Now is the Time to Increase Investment in Leadership Development

SAOS, NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual have come together once again to offer an opportunity for agri businesses of all sizes to place greater emphasis on investing in leadership skills development. Scottish agriculture has always faced challenge and uncertainty with boldness and innovation, but current times can best be managed by adding investment in people, their adaptability, and their strategic thinking to the sector’s ‘toolkit’.

Pitch a Pod: Have Your Story Told in a Dedicated Podcast

Scotland’s rural podcast OnFARM is celebrating the publication of its 150th episode and in doing so, is setting out to give charities, individuals and organisations across the country a chance to have their very own podcast episode.

Scaled Up SKAi On Show

A scaled-up version of SKAi (pronounced: Sky) the ‘retrainable, smart-camera vision system’, developed by Forfar-based precision farming specialist SoilEssentials, will make its debut at the 2023 Royal Highland Show.

‘Growing Tomorrow's Leaders' Programme Celebrates Success and Looks to 2023

The inaugural SAOS Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders programme, supported by NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual and delivered by The Leadership Factory, wrapped up in Dundee last week with a day to celebrate the success of the first cohort and share learnings and feedback prior to the launch of the 2023/24 programme.

Mother’s Day - fresh Scottish-grown flowers delivered to the door

David and Barbara Girvan from Corrimony Farm near Inverness are delighted to offer their flower business, The Wild Acre’s, popular, home-grown seasonal flowers to customers nationwide via their postal delivery service – the perfect gift for Mother’s Day.

Talking Robots

A panel of experts involved in the development and distribution of the first autonomous tractors to come to the UK market will host a webinar at 17:30 on Thursday 9th March.

PREPARING FOR 2023 CROPPING: MONITOR FARMS TO BE SAMPLED AND OTHERS URGED TO FOLLOW SUIT

Farmers across Scotland are being urged to have their soils tested and analysed in the face of continuing high input prices and ahead of changes to Scottish agricultural support schemes. Angus-based, SoilEssentials – which has recently been tasked with sampling soils across Scotland’s new network of 9 monitor farms - is encouraging farmers to book soil sampling now, ahead of the establishment of spring crops.

Packed AgriScot Soil Seminar

Catriona McLean, who heads the 9-strong Scotland-wide soil-sampling team for SoilEssentials, leading a packed seminar (jointly hosted by Agri-Epi) at last week’s AgriScot. Seminar delegates heard about the ScotGov National Test Programme which gives financial support to farmers to have their soils sampled.

New knowledge network for organic farmers growing combinable crops in Scotland

Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA) and AHDB are launching a new network of organic cereals and combinable crop growers in Scotland. The network will focus on several meetings per year in a hybrid format, where growers can exchange experience, knowledge and skills. Organic growers are invited to attend the online launch on 29th November at 12.30 pm, where David Cunningham, bio-agronomist from Dods of Haddington, will speak about how a biological focus on soils and plant nutrition is the future of organic yields.

SOPA Appoints New Chairman

After five years as the Chairman at SOPA, Edward Smith stepped down from the helm in August 2022. Edward has had a significant influence on the organic co-operative, bringing about financial stability, new staff to supplement to existing Membership Services offered and a strategic plan giving clear direction for the next five years. Edward will remain on the SOPA board as Director.

Press Release