Latest Press Releases

Unusually there was agreement between an AHDB Monitor Farmer, an agribusiness consultant and the Defra Deputy Director of Policy, Engagement and Strategy Jonathan Baker, Countryside Stewardship Schemes can hedge against the loss of BPS. The Northampton Monitor Farm...

The Scottish Machinery Rings Association (SMRA) has once again supported thousands of farmers and rural businesses through a successful harvest season, despite energy and labour hardships. The nine-strong rings that make up SMRA collectively represent over 7250 member...

Agrifood technology start-ups involved in the Farm491 incubation hub are beginning to think very differently about the products and service models for the future of agriculture as a result of input from a highly disruptive entrepreneur. Ben Jones and a close-knit...

By Michelle Nuttall, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager Given soaring fertiliser prices and tightening regulations, it was timely to host a practical webinar on how to make the most of muck. At £451/ha in saved fertiliser cost for every 40t of cattle muck applied, the...

After nearly 40 years of trading in a small corner shop in Fraserburgh, I.J McIntosh Butcher has made the move to a new custom-built eco-friendly premises in a bid to expand and future proof the business. The new shop, which was opened on Friday 12 November and will...

Hacks for showstopping cooking with Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork will be at the heart of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS)’s 2021 Christmas campaign which is set to reach over 75% of the UK population through TV, digital and billboard...

Capitalising on the messages from COP26, Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) Health & Education team has launched Mission Sustain, a game designed to encourage young people to engage in discussion around sustainability in Scottish farming. The free interactive resource...

Scotch Lamb PGI is set to take centre stage this St Andrew’s Day with the red meat industry coming together to promote the consumption of lamb during the patron saint’s day.  Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), alongside the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), the...

Eighteen progressive people from the agrifood industry have been awarded fully funded places to attend the Oxford Farming Conference which runs from 5 - 7 January 2022. The ‘Inspire’ programme targeted at 30 - 45 year olds replaces the Emerging Leaders initiative...

Join BASF and KWS in Britain’s first farming bake off BASF and KWS have accepted a grower’s challenge and so the first British Farming Bake Off begins on 1st November with the two companies donating to Fareshare.  Fareshare, fights hunger and poverty in the UK and...

The Oxford Farming Conference’s (OFC) Bitesize series provides a platform for vibrant discussion on the biggest issues facing the agricultural industry. The more recent bitesize, held in partnership with the Institute for Agriculture Management (IAgrM), focused on the...

Organisers of the mental health fundraiser, Run1000, are looking to set a new record in January 2022, when the initiative will return for the battle of the nations across the UK and, for the first time, New Zealand. Launched in 2021 by founder Sheena Horner, who...

Scotland’s red meat industry has united to deliver an unprecedented amount of lamb to school children across Scotland this St Andrew’s Day. In the penultimate week for donations, the Lamb Bank has received a 300kg boost from meat processors and packers, Woodhead...

“The Government should be signing deals that position us as strategic exporters rather than importers undermining our own producers. It should be investing cleverly to safeguard and strengthen our agri-food production in order to support the industry to boost...

Sue Martyn of Hornacott Barton Farm has been appointed President of the Border Leicester Sheep Society, following previous marketing and convenor roles within the council. Based in Cornwall and having dedicated 34 years to the breed, Sue currently has 25 Border...

BSAVA has announced that their annual Congress will be held as a hybrid event for 2022. The live event is due to be held on Thursday 24th March – Saturday 26th March in Manchester, with the opportunity for delegates to also attend online through an interactive virtual...

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) has launched its programme for the 2022 event which will return to the Examination Halls at Oxford University in January, with tickets now on sale. The Conference, which takes place from Wednesday 5th to Friday 7th January 2022,...

Farm491, part of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), is set to host a series of three webinars exploring the current policy landscape, market trends, and challenges within UK agriculture. Over the coming weeks, leading academics will delve into their specialist...

Listeners of BASF’s latest podcast, ‘Strong against weeds together’, hear industry-leaders discuss their hopes and fears around weed control, IPM and resistance management. Cereal herbicide campaign manager at BASF, Ali Richards, hosts the first episode where NIAB’s...

In the latest ‘Perfecting Potatoes Together’ podcast guests, Meg Edmonds from Eurofins Agroscience Services Ltd and Paul Goddard from BASF, discuss the take-home messages from one of the UK’s toughest and comprehensive late blight trials. With catchy weather, shifting...

In the lead up to COP26, the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) welcomed an international panel and audience at its recent Bitesize webinar ‘Farming on the Frontline of Climate Change’. The event focused on the practices that farmers are using to not only combat the...

With susceptible crops, irrigated and inoculated with the most virulent strains, Eurofins is one of the toughest tests for crop protection products. BASF’s portfolio of fungicides, however, rose to the challenge with its existing products, Enervin SC and Percos, both...

Three diverse and highly accomplished entrepreneurs have joined Farm491 as business advisors to the incubation hub’s start-up companies. The trio are, serial entrepreneur, Ben Jones, co-founder of the snack-maker, Graze and Tails, a bespoke, subscription-based dog...

Innovative livestock farmers, the Scott Family of Fearn Farm, Ross-Shire successfully hosted their tenth “Great from Grass” breeding sheep sale on Friday 27th August 2021. The sale which included a range of Aberfield, Texel, Beltex, Sufftex and, NZ Suffolk rams and...

A young butcher from Fochabers has successfully completed the prestigious Craft Butcher Diploma of Scotland after the new partnership between Quality Meat Scotland and the Scottish Craft Butchers enabled him to overcome the financial barriers associated with further...

After five years as part of the innovative UK wide pilot project, RamCompare, Bowhill Estate Farm Manager, Sion Williams, believes that the programme has helped close the gap between commercial and pedigree producers. Launched in 2015, RamCompare is the UK’s...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is relaunching their Sustainable Red Meat Action and Young Producer Groups with a series of free on-farm events. Members of the groups are invited to attend the introductory meetings, with a small number of places still available, which...

The Monitor Farm initiative has pioneered new ways of working, experimented with new ideas and, most importantly, measured the inputs and outputs of host farms to improve their productivity and profitability. Reflecting on the lasting impact of the programme is the...

Responsible tourism is at the heart of a new initiative to deepen the understanding of crofting during the holiday period. The Crofting Commission have produced an informative leaflet to educate visitors about crofting and encouraging them to be considerate of the...

Growers and agronomists took refuge from the heatwave earlier this month and logged on to the BASF’s Virtual Farm to explore newly uploaded virtual trials, watch live webinars and explore the site’s new look. Throughout ‘Digital Demo Week’, BASF showcased a wide range...

Over the past 10 years, Scotland’s livestock marts and red meat sector has been promoting Scotch Lamb as the meat to eat to celebrate St Andrew’s Day on 30 November. In a bold move to supply free lamb to as many Scottish schools as possible during St Andrew’s week,...

Examining whether family farms are fit for the future, panellists at the recent Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) Bitesize webinar on Thursday 5 August explored their routes to resilience. The session, which was held in partnership with Nuffield Farming Scholarships, is...

Innovative livestock farmers, the Scott family of Fearn Farm, Ross-Shire, are set to hold their annual “Great from Grass” breeding sheep sale on Friday 27th August. Up for auction will be 160 rams, 350 gimmers and a larger than usual selection of Aberfield rams, with...

A tenancy termination by the Crofting Commission on the Isle of Colonsay paved the way for new entrants Lizzie & Darragh Keenaghan to bring a croft back into purposeful use. In less than two years, The Wee Croft has, and continues to, positively contribute to the...

Alternaria used to be a minor disease. But for some potato crops in the UK, it's now a significant threat that can cause substantial yield loss.  According to guests of the latest ‘Perfecting Potatoes Together’ podcast, the likelihood of infection has risen sharply in...

Based in Laurencekirk in the North East of Scotland, Ringlink Services has been delivering training for over twenty-five years to an extremely diverse customer base throughout Scotland and the wider UK. Training remains one of the most crucial elements in maintaining...

The Crofting Commission has seen a welcome expansion to establish a crofting community-focused Crofting Development Team. The new team transforms the way the Commission can support and engage with crofters and the location of the two new officers within the Western...

During last year’s enforced lockdown people became interested in making things again. The rise in sales of crafting materials rose dramatically, with Hobbycraft, John Lewis, as well as independent stores citing drastic increases in demand. With a 200% increase in...

Following on from the success of last year’s ‘Bitesize’ webinars, the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) has announced their return in 2021 with a series of four starting on Thursday 5 August. The Bitesize webinars will complement the return of the conference, hosted in...

Agritourism alongside Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb are at the heart of a new campaign to capitalise on the rising staycation market this summer and, ultimately, deepen the understanding of what buying Scotch really means. With a recent report identifying that over...

Genomics is revolutionising sheep production in New Zealand providing a new level of accuracy on breeding traits that allow farmers to select for greater productivity and, importantly, tailored to their farming environment. In the sixth and final podcast in QMS’...

Gloagburn Farm Shop, Perthshire, is the international judging panel’s choice for winner of the first-ever Scotch Butchers Club Challenge, announced today by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Judge, Jon Brown from Grogan and Browns, Ireland , said: “The quality of the...

On 19th July BASF kicks off a digital demo week to introduce the new and optimised look and rich content of its Real Results Virtual Farm. During the week BASF will reveal their intuitive ‘Trials Zone’, host two webinars and launch a wealth of content across multiple...

The Border Leicester Sheep Society is set to mark 125 years of this versatile breed, by hosting an innovative National Show at Harrison and Hetherington Market in Carlisle, on Saturday the 7th of August, starting at 12 noon. President of the Border Leicester Sheep...

Imagine farming in the outback of central western Queensland, Australia - one of the most rainfall variable and volatile areas to farm in the world. This is the reality of James Walker, the next guest on Quality Meat Scotland’s international podcast and founder of...

With high prices and deeper insights into cabbage stem flea beetles (CSFB), the future for OSR maybe a turning a corner. Titled ‘Champion OSR Together: how to get the best from OSR’, the recent webinar hosted on the BASFs Virtual Farm featured ADM’s Martin Farrow,...

A free online tool to help farmers optimise their grazing, which will in turn improve their productivity and profitability, has been launched by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Whether rotationally grazing livestock for the first time or developing their system, farmers...

With disease pressure high and the crop protection programme for cereals concluded, yet another challenging season of twists and turns is heading to an interesting culmination. Cereals have good potential, however, with the high level of disease pressure, realising...

Delving into the world of potato agronomy, the new potato podcast from BASF sees host, Cedric Porter, interviewing leading experts and growers on a range of seasonal topics. As the editor of World Potato Markets, Cedric has followed the ups and downs of the sector for...

Diet is at the heart of beef’s race to net zero, according to Dr Karen Beauchemin , a federal scientist in Canada and an international authority on Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from livestock farming. Seaweeds, fat from crushed oilseed rape and feed additives have...

Hybrid wheat to enable higher and more stable performance in yield and quality for farmers and the value chain to meet the nutritional needs of a growing population Globally-driven, locally-tailored wheat breeding platform to meet grower’s agronomic and economic needs...

“We know that there are certain traits in cattle that affect profitability but it’s not just a matter of breeding highly productive animals,” says Tom Gubbins, Director of world-class seedstock and breeding data business, Te Mania Angus, based in New South Wales,...

Champions of Scotland’s beef and sheep industry are urged to submit nominations for the prestigious 2021 AgriScot Scotch Beef and Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year awards. Resuming after a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the awards, sponsored by Thorntons...

Following a year in which LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has encouraged thousands of people to join virtual farm tours across the country, the sustainable farming organisation has reported that over 100 farms opened their gates on 27th June for LEAF Open Farm...

BASF Digital Farming GmbH has joined forces with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) to integrate their detailed environmental data in the ASSIST E-Planner tool, with the comprehensive online crop optimisation solution, xarvio FIELD MANAGER. Alongside...

American soil specialist and co-founder of the Soil Health Academy and Understanding Ag LLC in Missouri, Ray Archuleta, is the next guest on QMS’ international podcast series, airing on Tuesday 22 June. In conversation with QMS podcast presenter Mark Stephen, “the...

Fourteen independent butchery businesses from across Scotland are finalists of the inaugural Scotch Butchers Club Challenge, managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The finalist will now compete in a counter display competition of Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and...

Siblings from Dumfriesshire have picked up a top prize after winning Quality Meat Scotland’s ‘Farm Kid Diaries’ competition. Lucy (9), Rory (8) and Abbie (5) from Poldean farm submitted their video as part of the Farm Kid Diaries video series initiative. With...

Some of the world’s leading farming advocates will star in the QMS podcast’s ‘World Tour’ series. Launching on 15th June with US New York Times bestselling author and real food nutritionist, Diana Rogers. The six-part international series is hosted by BBC Radio...

Blight is the bane of potato growing and experts warn that, long-term, pressure in the UK is only set to rise.  We asked a specialist agronomist, a grower and a crop protection manufacturer about best-practice now and in the future Together with his business partner...

More than 3,500 visitors are expected at the family run Groundswell event being held at the Cherry’s Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire on 23-24 June 2021. The regenerative agriculture show has gained a huge following because of its focus on no-till farming techniques,...

Scottish Agronomy has appointed Jim Mason of Denbrae Farm in North-East Fife as Chair of its 12-strong board. The farmer cooperative, which offers independent agronomy advice based on over 20,000 cutting edge trials plots, has more than 250 members from arable and...

Biological seed treatment aids establishment and minimises early disease Wide range of crops can be treated Few seed treatments options following loss of thiram Integral® Pro, BASF’s biological seed treatment, had been granted approval for two Extension of...

A yield uplift of almost half a tonne a hectare from spring malting barley treated with a half label rate dose of Revystar® XE is the latest success story from Andrew Booth’s involvement with BASF’s Real Results on farm tramline trials. Mr Booth said, “All tramlines...

Application timing is critical says PGRO plant pathologist Lea Herold, as BASF survey reveals both new and experienced pulse growers are turning to Signum® for disease control this year. Nearly 70% of bean growers surveyed said they are considering the use of Signum®...

This season is looking promising with prices buoyant and recent rain giving crops potential for growers to invest in. However, ripples from the horrendously wet autumn of 2019 are still being felt, with cash flow on farms depleted leading to economic pressures. In...

Over 400 crofters responded to a Crofting Commission survey on croft under-use and availability. The aim of the survey, says Bill Barron, Chief Executive, was for the Commission to gain an important insight into the most perceived reasons for unused crofts and what...

In the midst of a difficult season, BASF launches comprehensive weather and spraying planning tool, REVYWEATHER. Frequent showers are creating ideal conditions for the rapid development of key diseases like septoria. Yet low temperatures, and short, intermittent...

On Sunday 27th June, the farming industry’s annual open day, LEAF Open Farm Sunday (LOFS) will return to celebrate its 15th event since the initiative was launched in 2006. At a time when food and farming has generated greater interest than ever before, LOFS...

A partnership between the Rural Youth Project and Smart Village Scotland has witnessed the successful launch of a pioneering, youth-centric Smart Village which will champion young people to collaboratively build vibrant, creative, and sustainable rural economies in...

Despite the continued rapid evolution of late blight populations and the potential loss of mancozeb, the future of late blight control in potato crops is promising. In a recent webinar on BASF’s Real Results Virtual Farm, Dr David Cooke, plant pathologist at The James...

Spring barley added to list of crop types available with enhanced features such as disease risk predictions, growth stage forecasting and alerts. Field notes – take note or a picture of a weed and app precisely records location by dropping a pin on a satellite map...

Three industry leading manufacturers have formed a new partnership to help safeguard the future of a post-emergence herbicide that is under threat of de-regulation when it is up for re-approval in 2025. BASF, Nufarm and Sharda Cropchem have formed the “Know the...

Kinto® Plus, a new generation seed treatment from BASF for use on all winter cereals will be available this autumn, providing comprehensive and long-lasting efficacy against a wide spectrum of seed and soil borne diseases, and conferring growth promoting effects to...

Christine Tacon, Chair of both Management Development Services (MDS) – which provides graduate training for fresh produce businesses – and, more recently, of Red Tractor, talked to Royal Agricultural University graduate and MDS Trainee, Max Pitman, about the lessons...

The source limited nature of our wheat varieties today means that disease has a bigger impact on yield than it did some years ago. Dr Julie Smith, Principal Research Scientist, ADAS said, “Wheat plants intercept sunshine (solar radiation) and convert that energy to...

Austen Morley is in his early 20s and has opened a pop-up espresso and cocktail bar – Morley’s Coffee - at his home in Forglen, Aberdeenshire. He has received mentoring and marketing support from the Rural Youth Project for the last 18 months. Austen is serving hot...

Drones help support countryside stewardship Farmers get second chance to win a DJI Mavic Air 2 Pro drone with full training New early-bird prizes, if you scan your cans before 30th April 2021 Scanning Revystar® XE cans with the BASF Companion App Identifying reasons...

Integral® Pro, BASF’s biological seed treatment, has been granted approval for an Extension of Authorisation of Minor Use (EAMU) registration for use on linseed. This will enable seed producers to more reliably meet seed certification standards by reducing levels of...

With two months until LEAF Open Farm Sunday on the 27th June, which will see hundreds of farmers open their farm gates to the public, organisers Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) have today announced the appointment of eight ambassadors to support farmers,...

Global farmgate prices for pig meat have performed strongly over the first quarter of 2021. Although, despite the recent increase, UK and European prices continue to struggle to match last year’s levels according to the latest market commentary by Quality Meat...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has launched today (29 March) the findings from their Scotch Beef PGI Traceability and Performance project, which examined the potential of DNA testing for traceability and improving the performance of the Scottish beef herd. Established to...

With the increased use of both sexed and beef semen in dairy herds, there is an opportunity to create a network of dairy farmers and beef finishers that can grow the value of Scotland’s calf crop, diversify their income and improve their margins. This is according to...

The recent publication of UK trade data for January confirms the predicted challenges the red meat sector would face as it transitioned to the terms and conditions of trade post Brexit resulting in a slowdown in trade as all parts of the supply change adjusted to the...

Farmers in Morayshire have come together to gain a better understanding, and ultimately decrease transmission, of the fatal viral lung tumour ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) to increase the profitability and productivity of their sheep flocks. The project, which...

In response to the future easing of lockdown, an updated Industry Code of Practice for preventing or controlling ill health from animal contact at visitor attractions, has been released to ensure that the public, and particularly children, are safe when interacting...

At a BASF webinar titled ‘Helping spring decisions in OSR’, new research by ADAS uncovered the double trouble cabbage stem flea beetles cause. ADAS entomologist, Fran Pickering, shared her latest trial results in the BASF Virtual Farm’s webinar, giving insight into...

Health and wellness tourism in the outdoors is on the rise, and Scotland’s land-based businesses are ideally placed to capitalise on it. This is according to Calum Johnston of SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), who advises rural businesses on...

After the highly successful first season, which garnered over 120 thousand views, Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) ‘Farm Kid Diaries’ is back for its second season with country kids, and their city counterparts, encouraged to get involved. With consumers reconnecting...