CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE GET THE SEASON’S FESTIVITIES IN FULL SWING – SEE P78
December 22 2023 | £4.10 | Become a member from £2.09 | farmersguardian.com FG WISH
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MER CHRIS RY
TMAS
TO ALL O READERUR S
THE HEART OF AGRICULTURE
SCOTTISH EDITION
DIVERSIFICATION – FESTIVE FOCUS
Fruit farm boosts business with seasonal event PAGE 16 AGRICULTURAL businesses have overcome one of the most difficult years to produce high-quality food for the nation’s Christmas dinner plate. But uncertainty remains around the future of food production and an ‘imbalance’ in the relationship between the consumer and where their food comes from. Many farmers have been hit hard by heavy rainfall which wiped out swathes of crops. Fife farmer Alan Steven, who grows vegetables including brussels sprouts and parsnips, said the wet weather and labour shortages in the industry had made farming a challenging enterprise in 2023. Mr Steven said the main problem had been finding labour to harvest crops. He said: “Heavy rainfall and flooding has led to fields being placed out of production due to the level of damage to crops.” There had also been problems with pests. He added pressure on the business meant farmers were already facing an ‘uphill task’ next year.
Scots p1 Dec22 MB AB OM.indd 2
Family expands turkey production PAGE 62
CHRISTMAS CHALLENGES
● Hurdles overcome in 2023 ● Farmer dedication hailed “Farmers have worked tirelessly to ensure enough vegetables are on people’s plates for Christmas and we need to somehow keep going while working under difficult conditions.” Vegetable grower Peter Thorold from Spalding, Lincolnshire, said his farm had been ‘devastated’ by the year’s rainfall, but he remained positive about the work farmers put into the Christmas period. Jack Ward, chief executive of the British Growers Association, said: “The UK has some of the best growers CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
The British Growers Association’s Jack Ward has said the UK has some of the best growers in the world.
PICTURE: ALAMY
By Chris Brayford
Trees create additional Christmas income PAGE 20
20/12/2023 15:26