3+ day, 7+ hour ago   (489+ words) Scotland’s nine Monitor Farms are preparing to host their final meetings of the current programme after four years of testing new ideas, making changes and sharing results with their local farming communities. The series will begin with the Argyll Monitor…...

3+ day, 9+ hour ago   (78+ words) A strong show of shepherd’s crooks and walking sticks was topped by an entry from Michael Pringle. Judge Ian McConchie found his novice entry in a horned stick from Stephen Marshall. Walking sticks - Wooden head - Michael Pringle. Horn head - Murray…...

4+ day, 8+ hour ago   (810+ words) Scottish agriculture has lost an innovative and widely respected rural consultant with the death of David Thomas Owen, founder of Owen Farm Services and a leading figure in the Dumfries curling community. David was born in Dumfries on February 22, 1982 and…...

4+ day, 12+ hour ago   (987+ words) The future of Scottish Forestry as a standalone organisation has been thrown into doubt, with forestry leaders warning that a proposed public sector merger could put specialist expertise and woodland creation targets at risk. The plans were outlined in the…...

5+ day, 11+ hour ago   (365+ words) The Countryside Alliance has called for a reset in the Government’s relationship with rural communities, claiming 27 policies introduced or announced in the past two years have hit the countryside. The rural organisation will launch its new Campaign for the Countryside…...

6+ day, 10+ hour ago   (501+ words) Helicopters will be made available to Scotland’s firefighters at short notice when wildfire risk reaches high, very high or extreme levels. The Scottish Government has announced that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will be able to place helicopters…...

1+ week, 11+ hour ago   (628+ words) A French scheme which helps farmers pay for replacement workers during maternity leave could provide a model for Scotland, where self-employed farmers can receive financial support but must arrange their own farm cover. For farmers, taking maternity leave can be…...

1+ week, 15+ hour ago   (473+ words) The Scottish Government has scrapped the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) and introduced a new Land, Agriculture and Nature Delivery Group (LAND). The change emerged at the first meeting of Holyrood’s Rural Affairs Committee following the summer recess, where…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago   (286+ words) The company has appointed AI and digital-transformation specialist Version 1 to modernise the technology platform supporting its operations. The investment will include an overhaul of Stonegate’s highly customised Oracle JD Edwards system, alongside new analytics, reporting, integration and automation capabilities. Stonegate…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago   (944+ words) The Scottish Government has acknowledged that a proposed cap on essential supermarket food could put pressure on farmers if retailers seek to recover lost margin further down the supply chain. Ministers have opened consultation on potential statutory price controls for…...