Latest Press Releases

It’s been a difficult spring but as warm weather settles in across the UK, combinable crops have turned a corner. We catch up with three growers to find out how their crops are looking: Edward Vipond, Suffolk Farm manager at Troston Farms in Suffolk, Edward Vipond, is...

The Turriff Show Ladies’ Day Committee will host their annual charity event in the run up to the 159th Turriff Show which takes place on Sunday the 30th & Monday the 31st of July 2023. Ladies’ day Committee Chair Fiona Gray said “The event, “Divas in the Den” will...

A new regenerative farming event will be held in Scotland this summer. GO Falkland, hosted on the Falkland Estate in Fife, will bring together speakers from across agriculture, agroforestry, soil biology and food provision, to create a one-day discussion forum for...

The newly announced programme at Groundswell Festival includes sessions that teach the basic principles and advanced long-form sessions on practical techniques. The event, which takes place at Lannock Manor Farm in Hertfordshire on Wednesday 28th to Thursday 29th June...

In recent years, an increasing number of arable farmers from the East Coast of Scotland who have not kept livestock for some time, have returned to our markets to purchase store cattle to help restore soil health on their farms. With the price of fertiliser rocketing...

A farm in the north-east of Scotland is experimenting with growing alternative crops, including nutrient-dense microgreens and vanilla, as part of its diversification to fill a fallow time of year. The 300-acre Waterside Farm, which grows wheat, barley, rye for...

The gates open for the 2023 Turriff Show on Sunday 30 to Monday 31 July 2023. The event has become renowned throughout the UK as a vibrant show that celebrates the best of the region’s farming, food and heritage. The Show’s principal sponsor, once again, is...

The gates open again for the 2023 Turriff Show on Sunday 30 to Monday 31 July 2023. The event has become renowned throughout the UK as a vibrant show that celebrates the best of the region’s farming, food and heritage. The Show is Scotland’s largest two-day...

Every summer, Scottish Agronomy, Scotland's leading independent agronomy advice service, recruits four students to its trials team to help over the busy harvest period. As well as giving the cooperative valuable support during its peak period, this gives students,...

Groundswell Festival provides a forum for farmers, growers and anyone interested in food production and the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of regenerative farming systems. Now in its eighth year, the event will bring together over 200...

On a sunny Spring evening in the heart of the Cotswolds, a chef, NGOs, civil servants, educators and farmers came together to share food and perspectives at a dinner to discuss the future of sustainable food and farming. The dialogue was intended as a proactive call...

For the first time in the UK, new easyconnect caps will be available to growers on BASF’s oilseed rape crop protection products from autumn 2023. These caps enable the use of the easyconnect Closed Transfer System (CTS) and mark a milestone in UK agriculture, as new...

A new project to enhance food safety in potato crisp production has started between Abertay University and Perthshire-based Taylors Snacks. Focusing on minimising acrylamide, a natural chemical compound that can form in starchy foods when cooked at high temperatures,...

With the agricultural industry continuing to look for ways to build trust and relationships with the consumer, one grower from Lincolnshire is encouraging farmers to apply for a new award that has helped him build connections, bridging the gap between food and...

Despite widespread support across the sector, biopesticides aren’t yet realising their potential and stakeholders found out why, at a recent webinar hosted by Fera Science. From the challenges of formulating new regulation and developing meaningful ecotoxicity...

Whether you’re a seasoned grower or you have just added winter beans to your rotation, the new Bean Growth Guide has been developed to help you make the most from the crop. The free resource is the result of a collaboration between PGRO, ADAS and BASF, and brings...

With lush crops of barley easy to find this year, growers will be keen to manage their crops to ensure they reach their maximum yield and quality potential. To help achieve this, both winter and spring crops should be treated with robust PGRs to ensure an optimum ear...

Monitor crops closely and consider protective chocolate spot treatments this spring, farmers are warned, as conditions are conductive for the development of winter beans’ most destructive disease. Early drilling and harsh winter weather combined with cool wet...

Routinely treating sheep and cattle for liver fluke has led to overuse of treatments, increased resistance and costs to farmers and the environment which could be avoided through testing. A seasonal study carried out on Islay, has demonstrated that treating ‘as little...

Five years on from hosting Farming For A Better Climate (FFBC)’s pilot project, Montrose farmer Willie Officer has seen the results of a changed approach to some on-farm practices to see yields improve and input costs reduce. Farming 900 acres of all arable, including...

Chemistry is fast disappearing from farming’s toolbox, but researchers and farmers are working together to trial and demonstrate alternative solutions to protect the high health status of Scotland’s seed potato industry. The third in a series of case studies,...

BASF’s Farming, the biggest job on earth podcast highlights call from charity for farmers to join ‘Surplus for Purpose’ food redistribution campaign Latest podcast shines spotlight on food poverty hearing from farmers and charities who repurpose surplus food to those...

AM Fresh is one of a number of companies who have taken on apprentices who have swapped their established career paths to join the fresh produce industry. With the launch of MDS’ Leadership and Management scheme last year, which offers apprenticeships in the food...

A series of events to demystify and spark fresh discussion and debate on the benefits of peatland restoration for land managers and local communities will take place across Scotland between 6th and 23rd March. The Peatland Restoration Roadshow, hosted by Scotland’s...

Over 100 farmers from the Borders to Aberdeenshire attended a ‘show and tell’ event on a farm in Angus, to find out more about practically integrating regenerative practices into their own farming businesses. The Soil Regenerative Open Day was hosted by potato farmer,...

New ADAS research shows how fungicide programmes can be adapted to mitigate yield loss from Septoria when variety RL score is reduced. Previous trials revealed how crops sown 23rd September or earlier are at a significantly higher disease risk from Septoria than their...

Scientists at the James Hutton Institute (JHI) are playing a critical role in helping farmers to develop more resilient and sustainable blackcurrant crops. The second in a new series of case studies, developed as part of the RHASS Presidential Initiative (PI), will...

Will Jones, Farm Manager of Albanwise Farming Ltd North Yorkshire Estate has won the YEN OSR Beauty Contest, sponsored by BASF, with a crop of Aurelia. Launched in 2020, the competition puts a spotlight on a crucial yet challenging phase of the crops development, and...

The latest market analysis shows a 20% uplift in liveweight lamb prices in Scotland’s auction markets in November, for a second year in a row, believed to be on the back of the industry initiative, Lamb for St Andrew’s Day. In its support of the Scottish sheep sector,...

 Scientific collaborations to improve water quality in Scotland have delivered big wins for public and animal health. The first in a new series of case studies, developed as part of the RHASS Presidential Initiative, will look at how a partnership between the Moredun...

In a bold mission to be more responsive to emerging market opportunities and reflective of the quality and location of its southern English farmer suppliers, Trinity Grain has made changes to its executive team. Formed five years ago from the merger of Hampshire,...

A series of breakfast meetings will be hosted across Britain over the next few weeks by the organisers of the popular flagship on-farm event, LEAF Open Farm Sunday. Between 16th February and 4th April, 10 regional LEAF Open Farm Sunday ambassadors are holding informal...

A farmer from Forfar has maintained profitability and improved soil health after introducing sheep to his arable rotation. Hugh and James Black and family, who farm at Backboath, have an arable business that extends to just under 400 hectares, producing predominantly...

Scientific developments are at the heart of Scotland’s ever evolving food and drink story which will be unearthed in a new initiative, aiming to shine a light on the science behind our food. The RHASS Presidents’ Initiative for 2023 will raise awareness of the...

A report launched today at the 2023 Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) pointedly calls for fairness, net zero cost-sharing and the recalibration of value-sharing throughout the UK’s food supply chain.  The report - Supply Chain Synergies – What is the appropriate role of...

A Scottish potato grower found that investing in better air flow in his stores, has reaped major benefits for crop quality and energy costs, while also reducing the environmental impact. The Farming For a Better Climate (FFBC) team, at SAC Consulting, part of...

In an effort to tackle some of farming’s biggest challenges, BASF’s Biggest Job on Earth campaign will start 2023 with a session at the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC).   Farmers from home and abroad will be speaking about balancing the need to produce...

The ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine and the pressure of reducing carbon footprints will be on the agenda when Scotland’s biggest potato conference returns in the new year. Organised by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the 24th annual conference of the SAC...

ABP has today announced an investment of £1.5 million in a unique sustainability programme which will support 350 of its farmer suppliers, and share wider learnings across the UK beef and sheep sectors. The new programme, called PRISM 2030, will provide farmers with a...

With the Culinary World Cup just around the corner, Scotland’s red meat levy body is once again supporting the Scottish National Culinary Team as they travel to Luxembourg to compete on the global stage. Taking place every four years, the forthcoming Villeroy &...

BASF Agricultural Solutions has won the Crop Science Award for the “Best Public Outreach Programme” category for its public advocacy campaign, Farming, The Biggest Job on Earth. The awards were presented by S&P Global Commodity Insights and recognise excellence in...

Announced today by Cabinet Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, during a ceremony at one of the UK’s premier agricultural business events, the winners of the prestigious AgriScot Farm Business of the Year awards have been revealed. Spanning five categories, the aim of the awards...

The recently-established Food & Agriculture Stakeholders’ Taskforce (FAST) today challenged the Scottish Government to take urgent steps to include the farming industry in the co-design of future agriculture policy. During a seminar at AgriScot, FAST...

Nine farms across Scotland are about to embark on a journey of transformative change as QMS and AHDB announce Scotland’s Monitor Farms for 2022 to 2026. Launched in autumn 2003, the Monitor Farm Scotland Programme initiative is managed by Quality Meat Scotland with...

Released today, Scotland’s Cattle and Sheep Enterprise Profitability report, commissioned by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), identifies the continued correlation between technical performance, sound economic management and lower emissions intensity within the top third...

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) has announced the 17 recipients who will receive an Inspire Programme bursary, supporting ambitious candidates from rural and agri-food sectors. In addition to a fully funded ticket to the event in January, themed “Farming a New...

Three finalists have been revealed for the AgriScot Business Skills Competition, sponsored by NFU Mutual and supported by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).  The competition, which aims to assess general business skills and awareness of topical agricultural issues, was...

Following a series of valuable meetups with politicians at farms and Scotch stockists over the summer that outlined the current operating climate and the steps needed to support the sector going forward, representatives from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) recently...

Integrating trees, hedges and 3D buffers on-farm, can improve soil quality, reduce run-off and create valuable habitats for wildlife – with one arable farmer reporting a 400% rise in pollinator numbers.   Work recently carried out by SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s...

Representatives from the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers (IAAS) and ScotEID will be presenting the latest progress of this long-awaited industry advancement at AgriScot on 16th November. The Scot-EID electronic ear tagging technology, which streamlines...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and the Scotch Butchers Club is once again supporting the industry-wide initiative, Lamb For St Andrew’s Day, to encourage people across the UK to choose Scotch Lamb GI when celebrating the patron saint’s day. Alongside social media...

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), in partnership with McDonald’s UK and Ireland, is delighted to announce the recipients of the Breaking Barriers Scholarship, which is supporting five individuals aged under 30 years old, who identify as Black or Person of Colour...

Ahead of COP27 taking place 6-18 November in Egypt, four of the UK’s main red meat bodies have published a toolkit for the industry to support positive conversations throughout and beyond the conference. Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Agriculture and Horticulture...

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), the UK’s leading agricultural, business and food event, has made three new appointments to its voluntary board of directors.  CEO of The Farming Community Network, Jude McCann, Head of News at Farmers Guardian, Abi Kay, and Project...

Soil sampling and analysis has proved a key ingredient for success at Nether Aden Farm in the northeast of Scotland, leading to better input management and fertiliser savings. Nether Aden, run by husband-and-wife team David and Nicola Barron, is a mixed arable and...

Scottish exports of red meat and offal sold outside the UK rebounded to £80.5m in the year from August 2021 to July 2022 according to a new report from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Results from the QMS annual export survey reveal the value of export sales was nearly...

The entire food and drink supply chain must be supported with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable a just transition. SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has recently expanded its Food & Footprint service, recognising the growing need...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has formally recognised three major European importers for their loyalty and commitment to the Scottish red meat industry. Scotch Beef PGI importers Lesage & Fils from France and Nice to Meat from the Netherlands received awards from...

The Scottish red meat industry will be showcasing the best of Scotch in Paris this week at SIAL – one of the world’s most influential food fairs. Eight Scottish companies are attending the event (15-19 October) where Quality Meat Scotland’s stand will highlight the...

As Scotland’s patron saint day approaches, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) and Scotland’s auction marts are once again launching their successful annual appeal to donate a lamb. As part of Lamb for St Andrew’s Day, an initiative...

Scotland’s Quality Assured livestock farmers are being encouraged to signal the excellence to which they rear their animals with revamped farm signs from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). At a time when consumers are demanding more in terms of traceability, locality,...

Food & drink market trade specialists visited Scotland this week to experience what sets Scotland’s red meat apart. As part of a trade tour to meet food & drink producers and processors organised by Scotland’s trade and inward investment agency, Scottish...

In a joint levy-body effort, QMS, AHDB and HCC have produced a new manual for the control of liver fluke in grazing livestock. With autumn upon us, now is an ideal time to prioritise fluke on your farm, as levels of infective cysts peak on pasture and increase the...

The 2023 Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) has today launched ticket sales for its 77th conference, themed “Farming a New Future”. Taking place from 4 to 6 January 2023, the event will see the return of over 650 delegates to Oxford City Centre as well as hundreds more...

As September began, the GB Standard Pig Price (SPP) came within a fraction of the £2/kg dwt mark having posted a 29th consecutive weekly increase, according to the latest market commentary from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Over this period, prices have rebounded by...

As the UK’s leading agricultural business event approaches, AgriScot is set to draw dairy herds from across the UK and Ireland, as they compete to be in with a chance of winning a share of £25,000, the largest prize fund available in the country. In addition to the...

The 2023 Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) will support more than 40 individuals through bursaries and scholarships offering fully funded tickets, mentoring, and contributions to travel and accommodation. With a strong focus on networking and social activities, ensuring...

The AgriScot Business Skills, sponsored by NFU Mutual and supported by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), looks to support aspiring young professionals by providing them with the skills and networks required to mitigate and manage the many challenges facing rural and...

AgriScot’s hotly contested silage competition is now open, with organisers anticipating a bumper year for entries, as home-produced forage becomes ever more critical to farming businesses in the current climate. With most farmers facing tighter profit margins against...

SAC Consulting hopes to spark discussions on the future of dairy cows and carbon, at an interactive event which will welcome farmers to explore how to reduce the environmental impact of the dairy industry. The event, which will take place at Culscadden Farm on 29...

A new fun and inclusive bike festival for all ages and abilities will be taking place in Ballater between Friday 23rd and Sunday 25th September.  The inaugural Thrive Bike is a weekend for mountain and road bikers, as well as non-bikers, to come and enjoy different...

Mairi Gougeon joined Chair of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Kate Rowell and Chief Executive, Sarah Millar alongside Executive Director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS), Neil Wilson to provide the Cabinet Secretary with an overview of...

Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) have teamed up to develop a new food education resource to help young people learn about the people and processes involved in getting quality food to the table. Based on the familiar process of...

Huntly people were recently asked by Huntly Development Trust (HDT) what they thought of their town – their loves, their asks, and their hopes for the future. What locals said that they loved most about the Aberdeenshire town are its green, outdoor space, slow-paced...

North-east beef and sheep producer Gavin Ross farms at Wardhead, Strichen in Aberdeenshire with his family and a strong team of farm hands, lorry drivers and office workers. The business, Ross Bros, has a long-standing reputation for keeping the end market firmly in...

The annual week-long celebration of UK lamb will be returning next month for the eighth year. Love Lamb Week (LLW) will run from 1-7 September, to shine a light on the sustainability of UK sheep production, whilst also reminding consumers of the exceptional taste and...

As the summer holidays draw to a close, the health and education team at Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is preparing for another academic year jam-packed with valuable learnings around red meat production and consumption for Scotland’s young people. Returning to schools...

After the Islamic festival of Eid-al-Adha in early July, lamb prices began to show their traditional seasonal decline, according to the latest market commentary from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). By July 27th and 28th, average selling prices had slipped below the...

Quality Meat Scotland raised £3890 at this year’s Royal Highland Show for agricultural charity, RSABI. Presenting a cheque to the charity, QMS Chief Executive, Sarah Millar, said: “The wellbeing of our farmers is paramount to the success of our industry, and we are so...

Earlier this year United Oilseeds forecast the OSR area to increase by 30% in 2022 and while there’s no shortage of enthusiasm for the crop, many growers are waiting for rainfall. With little predicted for the South East, the acreage hangs in the balance. “I need...

Gloagburn Farm Shop, Perthshire, has once again been crowned champion of the Scotch Butchers Club Challenge by a panel of international judges, announced today by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). In what was the second contest of its kind, head judge Michael O’Kane from...

An event for commercial farmers looking to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of lamb production will take place later this summer at RamCompare’s Scotland farm with the support of Scotland’s red meat levy board, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Innovative livestock...

Initial reports suggest winter sown pulse yield have held up, despite the drought Markets are volatile but domestic demand is rising Growers advised to review PGRO variety list in November for new and exciting varieties   Initial reports indicate that, despite...

Dingwall-based John M Munro Butchers has been presented with an engraved quaich as it marks its 100-year anniversary of trading. Managing Director Charlie Munro accepted the quaich at the Black Isle Show on Thursday 4th August from Quality Meat Scotland’s Chair, Kate...

Carbon, soil monitoring, implementation of multiple wildlife schemes and reducing nitrogen demonstrated by winner. Engagement with economically deprived children and on-farm visits impress judges. Three stools of sustainability vital for the future – economic,...

The Sheep Breeders Round Table is back as a face-to-face event to be held from Friday 11 - Sunday 13 November 2022 at the Radisson Blu Hotel at East Midlands Airport. This year’s theme will be ‘UK sheep genetics delivering for the nation’ with sessions including the...

Following the success of the inaugural award in 2021, AgriScot, in partnership with SAC Consulting, has today launched the “AgriScot Diversified Farm of the Year 2022” award. The competition, which is open to any Scottish farm, looks to celebrate businesses which have...

As we move into the second half of the year, prime cattle prices in Scotland continue to hold around 10% higher than last year and 18% above the five-year average. However, in inflation-adjusted terms, they are only around 1% higher than last year while still 11%...

Organisers of the 158th Turriff Show are delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal to the highly anticipated event when it returns after two years on Sunday 31st and Monday 1st August 2022. Alan Gaul, President of Turriff District Agricultural...