it neared the ford.

‘We would look out and the whole Oitir Mhòr [The tidal sands of the North Ford] would be full of cattle,’ said Anne.

‘Maybe two hundred at once and the buyers on horses.’

Angus remembered going out to one of the small islands in the ford with his pals, where they sat on a big stone cairn to wait for the drovers and their charges to come past. He could show me the place.

We could walk the ford.

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‘Would you like to?’ asked Anne, though I’m sure she could already see the answer in my face We left dry land not far from the old slipway at Gramsdale in Benbecula, where Ewan Nicolson had taken his droving passengers on board. Angus led the way, pointing northwards with his stick in the direction of Carinish, our destination. Two hours of walking lay ahead of us. To either side, like stage curtains opened wide, waited the tides of the Atlantic and the Minch.

All we were missing was 200 cattle. I tried to imagine a drove on the hoof: steam rising from the jostling animals, the thud and splash of cloven hooves on hard sand and through remnant pools, the anxious cattle voices, the drovers shouting, dogs barking -

BOOK SERIALISATION

Ferryman Ewan Nicholson (second from left) prepares to take buyers across the North Ford in 1948

before the sea swept away all sign of their passing.

The old photographs showed drovers carrying dealers piggyback through the water but there was none of that for us. At the first channel, Angus searched for the best crossing. He probed the sand with his stick, waded out to test the depth of water, announced that here we could cross safely. With time and tide always in mind, he allowed no hesitation, urged us on.

It was off with the boots, just as Neil had said, and into the current that flowed swift and strong to the Minch. The water reached kneehigh and a bit more, flinching cold at first, then bearable enough until we reached the other side and the sun warmed away the goose bumps.

I opted to keep my bare feet, Angus did the same and we walked on. Corrugated sand beneath unshod soles. A skirl of oystercatchers. A dishevelled pile of stones – a cairn, said Angus.

I hadn’t expected a cairn.

There had been a line of them, he said, to mark the safe route across the ford. Taller than a man.

Some kept their heads above

water even at high tide. Most have disappeared, broken by storms; others are hardly distinguishable heaps, though a keen eye can still detect traces of the skill that made them.

We were halfway across.

Angus was pointing. Look, there on the grassy top of Eilean na h-Airidh was the cairn he had repaired. This was where he and his friends had come, running across the narrow tidal channel from Grimsay to watch the cattle pass.

And there, pointing again, the gap between the two nearest islands – the crofters had shifted boulders to one side and the other by hand, leaving a level passage for carts and cattle, horses, dogs and men.

We walked through. Seaweed and small stones. The boys would be sitting on the cairn as the animals crowded into the gap.

The fog could roll in without warning, said Angus, and night could come on you, or you might be travelling in the early hours to catch the tide for the sales and then you couldn’t see from one cairn to the next. It was easy to become disoriented. So, in places, there was a line of stones set in the sand like

stepping stones between the cairns.

You could follow these. Even more vulnerable than the cairns, almost all have sunk into the sand or been shifted out of line. Angus showed me a remnant – one, two, three, four, each with its crown of seaweed – and I wondered how it felt to be not-quite-lost out here in darkness or swirling mist, trusting this thread of stones to lead you to the next cairn, listening for the sound of creeping water.

The Atlantic, when it came, would push – no doubt with some force and speed onto these sands.

Meanwhile the Minch would be sneaking in from the east, fingering its way round Grimsay’s fragmented northern edge. The drovers would be wary of any dawdling and so was Angus. We chatted our way steadily towards Carinish, wearying a little now, splashing through the shallow delta-like branches of that main incoming channel.

And so we entered the Bàgh Mòr – the big bay – wide of mouth with a throat full of stinking, glutinous, hungry mud. After two hours of clean sand, my feet were black to the ankles in minutes. No

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matter – I had walked the North Ford.

Months later, I unrolled one of the old 1959 OS maps of the island when there was still no causeway. Two roads stopped, like broken string ends, to north and south of the space named Oitir Mhòr between Benbecula and North Uist. Across that space, joining the strings, a double dotted line followed exactly the track of the cattle droves, and that of my bare feet. In the days when Ewan Nicolson ferried Ian, Neil and Simon from Gramsdale to Carinish, the North Ford crossing had been an officially recognised route, preserved here in print by the Ordnance Survey. There was more. Further dotted lines wound among the skerries and islets: Anne and her horse would have followed this one from Grimsay to Benbecula; along here her crofter neighbours would have driven their beasts to the sale in North Uist. Each of these trails held a story.

This is an edited extract from Walking With Cattle: In Search of the Last Drovers of Uist by Terry J Williams, (Birlinn, £7.99) 135

country woman

Julie Rutherford

By Linda Mellor

Julie Rutherford, 19, was brought up on Proncy farm near Dornoch and has never stopped exploring the outdoors. Now Julie is a trainee gamekeeper on the Reay Forest Estate, Sutherland in the far north west of Scotland, and splits her time between gaining work experience on the estate and attending The North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands, Thurso.

Julie said, “As far back as I can remember I was always outside helping my father and showing a keen interest in getting involved with all aspects of running the farm. Growing up, I loved being outdoors, and shooting with my father and grandfather. I always knew I wanted to be working in an outdoor environment.”

Living on a farm and growing up in a shooting family gave Julie a broad insight into country sports. Her grandfather was a 136

well-known clay shooter and used to share stories with Julie about travelling all over the country to different shoots, and when her father was old enough he went with him, and also became a keen shot. On the farm, they had regular guests who came to shoot geese, rabbits, duck, and roe deer.

Julie was hands on and helped out by loading for guests, cleaning guns, looking after dogs on shoot days, feeding the ponds, keeping butts in good order by ensuring they were safe and tidy, building hides and feeding the ponds. “My grandfather and father made sure I knew about gun safety; where to stand whilst people were shooting, how to look after a gun and maintain it. I was keen to develop my interest in shooting, and my grandfather was delighted I wanted to shoot, and gave me a side by side 20-gauge Belgium Browning which had been in

our family for generations. I remember feeling really proud when he gave me the gun. It was a great feeling when the three of us went out shooting together.”

Julie was keen to work outdoors and gained a week’s work experience on the Alladale Wilderness Reserve. “I jumped at the chance, thinking this would be a great opportunity. It was an intensive week, and during that time I learned a lot about the role and responsibilities of a gamekeeper. There were other students there, all male, also competing for the position as a trainee keeper. We all went through the same experiences and at the end of it, I was offered the trainee post on the estate. I was then able to apply for the Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management course at Thurso College.

Julie spent two years at Alladale, “it was a breath of

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fresh air for me to become a trainee gamekeeper. I learned about a variety of approaches from different keepers. I enjoyed meeting really unique and interesting people, the owner of the Alladale Wilderness Reserve, Paul Lister, is a good example of someone with inspiring ideas.”

The head-Keeper and underkeeper introduced Julie to traditional deer stalking, “Very quickly I was interested in deer management. It is a professional skill being able to stalk in on deer, spy deer and separate the beast for culling purposes and being able to pick out the condition of the deer; healthy or unhealthy, young, or old. I furthered my knowledge of deer, and the key is to improve the overall health of the deer by keeping a strong healthy herd and handling them with respect.

I want to succeed in the industry and strive to do the best I can be.”

country woman Julie culled her first red stag on Alladale with Reserve Manager and Professional Stalker, Innes MacNeil, “I was in training at the time, we were on the south side of estate, marching with Glen Calvie.” Julie carried her own rifle and kept close to the stalker as he set the pace for the stalk.

“The views were amazing; there were endless summits, hill lochs, and we had a bird’s eye view and able to look down on the rivers and streams and hidden corries.

Innes got us into the firing point for a reasonable shooting range of 150 yards after creeping up and around burns, peat hags and over bare, open parts of the hill. I got the rifle comfortable and had a clear view through the scope.

We studied the deer and waited as the stag we were after was out in sight in a dip. As the target reappeared broadside I go the all clear to ‘take him now’. It was a clean, safe shot. We found the deer, gralloched it and dragged it back down the hill to the vehicle.

“I know deer stalking is for me because I enjoy all aspects of it especially where we are taking clients out on the hill, sharing our knowledge, keeping them safe, and guiding them.

We make sure we give them the best experience possible.

It’s very challenging but highly rewarding.”

Julie said, “I thought I would be at a disadvantage in a career normally thought of as a man’s world, but I have always had people around me, supporting and encouraging me, which has been important.”

“I have attended the college now for nearly three years, I have a two-year qualification as a Modern Apprentice, and a one-year National Certificate, leaving me to complete another year of my HNC. I plan to finish the four years of college and hope to get a full-time position as an underkeeper on a traditional estate, doing what I love most, deer management.”

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Southern Belle End of an era…

After doing mad running around the house, which generally accompanies the arrival of the dustbin lorry and on this occasion, the mobile library, I still couldn’t find the book I was reading this morning! Worried that the van would drive off before I made it to the door, I ran out without the book to have it “air stamped” so that I could keep it for another three weeks.

Accompanied by an excited Collie at my feet, the second generation of dogs and cats from the village, who hear the library van horn and run out to get their treat from the driver, I jumped into the warm van for the usual chat, while the rain rattled on the roof. Rather than the sunny smile I’m used to, I was greeted by a solemnfaced driver, who informed me that the library van had lost its funding and would be finishing in September.

She then handed me the glossy notice with

all the alternatives on it, amounting to go to the library in the town unless you are house bound. A notice, which probably cost more to print than it does to run the van for a year. I understand things change and most people read kindles and tablets but we used it for everything from children’s books to Lonely Plant guides. The end of the library van seems like the end of an era, which included the fish van, the grocery van and the ice cream van.

I also appreciate that those who have never had a mobile library, must wonder what the big issue is but when services are being cut due to lack of funding and daily I pass three blokes in a van, throwing shovels of grit into giant potholes in the road, which will be washed out by the next rain because they won’t fix it properly, I think we are funding the wrong van man.

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SWI generosity funds life-saving work in rural communities THE LIVES of people in nine rural communities across Scotland could be saved in medical emergencies thanks to the generosity of Scottish Women’s Institutes members.

Over the course of the past year, Institutes and Federations have been fund-raising for The Sandpiper Trust – a charity that supports the Scottish Ambulance Service in providing emergency medical support.

The combined efforts of ladies all over the country has resulted in over £9,000 being raised - enough for the Trust to cover the costs of nine of its Sandpiper Bags.

The bags, which contain specialist medical equipment, are issued to the Trust’s network of volunteer first responders, such as GPs, nurses and paramedics, who work in remote communities.

These kits can often mean the difference between life and death in remote and rural communities where ambulance services may be based some distance away.

Claire Maitland, co-founder of The Sandpiper Trust, said everyone connected to the charity was extremely grateful to the SWI for raising such a tremendous amount.

She added: “This is a very significant sum of money and we are hugely grateful to SWI, to its members and to all those who supported fund-raising events. The fund-raising work undertaken by the SWI will allow us to buy nine Sandpiper Bags to be used by GPs, nurses and other first responders throughout rural Scotland.

“These bags are absolutely critical to the well being of people living in remote communities, enabling residents to receive emergency medical treatment as quickly as possible until they are attended to by paramedics.”

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Due to the fact that ambulances can often face delays attending patients in remote parts of Scotland, the Sandpiper Trust’s volunteers are contacted by coordination centres and asked to attend. They then stabilise the patient until an ambulance arrives and transfers them to hospital for further treatment.

The Sandpiper Trust has donated over 1,000 of the kits over the past 15 years. It also fund-raises to, amongst other things, train and equip volunteer responders, to buy vehicle locator kits and purchase defibrillators.

Claire added: “We have been absolutely delighted to have this partnership with SWI over the past year: it has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Many of our responders have also been invited to give talks to SWI groups, and have been really pleased to have the opportunity to spread the word about what we do and how members can become involved.

“We also hope that SWI members will continue to think about fund-raising for The Sandpiper Trust in future. For example, £4,000 will allow us to train and equip a responder to enable them to treat people in their community.

“Our work makes a huge difference to rural communities across Scotland, and we are extremely grateful to all our volunteers and supporters who give up their time.”

SWI senior vice-chairman Anne Kerr was also full of praise for the efforts of members over the past 12 months. She said: “When The Sandpiper Trust was selected as the charity that SWI would support nationally in its centenary year, we hoped that the aims of the charity would very much resonate with our members.

The fund-raising efforts of SWI members over the past year will allow The Sandpiper Trust to buy nine of its emergency medical kits

“The members have done SWI – and The Sandpiper Trust – very proud with the amount that they have raised. They should be delighted knowing that they have potentially helped to save the lives of people in nine rural Scottish communities.

“Although the fund-raising year is now finished, the final total may increase slightly as we understand that there may be more money to come in.”

The Sandpiper Trust and its emergency responders are always happy to attend SWI

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meetings to give talks about their work. Anyone who would like to arrange a visit should contact the charity’s headquarters on info@sandpipertrust.org or 01764 660447 Members of the education and international committee will make a decision on which charity the SWI will support nationally at its meeting in May. It is possible that this will be an overseas charity: one of the initiatives previously to receive donations is Mary’s Meals – a Scottish-based organisation which works with children abroad.

Beatha an eilean

B’ e croitearachd mo rùn Rod MacCoinnich Neach-gairm air Coimisean na Croitearachd

Bho aois glè òg bha mi airson a bhith nam chroitear. ’S e dreuchd a th’ ann an croitearachd as àbhaist a bhith ga chur an gnìomh taobh ri taobh ri obair eile, ach ann an da-rìribh b’ e sin mo mhiann. ’S beag a shaoil mi aig an àm sin gum bithinn nam Neach-gairm air Coimisean na Croitearachd.

Thòisich mi a’ cumail stoc nuair a bha mi nam dheugaire òg nuair a cheannaich mi fichead caora dhubh-cheannach aig Fèillrùpa MhicDhòmhnaill Fhriseal ann an Inbhir Nis, airson £3.80 an tè. Chaidh rùda Border Leicester a cheannach mìos às dèidh sin agus chaidh an iomairt chaorach air fad a thòiseachadh airson nas lugha na £100!! Leanadh sin le dà bheathach cruidh agus sin mar a chaidh e air adhart.

Mu bhliadhna às dèidh sin, mhothaich am post againn a bha na chroitear cuideachd, don treud chaorach is chruidh agam nuair a bha e air a chuairt an ceann a ghnothaich agus thuirt e rudeigin rim mhàthair mar, “Tha doilgheas air choreigin air an òganach sin!”

Chlisg mo mhàthair nuair a chuala i seo agus gun dùil aice ris. Lean esan air adhart, “Aidh, ’s e croitear a bhios ann agus chan eil leigheas air!” Nach e a bha ceart, cha bhi leigheas orm gu sìorraidh.

Dh’fhàs mi suas ag ionnsachadh gach taobh a bha dèanadach dheth a thuilleadh air nithean eile math is dona ma

dheidhinn, bho m’ athair - bho bhith a’ faighinn deagh phrìs aig àm reic chaorach agus chruidh gu uain mharbh agus corra laogh marbh a dh’aindeoin strì air an sàbhaladh.

Bhiodh gach oidhirp ga chur an gnìomh airson uain air ùr-bhreith a bha lag agus bha an Rayburn sa chidsin na mìorbhail airson an toirt beò a-rithist! Dh’ionnsaich mi glè luath gu bheil nàdar borb gu h-àraid air a chur an lùib droch shìde, creachadh bho shealgairean agus fìor dhroch shealbh.

Bha obair croite glè chruaidh nuair a bha mise a’ fàs suas aig deireadh nan 60an agus toiseach nan 70an. Am measg nan obraichean a bha gar sàrachadh, bha:

tobhaigeadh shnèipean le làimh air latha teth san Ògmhios; stacadh, cartadh agus togail bhèilichean feòir; gearradh Swedes bhon Dùbhlachd gu Gearran; biadhadh chruidh agus cartadh na bàthcha san robh an crodh bhon t-Samhain gus an deigheadh an tionndadh a-mach aig deireadh a’ Ghiblein.

Feumaidh mi aideachadh nach eil mi cho fallain nam bhodhaig agus a bha m’ athair, agus feumaidh nach do rinn na bliadhnaichean de dh’obair chruaidh cron sam bith air ’s e air 90 bliadhna a ruighinn san Fhaoilleach mu dheireadh.

Rè nam bliadhnaichean nam ròpair, thadhail mi air mòran sgìrean croitearachd air feadh na

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Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean agus tha toradh croitearachd ann an cruth reic chaorach is chrodh a’ cur gu mòr ris a’ ghnìomhachd eaconomach. Tha an uiread de na gnìomhachdan traidiseanta sin air crìonadh mar a thathar air gabhail ri dòighean nas eadar-mheasgte air teachd-a-asteach a chosnadh.

Tha turasachd agus pròiseactan cumhachd ath-nuadhachail am measg nam pròiseactan sin. Tha mi cinnteach gu bheil agus gum bi feadhainn eile ann, a’ dearbhadh gu bheil croitearan ùr-ghnàthach agus comasach air atharrachadh ann an cur an croitean gu feum.

Is e urram agus chan e còir a th’ ann an seilbh air croit. Tha e a’ cur dragh orm a bhith a’ faicinn a leithid de phìosan fearainn a tha air am faondradh ’s air an leigeil seachad, a bha gan obrachadh ’s gan cumail suas aig aon àm ach a-nis tha air a dhol fàs. Tha fearann mar thaigh agus mura cumar suas e gu cunbhalach ’s e so-mhaoin a th’ ann a chrìonas agus a thèid gun fheum glè luath.

Feumaidh brosnachadh a bhith an lùib croit obrachadh, a chumail suas agus inbheisteadh ann. Chan fheum am brosnachadh seo a bhith mu dheidhinn tuarastal ionmhasail ach a bhith mar phàirt de dhòighbeatha agus de riarachas ann a bhith a’ faicinn croit air a dheagh obrachadh agus torrach, far an urrainn do theaghlach a bhith beò ann an àrainneachd bhòidheach.

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

Tuathanachas Alba (Gaelic: Farming Scotland)

16 year old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Specially selected for

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

Only 76 bottles available.

Each bottle is individually hand numbered within in its own silk lined presentation box.

Hand numbered tasting notes are included to enhance your whisky experience.

*We are delighted to support the RSABI Charity.

We will donate £5 to the RSABI from every bottle sold.

TO ORDER YOUR LIMITED EDITION WHISKY ✂

1) Order by phone on 01738 639747.

(To reserve your order and arrange payment).

2) Or fill in the form below (enclosing your payment) Please send me

bottles of Tuathanachas Alba.

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ARTWORKS With Aberdeenshire based artist

collection of limited edition prints from melshand.com

Mel Shand

Mel Shand has practised as an artist for the past 25 years, and lives and works on the Finzean Estate, Aberdeenshire where she lives with her husband, gamekeeper Hedge Shand.

Painting subject matter that sometimes quite literally lands on her doorstep, Mel favours native

bird and mammals capturing them in large and small colourful oils and “dirty big drawings�.

Favourites include the brown hare and black grouse. Their bucolic Life revolves around the demands of the changing seasons.

Commissions for portraits and illustrations are available and a

Black on yellow

Hare

Blackface ram

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Milly’s Highland Bull

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Email melshand.artist@gmail. com for further information.

lifestyle

RS rural

Yard life!

These boots from The Spanish Boot Company make yard life this season just that bit more bearable with their good looks and promise to delivery great equestrian style!

The Unisex Spanish Riding Boots (Classic) feature a sturdy welted rubber sole with grip lines for extra ‘stickibility’ around the yard and are styled in a gorgeous waxed knee high leather upper with leather lining and full length zip with leather tassel detail.

Brogue detailing around the cuff of the boot and along the zip line add interest and complete these boot’s great looks!

Practical and stylish in the saddle but smart enough for life after horses!

STYLE

By Helen Burness

The Tweed Look

Spanish Riding Boot (Classic) Prices start at: £295.00 Sizes: UK 2.5 – 10 www.thespanishbootcompany. co.uk

Fashion That’s A Wrap!

Looking for that ‘go to’, ‘easy to wear’ AND comfortable wardrobe item you will literally ‘live in’?

The Timothy Foxx Poncho offers you effortless style in five gorgeous tweeds. Choose from Belle, Coral, Logan Juniper and Gooseberry for a versatile garment you can wear all year around: Layer up for those colder months with knitwear and jacket underneath. Add a skinny polo neck for lightweight layering mid-spring. Team with shorts or jeans and summer shirt or T-shirt for those long summer nights and then, heading into winter, merely reverse to repeat!

Featuring three embossed Timothy Foxx buttons across the shoulder, wear with confidence in three different ways: As shown on the photo with the buttons across the shoulder, with the buttons at the back (which creates more of a

cape shape) and to beat the chill, wear with the buttons at the front to create a sweeping scarf effect around your neck.

RRP: £149.00 www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

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If you’re looking to stand out from the sea of traditional tweed whenever you are out and about, Timothy Foxx have launched some exciting new additions for spring.

Fans of the brand range from teens to high city flyers and the brand’s broad appeal are synonymous with designer Rosalie Eustace’s’ design ethos; “I’ve always believed that fashion should be fun and be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age. So, when we are putting together a new seasonal collection, I think about our diverse customer base and create tweed tailoring that celebrates gorgeous tailoring, designer detailing and beautiful tweed. )MAGE SHOWS )SLA *ACKET (EIDI 3KIRT IN )GLOO 4WEED www.timothyfoxx.co.uk 143

@home Perfect stable mates for the horsey house When it comes to the horsey home, seriously stylish equestrians have plenty of choice from La Di Da Interiors this Spring...

Contemporary artist launches stunning new collection with an equestrian & charitable twist Established contemporary artist, Lottie Cole, launched her new collection equestrian-inspired work at an exclusive private viewing in Chelsea recently, in front of a distinguished crowd covering the entire equestrian spectrum. Hosted by Quintessentially Equestrian and supported by Cricket Fine Art, the Collection entitled ‘Living with The Tetrarch And Other Horses’ A Celebration reveals Cole’s vision of “imagined interiors of art collectors” and reflects her abiding love of horses. Inspired by the artist’s vision of equestrian’s abodes, the work explores the homes of leading jockeys, champion trainers and owners, amongst others.

For further information: http://cricketfineart.co.uk

Polo Helmet Wine Cooler Telling it like it is!

Hats off to this clever Equestrian Wine Cooler, styled on a polo helmet. The perfect polo lovers’ ice bucket in highly polished nickle is quintessential for chilling champagne, Prosecco and white wine.

RRP: £65

Horseshoe Hooks

A ‘sign of the times’, this notice says everything a true equestrian girl knows already! ‘Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend...’ sign.

RRP: £15 All three items: www.ladida-andover.com 144

These gorgeous Horseshoe & Tweed Hooks are the perfect addition to the country home or fashionable tack room. Featuring a series of plated horseshoes, cleverly re-designed as hooks, on a beautiful Yorkshire tweed base, combining the countryside with equestrianism.

RRP: £89

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cars Rummage and off-road at Beaulieu for Land Rover anniversary Beaulieu will be celebrating 70 years of the nation’s favourite 4x4 with Simply Land Rover on Sunday June 24th, featuring a Land Rover-themed autojumble, off-road Forest Drive and hundreds of Land Rovers on show. For the first time the rally will feature Simply Rummage, a one-stop shop for every Land Rover enthusiast where essential and hard-to-find spare parts and accessories will be bought, sold and swapped. Following in the footsteps of Land Rover Rummage, a well-established trading corner of Beaulieu’s

Spring Autojumble, Simply Rummage will become a bargainfilled extra feature of Simply Land Rover marking the anniversary year. For those driving Land Rovers into Beaulieu to take part in the show, participant tickets are £10 an adult, £5 a child (aged 5-16) if bought in advance online before 5pm on June 21st. Tickets bought online after that time, or on the door, are £12 an adult and £6 a child. All other visitors can buy a general admission ticket to Beaulieu. For tickets or more information see www.beaulieu. co.uk/events/simply-land-rover.

Subaru Shows Growth Bucking Trends Subaru UK shows growth in new cars sales across first quarter of 2018, countering the negative industry new car sales trends as reported by the SMMT. With growth for the safety focused SUV brand, Subaru UK shows positive progress in a competitive new car market which sees the manufacturer grow by 5.5% compared to the first quarter of 2017. This shows a stark contrast to the industry as a whole, as sales fell by 12.4% in the first quarter.

Surpassing first quarter targets

by 19%, Subaru sales have been bolstered by the launch of the allnew XV model which accounted for over a third of Subaru sales overall in the quarter. The all-new XV, underpinned by the iconic Boxer Engine and Symmetrical All Wheel Drive partnering, garnered success early on in the quarter, being awarded Best In Class Safest Small Family Car 2017 by Euro NCAP. The successes continued as the all-new XV received a high commendation from WhatCar? in

the “Safest Car Of 2018” segment of the annual awards, truly

showing that Subaru is ‘Better Where It Matters’.

XC40 becomes Volvo’s most successful new model launch in UK ever The Volvo XC40 premium compact SUV is proving a smash hit across the globe, and the UK is no exception. Selling at twice the Swedish firm’s own sales forecast rate, more than 3,000 XC40s have been sold in the UK since it was launched in a nationwide retailer event in late February. With sales currently at 2,000 cars a month,

the XC40 has immediately become the most successful new model launch ever in the UK. These remarkable figures are especially significant because the XC40 is Volvo’s first ever compact SUV, and it is already taking conquest sales from the likes of Audi, BMW, MercedesBenz and Range Rover.

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PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Eileen Wall A noted professor in livestock genetics at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has been appointed to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) Panel 2021.

Eileen Wall, Professor of Integrative Livestock Genetics, will sit on the subpanel overseeing the submissions in Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science.

Run by the four UK higher education funding bodies, including the Scottish Funding Council, the REF assesses the quality and impact of research undertaken at higher education institutions across the UK. The results of the REF drive the allocation of public funding for research.

Jackie Burgess Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has appointed Jackie Burgess as its new Brands Integrity Advisor.

Jackie (24) will be working on a range of Brands Integrity activities including providing an advisory and liaison service for the whole chain quality assurance programme. This will involve working with external contractors and developing strong relationships with farmers, primary and secondary processors, auction markets, hauliers, feed suppliers and other key stakeholders.

Jackie has a degree in Agricultural Science from the Scottish Rural University College. She has worked as a laboratory assistant with SRUC in the Scottish Borders since 2016 and prior to this, she was employed as a sheep AI technician with Ovibreed.

Andrew Hindhaugh Family-owned Simpsons Malt Ltd, based in Berwick-upon-Tweed has announced a new member of its board of directors, Andrew Hindhaugh, effective from April 2018.

With 33 years’ experience within the agricultural industry, Andrew has worked in the agricultural trading DIVISION OF THE BUSINESS -C#REATH 3IMPSON 0RENTICE -30

since 1996. In his current role as commercial director, he has overall responsibility for all facets of the business along with maintaining a farmer/client base of his own. This focus will be reflected in his role on the board. Andrew joins the board of Simpsons Malt, headquartered in Berwick-upon-Tweed with another malting plant at Tivetshall St Margaret in Norfolk, at an important time. The last 12 months has seen the malting business continue its investment in onsite infrastructure and report an increase in turnover.

Robert Thurkettle Grégoire Besson UK Group and Sulky Burel UK appoint Robert Thurkettle as Managing Director Cultivation equipment manufacturer Grégoire Besson UK Group and seeding and fertilisation equipment manufacturer Sulky Burel UK have appointed Robert Thurkettle as Managing Director for the UK market.

In 2017 the family-owned French machinery manufacturers agreed to collaborate on the sales, marketing and customer service of Grégoire Besson, Sulky Burel and Rabe products in the UK to improve efficiencies and strengthen their existing relationship. The companies share a single head office and a parts distribution centre in Bourne, Lincolnshire 130

Page Turner’s

BOOK REVIEW Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland: What to Grow and How to Grow It

by Ken Cox and Caroline Beaton This month, we review an inspiring and practical guide to fruit and vegetable growing for hungry gardeners When I first looked at this indispensable book’s jaunty cover, I wondered if Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland should be followed by an exclamation mark. It is as much a rallying cry for action in gardens across the land as it is a distinctively useful how-to guide for Scottish kitchen gardeners.

To practicalities first, then.

This book, unique amongst the many fruit and vegetable books available, offers advice specific to growing conditions in Scotland. Our northerly climate, windy and cool, means that we face challenges when growing particular types of fruit and vegetables. ‘You would not know,’ write authors Ken Cox and Caroline Beaton, ‘from reading Alan Titchmarsh or Carol Klein that “outdoor tomatoes” are impossible in most of Scotland or that you might struggle to ripen sweetcorn or peaches or quinces.’ Fortunately, their book is on hand, proffering seasoned advice that will help novice and experienced gardeners get the most from their gardens.

Its chapters, filled with colour photographs and diagrams, show how we can grow a huge range of edible plants, from the common to the exotic, in any part of the country.

The have drawn on the wisdom and experience of growers all over the country, by the sea or in the Highlands, from Shetland to the Borders.

They offer advice on growing produce in gardens of all sizes, from a walled garden, to an allotment, to a humble container. You can grow a wealth of things in a container, it turns out: chillies, compact bush tomatoes, salads and herbs, courgettes, potatoes,

strawberries and blueberries, and even apples (on dwarf rootstocks).

Sage consumer advice warns against succumbing to the temptation of a £99, plasticframed polytunnel at the local garden centre, ‘these tend to buckle and blow away into the North Sea after the first storm, as they just are not designed for average Scottish weather.’

Enterprising companies in the Northern and Western isles have developed the ‘polycrub’ to withstand wild winds, demonstrating the ingenuity and resourcefulness to be found in our communities.

This is an inspiring and uplifting book. It contains a fascinating history of Scottish fruit and vegetable growing, from experimentation in the gardens of medieval Cistercian monasteries to the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign of WWII. Cox and Beaton give examples of projects that harness gardening’s therapeutic and community-building properties, calling for sustainable grassroots funding to support these schemes. ‘A primeval urge to grow edible plants’ lies inside almost every human, they write. Their book will have you reaching for your gloves and trowel to get stuck in.

Fruit and Vegetables for Scotland: What to Grow and How to Grow It by Ken Cox and Caroline Beaton is published by Birlinn (£20, paperback) www. birlinn.co.uk

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