In my view
arable
By John Cameron Balbuthie, Kilconquhar, Fife
Scottish Hill Farming needs protecting
but it’s important to recognise that each variety is different; some varieties can become more susceptible with time, he says. “The fast changing biology of the disease can mean that resistance ratings are quickly out of date and no longer accurately reflect the ability of certain varieties to resist the disease, and this has been seen more than ever in the latest AHDB
Recommended List ratings where there have been some big changes in varietal ratings from last season to this one.” “There is no doubt that the threat from the yellow rust pathogen is one of the major challenges that we face as breeders today, as it is an increasingly complex pathogen, ” says Ed Flatman, Limagrain’s senior wheat breeder.
Cereals event helps farmers to focus on soil health Soil health is becoming increasingly important to farmers, affecting crop vigour and yields, bio-diversity, and profitability. But it’s not often that arable producers get below ground level to really see what’s going on, which is why Cereals 2017 is enabling them to do just that. Last year’s event featured an 8m long x 1.5m deep soil pit, demonstrating the impact of
different crops on soil structure. It attracted so much interest that this year’s feature will more than double in size to 20m long, with the addition of a new compacted area, to illustrate the impact of poor soil structure on rooting ability. “Soil health is a really hot topic right now; there is a lively debate on how to best manage soil structure both with
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I am reluctant to say it – but it is fact. Much of the agricultural topic since the last edition has again centred on the uncertainties of ‘Brexit’. And I am afraid that’s going to continue for the foreseeable future! So what are the latest thoughts and predictions on this topic of which the outcome will have the biggest implications for Scottish Agriculture since the Agriculture Act of the late Nineteen Forties. So what are these latest predictions – or perhaps “guesses” would be more accurate. Interesting to see Chief Executive of Scotland Food and Drink saying that if we have to adopt a W.T.O scenario, instead of our present EU trading arrangements, then he questions if our Red meats exports can be viable. Some doubts are also being expressed as to just how much of the reviled “Red Tape” of Brussels fame will actually disappear? Or will it simply be replaced by a different form! Interesting to see that Donald Trump has just signed a new order that “any new business regulation can only be introduced if two are removed. Sounds good – but?! It is also somewhat ironical that in the midst of all these discussions of “soft or hard Brexit”, the EU have just published the first draft of a “consultation” for the post 2020 CAP. The irony comes from some of the focal points in the document which indicate a much more
acceptable form of CAP for Scottish farmers! Of course its early days yet but talk about “sods law”! The other Brexit prediction that has come from more than one source is that the anticipated change in the distribution of any financial support away from direct payments to other, much more complex compliance schemes, will probably disproportionately affect the Hill sheep sector. Apart from the fact that the Scottish Hill sheep sector is the biggest in the UK there is also this trend to make future payments dependant on environmental input and maintenance of the social fabric in these areas. It frustrates me that there seems to be no recognition or acknowledgement of the enormously valuable contribution that the Hill Farming sector is already making to both the environment and the maintenance of people in these fragile areas. To the best of my knowledge no-one has ever come up with an evaluation or analysis of just how much Hill Farming presently contributes to the well- being and future of these areas. Or are we going to accept a policy of “land abandonment” and all that goes with that, in large parts of Scotland. Because that is what will happen if we don’t retain a viable Hill Farming industry in Scotland. Time is not on our side, and we urgently need to educate our politicians - as from today!!! 7