Issue 152 farmingscotland.com

farmingscotland.com July 2024 • Issue 152

Highland Sheep Shearing Faroe Islands Iberian Pig Farming Life in the Farm Lane Latest Machinery and much more...

Celebrating 20 Years of Publication

Contents

34 BUSINESS

MACHINERY

New Holland 60th Grimme Latest Machinery – Horsch Rural Finance Latest Machinery – Claas Latest Machinery – Fliegl

Skye Lad made Cut for SAYFC Final 32 in 32 in 32 Challenge Stable Outlook for Food Commodity Markets Forgotten Food Crops Movers & Shakers

10 11 12 13 28

Forest School on a Croft New Agritech with Seaweed £100K Research Projects for Islands

12 14 15

Textravaganza British Wool Update Slimline Shearer Scottish National at the Highland The Open £1.2M Grant for Sheep Scab

16 20 17 22 23 27

AROUND THE REGIONS

Maintain Silage Quality

43

Book Reviews Faroe Islands, Denmark

EDUCATION /MONITOR FARMS

SHEEP / SHEARING

ARABLE

BEEF

32 34 36 37 38 42

AA Calf Registrations Stability Vital for Scottish Cattle Numbers

8 9

Iberian Ham

4

Katie Brisbane - Westwoodlane

6

PIGS

WORLD TRAVELS/ INTEREST

47 48

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49

Editor

farmingscotland.com

Eilidh MacPherson

32

22 50

Eilidh MacPherson Editor/publisher farmingscotland.com Magazine The Old Bank Ardvasar Sleat Isle of Skye IV45 8RS

0797 7897867

www.farmingscotland.com farmingscotland.com on facebook

Photos by Eilidh MacPherson unless otherwise stated on page 19

Rearing Free Range Iberian Pigs

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n an idyllic region of southern Spain uniquely unaffected by climate change a special breed of pigs roam the open countryside producing one of the world’s most famous meats.

These are Iberian pigs, which are renowned for their outdoor lifestyles munching through hundreds of acorns that gives their special Jamon Iberico de Bellota it’s intense flavour.

Not only is this meat tasty, it brings with it some health properties due to its beneficial fat content and it is protected under quality regulations.

The ham’s high proportion of oleic acid, around 63%, is a mono unsaturated fatty acid that increases ‘good’ cholesterol and reduces ‘bad’ cholesterol levels.

This type of farming is a tradition that has been followed for decades with many generations of Spanish farming families perfecting their very own pig genetics over time.

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One of those farmers, Fernando Adell, 64, not only rears Iberian pigs, he also owns the family business, the Dehesa de Campo Alta processing facility in the north of the Cordoba province, close to Espiel.

On his farm, only 15 minutes from the processing unit, Fernando runs 400 pigs across 700 hectares that enjoy a long healthy life before being slaughtered at 18 to 24 months old.

Their meat is then matured for up to four years in salt before it being harvested by a master carver into the speciality ham.

Fernando said: “Our pigs enjoy a long life here in the Dehesa (Mediterranean forest), with the highest standards of animal welfare. They roam the open countryside eating acorns from the oak trees for their final three months before being slaughtered at 18 to 24 months.

“During this special feeding period,

known as La Montanera, the pigs can eat up to 10kgs of acorns per day, also eating the flowers and herbs in our pastures.”

Several generations of the Adell family have helped shape farming in the region, which has now culminated in the Dehesa de Campo Alto processing business.

Fernando, as did his predecessors, has perfected breeding and rearing the Iberian pigs, to such an extent he is recognised as an expert on them and the ham.

His pigs start their journey on another of his farms, before being weaned at three months old to start their fattening process. Fernando is very proud of his full cycle business following the pigs through from birth to slaughter and processing.

He said: “We receive around 600 euros for each pig prior to slaughter at 160kgs to 190kgs liveweight. The legs of

FARM FACTS Farmers:

Fernando Adell

Location:

Cordoba, Spain

Farming: Area: Pigs:

Other:

Dehasa de Compa Alta 700ha

400 pigs

own processing plant

by Chris McCullough ham themselves can sell for much higher prices, but the cost of butchery and carving the ham is also quite high.”

Within the closed production cycle of Iberian pigs, the key aim is to maintain production within a limited geographical area, preventing the entry and exit of animals from other areas.

This is achieved through breeding on the farm itself and the use of the natural resources of the pasture, such as acorns and other available foods.

This region where Fernando farms is covered by a Protected Designation of Origin Los Pedroches (PDO), which endorses the hard work the 700 farmers registered members endure to produce the meat.

Fernando said: “Our oak trees have graced this region for over 250 years and provide huge crops of acorns each year.

We are based in a rather unique ecosystem here which remains unaffected by climate change.

“The pigs have plenty of space to roam on our farm, normally at a stocking rate of one pig per three

hectares. Our pigs gain around 40 percent of their final weight, around 60kgs liveweight, during the montanera period.

“This region is also free from African Swine Fever and has been so since the 1980s and 1990s. Rearing the Iberian pigs within a closed cycle helps us stay free from disease.

“Our region’s borders are also well protected against any movements of wild boars entering with any disease threats.”

Dehesa de Campo Alto is one of the top producers of Iberian pork products, which is a result of the farm’s traceability, feeding system and high quality meat.

Fernando said: “Thanks to our first class raw materials and pigs bred freely since they are born, the traceability and control of every production process are a safe and excellent investment in the future.

“In fact, our only main challenge here on the farm is protecting our traditions and keeping our production systems the

way they are, the same they have been for years,” he said.

After slaughter, the attention to detail, together with a great deal of patience, are the ingredients that give the ham it’s superior flavour.

Each piece of ham is distinguished by its intense red colour and leanness caused by a high rate of myoglobin and a white or pinkish fat that should yellow at its edges due to its slow maturation process.

Watching the official master carver Juan Angel Pulido from Dehesa de Campo Alto at work is truly a form of art as he carefully carves each slice and places it on the serving dish.

Juan has spent many years perfecting his art and takes great pride when carving every individual slice.

He said: “It takes a lot of skill to rear the pig to slaughter and even more skill to professionally carve the hams. Our presentation of the hams to the customer is the final and one of the most important stages of the meat’s production cycle.”

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FARM FACTS Farmer:

Katie Brisbane

Location:

The Carse, Stirling

Farm: Area:

Cattle:

Crops:

Other:

T

he article opposite was written in July 2023 for publication in September, I am grateful that it was not posted as on the 15th September Westwood Lane life took a tragic turn.

The day started well Alan used his astute weather intuition again to get the winter crops sprayed, he was on a high as the massive days of winter sowing had paid off and we were ahead of the game and powering on to get everything done before we set off on a big adventure to New Zealand booked for October ….

I started the day with a sneaky bike ride before cracking on with the RHET paperwork weirdly, Fridays always seem to be my most productive office day. Around 4pm I became aware of a siren, thought it was on the radio then saw the ambulance, not a common sight on our single track road, it turned into the farm I went to see who they were looking for … It was Alan.

While talking to a neighbour on the phone he had fallen from a pallet on the telehandler, not a big fall, but his head had hit a ledge and in the words of the incredible helicopter medic he had “sustained a life changing injury.”

The 3 days that followed are a blur, the care we received was overwhelming, but by 11pm we had said Goodbye to

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Alan. This made all the harder as 2 of our daughters were in Australia, thankfully not too far apart and with practical thinking and support of my incredible wee sister heading for a plane home.

What followed was just unbelievable and has made an horrific experience so much more bearable, Alan defied us all and managed to hold on long enough to get his girls home and able to say a proper goodbye. It also enabled him to fulfil his wish to be a organ donor, something I would recommend to all, as on his passing we were also told of the lives he had changed forever.

Today I am good; I have joined a club that nobody wants to be part of. It's a shit club, but its members are some of the most amazing and strong people I know. I am well known for changing the plan, but the fact that Alan and I made a plan, well many different plans, has meant that our family journey has a map and we can choose a direction knowing where the service stations are and for me especially, knowing that Alan will always be with me.

I will let you enjoy the previous article and fill you in on the next chapter soon, in the meantime please take care, and try making plans.

Westwood Lane: 170acres 11

22ha winter wheat 21 ha barley rest hay Works for RHET Katie has contracted the land out

Life in the Farm Lane

by Katie Brisbane

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Freephone 0808 1234 555

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Live Webchat 24/7 via www.rsabi.org.uk

he nest is empty, the kids have flown and it’s time for Alan and I to enjoy the next chapter of Westwood Lane Farm Life!

This concept we have found, involves both mental and physical challenges. I am sure many of you already know losing parental mentors means that the constant stream of directions and ideas, whether right or not, is gone. Alan has discovered that instead of keeping his foot on the brake as Papa B was desperate to cut hay, start harvest or plough the fields, he now seeks the accelerator by asking my thoughts or circling the weather forecasts on the iPad. Both of which seem to change the answer every time he asks or looks, this is combined with a 50+ slow brain and body.

With one child married, two working in Australia and the only one at home working full time the full effect of empty nest is about to hit us, as harvest and winter sowing season is here! Luckily there is a stream of enthusiastic young farmers keen to get some tractor driving experience. I am hoping Alan has the confidence and energy to share his knowledge and enthusiasm of farming Westwood Lane, it will not be easy for someone who has always worked with family members.

To join our Supporters’ Scheme from just £2 a month – and help us deliver our services – please visit www.rsabi.org.uk.

rsabi@rsabi.org.uk

It is not all doom and gloom, in fact far from it; we can now tick the no dependant box and therefore have the funds to plan exciting trips, both home and abroad. We are very excited to be becoming grandparents in November.

We recently got a wee taste of what this will entail when daughter no 3 announced we were now Grandogs, as she had purchased a Jack Russell puppy.

She then headed off to the Highland Show followed by a week in Croatia with the Young Farmers leaving us with said pup, needless to say two weeks of broken nights and house training gave us the full Grandog experience!

The newest addition to the Westwood Lane fleet, Alan’s 60th birthday present, an e bike has proved the most successful tool to counteract the challenges faced this year. He disappears for hours on end and comes back with tales of whom he met, what the farmers are doing and how many miles his battery has left.

This enthusiasm is trebled when I go with him (not on an e bike), as we begin any incline, he hits his button and with a low chuckle flies past, saying he will meet me at the top. He loves a head wind as it means I have to be behind to catch a slip stream and he can give a running commentary of what’s going on, knowing I am unable to answer back

Follow us on Scottish charity no: SCOO9828

as I am trying to catch my breath. It is great fun, although not always harmonious as there have been several heated discussions as to where the top of the hill is, which route to take and when we stop for coffee and cake.

Off farm, I am enjoying my job with RHET; it has been a fantastic year supporting a project focussing on Scottish seeds and grains. Those who know me will know that I am passionate about Scottish oats, arguably the most nutritious, cheap and sustainable food produced on our farms. I have also discoveredthat our malting barley, when made into non-alcoholic beer, is actually low calorie and really good for you.

Going to finish with a little advice on how we plan to get through a challenging year.

2023 you are pushing us farmers, with 20 haymaking days in May and June, when the crops need water to grow and 20 days of rain when hay and harvest is ready to come in. So eat your porridge for breakfast, drink non-alcoholic beer and if all else fails you are supporting the Scottish Farming team when we need that wee gin or whiskey to destress and invoke creativity in a manic time, please don’t forget to enjoy a walk or peddle too.

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Aberdeen-Angus Calf Registrations Grow Again in 2023

atest BCMS registration data shows that Aberdeen-Angus lead the way for the third year in a row, with 10% growth over the last six years.

With over 15 000 more Aberdeen-Angus calf registrations in 2023 compared to 2022, Aberdeen Angus calves made up 27% of total registrations – this is 7.7% more registrations than the next closest breed.

Robert Gilchrist, CEO of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society says, both the beef and dairy sector are increasingly turning to Aberdeen-Angus genetics as the focus on sustainability sharpens.

“We’ve been the beef sire of choice in the UK for the last three years and it’s very positive to see continued growth,” he says.

When it comes to beef production, Mr Gilchrist says there is no doubt that margins within suckler production are tight, but many of the key advantages of Aberdeen-Angus genetics align with profitability.

“High-growth rates and the ability to convert low quality feed into a high-quality product that commands a

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premium in the market, are vital traits when it comes to efficient and profitable production,” he says.

“Traits such as calf vigour, being polled, easier handling due to their natural docility, are also becoming key drivers for Aberdeen-Angus genetics, especially as farm labour tightens.”

The breeds exceptional maternal and terminal traits have resulted in significant growth in Aberdeen-Angus registrations from the dairy sector.

He says: “Short gestation, calving ease and calf vigour are some of the Aberdeen-Angus traits that dairy farmers value.

“The gestation length can be seven to 10 days shorter than some continental breeds, which means you can get cows milking quicker and back in-calf sooner.”

In addition, Mr Gilchrist says, the high market demand and premium prices for registered Aberdeen-Angus sired calves also make them the preferred choice.

“Buyers of dairy cross calves will be reassured knowing the sire of a registered Aberdeen-Angus bull, not only because it will secure a premium at

the point of sale but because the cattle will grow-on well and finish quickly from lower quality inputs,” he adds.

“These traits are becoming increasingly important as we shift towards more sustainable methods of beef production, where efficiency, the environment and economics all need to be considered.”

Stability Vital for Scottish Cattle Numbers

M

aintaining Scottish livestock numbers, maximising the domestic processing of quality red meat and ensuring we have a competitive processing industry are the three top priority objectives for the next 12 months says the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW).

"After more than 10 years of livestock numbers in Scotland steadily drifting downwards, there is an urgent need to stabilise our industry," said SAMW President, Alan Brown.

"Losing critical mass, beyond the breeding reductions we've already seen, will endanger the future of the country's meat supply and processing chain, something we cannot afford if Scotland is to retain its global status for quality red meat.

"While our long-term goal as an industry is to see growth restored to Scottish livestock production, with a recovery generating a significant boost

to the Scottish economy, the place to start today is with the stabilisation of beef cow numbers. We also need to maximise the processing of Scottish livestock within Scotland, rather than exporting our quality status for processing plants elsewhere to enjoy.

"There's an obvious self-help side to this for Scottish processors, but also for producers. The stronger our domestic processing and wholesaling chain remains, the more we can deliver as an industry to the benefit of local breeders and finishers.

"Business is business, of course, no-matter where you sit in the supply chain, a fact which SAMW member companies fully understand. Costs have also definitely increased over the past year, not least in relation to the role played in our industry by Food Standards Scotland (FSS). We've been pressing FSS and the Scottish Government to address the massive rise

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in Official Veterinarian charges and huge uplift in Meat Hygiene Inspection costs to our members for 2024/25. This discussion is still ongoing and urgently needs to be resolved in order to ensure that Scotland remains a competitive place for doing business.

"No-matter how you look at it, to borrow a bit of language from the current General Election debates, our whole industry, farmers and processors, is clearly facing a very substantial 'tax increase.'

"As another Royal Highland Show, when the very best of Scotland's livestock quality was on display last week, the need to be realistic about the fragility of our industry has to be addressed. If we don't arrest the recent decline in numbers and do so quickly, then the farming shop window that the Ingliston showground represents will rapidly become a very pale imitation of its former self."

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Skye Lad Made Cut for SAYFC Final

kye teenager Donnie MacDiarmid (16), of Brae Eynort, by Carbost is the youngest Young Farmer to qualify to run a sheep dog at Scotsheep 2024.

Seventeen handlers from across Scotland participated in the inaugural qualifying competition hosted through existing trials held by the Scottish Inter District Nursery Association.

Donnie, who left school in December and is now contract shepherding across the island and on Raasay, ran his first trial at Lochcarron in September 2023, before taking part in the Young Farmer event. He ran in four trials and the scores from the best three – Strathnaver, Bunloch and Evanton – were added.

His collie Rab (7) was bought as a pup in a private deal at the Great Glen Dog Trial from John Maclachlan, Spean Bridge, when Donnie was just nine. His Dad John, a keen dog trialler, who has had many wins across the country, including representing Scotland in the team, trained Rab. There is plenty scope for practice as

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Brae Eynort carries 350 North Country Cheviot ewes and 100 hoggs and John manages Carbost Beag Sheep Stock Club with 1300 NCC ewes and 350 hoggs.

Over the past few years Donnie has kept some of Rab’s sons and is building a sound team; Tod (3) is fully trained, Joe (1) is a stud pup and Craig (3 mths).

The competition was divided into three sections according to the handler’s experience, from beginners, to handlers who had previously won ISDS points.

The following shepherds and their canine cohorts were selected to run in the final having gained the highest aggregate scores.

Lynn Ronaldson and Bob (Bower) Daniel Worthington & Bob (Halkirk) Donnie MacDairmid and Rab (InverRoss) Ben McSporran & Cass (Peeblesshire) Harry Cooper and Roy (New Deer) Laura Moore and Finn (Brechin) Organised by the Scottish region of the National Sheep Association, Scotsheep 2024 will be hosted by the Hamilton family – James, Charles and

by Eilidh MacPherson Harry and their mother Vanessa on Aitkengall Farm, Dunbar, East Lothian, neighbouring the famed Blackface sheep property – Elmscleugh.

This keen young shepherd, who has dreamt from an early age of sheep shearing in New Zealand, will be attending his first shearing course at Sasaig, Sleat this summer.

This will be a week to remember for Donnie, as on Saturday along with his Skye (Under 17) shinty teammates they face Newtonmore in the MacTavish Cup Final.

32 IN 32 IN 32

Challenge

by Eilidh MacPherson

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farmer’s son from Dumfries and Galloway – Chris Thomson – is aiming to be the first person in Scotland to run 32 Ultra-marathons in 32 days in all 32 Councils of Scotland and set a world record.

“I will run 33 miles per day, which will mean running a total of 1056 miles / 1699 km in 32 Days,” he states on his website www.tourdethomo.com “The reason for the challenge and for choosing 33 miles for each run, is that my friend unfortunately took his own life at the age of 33 due to Mental Health difficulties and I want to raise awareness of the importance of Mental and Physical Health,” he continues.

The energy used during an eight-hour day shearing sheep is the equivalent of running two marathons back to back and many sheep shearers across the world do that day in day out.

Coming from Shirmers beef and sheep farm on the banks of Loch Ken, near New Galloway, Chris will have undoubtedly shorn a few sheep in his day, but running 32 ultra marathons every day for over a month is in a different

playing field.

Being a Doonhamer (someone born in Dumfries) Chris set out on the first leg of his mission on Wednesday from the South West capital, running on country roads to Moffat. He then flew Logan Air to Stornoway and ran 33 miles north and south of the Western Isles metropolis before boarding a flight to Kirkwall, where he lapped the Mainland.

He hopes to raise £100 000 for several charities, which are close to his heart; Movember, Mind, Dementia UK, British Heart Foundation, MNDA, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and Maggie’s Cancer Care.

In training for this record attempt Chris ran 300 miles in November and 500 in December and then completed ten marathons in a row. He also cycled the length of the UK and of Ireland with a friend.

“We are very proud of him and his commitment to those charities that are so important to him. It’s a huge challenge but he has a huge heart and will give it everything he has got,”

commented his back up crew – his parents – Derek and Raewyn (a New Zealander).

All the routes and dates can be found on the website www.tourdethomo.com if you would like to run with him.

Donations can be made by following him on Instagram and Tiktok @Tourdethomo.

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FAO foresees a stable outlook for most food commodity markets in 2024/25

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upplies of most of the world's major food commodities are expected to be adequate in 2024/25, although extreme weather, rising geopolitical tensions, sudden policy changes and other factors could all potentially tip the delicate global demand-supply balances and impact prices and global food security, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The latest FAO Food Outlook, a biannual publication, offers updated forecasts for the production, trade, utilization and stocks of major food staples.

On the production side, world outputs of rice and oilseeds are expected to be at record levels, while those of wheat and maize will likely decline modestly. The Food Outlook provides detailed market assessments for wheat, coarse grains, rice, oilcrops, sugar, meat, dairy products and fisheries.

The Food Outlook also provides FAO's preliminary estimate for the global food import bill in 2024, forecast to rise by 2.5 percent to exceed $2 trillion. Those projections are driven by relatively favourable macroeconomic conditions, including steady global economic growth, and lower food commodity prices.

The new edition of the report has a special chapter on the dynamic effects of shocks to shipping costs on the food import bill – a topical variable given conflict-derived volatility on the Black Sea and Red Sea routes and due to drought impacts on the Panama Canal.

The analysis shows that these shocks have a positive impact on the value of

the FIB in the short term, with a larger effect on the group of net food importing developing countries (NFIDCs).

Focus on fertilizer The Food Outlook also includes a special chapter focusing on fertilizers, offering a comprehensive review of global fertilizer trade between 2021 and 2023 and a short-term market outlook for 2024/25.

The chapter tracks the series of shocks, including the war in Ukraine, that directly or indirectly had an impact on primary nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Soaring natural gas prices were a major catalyst, rendering fertilizer production uneconomic, while other factors, including shipping and insurance costs as well as trade measures, also drove world fertilizer prices higher. The shocks led to a significant contraction in fertilizer trade in 2022 with a rebound in 2023 so similar levels of 2021.

The article shows that in April 2024, fertilizer prices as presented by a basket of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium prices, averaged $327 per tonne, compared to $815 in April 2022. With the decline in prices, fertilizer trade volumes have rebounded with Nitrogen trade close to its 2021 level.

Overall, the short-term outlook for fertilizers suggests stability over the next six months, according to FAO, with improved availability and affordability across the three main ingredients.

Future shocks to global fertilizer markets are likely to be determined by developments in energy markets due to geopolitical or other causes.

Forest school on a crof planting win big at pres

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youngsters’ nursery on a croft and a huge tree project at a secondary school have taken the Schools and Early Years categories at the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2024.

For the Early Years Award 2024, the winners of the Alba Trees Early Years’ Trophy was NewCroft Childcare and Forest School near Keith, Moray.

Lynne Cameron set up a forest school on her croft where she childminds pre-schoolers and provides after-school care for older children.

The judges said they were impressed with what Lynne had managed to achieve on her own and the “extent of the learning opportunities for the children.” They added: “Lynne was so inspiring. Most impressively, Lynne runs sessions for other childminders as an opportunity to network and share good practice.”

The runner up for the Early Years category was Johnston Nursery in Kirkcudbright, previous winners in 2022 who were this year praised for expanding their site to allow for poly tunnels, shelter areas, wildflowers, “secret dens” and fires.

For the Schools Award 2024, the winners of the Crown Estate Scotland Schools’ Trophy was Selkirk High

ft and mass tree stigious woods awards School in the Borders. The judges praised the work of two teachers, Maddy Pope and Anna Johnson, highlighting a “superb enthusiastic duo of staff who know how to nurture teenagers, plants and animals and want to help their young people to do their best.”

The scope of the project was exceptional with one outcome being a mass tree planting at a local park. The judges added: “They have created a calm oasis where pupils and teachers alike can grow whilst learning outdoors.”

The runner up in the Schools category was Leader Enhanced Provision @ Duns, which is based at Duns Primary School.

As well as the trophies, there was £500 for each of the winning school and early years entries and the winners received a magnifying post provided by Caledonia Play. A special Tree Pack for winners and runners up was also donated by Alba Trees containing trees for planting or tree growing kits. Each winning school and early years entry also received a certificate and a special commemorative wooden display plaque recording their achievement.

Forgotten Food Crops Work Wins Cozzarelli Prize

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research team including scientists from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) has won a coveted National Academy of Sciences' 2023 Cozzarelli Prize, alongside five other winners.

The SRUC scientists, together with researchers from the World Vegetable Center, Center for International Forestry Research-World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), University of Abomey-Calavi and National Taiwan University, won the award for their work exploring the role forgotten food crops could play in supporting nutrition and climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa.

The research, which won in the Applied Biological, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences category, underscores the importance of diversifying food production as the climate changes – and drawing on biodiversity resources to do so.

The team looked at how to diversify sub-Saharan Africa's food systems away from a reliance on maize, rice, cassava and yams, to support more climate resilient and nutritious food systems in the future.

It identified 58 forgotten food crops that provide complementary micronutrient contents suitable for

integration into staple cropping systems, under current and projected climatic conditions.

Ian Dawson, one of the authors of the study who works for SRUC and CIFOR-ICRAF, said: "We looked at how Africa's traditional or 'forgotten' food crops could diversify the country's food systems by using a combination of climate niche modelling and nutritional data.

"It's heartening to see this research being recognised and celebrated.

Although our study focused on Africa, the same methods could be used to explore opportunities for crop diversification in Europe and elsewhere as the climate changes. So that is something to think about in – and for – the future."

The Cozzarelli Prize honours the former Editor-in-Chief of PNAS, Nicholas R. Cozzarelli and each year "acknowledges papers, which reflect scientific excellence and originality" in six different categories published in the journal.

The other categories cover Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering and Applied Sciences, Biomedical Sciences and Behavioral and Social Sciences.

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by Vicky Davies Pinstone

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n a significant boost to sustainable agriculture, the UK Agri-Tech Centre, in collaboration with Rothamsted Research, Algapelago Ltd, and Harper Adams University, backed

by Innovate UK, has announced the launch of the groundbreaking ‘low energy kelp’ project.

The 24-month project ‘optimising low energy extraction of kelp for soil and livestock nutrition’ is set to receive a research grant to develop a novel two-stage extraction process that will produce consistent, high-quality liquid biostimulant and an animal feed supplement from cultivated kelp.

These products are intended to enhance soil and animal health while reducing reliance on chemical inputs.

Ross Robertson, UK Agri-Tech Centre farming technology specialist explains: “Cultivated kelp is a sustainable and rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds that benefit microbial communities, leading to healthier soil and livestock systems.”

He explains that the project will conduct kilo-scale laboratory trials, prototype system development and controlled field trials to test the efficacy of the products under environmental stresses.

In-vitro livestock trials conducted by Harper Adams University will focus on the impact of seaweed supplements on rumen function and performance.

Rothamsted Research will lead plant trials focusing on how Algapelago’s

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seaweed biostimulant influences plant-soil interactions, under abiotic stresses of heat and drought.

Luke Ansell, head of operations at Algapelago, says: "This project is a pivotal step towards unlocking the potential of seaweed in agriculture.

“We’re eager to lead the way in demonstrating how low-energy, sustainable practices can significantly benefit agriculture while adhering to environmental standards."

Dr Martin Blackwell, soil scientist at Rothamsted Research, adds: "We’re excited to work with Algapelago Ltd and the UK Agri-Tech Centre on this initiative.

“Algapelago’s novel approach to seaweed processing not only supports sustainable farming but also addresses the pressing challenges of modern agricultural practices in our changing climate."

The ‘low energy kelp’ project is ambitious in its long-term goal and promises to be a cornerstone for future agricultural practices, driving forward the integration of sustainable resources like seaweed into mainstream farming.

This initiative not only supports the health of the environment but also ensures the resilience and productivity of the agriculture sector in the UK and beyond.

To receive updates from the project please visit https://ukagritechcentre.com/.

New Agri-tech Initiative Enhances Farm Resilience with Seaweed Innovation

£100k Research Project to Explore Agricultural Policy Impacts on Island Communities

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cotland's Rural College (SRUC) has been awarded a £100k research grant to gather the views of island communities in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides on the forthcoming agricultural and land use policy changes.

Led by Steven Thomson, Professor in Agricultural Economics and Policy at SRUC, the project will consider the risks and opportunities for these island communities arising from the proposed agricultural policy changes, as support becomes increasingly 'conditional' based on climate and biodiversity outcomes.

It coincides with the current passing of the Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill through the Scottish Parliament and the re-emphasis on global commitments to tackling climate change and biodiversity decline at the recent COP28.

The project will provide a stock take of agriculture on the islands, including long-term trends, as well as considering the additional costs associated with agricultural activity in these areas. It will also consider the relative importance of agriculture, underpinned by agricultural support payments, to the islands' economies and communities.

Funded by the Scottish Government's Community Led Local Development Fund, as part of the Scottish Rural Delivery Programme, the project is delivered by the Orkney Local Action Group in collaboration with Orkney

Islands Council.

It was commissioned by the Orkney Local Action Group (LAG) which includes Orkney Islands Council, in partnership with Shetland Islands Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the Local Action Groups from Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.

Working with Andrew Moxey, of Pareto Consulting and SAC Consulting offices in Lerwick, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Balivanich, the project – which runs until early April - will gather valuable insights from farmers and crofters, stakeholders, supply chains and communities through a combination of in-person and online events, as well as the submission of written views. This will be used to inform recommendations fed back to Scottish Government policy makers.

Professor Thomson said: "This is a very exciting opportunity for us to take a close look at the agricultural situation in these island communities, identifying concerns and opportunities. Speaking also as a Just Transition Commissioner, this project is important as it will allow us to consider, in full, what proposed changes in agricultural policy might mean to agriculture and the wider rural economies on these islands. We know that some island economies are very heavily reliant on agriculture which, when coupled with ageing populations, poses risks to local economies and even

to public services.

"While this work has a challenging delivery timeframe it can provide a useful template for an Islands Communities Impact Assessment from agricultural policy changes that can be replicated elsewhere, such as in the Inner Hebrides and Clyde Islands."

Alison Barclay, Community Led Local Development Officer at Orkney Islands Council, speaking on behalf of the Orkney LAG, said: "We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Shetland and Outer Hebrides to commission this essential study.

"It is really important that people now engage with SRUC through their local SAC Consulting office to ensure that this work meets its purpose by capturing the key issues facing island agricultural communities. This will allow the researchers to establish the facts and potential solutions for the future, to ensure future support effectively addresses the changing funding landscape."

If you would like to get involved in this project, please contact your local SAC Consulting office.

TEXTRAVAGANZA National Texel Show

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key part of this year’s Texel Sheep Society 50th anniversary celebrations will be the Textravaganza National Texel Show at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Saturday 6th July.

Preceded by the Society’s Club Champions Day and the Summer Sizzler barbeque, this will be only the second staging of a Texel national show in the Society’s history, with the first having taken place in 2021.

Featuring 10 classes as well as young handlers’ competitions the show will see two experienced and high-profile judges take on the job of placing the main classes.

Splitting the duties will be Crieff, Perthshire-based Robert Cockburn of the Knap flock who will place the female classes and Wennington, Lancashire based Jennifer Aiken of the Coniston flock who will take charge of the male classes.

Both judges are well known in Texel circles, with successful flocks of their own and long-standing associations with the breed.

Mrs Aiken, who runs the Coniston flock in partnership with her husband Jeff, has enjoyed success in the sale ring, selling ram lambs to 10 000gns for Coniston Equinox and previously managed the Procters and Tatham Hall flocks with her husband, prior to their dispersal. Jennifer grew up surrounded

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Stagehall Farm, Borders

Stouslie Farm, Borders

by Texels, working with the Douganhill flock managed by her father, Brian MacTaggart.

Scottish breeder Robert Cockburn has been involved with Texels since establishing his flock in 2006 and has sold to a high of 170 000gns for Knap Grumpy, with other sales at 145 000gns for Knap Vicious Sid and 100 000gns for Knap General Lee. Robert previously won the inaugural Textraganza National Show in 2021 with Knap Daisy Duke, herself the dam of both Grumpy and General Lee. Commenting on the appointments Texel Sheep Society sales and shows committee chairman Alastair Gault of the Forkins flock, Northern Ireland, said it was great to have two such high profile judges for the event.

“Both judges are well known in the breed and their expert eye is well respected by their fellow breeders.”

Mr Cockburn said he was very much looking forward to judging the show and was honoured to have been asked to do so. “Winning the inaugural Textravaganza was a great day, so being able to come back and the judge the classes this time is a huge privilege.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Aiken said she was delighted to have the opportunity to place the male classes. “It promises to be a great spectacle and a key part of the Society’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Having been around Texels all my life it is exciting to have the chance to judge what promises to be an excellent show.”

While the judges will place their own sections independently, they will join forces to award the day’s championships.

Judging the young handlers’ classes for Texel enthusiasts aged under 16 will be Lowri Williams of the Caron flock, Lampeter. Miss Williams said the

classes would be a great opportunity for younger participants to showcase their showmanship skills. “There are a lot of great youngsters associated with the Texel breed and it will be an honour to judge these classes at this exciting event,” she added.

Adding to the Society activity’s will be a fundraising effort for the Society’s 50th anniversary charity, The Farm Safety Foundation, better known as Yellow Wellies, explained Society chief executive John Yates.

“The work of Yellow Wellies in highlighting the need for farmers to take care of both their physical and mental health is vital for safeguarding the future of the farming industry,” explained Mr Yates.

To kick off the fund-raising activities the Society will be donating all the entry fees from the Textravaganza National Show to the anniversary fund.

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cottish female sheep shearer – Una Cameron – is fighting fit. Since announcing that she was going to attempt a world record last August, she has been on a strict exercise and dietary regime under the auspices of personal trainer Max Luxton, who has trained over ten World Shearing record holders.

Una had lost well over two stones and gone down six sizes in shearing pants and is now 15cm/6 inches slimmer at the waist.

“The diet has fancy recipes, which I don’t have enough time to make, but basically if it swam, walked or grew in the ground, I can eat it. But unfortunately you can’t throw a Snickers bar in the air and say it flew!” she jests.

On the exercise front Una is lifting weights three days a week, doing

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mobility three days and cardio on a Sunday. “I’ve just started using an ice bath – OMG – the first time I lasted a minute and was watching every second tick by! I’ve now coped with two minutes. It apparently aids recovery, but I’m not convinced!”

A neighbouring farmer has lent her an infrared sauna, which is more to her liking.

Following her shearing season in New Zealand, during the Scottish winter months, Una worked with Matt Smith in Cornwall before she came home to the Borders for her own shearing run. “It was good down south, mainly on Poll Dorsets, but there were a lot of dirty sheep as they are not big on dagging down there.”

Back home due to the poor spring/summer weather conditions it has been hard going on sticky sheep.

She heads back to Cornwall to practice on Romneys from the 20th July.

For the actual record there will be around 1000 ewes for selection – Matt and Pip Smith’s Romneys on the farm where the record is taking place and renowned English shearer Alan Derryman’s ewes from Devon (about an hour away).

Since the record was announced Una has had a management team working behind the scenes, fund raising and organising all the detail, so she can focus on her shearing and training.

The official judges arrive the day before and ten random sheep will be shorn to check the 3kg wool weight required and give the go-ahead for the event. The judges are Andy Rankin (Scotland), Mark Fox (England), Martin David (Wales) and Ronnie King (New Zealand).

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Friends Una has made over the past three decades across the globe in the shearing world are flocking from airts to help, spectate and cheer her on. Her wool handler is coming from Norway and many others from the Scottish Isles to the Antipodes.

Recently she attended the Bath and West but missed out on getting a shear in the Open, as numbers were restricted. She was invited to shear for a Celtic team, as some of the Southern Irish were a no show.

A video on line shows Una blasting out her first and catching her second ahead of the field of men, including her mentor and 9 hour world record holder Matt Smith!

Today Una is shearing in the Scottish National and the Open, at the Royal Highland Show. She has previously been next in for the Scottish National but to date hasn’t made a final at the Highland Show. “I’m not holding my breath for this year as I am currently shearing for a record and not show shearing.”

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Photos this Issue:

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British Wool Update

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by Gareth Jones, Head of Member Engagement, BWMB

ollowing a reduced wool clip in 2023, wool returns are similar to last year for British Wool members in 2024.

Most core grades are up 1p or 2p per kg, while Mountain grades are slightly lower, with the overall lower wool intake weight impacting the returns.

Jim Robertson, Chairman of British Wool, says: “Prices strengthened in the autumn but have weakened again over the last two months with Mountain wool types struggling all season. British Wool’s auction prices for the season are on a par with New Zealand.

“We handled 2,500 tonnes less wool in 2023 primarily due to lighter fleeces.

Our typical member delivered 10% less wool in 2023 than in 2022.

“The decline in wool volumes reduced our returns by around 7p per kg. If we had handled the same weight as the previous year, many grades would have been up 20p per fleece.

Every additional 500 tonnes we handle improves returns for all members by 1.5p per kg.”

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With plastics positioned as wool’s greatest competitor, low wool prices are an issue globally.

Jim says: “The rise of oil-based fibres over recent decades has driven down the value of wool. The world is however now starting to wake up to the environmental damage these fibres cause, and the sustainability credentials of wool.”

New income streams are making a growing contribution towards members’ payments. The traceability scheme generated £150 000, while grading for the Isle of Man and other initiatives also boosted returns.

Jim said: “More brands are specifying British wool. We now have 153 licensees producing a wide range of products from our wool. Driving demand for British wool is essential if we are to differentiate our clip from the commodity market.”

We have also been successful in broadening the bench of buyers in the auction over the past few years. This has led to much more competitive

auctions.

We are committed to creating long-term value for sheep farmers.

Sheep farmers can be a stronger force by supporting British Wool together. We understand the recent wool prices have been disappointed to many, including ourselves,” said Jim. “But with the initiatives we have in place, from traceability to our consumer marketing activity and our licensing scheme, we truly believe that the long-term outlook is encouraging. As such, we urge sheep farmers to continue supporting us as we continue to navigate these difficult times. Working together, we can build a positive future for wool.”

Better together

British farmers raise sheep to the highest welfare, sustainability and environmental standards. Yet we know that you face challenges like never before.

As a farmer co-operative, British Wool collects, grades and markets wool on behalf of our farmer members. We promote the benefits of wool and develop new markets for this incredible natural resource. Everything we do is about adding value to British wool to maximise value for you, our farmers, to enable you to continue doing what you do best – producing high quality, sustainable fibre that customers can rely on.

To find out more call us on 01274 688666 or visit our website at

britishwool.org.uk Together we’re growing something special.

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Scottish National at the Highland

wenty Scots took to the stage for the Scottish National Sheep Shearing heats at the Royal Highland Show.

Una Cameron, of St Boswells, who has six and a half weeks till she attempts the Women’s Nine Hour World Ewe Record was on form and secured the time points, punting her five hoggs out in 5mins 14 secs ahead of the 18 male shearers and Emily Te Kapa. She set the speedy pace in heat one and mission accomplished for Una! Robbie Hislop, (5min 17s) who runs an independent shearing school was three seconds in her wake, with Lanarkshire lad Andrew Baillie on 5m 18s and Fifer, Calum Shaw on 5m 19s.

Hamish Mitchell (5m, 22s), Steven Anderson (23s) and Stuart Davidson (24s) were all pushing hard.

The average time over the five sheep was five minutes 43 seconds.

Calum Shaw, Scott Wilson and Stuart Robson all had almost flawless work on the boards (1 point per sheep) and qualified in that order into the 12-stand semi-finals. Simon Bedwell of Garve was next in followed by Stuart

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words by Eilidh MacPherson, photo by Katie Reid

Davidson, Kevin Sutherland, Cammy Wilson, Archie Paterson, Mitchell, Hislop, Lewis Harkness and Baillie.

The pace in the semi-finals went up a notch. Earlier in the day in the heats Una averaged 62.8s a sheep and the average across the board was 68s. In the semi-finals all twelve shearers averaged 59s a sheep. But it was veteran shearer Hamish Mitchell, who still has plenty of fuel in his tank, who claimed the time points by a second – 7 mins 22 seconds (55.25s per sheep) – for the eight hoggs ahead of Scott Wilson, Broughton.

Hamish’s spotless job on the board, scoring six marks (0.750 each) and speedy time ensured him second place into the final.

Calum Shaw and Scott Wilson matched each other on the board, but out the back a steady pace paid off for Shaw, giving him prime position into the final. Wilson was third in followed by newcomer Stuart Robson of Galashiels, who had taken out the Senior title earlier.

Andrew Baillie, who clocked off only four seconds after Hamish took the fifth stand and Cammy Wilson of The Sheep

Game fame the sixth.

It was a two man race in the final showdown over 20 sheep, with World Team mates for the past two World Shearing Championships in France and Scotland, Calum Shaw and Hamish Mitchell, vying for the speed stakes. It was the younger man who had the edge; with Shaw clicking off on 15 mins 55 seconds (47.75s a sheep)and Mitchell hitting his stop button 3 seconds later (47.90s/sheep).

With the cleanest all round job Shaw lifted the Scottish National for a third time in succession on 58.200 points.

Mitchell took second 59.600.

Scott Wilson, who is now a New Zealand resident and just comes home for the shearing season, took his time (16m 51s) but had the quality under control and snared third place (64.800).

Fellow Lanarkshire lad Andrew Baillie was fourth (65.100) while new kid on the block Stuart Robson had a good time and board score but lacked finesse out the back was fifth (68.550).

Cammy Wilson was a minute behind the leaders but finished on a commendable 76.600 in sixth.

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The Open

words by Eilidh MacPherson photo by Katie Reid

he Open Shearing event at the Highland Show saw thirty-nine contestants put through their paces to secure a shear in the eighteen stand semi-finals.

Eight Scots who had made the Scottish National semis in the morning made the cut once more. Andrew Baillie lucked out as next man in.

Nine hour strong wool ewe record holder – Matt Smith – with a tally of 731 to his credit was true to his speedy form and zipped his six ovines out in 5mins 15secs but left a bit much on out the back, qualifying well down the pecking order in fifteenth place. (26.250) It was Scott Wilson, who has shorn 11 seasons for MacIntosh Shearing in Tamaranui in the North Island, NZ, that trumped the leader board, only 9 seconds in the Kiwi’s wake, finishing on a total of 21.533. Englishman Adam Berry was a close second qualifier (21.750) followed by Scottish teammates Mitchell (23.400) and Shaw (23.533) Northern Irishman Jack Robinson and Pom Nick Greaves, who is attempting the world solo 8 hour strong wool lamb record at Amerton Meadows Farm, Stafford on 3rd August, were next in. Other Scots who passed muster were Simon Bedwell (7th), Stuart Robson (9th), Staurt Davidson (13th), Cammy Wilson (14th) and Lewis Harkness (18th).

The stakes were raised to ten sheep in the semis and with only six final places on offer it was survival of the fittest.

Five shearers managed to defleece their flock in less than nine minutes, with Mitchell leading the pack in 8mins and 14 seconds (49.4secs a sheep). Matt Smith ended on 8m 41s,

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with Simon Bedwell, Llyr Jones and Dean Nelmes in pursuit. The average time was 9 mins 16secs and 55s per sheep across the board.

Speed saved the day for Mitchell, coming in third equal place into the final with Irishman Dennis O’Sullivan, both tallying 38.100 points. Matt Smith was fifth.

Tying in a shearing competition is not a common occurrence, but sixth and seventh place getters Stuart Robson and Simon Bedwell also tied, on 38.300 marks. Stuart had the cleaner pen so was awarded a shear in the final.

Irishman Jack Robinson, who was fifth in the heats moved up to prime position ahead of the newly crowned Scottish National Champ Calum Shaw, with only 0.2points between them and three full points ahead of O’Sullivan and Mitchell.

Smith and Mitchell duelled handpiece to handpiece once again for the time points in the frenetic twenty sheep final. But the Scot gained ground over the Cornish based Kiwi pumping his score (in Scotland sheep were historically counted in twenties – by the score) out in 47 seconds a pop, taking the finish by a clear 14-second margin.

(15mins 40s).

Calum Shaw was third to finish (16m 13s), with low board and pen scores.

Dennis O’Sullivan was 27seconds behind him, claiming the cleanest finished job on the board, with Jack Robinson and Stuart Robson close on his tail.

When all the scores were tallied, Calum Shaw, (56.650) who had the cleanest pen, claimed the silverware for a third time, adding to his sixth National Title win in the morning.

For a third time in the Open event Hamish Mitchell and Matt Smith were tied on 58.700 points. Hamish had the time advantage and less second cuts but unfortunately for him Matt surpassed him on quality out the back and lifted the blue sash and cash for second place, leaving Mitchell in third.

O’Sullivan, who scored 59.200 was fourth with Robinson fifth on 59.600 and Robson in sixth 64.400.

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Moredun Research Institute Awarded £1.2M Grant to Tackle Resistance to Sheep Scab Treatments

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he Moredun Research Institute, in collaboration with partners, has been awarded a £1.2M grant to explore the mechanism of resistance to the macrocyclic lactone (ML) injectables in the sheep scab mite, Psoroptes ovis and how this resistance has spread across the UK. The three-year award involves project partners from the University of Glasgow, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), and the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Industry Group.

Project lead, Dr Stew Burgess, Moredun Research Institute, says: "The £1.2 million award is a pivotal investment in our mission to combat the growing challenge of macrocyclic lactone resistance in the sheep scab mite, P. ovis.

Sheep scab remains a significant threat to livestock health and welfare, imposing substantial economic burdens on farmers across the UK. With this funding, we aim to decode the genetic basis of resistance and its spread, providing the agricultural community with vital tools and updated strategies to manage this pervasive issue effectively. This project strengthens our collaborative efforts with partners at the University of Glasgow and SRUC and reinforces Moredun's commitment to pioneering research that drives real-world impact."

The Moredun Research Institute and its partners, will be presenting their innovative research at Scotland's premier rural event, the Royal Highland

Show, this week at Ingliston near Edinburgh. Visitors to the Show will have the opportunity to learn about Moredun's efforts in improving animal health and welfare on farms, including their pivotal research into sheep scab."

Project Overview Sheep scab, a highly contagious disease caused by the ectoparasitic mite P. ovis., represents a significant welfare and economic concern for UK livestock production, costing the industry between £80-200 million annually.

Current control strategies rely on organophosphate (OP) sheep dips and ML injectables (ivermectin, doramectin, and moxidectin). However, overreliance on ML injectables for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and sheep scab has led to the emergence of ML-resistant parasites, posing a significant threat to sheep health and welfare. While OP dipping is an effective alternative, it is associated with more complex safety requirements for both operators and the environment and if overused scab mites could also develop resistance to OP. "Maintaining two effective control methods is essential for our ability to control scab in the future", says Lesley Stubbings of SCOPS. "Understanding the basis of resistance in the MLs, together with the potential for early detection, will allow the industry to develop strategies to manage and slow resistance."

This new project will explore the

mechanisms underlying ML resistance in P. ovis. The project aims to provide updated advice and guidelines on sheep scab management and develop novel diagnostic tools to track the spread of resistance, ensuring the optimum use of the available treatments.

As Dr Jenni McIntyre, part of the research team at the University of Glasgow explains "ML resistance is complex and poses a real challenge to farmers in controlling both GIN and scab. This exciting project will be the first to apply cutting-edge genomic tools to understand ML resistance in sheep scab mites."

To produce this new guidance, the project will use new tools, including samples of P. ovis mites that are either resistant or susceptible to ML treatment and a detailed map of their genes. The project team will study these samples to understand how ML resistance has developed and then track how this resistance has spread across the UK. "Translating basic research on the understanding of drug resistance in parasites to improve control strategies has undergone huge progress in recent years" says project partner, Jack Hearn, SRUC. "We can now target parasites of veterinary importance like the mites that cause Sheep scab with a variety of research methods. This will lead to much swifter recommendations for improved scab management than previously possible to the benefit of animal welfare and farmers."

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

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he Glendale Agricultural Society has announced the appointment of Gemma Douglas as their new Events Manager, and Sophia Tirelli-Hurst as Administration Assistant, to drive the Society’s development forward.

A charity established to advance education and skills in agriculture and the environment, the Society has staged the Glendale Show for over 125 years, attracting more than 10 000 visitors annually to this August Bank Holiday celebration of agricultural and country life. In more recent years, the Society has also developed a growing education programme that delivers an annual Children’s Countryside Day attended by over 1500 children from schools across the north east.

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cottish agricultural charity RSABI has announced the appointment of Laura Young as its new Fundraising Executive.

Laura's role will involve executing a fundraising strategy to support RSABI's work to provide financial, practical and emotional support to people involved in Scottish agriculture. With demand for the charity's services steadily increasing, Laura's support will help ensure RSABI has the income needed to meet expected demand in the coming years.

With a background in global brand marketing, Laura brings over a decade of valuable experience in brand management to her new role at RSABI. At her most recent role as brand manager for International Beverage, Laura was responsible for planning, managing and implementing brand

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Gemma Douglas joined the Society last year and now steps up to take the lead role in the management of these major events, and the growing programme of membership activities that support the rural and agricultural communities in the Wooler area and beyond.

Born and brought up in Rothbury, Gemma is married to an arable farmer.

“I have been attending the Glendale Show for many years and seen it grow into a vital showcase for agriculture and rural life in our beautiful countryside.

The Show has established a wonderful reputation as the county show for North Northumberland in all but name and it will be a great pleasure to help Society continue to expand and develop it in the years to come.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our rural economy in this area and farming and related businesses are facing a serious challenge to their future viability. The Society and its membership represent the farming community here and we will do everything we can to promote awareness and provide activities that attract a growing membership and help share ideas and experience that enable our farming and rural communities to adapt and thrive.”

With two daughters of her own, Gemma is particularly keen to increase the Society’s interaction with and support for the younger generation through schools, colleges and Young Farmers’ clubs.

Administration Assistant Sophia Tirelli-Hurst also comes from a rural and agricultural background. Married

strategy for two single malts within the portfolio.

Laura is looking forward to returning to her roots in Scottish agriculture. She grew up on a dairy farm near Fochabers, where her family farmed from 1979 until 2013. Prior to farming at The Den, her family had dairy farms at Arradoul Mains, Auchintae and Muirton at Buckie, as well as breeding and showing Clydesdale horses for 140 years.

For the past eight years, Laura has enjoyed volunteering as a steward for the Belted Galloway and dairy sections at the Royal Highland Show, which she took on after a number of years working in the shows Livestock and Competitions department.

Speaking about her new role, Laura said she was delighted to have joined the inspirational team at RSABI.

to farming consultant David and with a three-year-old daughter, she moved to Northumberland in 2021 and is raring to take on her role supporting Gemma in the organisation and delivery of the Society’s growing range of activities.

“Having supported the running of an arable and livestock farm, I understand the issues facing farmers and rural businesses. I am looking forward very much indeed to being part of the Society and helping to achieve all its exciting plans for supporting the agricultural community and economy.”

Although one of the smallest agricultural societies in the UK, the Glendale Agricultural Society is also one of the most progressive, winning many awards over the years and continuing to evolve and grow to reflect the ever-changing rural environment, with farming at its core. Society Chair, Ian Murray, says the two appointments mark the beginning of a new phase in the Society’s development.

“Agriculture will always be the backbone of our Society and our local economy and we will continue to support the future success of farming and farmers in every way we can. The fact that our Show keeps growing in entries and attendance is a very encouraging demonstration of the health of our farming community, and with Gemma and Sophie adding their experience and enthusiasm to our team, I am very confident that we can achieve our goal to help our rural community go on growing and enhancing our unique environment for another 125 years.”

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he AHDB has appointed two new members to its export team.

Richard Gibson has joined as International Trade Development Manager from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland and will focus on developing exports of red meat in China and the wider South East Asia region.

Experienced processing plant auditor Tanveer Parkar, who has worked in the industry for a decade, has joined as the AHDB's new Senior Market Access Manager and will work with red meat processors, providing technical support to ensure compliance with export requirements.

Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB International Trade Development Director, said:

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hree new appointments to the Board of SRUC bring a depth of expertise in the higher education, financial, food and agricultural sectors.

The appointment of Fiona Larg, Katrina Hayter and Aileen Brown also creates a more balanced SRUC Board in terms of equality and diversity of perspectives.

A chartered accountant by background, Fiona has served as Chief Executive of Inverness and Nairn Enterprise and held senior management positions with Cap Gemini and Vertex Data Science Ltd. She played a formative role in the creation of the University of the Highlands and Islands and was awarded the MBE in 2017 for services to higher education in Scotland.

In addition to her executive roles, Fiona has volunteered in a non

"Export activity has been highlighted by red meat and dairy levy payers as a part of AHDB's work that they highly value and want to see more of. Richard and Tanveer are fantastic additions to the team and their appointments underline our commitment to delivering valued services to our levy payers.

AHDB has a long-established record of working collaboratively with industry and government to help secure access to new markets and helping our exporters develop trade links with buyers in markets around the world.

Richard and Tanveer will provide us with additional resource to help us continue to deliver valued services to our levy payers and help the quality red meat and dairy from the UK flourish on the global stage."

"

executive capacity on the boards of charities and business organisations, including the Law Society of Scotland, Robertson Trust, Port of Cromarty Firth, Highland Tourism Community Interest Company and Prosper's Highlands and Islands committee.

She said: "I am delighted to have been selected as a director of SRUC. In my previous role as Chief Operating Officer of UHI, I worked closely with SRUC as we had so much in common – the only higher education institutions in Scotland responsible for delivering further as well as higher education and overcoming the challenges of delivering in remote and rural areas across Scotland."

Katrina is Global Head of Sustainable Land Use & Supply Chains at HSBC working to develop the company's

net-zero business plan and supporting the bank and its customers globally, in land-based industries and across supply chains, transition to a low-carbon future.

Previously, she held a number of senior roles at UKRI's Innovate UK, where she was strongly connected with top leaders in the health, food and agriculture sectors, ministers and other key decisions makers, as well as working for different organisations across the Agri-tech sector including FERA Science, DuPont Pioneer, and the World Economic Forum.

She said: "I was attracted to the role because of SRUC's ambition around science and innovation, as well as the resilient, profitable and environmentally sustainable agriculture that it's going to support. I just want to be part of that because it's so exciting."

Aileen is a chartered accountant who has held top financial positions in a diverse range of businesses in the private and public sectors as well as acting as a charity trustee.

She is currently a non-executive director of Food Standards Scotland and chairs the Audit and Risk Committee.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted to join SRUC and am looking forward to working with the team."

Linda Hanna, Chair of the SRUC Board, said: "We had an excellent response to our recruitment exercise, with the calibre of applicants a fantastic endorsement of SRUC. I'm delighted from that we have been able to boost the number of female members on the Board and I am sure that Fiona, Katrina and Aileen will make a significant contribution to SRUC at a crucial time for the organisation."

MOVERS & SHAKERS

T

he board of the oldest recorded cattle breed, the Beef Shorthorn, announced three young members as successful applicants of their new Board Apprenticeship Scheme.

Ruth Bleakley, 31; Kirsty Leigh, 28 and Millie Birch 27 will be involved within the Board for a 12-month period.

“I decided to apply for the Board Apprenticeship Scheme as I think it’s important to involve the younger generation in decisions that will affect the long-term plans for the Society,” says Ruth Bleakley, from Northern Ireland who established Ballaghneed Beef Shorthorns in 2015 with the purchase of a maiden heifer, Jackie April at an Irish Shorthorn Society Sale.

“Being part of a few other ventures surrounding sustainability and

agriculture and with the Beef Shorthorn being known as the ‘sustainable breed’, I hope to contribute some knowledge of what I have learned through other schemes so far to help the continued development of the breed.”

Millie Birch from Stafford, who established Highsky Shorthorns in 2019, buying her first female from the Meonside Herd in 2015 followed by a second from the Caramba Herd in 2017 said the Board Apprenticeship Scheme was an opportunity she couldn’t resist.

Kirsty Leigh, based in Worcestershire runs the Follyfox herd on her family farm, which over the last 10 years has developed from an old poultry unit to an enterprise of Pedigree Shorthorns, with the foundation cows coming from Stanford Park in 2021, a commercial flock of Beltex/Texel sheep and a butchery that opened in 2022.

Kirsty highlights, “As an active member of this Society, with a particular interest in genetics, I believe that I have

T

30

he Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) is delighted to announce His Majesty King Charles III as its new Patron.

The King, who has a longstanding interest in British farming and a passion for the environment, succeeds the late Queen Elizabeth II in his patronage.

It follows a review of more than 1000 royal patronages since the King ascended to the throne in 2022, bringing the total number he holds to 669.

Commenting on the news, RABDF Chairman Robert Craig said, "It means so much to us as a charity that His Majesty The King has announced he will

the traits and long-term commitment that could help develop our breed.

President of the Society, Tim Riley concludes; “We are delighted to welcome the ladies onto the Board and look forward to utilising their skill sets developing the future pipeline of talent for the Society. “Despite the three individuals being in their early thirties or younger, they already have a great array of knowledge and experience between them including ownership of a butchery, experience within farming and sustainability and a strong passion for genetics and showing. I look forward to getting to know each of them throughout their time on the Board and hearing their thoughts, opinions, and ideas to help build foundations for the breed for next 200 years.”

take on the patronage of our charity.

"His late mother was our Patron for many years, and we are delighted that the monarch is carrying on in that role."

The RABDF has a long-established relationship with the Royal Family, providing vital publicity and recognition for the work of the Association and the dairy industry.

The Royal Family has supported many dairy awards organised by the RABDF, including the Princess Royal Award, Royal Dairy Innovation Award and the former Prince Philip Award, which recognises excellence within the industry.

T

he new President of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) is Alan Brown who brings 40 years of meat trade experience to the role of heading Scotland's £1 billion red meat processing sector.

Site director at Kepak McIntosh Donald, located at Portlethen, Aberdeen, Alan succeeds Ian Bentley who completed his two-year term as Association President on May 29.

Alan's early meat trade career included working for John Munro in Dingwall and Buchan Meat in Turriff, after which he joined the Kepak Group some 28 years ago. His career has featured a range of management roles across Kepak locations in Scotland, England and Ireland, prior to returning to his native Aberdeen six years ago to

T

he success of Life Scientific over the last 8 years has seen the expansion of a team of over 90 employees across 7 countries. Pivotal to building on this growth is the continuing development of global markets and the customer base – which has seen the opening of a role for a Chief Commercial Officer with a global remit. “ From a farming background in Canada, Tom has gathered a diverse background of leadership experience working with both agricultural and digital technology industries which he brings to Life Scientific,” says Nicola Mitchell, CEO of Life Scientific.

“Tom will lead the commercial

run the Portlethen business, which Kepak acquired in 2018.

"We have an amazing red meat industry in Scotland, founded on high quality livestock and a lot of hard work by everyone involved in the supply chain, from farmers to retailers," said Alan. "There have always been challenges, certainly in my 40 years in the industry.

"Containing processing costs, maintaining on-farm stock numbers, and ensuring a strong future for Scotland's processors and farmers will dominate my tenure as SAMW President. I'm delighted to accept this challenge, fully aware of the demands we face as an industry to ensure Scottish red meat continues to command respect at home and abroad in the years ahead."

N

eil Everett has joined BOSS Off-Road Vehicles as National Sales Manager. Neil’s focus initially will be to develop the Corvus Off-Road Vehicles dealer network. He brings a wealth of experience from over thirteen years in the off-road vehicle market. Originally a part-time contractor to his previous company, he moved into a full-time role in sales support, working across all sectors from on-road motorcycles, Parts, Garments and Accessories, defence and off-road.

“We’re delighted to announce Neil’s appointment,” says BOSS MD Phil Everett. “A lot of his time in the industry has been spent managing dealer networks. He will be responsible for growing the Corvus dealer network and making changes where required. strategy and growth initiatives on a global scale during the most dynamic and critical point in our business growth.”

“Our approach based on bringing valuable off-patent agrochemicals to market more efficiently and faster than ever before, we are now seeing the business at a very exciting growth stage, targeting 4-fold growth over the next four years.”

“I am delighted to be joining such an exciting and innovative business and very much look forward to playing my part in helping to shape the future of the business on a global scale and making Life Scientific the most successful agrochemical innovator ever.”

This will take it to the next level of growth, in readiness for more new model arrivals and will also free up resources internally to focus on our other brands such as Paxster, Powerland, Faunamaster and Airops.”

The Corvus range comprises the Terrain electric, diesel and petrol 4x4 utility vehicles, which are the first from a European manufacturer.

“I am thoroughly excited by this challenge,” says Neil, “and I am looking forward to developing the Corvus network, meeting the dealers, and working with new products within the BOSS ORV portfolio.”

Neil finished his time with his last company as District Sales Manager and network development manager and sees this as a next step in his career.

31

byChris McCullough

60 Years for New Holland A

SPECIAL edition New Holland T7.300 tractor was unveiled to celebrate 60 years production at the manufacturer’s Basildon plant in England.

A completely new tractor rolls off the Basildon assembly line every five minutes. With 85% of the New Holland tractors produced at the plant exported all over the world and over 10 000 different product specifications available, buyers get exactly the tractor they need.

The Basildon plant was developed on a greenfield site in the early 1960s by Ford, whose tractor and farm equipment business was later purchased by Fiat.

Seeking to modernise the production processes possible at its existing car and tractor plant at nearby Dagenham, the company was encouraged to develop a dedicated tractor facility in the new town of Basildon.

Work began on April 2, 1960, and was completed on February 29, 1964. The opening of the factory, with its distinctive 38m ‘onion’ water tower and 414 528 square metres footprint on a

32

40ha site, coincided with the launch of the 37-65hp Ford 6X tractor series made there.

This series comprised of the 2000 Dexta, 3000 Super Dexta, 4000 Major and 5000 Super Major, later to be known generally as the ‘Pre Force’ models following the 1968 launch of the ‘Ford Force’ 2/3/4/5000 tractors.

Later significant product introductions would include the 7A1 ‘600 series’ tractors in 1975, from the 2600 to the 7600 and the similar ‘7A2’ versions with the new quiet ‘Q cab’ the following year.

In 1981, these tractors were updated to ‘Series 10’ specification, with later Force II (1986) and Generation III (1989) evolutions. Late 1991 saw the launch of the all-new 40 series, a range that would later be sold with new branding when Fiat purchased the Ford New Holland agricultural equipment business that year and adopted New Holland as its brand for the future.

Subsequently the plant produced New Holland TS, TM, T6000 and T7000 tractor lines and today manufactures the

T6 and T7 ranges, spanning 125-300hp.

In 2012, a new visitor centre was opened at Basildon and the same year the plant was awarded Bronze World Class Manufacturing status, underlining the quality of its processes.

To mark the Basildon plant’s 60th birthday, maintaining a tradition that began with the Silver Jubilee 7810 of 1989 and continued with the Golden Jubilee T6.180 and T7.270 tractors of 2014, New Holland has unveiled a celebration edition T7.300 tractor.

The graphics that adorn it celebrate

the era in which the Basildon factory was founded, taking inspiration from the 1960s decade which saw so many leaps forward in technological advancement.

Created by CNH Centro Stile, the anniversary edition’s livery is inspired by the colours and patterns of swinging ‘60s London, with psychedelic shapes characterised by vivid and fluid colours of blue, yellow, maroon and pink around New Holland’s distinctive leaf logo in bright yellow on the hood.

The tractor, of which only one unit will be produced, is being showcased at exhibitions throughout 2024.

The latest developments at Basildon include significant investment in its role as the New Holland Alternative Fuels Centre of Excellence.

In 2006, the firm declared its ambition to be the clean energy leader in the tractor sector, and in 2021 started producing the industry’s first tractor of its type, the T6.180 Methane Power, to be joined later this year by the T7.270

Methane Power CNG. Carlo Lambro, New Holland brand president, said: “We are proud to celebrate 60 years of our plant in Basildon, that well represents the evolution of the New Holland brand, from a manufacturer of agricultural machinery to a company that advances sophisticated software technology for agriculture, fostering the brand leadership on a global level.

“Today Basildon is a hub for

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innovation, where we produce tractors that are exported worldwide and a Centre of Excellence for Alternative Fuels, where our T6.180 Methane Power tractor is produced.

“As the only volume tractor producer in the UK, we are also very proud of our workforce here, with their skills, dedication and commitment.

“It’s a milestone for the whole company and for everyone who works or has worked in the plant,” he said.

L

OW power consumption and a redesigned housing are two of the new features on Grimme’s latest Toppa series of haulm toppers.

A range of five models are available that can top 2, 4, 6 or 8 rows in front and rear mounting or alternatively in a front-rear machine-combination.

The company offers machines with all international, commonly used row widths and track widths, taking into account different flail contours for crop cultivation in ridges or beds.

The Toppa 200 and Toppa 400 are 2-row and 4-row haulm toppers, respectively, which are suitable for both front and rear attachment.

By optimising the gearbox position, the angle of the PTO shaft to the tractor has been flattened. This significantly reduces wear on the PTO shafts, especially when lifting the haulm topper at the headland.

Another new feature is, that the 4-row machine with a row width of 90cm is now also equipped with a continuous flail shaft, without any bearing and missing flails in the middle of the shaft. Large maintenance flaps across the entire width of the housing make it easier to clean and change the flails.

The 6-row front-rear combination consists of the Toppa 200 in the front

attachment of the tractor and a Toppa 600 Combi in the rear. The Toppa 600 Combi is folded hydraulically so that two rows are folded on either side of the tractor. The machine can be hydraulically folded to a transport width of 3m for a fast change from field to field.

For an 8-row front-rear combination, the Toppa 400 in the front is combined with a Toppa 800 Combi in the rear.

by Chris McCullough

by Chris McCullough

Here, the two booms in the back of the tractor are also folded hydraulically to operate two rows twice. With the Toppa 400 haulm topper, the road transport width is 3.29m with a row width of 4 x 75cm.

On both the Toppa 600 Combi and the Toppa 800 Combi, the two booms can be controlled separately from each other via a hydraulic control box or optionally via Isobus with AUX-N assignment.

In conjunction with the standard wide-angle PTO shafts, it is therefore possible to lift the haulm toppers independently of each other on wedge-shaped surfaces.

The two housings are also pendulum suspended, allowing them to adapt perfectly to uneven ground. An optional hydraulic side shift is also available, which can be controlled manually or, in the highest configuration level, can adapt fully automatically to the

alignment of the ridges. This is particularly relevant if the number of rows of the planter does not match the number of ridges of the haulm topper.

With the Toppa 800, Grimme offers an 8-row haulm topper for rear mounting, which can be hydraulically folded to an external width of 3m for road transport. The machine is particularly suitable for farms with 8-row planting methods and for tractors without a front PTO shaft.

Grimme presents new generation of haulm toppers

Comfort Boost from Horsch

H

ORSCH has boosted operator comfort with a new cab on its latest Leeb PT and VT self-propelled sprayers.

Being much quieter, more spacious and hosting newly designed controls, the new cab creates a productive environment that allows operators to work more effectively.

Based on the latest Claas cab, the state-of-the-art cabin features an advanced A-column terminal as standard and new Leeb-designed

armrest and joystick control systems specific for crop care applications.

Category IV filtration is fitted as standard and pneumatic 4-point cabin suspension is available as an option for those looking for ultimate comfort.

The new Horsch Leeb VT was the first sprayer to feature the new cab. It combines variable track adjustment with the well-known performance of a Leeb PT self-propelled sprayer.

The flexible track adjustment is ideal for mixed crop farms and contractors

requiring varying row widths between 1.8m and 2.4m, assisting with stability in the field and manoeuvrability on the road. Leeb VT features a 5000 or 6000 litre tank with a 230hp and 300hp Stage 5 compliant engine respectively.

Horsch UK general manager Stephen Burcham said: “Traditionally, self-propelled sprayers have lagged behind tractors in cab comfort. The new Horsch cab elevates operator comfort to highest levels for all-day productivity.”

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ormed in 2004, Rural Finance is now one of the UK’s largest Independent Finance Broking Networks, with coverage throughout the UK through our extensive broker network delivering a first-class service across all sectors. Having dealt with over 260 million pounds of business during last year alone, this ensures that very competitive rates are driven out from the excellent relationships developed with our large panel of financial providers. Rural Finance is extremely proud & grateful to have established long term relationships spanning generations reflecting the mutual trust that has been built over the years. Our experience, reputation and track record results in most of our new business being referred through word of mouth, with clients then regularly returning to us. Our aim is to provide a bespoke service to meet the varying needs of businesses in all sectors of the industry recognising that “one size does not fit all.” Rural Finance can support not only operators of commercial scale farms but also to those who are committed to agriculture and operating in a small way, relying on income from outside sources to achieve their ambitions. Andrew Glover, Director says “Being a farmer myself, I appreciate how constraints on our time is becoming ever more evident. As securing finance is of key importance for every business, I am proud of the fact that we offer a bespoke, tailored service with a variety of options to fit individual business requirements.”

Rural Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630701. Rural Finance Limited acts as a credit broker and not a lender. We can introduce you to several carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your requirements and a commission will be received for this introduction. Finance is available subject to status.

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C

LAAS has launched six new FL C front loaders with several new features including an integrated mechanical self-levelling linkage.

Typically suited to the Claas Elios, Axos and Arion tractor ranges the six new FL C loaders from FL 40 C to FL 140 cover lift capacities from 940kgs to 2490kgs.

The loaders have a breakaway force from 1820kgs to 3120kgs and the maximum lift heights at the bucket pivot point range from 3.50m to 4.50m.

These latest loaders feature a new, innovative three-section design, which perfectly complements the design of the Claas tractors. The double-angled boom shifts the pivot point mechanism of the parallelogram downwards by more than 20cm.

This gives the operator an even better view of the frame and attachment, especially as the front crossbeam has been lowered by 10cm.

The new design features the customary robustness and manufacturing quality that is a hallmark of Claas front loaders. The boom is also designed for the most demanding tasks. All hydraulic hoses are integrated into the frame for protection.

The three-section design of the boom improves the view of attachments and the front loading area. Automatic bucket return is available on request.

The familiar Fitlock coupling system from the FL and FL C front loaders has been retained with the locking mechanism fully automatic and entirely mechanical. To unlock,

Six New Front Loaders Launched

by Claas 40

simply release a small lever on the boom.

With the Mach multi-coupling system, all hydraulic and electrical lines can be connected to the tractor in an instant, without the need for any additional plug connections. This system makes the job of attaching the front loader fast and safe.

With the optional hydraulic Fastlock system, attachments can be locked at the press of a button from the comfort of the cab, in addition to automatic mechanical locking.

Third and fourth functions can be connected via the Mach 2 multi-coupler, which features leak-free, flat-seal couplings. A pressure relief function for

the third function is available on request.

The automatic bucket return function automatically returns the bucket to the horizontal loading position, increasing operator comfort and productivity to boot.

Optional LED work lights illuminate the loading area perfectly in the dark.

by Chris McCullough

41

G

Fliegl Offers Lorry Big Bale Transport Option

by Chris McCullough

42

ERMAN equipment manufacturer Fliegl is offering a new lorry trailer suitable for larger farmers, contractors or hauliers transporting large numbers of big bales.

The new SZS 300 BL Ultra trailer, which can transport both round and square bales, has a total weight of 29 000kgs and a vertical load capacity of 11 000kgs. The trailer's bridge impresses with its generous dimensions of 13m x 2.48m and high stability.

The SZS 300 BL Ultra is equipped with a support leg including gearbox, which makes handling and parking the trailer easier. The 385/65-R22.5 tyres are very smooth-running and guarantee very good overall running characteristics. This also has a positive effect on fuel consumption.

Load securing on the SZS 300 BL Ultra is particularly well thought out. A sturdy tarpaulin cover with integrated tensioning straps on the left and right ensures that the transported bales are secured simply and effectively.

In addition, the end-to-end tarp on the long sides significantly reduces material loss when driving. The SZS 300 BL Ultra can be individually configured with hydraulic load securing on the right or left. The rigid side is reinforced with an internal grid, which guarantees stability and serves as a stop when loading.

The trailer is operated conveniently and intuitively via a single-acting manual control unit. This user-friendly control unit enables the driver to operate the hydraulic load securing system precisely and effortlessly to secure the load safely.

The use of trucks in agriculture offers a number of advantages. The flexibility and mobility of trucks allow farmers to transport their produce quickly and efficiently.

This is particularly important at a time when agricultural land and farms are often spread over several locations and transportation routes are becoming increasingly longer.

The SZS 300 BL Ultra helps to overcome these challenges by combining size with speed and functionality.

Maintain Silage Quality Throughout the Season

by Lucy Baker

F

armers are being encouraged to prioritise moisture, rooting and nutrient retention to maintain multi-cut quality throughout the season.

Beyond the first cut, the quality of subsequent cuts is largely determined by ensuring grass has access to moisture for regrowth, advises David Newton, technical manager at Timac Agro UK. He explains: "Optimum regrowth starts within the soil, so simple tactics, such as soil slitting and conditioning helps lift fertility to prevent a drop in yield or quality.

"This leaves the soil in the best condition to retain and utilise moisture and nutrients."

Mr Newton says a good place to start is by applying a soil conditioner containing calcium to act as a flocculant.

This creates larger pores in the soil, to enhance air infiltration, drainage and moisture retention, in turn reducing runoff and erosion.

"By improving soil structure, roots will be able to access moisture and nutrients deeper into the soil profile," he says.

Alongside calcium, adequate sulphur will boost forage protein content, which is essential for meat & milk production along with maintaining herd health.

Mr Newton says: "In terms of building protein content, sulphur is as essential as nitrogen and almost as water-soluble. Heavy rainfall over the last few months will have led to sulphur being washed away."

"So, by incorporating a slow-release sulphur, such as Sulfammo 26, into your nutrition plan, you can reduce losses from leaching and retain sulphur in the soil for an extended period."

Supplying mineral and trace elements alongside key macronutrients, such as sodium, boron, iodine and selenium, will also help to maximise herd health and fertility.

Mr Newton says: "Using an allrounder product, like Sulfammo 26, as a source of nitrogen, sulphur, magnesium, and calcium, together with your readily available farmyard manure, will put grasslands in the best position to overcome any challenges the season may bring."

He adds that careful nutrient management alongside simple practical measures will make a huge difference to future silage cuts.

"For example, don't leave the field looking brown or yellow because it's been shaved.

"This will compromise root systems as they are sacrificed to allow recovery, undoing any good work from the spring. It'll have a much harder time replicating the quality of the previous cut, so try to leave some green in the base of the cut.

"If the grass has got away from the cows when grazing, going in and cutting it will help to maximise regrowth, and you may well be able to get a bale from what's chopped down.

"Ultimately doing what you can to improve the soil's ability to retain moisture and nutrients will give you the best chance at maintaining top quality silage," he concludes.

For further information on maximising silage quality this season, please visit Timac Agro UK.

43

Spey Catchment used to Map Land Ownership

W

ith concentration of land ownership in Scotland the highest in Europe, new research aims to understand whether recent land transactions are leading to – and fuelled by – land use change, such as towards achieving net zero.

The study, by researchers at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), also explores the influence of financial support mechanisms on land values, particularly the recent interest in carbon schemes.

Landownership is a key policy area for the Scottish Government and the findings of the research will provide an evidence base for understanding the effects increased land values are having on its goals to improve transparency of land ownership.

It will also help ensure large-scale land holdings deliver in the public interest and empower communities by providing more opportunities to own land and have more say in how land in their area is used.

The researchers developed a methodology to determine if there is a

44

relationship between land ownership and land use decisions – such as continuation on the same path or diversification – and monetary flows into the land and whether these are affected by a recent sale.

As part of an ongoing study, they compiled a map representing land ownership, recent sales, monetary flows and land use/land cover and applied this to a small area of the Spey catchment.

Parallel to the mapping work, they also created a landownership typology, which categorises individual parcels of land according to size, ownership, land use, type (farm/forest/estate), size descriptor and any defining characteristics, which was also applied to the case study area. Multiple data sources were then used to map monetary flows.

Having developed a working tool for mapping landownership and recent sale transactions, the researchers now plan to apply this to three further sites across Scotland: Tweed catchment, Shetland Islands and Galloway and South

Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve, in addition to the Spey catchment.

Co-author Ian Merrell, a Research Fellow at SRUC's Rural Policy Centre, said: "Spatially mapping landownership and recent sale transactions of land is complex and arduous. Despite these issues, we still managed to create a working methodology for mapping landownership using Registers of Scotland data and successfully integrated this with multiple other data sources.

"Through this process we have developed a tool that is (once the landownership level is complete) fully automated and can produce useful maps and descriptors of any piece of land in Scotland, so long as ownership is known."

This work was supported by the Scottish Government's Strategic Research Programme 2022 to 2027 on environment, natural resources and agriculture that is managed by the Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services Division.

by Rosie Free

Scottish 'Land Rush' Shows Signs of Slowing Down

F

ollowing a dramatic increase in the value of land in Scotland in recent years due to demand from commercial forestry and natural capital investors, new research has now recorded a slowdown in parts of the market.

Despite this, land is still increasing at a pace that excludes smaller players from the land market.

Hill land suitable for tree planting reached the highest price in 2021 with £5500 per acre paid – 467 per cent greater in real terms than in 2017.

The value of Scottish estates also rose substantially, with an average sale price of £8.8 million in 2021 compared to a ten-year average of £4.7 million.

However, a new report by researchers at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) has found the factors driving these increases have now slowed, leading to an overall decline from the peak values seen in 2021.

Only arable land has demonstrated consistent growth, with the value of good arable land growing by 5.4 per cent between 2006 and 2022, compared to average arable land, which grew by 3.2 per cent.

While modest in comparison with the rise in marginal land prices, it outstrips the Scottish property market, which saw the average Edinburgh house price grow at 1 per cent and the average Highland house price grow at 0.5 per cent per year in real terms.

The researchers investigated changes

in Scottish land values between 2019-2022 and the trends in investment that have been driving these changes.

The dramatic increase in marginal land prices has been attributed to heightened demand from natural capital investors, particularly in afforestation and peatland carbon credits, with upland estates increasingly marketed and sold as natural capital investment opportunities.

However, while there was an increase in applications to the Woodland Carbon Code in 2021 and 2022, this was followed by a slowdown in 2023. This could be attributed to changes in the eligibility criteria as well as to various uncertainties – such as the war in Ukraine, rising commodity prices, rising interest rates, inflation and the cost-ofliving crisis – which have contributed to a greater sense of market uncertainty.

The consistent growth in commercial forestry values over the last two decades was interrupted in 2023, with declines in prices noted. However, marginal land considered as 'plantable' ground is still outperforming marginal land not suitable for planting.

A decline in timber prices is a key contributing factor with the average value per stocked hectare falling by 20 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year and commercial planting land prices falling by 22 per cent.

In a separate report, the researchers also looked at whether the means by, which land values are determined have

changed due to this changing landscape.

While land agents feel the general approach to valuing land for agriculture and forestry has remained consistent, the increase in demand for land for tree planting, means that 'plantability' has become a highly significant factor in determining land values, particularly for hill land.

Land values have also been influenced by various external market factors, including interest rates, inflation, timber prices and carbon credits, which have impacted investment demand and therefore the value of sales in the market.

In addition, the potential to monetise land through carbon credits is particularly relevant to the valuation of hill land and Scottish Estates, with agents reporting that plantability and the extent of degraded peat replacing sporting metrics when assessing the value of upland estates.

Ian Merrell, Research Fellow at SRUC, said: "The land market in Scotland has been under-researched, despite the importance placed on land to achieve net zero targets, increased food production and diversifying landownership through the land reform agenda.

"We have found that the initial rush into Scottish land by natural capital investors and companies has started to slow down, but land is still increasing at a pace that excludes smaller players from the land market."

45

For more info contact Maree on 01806 335577 or info@polycrub.co.uk

BOOK REVIEWS

P

ublished by Allen and Unwin this book, which fittingly was released just before lambing retails at £12.99.

For John Connell, the sheep on his County Longford farm are housed late autumn. In the sheep shed, he surveys the dozen females in his care and contemplates the work ahead as the season slowly turns to winter, then spring and lambing season.

The twelve sheep have come into his life at just the right moment. After years of hard work, John felt a deep tiredness creeping up on him, a sadness that he couldn’t shrug off. Having always sought spiritual guidance, he comes to

I

n 2017 Sarah Langford, a barrister from London moved to Suffolk and together with her husband, took on the management of his small family farm.

It was not how she remembered farming. "My grandfather was considered a hero who fed a starving nation, now his son, my uncle, is consered a villain, blamed for ecological catastrophe."

L It is the story of how she learns how to farm and grows closer to the land.

Her own story weaves around those who teach her what it means to be a farmer.

How come other industries that make products so much less necessary than food escape the same

realise that, in addition to the soothing words of literature and philosophy, perhaps the way ahead involves this simple flock of sheep. In the hard work of livestock rearing, in the long nights in the shed helping the sheep to lamb, he can reflect on what life truly means.

Like the flock that he shepherds, this book is both simple and profound, a meditation on the rituals of farming life and a primer on the lessons that nature can teach us.

As spring returns and the sheep and their lambs are released into the fields, skipping with joy, John recalls the words of Henry David Thoreau, reminding us to ‘live in each season as it passes.’

condemnation than farming? What hypocrisy, to be told off for fossil fuel-farming by those who take holidays on planes to places a farmer never gets to go to.

A farmer being told he is killing insects and destroying wildflowers by people who live in houses built on top of farmland; to be judged by people living in towns and entirely uneducated about farming. The book is the story of barrister becoming a farmer with her conclusion: "Farming taught me lessons about life applicable far beyond a field boundary."

Sarah Langford: "Rooted: How regenerative farming can change the world, Penguin, London 203, 368 pages, ISBN: 978-0241991824, £10.99

D

r. Gladys McGarey is a 102-year old Doctor in Holistic Medicine.

She was a pioneer and the first woman in her field, laying the groundwork for the cultural shift that recognises alternative and holistic medical modalities. She cured herself twice of cancer, she overcame great difficulties in her life, she has 80 years experience working as a Doctor.

Who does not think this lady has the potential to give us some good advice on living a good life? A book full of wisdom, deep and meaningful. How and why it is important to work with our body and mind to become happy and healthy and how it is all connected.

Why it is so important to find our "juice" in life and to know that we are here for a reason. Why building good (multigenerational) friendships is of great benefit to us and that feeling lonely has the same effect on longevity, as smoking 15 cigarettes a day! After reading and working with this book, you will love life that much more and have some great tools and tips on hand, when otherwise.

Dr Gladys McGarey: "The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age,” Penguin, London 2024, 256 pages, ISBN: 978-0241613030, £10.99

by Petra Jacob

On the Faroe Islands, you might well see a sheep before you spot another human being. But more and more people are starting to realise there is more to this remote corner of the world than first meets the eye.

T

he Faroe Islands lie far away from the rest of the world in the North Atlantic, halfway between Norway and Iceland. The 18 islands are largely barren and inhospitable, with cliffs that drop steeply into the sea, battered by the wind and the rain that falls almost 300 days a year. The Vikings reached these islands 1200 years ago and their descendants partly make up the population of the Faroe Islands today.

But why exactly did they settle here in search of a better life? "Legend has it that all the seafarers who felt seasick got off their boats on the Faroe Islands on their way to Iceland, because even today

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most Faroese are not seaworthy," says Harriet Olafsdóttir, before giving us a cheeky wink.

Counting Sheep The 33-year-old works as a sheep farmer on the southern-most tip of Eysturoy, the second largest island in the North Atlantic archipelago. Her sheep farm, Hanusarstova, is situated in a beautiful location on the edge of the 28-house village of Æðuvík. The farm is sheltered at the back by mountains and in front boasts an unobstructed view over sheep pastures to the sea. On the Faroe Islands – or the "Sheep Islands," as they are called in Danish – there are

more sheep than people: The islands' 54 000 inhabitants are well outnumbered by the more than 80 000 sheep who reside here. The Faore sheep is an official breed and probably descends from the Norwegian Spaelsau and Icelandic sheep. In the 19th and 20th centuries, some Scottish Blackface were imported to improve the quality of wool. It is said there are over 300 different coat colours and to this day its wool is processed locally into knitwear.

The Faroe sheep live outdoors all year round and are fairly small, sturdy sheep that cope well with the climate and soils on the islands. Mrs

Faroese Culture and the Humble Sheep

Olafsdóttir's farm has around 70 ewes plus offspring. The pastures where the sheep roam are distributed around the farm, with a mixture of fenced, drained grazing areas heading out towards the sea, as well as open grazing areas stretching up the mountains.

The pastures are "king's land," as Mrs Olafsdóttir refers to them; state-owned land, which she leases for 180 kroner (£20). As part of the agreement, the government stipulates the exact number of sheep she can keep on the land. The ewes only give birth to one lamb on average, but that is more than enough, considering they have to make do with the island's sparse grasslands.

The lambs are slaughtered when they grow to around 14-20kg liveweight, with home slaughtering being the most common method across the islands. "We rear and slaughte about 55 lambs a year," Mrs Olafsdóttir says.

Only one third of the lambs are sold; the rest are kept for private consumption by her family and friends.

"Everyone who has helped us over the year gets their share; for a day's work you can look forward to getting a whole lamb."

A Sheep Farming Rose among the thorns Sheep meat and sheep-based food products are an important part of the Faroese diet. Although large amounts of food are now imported from Denmark, for centuries nature dictated the menu in these parts, with fish and lamb being the most important staples.

A traditional method of preserving meat and fish is "raest," a kind of fermentatin typical in the Faroe Islands.

The process is a science in itself.

Acquiring the right flavour depends on ensuring the perfect climatic conditions; too warm a temperature and the taste is spoilt, too cold and fermentation is prevented; too much wind and the food is rendered tasteless.

"On every island, the meat can taste different," Mrs Olafsdóttir notes, as she

49

sits with her husband John and their two daughters at supper. They're cutting wafer-thin slices of meat from a leg of lamb. The meat has a deep red colour and tastes particularly tender.

"It's because my animals are exclusively grass-fed that the meat is so good," the young sheep farmer adds.

Mrs Olafsdóttir is the only woman in the Faroe Islands to have taken up sheep farming as her sole profession.

"There are a lot of men in their sixties in the business," she laughs.

And they are not at all happy about the way she does her job. Sheep farming in the Faroe Islands has always been mainly a secondary occupation.

For a 15kg lamb, Mrs Olafsdóttir receives 1200 kroner (£9/kg). "Far too little to make a profit." But despite the small pay slip, she never wanted to do anything but be a sheep farmer.

At the age of four, her grandfather already had her out in the field with the sheep. And for four years now she has been responsible for the flock herself.

50

Initially, her family was unspportive of her ambition, as they believed it was no job for a woman. But when none of her four brothers wanted to take on the role, the family gave in.

Faroese culture and the humble sheep Sheep farming in the Faroe Islands is about more than just money. It is a central part of the self-governing territory's culture and it is greatly important to the communities here.

Sheep owners whose pastures border each other meet regularly during the year to support each other. They help one another with slaughtering, as well as driving the sheep down from the mountains when the time comes to vaccinate or shear them. They alternate whose pastures they meet on. This time it is the turn of Mr and Mrs Olafsdóttir' sheepfold. Sheep shearing is and remains a hands-on job. It takes two strong men to hoist a sheep onto the trestle and secure its head in a wooden flap. In total, around 15 men have come

to help with the shearing and the children are also allowed to pitch in.

Although she is criticised for taking on the farm, Mrs Olafsdóttir wants to prove that it is possible to make money with sheep farming. A few years ago, she started photographing her sheep.

She captures impressive close-ups of her sheep adorned with flowers and hand-made head wreaths. "I am only able to do it because my sheep have great trust in me," she says. The photos appear on numerous postcards, posters and T-shirts and are sold in many shops as well as online.

"I make as much money with two posters as I do with one sheep," the young sheep farmer turn photographer adds. The photographs have become so popular she is now on social media.

After having started as a blogger, she has now turned her attention to Instagram, where she has amassed a total of 10 500 followers.

"People are interested in what happens on our farm." This summer,

the young family also finished building a holiday house and in no time it was booked up for the rest of the year. "I didn't have to do any publicity at all.

People just found me on Instagram."

A changing dairy industry Mrs Olafsdóttir has a soft spot for traditional livestock breeds. Her farm also houses four Faroese horses. Found nowhere else in the world, there are only around 90 left on the islands, she says. She also wanted her own domestic Faroe Island cattle. "I would have been living the dream," she laughs. But the old cattle breed, which was native to the islands has been extinct since 2010. "The state lost interest in them," she tells.

Today, the Faroe Islands are able to cater to their own milk and dairy product needs, according to official sources. In the past 10 years alone, household dairy milk production has increased by 10%, while the number of dairy farms has fallen from 28 to 16. The remaining farms house a total of 900

dairy cows and operate as a co-operative, encompassing dairy farming, production and distribution.

They supply 7.5m litres of milk annually which, in addition to drinking milk, is used to make yogurt, butter and a small amount of cheese.

Dairy farmer Roi Absolonsen, who is based on the island of Viðoy, runs one of the island's most modern dairy farms, with 122 dairy cows in co-operation with two business partners. And that means indoor housing year round. On the Faroe Islands the winters are mild, with maximum temperatures of 4°C, while the summers are mostly cloudy with highs of 15°C. That said, it can be extremely windy and rain heavily at any time. The soils are wet and the modern dairy breeds that are on the farms today – at Absolonsen, mainly HolsteinFriesian cattle – are too heavy to roam.

To protect the soil, the animals are kept in the barn and only the youngstock go out to pasture from June to September. To simplify the farming

51

process, a milking robot and a TKS robot feeding system, which feeds the cattle up to 10 times a day, are used on the farm. It comprises 60ha of grassland, 5ha of which are rented out. In addition to grass silage, concentrates like soya meal are also fed to the cattle.

Because of the poor soil conditions, most of the cattle feed on the Faroe Islands is brought in from abroad – mainly from Norway and South America.

Producing hay here is a gamble. Mrs Olafsdóttir can still remember summers when she never left the farm in fear that the sun could come out at any time!

The weather is extremely unpredictable; it can change from one hour to the next as well as from one island to the next. The year 2021 was a prime example of this and resulted in a failed hay harvest, she says. Last year, she decided not to take the risk and bought hay for her sheep from Iceland instead.

17 farming generations later and still going strong But if the sun shines long enough, then the fields come to life. July is nearing its end and 11km south of the

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Faroese capital, Tórshavn, in Kirkjubøur – a tiny village of black, grass-roofed wooden houses – four tractors are on the move in the meadows. In a jaw dropping setting, with fields reaching down to a dark-blue shimmering sea surrounded by barren islands rising into the sky behind them, the tractors are hard at work mowing and turning grass.

"That must have been Jóannes Patursson's four sons," Óli und Anna Rubeksen later tell us when we pay them a visit at their farm. The couple run a sheep farm with 150 ewes just a few kilometres further along the coast in Velbastaður.

The Patursson family have been farmers for 17 generations and are said to be the longest established family farming business in the world. Their farmhouse in Kirkjubøur dates back to 1350 and has become a tourist attraction.

People can pay 50 kroner (£5.70) to visit the farm, while groups can arrange to have their dinner there. At the Tórshavn Tourist Office, the offer is advertised as "Dining with Farmers."

At the Rubeksen farm, you don't have to be part of a group to get a good feed. But tonight, 16 people are seated

around their large dinner table, waiting for some delicious food made from ingredients sourced from the farm.

Roast lamb heart, fatty cuts of lamb, potatoes, turnips and rhubarb compote are among the specialitites the guests can expect.

But feasting at the Rubeksen dinner table comes at a price: a five-course meal will cost you just under 1000 kroner (£113) – the hosts greatly appreciate your patronage.

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Scotland covers 7.8 million hectares, of that 5.7 million or 73% is farmland, or 79% if common grazing is included.

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