Trading and Growing Together - Tarff Valley Celebrates 120 Years

Tarff Valley was established on 23rd September 1903 and is Scotland’s oldest agricultural co-operative.

Since the early days of selling coal and lime, which was brought into Tarff station on the Castle Douglas to Kirkcudbright branch line, Tarff Valley has expanded significantly and now sells a wide range of products to farmers and the rural community across southern Scotland, northern England, the Borders, Ayrshire and Islay.

Turnover in the co-op’s first year of trading was £2250 and there were 24 members. Today, Tarff’s turnover is nearly £100 million and there are over 1200 members.

Expansion and development wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the members and customers over the years to whom they are very grateful. Huge congratulations to our oldest member and to those who continue to help Tarff Valley build and grow.

Ringlink’s pre-apprenticeship for 16 to 21-year-olds has been remarkably successful at attracting new recruits, with almost half having had no previous agricultural background.

The Land-based Pre-apprenticeship is a vocational pathway for school leavers or new entrants, providing a qualification at SCQF level 4, certificated training tickets and six months’ full-time employment. This work-based model suits the industry well, as it includes the essential upfront Health & Safety awareness and provides the fundamental skills and competency for a relatively inexperienced person to get a ‘foot on the ladder’.

Gail Robertson, Ringlink’s Group Operations Manager, says: “This year, a record 29 new trainees have joined the programme. It is a remarkable success story for our industry, particularly given the increasing difficulties with recruiting staff for farms and rural businesses.”

“In the past ten years, 189 pre-apprentices have passed through the programme, and 80% are still either working on the farm they trained on, or elsewhere within the industry. The pre-apprenticeship is undoubtedly providing a valuable source of new talent for the land-based sector.”

There is a catch, however. Of the 29 new recruits, four are still waiting for a mentor who is willing to develop their skills and Ringlink is appealing for businesses from the areas of Arbroath, Forfar, Brechin and Ellon who could offer 6-months employment to get in contact. (You don’t have to be a Ringlink member to be a mentor.)

James Porter, Chairman of Ringlink says: “I know from personal experience how rewarding it is, but I am also aware that not every business can either afford the time or the money to take on an extra employee. If you are looking to hire staff however, given the shortage of trained farm workers, it makes a lot of sense to take on a pre-apprentice who is enthusiastic, and hasn’t picked up any bad habits!”

He adds: “Ringlink continues to explore potential routes with Scottish Government to support mentors financially. I am very hopeful that a solution will be found which could lead to a massive expansion in the scheme. In the meantime, if you have a business in the areas mentioned above, there are some very keen individuals on your doorstep who could bring a fresh and revitalising injection of youthful energy into your business. It is vitally important that we keep bringing young people into the industry and we need more mentor businesses to engage and offer these opportunities.”

Ringlink has sourced funding for the Land-based Pre-apprenticeship from Scottish Government as administered by Skills Development Scotland over the last five years, with just one year remaining of assured financial support. Given the success of the programme to-date, they remain optimistic that Scottish Government funding will be forthcoming, to allow the pre-apprenticeship to continue and expand.

Investing in the future workforce is important for Ringlink and as such, earlier this year following a grant award from the Loirston Trust, a new simulator was installed at the Ringlink training centre in Laurencekirk. The simulator allows users to gain introductory training on a variety of industry specific plant and machinery such as tractor, forklift, digger, and HGVs, offering an interactive, safe and costeffective means of skills development. Please contact Gail Robertson, 01561 377790 if you are interested in mentoring.

Announced just before we go to press, we offer huge congratulations to all the winners (and also the nominees) at the recent Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2023!

The big winner on the night was Mossgiel Organic Farm, members of the Scottish Organic Milk Producers association. Their Mossgiel Organic milk scooped the dairy award and later the top award – Scottish Product of the Year.

Congratulations also to Angus Soft Fruits on lifting Primary Producer of the Year and all the other winners. More at: https://foodanddrink.scot/

ANM Group has announced plans to consult over its highlevel vision for the Thainstone Centre near Inverurie. This will see business explore the concept of a new, purposebuilt auction centre, rural community, events and retail hub, fit for the future on its land at Thainstone, ready to serve members, customers and wider community for the next 40 – 50 years.

As part of the vision, the bold and ambitious plans set out an opportunity to build an industry-leading auctioneering centre, incorporating the most up to date livestock handling systems and locking-in the very highest standards in animal welfare, sustainable working practices, renewable energy and low carbon processes at its heart.

The Board’s vision for the site has been launched online and in the Thainstone Centre concourse, and the co-op’s members and customers, centre users, the local community and other stakeholders are invited to contribute ideas for consideration until the end of 2023. ANM Group Chief Executive, Grant Rogerson, said: “The Thainstone Centre is the beating heart of the rural economy of north east Scotland. Opened in 1990, it was a pioneering development, a purpose-built auction centre and rural hub for the region.

“With a responsibility to look to the future, and continually leading the field, we want to provide the very best auctioneering experience in the country long into the future. Our vision for a new, all-purpose agri-hub in the north east is an exciting one, although we recognise there are a lot of challenges to face in order to get it right. We’re in a strong position and have options - do we invest

significantly in the current centre, or explore alternative options on the wider site at Thainstone?

“Our vision will maintain the focus of the auction ring as the best possible place to do business. It will ensure our cost base is competitive, so we can continue to offer the very best member benefits and trading terms.

“We also understand the significance of the Thainstone site to our local community, and we aim to ensure that we develop any opportunity to improve that community link and seize future benefits for the wider area.”

“As we consider our plans, we invite and welcome all contributions. This is an opportunity to influence the future development of Thainstone Centre.”

The vision with feedback received will be developed into a plan, with a potential proposal to be submitted to the planning authorities in 2025, allowing ANM to operate from an adapted or new Thainstone within the next ten years.”

To contribute to the consultation contact Katie McRobbie on 01467 623752.

Aberdeen accountant and business adviser, Iain Fraser, has been appointed as an executive director of ANM Group Ltd.

As well as joining the board, Mr Fraser will take on an executive role with the co-op on a part-time basis to advise the Board and Executive Team on policy development.

“Mr Fraser’s extensive experience of corporate management covering a wide range of industries will be of invaluable assistance to our board and management team as we continue to develop, expand and diversify the ANM business,” said Chief Executive, Grant Rogerson.

“His farming background and 35 years’ experience as a corporate business adviser with leading accountancy practices will bring a valuable new dimension to our board and senior management.”

Mr Fraser said: “ANM is widely recognised as a highly successful farmer-owned business with a strong board and management team and interests in land agency, plant, vehicle and machinery sales and catering as well as its core business of livestock auctions, I look forward to playing a part in its continued expansion and success.”