Farming

A new hub has been set up to help farmers set up a connection to go into business with one another.

Your views are wanted on the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on generational renewal, local development and jobs in rural areas.

You can have your say by taking part in a short online survey by 26 November 2018.

The Farm Advisory Service's (FAS) newest video case studies feature farmers who have received support from FAS to grow their farming businesses.

The first video features farmer, Bitney MacNab, who explains how funding help for an Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP) helped her to establish her own eco-friendly smallholding.

The Ethical Dairy in south west Scotland has announced plans to host what is believed to be the first Ethical Farming Conference, due to take place in May 2019 in south west Scotland.

Last week’s Forth Valley Food Fest inspired thousands of locals and tourists to reconnect with the land; from picking pumpkins in Arnprior and milking goats in Port of Menteith, to community garden tours at the University and shopping for local produce at farmers’ markets.

How’s your Silage? Getting the best out of what you’ve got

A practical day looking at the importance of silage analysis: understanding dry matter, intake, nutritional needs and building a diet. How to make best use of home-grown forage and save on inputs. Speakers include Robert Gilchrist, Farm Profit Programme Advisor and livestock consultant, as well as a speaker from a local farm for each event.

Field Lab: Plant Teams

Soil Association Scotland is teaming up with the James Hutton Institute on a field lab, part of a Europe-wide project, to trial crop mixtures or ‘plant teams’. We want to test the potential that inter-cropping peas and beans, for example, has to improve Scottish soils, yield stability and resilience as well as to suppress pests and diseases. 

Come hear from experts Ali Karley (The James Hutton Institute) and Robin Walker (SRUC) to find out which crops might work best together on your farm.

Making Woodland Work for You

A practical walk and talk afternoon exploring the benefits of woodland creation and management, as well as funding opportunities.

Includes discussion on what to plant, where and why; managing existing woodland and accessing available support. 

Come along to hear and discuss what trees can do for you. 

Speakers from Forestry Commission Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland and the Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers, with Dee Ward of Rottal Estate.

Field Lab: Grass Seed Mixes

Come and join the Soil Associations third meeting at Mouldyhills, where they’ll be looking at how the five trial plots (which were seeded last summer) have fared this year in challenging conditions. The field lab will be joined again by grass and soil expert James Bretherton from AgScope.

Beef Efficiency Scheme: Autumn Events

​Autumn events to help farmers and crofters optimise winter nutrition and grazing availability​

In response to concerns that this year’s weather conditions will result in Scottish farmers and crofters facing feed and fodder shortages this winter, Scottish Government has opened this autumn’s Beef Efficiency Scheme events for all farmers and crofters to attend.

These events will provide advice and guidance on how to provide plentiful food over winter, maintain the wellbeing of livestock and optimise beef enterprise performance.

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