Scottish Farming Leader - April 2025 by Countrywide Publications

LEADER

FROM SATELLITES TO SOIL

The Role of Space Technology in the Future of Scottish Agriculture

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From the Editor Diana McGowan

LEADER SCOTTISH FARMING

NFU Scotland, Rural Centre, West Mains Ingliston, Edinburgh EH28 8LT

0131 472 4000

Tel: 0131 472 4000

www.nfus.org.uk nfuscotland @NFUStweets

www.nfus.org.uk nfuscotland @NFUStweets @nfuscotland

Editor Diana McGowan editor@nfus.org.uk

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Editor Diana McGowan editor@nfus.org.uk

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HOW often do you see or learn about something and think ‘I’m up for that’, but then never actually realise that positive thought/ silent commitment? Possibly too often or not at all.

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Published on behalf of NFU Scotland by Connect Publications (Scotland) Ltd.

In this month’s magazine, our two features cover inspiring stories and highlight just how rewarding delivering on such thoughts can be both for the individual involved and others who may benefit along the way.

TFrom the EDITOR

Diana McGowan

he ﬁrst quarter of this year has been hectic for sure – we’ve had hustings events, lots of activity across the country and devolved nations to #StopTheFamilyFarmTax, a hugely successful national conference, AGM, annual dinner and elections, plus launched some very exciting membership opportunities – the fuel cards proving huge savings at the pumps and a new SAYFC membership to encourage the next generation of Scottish farmers and crofters to get involved with the Union. No wonder it feels that we’ve reached Spring in the blink of an eye.

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We’re only a few weeks away from the Royal Highland Show. Over the course of four days, thousands will flock to the show to compete, judge, exhibit, organise, educate and socialise. We’ll see the best of the best and relish the atmosphere. Among the highlights and away from the main show ring, this year will see the welcome return of the Golden Shears Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling World Championships. Taking place at the MacRobert Theatre, the 2023 Worlds will see more than 30 countries compete for the prestigious title and it promises to be an action packed showcase of the art, skill and techniques required to be a world champion.

In this issue of the magazine, I’m delighted to included the ﬁrst Scottish Farming Leader updates from our newly elected VicePresidents - see page 7. Both VPs have been kept busy since their election getting to grips with their role remits, going on the road to visit the NFUS regions, attending committee meetings and the Group Secretary and Branch Chairs’ meeting in Ingliston, and traveling to London to lobby MPs and Treasury about reversing the Government’s taxation proposals. President Andrew Connon’s welcome note on page 4, also provides readers with a ﬂavour of how much he’s been undertaking on behalf of our members in the past month.

Earlier this year, I was driving somewhere listening to BBC Radio Scotland waiting for one of our spokespeople to come on air. The discussion point before was focused on Scotland’s space industry and the Shetland Space Centre. My ears pricked up when I heard how big the Space sector is in Scotland – I made a mental note to investigate and perhaps write something in the magazine at some point in the future and parked the idea in my mind. Coincidentally and soon after, I became aware of exploratory workshops taking place involving farmers in the Southwest of Scotland looking at how space data from satelites could be a game-changer for many land managers. The workshops were specifically looking at how such data could improve crop yields, land management and make farming operations more sustainable. You can find out more on pages 28–31. It’s a bit out of this world and different but intriguing and potentially a new way of thinking.

Perhaps a less well known event taking place at this year’s Highland is the final qualifying round of the 2023 Britain’s Fittest Farmer competition. Taking part in this event for the first time is Kyla Graham from Kirkcudbrightshire. Kyla first spotted the event at the Show last year and while watching it thought ‘I’m up for that’. Kyla knew however she couldn’t just enter there and then. Like any competition, she understood you need to be ready for it and without knowing if she would even enjoy it, she set her mind to it to finding out if she would. Kyla shares her journey from that moment to the present and highlights how she’s benefited already in so many ways both mentally and physically, and explains about the positive impact her preparation has had on her working life.

The other feature looks at how a casual conversation during a Christmas lunch turned into the most rewarding and humbling experience for Next Generation Chair, Matthew Steel, one of the many volunteers who have recently delivered much needed 4x4 vehicles to Ukraine to support the war effort. Matthew explains his contribution to the ‘Pickups for Peace’ campaign and reflects on how the unexpected reception received from the Ukrainians has impacted him and those who were involved.

Readers can ﬁnd part 2 of the Conference, annual Dinner and AGM round-up on pages 34-38. You may spot yourself or some familiar faces. We particularly want to thank once again all our sponsors, speakers and suppliers, who helped make the two-day event in Glasgow so successful.

Elsewhere we have all the latest news, regional and policy updates, plus an overview of the ﬁndings of the recent NFUS members’ Intentions Survey which can be found on pages 26-27. Don’t forget to pay attention to the advertisements throughout the publication either, there is an eclectic mix of products and services being promoted that may well be just what you, a family member or neighbour are looking for.

Finally, as we head towards the longest day, with the hope of some warmer weather on the horizon, I hope you’re remembering to dress for the weather and wear protective sunscreen and hat when you’re out and about. The strength of the sun even on a dull day can prove harmful if exposed without protection. If you need a new baseball cap, visit the NFU Scotland website and purchase one from the branded merchandise in the Members’ Benefits section.

Enjoy and make the most of the longer daylight hours.

For the weekly news sent to your email, please send your name and membership number to info@nfus.org.uk

“We’ll see the best of the best and relish the atmosphere”

From the PRESIDENT

Andrew Connon

IKeep up to date with all the news on Facebook or follow us on @martinkennedyvp and @NFUStweets

For the weekly news sent to your email, please send your name and membership number to info@nfus.org.uk

write this piece having completed my first four weeks as your President. It certainly has been an incredible time with weekly visits to London which included several meetings with the other UK Farming Unions, a mass tractor rally of 1500 tractors, a people’s march, a meeting with The Treasury Department and multiple meetings with MPs all due to the shocking budget announcements on 30 October regarding IHT/ Agricultural Property Relief. We continue to highlight the massive impact on the future of family farming in the UK which the taxation policy will have, but there is much more to this argument including the flawed Government figures, lack of consultation, the failure to recognise how unaffordable the suggested repayments of this suggested tax would be, the threat to rural communities, the supply trade and, of course, the huge threat to our nation’s food security. In addition, there is the massive human impact - the anxiety, stress, despair and fear which has consumed farmers young and old - something I have hammered home to Treasury officials and MPs. There is far too much at stake in all this. We can’t give up!

We won’t give up!

A visit to DEFRA created another opportunity to highlight the taxation issues. DEFRA Ministers seem convinced that creating a more proﬁ table industry is the answer. “Farmers need to be paid more for their produce.” This is all very well

Further aﬁeld, a trip to Brussels to join the EU farming Presidents was extremely interesting. It’s apparent that EU farmers are enduring similar challenges to us - imported grain with lack of quality assurance, trade deals, over regulation, weather extremes etc.

We continue to highlight the massive impact on the future of family farming in the UK which the taxation policy will have

and commendable, but I reminded them that every successive UK Government pressurises retailers to keep food prices down in order to suppress inﬂation - a statement which found little contradiction! We also discussed food labelling, fairness in the supply chain, Bovine EID and Animal, Plant, Health and Disease control at our Borders.

An invitation to the American Embassy proved a worthwhile visit with a range of topics covered including livestock numbers and climate ambitions within our countries, with further dialogue suggested.

Closer to home we continue to press Scottish Government on future agricultural policy. It’s essential we look at boosting beef cattle numbers with such an opportunity for the sector considering a global shortage of beef. We can produce so let us do it! Climate Change mitigation is impacting on all government policies, but a reset is long overdue. We must look at facts not myths and understand the opportunities but also the unintended consequences of government policy before it is too late, a debate I am keen to kick oﬀ. Wishing you all a decent Spring!

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VICE-PRESIDENTS’ updates

IDuncan Macalister Vice-President

’m deeply honoured to have been elected as Vice-President (VP) and be part of the team that represents you – some 9000 farmers and crofters across the country. It’s a big deal for me and for Kintyre. I am nervous, excited and completely out of my comfort zone, but am channelling all of this energy into ensuring the Union is delivering for you all.

In the past month I have spent more time in a suit than a boiler suit. Between the Scottish Labour Party conference, NFU conference and Westminster, I have met with 15 diff erent politicians, and been impressed by their willingness to listen, even when they did not agree with our points of view.

I’ve also been witnessing fi rst-hand the hard work and dedication of our professional staff body - it has been inspiring. Their commitment goes beyond the typical nine to fi ve work ethic, showcasing their passion for our united cause.

TRobert Neill Vice-President

ouring Scotland during the hustings in January was an unforgettable experience. Some nights went better than others, with interesting questions and pressure to think on your feet. I can safely say that the home gig was the most nerve-wracking for all fi ve candidates, especially with family in the audience! On election day, the nerves kicked in and the election process was fairly brutal. Thanks to the regional managers who organised the hustings and took care of us all.

As a new NFU Scotland Board member, it’s taking some time to understand what goes on behind the scenes. I’m getting to grips with all the work that staff do around policy, membership, media and ensuring the Presidential team gets to meetings on time. I’ve always preferred a paper diary but now I am adapting to a busy online

As part of my new role, I’ve taken on a variety of committee responsibilities including Next Generation, Legal & Technical, Environment & Land Use, in additional to supporting other policy areas including connectivity, education and skills and Less Favoured Areas. This isn’t exhaustive and it’s great the

Presidential team of Andrew, Robert and myself can share the load as, when and where needed.

I’ve also managed to visit some regions, and in the coming months will be travelling to the Outer Western Isles for a crofters’ roadshow. I’m looking forward to meeting as many members as possible.

one. I’ve historical diaries dating back to the 1980s, which make interesting reading, especially the prices of things like fertilizer and fuel. My new online diary had been busy since being elected with meetings around the country and my fi rst trip to London in post.

I recently did media training with the new regional chairs which was interesting and helpful, although watching myself on TV and having my performance analysed was not fun!

Visiting the Spring Show at Thainstone was great and weather a bonus - well done to all the organisers. It was an excellent chance to chat with members, sharing stories and problems. I look forward to meeting more members over the summer at shows or meetings around the regions.

I hope we’ve all had an early Spring with successful lambing, calving and spring barley nicely rowed up with no missed bits!

News FROM THE UNION

#Stopthefamilyfarmtax

It’s been non-stop for our new Presidential team who along with NFU Scotland Board and staff members, have been in London almost weekly lobbying MPs across all parties to get the proposed changes to inheritance and business rate taxes reversed. We continue to keep up the pressure – activity is face paced to please do keep up to speed on Union activity via our news and social media channels. There is also a Budget Information section on our website for useful information and more details of activity in the politics section of this issue.

Welcome British Summer Time!

British Summer Time begins/began at 1am on Sunday 30 March. This is when the clocks ‘spring’ forward one hour and we really start to notice and benefi t from the longer daylight hours. Please remember to check you have switched over any devices, clocks or timed machines that may not automatically do so – especially any on farm security devices.

Busy Brussels agenda

Straight after his crucial Treasury meetings in London in February, President Andrew Connon headed to Brussels for his first visit since being elected. He was joined by Head of Policy Gemma Cooper with Robin Manning and Jenny Brunton from our Brussels-based BAB office pulling together a packed agenda which included Andrew’s first session with COPA COGECA (the umbrella organisation for farming unions and co-ops throughout Europe. Over two days, Andrew and Gemma also met with Will Surman from Food and Drink Europe to discuss ‘the EU vision for agriculture’, and food and drink trade with the UK. Andrew, and Gemma also met DG Agri on trade and Scotland House to talk about Scottish specific issues.

Agriculture winners announced at ALBAS 2025

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 ALBAS (Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills) including agriculture trainees Hannah Walsh, Emily Slater, Eilidh Geddes and Callum Adams. Hannah from Glasgow won Agriculture Learner of the Year. She has been doing an SVQ in Agriculture – Livestock at SRUC Oatridge while working for Glasgow City Council.

Agriculture Learner of the Year Runner-up Emily Slater from Kirriemuir in Angus is doing an SVQ in Mixed Farming with SRUC Craibstone while working as an apprentice farmer for the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie.

Eilidh Geddes from Penicuik won the Lantra Scotland Research Project award. Eilidh has completed a PhD in Agriculture at Moredun Research Institute specialising in the study of parasite control in hill and upland sheep farms.

Land-based Engineering Learner of the Year runner up was Callum Adams from Newton Stewart in Wigtownshire. Callum is doing an extended Diploma in Land-based Engineering at SRUC Barony while working as a land-based engineer for Gordons.

Over 200 finalists, event supporters, employers, training providers and industry leaders, including Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie, attended a glittering

awards ceremony, hosted by Dr Jenna Ross OBE and Mike Duxbury of Inclusive Farm.

Industry awards were made for agriculture, aquaculture, equine, game and wildlife, horticulture, land-based engineering, trees and timber and veterinary nursing.

The ALBAS are organised by Lantra, the sector skills council for the landbased, aquaculture and environmental conservation industries. To find out more about the ALBAS, visit www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/learner-year

Board of Directors for 2025/26

Following the AGM in February the NFU Scotland Board for 2025/26 is made up as follows;

President: Andrew Connon, North Quilquox, Ythanbank, Ellon, Aberdeenshire

Vice-President: Duncan Macalister, Glenacardoch Farm, Glenbarr, Tarbert, Argyll

Vice-President: Robert Neill, Upper Nisbet Farm, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire

Treasurer: Rupert Shaw, Gledpark, Borgue

Regional Board Chairs

Argyll & The Islands: Sybil Macpherson, Brackley Farm, Dalmally, Argyll

Ayrshire: John Kerr, Woodhead Farm, Newmilns, Ayrshire

Dumfries & Galloway: Stewart Wyllie, Hannah Farm, Cummertrees, Annan, Dumfriesshire

East Central: Robert Bell, Levenview, Westhall Farm, Milnathort, Kinross

Forth & Clyde: Mark Donald, Rhynaclach, Port of Menteith, Stirling

Highland: Mark McCallum, St. Martins Farm, Culbokie, Dingwall, Highland

Lothian & Borders: James Playfair-Hannay, Morebattle Tofts, Morebattle, Roxburghshire

North East: Kevin Gilbert , Womblehill, Kintore, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

Orkney: Stevie Hay, East Howe, Birsay, Orkney

Shetland: Cecil Eunson, Griesta Farm, Griesta, Tingwall

Committee Chairs

Combinable Crops: Jack Stevenson, Brangan Farm, Boyndie, Banff, Aberdeenshire

Environment & Land Use: Peter Douglas, Ruletownhead Farm, Hawick, Roxburghshire

Legal & Technical: Gordon McKilligan, Headtown of Ord, Cornhill, Banff

Less Favoured Areas: Peter Kennedy, Kilbridemore, Glendaruel, Argyll

Livestock: Hugh Fraser, Kinchyle Farm, Scaniport, Inverness

Milk: Bruce Mackie, Middleton Farm, Middleton of Rora, Longside, Peterhead

Poultry: Robert Thompson, TPak Ltd, Orchardbank Industrial Estate, Forfar

Pigs: Jamie Wyllie, Ruchlaw Mains, Stenton, Dunbar

Specialist Crops: Angela Porchez , Angus Growers Ltd, Arbroath

Next Generation: Ben McClymont , Saughland Farm, Pathhead, Midlothian

News FROM THE UNION

Group Secretaries & Branch Chairs come together for event in Ingliston

NFUS Group Secretaries act as the local representative for both NFUS and NFU Mutual at over 30 branches across Scotland. At the start of March, they joined Branch and Regional Chairs for an event in The Pavillion at Ingliston hosted by NFU Scotland’s Head Office and Regional Staff. The day provided opportunity for all to network ideas, discuss relevant issues and share updates from across the country.

Members are making big savings on fuel

Members who have signed up for the discounted fuel cards we are offering through our new partnership with UK Fuels are already benefiting significantly at the fuel pumps. This includes Vice-President Duncan Macalister who was one of the first NFUS members to sign up. Duncan, from Glenbarr Farms in Kintyre estimates that the new fuel card is saving his family and his business and estimated 14p per litre.

This new benefit adds to the extensive range of advantages already available to NFU Scotland members. With this exclusive partnership, NFU Scotland members can enjoy discounted diesel at over 86% of UK fuel stations, including Shell, ESSO, BP, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Applegreen, Texaco, Moto and many more. Check out the Members Benefits page of our website for more information or call 0131 472 4000. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to save big at the pumps.

FUEL TANKS

REDUCED PRICES

SINGLE PHASE, 3.5HP,1800PSI, 11LPM ... £2665

SINGLE PHASE, 5HP,2200PSI, 14LPM £2875

THREE PHASE, 7.5HP,2700PSI, 15LPM. .£2800

THREEPHASE, 10HP,3000PSI, 18LPM £3150

PETROL, 16 HP,3625PSI, 25LPM £5650

COMMERCIAL METAL BUNDED FUEL TANKS STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

•3mm British steel

•230 volt /60litreper min pump

•6m delivery hose

•Water &particulate filter

•Mechanical flow metre

•Autoshut offnozzle

•Contents gauge

•Deadlock with 2keys

•Lifting Eyes

•Steel box section across the base for forklift access andtoraisethe tank from the floor

•Painted green as standard(Anti -corrosion paint)

•BS799, OFS T200 & SSAFO compliant

SAYFC member?

Join NFU Scotland today.

If you are a current member of Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) you can join NFU Scotland for free today by becoming a NFU Scotland SAYFC member. You’ll have access to all the Union’s affinity membership benefi ts including UK Fuels fuel cards and vehicle deals, and you’ll also receive an electronic copy of Scottish Farming Leader every month. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend NFU Scotland events such as the AGM and on-farm networking events and qualify for members rates where applicable. You’ll receive access to all member communication materials, and have the opportunity to shape and influence priorities through various networks such as branches, committees and monitors. Opt-in by visiting https://joinnfus.org.uk/sayfc-members/

First UK courses in Agricultural Communications open for applications

Promoting the national importance of farming – as well as tackling misinformation – has led to the creation of the UK’s fi rst ever courses in agricultural communications.

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) will teach students on its new online microcredentials courses how to tailor their messages for diff erent audiences and to track their impact, including how to get the most out of social media.

Among other disciplines, the courses will teach students how to write press releases, create crisis communications strategies and develop integrated marketing plans.

The micro-credentials have no entry requirements and can be taken in any order and at the learner’s own pace. Current available modules are Agriculture Communications and Journalism and Integrated Marketing Communications in Agriculture. Modules in Issues Management and Crisis Communication in Agriculture, Science Communications and Digital Media in Agriculture will be available at a later date.

Beyond communications, students will gain hard and soft skills in navigating issues which impact agriculture, as well as experience in leadership roles, marketing, public relations and infl uencing policy making. To fi nd out more, visit www.sruc.ac.uk/microcredentials

New Chair of AgriScot announced

AgriScot has recently announced the appointment of renowned South Ayrshire dairy farmer, Gilmour Lawrie, as its new Chair. He succeeds our VicePresident Robert Neill who led the event for the past seven years.

A committed member of the AgriScot board for 16 years,

most recently as Vice-Chair, Gilmour has played a key role in shaping the event’s evolution to refl ect the needs of the entire agricultural sector. He has also been instrumental in developing the Scottish Agriculture Awards, which recognise and celebrate the individuals and businesses driving innovation, resilience and success across Scotland’s farming industry. Robert Neill will stay on the AgriScot board to support continuity, alongside a strong team of directors and Rural Projects, who manage the event’s operations. AgriScot returns on Wednesday 19 November 2025. For more information, visit: https://agriscot.co.uk/

Opportunities for Next Generation

Repurposing publicly-owned land for farming will be a key issue considered at a forthcoming summit about attracting new people into agriculture according to an announcement from Agriculture and Connectivity Minister Jim Fairlie MP. He recently visited Suzanne and Andrew Jardine, who are tenants of the 123 hectare Newfarm on the Applegirth Estate near Moff at, which is managed by Crown Estate Scotland.

The Jardines secured their tenancy in 2019 through Crown Estate Scotland, the public corporation which manages farming tenancies on four rural estates

across the country, totalling around 30,000 hectares. The Jardines started their business with just one heifer, limited building capacity, and no dairy facilities, but support from Crown Estate Scotland enabled them to grow their business to its current herd of more than 100 Jerseys. The Scottish Government set up the Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) group to consider how to help people secure land to start farm businesses. Chair of the FONE group Henry Graham and Oster Milambo from Crown Estate Scotland joined the Minister and the Jardines with our Political Aff airs Assistant, Al Walker, also in attendance.

Photo: Rob Haining, The Scottish Farmer

Fight against food poverty

Combating heat stress

Fight against food poverty

NFU Mutual hails the work of FareShare, who are supported by Southern England Farms

Empowering future leaders

NFU Mutual hails the work of FareShare, who are supported by Southern England Farms

Invest wisely and use your allowances

Supporting the next generation in agriculture, NFU Mutual’s annual award offers ﬁnancial backing to postgraduate students eager to advance their expertise and drive innovation

WWWhile many people look forward to traditional festive fare at this time of year, others are unable to afford even the most basic food for themselves, and their families.

hile many people look forward to traditional festive fare at this time of year, others are unable to afford even the most basic food for themselves, and their families.

KNhile many people look forward to traditional festive fare at this time of year, others are unable to afford even the most basic food for themselves, and their families.

Learn how to make your money work best for you with advice from NFU Mutual on investing wisely and understanding your allowances

FU Mutual, the UK’s leading rural insurer, launched the Centenary Award to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010; to support the agricultural leaders of the future, and champion research and innovation within the industry. It provides annual bursaries to pay up to 75% of course fees for selected postgraduate students in agriculture.

The cost-of-living crisis – and rising cost of even basic foods – has made it even more difficult for many people to put a meal on the table this year. In fact, more than 13 million people in the UK face food insecurity, according to FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste.

To date, 56 young people have received support through the award to further their education.

eeping all of your money in cash savings accounts may seem like a safe option. But you may miss out on the potential to grow your money, particularly if interest rates don’t keep up with inflation. Now could be a good time to reconsider how and where to keep your money, and understanding your allowances can be helpful.

to fork: “My course will look into how agricultural businesses are managed and maintained and how that produce enters the food chain. I want farmers to be treated fairly in all walks of life and to be paid fairly for their produce and services.

“My goal is to use my knowledge to advise farmers on how to maximise their business, ensure they are getting the best from what they have and guide them throughout their careers to ensure they have the best all-round support they can.”

NEED ADVICE?

Top up your pension

is continuing to attract high quality applicants who are studying at a broad range of universities across the UK. I would also like to thank the award’s judging panel, who dedicated their time and expertise to carefully select our recipients.

“We are delighted to be supporting Esther, Jemima, Alexander and Eleanor with our bursaries, and wish them all the very best for their postgraduate courses.”

The current tax year ends on 5 April 2024. Here are some things for you to consider:

At the same time, every year, more than three million tonnes of good-to-eat, surplus food goes to waste on UK farms. That’s enough for seven billion meals, according to FareShare, which takes good-to-eat surplus food from across the food industry, sorts it and passes it onto a network of nearly 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK.

WAt the same time, every year, more than three million tonnes of good-to-eat, surplus food goes to waste on UK farms. That’s enough for seven billion meals, according to FareShare, which takes good-to-eat surplus food from across the food industry, sorts it and passes it onto a network of nearly 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK.

Jemima Brown from Derbyshire is one of four 2024 Centenary Award recipients. For Jemima, this bursary is helping to fund her MSc International Agri-Business and Food Chain Management at Harper Adams University Jemima explains how she intends to study national and international agricultural markets to determine how UK supply chains could be more eff ective and transparent, from farm

Talk to an NFU Mutual Financial Adviser. Together we’ll review your financial situation and help you to understand your options.

Investing for Children

ith climate change driving hotter and more extreme weather, it’s no wonder that research conducted by NFU Mutual shows that heat stress in cattle is becoming a bigger consideration for farmers.

Jane Richards, of Southern England Farms in Cornwall

Richards, of Southern England Farms in Cornwall

Heat stress can have a major impact on farm businesses but you

Putting money into a pension is one of the most tax-efficient ways to invest for the long term. The government helps you invest – for every £80 you pay into your pension, HMRC currently pays an extra £20 tax relief making your actual contribution worth £100. In a pension, any growth is free from UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax. There are however rules on the amount you can contribute to your pension each year and still receive

• Reduced milk yields from cows.

Announcing the award’s recipients for 2024, Jim McLaren MBE, NFU Mutual Chairman, said: “Our Centenary Award bursary scheme supports NFU Mutual’s responsible business ambition to protect rural lives and livelihoods, by championing research and innovation for the UK agricultural industry, while also supporting passionate individuals to advance their careers.

How do I apply for the 2025 Award? Centenary Award bursaries will again be available in 2025. Applications for the award opened week commencing 27 January, and will close at midnight on 30 June 2025.

Jane Richards, of Southern England Farms in Cornwall

To learn more about NFU Mutual and our community support initiatives, visit www. nfumutual.co.uk/ fightfoodpoverty/or scan the below QR code with a smart phone

In 2022-2023, the charity redistributed 54,000 tonnes of food: enough to make 128m meals, or four meals every second. At NFU Mutual, we see it as part of our role to make positive impacts on the welfare of those working and living in rural communities in the UK, and we are only too aware of the growing impact of food poverty in rural communities.

You can invest up to £2,880 per child each tax year into a pension and HMRC will top this up with a further £720 to give a total of £3,600. This is a long-term investment, designed to give children a head start.

As farmers know all too well, this surplus food will often end up getting ploughed back into the ground, used for animal feed or sent to landfill.

• Reduced farm income, putting pressure on fine margins and profitability.

“We’re very pleased that our award

Build an ISA nest egg

Prospective postgraduate agricultural students who would like to ﬁ nd out more about the 2025 bursaries, including full information and the application form, can contact centenary_award@nfumutual.co.uk

She adds:

Capital Gains Tax

To learn more about NFU Mutual and our community support initiatives, visit www. nfumutual.co.uk/ fightfoodpoverty/or scan the below QR code with a smart phone

when you make the gift. Inheritance tax planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

can protect dairy cattle.

• Provide suitable access to water troughs, ensuring they are in good working order.

But what is heat stress and why is it a problem?

The cost-of-living crisis – and rising cost of even basic foods – has made it even more difficult for many people to a meal on the table this year. In fact, more than 13 million people in the UK face food insecurity, according to FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste. same time, every year, more than three million tonnes of good-to-eat, surplus food goes to waste on UK farms. That’s enough for seven billion meals, according to FareShare, which takes good-to-eat surplus food from across the food industry, sorts it and passes it onto a network of nearly 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK. 2022-2023, the charity redistributed 54,000 tonnes of food: enough to make 128m meals, or four meals every second. At NFU Mutual, we see it as part of our role to make positive impacts on the welfare of those working and living in rural communities in the UK, and we are only too aware of the growing impact of food poverty in rural communities. is why our NFU Mutual Charitable Trust – which exists to promote and support charities working in agriculture, rural development and insurance – is proud to support FareShare’s fight against food poverty. Since 2021, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has donated a total of £250,000 to the charity.

But the Surplus with Purpose scheme avoids thousands of tonnes of surplus fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and dairy products being wasted. Even cupboard items, and chilled and frozen foods, find a new home as part of the scheme.

• Health-related issues such as increased risk of disease, lameness and reduced fertility. There is also evidence to suggest that it affects the unborn calf and their subsequent

The four selected students for the 2024 Centenary Award are:

Heat stress occurs when cows retain more heat than they can release, affecting both indoor and outdoor herds.

This is why our NFU Mutual Charitable Trust – which exists to promote and support charities working in agriculture, rural development and insurance – is proud to support FareShare’s fight against food poverty. Since 2021, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has donated a total of £250,000 to the charity.

The cause is due to a rise in environmental temperatures and humidity and an increase in the cow’s heat production associated with increasing milk yields. To monitor heat stress levels, the industry uses the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) which indicates how severe the condition could be and suggests that action needs to be taken.

Furthermore, farmers tell us they’re not always aware of the extent of the financial losses they’re suffering from heat stress in cattle.

Key actions you can take

You can invest up to £20,000 this tax year in an ISA, building up a nest egg free of UK Income tax and Capital Gains tax. The same tax benefits are available with Junior ISAs, which you can use to build up a pot of money for a child – they’ll be able to access that when they’re 18 years old. The maximum Junior ISA contribution is £9,000 in the 2023/4 tax year. Putting money aside for children can also help reduce your potential Inheritance Tax bill.

Things you should know:

How farms are donating their Farms and rural businesses throughout the UK are also doing their bit to help. They can participate through FareShare’s Surplus with Purpose scheme, which helps businesses to cover the extra costs of redistributing their unsold food to people who need it most.

How farms are donating their surplus for good Farms and rural businesses throughout the UK are also doing their bit to help. They can participate through FareShare’s Surplus with Purpose scheme, which helps businesses to cover the extra costs of redistributing their unsold food to people who need it most.

How farms are donating their surplus for good Farms and rural businesses throughout the are also doing their bit to help. They can participate through FareShare’s Surplus with Purpose scheme, which helps businesses to cover the extra costs of redistributing their unsold food to people who need it most.

Jemima Brown From Derbyshire: MSc International Agri- Business and Food Chain Management, Harper Adams University

In recent years industry studies have highlighted the condition and the impact it can have on farm businesses. It’s generally acknowledged that heat stress can result in:

Once you reach 55 (57 from 2028), you can take money from your pension as you wish. The first 25% will normally be tax-free, any amount over and above is added to your other income and taxed. So withdrawing lump sums from your pension could push you into a higher Income Tax bracket. Spreading withdrawals over a number of tax years could help reduce the impact of any tax liabilities. There’s also a limit on the annual pension contributions you and your employer can make if you’ve already taken a taxable withdrawal from your pension. This could mean you miss out on valuable employer pension contributions in addition to your own.

Don’t forget Inheritance Tax planning

Our latest research has found that just over four in ten (41%) say that heat stress is a priority risk for their business while 70% are yet to take further steps to

Co-owner Jane Richards, along with her 400-plus pickers, works with FareShare to ensure any excess vegetables never go to waste. Since 2019, they have donated 396 tonnes of excess produce to the charity.

One grower making the most of the opportunity presented by the scheme is Southern England Farms, based in Hayle, West Cornwall. The business works over 6,500 acres and is a key supplier to several major UK retailers, including a number of supermarkets, of Cornish-grown courgettes, cauliflower, broccoli, spring greens, sweetheart and savoy cabbage. Co-owner Jane Richards, along with her 400-plus pickers, works with FareShare to ensure any excess vegetables never go to waste. Since 2019, they have donated 396 tonnes of excess produce to the charity.

Esther Rowntree From Cumbria: MPhil Crop Sciences, University of Cambridge

Should you suspect heat stress with your dairy cattle this summer, Dr Tom Chamberlain** highlights some of the key actions that you can undertake to reduce heat stress whilst cows are grazing:

She adds: “The scheme with FareShare is a brilliant way of ensuring excess produce is redistributed to those who really need it. It is so very rewarding when we find out how many meals our surplus veg has gone on to make. It is great that NFU Mutual has embraced the scheme so wholeheartedly and supports their customers who wish to participate in ‘Surplus with Purpose’ too.”

“The scheme with FareShare is a brilliant way of ensuring excess produce is redistributed to those who really need it. It is so very rewarding when we find out how many meals our surplus veg has gone on to make. It is great that NFU Mutual has embraced the scheme so wholeheartedly and supports their customers who wish to participate in ‘Surplus with Purpose’ too.”

Those selling or gifting shares, or property other than their main home, will see the amount of tax-free gain they can enjoy fall from £6,000 to £3,000 from April 2024.

• When buffer feeding adding suitable feed additives to maintain rumen health and ensure peak nutrition. Implementing ‘Siesta’ Management where appropriate – this technique involves cows grazing directly after milking and then being ‘housed’ at around 10am, with buffer feed available to them. Cows are then sent back out to graze after afternoon milking to graze until dusk. Adjusting milking times to coincide with the cooler periods of the day. Installing shade and fans in holding yards.

The tax benefits of pensions and ISAs depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. The value of your pension and investment funds can go down and you may get back less than you invested.

We at NFU Mutual applaud Jane and all the team at Southern England Farms for their outstanding efforts in supporting the work FareShare does to alleviate food poverty in our communities.

Implementing a tree planting programme at the boundaries of grazing paddocks to provide suitable levels of shade within the grazing environment.

We’re proud to support FareShare –and we pr businesses who participate in the Surplus with Purpose scheme.

We’re proud to support FareShare –and we pr businesses who participat Surplus with Purpose scheme.

Jane says: “No farmer ever wants to see their produce go to waste. But sometimes circumstances mean there is a surplus that will often go into the waste trailer or simply become compost.”

It’s wise to take a long-term view on inheritance planning, so that your heirs don’t pay more tax than they need to. One way of doing this is to make gifts to your loved ones, taking advantage of the annual £3,000 gift allowance, or the ‘gifts out of normal expenditure’ exemption. Larger gifts can also be exempt from Inheritance Tax as long as you live more than seven years from

Alexander Cumming From Suff olk: MPhil Crop Sciences, University of Cambridge

Eleanor Cameron From Wiltshire: MSc Food Security, University of Warwick

For more information about FareShare’s Surplus with Purpose scheme, and how you can participate, visit www. fareshare.org

To find out more visit nfumutual.co.uk/ heatstress or contact your local agency office.

agency office or visit nfumutual.co.uk/tax-allowances NFU Mutual Financial Advisers advise on NFU Mutual products and selected products from specialist providers. When you get in touch, they’ll explain the advice service and charges.

Jane

ROUND UP Political Westminster meetings

NFU Scotland held a positive meeting with the UK Government Minister for Food Security and Rural Aff airs Daniel Zeichner MP in February in London. At the meeting, President Andrew Connon, Vice-President Duncan Macalister, Jonnie Hall Deputy CEO and Director of Policy and Beatrice Morrice Political Aff airs Manager discussed inheritance tax, fairness in the supply chain, labelling, seasonal workers and Bovine EID. We also met with Richard Baker Scottish Labour MP, Seamus Logan, SNP MP, Harriet Cross, Scottish Conservative MP, and Wendy Chamberlain and Angus MacDonald Scottish Liberal Democrat MPs at Westminster.

Beatrice Morrice Political A airs Manager

Al Walker Political A airs Assistant

New Committee member

NFU Scotland met with Evelyn Tweed MSP the new SNP member of the Rural Aff airs and Islands Committee at the Scottish Parliament. We discussed key issues facing the sector including future agricultural policy, the Scottish Budget and the importance of farmers and crofters to high-quality food production, helping to tackle climate change and nature restoration, and supporting rural communities.

Scottish Labour Party Conference

Vice-President Duncan Macalister, Jonnie Hall Director of Policy and Beatrice Morrice, Political Aff airs Manager, attended the Scottish Labour Party Conference in Glasgow on 21 February. We met with several MPs and MSPs and attended relevant events. We also had a tractor and trailer outside the venue underlinining our concerns with the inheritance tax changes.

Rural Crime and Equipment Theft Debate

This month a member’s debate on Rural Crime and Equipment theft, took place in Scottish Parliament. We provided a briefi ng to MSPs ahead of this debate conveying the fi nancial and mental impact rural crime has on

our members. MSPs across multiple political party’s took part in this debate, including Rachael Hamilton MSP who opened the debate, as they highlighted the signifi cant rise in rural crime since 2023.

USA Embassy

In the same week the Prime Minister was meeting President Trump in USA, NFU Scotland was invited to visit the USA Embassy in London to meet with the Agricultural Attache Alexandra Baych and Agricultural Specialist Logan Clow to discuss USA agricultural policy and trade under the new Trump Presidency.

Inheritance tax changes

Ahuge amount of work has been undertaken with politicians on the impact of inheritance tax changes for farmers. Both at a national and local level, we have been calling on the Treasury to consider an alternative taxation approach that would still generate the required tax revenue without hammering family farm businesses, food security and rural communities.

We provided a briefing to MPs in advance of a recent debate at Westminster on the issue and President Andrew Connon and CEO John Davidson attended a drop-in event that day meeting MPs and other farming union representatives from across the UK.

We were disappointed at the unwillingness from the Treasury to consider a possible alternative at a meeting that NFU Scotland and other UK farming unions had with them, and we continue to call on all Scottish MPs to encourage the UK Government to consider an alternative and underline the need for effective discussions with our sector.

NFU Scotland has set out an alternative proposal to Scottish MPs, the Scotland Office and the DEFRA Minister that would deliver the required funds to Treasury AND protect family farms going forward and we continue to work with the other farming unions on the issue.

We are highlighting to MPs that if the UK Government does not change its proposals: growth and employment in the agricultural sector will drop; Scotland’s wider rural economy will stall; the contribution of farmers and crofters to the nation’s food security will be placed in jeopardy; and the negative impact this is having on farmers’ health and well-being will continue and we are working hard to deliver for our members.

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

NFU Scotland continues to underline our concerns in relation to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. We provided a briefing to Scottish Labour and continue to engage with the Scottish Government Bill team and other officials and politicians. The Stage 1 debate on the Bill is expected at the end of March and we are seeking a date for the Convener of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, Edward Mountain MSP to speak to our Legal and Technical Committee on his Committee’s report that will be published in advance of the parliamentary debate.

Policy & PRACTICE

Sarah Cowie Senior Policy Manager

Agri-environment climate scheme re-opens for 2025

As the First Minister, John Swinney MSP, trailed in his speech at our AGM in February, the 2025 round of the agri-environment climate scheme (AECS) is now open for applications. The application window for standalone water efficiency irrigation lagoons closes on 22 April 2025. Funding for irrigation lagoons is something we have repeatedly called for due to the water scarcity issues farmers and crofters faced in the summers of 2022 and 2023. With our changing climate highly likely to bring further uncertainty and volatility

Lucy McGillivray Policy Advisor

Seasonal Workers Scheme discussed with Ministers

In early February, we met with UK Government Home Office Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP and Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill MP at Barra Castle Farm, Oldmeldrum to discuss possible refinements to the Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS).

A huge thanks to David Stephen at Barra for hosting and to Lucy Grewar (Perthshire farmer) for attending.

The meeting was an opportunity for us to highlight the critical role that

in weather patterns, we urge members to invest in this infrastructure to be as resilient as possible in future years. Applications are also open for organic conversion and maintenance (closing date 31 July 2025) and agri-environment (closing date 12 June 2025). There are some exclusions to the agri-environment options, including heather restoration and chemical treatment of bracken. This is because the manufacturers of Asulam are no longer funding the emergency authorisation process which permits the chemical to be used in the UK. Mechanical and manual control remains available.

Other changes for this year include pond creation and restoration and creation of hedgerows are no longer restricted in the 2025 application round. However, the Improving Public Access option remains suspended.

As ever, we urge interested applicants to look at the AECS pages on the Rural Payments Services website, where full details of this year’s round are available. Updated webpages will have a date of December 2024 or later.

If you have any questions about the scheme, we encourage you to get in touch with your relevant RPID office or NatureScot.

skilled seasonal workers play in the soft fruit, vegetable and potato sectors, which require labour from outside the UK during peak times. The current uncertainty in accessing labour has led to crop losses, reduced production and supply chain disruptions aff ecting both domestic and export markets. Reliable access to labour is essential for maintain investment confi dence and sustaining production levels.

We presented three primary requests for refining the SWS:

1) Reduce the burden of the 32-hour week minimum, and have room for flexibility to allow for peaks and troughs throughout the season to be dealt with during challenging weather conditions, which would mean that businesses are not negatively impacted should one week result in less work being available.

2) Halt further increases in the cost of the SWS, as significant recent rises have impacted viability. Farmers cannot pass these costs further up the supply chain.

3) Extend the maximum six-month period within a calendar year to nine months, or introduce a six-month period within a calendar year, to accommodate the unpredictable nature of farming and labour needs dictated by weather. For agriculture, the restriction of the requirement for six months to pass from when an employee leaves the country is prohibitive due to the nature of farming. The industry cannot work to specific dates and calendars as labour needs are often dictated by weather.

Following the productive meeting, we have written to the Ministers with our asks and we look forward to working with both the Home Office and Scotland Office on this crucial issue.

Lisa Hislop Livestock Policy Manager

Lamb Colostrum Quality

Research funded by Livestock Health Scotland and the Monitor Farm Programme and carried out by Dumfriesshire-based vet and researcher Ali Heggarty has just published the results of on-farm research highlighting the serious impact of failing to look after supplementary colostrum properly.

Ali has written a guest blog for members underlining the key messages around supplementary colostrum to avoid any unintended consequences. Some of the key discussion points include storing colostrum correctly, and ensuring equipment is properly cleaned. Ali’s full blog can be found on our member website.

Preparing for Sustainable Farming – funding continued

Scottish Government has committed to continue to support the wider Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) Scheme which off ers funding for Animal Health and Welfare (AH&W) Interventions, alongside carbon audits and soil sampling.

The latest figures show payments for the animal health and welfare interventions along have deliver £1million in 2024. The continuation for 2025 will

Intervention

1. Bull fertility

cover eligible interventions carried out between 1 January and 31 December 2025, these can be submitted in the claims’ portal until 28 February 2026.

As a reminder anyone who is registered with Scottish Government Rural Payments can claim, and for those claiming under the AH&W interventions must be registered livestock keepers with a BRN. Alongside your claim you must also submit an expert adviser form with your submission.

Summary of investigations

Bull pre-breeding examination to British Cattle Veterinary Association standard

You can submit one claim per year covering a maximum of two diff erent interventions, each intervention receives a standard £250. If this is your fi rst claim under AH&W interventions you will receive an additional £250, totalling up to £750 if claiming for the fi rst time or £500 if you submitted a claim previously. The available interventions are show in the table, however for more detail please see the full guidance on the rural payments website.

Vet treatment followed by re-testing and/or culling as needed

5. Sheep scab

6. Sheep iceberg diseases

7. Sheep lameness

8. Sheep: liver ﬂ uke

9. Sheep roundworms

Gastrointestinal parasite (roundworm) investigation: Faecal Egg Count and wormer effi cacy testing

Screen 12 animals per management group (or all animals in group less than 12) to determine sheep scab status of whole fl ock.

Targeted disease investigation (options: Maedi Visna, Johnes, Border Disease, Contagious Lymphadenitis, lung scanning for OPA). Screen cull ewes.

Flock lameness assessment by vet: identify conditions and their prevalence within the fl ock

Liver fl uke investigation

Gastrointestinal parasite (worm) investigation (Faecal Egg Count and wormer effi cacy testing)

Implement sustainable prevention and control plan, including biosecurity measures where relevant, using appropriate expert advice

2. Calf respiratory disease

Calf respiratory investigation +/- virus screen

3. Cattle: liver ﬂ uke

Liver fl uke investigation

Cattle: roundworms

Policy

&

PRACTICE

Penny Middleton Policy Manager

Lambing & Calving

As lambing and calving move into full swing, remember there are a few diseases out there with overlapping symptoms impacting fertility, foetal and neonatal survival. It is therefore important to investigate losses to understand the correct cause of losses impacting your herd or flock, rather than making assumptions.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a notifiable disease that can cause lesions in the mouth and feet, symptoms that bear similarities to the symptoms of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). This similarity

is the reason it is notifiable and why accurate diagnosis is essential. BTV can also cause fertility issues, abortions and foetal abnormalities that could be mistaken for Schmallenberg virus (SBV). SBV is not a notifiable disease, it causes mostly mild symptoms, fever, milk drop and lethargy for a few days before recovery. However, if cattle or sheep are exposed during early pregnancy calves, and lambs may be born small, weak, deformed or blind, and usually die within a few days of birth. Malformations seen include bent limbs and fi xed joints, brain deformities and damage to the spinal cord. BTV can also cause abortion and

Changes to the Scottish Agricultural Wages Order 2025

Rhianna Montgomery Policy Manager

From 1 April 2025, changes made to the Scottish Agricultural Wages Order (SAWO) will come into effect.

In November, the employer representatives (NFU Scotland & Scottish Land and Estates) attended the negotiation meeting and made the case for no significant changes to be made to the Order. This decision was made based on legislative changes, policy choices and budget decisions which would have a significant impact on employers. We accepted that there would be a percentage increase in line with increases made on the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

For the last three years, Unite the Union representing employees, has made the case for the Agricultural Minimum Wage to align with the Real Living Wage,

putting the rate up to £12.60 for workers of all ages.

As a result, our negotiating position was clear – i.e. we would not concede anything over and above the increase in the NMW, which is now set at £12.21 per hour but also sets the baseline for differentiated/increased wages for those with additional skills, experience, responsibilities, etc. We also supported the accommodation off set rates being set by the Low Pay Commission.

We can now confirm that the Board agreed with the representations made by the employers’ side, resulting in a 6.7% increase across the board. This means the rates for agricultural workers from 1 April 2025 will be as follows:

• Minimum Wage: £12.21 for all ages of workers

• Overtime: £18.32 (time and a half)

• Apprentice rate: £7.65

• Dog Allowance: £9.98

• Accommodation Oﬀ set: £10.66

For more detailed information, please find our Business Guide Update now available on our website.

delivery of small, weak and deformed calves and lambs, malformations mostly include the head and brain.

Knowing the correct cause of poor fertility, abortions, neonatal mortality and ill thrift may not always help at the time but it is critical to understanding the fuller picture of what happened. Knowing what happened can help keepers understand the susceptibility of the herd or flock to infection in the following breeding season. It is also critically important for nationwide surveillance, understanding where disease has been, where it might spread and the impacts it is having on flocks and herds.

Finally, awareness of diseases like BTV and SBV going into lambing or calving can help preparedness. Knowing you may experience more difficult births, may need more veterinary intervention and lambs and calves may need greater assistance following birth to get going is all useful to help planning for these eventualities.

For more information on the impacts of SBV on lambing see the blog piece from Michael Goldie (posted on our website nfus.org.uk on 4 Feb 2025) on his experience earlier this year on realising his early lambing fl ock had been exposed to SBV.

Crofting ministerial meeting

Recently, Chair of the Crofting Highlands and Islands Committee (CHIC) Archie Macnab, Rhianna Montgomery and Beatrice Morris met with Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP alongside the Scottish Crofting Federation and Crofting Commission to discuss the proposals within the Crofting Bill Consultation.

The consultation highlighted some areas where there may be extra work required to gain consensus from stakeholders. These areas are;

• Joint Tenancies

• Assignations

• Standard Securities

The CHIC committee discussed these proposals in great detail and are broadly supportive. However, concerns about the unintended consequences were made very clear.

The Minister gave assurance that the plan was very much to continue with the timeline set out for publishing a Bill.

You can view our full consultation submission on our website.

& PRACTICE Policy

Jonnie Hall Director of Policy

Reflecting for a moment…

With another AGM by, I often refl ect on the year past before getting stuck into the year ahead. But I rarely, if ever, say anything about it.

From my perspective, many of the policy goals we prioritised throughout last year resulted in the outcomes we were seeking. Other policy issues remain work in progress. And some issues remain extremely challenging and there will be new challenges to come.

Engaging with two governments on devolved and reserved matters, as well as building vital relationships with key stakeholders in both policy and supply chain contexts, is demanding and can be deeply disappointing.

But we should also refl ect on the successes we achieved in the past year, before focusing on the challenges we will face in the year ahead.

For me, the passing of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 Act in June was a watershed. Albeit dull and drab, this primary legislation created the powers needed to support and enable farmers and crofters to play their unique role in high quality food production, climate mitigation and adaptation,

nature restoration, and sustaining rural communities.

The Act reflects so much of what we’ve pressed for over the last few years. The Act has the flexibility and scope to deliver for farmers and crofters across Scotland

incentivised to enable change to improve the resilience, effi ciency and profi tability of the agriculture sector. Only then will the outcomes we all want be delivered.

However, current and future support

many of the policy goals we prioritised throughout last year resulted in the outcomes we were seeking. Other policy issues remain work in progress. And some issues remain extremely challenging and there will be new challenges to come.

– and our grubby fingerprints are all over it. In a post-Brexit and post-CAP era, this framework Act allows Scotland to develop its own approach to future policy and support – something we now need to get on with and getting the next bits right will be critical.

My unequivocal view is that farmers and crofters must be recognised and rewarded for actions they take, and

measures matter little, and will not achieve their objectives, unless there is the funding to back them up – there’s little point in designing the best machine for the job if you cannot aff ord to put fuel in the tank.

The clear commitment we secured in the Scottish Government’s Budget in December was that “We will support Scottish farmers, crofters, land

& PRACTICE Policy

managers and rural communities by providing over £660 million in support, including maintaining our direct payments to the sector and investing in transforming support for farming and food production in Scotland. We will provide a new £20 million transformation scheme to support this work”. The latter refers to the fi rst tranche of the returned uncommitted £46 million which we secured.

been no mean feat in today’s context of serious pressure on public fi nances –and competing political priorities.

While we did not get all we wanted from the Scottish Budget, we got close to it. We secured the core funding for direct support, which must never be taken for granted given it remains so critical to the viability of farming and crofting.

And let’s not forget the commitment we got from the then First Minister,

We got this commitment over the line at our AGM in February 2025 - an outcome that is nothing short of outright success and for which we campaigned for long and hard.

Around £680 million has been allocated to farming and crofting for 2025/26 and that funding through crucial schemes has been protected and rolled over. Securing £424 million for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening and almost £50 million for the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Schemes (SSBSS) and the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS), as well as continuation of the £65.5 million Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) budget has

Humza Yousaf MSP, at our AGM in February 2024. That commitment was that at least 70 per cent of funding would be delivered as direct support. That was a signifi cant win at the time. But we did not stop there.

Throughout last year we constantly pressed the Scottish Government to go further by explicitly asking for at least 70 per cent of that direct support to then be allocated to the new Tier 1 of the future support framework from 2026 onwards, as the replacement for BPS,

with the remaining 30 per cent to go into Tier 2 under an enhanced Greening package. We got this commitment over the line at our AGM in February 2025 - an outcome that is nothing short of outright success and for which we campaigned for long and hard.

In addition to confi rming the direct support budget split we’d been relentlessly pursuing, at our AGM, the current First Minister John Swinney MSP also confi rmed the return of the outstanding £46 million via accessible and fl exible capital grants over the following two fi nancial years.

The First Minister also set out several other clear policy successes following our direct policy approach and political engagement. These included a threeyear LiDAR project to accurately map carbon, habitats and water quality across Scotland and the mandating of Bovine EID using ultra-high frequency by the end of 2026. Both outcomes only came about because of our insight, actions and perseverance.

We do not always get what we want, and ‘success’ is often no more than securing the ‘least worst’ outcome. And it’s impossible to put metrics on the eff ort that goes in or the outcomes we get - quantifying what makes for policy success can be a futile exercise.

But, when it comes to achieving our policy goals, I do know what good looks like. Maybe we should refl ect on just how eff ective our Union is more often and celebrate it? But only for a moment… there’s always more to be done.

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NFU Scotland’s Intentions survey

In the early part of the year, many of our members completed an intentions survey. The survey, now in its third year, has continually kept us updated on member business changes and has formed a bank of evidence for use with our lobbying efforts. This year, the survey has been streamlined to make it more relevant to individual farming and crofting sectors.

With the ongoing Scottish Government’s Land Reform Bill, the 2025 Intentions survey was designed to capture additional data on farm and croft size which could be used to form evidence of potentially impacted farms in key discussions on proposed land management plans.

NFU Scotland Head of Policy Gemma Cooper explained the value of gathering such information at the time of launching the survey saying, “NFU Scotland wants to secure a profitable and sustainable future for all our members. A robust

and updated evidence base is vital in achieving this so policy makers are fully informed on current business developments or changes.

“We know that farmers and crofters are facing uncertainty following the UK and Scottish Budget announcements as well as Land Reform and the possible creation of a Galloway National Park.

“There are also key discussions around proposed land management plans so this data will help us show what type of farm businesses will be impacted and helps us prepare for the year ahead.

“While our fantastic network of local branches, regions and national committees is a great route for information flow, direct data from the survey is invaluable. It tells us how things are on the ground for our members, which in turn, allows us to inform policymakers on what farmers and crofters need in policy and support.”

A huge thank you to all who took part

in the survey and congratulations to Louise Nicoll who completed the survey and was the lucky winner of a prize hamper of premium Scottish food and drink. Louise is pictured here receiving the hamper from East Central Regional Chair, Rab Bell.

With the survey completed, here are some headlines of what you said and what is happening.

Climate, Land & Business

Overall, 81% of 372 respondents do feel prepared to carry out a whole farm plan (WFP). This is a substantial increase from last year where only 55% of businesses had carried out a whole farm review in the past five years, with 30% having never carried out a business review. Of 375 respondents, 85% had undertaken soil sampling, 82% had undertaken an Animal Health and Welfare (AHW) plan and 67% have said they carried out a carbon audit. Less high completions rates are the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan and the biodiversity audit which 38 and 31%, respectively.

The Scottish Government has extended the Preparing for Sustainable Farming scheme until the end of February 2026. This means farmers and crofters will be able to continue to access payments to carry out soil analysis, carbon audits, and animal health and welfare interventions for an extra year. This will enable more of our members to be prepared for the WFP requirements that came into force this year.

Land reform policy was ranked as the biggest barrier to letting land, followed by future support, other land uses and tax incentives. The survey also found that vacant crofts are a concern.

We will continue to work with our members and Scottish Government officials to help to shape the Land Reform Bill and related policy into something that works for our members. We will continue to work towards a healthy and vibrant tenanted sector for our tenants and landlords by participating in the Tenant Farming Advisory Forum.

We are engaging with the Crofting Law Reform Bill team and Scottish Government to ensure the bill delivers for our crofting members, as well as addressing the issue of vacant crofts and increasing the opportunities for the next generation into crofting.

Livestock

Speaking generally, the livestock sector is more optimistic than previous years, (~+12% for beef, and ~+22% for sheep). Compared to last year, those looking to increase had significantly increased (15%) in suckler herds, while those decreasing production was -1%, and -2% on those looking to stop suckler production. For finishers, there was a slight drop in those looking to increase (-1%) and a drop in those looking to decrease (-6%) seeing an increase in those looking to maintain.

We continue to engage with stakeholders across the whole supply chain to ensure this positivity and momentum can be maintained long-term. This includes discussions on how we can harness this increase in confidence encourage growth in livestock numbers to ultimately underpin critical mass, while calling on Scottish Government to clearly demonstrate their support, commitment and recognition of the role of Scotland’s livestock sector in delivering high quality food, and delivery of public goods.

Our members want to increase production of Scotch Lamb, therefore we continue to engage with stakeholders in the processing sector to highlight the potential opportunities. We are supportive of the Small Producers Pilot including the private kill coordinator project.

Horticulture

Our horticulture members felt that their main issues were supply chain related beyond the farm gate. This included unfair share of risks and rewards, concern around supermarket power and low returns for produce.

We will use this information to work with Defra on the policy work that is underpinning the fair dealings regulations and current EFRA committee enquiry and in our discussions with retailers.

Pigs

There is desire to expand finishing herd businesses, however barriers are planning and Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), lack of grant funding and processing limits. Our pig members also feel there are issues around the demand for pigmeat.

There’s a positive message in that businesses want to expand however we need to communicate the barriers to lobby for grant funding and investment in processing capacity. We also plan to do some work with the whole supply chain to give pork a refresh.

Poultry

Half of respondents plan to expand their business. However, over regulation, lack of funding to the sector and staff availability are barriers. The poultry sector wants to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, however there is a need for access to funding for these improvements to be made.

Again, the intent to expand and the optimism in the sector is positive however we will ensure the barriers to this are communicated in our lobbying. We will lobby for funding and investment in processing capacity to ensure the poultry sector can innovate and grow.

Dairy producers who took part in the survey are looking to maintain or increase production, but this will be driven mostly by milk price, followed by access to labour and access to grant funding. Dairy farmers are keen to invest capital in their businesses, specifically in renewables and silage pits.

This again demonstrates the need for increased processing capacity and investment in the dairy sector which we will continue to lobby for. We will also work to ensure there is better access to labour for the dairy sector and explore visa routes.

From Satellites to Soil

The Role of Space Technology in the Future of Scottish Agriculture

Cross-sector collaboration is unlocking the potential of satellite data in sustainable farming.

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Farmers in Scotland and East Anglia have teamed up with space experts to see how satellite technology can better support agriculture. A recent series of workshops, Unlocking Space Derived Data for Agricultural Opportunities, beginning in October 2024 and culminating January 2025, brought together farmers, academics and space technology experts to talk about how data from satellites can improve crop yields, better manage land and make farming operations more sustainable.

Why should farmers care about Space Technology?

Global satellite technology is already supporting farmers worldwide by providing up-to-date data on soil health, water levels and crop conditions. This data allows farmers to make smarter decisions, reduce their waste and improve productivity. With food security, climate change and sustainability increasingly becoming a concern, the ability to monitor farmland from space can give farmers a much-needed edge.

Space-based data is already helping farmers by providing critical insights into their land and livestock. Satellite technology allows for precise soil monitoring, tracking factors like compaction, moisture levels and nutrient content to optimise crop growth. Weather forecasting using satellite data helps predict droughts, fl oods, ground displacement and frost risks, giving farmers time to prepare. Crop health can be assessed through thermal imaging, detecting stress and disease before they become visible. Land management benefi ts from space data by aiding in crop rotation planning, ensuring sustainable soil use. Additionally, livestock monitoring is enhanced through GPS tracking and remote sensing, allowing farmers to oversee grazing patterns and herd health more effi ciently. By integrating these tools, farmers can make data-driven decisions that improve productivity and resilience.

Satellites can also provide historical data to help farmers plan ahead for climate changes and trends. By looking back to weather patterns and soil conditions, farmers are able to make informed decisions about future crop selection and irrigation strategies.

Scotland and East Anglia are leading the way

Scotland’s agricultural sector generates £16 billion a year. East Anglia (specifi cally Norfolk and Suff olk) acts as a key hub for crop, livestock and poultry production, while the south of Scotland has a signifi cant contribution to milk and beef production. Representatives from both regions gathered in a series of workshops to determine how space data can bolster their farming industries.

The workshops, titled “Unlocking SpaceDerived data for Agricultural Opportunities,” were organised by Space Scotland, South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), Space East, Scottish Enterprise and AstroAgency. They aimed to foster collaboration between farmers and the space industry to develop practical solutions for farming challenges. South of Scotland Enterprise selected fi ve farmers with strong ties to the

Stephania Turyk AstroAgency

region and the agricultural community. Space East received applications from across East Anglia, bringing together a diverse group of researchers, farmers and agricultural experts. Meanwhile, Space Scotland, in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise, extended invitations to Scottish space companies. Participants were selected based on expertise in the agricultural sector or who held a keen interest in exploring how their capabilities could be adapted to support agriculture.

The workshops were organised in an attempt to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative products and services with the potential to address current challenges and opportunities in sustainable farming efforts. The in-person workshops also aimed to inspire future commercial projects with the potential to drive innovation and investment and create economic resilience. These workshops highlighted how Scotland is becoming a leader in space innovation. With a

rapidly growing market, the Scottish space sector is well positioned to support industries like agriculture by providing advanced satellite data solutions.

Key takeaways for farmers

Held over four months in Norwich, Edinburgh and Dumfries, the workshops attracted a mix of farmers and space technology experts. Discussions focused on practical ways satellite data can support agriculture. Notable highlights from the workshops include insight into farmers wanting more control over their space data with access to the information that can help them make informed decisions. Soil health tracking is a top priority as a need for reliable data on nitrogen levels, water content and soil structure to improve yields. Understanding weather patterns and market conditions to support decision-making, such as when to plant or harvest can improve risk management and satellite data can provide the insights necessary to mitigate the risk. Additionally, farmers discovered that livestock health can benefit from satellite tracking of herd movements, identify stress indicators and detect early warning of disease. A critical challenge discussed was data sharing. If satellite data is made more accessible and affordable for farmers, it could help distribute costs and ensure better decision making. Many farmers at the workshops expressed interest in cooperative data-sharing models to make space technology more cost-effective.

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Rupert Shaw, who took part in the workshops, said; “I was very pleased to be one of three South Scotland farmers given the opportunity to take part in these SOSE funded space workshops.

“I think like many farmers I assumed that space data would only be used by Government departments to police our compliance requirements. Completing the workshops has enabled us to identify further opportunities to use data to benefi t us as producers.

“I am always looking for opportunities to cooperate with likeminded individuals and businesses, and the three workshops have provided great contacts in Scotland’s rapidly developing space sector.

“I’ve come away from the experience with a real confi dence that there are genuine opportunities for Scottish Agriculture as a whole to benefi t from the amazing technological developments in real time data.”

Key takeaways for Space Experts

The workshops provided valuable insights for the space industry on how satellite technology can better serve the agricultural sector. One of the most signifi cant takeaways was the need for greater accessibility and aff ordability of satellite data. Farmers emphasised that space insights can be benefi cial, but solutions are needed that are cost eff ective and easy to integrate into their existing workfl ows.

Collaboration was an overwhelming theme throughout the workshops as many farmers are unaware of the available satellite capabilities and the space sector can now take a more proactive role in educating and engaging with the farming community.

“These workshops have been an invaluable opportunity to bridge the gap between the space and agriculture sectors. By working directly with farmers, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of their challenges and needs, allowing us to develop practical, space-driven solutions that can enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience in farming” said Christina MacLeod, Space Scotland. “This collaboration is just the beginning and we’re excited to see how space technology can continue to support agriculture in Scotland.”

The demand for customised solutions is essential, as diff erent farming types and regions have unique needs and tailored applications can make a bigger impact. Data sharing partnerships can help address concerns over data ownership and costs. Cooperative models could provide farmers with aff ordable satellite data, boosting adoption of space technology in agriculture.

Existing applications for farmers

Satellite data is already making a diff erence in agriculture. In Scotland, the Farm Balance Project uses satellite technology to monitor climate, soil health and water availability. Satellites can also estimate crop yields weeks before harvest, allowing farmers to plan ahead and negotiate prices. Long-term weather monitoring with satellite data

Christina MacLeod

helps farmers prepare for droughts or floods, reducing risks to crops and livestock. Precision agriculture is also another major benefit, where remote sensing helps farmers apply irrigation and fertilisers more efficiently, reducing waste and costs. Additionally, satellite data is valuable for sustainable land use, by assessing land degradation and guiding reforestation or regenerative farming practices to maintain soil health over time.

Beyond these examples, space technology can also aid in monitoring livestock. By using satellite data and GPS tracking especially in remote areas where physical monitoring is difficult, farmers can keep an eye on grazing patterns, detect anomalies in herd behaviour and even prevent livestock losses.

Getting farmers on board

The workshops led to several promising projects and partnerships. Farmers interested in using space technology can connect with organisations like South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and Space Scotland for support.

While satellites won’t replace traditional farming knowledge, they offer valuable insights that can help make farming more productive and resilient for the future. For those looking to learn more, joining Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) or Space Scotland (free to join) can be a great way to stay informed and get involved in future projects.

The bottom line

Space technology is not just for astronauts, it’s a practical tool that can help farmers navigate modern challenges. From tracking soil health to predicting weather patterns, satellite data is becoming an essential resource for future focused farming. If you’re curious about how space can support your farm, now is the time to get involved.

Funded by Scottish Enterprise, the UK Space Agency, and sponsor, Burges Salmon, Space Scotland is an industry-led body bringing together industry, academia and government to develop and champion the space sector, while delivering on Scottish and wider UK space strategies.

The Scottish Space Sector involves 228 organisations employing over 8000 people in Scotland accounting for eight percent of the total UK space workforce.

In the 2021-2022 financial year, the Scottish space sector netted £298 million in income feeding into the £18.9 billion UK space market. This positions Scotland as a key player in the growing global space market currently projected to grow from £270 billion to £490 billion by 2030.

By integrating space technology with traditional farming practices, farmers can build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural industry. With continued collaboration between agricultural and space sectors, the future of farming could be driven by data, innovation and smarter decision making.

If you are looking to be involved in future cross-sector and pan-regional collaborations, speak with your local enterprise agency such as the South of Scotland Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise or Scottish Enterprise who are connected into space. Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) also has a strong community of space and agricultural experts. You can also join Space Scotland (for free) through our website to learn more about getting involved on the space side.

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Conference round up

In last month’s issue of Scottish Farming Leader we reported on activity and announcements from our national Conference in Glasgow. This month we present a visual round up of some more of the conference activity. You may spot some familiar faces in the images.

part 2

Cheque presentations:

Generous diners at the annual dinner raised almost £5250 for RSABI and RHET. Newly elected President Andrew Connon presented cheques to Carole McLaren (RSABI) and Katrina Barclay (RHET) for the sum of £2623.50.

Thank you - speakers, sponsors and suppliers.

Everyone at NFU Scotland would like to say a very big thank you to all our speakers, sponsors and suppliers for supporting the 2025 NFU Scotland Conference, AGM and Annual Dinner at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow. Your contributions to the two days are hugely appreciated by all and ensured it was a great success.

Regional ACTIVITY

AYRSHIRE

REGIONAL MANAGER

Holly Fitsimmons

07775 838 926

holly.ﬁtzsimmons @nfus.org.uk

Irvine is known for its car cruise events, but I think Saturday 1 February was a fi rst its seen a tractor cruise! This was a day for rural Ayrshire to put itself on the map and unite against the Family Farm Tax proposals. A big thank you to Bryson Tractors Ltd Dundonald depot for their support and help with the rally and to everyone who took the time to get involved, from farmers to agri businesses. SNP MSP Elena Whitham, Conservative MSP Sharon Dowey and South Ayrshire Councilor Bob Pollock all attended in support to chat to farmers at Irvine beach park. You all managed to raise £170 for the local Trussel Trust foodbank.

Irvine Tractor Cruise Ayr Show

Areminder that we really look forward to welcoming you all to our stand at Ayr Show on Saturday 10 May. Fingers crossed we will need sunhats and shades!

REGIONAL MANAGER

Sheena Foster

07789 796 582

sheena.foster @nfus.org.uk

Preparing for the year ahead

The first Regional Board meeting of the year has taken place, and we were delighted to welcome recently appointed VicePresident, Duncan MacAlister, to Forth and Clyde.

There were great discussions, valuable insights and plenty of planning as we started to set priorities for the year ahead with membership recruitment a key focus.

Flame award makes its way to Forth & Clyde

Iam delighted to congratulate Nigel Power, one of our dedicated Forth and Clyde Group Secretaries, on being named the recipient of the 2024 Membership Flame Award at the recent NFU Scotland annual conference and AGM in Glasgow.

The Membership Flame Award recognises exceptional commitment to member recruitment, engagement, and retention. Nigel and his Lanark offi ce team, based at Lanark Market, have worked tirelessly to support the interests of the Clydesdale Branch, surpassing their 2024 subscription income target and excelling in all competition criteria. Their eff orts stood out among agencies across the country, securing this well-deserved recognition.

LOTHIAN AND BORDERS

AGM Glasgow

REGIONAL MANAGER

Lindsay Brown

07780 441 750

lindsay.brown@nfus.org.uk

East Lothian Agritourism

Paul McLennan MSP and Jo McNicol jointly hosted an East Lothian Agri-Tourism showcase event. Bringing together many of the local rural businesses who have already diversified into tourism and those considering it as an additional income source. Speakers shared how they have successfully developed businesses and shared some good practices which worked for them. It was helpful to have the Council representatives there to highlight the services which they offer. East Lothian is an Edinburgh day trippers’ paradise. I was there to remind everyone that the beautiful countryside everyone flocks into is created by the hardworking farmers who first and foremost produce food, enhance biodiversity and protect the environment. That should be profitable and sustainable and if farmers have the opportunity and inclination to diversify then red tape should not hinder that entrepreneurship.

Hawick & Jed Branch Meeting

In the Auld Cross Keys in Denholm members came together to vote for Annie Shanks as Branch Chair. There was some discussion on meeting ideas for the year ahead and a chance for members to catch up.

East Lothian Members’ Day

The branch held an afternoon social event at Haddington Rugby Club. With soup and a pie on offer there was a good turnout of members who enjoyed a very enjoyable afternoon, and the home team was victorious.

There was an excellent turnout of L&B members at the conference in Glasgow and we were able to fill three tables for the dinner in the evening. We were delighted with the result of the election on the Friday morning with Robert Neill being successful in the Vice-President vote along with Duncan Macalister and Andrew Connon getting the Presidential position. Commiserations to both Alasdair Macnab and Mike Davis who were not successful in their bids this time.

Tractor Rally

We had great turnout of tractors and pick ups with us to run around the Edinburgh City By-Pass, our journey did not go unnoticed, with support from the public at all the bridges we were trending on Edinburgh Twitter “Go see the tractors”. Thank you to everyone who took part and travelled to be part of it, the logistics worked smoothly. I think we got some decent media coverage which was all positive.

ARGYLL & ISLANDS

REGIONAL MANAGER

Lucy Sumsion

07787 434 104 lucy.sumsion@ nfus.org.uk

Kintyre Panel Evening

The Kintyre branch recently welcomed farmers and others involved in the agricultural sector in Kintyre to a panel evening. On the panel were Sybil MacPherson, newly elected Argyll & the Islands Regional Board Chair, Tracey Roan, Dairy Policy Manager and John Sleigh, Editor of The Scottish Farmer magazine.

Chaired by Branch Chair, John Smith, the panel answered wide ranging questions on the price of beef, milk contracts,

education and farm assurance. Key challenges going forward were discussed including the impact of the proposed changes to Inheritance Tax and succession, future agricultural support, access to labour and species management. The panel were asked what they thought the NFUS priorities should be in 2025, with answers included giving farmers and crofters a strong voice, engaging more closely with the membership and importantly increasing Union membership.

Farmstrong Blether Together

The first in a series of Blether Together was held in Haddington Rugby Club with Sally Williams and Neil Thomson chatting to Sarah Stephen about how they care for their mental wellbeing alongside their busy farming lives. Sharing stories and experiences on how they have looked after their farm’s greatest asset - themselves. It is ok to have a day off the farm and have interests outside farming. It was an excellent evening and there was plenty of time to have blether afterwards.

Islay farmers planning for successful farm succession

As a multi-generational business, Argyllshire Monitor Farmers and NFU Scotland members, the Archibald family of Craigens Farm on Islay are starting to plan out their steps to succession.

One of the family’s drivers for being a Monitor Farmer was to help share knowledge and experiences with fellow farmers and crofters on the Island. This was certainly realised when 35 people came along to hear from a panel of top agricultural advisers at the February meeting.

The speakers included Scottish Tenant Farmers’ Association Managing Director and farm advisor, Douglas Bell, who gave an update on the Land Reform Bill, UK and Scottish budgets and new agricultural policy. Given recent UK Government announcements on changes to Inheritance Tax and Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, everyone was keen to hear Robin Dandie CA, Johnstone Carmichael and David McIntosh of NFU Mutual talk through the proposed changes and options to minimise risk. The event gave attendees an excellent opportunity to speak with the advisors on the day.

Regional ACTIVITY

NORTH EAST

REGIONAL MANAGER

Lorna Paterson

07786 860 453

lorna.paterson@nfus.org.uk

Team help drive recruitment

There is recruitment fever in the regional, with the creation of a new Recruitment Focus Group hosting their fi rst meeting in late February. Chaired by Davie Smith, the group consists of Danny Skinner, Davie Delday, Andy Smith, Tom Johnston, Charlie Adam, Roddy Catto, Rosslyn Reid, Tommy Brodie and Alfi e Smith. They are working on a plan and are keen to encourage more farmers to join NFU Scotland.

Joint Branch Meeting

Alfie Smith from Laurencekirk Office recently arranged an extremely successful lunchtime, joint branch meeting for Stonehaven-Banchory and Laurencekirk Members. Guest speaker was Peter Moran, NFU Mutual’s Financial Advisor. Over 50 Members participated and enjoyed a highly informative analysis of the various scenarios regarding the huge challenges being faced by the Inheritance Tax proposals.

Tractor Rally

A big thank you to all who participated in the February Tractor Rally and special thanks to the Marshall family who hosted everyone so generously.

Lucky charm Lisa

Livestock & LFA Policy Manager, Lisa Hislop spent a long day and evening in the region, visiting Kevin Gilbert and then meeting up, with Alan Simpson, Danny Skinner and Andy Robertson to discuss various livestock-related

issues. Lisa is our lucky charm, as we also recruited Donview Vets that same day. Lisa then joined Banff shire Branch and added lots of knowledge and value to the evening discussions. Consensus is that Lisa will defi nitely be invited back up here... soon!

Spring Show

Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS) hosted the highly successful Spring Show at end of February, where we promoted personal free access to our IHT experts from Gillespie MacAndrew (Alan White), Johnston Carmichael (Graham Leith and Nicola Sergeant) and NFU Mutual (Peter Moran). Vice-President, Robert Neill joined us along with staff members: James Buchanan, Lucy

McGillivray and Tom Graham, as well as our Group Secretaries. Despite the depressing budget proposals, Members enjoyed the very sociable and informative event. Royal Northern Countryside Initiative hosted visits of almost 300 urban-based Aberdeen school pupils which will have been a massive education for them and their teachers. Congratulations to all RNAS staff, especially Secretary, Fiona Davidson and Chair Cameron MacIver.

REGIONAL MANAGER

Ian Wilson

07775 915 988 ian.wilson @nfus.org.uk

Region trip 2025 – sign up!

For our Regional trip this year we are planning on heading to Orkney Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 May final arrangements are only just in the making however we will have some very interesting visits and be shown tremendous hospitality as always when in the Isles. Anyone interested in coming along please get in touch with my self asap so that I can get accommodation secured ian.wilson@nfus.org.uk .

Regional Committee Reps

With virtually all your Regional Committee reps re-elected the only change comes in Combinable Crops where David Gill from Rosskeen, in Easter Ross, comes on to replace Mark

REGIONAL MANAGER

Maitland

07919 001 23 kate.maitland@nfus.org.uk

Union Donates to Trussell Trust

Many thanks to all those who generously donated to the Trussell Trust at the Union’s Hustings and Day of Action events. A fantastic amount of £380 was raised and will shortly be donated to the Trussell Trust. Trussell Trust are an anti-poverty charity and community of food banks. They work together to ensure no one in the UK needs a food bank to survive, while providing food and practical support to people left without enough money to live on.

MacCallum (who continues as Regional Chair) having served the maximum full fi ve-year term. Any comments on agendas for Combinable Crops meetings or general enquires in this area please get in touch with Dave or myself.

Thanks Alasdair

The Region would like to thank Alistair Macnab for the last two years when he served NFU Scotland nationally as Vice-President, our region’s fi rst VP since the late Stewart Whiteford in the 1990’s. Alistair put a lot of time and eff ort towards the betterment of your Union and farming and crofting in Scotland. Alasdair was unsuccessful in his bid to become President which means Highland Region’s wait to supply another National President carries on with it now heading for 50 years since Mike Burnett served in that role. Alasdair will remain involved in the Union through a role as a co-opted member of the Legal and Technical and the Environment and Land Use Committees.

I am sure you all like me wish the new President and two VicePresidents all the best in their roles. We look forward to welcoming them all to regional events and meeting soon.

Maximising the use of Wild Deer

It’s great to be able to write about a good news story or two. Members the Houstoun Family of Glenkilrie Larder and the Stewart Family at Knockbarry Farm and owners of social enterprise Fair Feast have recently been awarded grants through a Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) project to purchase and manage larders from which deer killed in and around the Cairngorm National Park will be butchered. Much of venison processed - lean mince,

meatballs and sausages - will be donated to schools by Glenkilrie and foodbanks by Fair Feast. To ensure the project remains sustainable some of the venison will be sold to local outlets such as hotels, restaurants and existing markets. This is a fantastic collaborative project between the CNPA and our members, utilising a quality product, improving diets of many, supporting a wider community with greater employment and preserving fragile habitats.

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

REGIONAL MANAGER

Mhairi Dawson

07718 425 053 mhairi.dawson@nfus.org.uk

Proposed National Park

Although the formal consultation closed on 14 February, work has not stopped on this issue. We are still fi elding press enquiries, speaking to individual members, and have invited NatureScot to meet for an update on the process. We also met with NatureScot representative as part of their familiarisation visit to the area earlier in March. Our latest blog on the proposal can be read on our nfus.org.uk website.

Livestock Attacks and Access Issues

Members continue to raise concerns over a wide range of access issues across the region. We are working closely with several partners including DG PARC (Partnership Against Rural Crime), the DG Outdoor Access Forum and the DG Council Access Offi cer. Internally, at the time of writing, we are refreshing our resources, updating our access issue log and planning our campaigns and events across Scotland. As the days lengthen and Easter approaches, and especially if you have core paths and rights of ways through your farm, please get in touch if you think we can help you with access related issues of any kind. School Easter Holidays for D&G are 31 March –13 April then 18 – 21 April.

#STOPTHEFAMILYFARMTAX Rally

Farmers and supporters from across D&G were able to speak with local politicians John Cooper MP, Emma Harper MSP, Finlay Carson MSP, and Labour councillor Keith Walters about the impact of the UK budget changes at our rally in

Castle Douglas. Thank you to Wallets Marts for use of the mart, every member who helped pull the event together and to everyone who came along and contributed on the day.

Thank you, Tracey!

A personal thank you from myself to Tracey Roan for all her help and support since I followed her into the Regional Manager role. It has been very much appreciated. Whilst we will miss you from the staff body (Tracey is stepping down from Dairy Policy Manager to focus on farm work), we’re pleased we’ve still got you in the region and look forward to working with you as a member.

Fight against food poverty

NFU Mutual hails the work of FareShare, who are supported by Southern England Farms

Weather is no match for the Agriforest team

Wagriforest.co.uk

hile many people look forward to traditional festive fare at this time of year, others are unable to afford even the most basic food for themselves, and their families.

OThe cost-of-living crisis – and rising cost of even basic foods – has made it even more difficult for many people to put a meal on the table this year. In fact, more than 13 million people in the UK face food insecurity, according to FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste.

ne of the biggest problems when working outdoors can be the weather. When you want it to be dry, it rains and when you need the rain it’s nowhere to be seen – just ask a farmer. Although a spell of rain might not stop the average outdoor worker, prolonged downpours can have a devastating effect on the ground, making navigating heavy vehicles across muddy fields very tricky – just ask Agriforest.

Dealing with difficult problems is nothing new for timber harvesting and forestry management specialist Agriforest. The company has dealt with a number of farming and estate clients in the past, so when it was approached by Cambwell Farm near Biggar to deal with wind-blown trees it was just another day out of the office for the team.

The project covered six hectares across several sites where over-mature trees were starting to be blown down. But the whole operation of felling, extracting and hauling the timber had to be done during a spell of bad weather and without disrupting work on the farm.

“Working on farms is always a challenge,” says Douglas Mathison,

This is why our NFU Mutual Charitable Trust – which exists to promote and support charities working in agriculture, rural development and insurance – is

As farmers know all too well, this surplus food will often end up getting ploughed back into the ground, used for animal feed or sent to landfill.

Managing Director of Agriforest. “But we have an experienced team who are used to these conditions and know what to do in difficult situations.”

She adds:

Cambwell Farm is run by the Laird family and covers 400 acres of grassland with suckler cows, commercial ewes and pedigree Texels –one of the oldest flocks in the UK.

Agriforest were tasked with getting the job done with minimal ground damage and while ensuring that the farm could continue with its daily

One grower making the most of the opportunity presented by the scheme is Southern England Farms, based in Hayle, West Cornwall. The business works over 6,500 acres and is a key supplier to several

routines. Mathison talked through the whole process with farm owner Robert Laird explaining everything from getting the permissions to restocking the land.

Before work could commence Agriforest had to obtain felling permission and consult with the local authority over planned haulage routes. There was also a badger sett in one of the woods which meant getting a licence and organising a survey – a process that turned out to be “straightforward” according to Mathison, who deals with this type of situation regularly.

We at NFU Mutual applaud Jane and all the team at Southern England Farms for their outstanding efforts in supporting the work FareShare does to alleviate food poverty in our communities.

We’re proud to support FareShare –and we praise all farms and rural businesses who participate in the Surplus with Purpose scheme.

Construction of a timber stacking area, incorporating a turning area for timber lorries involved expanding an existing entrance which is now being used as a cattle feed area. The main operation required a timber harvester, forwarder and a chainsaw operator to brash and fell trees too big for the harvester.

For more information about FareShare’s Surplus with Purpose scheme, and how you can participate, visit www. fareshare.org

An exceptionally wet Autumn and Winter meant that some sites would require extracting the timber across fields which looked like being a problem. Luckily, a spell of frost allowed Agriforest’s forwarder to work all weekend and remove the timber without damaging the ground.

Laird was delighted with the work carried out by Agriforest describing the team as “efficient and thorough”.

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BELT & BRACES

See the full range of Buckbootz dealer boots at www.buckbootz.com

To find your nearest Agricultural Merchant stockist call 01382 82 82 00 or email info@buckbootz.com

No worries about qualitywith Buckbootz characteristic attention to detail we lock stitch the toe plate and beef up the outer sole rubber depth at the critical heel and toe ground contact areas.