Farming

Beef Efficiency Scheme: Autumn Events

​Autumn events to help farmers and crofters optimise winter nutrition and grazing availability​

In response to concerns that this year’s weather conditions will result in Scottish farmers and crofters facing feed and fodder shortages this winter, Scottish Government has opened this autumn’s Beef Efficiency Scheme events for all farmers and crofters to attend.

These events will provide advice and guidance on how to provide plentiful food over winter, maintain the wellbeing of livestock and optimise beef enterprise performance.

River Margins Enhancement
Name of organisation/business: 
Mains of Auchriachan Farm
Funding: 
Agri-Environment Climate Scheme

Efficient grassland management is one of the most important factors determining the profitability of beef and sheep farms across the UK. In a recent study conducted by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), it was shown that improving pasture usage by one tonne per hectare is worth an additional £204 profit per hectare per year to a beef farm.

Scotland’s farm safety record is of a considerably lower standard in comparison with the rest of the UK. To bring Scotland up to par, the Farm Safety Partnership Scotland (FSPS) has launched a new initiative in an effort to encourage farmers and crofters to prioritise their safety.

Futureproof your Farm

Come and find out what’s out there to help you make the most of your farm business, at a time when the future seems uncertain.

Hear from farmers and others involved in:

The Rural Innovation Support Service (RISS)

RISS provides you with a facilitator to get your practical, sustainable business idea off the ground

LEADER

The LEADER programme funds local projects including farm diversification.

Discuss your ideas with other farmers and RISS facilitators over lunch.

More than three-quarters (76%) of farmers feel fairly or very optimistic about their business prospects in the next six months – despite the obvious challenges caused by a lack of summer rain.

That’s according to the Farming Sentiment Index, conducted in July by Farmers Weekly.

In the longer term, optimism is tempered by uncertainty no doubt linked to the general expectation that input costs are expected by most to increase over the next 12 months (89%), with fewer farmers (51%) anticipating any improvement in the price they are paid for their outputs.

The 2018 Scottish Rural Parliament will take place in Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway on 14th– 16th November. If you live in or are passionate about rural areas in Scotland, you can attend to learn and make your voice heard. This year's theme is "Taking Action".

The event brings together people from rural communities with decision-makers, for three days of celebration and exploration. Participants examine a wide-range of issues affecting rural communities and make recommendations for change.

The search is on to find beef and sheep farms around Scotland worthy of receiving one of two high profile awards.

The AgriScot Scotch Beef Farm of the Year and AgriScot Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year awards are sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors and supported by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Each year they set out to find, and reward, Scottish farms which showcase the best in beef cattle and sheep production.

There has in recent years been a growing realisation that, in northwest Europe (and in other parts of the world too), numbers of the Eurasian Curlew have fallen drastically.

Following a flood of entries at the Royal Highland show and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Game Fair, Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) has extended the entry deadline for its Helping it Happen awards until 20th July.

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