Agriculture

Crop Updates: December 2024

Our regular round up of the issues affecting crops around Scotland, summarises how crops are developing and what weather and other issues are affecting them.…

SAC Consulting
20/12/2024

Diversification Through a Succession Lens

Without a vision for your future, how do you know what you are working towards, or why you are doing what you do? For many farmers and crofters, their purpose comes from a drive to build a sustainable business, produce high-quality nutritious food, and protect and enhance our environment while creating a fulfilling lifestyle for their family.…

SAC Consulting
11/12/2024

Survey participation the key to the future of farming

Scotland’s farmers are being asked to participate in the vital round of annual data gathering that will help inform the direction of policy decision-making in the nation’s agricultural sector. Every year the Scottish Farm Business Survey (SFBS) gathers key economic and environmental data to provide in-depth focus and analysis. The information is used to help Scottish Government shape its future agricultural policy.…

SAC Consulting
06/12/2024

Crop Updates: November 2024

Our regular round up of the issues affecting crops around Scotland, summarises how crops are developing and what weather and other issues are affecting them. The update provides information on the…

SAC Consulting
03/12/2024

New net zero project focuses on grasslands

Jeff Aiken, outgoing Texel Sheep Society Chair (left) presenting Prof Joanne Conington with her award. Scottish researchers are playing a key role in a UK-wide project aimed at transforming grasslands…

SRUC
27/11/2024

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

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

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