Latest Press Releases

Download a copy of the latest press releases, prepared and issued by the JCMandCo team. If you would like more information please get in touch via hello@janecraigie.com

Fera Science’s deep dive into biopesticides

Fera Science’s deep dive into biopesticides

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...

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Ultimate guide to growing beans – available now

Ultimate guide to growing beans – available now

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...

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Conditions conducive for chocolate spot

Conditions conducive for chocolate spot

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...

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Season update: warmer weather prompts crop growth

Season update: warmer weather prompts crop growth

Across the country a combination of sunshine and warmer temperatures has prompted rapid crop growth and reports are coming in of mounting disease pressure. While nutrients are currently top of the to-do list, many growers are starting to think about fungicide...

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East coast farmer gains through a change in approach

East coast farmer gains through a change in approach

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...

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Podcast highlights farmers helping to tackle food poverty

Podcast highlights farmers helping to tackle food poverty

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...

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New roadshow sparks fresh discussion on peatland restoration

New roadshow sparks fresh discussion on peatland restoration

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...

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Will Jones wins Oilseed Rape YEN Establishment Beauty Contest

Will Jones wins Oilseed Rape YEN Establishment Beauty Contest

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...

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Lamb for St Andrew’s Day boosts sales in the ring

Lamb for St Andrew’s Day boosts sales in the ring

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,...

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Ambitious grain cooperative strengthens its leadership team

Ambitious grain cooperative strengthens its leadership team

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,...

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Invite to breakfast with LEAF Open Farm Sunday

Invite to breakfast with LEAF Open Farm Sunday

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...

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Mixed farming approach delivers soil and human health benefits

Mixed farming approach delivers soil and human health benefits

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...

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Shining a light on the science behind your food

Shining a light on the science behind your food

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...

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Fairness and cost-sharing needed in UK food supply chain

Fairness and cost-sharing needed in UK food supply chain

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...

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BASF wins award for Farming the Biggest Job on Earth campaign

BASF wins award for Farming the Biggest Job on Earth campaign

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...

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QMS and AHDB announce 9 New Monitor Farms at AgriScot

QMS and AHDB announce 9 New Monitor Farms at AgriScot

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...

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AgriScot announces finalists for Business Skills Competition

AgriScot announces finalists for Business Skills Competition

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...

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Nature-based solutions which deliver soil and biodiversity wins

Nature-based solutions which deliver soil and biodiversity wins

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...

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Entering the new world of Bovine EiD in Scotland

Entering the new world of Bovine EiD in Scotland

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...

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Red meat toolkit supports sector with one voice around COP27

Red meat toolkit supports sector with one voice around COP27

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...

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Oxford Farming Conference appoints three new Directors

Oxford Farming Conference appoints three new Directors

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...

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Soil analysis delivers surprising results at Nether Aden Farm

Soil analysis delivers surprising results at Nether Aden Farm

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...

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Red meat exports rebound to £80.5m

Red meat exports rebound to £80.5m

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...

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Scottish red meat set to be spotlighted on the global stage

Scottish red meat set to be spotlighted on the global stage

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...

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‘Born and reared’ the key message of new Scotch signage

‘Born and reared’ the key message of new Scotch signage

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,...

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New liver fluke control manual launches this autumn

New liver fluke control manual launches this autumn

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...

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Assessment of the global rebound in pig prices

Assessment of the global rebound in pig prices

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...

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Southwest dairy event to explore future of cows and carbon

Southwest dairy event to explore future of cows and carbon

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...

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Industry flock together for upcoming Love Lamb Week

Industry flock together for upcoming Love Lamb Week

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...

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Education team strive for top marks this school year

Education team strive for top marks this school year

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...

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Global lamb market volatility

Global lamb market volatility

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...

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Red meat levy board raises grand sum for rural charity

Red meat levy board raises grand sum for rural charity

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...

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OSR acreage hangs in the balance

OSR acreage hangs in the balance

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...

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Award-winning Perthshire butcher celebrates another success

Award-winning Perthshire butcher celebrates another success

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...

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Positivity around pulses

Positivity around pulses

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...

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Dingwall butcher marks centenary with Quaich Presentation

Dingwall butcher marks centenary with Quaich Presentation

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...

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A time to shine for diversified farming businesses

A time to shine for diversified farming businesses

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...

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Volatility of the global beef market

Volatility of the global beef market

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%...

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A Royal seal of approval for this year’s Turriff Show

A Royal seal of approval for this year’s Turriff Show

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...

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Finalists announced for new on-farm sustainability award

Finalists announced for new on-farm sustainability award

• 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...

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Groundswell gets underway

Groundswell gets underway

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...

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Farmers unite to showcase British farming

Farmers unite to showcase British farming

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...

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