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Crofters have six months to meet future payment conditions

Scotland’s crofters risk missing vital funding if they do not embrace new payment conditions, SAC Consulting has warned. The Scottish Government wants members of the crofting community to meet new environmental guidelines as a condition of financial support.…

SAC Consulting
22/11/2024

New course to help veterinary practices meet sustainability standards

A new micro-course has been launched by SRUC to help vet practices meet sustainability standards set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Introduced on 1 September, these require all registered veterinary practices to evidence their approaches to sustainability, now a requirement to be approved as a training practice.…

SRUC
22/11/2024

SRUC sheep geneticist ‘outstanding’ in her field

An SRUC scientist has been honoured for her “outstanding contribution” to the Texel Sheep Society. Professor Joanne Conington was presented with the award at the society’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Ball, which was held for members and associates who have made “an exceptional contribution” over the years.…

SRUC
20/11/2024

Digital Dairy Chain awards further £1m to innovative projects

The five winning projects faced competition from across the sector. Digital Dairy Chain, the collaborative Strength in Places funded project led by SRUC, has announced the successful winners of the…

SRUC
19/11/2024

Crofting in Stornoway: Iain Macmillan’s crofting journey

Ian Macmillan on the farm with his dog, Sam. I can honestly say that I have always been a crofter. My dad was a crofter and Harris Tweed weaver, his father was a crofter and my mother’s father was a…

SAC Consulting
15/11/2024

Crofting on the West Coast: Laura MacGregor’s crofting journey

I am a fifth-generation crofter from the village of Taynuilt on the West Coast of Scotland. My crofting journey started at a young age, with helping my grandfather and father doing jobs that involved being outside with the cattle.…

SAC Consulting
15/11/2024

Smallholdings on the West Coast: Niall Campbell’s farming journey

Niall Campbell. My journey into actively working a smallholding started quite late in life. I have worked on farms and crofts helping out at peak periods for most of my life and always enjoyed the experience.…

SAC Consulting
15/11/2024

Crofting in Orkney: Graham Scott’s crofting journey

Growing up surrounded by livestock (cattle, sheep, poultry and a goat) on my parents smallholding was always going to leave a deep impression on me. With all five of my mothers’ sisters and their…

SAC Consulting
15/11/2024

SRUC recognised for advancing gender equality and inclusivity

SRUC has been recognised for its commitment to advancing gender equality and inclusivity with a Bronze level Athena Swan award. …

SRUC
13/11/2024

Succession and the Budget 2024: How do we talk about death and money?

The recent UK budget and its changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) has generated a significant reaction across industry. The long-held ability of family farming businesses to pass land and assets on to the next generation upon the death of the owner free of inheritance tax is gone. We now must pay much closer attention to how we do this as individual farming businesses. …

Sascha Grierson
13/11/2024

Rural Business Management course gets industry stamp of approval

SRUC’s industry-leading course in Rural Business Management has been reaccredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Graduates from the course receive an industry-recognised qualification, meaning that they can complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) as surveyors in two years after securing a training position, rather than the normal five years.…

SRUC
05/11/2024

Ministers welcome progress on innovative Borderlands dairy project

The Dairy Nexus, which is under construction at SRUC’s Barony Campus near Dumfries, is set to be completed in November 2024. A multi-million pound new facility to drive innovation and sustainability.…

SRUC
28/10/2024