Farming

An East Lothian farmer will be supporting the rural charity RSABI later this month by driving a tractor around the North Coast 500 route in just three days.

John Meikle from Hoprig Mains will be tackling the 500-mile journey around the north coast of Scotland between 13 and 15 June, hoping to complete the route at the grounds of Inverness Castle on the afternoon of 15 June.

Scotland is being represented at this week's Swedish Rural Parliament, one of the largest gatherings for rural development in Europe.

Bill Sturrock, a member of Angus LEADER Local Action Group, and Sarah Hyslop, Ayrshire LEADER Programme Manager, are being supported by the Scottish Rural Network to attend the event.

The Swedish Rural Parliament event takes place in Visby, Gotland from 27 to 29 May. The theme for 2016 is 'Towards a balanced country'.

The Scottish Rural Parliament are holding events across the country to help them create a Manifesto for Rural Scotland.

Ann-Marie Meikle and Don Morrison from the Scottish Rural Network Support Unit attended events in Inverclyde on 4 May and Newtonmore on 17 May to find out more.

A new brochure highlighting innovative projects from across Europe is now available.

Share your views about the European Innovation Partnership 'Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability' (EIP-AGRI) in a short online survey.

The agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) works to foster competitive and sustainable farming and forestry that 'achieves more and better from less'. It was launched in 2012 by the European Commission.

The deadline for applications to the Beef Efficiency Scheme has been extended until 15 June 2016.

A deadline extension has been announced by the new Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, for the Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES), meaning farmers now have until 15 June 2016 to apply for a share of up to £45 million beef sector support scheme.

The previous deadline for applications was Tuesday 31 May.