Island Odyssey
Seafaring
Tending Blackface sheep on the isles of Gometra and Mull, Rhoda lists sheep shearing contractor on her curriculum vitae - CV
The past decade has seen more and more women tread the shearing boards both here in the UK and across the world, but few of the fairer sex are hardy enough to also add fencing contractor and lobster fisherwoman to their resume – like Rhoda!
With a penchant for Scottish Blackface sheep, Rhoda is well known in Blackie circles and a regular bidder on Lurg stock at both female and tup sales
“People will probably have a go at me for always buying stock from Lurg but they are good kinds, the tups don’t melt and they go on and thrive for me on both Mull and Gometra,” she enthused
“I’ve known Ewen a long time and the aftercare is top notch ”
It was at a market ringside that I first came across this formidable female farmer I was intrigued to see a Connachan Blackface tup and a homebred ewe tattooed on one arm and “ a bought in Lurg lamb,” on the other!
“I’m getting another ewe tattooed to balance it out,” laughed Rhoda, who kept inviting me to visit the Island of Gometra.
It was late July when I first headed from Skye to Mallaig and down through Moidart and Morven to the ferry at Lochaline and across to Fishnish on Mull
Rhoda was busy shearing so I met her in the evening at Croft No 1, Fanmore, near Ulva Ferry
Her 50-acre, owned croft, which is
by Eilidh MacPherson
half in by and half hill, looks across Loch Tuath to the Isles of Ulva and Gometra
At that time of year it was looking lush but I’m sure it is a different story mid-winter! She is currently running 20 Blackies but intends to increase it to 30 in the near future
Following a stint at Oatridge College and a few years honing her shearing and fencing skills at Skerrinish Farm, Glenbarr, Argyll, she returned home and took on the croft.
Her newfound fencing experience came in handy as the holding was completely run down “Dad and I also built a shed from reclaimed timber washed up on the shore and dug out a road to the byre ”
This determined west coaster was brought up on the 4500-acre Island of Ulva “My Dad was running the 1400
Farmer: Rhoda Munro
Farming: Croft No 1 & Isle of Gometra
Location: Isles of Mull & Gometra
Area: 50 acres owned (croft) 1200 acres shepherded
Sheep: 20 Blackfaces on Croft 200 Blackfaces on Gometra
Other: Sheep Shearing Contractor Fencing Contractor Lobster Fisherwoman
British made Vests, Trousers, Mocs and Smock Jackets.
strong flock of Blackies and we had a small stud flock Tups from the Pole did very well there ”
The first two years on her own place she invested in Dalchirla hoggs and then started breeding replacements, while working on Ulva with her Dad
“The owner of Ulva changed tack, wanting to plant trees rather than raise sheep so Dad’s tenancy wasn’t renewed and the 1400 ewes were put off Dad and Mum moved and took on the management of the much smaller flock on the neighbouring Island of Gometra. As there was no work for me I decided
to head to Angus on the East coast and learn about arable farming and let my croft out to my sister ”
Through Ringlink Rhoda landed a job on a broccoli and cauliflower harvester before spending six years at Strathmore Farms on the pig unit, carted grain near Dundee and then back to sheep and the hills of Glen Clova Rhoda had a small flock of her own Blackies at Clova and took out the championship at Fettercairn Show.
“While on the East coast I also spent my weekends doing security at pubs and nightclubs, which was wild!”
Tragically Rhoda’s father died in an accident in May 2014 and she returned home to her croft in the September
“The job on Gometra was advertised, but no one applied So I came home and took on Dad’s role on the island and moved back onto my croft,” shared Rhoda, who like many islanders wears various hats or other attire: sheep shearing contractor, fencing contractor and lobster fisherwoman on her brother ’ s fishing boat.
The following day I headed up Glen Forsa to Rhoail Fank to photograph Rhoda shearing. As it was a traditional
fank with covered yards Rhoda and her well-tattooed counterpart were shearing on stands rather than her trailer She uses Cow Comfort Mats instead of wooden boards to shear on – which I thought a great idea Well-known farm advisor Colin MacPhail, who is based in Lanarkshire, was kept busy dragging sheep out for the pair and rolling wool
Rhoda’s shearing record sits at 403 sheep shorn in nine hours at Glengorm
Obviously a trip to Gometra was out of the question at that juncture so I headed back at the end of August when the lambs were coming off the island.
With the first ferry off Skye I hoofed it down to Lochaline and across to Mull, in time to meet Rhoda just arriving at the pier in her RIB Life jacket on, the adventure began!
While many farmers, from time to time, bemoan the weather conditions they have to work in, this hardy lassie has to brave the seas as well as the elements
Few farmers will head to work in a flotation suit! The added exertion of pulling in boats was just exhausting to film and watch!
“The sea is my problem and the wind I have taken some chances but feel that my RIB is one of the safest boats. We have to work with the tides.”
Luckily the twenty-minute crossing was relatively calm. Rhoda’s Mum, (also Rhoda) still lives on the island and dished up a lovely lunch before we ferried the lambs from the shed to pens on the pier with the quad bike and trailer
Gometra covers 1200 acres with half good fertile ground and half hill
“Mum is a godsend, especially when gathering It is really difficult, rocky terrain to gather and I can’t use the
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quad on the hill ”
“Mum spends the winter crafting and sells her beaded jewellery and bookmarks to summer tourists ”
With ten years of running the 200 Blackies on Gometra, Rhoda feels pleased that she has improved the quality of the stock to her liking, using Lurg genetics.
Island owner and off-grid resident Roc Sandford likes to keep the island organic, which has its challenges with the ever-invading bracken, white dose resistance and no deer control
The increase in bracken has seen sheep numbers drop over the years Like most west coast crofting and farming communities the Sea Eagle has also taken its toll on lamb survival One bonus is that there are no foxes on the island!
Ewes are sold privately at 4-crop along with any excess gimmers “I could sell at the market but some go to
Aberdeenshire and some to Biggar ”
As we arrived at the quay with the fourth and final trailer load of lambs, Rhoda’s brother David had berthed with the Seahound Loading was relatively easy – the Munro siblings worked in harmony
As David made off with the ovine cargo, Rhoda pulled in the RIB and we chased him up the loch for epic video footage and to have the trailer in situ for his arrival on Mull
Back on Mull as we awaited the lambs, Rhoda admitted that her ambition for her own Blackie flock is to be able to sell a pen of 20 breedy females a year
This capable young lady (48) was invited back to the East coast last year to judge the Blackfaces at Alyth Show She has previously placed the winners at Dalmally Show and the Tup sale at Oban
Unloading the lambs took a bit more
coaxing and as the back door of the Ifor Williams trailer closed I made off for Fishnish ferry terminal in the hope of making time to connect for the last Skye ferry Unfortunately the queue was long and my journey time increased by several hours and miles by heading home via Fort William. But it was the least of my worries, I had had an amazing outing with a woman who I admire and now hold in even higher regard
Next time you are complaining about the weather – spare a thought for Rhoda Munro who will be making her daily trip through atrocious conditions on the high seas to check her flock! And twice a day at lambing time
Check out the video footage of Rhoda taking the lambs off Gometra in her brother ’ s fishing boat at: m.youtube/@farmingscotlandcom
Skye Lad Running for YFC Trials Title at Highland Sheep
Six young farmers from across the country will be vying for top dog at the Young Farmer Dog Trial to be held at NSA Highland Sheep at Midfearn Farm, Ardgay on 11th June‘25. Qualifiers for the second YFC Dog Trial were held at the Inter District Nursery Areas throughout Scotland Four competitors will run at Intermediate level and two will compete as Professionals
Skye lad Mark MacQueen (23) of Peinachorran, Braes with his trusty canine cohort, Ted will be representing Bower Young Farmers in the Professional section He will be competing against John Ramsay and Drift of Stranraer and Rhins Young Farmers John works at home on the family beef and sheep farm – Whitefield – at Glen Luce and heads off contract sheep shearing in the summer months
A time served joiner, Mark swapped his tools of the trade for dogs, quads and whistles and now spends his day contract shepherding, gathering and training dogs professionally across the
island and further a field
Two and a half years in and this enthusiastic youngster has trained, sold and turned over 70 working sheep dogs to a top of £6500 for Barcroft Brian, who was sold privately to a farmer on Shetland. Brian, a red-coated collie, was at the time sitting on 35 points and in third place in the North of Scotland Nursery League
Mark purchased Ted, rising two, from R Owen Brecon, Wales for £6700 – a record price for a Skye man at the time (It now stands at £8000 for a dog from Iain ‘Staffin’ MacDonald, who sold to fellow Sgiathanach Donald Beaton, Duntulm at the Dingwall dog sale)
Mark went on to win the Lochcarron trial with Ted three weeks later They then took out Moy, Strathnaver and were second at Lieruary The pairing won at Yonder Bogie and placed 3rd at Udny the same day. They qualified in second place in the North of Scotland Nursery League and competed as part of the team at the Scottish Nursery Final at the beginning of March at Pinwherry,
by Eilidh MacPherson
Girvan in Ayrshire
“Ted is the best dog I have had, a great listener and has a natural will to please and can hold a single well,” commented Mark, who also spent a year prawn fishing and admits that he is totally hooked on working dogs and trialling them
Two of the Intermediate competitors have made the grade for a second year in a row Laura Moore is running Finn again for Brechin YFC Laura hails from Mains of Balhall, a 717 acre mixed arable and stock unit near Menmuir in Angus. The family moved up from a stock farm in Dumfries in 2003. She has a small flock of pedigree Charollais sheep and trains her own collies Last year this pairing ran out of time and took runner up spot in the Intermediate section
Ben McSporran of Peebles Young Farmers, who has an Agricultural degree from Edinburgh is returning this year with a different dog Last year he ran Cass and lifted the inaugural Intermediate trophy – this time he is sporting Ness Ben farms in partnership with his Uncles on Wester Middleton Farm He has a contract agreement with them to run the 1100 breeding ewes They have a pure Blackface flock, breed their own Mule ewes, which in turn are covered by Suffolks and Texels. His father, a native of Gigha farms Eilean Farm at Innerleithen.
Biggar Young Farmer and ex Oatridge College student, Rebecca Clarke (25) of West Whitecastle Farm, Biggar is running Floss Rebecca tends 400 Mule and Texel cross ewes on the family run 300 acre farm It is also home to 120 mainly Angus and Limousin cross sucklers
Winner of the NSA Next Generation Shepherd 2022, Ewan Runciman of Huntington Farm, Lauder in the Scottish Borders makes up the squad He will be putting Meg through her paces, representing Ettrick and Lauder Pedigree Texel and Suffolk sheep are the favoured breeds on the family farm
The SAYFC competitors will run over the lunchtime break.
Highland Sheep 2025 will be hosted by kind permission of Mr and Mrs C W Brooke, Mid Fearn Farm, Ardgay, Sutherland, IV24 3DL
New Net Zero Project Focuses on Grasslands
Scottish researchers are playing a key role in a UK-wide project aimed at transforming grasslands for net zero.
Scientists at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) based in the Highlands and Aberdeen will measure greenhouse gas emissions from grazing livestock, as well as analyse soil health and carbon storage in lowland and upland grass
The Scotland-based research has received a £566 000 grant from UKRI's Transforming Land Use for Net Zero, Nature and People programme It is part of a wider project led by the University of the West of England, which aims to help the UK achieve its mitigation goals, with "the potential to help the UK save more than £1 6 billion annually"
At SRUC's Hill & Mountain Research Centre near Loch Lomond, scientists will assess effects of different grazing
strategies in upland lamb production on soil, greenhouse gas emissions, productivity and efficiency.
Self-selection of where to graze by individuals within the flock of 600 hill sheep will be monitored via animal locational recording and GPS tracking Methane emissions will be measured from individual sheep using the portable GreenSheep facility, alongside growth, body conditions, maternal traits, and welfare
On SRUC's farm in Aberdeen, the project will utilise a long-term experiment to investigate the carbon storage potential of short-term leys in arable rotations This experiment offers a unique opportunity to follow grazed mixed herbal leys through their lifetime and subsequent incorporation for arable production Gaseous losses of carbon and nitrogen will be measured throughout the entire rotation.
SRUC will also lead one of six UK Land Use Clusters for Agroecology (LUCAs), each designed to engage with a range of farmers and land managers. The Scottish cluster will address the use of rotational grazing and agri-tech for improved grassland management and understanding the role of vegetation type in soil carbon storage
Working with a wide group of stakeholders to identify public priorities and trade-offs with respect to ecosystem services, the valuation of ecosystem services will help to inform future support measures
Professor Christine Watson, who is leading the SRUC research, said: "This a really exciting project where we are able to contribute a considerable range of expertise, across grasslands, ecology, animal science and modelling, in helping to truly understand the climate change mitigation potential of UK grassland."
Halal Meat Accounts for 30% of UK Lamb Sales
Halal meat accounts for 30% of UK lamb sales, says AHDB in latest retail report
New AHDB research shows how halal consumers' behaviours and consumption habits have changed since the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis
This report assesses the attitudes and shopping behaviours of halal meat consumers. It is aimed at helping the industry gain a more comprehensive understanding of products these consumers buy, how and where they shop, what's important to them when they buy meat, the importance of Muslim festivals and key opportunities for the halal meat sector
While Muslims make up around 6 5% of the UK population, AHDB estimates that they account for 30% of lamb sales in terms of volume and farmers could benefit from finding out more about the halal sector and its requirements
In the UK, as a whole, lamb consumption has been in steady decline during the last 20 years This is driven
by comparatively high prices relative to other proteins, such as chicken
However, for the Muslim community, lamb remains a primary protein source
In 2016, Muslims in the UK were estimated to have spent £4 64 billion on halal food and beverages, and by 2023, AHDB and NIQ estimate that £823 million was spent on halal meat alone.
Lamb and mutton consumption is very important to halal consumers; 80% consume lamb weekly and 64% consume mutton weekly, compared with only 6% of the general UK population eating lamb
Vanessa Adamson, Retail & Consumer Insight Manager at AHDB, said: "AHDB regularly undertakes retail and consumer insight analysis on shoppers We have not carried out detailed work on the halal sector since the pre-Covid period and a lot has changed in the intervening years due to influences like Covid and the cost of living crisis
"The report is aimed at farmers, processors and retailers – essentially all
of those in the supply chain who could benefit from learning more about the growing halal market We hope our r esearch can help drive sales in the sector "
Awal Fuseini, Senior Halal Sector Manager at AHDB and 2025 Nuffield Scholar, added: "AHDB is shining a spotlight on the development of the UK's halal meat sector. We believe it presents many opportunities for farmers and processors to diversify their livestock production to cater for the growing demand for halal beef and lamb in the UK
"Halal meat consumers are a very important component of domestic demand For the industry, the report is about trying to obtain a detailed picture of their behaviour to help both us and our levy payers identify what's important to halal consumers to better meet their needs "
To read the full 2024 halal report, visit: https://ahdb org uk/knowledgelibrary/consumer-insight-halal-retailand-consumption-trends-2024
New Data Reveals Continued Reduction in Antibiotics
VETPARTNERS has shown its support for cross-sector collaboration to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials by announcing a further reduction in the use of antibiotics across their UK practices
Data included in the veterinary group ’ s newly published 2024 Antibiotics Stewardship Report shows the use of antibiotics has declined by 44% since 2021
The report has been published to coincide with World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (November 18th to 24th), a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
To effectively reduce AMR, the World Health Organisation has called on all sectors, including the veterinary profession, to use antimicrobials prudently and appropriately, take preventive measures to decrease the incidence of infections and follow good practices in disposal of antimicrobial contaminated waste
VetPartners is committed to progressing the responsible use of antibiotics in its UK practices amid the ongoing global threat of AMR to humans, animals, plants and the environment All species groups – small animal, farm and equine – across VetPartners’ UK Practices showed a
reduction in the use of antibiotics during 2024.
The data contained in the Report was collected via audit, HR and purchasing information and shows a reduction overall in the amount of antibiotics purchased per full-time equivalent vet
Among the findings in the 2024 Antibiotics Stewardship Report are:
• The use of enrofloxacin - classed as Highest Priority Critically Important Antibiotics (HP CIAs) by the World Health Organisation - has reduced in our small animal practices by 65 8% since 2021
• Purchasing of cefovecin in small animal practice has reduced by 38 2% since 2021, whilst purchasing of ceftiofur in equine practice has reduced by 51 3% over the same period
• VetPartners has increased the use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) by 11.1% in safeguarding farm animal health and welfare while also achieving a 26 7% decrease in antibiotic use since 2021
VetPartners Director of Clinical Research and Excellence in Practice Dr Rachel Dean believes the latest reduction in the use of antibiotics across the veterinary group is another important step forward in tackling a global issue
Dr Dean said: “All of the success and the progress we have made in reducing our use of antibiotics has been down to our people in practices as they feel very passionate about this We want to move
forward in a progressive way with how we use these really important drugs, but we will also remain patient-focused to ensure we deliver high quality care.
“Our focus has been on the appropriate use of antimicrobials and a positive result of this has been a reduction in their use across our practices in the UK while still protecting great clinical outcomes and safeguarding the health and welfare of animals we treat
“We aim to use these drugs only when needed and select which ones we use appropriately so we can reduce the risk of resistance and protect the efficacy of these drugs for the future health of humans and animals ”
The VetPartners Clinical Board introduced a number of key initiatives across its practice teams to support a reduction in the use of antibiotics.
These included CPD courses to support vets in the responsible use of cefovecin in cats and enrofloxacin in rabbits, and exploring scenarios where other treatment options could be appropriately used Clinical decision-making resources have also been produced to help farm vets better utilise NSAIDs when refining their antibiotic choices in cattle and to promote the responsible use of antibiotics at lambing time
Read it here:
https://www vetpartners co uk/app/u ploads/2024/11/4231-AntibioticStewardship-Report 2024 compressed pdf
New livestock ear tags set to lower cost of data capture
Livestock management platform, iLivestock, has launched a new range of affordable sheep and cattle ear tags to bring down the cost of effective farm data capture
The eTag range, developed in partnership with Allflex MSD, will offer guaranteed low price ear tags to the UK market
Ewen Wardman, iLivestock CEO, says: “iLivestock subscribers will be able to access eTags for up to 25% less than the average market price, with no compromises on quality
“For example, the average pair of sheep breeding tags cost around 99p, while ours will retail at just 79p, making substantial cost savings for a flock or herd, even when purchasing smaller numbers of tags.”
To mark the launch, the first 250 new subscribers to the iLivestock platform can choose a set of up to 200 sheep breeding tags or 100 cattle new run pairs As an added bonus, every order will receive a free tag applicator
Mr Wardman says launching the new tag range joins the dots in iLivestock’s comprehensive data collection and management package of software and hardware
“We want to make it more affordable and accessible than ever for farmers to benefit from farm data use, to drive production gains at a time when margins are being squeezed tighter than ever, ” he adds
“While sheep ear tags are compulsory, all too often they’re only used for the bare minimum movement
IVF Calf Could Help Accelerate Dairy Journey to Net Zero
Hilda may look like an ordinary calf, but the sprightly, Scotland-born animal represents an historic moment for the world's longest-running livestock genetics project and could help accelerate the dairy industry's journey to net zero
The calf is the first of the 16th generation of the famous Dumfries-based Langhill Herd – a vital source of data for the UK dairy industry for more than half century – and significantly, she is the first member of the herd to be born through IVF. Hilda is part of the Cool Cows project, which aims to establish a nucleus of highly methane-efficient animals
Fertilising Hilda's mother's eggs in a lab means the next generation of the Langhill Herd has arrived eight months earlier than previously possible
With the process set to be repeated, it means that researchers are doubling the rate of genetic gain and thereby accelerating the accumulation of data to breed more efficient dairy cows
The partnership between Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Cumbria vets Paragon and Semex has received £335,000 from the Digital Dairy Chain's
Collaborative Research & Development
Grant Competition The competition is managed and awarded independently by the UK's national innovation agency, Innovate UK
SRUC's project lead Professor Richard Dewhurst said: "With global consumption of dairy produce continuing to grow, breeding livestock for sustainability is extremely important The birth of Hilda is potentially a hugely significant moment for the UK dairy industry.
"We will use a new genomic assessment alongside existing production and environmental efficiency indices to select elite, methane efficient heifers for breeding The Cool Cows project will produce a greater number of offspring from these donors, rapidly establishing a nucleus of highly methane-efficient calves "
Project Lead Rob Simmons, Director and Lead Vet – Advanced Breeding at Paragon, said: "As the first veterinary practice to be awarded an RCVS Outstanding achievement in Environmental Sustainability, Paragon were delighted to help develop and deliver this important project to help support sustainability in the dairy
records, but when teamed with our solutions, they can be used for so much more ”
Helen Sheppard, identification support lead at Allflex MSD, says the eTag range will provide a unique identification for the data behind each animal, allowing farmers to manage their stock with precision
She adds: “The collaboration with iLivestock is the perfect fit; we know their solutions will help farmers maximise the value of our tag technology, helping deliver returns on investment through enhanced productivity and management ease ”
For more information about iLivestock’s new eTags, please visit: www.ilivestock.co.uk/
sector Genetic improvement in methane efficiency is going to be key to continuing to provide nutritious food to the public, while controlling the impact of methane emissions on the environment in the future "
Stuart Martin, Programme Director of Digital Dairy Chain said: "We are very pleased to have supported this groundbreaking project. With the environmental impact of farming being a critical global issue, projects that look for innovative solutions to mitigate this impact are vital to the industry The birth of the first Cool Cows calf marks a significant milestone, promising significant results for the future of sustainable farming "
First established in 1970, the Langhill Herd – which led to a Queen's Anniversary Prize for SRUC in 2017 –has contributed to the development of the Profitable Lifetime Index, which benefits all dairy farmers in the UK
Over the last five years, the dairy feed intake records collected at Langhill have been used by EGENES to create national genomic breeding values for feed efficiency available to all farmers who genotype their cows
To find out more about research at SRUC, visit www sruc ac uk
Heaton Heads Virgin Money in Scotland
James Heaton, Virgin Money's highly respected Agricultural Business Manager currently responsible for agricultural and landed estate clients in East Lothian & the Scottish Borders, has been promoted to Senior Director Scotland to further strengthen the bank's market-leading support for the farming industry
With Virgin Money's growing commitment of over £1 5bn in funding to the agricultural sector, James Heaton will continue to take responsibility for the bank's developing client base with a significant emphasis on the large estates and major agri-businesses that account for the biggest proportion of the Scottish agricultural industry
Virgin Money Head of Agriculture for Scotland, Stephen Buchan, says that this appointment reflects the bank's deep and abiding commitment to the future of farming and agri-business:
"Virgin Money has a long track record of providing banking facilities and investment funding for agriculture in Scotland and James's well deserved promotion reinforces our commitment to providing support where the industry
needs it most
"Our farmers and landowners in Scotland and the Borders are facing an unprecedented range of challenges right now, and large estates and agri-businesses are leading the way in making the changes required to meet those challenges James has all the skills and experience to help those clients with the banking services, the financial planning advice and the investment funding they need to take our industry forward into a sustainable, productive and economically viable future."
A graduate of Newcastle University and a Chartered Banker since 2016, Berwickshire based James Heaton started his banking career in 1998 and has worked in roles across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Yorkshire, Northumberland and Scotland He joined Yorkshire Bank in 2010 as Agricultural Relationship Manager for the East of England, and then took on the same role back in Scotland for Clydesdale Bank in 2015
James has developed strong working relationships with more than 90 farm, estate and rural business clients for
Virgin Money over the past nine years, helping to grow the bank's agriculture business significantly He has also brought his commitment to education and communication to mentoring and supporting the professional development of Virgin Money's growing team of specialist agricultural relationship managers in Scotland
"Our clients are facing a combination of challenges from all sides, including changes in government support, cost inflation and carbon reduction, and after the Budget a major new uncertainty over their tax planning for succession. My role at Virgin Money is to build long term relationships with each client, understand every client's unique business, and find the right financial solutions to enable that business to plot a route through the challenges
"I am really delighted that Virgin Money has given me the responsibility and the opportunity to help our large estate and agri-business clients move forward, with the authority of a Senior Director It underlines the bank's commitment to the future of our clients, and it very definitely reinforces mine "
Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Ponies
Ride – Mrs Julia Woods, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Conformation – Mrs Cheryl Frith, Shropshire
Side Saddle
Mrs Valerie Hodgett, Burnley, Lancashire
Intermediate Show Hunter, Show Hunter Ponies, Lead Rein of Hunter Type and First Ridden Pony of Show Hunter Type
Ride – Mrs Henrietta Barton, Lancashire
Conformation – Mrs Anne Leaver, Chorley, Lancashire
Intermediate Show Riding Type, Show Ponies, Lead Rein & First Ridden Show PonyRide –
Mrs Jamie Mead, Ibberton, Dorset
Conformation – Mr Philip Hilton, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Mountain & Moorland Lead Rein and First Ridden Ponies
Ride – Mrs Gill Simpson, Hope Valley, Derbyshire
Conformation – Mrs Kerry Wainwright, Cheshire
Junior Mountain & Moorland Ridden
Ride – Mrs Julia Woods, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Conformation – Cheryl Frith, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Donkeys
Mrs Elizabeth Croskery, Crossgar, Co Down Working Hunter Ponies
Ride – Mr Jonathon Geake, Wiltshire
Conformation – Mrs Liz Dun, Lanarkshire
Part-Bred Ridden Pony
Ride – Mrs Valerie Hodgett, Burnley, Lancashire-
Conformation – Mrs Penny Clifford, Darvel, Ayrshire
Mountain and Moorland Ponies Under Saddle Large Breeds
Ride – Mrs Heather Prescott, Lancashire
Conformation – Mr John James, Llandovery, Carmarthernshire
Small Breeds
Ride – Miss Kerry Wainwright, Cheshire
Conformation – Mrs Gill Simpson, Hope Valley, Derbyshire
Coloured Horses and Ponies Under Saddle
Ride – Mr David Bennett, Lancashire
Conformation – Mrs Valerie Hodgett, Burnley, Lancashire Hunter Type
Miss Phillipa MacInnes, Kilmarnock
Mr Anthony Perkins, Avon, Somerset
ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW JUDGES 2025
Page 23 –
Page
ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW JUDGES 2025
BEEF
OVERALL
Overall Young Handlers
Mr Gordon Smith and Ms Beth Fairley
BEEF CATTLE
Beef Native Breeds Inter Breed Team Championship
Mr John Scott, Fearn, Ross-Shire
Beef Breeder Competition & Junior Beef Inter Breed Championship
Mr Jonathon Watson, Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland
Inter Breed Team Competition and Overall Beef Inter-Breed Champion
Mr John Jeffrey, Kelso, Roxburghshire
Beef Inter-Breed Pairs Competition
Mr Mike Massie, Ellon, Aberdeenshire Young Handlers
Mr Roy Crockett, Earlston, Berwickshire
Beef Shorthorn
Mr Geoff Riby, Bridlington, E Yorkshire
Aberdeen Angus
Mr Neil Wattie, Alford, Aberdeenshire Galloway
Mr Stewart McIntosh, Roberton, Hawick Belted Galloway
Mr Desmond Henry, Ballymena Highland
Mr Charlie MacLean, Eastleigh, Hampshire Hereford
Mr Andrew Hughes, Halifax, Yorkshire Lincoln Red
Mrs Jenny Hurst, Grantham, Lincolnshire
British Charolais
Mr Allen Drysdale, Blairgowrie, Perth
British Simmental
Mr Andrew Clark, Tynan, Co Armagh British Limousin
Mr Andrew Burnett, Blair Drummond, British Blue
Mr GW Williams, Lampeter, Ceredigion Salers
Mr Patrick Boyd, Cornaigmore, Isle of Tiree
Commercial Cattle
Mrs Wendy Morgan, Builth Wells, Powys
SHEEP
Overall Sheep Inter Breed Championship
Mr Kenneth Sutherland, Thurso, Caithness
Overall Sheep Pairs Inter-Breed Championship
Mr James Thompson, Kelso, Roxburghshire
Sheep Young Handler
Mrs Fiona Burke, Kilry, Blairgowrie Blackface
Mr Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth
Suffolk
Mr John Gibb, Techmuiry, Fraserburgh Lleyn
Mr Colin Price, Brecon, Powys Ryeland
Mr John Donovan, Whitland, Carmarthenshire
Commercial Sheep
Mr John Guthrie, Muthill, Perthshire
Border Leicester
Mr Jack Lamb, Ayr, Ayrshire
British Berrichon
TBC
Jacob
Mrs Siwan Harris, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire
North Country Cheviot
Mr Roderick Runciman, Stow, Borders
North Country Cheviot Hill
Mr Peter Tweedie, Hownam, Jedburgh Cheviot
Mr Gordon Jackson, Blackburn, Newcastleton
Texel
Mr David McKerrow, Ellon, Aberdeenshire
Hampshire Down
Mrs Lucy Heywood, Watchet, Somerset
Swaledale
Mr David Allinson, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham
Bluefaced Leicester – Traditional
Mrs Kim Coleman, Ballymena, Co
Antrim
Bluefaced Leicester – Crossing
Mr Martin Allan, Appleby, Cumbria Charollais
Mr Dewi Evans, Moelfre, Anglesey Hebridean
Mr Martin Andrews, Newcastleton, Roxburghshire
North of England Mules
Mr Jeff Burrow, Kendal, Cumbria British Rouge
Mr John Smithson, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria Beltex
Mr Andrew Morton, Denny, Stirling Zwartbles
Mr Tom Blamire, Carlisle, Cumbria
Scotch Mule
Mr Brian Gilchrist, Biggar, Lanarkshire Bleu Du Maine
Mrs Pat Imlah, Newmachar, Aberdeenshire
Shetland
Mr Richard Spence, Unst, Shetland Blue Texel
Miss Izzy Hartley, Nelson, Lancashire
Dutch Spotted
Mr Liam Campbell, Ballymena, Co Antrim
Valais Blacknose
Mr Julian Walters, Okehampton, Devon
Kerry Hill
Mr Will Evans, Pembrokeshire
GOATS
Dairy Goats, Kids, Milking & Boer Goats
Mr Richard Wood, Hurst, Richmond
Scottish Dairy Goat Show
Mr Marcus Galbraith, Portstewart, NI
HEAVY HORSE
Clydesdales In Hand
Males
Mr Scott Greenhill, St Andrews, Fife
Females
Mr Robert A Detweiler, Iowa, USA
Clydesdale Young Handlers & Young Stockmen
Mrs Heather Fraser, Bathgate
Ridden Clydesdales
Ride – Ms Jo Callwood, Knutsford, Cheshire
Conformation – Mrs Heather Fraser
Highland Ponies In Hand
Males
Mrs Alison Blackburn, Fort William
Females
Mrs Audrey Barron, Arbroath, Angus Shetland Ponies In Hand
Miss Susan Dunnett, Wick, Caithness
Miniature Shetland Ponies In Hand
Miss D Johnston, Leyburn, Yorkshire
The Sanderson Trophy
Miss Irene Spence, Alford, Aberdeen
Shetland Pony Young Handlers
TBC
HARNESS, GROOMING, TURNOUTS
Heavy Horse Turnouts
Mr Robert A Detweiler, Iowa, USA
Harness Grooming & Decoration
Mr Mike Horler, Bath, Somerset
Private Driving & Pleasure Driving
Mrs Heather Noad, Oldbury on Severn, Bristol
LIGHT HORSE
Hunters In Hand
Mrs Anne Leaver, Chorley, Lancashire
Hunter Under Saddle Weights/Smalls
Ride – Mrs Beanie Sturgis, Wiltshire
DAIRY CATTLE
Overall Dairy Interbreed
Mr Ashley Fleming, Seaforde, Downpatrick
Ayrshire
Mr John Watson, Leswalt, Stranraer
Holstein
Mr Brian Weatherup, Crossgates, Fife
Dairy Shorthorn
Mrs Wendy A Young, Kirbyunderdale, York
Red & White, Jersey & Dairy Any
Other Breed
Mr Gavin Baillie, Stonehouse, Lanark
Dairy Calf and Showmanship
Mr Neil Sloan, Cumnock, Ayrshire
Conformation- Mrs Anne Leaver, Chorley, Lancashire
Hunters Under Saddle- Working Hunter and Ladies Side Saddle Horse
Ride – Mrs E Green, Barnoldswick, Lancashire
Conformation – Miss Dale Atkinson, Newmarket, Suffolk
Sports Horses (In Hand)
Mrs Beanie Sturgis, Chippenham
Retraining of Racehorses (Final)
Ride – Mrs Gillian McCowan, Berwick
Conformation – Mr Jonathon Geake, Malborough, Wiltshire
Highland Ponies Under Saddle
Ride – Mrs Louise Allan, Balbeggie, Perthshire
Conformation – Miss Jennifer Allan, Frenchie, Fife
Coloured Horses &Ponies In Hand/ Cob Type (Section C and D)
Mr John Helme, Colwyn Bay, Conwy
Welsh Mountain Ponies (Sec A)
Mr DR Davies, Aberystwyth, Wales
Welsh Ponies (Section B)
Miss Kerry Wainwright, Cheshire
Part Bred Welsh
Miss Kerry Wainwright, Cheshire
Mountain and Moorland In Hand ¶ Connemara Ponies in Hand
Mrs Jackie Webb, Somerset
Overall Mountain & Moorland In Hand
Mrs Gill Simpson, Derbyshire
St John’s Wells Trophy
Mr Steven Strang, Renfrewshire
Overall Light Horse In Hand
Mr Philip Hilton, Cambridgeshire
Pony Breeding In Hand
Mrs Henrietta Barton, Leicestershire
Arabs & Part Bred Arab in Hand & Under Saddle
Mr and Mrs I Woodward, Poulton Le Fylde, Lancashire
Riding Horses & Cobs
Ride – Mrs Emma Green, Lancashire
Conformation – Mrs Jo Jefferson, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Positive Mood at British Wool AGM and Conference
Record breaking UK shearers were celebrated at British Wool’s AGM and annual conference last week
Among those honored was Scottish sheep shearer Una Cameron of St Boswells who annihilated a world record beating Sacha Bond’s women's solo strong wool, nine hour ewe record by 59 sheep Una passed the record with an hour to go on the clock and tallied 517 for the day.
Staffordshire-based Nick Greaves, broke the world lamb shearing record, which has been held exclusively in New Zealand for the past 50 years He shore an impressive 764 lambs in eight hours
Meirion Evans, an experienced Welsh shearer was also successful in his British record-breaking attempt, shearing 791 sheep across nine hours
All three were presented with a Harris Tweed Hebrides cap made from 100% British wool and a voucher for the British Wool Shop
Andrew Hogley, British Wool’s CEO congratulated those who had broken shearing records and highlighted the positive direction the wool price has taken in recent times.
He said: “Recent British Wool auctions have achieved the highest prices for more than five years and we ’ ve seen strong demand With prices up by more than 25% since the start of the season this bodes well for improved member returns Prices need to recover further to give farmers the returns they need for their wool, but we are currently in a much better position than we have been for some time ”
He also highlighted some of the marketing initiatives during the last year including a recent Shaun the Sheep carpet promotion
This collaboration embraces the work of British Wool and The Campaign for Wool and is seen as a key platform to aid the promotion of wool carpets to consumers. Over 1000 retailers across the UK have Shaun the Sheep
point-of-sale materials, which are designed to educate consumers about the natural benefits of wool.
Delegates were also told about collaborations with Patrick Grant and Joe Lycett, which have helped to increase consumer awareness of British Wool and British wool-rich products
Andrew said: “The team at British Wool remain committed to driving consumer demand through campaigns and work with brand partners, manufacturers and processors We are determined to continue building on this success for the benefit of all sheep farmers ”
Also addressing the conference were Gary Hurlstone from NextGen Tree Shelters and Mark Hogarth from Harris Tweed Hebrides who both spoke about the importance of British wool to their businesses and products.
The meeting was coupled with a trip for delegates to the Harrison Spinks factory. Harrison Spinks is a major user of traceable British wool for their mattresses and recently hosted Princess Anne who presented them with the King’s Award for Sustainable Development
Wool returns received by British Wool’s members are at the highest level since 2018 This has been driven by strong demand from buyers over the course of the last year, with auction prices in March hitting evels not seen since October 2018.
Commenting on the trends, Jim Robertson, Chairman of British Wool, says: “With an average auction price of £1 00 per kg, British Wool’s sale price is 18p per kg higher than last year Coupled with strong cost control, this price increase has flowed through to improved member returns ”
There was a significant increase in demand for cross-bred wool through the autumn and winter, with prices in both the UK and New Zealand showing a strong recovery This has resulted in a 70% increase in member returns this year
Jim says: “Demand for British wool through the middle of the selling season
was exceptional, with many auctions having nearly full clearance ”
The strong market led to British Wool having sold 83% of its supplies by mid-April The remaining wool is scheduled to be auctioned in May and June before the new season ’ s wool is ready for auction in July.
British Wool has been particularly active in the market over the past 12 months, proactively working to drive demand for British wool from manufacturers and retailers
British Wool’s Yarn and Fabric collections, which were showcased internationally, have helped increase the number of brand partners, now more than 170, that specify the wool in their products is sourced from British Wool’s members
With decreasing volumes received by British Wool in recent years, it is believed some farmers have chosen to hold on to their wool or use it on-farm
Wool Price at Seven Year High
rather than send it to a depot or collection centre
Jim continues: “As wool prices improve; better returns should hopefully encourage more UK farmers to send in their wool. This year, British Wool will be opening several new collection centres around the UK to improve convenience for members. We want to make it as easy as possible for farmers to deliver their wool
“British Wool is the only organisation in the world that collects, grades, sells, and promotes fleece wool We are committed to collecting wool from all sheep farmers, regardless of quantity, quality, type, or location Demand for wool from UK farmers is improving, and to maximise returns, British Wool urges its members to send in their fleeces in 2025 Please contact your local depot or visit the British Wool website for details of your nearest collection centre ”
Mutch Second to Fagan at Christchurch
King Country shearer Jack Fagan has won his second New Zealand Corriedales shearing championship title after almost disappearing from the contest during the race for places in the final at the Canterbury Shears in Christchurch Fagan, who flew in from West Australia in his successful bid to regain a title he won for the first time two years ago, was in second place as four previous winners led the 20 shearers in the heats, but in the quarterfinals was last to qualify into the 12 for the semi finals, with just a 0 39pts buffer from the best of the rest
Putting the near demise behind him he made the top six in fourth place and with fastest time in the final and best quality in pen-judging won by 2 37pts from 2020 winner, Scotland international and Southern Hawke's Bay farmer Gavin Mutch Southland shearer and defending champion Nathan Stratford, with four wins in the event dating back to his first in 2005, was third
They were followed in order by Casey Bailey, of Riverton, a first-time Golden Shears Open finalist eight months ago, Rangiora shearer Hugh De Lacy, who was top qualifier for the final and winner of the Canterbury All-Breeds Circuit the previous day, and Marlborough shearer Angus Moore, who won the title in 2021
Fagan, son of Sir David Fagan, who won the title 13 times between 1984 and 2009, shore the 12 sheep in 13min 19 56sec, with Mutch second to finish, in 13min 31 91sec, with De Lacy next half-a-minute later
Stratford was second-to-last off the board, but had the best quality points, highlighted by incurring just seven penalties in judging on the shearing board
Southern Hawke's Bay shearer Laura Bradley firmly established herself as possibly New Zealand's, most successful female competition shearer when she won the Senior final, as well as the
Women's event
It was a big day for female shears, with fellow women's event entries and Rangiora-based Ella Caves, of Rangiora, winning the Intermediate event, and Holly Crombie the Junior event
From Papatawa, between Dannevirke and Woodville, she's now had seven wins in the Senior class and is on the brink of becoming the first women to be promoted to Open class based on competition results and she has won three successive Women's events this year, at the Golden Shears in Masterton and the New Zealand Shears in Te Kuiti at the end of last season and now the Corriedale championships
The Senior final was also triumph for the north, with Taumarunui shearer Taelor Tarrant first to finish, shearing the seven sheep in 12min 1 13sec, beating Wairoa shearer Bruce Grace by
15 seconds, with Bradley next in 12min 27 84s
Bradley had enough quality to beat Tarrant by 1 1pts, with Grace taking third place, although the best quality points were scored by Tarrant's brother, Aidan, who was fourth overall
While competitor numbers did not meet organisers hopes, with just 59 entries across the six events – of whom eight shore in two events – the Senior event had an encouraging 16 entries.
In the women's final shearing four sheep each, Bradley was, surprisingly beaten to the finish by Caves, who shore the four sheep in 8min 11 62sec But Bradley had vastly superior pen quality and claimed the win by almost 10 points from first-year Senior Emma Martin, of Wyndham Martin won the event last season when she was No 1-ranked Intermediate shearer nationwide
Blades shearing legend Tony Dobbs, of Fairlie, showed no sign of drawing the curtain on his career, winning the show's Golden Blades title for a 20th time, his fourth win in four finals this season, in a career tally of more than 110 wins in blades finals spanning four decades
Fagan made an even more successful trip of it by winning the Waiau Rugby Club Speedshear Open final in North Canterbury on Saturday, with a fastest shear of 22 8 seconds Lionel Taumata, of Gore, was second on 25 98s, and third was New Zealand-based Scotland shearer Scott Wilson in 26 12s
The women's Speedshear was won by Emily Te Kapa, from Scotland, with a quickest time of 38 28s
Shearing-only competitions will be shorn at the Nelson and West Otago A and P shows on November 23, the last shearing sports competitions in the South Island until the Peninsula Duvauchelle Shears on January 11
On Thursday, the Donaghys Canterbury All Breeds Multi-Breeds Circuit final, was won for a second year in a row by Rangiora shearer Hugh De Lacy.
In the six-man showdown of 14 sheep each, he was closest-challenged by North Otago shearing contractor
Willy McSkimming, who finished in 16min 17 91sec and beat De Lacy by about 11 seconds But De Lacy, with the least penalties out the back and the best quality overall, won by 3 69pts
RESULTS from shearing events at the New Zealand Corriedale Shearing and Woolhandlng Championships at the Canterbury Shears in Christchurch; Open final (12 sheep): Jack Fagan (Te Kuiti) 13m 19 56s, 50 31pts, 1; Gavin Mutch (Scotland/Dannevirke) 13m 31 91s, 52 68pts, 2; Nathan Stratford (Invercargill) 14m 25 66s, 53 12pts, 3; Casey Bailey (Riverton) 14m 44 28s, 55 21pts, 4; Hugh De Lacy (Rangiora) 14m 1 5s, 55 49pts, 5; Angus Moore (Ward) 14m 4 34s, 61 47pts, 6
Open Plate (6 sheep): James Ruki (Te Kuiti) 8m 23 59s, 36 01pts, 1; Lionel Taumata (Gore) 7m 23 75s, 36 52pts, 2; Lyall Windleburn (Rangiora) 8m 22 16s, 38 11pts, 3; Willy McSkimming (Oamaru) 7m 28 66s, 41,27pts, 4; Duncan Leslie (Alexandra) 8m 6 5sec, 42 83pts, 5; Floyde Neil (Taumarunui) 6m 31 28s, 48 56pts, 6
Senior final (7 sheep): Laura Bradley (Papatawa) 12m 27.84s, 46.39pts, 1; Taelor Tarrant (Taumarunui) 12m 1.13s, 47.49pts, 2; Bruce Grace (Wairoa) 12m 16.5s, 47.97pts, 3; Aidan Tarrant (Taumarunui) 13m 38.63s, 48.5pts, 4; Liam Norrie (Cheviot) 12m 55 34s, 48 77pts, 5; Emma Martin (Wyndham) 17m 38 44s, 60 92pts, 6
Intermediate final (5 sheep): Ella Caves (Rangiora) 10m 5 34s, 49 27pts, 1; Sam McGuigan (Gore) 10m 25 87s, 50 49pts, 2; Ricky Power (Gore) 12m 5 79s, 51 09pts, 3; Izaak Cleland (Oamaru) 12m 23 19s, 55 16pts, 4; Kyle Viljoen (Bloemfontein, South Africa) 14m 51 82s, 58 19pts, 5; Foonie Waihape (Alexandra) 13m 59 84s, 59 99pts, 6
Junior final (3 sheep): Holly Crombie (Te Anau/Rangiora) 11m 11 04s, 50 55pts, 1; Levi Beedles (Rangiora) 10m 17 16s, 53 52pts, 2
Blades final (5 sheep): Tony Dobbs (Fairlie) 17m 51 47s, 60 97pts, 1; Scott McKay (Kaikoura) 16m 57 03s, 63 35pts, 2; Mike McConnell (Christchurch) 18m 22 91s, 66 55pts, 3; Tim Hogg Timaru/Rolleston) 18m 42 66s, 70 13pts, 4; Phil Oldfield (Geraldine) 20m 31.69s, 76.18pts, 5; George Mudge (Devon, England) 24m 38.06s, 93.1pts, 6.
Women's final (4 sheep): Laura Bradley (Papatawa) 8m 18.19s, 32.41pts, 1; Emma Martin (Wyndham) 9m 54.72s, 41.99pts, 2; Ella Caves (Rangiora) 8m 11 62s, 47 08pts, 3; Foonie Waihape (Alexandra) 10m 32 85s, 51 39pts, 4; Holly Crombie (Te Anau/Rangiora) 12m 11 68s, 71 08pts, 5 Donaghys Canterbury Circuit final (14 sheep): Hugh De Lacy (Rangiora) 16m 28 5s, 59 71pts, 1; Willy McSkimming (Kurow) 16m17 91s, 63 4pts, 2; Shaun Burgess (Rakaia) 18m 27 72s, 67 53pts, 3; Thomas Lambert (Christchurch) 18m 53s, 68 44pts, 4; Dave Brooker (Cust) 19m 8 78s, 69 08pts, 5; Alex Smith (Rakaia) 20m 48 78s, 73 51pts, 6
Scots Placed in Speed Shears
by Doug Laing
Howard Revell has won the 2024 David Black Award in recognition of his longstanding efforts to help improve welfare of livestock and inspire others working in the British pig industry
The announcement was made at the National Pig Awards in London on Monday, 18 November Sponsored by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the prestigious accolade is given to an individual or organisation that has
Savills UK has made two further appointments to its established Natural Capital Team, which provides specialist advice in relation to nature-based solutions to climate change.
Natural Capital Consultants
Francesca Fowler-Walsh MRICS GSFP and Alice Slattery MSci are both based in Edinburgh as part of nine-strong UK team advising estates, institutional and corporate owners, project developers and investors
Francesca, previously a rural chartered surveyor with Nature England, is Regional Chair of RICS Matrics North, a RICS Northwest Region Board Member, a Trustee to the NFYFC and is certified in green and sustainable finance Meanwhile, Alice joins from AtkinsRéalis with an environmental science background and practical experience in nature restoration and analysing the value of ecosystem services provided to
made an outstanding impact on the pork sector through their work and Howard has devoted close to four decades to the industry
Having studied agriculture at Newcastle University, Howard spent three years with Bowes of Norfolk before joining BQP/Pilgrim's in 1987
For the last 25 years he was the company's Pig Production Manager, and later Director; a role from which he only recently retired. Howard has twice chaired the National Pig Association (NPA) Producer Group, spending five terms involved with that assembly, and previously sat on the NPA Board He has also been involved with the Pig Health and Welfare Council and has played a role in the development of outdoor breeding sites, with a lot more of his effort across the sector carried out behind the scenes One of Howard's stand out roles is as a mentor, playing a pivotal role in developing talent and offering support and guidance to the next generation, including the likes of NPA Chief Executive Lizzie Wilson and her predecessor Dr Zoe Leach
After presenting Howard with his award, last year's recipient Hugh Crabtree said: "Sometimes people confuse outstanding with obvious or overt and of course, for those that know them, there are individuals who perfectly fit the criteria whose contribution is in the background, below the parapet if you like Howard
landscapes and local communities She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and an accredited River Condition Assessment (RCA) surveyor.
Head of Savills UK Natural Capital Consultancy Team, Lucy Jenner, said: "Increasing political urgency around the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss has led to growing concern over environmental stewardship: this is quickly influencing how land is owned, managed and developed A growing number of clients on both sides of the border are keen to be on the right side of change and to adapt
We are therefore delighted to welcome Francesca and Alice to help us practically deliver for our clients across the UK and provide input to our analysis of natural capital opportunities for land and property."
Savills Natural Capital UK is headed up by Jon Dearlsey. He said: "Shifting
Revell is just such an individual who has been steadfast in his support of the industry, the representative organisations within it and the people who work in it His knowledge, careful consideration, and insightful c ontributions to discussion have just kept coming "
Marcus Bates, NPA Board Member, endorsed Howard's unpaid work within the industry: "Howard's achieved much more than longevity. His most enduring legacy of all will be all the young people that he has helped to mentor throughout his career, offering support and guidance and helping to future proof the industry by nurturing young talent who will ensure the success of the British pig industry for years to come "
Upon accepting his award, Howard said: "I'm extremely humbled to be this year's recipient of the David Black Award I would like to thank those who nominated me and, more importantly, everyone with whom I've worked alongside in various industry bodies or collaborations for the benefit of the pig industry I'm happy to accept this award on their behalf, in recognition of our collective efforts. I feel privileged to have worked alongside so many highly committed characters in the NPA and other bodies The commitment and effort of these people, either as staff or volunteers, help make the industry stronger and deserve your ongoing support and recognition "
policy, market forces and a focus on net zero for corporations are impacting banks, landowners and developers It is also creating exciting opportunities for rural landowners as well as private funds who wish to invest in projects which focus on rebuilding natural capital It is wonderful that two such high calibre specialists have joined us as these opportunities come to the fore "
Anew in-market specialist has been appointed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) to help drive dairy exports in Asia.
Karen Liao, has taken up the role of Vice President of Market Development (Dairy) Asia and will be AHDB's dairy products representative in the region
The role, jointly funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), will see Karen working closely
KUHN Farm Machinery has strengthened its UK regional teams, appointing Will Cruse as an area sales manager covering the East of England, and Martin Little as bedding and feeding specialist for Northern England and Scotland
The two additions will provide extra support to KUHN's dealer network in key areas Will is from a family arable farm in Hertfordshire and spent several
with dairy exporters to help develop their business interests in markets in the region She has joined from Daioni Organic where she handled export sales and marketing, focusing on the Asia markets of Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore
Prior to Daioni, she has had an extensive career within the food and beverage industry in Hong Kong working with different distributors across a range of commodities
Lucy Randolph, AHDB Head of International Trade Development (Dairy), said: "AHDB research has identified significant potential for UK agrifood exports to Asia, with population growth, increasing middle-class wealth and high regard for food safety and quality among consumers There is clearly an opportunity for the UK's world class dairy produce in Asia and Karen's appointment will play a pivotal role in helping our dairy exporters achieve further success in the region "
Karen's appointment follows a busy AHDB international trade development programme in 2024, including a campaign in Hong Kong throughout March showcasing dishes featuring high-quality British dairy March also saw an exclusive chef's demonstration cooking with UK dairy produce in Singapore,
years as a product manager for a well-known tractor and combine manufacturer The East of England area includes Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and parts of Hertfordshire and Lincolnshire
Will says: "I was excited to get back into the industry after a short break, and working with KUHN handling its East of England area to support dealers and customers was an ideal opportunity. I enjoy travelling to meet dealers and customers, helping to show the benefits of new KUHN machinery and the backup and support we can offer "
Martin Little joins KUHN as feeding and bedding specialist for the North of England and Scotland After learning his trade as an agricultural engineer for Rickerbys in 1992, working on KUHN machinery, Martin moved into sales support with Carrs at Annan and most recently, Dalgliesh at Lockerbie His new role at KUHN, which also includes the hedgecutter portfolio, feels like a natural progression from dealer to manufacturer
"I have worked with KUHN machinery for many years, both as an engineer and in sales and I've always
followed by participation in FHA-Food & Beverage - one of Asia's largest food and drink exhibitions – in April
In September, buyers from Asia were among more than 40 from around the world who headed to the UK to take part in the DBT-led Dairy Export Showcase, delivered in partnership with AHDB The week-long series of events helped build overseas buyers' understanding about the high standards of British farms and dairy production
AHDB ran tours to dairy farms and processors in Somerset, Gloucestershire, Shropshire and Lancashire for delegates to gain first-hand experience of the farm to fork story of British dairy produce The week culminated with a Department for Business and Trade (DBT)-led 'Meet the Buyer' event and gala reception in Hertfordshire which provided a platform for buyers to meet export businesses, with more than 390 business meetings taking place.
Lucy added: "We've been very active in Asia this year, from participation in trade shows to coordinating events to highlight the quality and versatility of cooking with UK dairy produce The Dairy Showcase in September also gave key buyers from the region first-hand experience of our high production standards and the farm to fork story of our produce
believed in the product and the brand I think this is a key point when it comes to discussing requirements with customers and supporting dealers I've always enjoyed working with KUHN equipment and my extensive product knowledge should bode well for helping the 14 dealers in my network "
Both Will and Martin began their new roles earlier this year
Livestock protection solutions provider, Livetec, has appointed Rob Willetts as its key accounts director, to lead key customer management and contribute to the company ’ s operations
Mr Willetts joins the business with over 30 years of experience in practical poultry production and leadership in industry roles.
He explains that joining Livetec felt like the natural next career step
“I worked closely with the team in previous roles and developed a strong appreciation for the company ’ s commitment to digitalising and futureproofing the poultry industry,” says Mr Willetts
He adds that he values the
Norvite is delighted to announce that Ross Williams has been appointed to the Board as Commercial Director
Ross hails from an agricultural background in Taunton, Somerset.
Following his BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science, he worked with NFUS as a Regional Manager before joining Norvite in 2007 in a ruminant sales role based in Aberdeenshire Over the past 17 years, he has consistently demonstrated dedication, leadership and expertise, making significant contributions to the company ’ s success
As Commercial Manager, Ross has led Norvite’s team of Feed Advisers, setting a standard for excellence and inspiring his colleagues to provide the best support for their farming
company ’ s family-oriented ethos, which prioritises the welfare of its people, customers and livestock
“In my role, I’ll support the whole team and customers across the country while continuing to drive innovation and business growth,” he says Gordon Samet, Livetec managing director, says he is delighted to have Mr Willetts on board. “Rob’s comprehensive practical experience, combined with proven leadership skills and passion for the industry, aligns perfectly with our company ambitions,” he says We’re confident he’ll be an invaluable asset to our team in providing top quality customer support and helping deliver cutting-edge solutions for the poultry sector ”
customers Ross plays a pivotal role in grain and oilseed purchasing, ensuring the business remains competitive and well-positioned in a dynamic market He has also taken on increasing responsibilities in strategic planning and budgeting, helping to shape Norvite’s long-term direction.
Ross’s achievements at Norvite are complemented by his success in developing a thriving farming enterprise on the MacRobert Trust Estate alongside his wife, Kirsten, who also heads up SRUC’s Beef & Sheep Team Together they have built a respected and sustainable operation, renowned for their prize-winning pedigree livestock and carefully structured to support their individual careers
Massey Ferguson is delighted to announce that Tim Walters has been appointed as the new Brand Manager for Massey Ferguson, UK & Ireland
Tim joined the company in 2014 as Sales Support Specialist for FUSE Following this, he has worked as Area Sales Manager and Harvesting National Sales Manager before his role as Manager of Sales Support & Product Marketing UK and Ireland, leading a team of four sales support specialists Officially starting his new role on December 1st 2024, Tim will head-up the UK & Ireland sales and marketing team
Tim said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead the UK and Ireland teams into 2025 and beyond I’ve been part of the MF brand for a decade and appreciate how valued we are by many faming businesses My experience across different roles in the business will be vitally important as we continue to showcase our excellent range of machinery to the UK industry.
“As we head towards a new year, the MF team looks forward to working closely with every dealer to ensure a good start and continuing success into 2025,” Tim concluded
GT Bunning & Sons has strengthened its team with the appointment of Blair Allan to area sales manager for Scotland, the north of England and Northern Ireland
Blair's appointment fills a newly created position that highlights Bunning's commitment to providing high quality service and support to its dealers and customers. Blair's background is well suited to the role, after growing up on a family dairy farm near Loch Lomond, and he has held several product support and sales positions at dealers and manufacturers in both agriculture and plant
Most notably, his dealership roles at HRN and James Gordon offered him direct experience with Bunning spreaders, and he explains the quality of Bunning's products attracted him to the role "I know how highly the spreaders are rated by the farmers and contractors who use them and my previous experience has helped me get up to speed quickly. I'll be supporting dealers and customers with their requests, and understanding the product allows me to
Following another record-breaking year of growth in their auctioneering operations across the North of England, Carlisle-based Harrison & Hetherington are delighted to welcome highly respected Scottish Auctioneer and Strategic Business Professional Robin Anderson to join their senior management team in the role of Head of Operations
In their 100th anniversary year, this strategic senior executive appointment is a landmark in the development of
respond quickly where required Blair continues: "I enjoy working with good products and ones I believe in The Bunning equipment is well built, and I look forward to being part of this customer focussed business " Blair began his role in November
H&H Group's auctioneering division into one of the most successful livestock trading businesses in the UK Harrison & Hetherington have seven marts across the North of England and the Borders and attract buyers and sellers from all over the UK and increasingly overseas
To bear on the quality and efficiency of their fast-expanding operations and to ensure that all operations are fit for the future it was evident that someone dedicated to this specific role was needed and with Robin Anderson's exceptional experience fits the criteria perfectly This appointment comes on the heels of the announcement of a significant £1 million development at Borderway Mart in Carlisle, H&H's flagship auction centre
The improvements to the mart's infrastructure, reflect the company's commitment to maintaining its position as a leading hub for livestock trading in the UK The development will enhance the facilities available to both buyers and sellers, further strengthening Borderway Mart's ability to serve the evolving needs of the agricultural community
Currently based in Dumfries, Robin joins Harrison & Hetherington from a similar position as Head of Strategic Development and Operations for Aberdeen & Northern Marts and his
experience includes 20 years as Managing Director at Wallets Mart in Castle Douglas Harrison & Hetherington Managing Director, Scott Donaldson, sees this as a pivotal appointment for the company's ongoing success: "We are currently going through a period of growth, with many ongoing building and infrastructure projects at our various centres. The strategy of the business going forward is focused on futureproofing and growth, so as our teams continue running the day-to-day trading business, having someone like Robin Anderson dedicated to this is essential
Robin is a past President of the IAAS, a member of the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association and a former council member of the Farm Animal Welfare Council Robin is highly respected throughout the industry and brings with him a wealth of in-depth knowledge and experience, which he will use in his new role: "I am really excited about joining the team at H&H," says Robin Anderson "It is a business I have always admired and being part of it is an exciting challenge. I look forward to bringing new dimensions from my own experience to help build on the strong foundations already in place
SAMSON AGRO AND VREDESTEIN
COLLABORATE ON INNOVATIVE SLURRY TANKER TYRE TEST
Samson Agro and Apollo Tyres have completed an in-depth tyre test in the Viborg area of Denmark to explore ways to enhance the efficiency of organic fertilizer handling. This collaborative study examined five different sizes of Vredestein slurry tanker tyre, evaluating their impact on fuel consumption, soil compaction, and overall performance in both field and road conditions
The test was carried out with a Tractor Case Puma 260 CVX with the Samson PG II Genesis tandem axle slurry tanker The tested tyres were as follows:
Vredestein Flotation Trac 650/55 R26 5
Vredestein Flotation Trac 750/60 R30 5 (reference tyre)
Vredestein Flotation Optimall VF 750/60 R30.5
Vredestein Flotation Trac 800/60 R32
Vredestein Flotation Trac 800/60 R38
Tyre diameter effect
The results in the field indicate that upgrading from the smallest Vredestein tyre to the biggest provides substantial gains, with notable improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced soil compaction Fuel savings of up to 14% were achieved with the largest tyre compared to the reference tyre The wheel slip reduced significantly (up to 30%) from the smallest tyre to the biggest, although the benefits level-off between the larger sizes The increased footprint of the larger tyre distributes the tyre load more evenly across the soil, resulting in a soil contact pressure of less than 1.0 bar, which helps to reduce soil compaction and protect the land.
VF vs non-VF
Fuel savings in the field are further strengthened when VF technology is applied, enabling the tyre to adapt flexibly to varying loads and terrain. Fuel savings up to 8% were achieved with the Vredestein Flotation Optimall VF 750/60R30 5 compared to the non-VF reference tyre of the same dimension
For operations with substantial road travel, the test showed small differences in fuel use However, the Vredestein Flotation Optimall VF tyre turned out to be the most economical in the tests
Benefits of inflation pressure regulation and wheel drive
The test also highlighted the added benefits of tyre pressure regulation using a central tyre inflation system (CTIS), which adjusts pressure between fieldwork and on-road transport to ensure optimal tyre performance. This feature not only enhances soil protection but also significantly reduces fuel usage, by up to 10% Additionally, equipping the slurry tanker with wheel drive significantly minimised track depth up to 16% and reducing soil compaction
In summary, the results emphasise the value of choosing the appropriate tyre VF technology, wheel drive, and tyre pressure regulation systems further optimise the tyre performance Wheels with a small diameter can be advantageous with a lot of road transport Whereas wheels with a large diameter are most advantageous in the field or work with short road transport These solutions offer clear advantages for both cost efficiency and sustainability, helping farmers and contractors maximise machine performance and avoid soil compaction to safeguard valuable farmland
Continental's agricultural tyre division has extended the range of its CombineMaster tyres to bring very high flexion (VF) and cyclical field operation (CFO) technology to a wider variety of farm machinery.
"The CombineMaster name disguises the virtues of this tyre to other machines including loaders, tankers and other types of harvesting machines Originally developed to help combines
perform more efficiently in arable crops, the CombineMaster's CFO and VF technology and unique hexagonal bead core has proved transformative to other agricultural applications," explains Continental's Tom Godwin.
The Hexa-bead bead core was developed to help the tyre grip the rim at lower pressures Some tyres in the range also feature CFO, which offers a 55% load carrying capacity when the
tyre is being used in a cyclical condition and operating at or below 10 mph
"Cyclical means that the load on the tyre is constantly changing, which is normal for a combine during harvest but also applies to slurry tankers and other heavy load carrying machinery," says Mr Godwin.
VF technology in some sizes of the CombineMaster tyre enables machinery to run at 40% lower pressure than conventional tyres, which has the added benefit of reducing soil compaction
"The 800/65 R32 tyre is now a popular size for large slurry tankers including the twin and triple axle models with capacities of up to 20,000 gallons," he adds
The CombineMaster tyre is also helping some of the largest loaders and articulated loaders such as the JCB TM420 telescopic loader to handle greater loads
"The Claas Torian can be fitted with 750/65 R26 VF tyres that enable it to carry 40% greater load at the same pressure as a conventional tyre. This additional capacity helps to reduce the time each task takes, which reduces fuel and labour costs," he adds
Load carrying capacity has been extended for a variety of harvesting machinery including forage and sugar beet harvesters
"The 650/57 R32 tyre is well suited to forage harvesters and the 900/60 R38 has been working well with sugar beet harvesters like the Vervaet self-propelled machines," says Mr Godwin
He suggests that many machines can also benefit from onboard air and tyre monitoring systems to help adjust tyre pressure to meet ground conditions and load capacities.
"With grants available for retrofitted onboard air systems and ContiPressureCheck Lite, a wireless tyre pressure monitoring system, operators can reduce soil compaction and improve fuel efficiency," he concludes
New Tyre Sizes Broaden Agricultural Applications
Tramspread to show new 1400m hose reeler at LAMMA 2025
Slurry and digestate management specialist Tramspread has added a new larger-capacity random wrap hose reeler to its extensive range The new model, which will be shown for the first time in the UK at LAMMA 2025, is designed to handle bigger diameter spools, which can comfortably accommodate 1400m of 5” or 1200m of 6” diameter drag hose
“This introduction is primarily in response to customer demand,” explains Tramspread sales manager James Peachey.
“Everything is steadily getting larger, and we had already increased from 600m to 1000m, so we see 1400m as a natural progression We’ve had requests from the continent and the first five off
the production line have already been sold to France, but it is now available in the UK too ”
To accommodate the larger diameter spools the main frame has been enlarged and strengthened The three-point linkage frame is also heavier and the linkage brackets have been lowered to give additional lift height The heavy-duty twin hydraulic motor drive system from the 1000m reeler has been retained
A new optional light bar can now be fitted above the reel and encompasses side lights and indicators, which operate with the tractor ’ s lights whilst a remote-control fob is used to switch main beam and dip beam headlights and a central worklight bar This bar
also serves as a safety device to stop couplings from potentially damaging the tractor if the reel is operated too quickly This new introduction will also be available for the 1000m reeler
“The larger reeler and spool with 1400m of 5” drag hose weighs around three tonnes, so it needs a tractor of at least 250hp with an appropriate front linkage lift capacity to handle it properly,” points out James
“We are happy to accommodate customer demands with regard to colour, we recently finished some 1400m reelers in grey for a French contractor. We have also changed the design of the Contractor Trailer to accommodate the larger spools ”
From Field to Future: Polaris RANGER Diesel
New Warlands Farm in County Durham, owned by the North East Autism Society (NEAS), is a 77-acre site that has become more than just a vocational training centre; it's a community and a vital support system for autistic adults and their families
Here, individuals gain hands-on skills in woodworking, floristry, horticulture, and textiles
From its training centre, New Warlands Farm began producing eggs, apple juice and cider, however, NEAS has a deeper ambition to transform the farm into a fully operational, working farm that also serves as a visitor centre. Work began in 2023 when planning permission was granted to build out this vision, with plans for a cidery, café, and farm shops on site
At the heart of New Warlands' mission is tackling the low employment rates among autistic adults; only around 3 in 10 autistic individuals of working age are employed, the lowest rate across all disabled groups This lack of opportunity contributes to poverty, isolation and health challenges New Warlands Farm aims to change that by offering practical agricultural training, work placements and job opportunities to around 60 autistic adults each year
Leading this transformation is Dave Wilde, who joined the farm part-time in September 2023 and became a full-time Farm Manager in early 2024. With a passion for sustainable, regenerative farming and rare breed livestock, Dave brings valuable experience to the role
Dave commented: "We have a vision of high-welfare, ethical farming with
nature in mind It's all to make a positive impact on the lives of autistic people, teaching them about farming and agriculture and helping them move towards meaningful employment "
Under Dave's supervision, traditional hay meadows are being planted, rare Whitefaced Woodland sheep have been introduced and wetland habitats are being created to help boost numbers of endangered water voles
A major new addition to New Warlands Farm this year has been the Polaris Ranger Diesel, a vehicle that has quickly become indispensable to the team. Introduced to Polaris by Kevin Davies from Davies Tractors, Dave immediately knew it was the right choice. "I tried a few utility vehicles, but none could match the Ranger's speed, tight turning radius, or rugged build," he recalls The Ranger tackles New Warlands' varied terrain with ease, taking on tasks that would otherwise be impossible
"As a charity, we have a range of passengers–from our residents, visitors and of course our staff–so safety is our top priority," Dave continued "The Ranger gives us that peace of mind, and it's comfortable for multiple passengers, making it ideal for our work "
A True Workhorse for Daily Farm Life
Whether it's moving feed and tools or tending to the animals, the Ranger Diesel is ready for anything. Dave relies on it daily to transport essentials like logs, seed and fencing materials and he appreciates the Ranger's impressive towing capability With a one-ton trailer in tow, the Ranger handles wood chip,
compost, and fence posts with ease, as well as smaller trailers for moving livestock around the farm Looking ahead to winter, Dave is set to use the Ranger's towable salt spreader to keep paths and parking areas clear of ice, ensuring safe access all season long
The farm has big plans for the Ranger's role in the future, too When New Warlands opens as a farm park, the team hopes to use the Ranger to offer tours around the site
"We've been using it to take trustees, placement visitors, and corporate guests around and it's perfect for that," Dave explains. "In time, we want to attach a people carrier trailer so we can bring larger groups to see our rare breeds and learn about what we do here."
With wetter weather becoming a frequent challenge, the Polaris Ranger proves its worth time and time again
"New Warlands gets very wet, but the Ranger can handle the mud without tearing up the ground," Dave notes "It's fuel-efficient, tough, and adaptable to all kinds of weather, making it ideal for a farm with such a wide range of needs We've also added full doors for extra protection from the weather on rainy days, and being able to fully open the windscreen on hot days is a great feature, too!"
For New Warlands Farm, the Ranger isn't just a utility vehicle; it's a partner in building an inclusive, sustainable future. Together, they're creating a place where autistic adults can learn, grow and connect with the land
For more information on the North East Autism Society click here
2025 SPORTSMAN 6X6 570
The all-new 2025 Sportsman 2-Up 570 lineup features refreshed styling, enhanced seat comfort and ergonomics and durability upgrades
Polaris Off Road unveilled its long-awaited 2-up ATV 570 lineup joining its bestselling Sportsman platform The all-new 2025 Sportsman 570 portfolio now includes three new models; the Sportsman Touring, X2 and 6×6 Whether riders tackle tough jobs, embark on hunting expeditions, or explore new trails, the new Sportsman 570 2-up range allows them to experience it together, offering unmatched comfort, strength and versatility
“We’re fully committed to meeting the real-world needs of both our utility and leisure customers, so we ’ ve taken our bestselling ATV lineup and expanded it even further with the new 2-up Sportsman 570 range, ” said, Rodrigo Lourenco, Vice President, International Sales, Polaris Off Road Vehicles “The X2 model provides ultimate all-day versatility for our customers who work hard and explore often, while the touring variant provides plenty of room for two to experience the off-road together Our new 6×6 model is the ideal machine for utility customers that want to achieve even more from sunrise to sunset; made to take on the big jobs with ease ”
Enhancements across the 2025 Sportsman 570 2-up models include:
Improved handling and control with a strengthened chassis that is two times more rigid, as well as the Engine Braking System (EBS), Active Descent Control (ADC) that delivers smoother, more controlled deceleration downhill,
and Multi-Select Electric Power Steering (EPS) that provides customisable levels of steering assist to reduce body fatigue and suit rider preferences.
Enhanced suspension with dual A-Arm, independent rear suspension with travel of up to 24 1cm and upgraded, longer-lasting sealed bushings to help soak up trail bumps and ruts for a smoother ride
On-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) to help riders navigate challenging terrain with confidence On-demand AWD detects tyre slip in wet or loose conditions, instantly delivering power to all four wheels for optimal traction and control
Extended service intervals have doubled the time between oil changes and other routine maintenance, so riders can spend less time on upkeep and more on what they love.
New LED pod and headlights for enhanced visibility in early mornings or late at night, so riders can maximise their time on the trails
Bigger 25” tyres and new 12” steel wheels deliver superior strength and traction to take on rough terrain Select models available with 14” alloy wheels
New, aggressive body styling gives each model a fresh new look, while also unlocking 90+ compatible accessories including Glacier Plow Systems, Lock & Ride Windshields and Cargo Boxes, bumpers, and lighting options
New Polaris Engineered accessory offering, including an industry-first heated driver and passenger seat, as well as heated hand grips for the driver and passenger.
SPORTSMAN 6×6 570
Sportsman 6×6 570 in Sage Green (Tractor T2b / Tractor T2a homologations)
Sportsman 6×6 570 Nordic Pro Edition in Black Pearl (Tractor T2b / Tractor T2a homologations)
With more and more utility riders facing exceptionally large tasks and in need of even more efficiency when getting the job done, Polaris now offers the new generation of the purpose-built Sportsman 6×6 570 Made to achieve more, the Sportsman 6×6 570 is the machine that never quits
With the versatility of the 2-up stationary passenger seat to easily ride with friends and family, the 6×6 570 features an industry-leading 362kg dump box to move larger loads more efficiently and confidently with factory integrated D-rings with multiple tie down points to secure cargo and a 124.2cm wide stance for the ability to fit on tighter trails. New 19-litre sealed front dry storage provides more space to stow tools and gear, safe from whatever the weather may bring
The 6×6 570 is the ATV workhorse with advanced capability including a front rack extender offering more storage options, along with on-demand AWD to detect tyre slip in wet or loose conditions, instantly distributing power to all six wheels for optimal traction and control to keep riders prepared even in the toughest conditions
Also available in Nordic Pro Edition, this 6×6 trim includes a new front brushguard offering more vehicle protection and a new 1588kg HD winch with strong, synthetic rope, allowing riders to clear anything in their way. For rider comfort and protection, hand and thumb warmers are fitted as standard, along with handguards and new selectable drive modes; work, standard and performance mode
John Deere Introduces New Gator™ XUV 875M
John Deere has today announced the launch of its new diesel Gator™ XUV 875M utility vehicle Designed to improve productivity across various tasks, the Gator XUV 875M offers increased cargo capacity, enhanced comfort and improved functionality
Key Specifications
The new Gator model's key features include a 22.8 hp engine with a fuel tank volume of 42.4 litres, a seating capacity for three (suitable for off-road use), a cargo box capacity of 454 kg, and fully independent suspension with 203/229mm travel (front/rear)
Reliability and Comfort
The Gator XUV 875M builds on the reliability of previous models with an updated rear suspension design and tuned shock absorbers to enhance comfort Key improvements include relocating the air intake 30 cm higher to ensure cleaner air intake, protecting the engine Additionally, the new CVT (continuously variable transmission) air intake and exhaust system help draw cleaner air, protecting the system from debris, water, and mud.
Versatility
The redesigned cargo box of the Gator XUV 875M offers 13% more space than the XUV865M model, allowing for greater carrying capacity Other key features of the cargo box are:
• increased width to enhance cargo capacity and reduce mud sling
12V SAE power port for added convenience
· five divider slots on the side and three at the front to secure items
· option to create a second level of storage
· redesigned tailgate with a flat work surface, metric and imperial measurements, v-groove for cutting pipe, anti-gravity pockets, bump stops, and cup holders
· integrated clamping points to secure items
· fold-flat tie-downs in the front middle and four corners of the load bed
· tie-down pockets for securing loads that obstruct access to the D-rings inside the cargo box
· four stake pockets on each side to accommodate stake pocket clamps for tool storage
Peter Nelder, John Deere Product Manager for Gator Utility Vehicles & Compact Utility Tractors in Europe, said on the new cargo box features: "The redesigned cargo box on the Gator XUV 875M is a very significant improvement, offering more space and functionality for our customers The added width and integrated clamping points provide users with greater flexibility and convenience, making it easier to carry and secure a variety of items."
The John Deere Gator XUV 875M utility vehicle will be available to dealers from spring 2025
TRACTOR & FARM INSURANCE
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TRAIT LOADED GENETICS PUTS NEW VARIETIES AT THE TOP
Newly recommended oilseed rape varieties from the highly successful Limagrain Field Seeds breeding programme prove once again the value of genetic traits, and in particular pod shatter, in producing high yields and oil content
With a gross output of 108%, LG Adapt joins both the E/W and Northern Recommended Lists as the highest yielding, trait-loaded variety with pod shatter resistance.
LG Adapt's recommendation across both the E/W and Northern Lists demonstrates the variety's adaptability to perform across all regions of the UK
LG Adapt is the latest variety to come out of the breeders seventh generation of hybrids bringing new maintainer and restorer lines into the breeding programme
"On farm this translates into varieties that offer a stacked portfolio of the standard TuYV and RLM7 and pod shatter resistance traits along with improved stem health attributes," says Florentina Petrescu, oilseed rape product manager with Limagrain Field Seeds.
"Only Limagrain hybrids offer the full trait loaded-package including high yield potential, pod shatter resistance, TuYV resistance, in combination with N Flex and/or Stem Health and Scleroflex "
She points out LG Adapt's exceptional stem health comes from a combination of very good phoma,
cylindrosporium and verticillium resistance
"High levels of resistance to all three diseases means healthier green stems longer into the growing season, better rooting and therefore higher yields and oil content – explaining LG Adapt's exceptional oil content (46 4%) "
As for when to drill LG Adapt for optimum performance, Mrs Petrescu says across Limagrain's extensive UK and European trials, LG Adapt has shown itself to be suited to the early drilling slot as it does not produce too much stem in the autumn, noting it is also a very winter hardy variety LG Avenger enters the Northern Recommended List with an outstanding yield of 106% and a very high oil content of 46%
"The ability of LG Avenger to perform so well in the more challenging climatic conditions of the north is a reflection of the variety's trait loaded offering of TuYV, Stem health, RLM 7, pod shatter and also Limagrain's unique Sclerotinia tolerance, Scleroflex.
"Importantly, LG Avenger exhibits a particularly fast winter and spring growth habit which allows it to grow away from both the adult and larval damage phase of Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle, a really valuable growth characteristic and is in fact the stand out positive of the variety," says Mrs Petrescu
Trait loaded variety Magelan joins the E/W List with exceptional yields at
by Niamh Tye
106%, the added security of pod shatter resistance and an excellent oil content of 46 3%
Magelan is a robust, high yielding variety with good stem health, and the best Verticillium resistance of all the newly recommended varieties The variety possess very good winter and spring vigour, underlined by the variety's ratings of 8 in Limagrain's vigour scoring assessments.
Panel: Why is pod shatter so important in an oilseed rape variety? Limagrain Field Seeds, arable development officer Kurtis Scarboro shares his views
"There is no getting away from the fact that growing oilseed rape has increasingly become more of a gamble, however it is possible to reduce some of the risk to the crop by choosing to grow a variety with built in pod shatter resistance to protect OSR yields through to harvest and make the margins to keep oilseed rape profitable
"Almost all of the costs of growing the crop have been spent by this stage so it makes sense to protect yield potential right through to the end of the growing season," he says.
"All Limagrain hybrids contain the trait and we constantly monitor the efficacy of our pod shatter resistance against other commercial varieties and have strong quantitve data to back it up so we can be confident in our claims that the variety really is pod shatter resistant," he says
by Lucy Baker
Soil health solutions key to reducing fertiliser emissions
Farmers across the UK are encouraged to incorporate soil conditioners and biostimulants as part of a strategic approach to sustainably cut on-farm emissions
These soil enhancing solutions are proven to be favourable for reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers, supporting soil health and enhancing nutrient efficiency for the future of sustainable agriculture
David Newton, soil health specialist and Timac Agro UK technical product manager highlights soil health management’s vital role in meeting the industry’s environmental ambitions
He says: “By promoting soil health and enhancing nutrient cycling, these solutions can provide a practical pathway for reducing greenhouse gases.
“Biostimulants and soil conditioners improve soil structure and support microbial activity, which aids in nutrient mineralisation – a process that converts organic matter into nutrients plants can easily absorb.”
But soil conditioners and biostimulants offer more than just productivity gains – they are proven to reduce emissions at a farm level
Mr Newton says: “Trials data shows that Humistart+, a calcium-based soil conditioner helps optimise fungal and bacterial activity in all crop types
“The base of marine calcium provides neutralising effects for acidic soils, and boosts rooting and nutrient availability for both crops and livestock
“While further trials observing nitrogen mineralisation in the soil for 28 days post-application, show a 38% increase in total nitrogen available at a rate of 240kg/acre compared to a control soil conditioner,” Mr Newton says.
A Wiltshire based dairy farm using these solutions achieved a 14-tonne reduction in artificial fertiliser usage between two seasons and observed improvements in silage quality
Mr Newton adds: “The results
highlight the huge potential of soil conditioners and biostimulants as a scalable solution for farms of all sizes looking to lower emissions from artificial inputs
“Timac is at the forefront of this shift, supporting farmers with reliable products that meet modern environmental standards
“In alignment with industry net zero targets, these solutions provide farmers with practical, science-backed ways to reduce emissions while maintaining profitability and productivity
“As soil health remains central to sustainable farming, our soil conditioners like Humistart+ and Physiolith Bio will ensure UK farms remain resilient, productive, and environmentally aligned,” says Mr Newton.
ºFor more information on Humistart+ and Physiolith, please visit uk timacagro com
BOOK – 200 Farmers of Scotland – £25 including postage
Every farmer has a story to tell. This book covers the diverse range of Scottish farmers and crofters from those farming the rugged hills of the Highlands to the sandy loams of the Lowlands From owner occupiers, tenant farmers, share farmers, crofters, farm managers, starter farmers, to new entrants, farming from 10 acres to 31 000 acres – the people are as diverse as the landscapes and environment in which they work
Scotland covers 7 8 million hectares, of that 5 7 million or 73% is farmland, or 79% if common grazing is included
This book has photographs of 200 farmers and interviews with 109 from across the country from Orkney to Berwick and Durness to Stranraer within its 288 pages. It is available from individual bookshops and farm outlets or direct from the author. To order direct: drop an e-mail to Eilidh MacPherson at editor@farmingscotland.com or private message on facebook – farmingscotland com for details
The book is about how to bring small changes that could save the countryside for farming and for nature and make a big difference to all of us After all over 70 % of the UK's land area is used for agriculture
Jake Fiennes is Conservation Manager at Holkham in Norfolk, one of the country's largest historic country estates and draws from a successful 30 year long career in conservation and land management He shows us what better farming practices are possible He has proven in his work, that farming business can remain profitable alongside environmental changes, that restoring habitats, using regenerative farming methods did not result in losing money. He argues, it isn't about setting
Most of us experience glucose spikes – that is rapid increases in blood sugar after eating –and most of us don't know it! What are the signs of it? Cravings, chronic fatigue, sugar addiction, poor sleep, inflammation, brain fog, diabetes and more Jessie Inchauspé is a biochemist and founder of the Glucose Goddess movement (2 million followers on Instagram) Her first first book Glucose Revolution was an instant no 1 international bestseller. With this new book she offers a four-week-plan how to integrate science-proven strategies for steadying blood sugar into everyday life It comes complete with over 100
simple and delicious recipes, a workbook and lots of tips and advice If you suffer from blood sugar issues, this book is a life changer! The hacks are surprisingly easy and simple And the best: you are not restricted in WHAT you eat Her method makes you feel like you are able to get back in control of your life
Jessie Inchauspé: "The Glucose Goddess Method: your four-week guide to cutting cravings, getting your energy back, and feeling amazing, New River Books, London, 2023, 288 pages, ISBN 978-1915780003, 22 £
aside land and just letting it go back to nature, that would not work We have to manage it properly to provide the habitats that work best with the species we want to support It is not about rewilding, there is no "wild" anymore in Britain It is about disturbing the soil as little as possible, about cover crops in winter to protect soil from cold or rainwater washing it away and so much more This book gives hope: it takes only about six years to return some kind of natural balance to land that has been damaged by farming it too intensively!
Jake Fiennes: "Land Healer How Farming Can Save Britain's Countryside." Witness Books, London 2023, 288 pages, ISBN: 978-1785947315
This is not a diet book like any other It is like having the author as a personal coach by your side Ross explains complicated science and breaks it down: how our bodies work, why they need (good) fats and do not get fat by eating (good) fats, why willpower is a myth.
This book is full of great information, based on the latest scientific papers and findings. The chapters are very practical for individual goals, like thyroid healing, tackling type 2 diabetes, fighting chronic fatigue, or having weight issues The suggested action plan is very doable; it is not about giving up everything, doing it all at once, and then struggling with cravings It is about baby steps, making small
changes that become habits over time
In the long run we will feel healthier, younger, have more energy, fewer aches and pains, bloating, or brain fog It is a book you want to have in your kitchen, when the road gets tough or you falter, because this book picks you up, will remind you, why it is worth it to continue and also that it is not about being perfect A bonus are lots of tasty recipes and the printer-friendly downloads of meal plans and shopping lists The author has put a lot of thought into this to make a more alkaline life as implementable as possible
Ross Bridgeford (2024): The Alkaline Life New Science to Rebalance Your Body, Reverse Ageing and Prevent Disease, Hay House, London, £ 15 99
