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

New Chair for quality assurance for Scotland’s crops

New Chair for quality assurance for Scotland’s crops

Fife arable farmer, John Hutcheson, has been appointed the new Chair of the Board for Scottish Quality Crops (SQC), Scotland’s quality assurance scheme for combinable crops, alongside new Vice Chair Mark McCallum. John farms an extensive arable unit, growing cereals...

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Prime cattle supply set to tighten by this autumn

Prime cattle supply set to tighten by this autumn

Over the festive period and into the first fortnight of 2024 the beef market has remained relatively stable, according to the latest market commentary from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). R4L steer prices have generally been slightly above the £5/kg threshold in recent...

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Here, now and what’s coming down the line

Here, now and what’s coming down the line

Adam Christie, Managing Director of Scottish Agronomy I read recently that the word of the year for 2023 was “hallucinate”. While this is a case of new uses for an established word, at times this year it was entirely appropriate as I thought I glimpsed blue sky...

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Make no beef about it, online cattle auction finds a market

Make no beef about it, online cattle auction finds a market

An online cattle sale that came about as a way of marketing stock during the covid pandemic is preparing for its fourth annual event. Farmers John and Fiona Scott came up with the way of selling their rams when coronavirus cast its shadow on traditional sales. It was...

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Another year under the hammer for Scotland’s Auctioneers

As Scottish auction markets bring 2023 to a close, auctioneers across all of Scotland’s marts have seen an increase in both buyers and sellers around the ring. Prime cattle and sheep sales have continued to do well, and prices have been strong. Despite the lack of...

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Slurry trials save farmer mucking about with grass growth

Slurry trials save farmer mucking about with grass growth

A South-West dairy farmer has been trialling different rates of slurry and artificial fertiliser in silage fields to see how he can optimise yields and reduce costs. With input prices remaining high, John Kerr at Woodhead Farm in Ayrshire wanted to see if he could...

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East Coast Viners expands its livestock nutrition team

East Coast Viners expands its livestock nutrition team

Leading animal nutrition specialists and feed mill, East Coast Viners is pleased to welcome trainee ruminant nutritionist Rebecca Bennett as it expands its team. A recent graduate of Harper Adams University, Rebecca brings with her broad practical on-farm experience...

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Scotch Beef sizzling at The Devonshire London

Scotch Beef sizzling at The Devonshire London

One of London’s most talked about new places to eat has credited the Scotch beef it serves for helping win rave reviews. Michelin-starred chefs and top food critics have been some of the first to book a table at The Devonshire, tucked away in central London behind...

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Agriculture’s international spotlight to shine on Scotland.

Agriculture’s international spotlight to shine on Scotland.

Tickets have gone on sale for an international agricultural conference with Royal roots being hosted in Scotland. The Princess Royal is patron of the 30th Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) Conference, an organisation which was founded in 1957 by...

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Scotland Meat the Market workshop announced

Scotland Meat the Market workshop announced

Beef and lamb farmers are invited to a series of Scottish Meat the Market workshops. Organised by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), the events aim to give beef and lamb producers greater industry knowledge about target specifications for finished animals in order to...

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QMS Levy Workshop date for Campbeltown

QMS Levy Workshop date for Campbeltown

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Levy payers in the Campbeltown area are being given the chance to hear how the organisation plans to deliver its five-year strategy and make the country the choice for premium red meat. The event is part of a series of regional workshops...

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Scotch Lamb goes to Parliament for St Andrew’s Day

Scotch Lamb goes to Parliament for St Andrew’s Day

Lamb took centre stage at the Scottish Parliament as part of Lamb for St Andrew’s Day, an initiative to encourage people across Scotland to celebrate with Scotch Lamb on the patron saint’s day. Scotch Lamb was served, and sold out, in the canteen for Members of...

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Scotch Lamb goes global for St Andrew’s Day

Scotch Lamb goes global for St Andrew’s Day

The Middle East could prove a lucrative new market for Scottish sheep producers, with First Minister Humza Yousaf among the delegates being served Scotch Lamb in Dubai to celebrate St Andrew’s Day. In a special COP 28 dinner organised by Scottish Development...

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From farmer to the finished product

From farmer to the finished product

More than 120 attended the recent Monitor Farm Scotland lamb selection event at United Auctions Huntly, including a sizeable young contingent eager to build on their sheep farming skills. The evening began with breakout sessions from Michael Wilson, Livestock Buying...

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New highs for 2023 AgriScot farm business event

New highs for 2023 AgriScot farm business event

Over 10,000 visitors and 240 trade stands filled the exhibition halls at the Royal Highland Showground at Ingliston last week (Wednesday 22 November) for the largest indoor winter farming event, AgriScot. As one of the strongest events yet, and with a record number of...

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OFC continues to Inspire

OFC continues to Inspire

More than 100 individuals have now completed the OFC Inspire Programme, supporting their personal and business growth through skills development and networking. The success of the initiative, run by the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), has resulted in career changes,...

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Appointment adds another piece to Farmstrong Scotland jigsaw

Appointment adds another piece to Farmstrong Scotland jigsaw

Farmer’s daughter Clare Dickson had been dreaming of finding a job that combined the rural sector with helping people once she was ready to return to work after having her young family. She says her appointment as Community Engagement Specialist for Farmstrong...

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New Team Join OFC Organisers

New Team Join OFC Organisers

Stepping up and getting involved is very much at the heart of the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) ethos and, following the retirement of the previous Secretariat, a new organisation has joined the ranks. The British Growers Association (BGA), which has all the skills...

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Pupils relishing Better Burger Challenge

Pupils relishing Better Burger Challenge

High school students throughout Scotland are relishing the challenge to get their teeth into their own recipes with the launch of this year’s Better Burger Challenge. Organised by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) in partnership with Food and Drink Federation Scotland, the...

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Community roles for progressive Huntly Development Trust

Community roles for progressive Huntly Development Trust

Huntly Development Trust (HDT), an ambitious not-for-profit community organisation, is looking to recruit two people to join their team to deliver the ‘Huntly 2030’ vision for a greener, more inclusive and prosperous town in the heart of northeast Scotland. HDT Chair,...

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Vayo®: Revylutionising Scab Control

Vayo®: Revylutionising Scab Control

Vayo®’s first season proves its value with trials, and on-farm experiences, demonstrating unrivalled efficacy throughout the season. BASF brought its renowned active, Revysol® to the fruit sector earlier this year with the new protectant fungicide, Vayo®. It is...

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QMS announces dates for industry workshops

QMS announces dates for industry workshops

Levy payers are being given the chance to hear how Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) will deliver its five-year strategy and make the country the choice for premium red meat. A series of regional workshops will let members see how a first levy increase in more than a decade...

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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 announced three new Directors will join their board. NIAB CEO Professor Mario Caccamo, Farm Estate Manager David Hill, and Food and Drink Consultant and Coordinator Sheena...

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Scotland’s marts generated £605m last year

Scotland’s marts generated £605m last year

The Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) has released its 2022 throughput figures gathered from its members, who operate auction markets in Scotland. Alan Hutcheon, IAAS President, said: “Markets recorded total throughput of 2.76m head of...

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Sarah no longer on her Todd

Sarah no longer on her Todd

Journalist Sarah Todd is to join the ranks of agrifood and rural sector communications agency Jane Craigie Marketing (JCM), whose clients include BASF, ABP, QMS and the Oxford Farming Conference. Sarah has been an award-winning writer for over 30 years; learning her...

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ABP to strengthen ties with Harper Adams University

ABP to strengthen ties with Harper Adams University

ABP Food Group has announced that it has joined the Harper Adams School of Sustainable Food and Farming Delivery Partner Network. The school is at the forefront of the development of sustainable farming methods and also in exploring methods to help British farmers...

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Thousands of pupils tucking in thanks to Tasty QMS initiative

Thousands of pupils tucking in thanks to Tasty QMS initiative

Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) ‘Tasty Little Weeks’ initiative is back, with schools receiving £180 worth of vouchers to spend with their local Scotch-assured butchers, as well as a bank of resources packed with ideas and tools to inspire children and teachers. In...

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Oxford Farming Conference reveals speakers for OFC24

Oxford Farming Conference reveals speakers for OFC24

Tickets have gone on sale for the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) and a list of headline speakers has been released, including environmentalist and financier Ben Goldsmith, chef, broadcaster and writer Romy Gill MBE, farmer and musician Andy Cato, and Chair of...

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IAAS showcases importance of EID tagging to Scotland Office

IAAS showcases importance of EID tagging to Scotland Office

The new President of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers (IAAS) met with Under Secretary of State for Scotland, John Lamont MP, at ANM marts at Thainstone to demonstrate how high frequency EID electronic tagging could revolutionise the livestock industry.  ...

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AgriScot Silage Competition Under Starters Orders

AgriScot Silage Competition Under Starters Orders

Entries have opened for the 22nd annual AgriScot Silage Competition. The competition which has attracted more than 3000 entries since it began, is the longest running silage competition in Scotland. It is a reflection of the high regard the contest is held in, that...

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French visitors given insight into Scottish farming

French visitors given insight into Scottish farming

More than 40 high-level executives from France’s agricultural, agro-industrial and agro-food sectors gained an insight into Scotland’s agricultural and meat processing systems on a visit to a Tayside farm. The chief executives, presidents and others are members of...

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150 lambs needed to reach Lamb Bank target

150 lambs needed to reach Lamb Bank target

Over 24,000 school children are signed up to Lamb for St Andrew’s Day, the initiative from the industry that aims to encourage more people to cook, eat and enjoy lamb as part of the Patron Saint’s celebrations.   To inspire the next generation, Scotland’s Institute...

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Sweetener for winter feeding to counter silage shortage

Sweetener for winter feeding to counter silage shortage

After a summer of challenging weather for silage making, beef and dairy farmers are looking for alternatives for winter feed to ensure optimal performance. Adding liquid molasses to straw and homegrown cereals will be a cost-effective and productive solution this...

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QMS puts pork at the fore for Porktober

QMS puts pork at the fore for Porktober

Scotland’s pork industry will be celebrated, in a month-long focus with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) supporting Scottish Craft Butchers’ ‘Porktober’ campaign, to promote the nutritional value of Specially Selected Pork to consumers. The consumer-facing campaign will...

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Lamb prices hold firm as we move into autumn.

Lamb prices hold firm as we move into autumn.

According to the latest market commentary from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), a reduced supply of finished lambs across GB, rising export volumes and lower imports from abroad have been supporting the lamb price in Scotland.  Given indications of a smaller lamb crop...

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Combining audits streamlines the business of arable farming

Combining audits streamlines the business of arable farming

Scottish Quality Crops (SQC) growers are benefiting from streamlined auditing following the appointment of new certification body, Food Integrity Assurance (FIA).   FIA, which was set up by the cooperative support hub, SAOS, in 2022 to offer devolved, Scotland-centric...

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Luximo® – one year on

Luximo® – one year on

Despite last year’s challenging autumn, Luximo® gave growers more black-grass control in comparison to the market standard and will be a key building block in herbicide programmes for the season ahead. Reviewing Luximo®’s first year in a recent webinar, BASF revealed...

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Resetting fields riddled with resistant ryegrass

Resetting fields riddled with resistant ryegrass

When BASF Agronomy Manager, Colin Mountford-Smith heard about the ryegrass challenge Rob and Peter Barlow were facing, he wanted to help. The father and son team had recently taken on 160ha infested with the weed and while they had made great progress with two years...

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Variable grass quality calls for closer eye on calf nutrition

Variable grass quality calls for closer eye on calf nutrition

A dry start to the summer followed by a wet July means farmers in the North-East need to take a close look at calf nutrition in the next few months, says Steven Eddie, Ruminant Nutritionist at East Coast Viners.   “With an exceptionally dry start to the summer, grass...

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Scotland Meat the Market workshop announced

Scotland Meat the Market workshop announced

Beef and lamb farmers are invited to a series of Scottish Meat the Market workshops, with the first event focusing on beef.    These events, organised by Quality Meat Scotland, aim to guide beef and lamb producers, offering industry knowledge about target...

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New president for Institute of Auctioneers

New president for Institute of Auctioneers

A new president has been elected to the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS). Alan Hutcheon, who has over 40 years’ experience in the industry as an auctioneer and in livestock market management, assumes the role from Donald Young at the end of...

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Fruitful AI tool launches to market following £2.8m backing

Fruitful AI tool launches to market following £2.8m backing

A cutting-edge new digital forecasting tool to maximise planning and profitability for soft fruit growers will launch to market in 2024 thanks to £2.8m capital raised from private investors, Ceres Agritech and Innovate UK through its investor partnership programme.  ...

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Harvest Update: The ups and downs of farming in 2023

Harvest Update: The ups and downs of farming in 2023

Throughout this year, farmers have battled with the weather. Depending on the location, autumn was either too dry and grass weeds didn’t chit, or too wet to travel. In spring, wet weather dominated the early part of the season, only to turn dry when crops needed a...

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Farming family advocate for agriculture and win industry award

Farming family advocate for agriculture and win industry award

After graduating as an accountant, Claire Pollock returned to the family farm to support her family and future development of their business.  The Pollock family always enjoyed farming and plans to keep the business viable led to changes in production methods, aiming...

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