Latest Press Releases

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...

85% visitors report LOFS had increased their trust in British farming 79% visitors learnt something new about British food or farming 72% visitors said they felt the farming industry is adapting to help combat climate change 56% of visitors report the farm visit had...

• New award from BASF recognises sustainability efforts of UK & Ireland farmers. • The winner will be announced on 28th July 2022, as part of a 20-year celebration of sustainability activity at Rawcliffe Bridge and The Grange • The range of prizes will support...

A group of young auctioneers from competing businesses across Scotland came together with the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) to discuss how the livestock sector is evolving, selling through the marts and what will secure their future.

On the final day of the UK’s largest regenerative agriculture event, Groundswell, George Eustice, Defra’s Secretary of State revealed details of the first module of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), to be launched on 30th June. Groundswell 2022 was a sold-out...

The prestigious awards have opened for the 2022 round of applications and organisers at AgriScot are hoping for a bumper year of interest, as enthusiasm for the UK’s leading agribusiness event builds. Despite two years of upheaval due to Covid, Scotland’s sheep and...

The search for the Scotch Farm Factor is over and the winner of Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) national social media competition has been announced.

Amidst concerns around food security, new analysis of the red meat industry in Scotland highlights the Scottish livestock sector’s important contribution to the UK’s overall levels of self-sufficiency in red meat, and a rebound in the value of export sales in spite of the challenges caused by leaving the European Union’s single market. 

A new strategy has been launched today (24 June) at the Royal Highland Show, setting the direction for the growth of the beef value chain within Scotland.

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Chair, Kate Rowell and Chief Executive, Sarah Millar, spoke at its industry breakfast briefing at the 2022 Royal Highland Show highlighting the significant role of the red meat sector in food security.

Day one of the UK’s largest regenerative agriculture show, Groundswell, got underway today, with many of the field’s leading experts discussing a broad range of topics - from food security, supply chains and big data to soils, grazing systems, water management, carbon...

The first Tayside Bioregioning Learning Journey gave a taste of what rural Tayside could look like if ecology was put at the heart of producing food, the local economy, education and societal wellbeing. What will be on our plate in 2042? - which drew interest from a...

On a mission to return with a bang, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is set to impress at the highly anticipated 200th Royal Highland Show, showcasing the very best of the Scottish red meat industry and its brands.

BASF has received approval in Great Britain for its new active substance, Luximo®, and the product containing this active, Luxinum® Plus, providing a new mode of action against grassweeds and a vital tool for controlling black-grass and Italian ryegrass, Britain’s...

LEAF Open Farm Sunday was back this weekend, making memories and changing perceptions. Over 250 farms across Britain opened their gates to tens of thousands of visitors on Sunday, showcasing British farming and all it delivers on farming’s annual open day.  Across the...

Huntly Development Trust (HDT), a not-for-profit community organisation, is looking for a likeminded partner, with a track-record in food service, to run its café in No30, the former Cruickshank’s department store. The historic building, which fronts Huntly square,...

The UK’s largest regenerative agriculture show takes place on 22nd and 23rd June 2022 at Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire and is hosted by the Cherry family. Groundswell’s programme goes live, revealing the breadth and depth of topics on discussion at this year’s...

R&D manufacturer, BASF, is previewing two new products for the fruit industry, Revysol® and Nemaslug® 2.0, at this year’s Fruit Focus taking place at NIAB EMR, Kent on 13th July 2022. Revysol® is renowned in the cereal sector for offering highly effective...

A global higher-education initiative, the Sustainable Business Challenge, selected the food and fresh produce supply chain as its focus for this year’s challenge. Over 100 students from across the world took part in the award-winning competition, which kicked off in...

As fertiliser prices continue to rise, farmers are encouraged to explore the benefits of spreading digestate on-farm, as a cost-effective and nutritious alternative. SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has been involved in a six-month project...

The two gardens supported by Perthshire gin business, Highland Boundary, at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show have both won coveted awards. A Rewilding Britain Landscape, designed by Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt, won Best in Show at Chelsea and a gold medal. The...

As consumer trends change, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is placing a greater focus on targeted marketing than ever before with its forthcoming campaign, pursuing an insight-driven strategy that is aligning with the core values of the target audience, ensuring that...

The board of Scottish Agronomy is delighted to announce the appointment of its new managing director, Adam Christie. With Scottish Agronomy for over 30 years, Mr Christie is the long-standing Trials Manager for the 260-strong farmer cooperative, which offers...

Next generation, ethical Scottish distillers Highland Boundary showcases its talent for flavour innovation by supporting two gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show 2022. Partnering with Jane Porter designer of the “Still Garden” at the 2022 Chelsea Flower Show, Highland...

By Bruce McConachie, Head of Industry Development at Quality Meat Scotland. I recently saw a picture of a cow on its knees squeezing under a barbed wire fence to get fresh spring grass on the other side, a funny image when you see that 20 feet along the fence, the...

Livestock productivity and environmental delivery can go hand in hand, and a brand-new project enlisting the support of Scottish farmers, is going to prove just that. Sheep and beef specialists from SAC Consulting, Poppy Frater and Lesley Wylie, will be leading a...

Scotland’s leading Farm Business event, AgriScot, has appointed a new agency to manage their marketing, PR and communications, following an extensive review. Agricultural and rural communications specialists, Jane Craigie Marketing (JCM), was unanimously selected to...

According to the latest market commentary from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), the final week of April saw R4L steer prices in Scotland reach a new record high of 447.5p/kg.  This placed them 3.5% higher than in the same week of 2021 when the highest price of the year...