Latest Press Releases

Wow, what a year it’s been! As I look back on my first year as Programme Director at Farmstrong Scotland I am filled with pride and gratitude for the progress we’ve made as a team.  I’m lucky to love what I do and am passionate about the potential Farmstrong has to...

Over 40 farms entered the inaugural 2024 M&S Steak Competition run as part of the ‘live and carcase’ Premier Meat Exhibition at ABP’s Bridge of Allan site on 9 November. The Scottish National Fatstock Club’s event, now in its 31st year, has been supported by...

The 2024 ABP Winter Fair – the Premier Meat Exhibition - held at the Bridge of Allan site on 9 November, was a sell-out success once again. Organised by the Scottish National Fatstock Club and sponsored by M&S, the event is now in its 31st year.  In total, 139...

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney MSP, attended AgriScot for the first time today (13th November) at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, underscoring the event’s importance as the premier winter gathering for Scotland’s agricultural community. Addressing a...

For the first time since the modernisation of the electricity network, horses are being used to extract timber on SSEN Transmission projects. It may be the image of a bygone era, but there is still very much a place for horse logging - the extraction of timber - from...

There are constant developments in the industry to make agriculture ever more efficient and profitable and the Product Innovation Award at AgriScot is an excellent showcase of some of the latest advances on the market. The shortlist this year is testament to the fresh...

Egg producer Farmlay has hatched a plan to almost double productivity for 2025 with a £2.4m investment in a state-of-the-art grader.  AI-based Computer Vision technology is at the heart of the new grading equipment that will be rolled out...

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Directors to its board for the 2026-28 term. Leprino Foods Sustainability Manager Ben Williams, farmer and land manager Jamie Graham, and Savills Director and Head of Rural...

The Autumn 2024 Budget delivered by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, once again demonstrates the huge disconnect that remains between politicians and the wider business community, specifically those involved in agribusinesses. There is no doubt that the announcements...

The biggest tax raising budget in generations has confirmed our worst fears. Boxed in by her election pledges – to not increase income tax, VAT nor National Insurance contributions for working people – the Chancellor, with little room for manoeuvre, has announced...

The Scottish Agriculture Awards returned in spectacular fashion tonight (Thursday, 24th October), with over 500 attendees gathering to celebrate the sector’s most innovative and forward-thinking businesses and individuals. Organised by AgriScot, RHASS (the Royal...

Farmland markets have virtually flatlined in the third quarter of 2024 though average values edged up, according to the latest results from the Knight Frank Farmland Index, which tracks the values of bare agricultural land in England and Wales. However, with some...

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) is delighted to announce the speaker lineup for the 2025 conference, themed, "Facing Change, Finding Opportunity." Taking place from 8th-10th January 2025, the conference will draw a diverse group of experts, pioneers and...

Following a recent report which shows that less than half of respondents have taken up the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), rural experts are calling on farmers to take full advantage of public funding opportunities while they are on offer to bolster their...

Farmstrong Scotland has commissioned Scotinform – Scotland’s longest established, independent market research company - to carry out in-depth research to find out how farmers and crofters in Scotland are feeling and what steps they take to look after their wellbeing....

BASF Nunhems, a leading provider of innovative crop solutions for the fruit and vegetable industry, is excited to announce its attendance at Fruit Attraction 2024, taking place on October 8-10 in Madrid. As Naz Ahmed, Customer Marketing Specialist at BASF Nunhems,...

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), in partnership with McDonald’s UK and Ireland, is pleased to announce the recipients of the Breaking Barriers Scholarship, which is supporting eight individuals aged under 30 years old, who identify as Black or Person of Colour...

On Thursday, 3 October, British carrot growers will unite for the inaugural UK National Carrot Day, urging the nation to support home-grown carrots and safeguard their future in the face of mounting climate challenges and shifting market conditions. Leading the charge...

Putting a portion of carrots on your plate costs less than ten pence. They are cheap and nutritious but - fear Britain’s farmers - somewhat taken for granted. That is why a group of six farmers have clubbed together to launch the first UK National Carrot Day to...

On Tuesday 24 September 2024, Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal visited the Stirling branch of Hugh Black & Sons; one of Scotland’s most celebrated independent butchers. The visit marks a significant milestone for the company, which has grown from a...

Compaction caused by last season’s wet weather will exacerbate black-grass issues unless it is dealt with, warns independent soil and cultivations expert, Philip Wright. Across the country Philip is seeing many soils with a solid surface layer, which could make...

For larger pig producers, the burden of working with the Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) regulations can be considerable. Following regulations, keeping abreast of changing rules and their interpretation, dealing with inspections and maintaining paperwork just...

  Data snapshot Prime cattle prices surged to unprecedented levels at start of September 2024 Price of R4L grade steers £5.17 per kilogram deadweight (dwt) during the second week of September at Scottish abattoirs - a 5% increase compared to the same week in 2023 and...

Experts say autumn applications of a plant growth regulator (PGR) could hold the key to improving early drilled oilseed rape (OSR) yields. While genetic improvements are giving higher yields in trials, this isn’t being translated to the field and a core of industry...

With sheep scab reaching worrying levels in Scotland, Caledonian Marts at Stirling is trialling a sheep dipping service at its store and breeding sheep sales. Buyers can opt in to have the sheep dipped before leaving the mart, and they are separated out as they leave...

The Oxford Farming Conference is proud to announce the return of the bursary programme for the third year, enabling more than 40 individuals to attend the UK’s leading agricultural conference. Generously supported by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and other key...

Event Details: Date: Thursday 3 October 2024 Location: Cockett Barn Farm, Hexgreave Park: Farnsfield NG22 8LW Time: 08:30 to 15:00  On the day highlights include: Variety Trials – Explore the latest developments in carrot varieties. Exhibition Stands – Visit the...

AgriScot, the UK’s leading farm business event, has now opened entries for its dairy competition ahead of the judging at the event on 13th November 2024. With a prize fund of £25,000 - the largest of any dairy competition in the UK - and a broad range of classes,...

Today, 16 September 2024, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has proudly launched its authentic and emotionally engaging new marketing campaign, ‘When You Know, You Know’ developed with Edinburgh-based creative agency, Multiply. It highlights to consumers that there is...

This autumn, Farmstrong Scotland and the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) will come together to deliver a variety of workshops across Scotland to help farmers and crofters understand the positive impact that a healthy mind can have on your business. Kicking off in...

Lessons learnt growing up on an Outer Hebrides farm put Isla Mackenzie in pole position for a career in Formula 1 Motorsport. Here, she speaks about her incredible journey to the starting grid and the lessons learnt that continue to keep her firing on all cylinders …...

BASF Nunhems, a leading name in vegetable seed innovation and a brand of BASF, is proud to announce its participation in the 2024 British Tomato Growers’ Conference, set to take place on 26th September at the Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwickshire. This year’s...

John Gilmour Butchers proudly marked a milestone with their successful launch to the London foodservice and hospitality market at a prestigious event at Dover House on 9 September 2024. The exclusive event took place by kind permission of the Secretary of State for...

AgriScot, the UK farm business event held near Edinburgh in November, has launched its 2024 Business Skills competition with a cash prize of £1000. Open to ages 18-25, the competition is designed to identify and develop the best young agribusiness talent from across...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) highlighted the economic potential of Scotland’s beef sector, current industry concerns and changes on cattle herd at the annual Scottish Association of Meat Wholesales (SAMW) conference and lunch on Friday 6 September 2024. QMS Chief...

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), the UK’s premier agricultural event, is proud to announce a new partnership with a leading publication for the farming community, Farmers Weekly, to bring insightful content and a highly anticipated Farmers Weekly Question Time...

Robert Chapman believes in treating hens like other high-performance animals - such as dairy cows or racehorses - with diet at the heart of good health and results Through their Farmlay brand, the Chapman family are one of the best-known names in Scottish and UK egg...

Cattle condition scoring, nutrition, winter housing preparation and back-end grazing will be key topics at the Strathspey Monitor Farm autumn meeting. Livestock producers will hear about some of the changes happening at the farm, and specialists who work closely with...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is proud to announce its participation as a gold sponsor at the upcoming Universal Cookery and Food Festival (UCFF), an esteemed event celebrating the best in culinary arts and food innovation. Taking place at Loddington Farm in Kent on 26...

New initiative invites innovators in food and farming to share groundbreaking ideas at prestigious conference The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), in partnership with McCain Foods (GB) Ltd., is thrilled to announce the launch of the "Inspiring Innovators" programme...

There’s no greater way to market Scottish lamb than give people a chance to cook and taste it for themselves, says Neil Wilson, Executive Director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) as the livestock marts open the Lamb Bank for 2024....

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is delighted to announce a series of "Meat the Market" workshops designed to provide farmers with essential knowledge on carcass grading, market specifications, and customer requirements. These workshops will take place at leading...

As pupils across Scotland head back to the classroom this month, they're in for an extra treat - Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork are returning to the curriculum with the 2024 Meat Voucher Scheme, run by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Last year, the...

A Highlands doctor is combining her passion for farming and health by playing a key role in the growth of an exciting Health Hut initiative aimed at improving the wellbeing of people in Scotland’s agricultural community. The Health Hut initiative brings health and...

Sheep producers are being urged to check their ewes’ Body Condition Score (BCS) now and to take action to ensure they are at BCS 3-3.5 before tupping, or 2.5 in a hill flock. The advice comes from Ali Haggerty, a vet with Stewartry Veterinary Centre, who warns that...

Commenting on The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology study launched today by the University of Cambridge, Dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton said: “This study – which is mostly based on non-UK populations – doesn’t tell us anything about what causes type 2 diabetes because it...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has announced a series of upcoming drop-in clinics across key livestock marts across Scotland, providing an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to engage directly with the QMS team. These visits are designed to offer farmers,...

Robbie Newlands lives and farms by one rule – simplicity. Based on 1,100 acres (445ha) near the town of Forres in Moray, Cluny Farm is home to Robbie and his wife Kirsty. Keen to make more data-led decisions on his finishing stock, Robbie installed the Stockman - an...

For many, autumn 2023 will be remembered as the year black-grass gained the upper hand. But for Somerset grower, Mark Doble, it marked the end of an eight-year battle with the grassweed. Mark farms 160ha in Illminster. He grows winter wheat, oilseed rape, winter...

Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS’s) newly established Community Marketing Fund – a £50,000 resource aiming to support initiatives that promote our red meat brands within industry and across communities in Scotland - was a driving force behind a successful fundraising...

As she enters her final term as a Director of the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) fruit and hop grower Ali Capper says nostalgia about agriculture needs to be left at the farm gate and replaced with a more businesslike mindset. She has also broadly welcomed the new...

Five team members from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) will take on the ultimate test as they participate in the Great Glen Challenge to raise funds for the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI). The challenge, taking place on 30 August, will see the...

‘Make It Scotch’ t-shirts were in demand again at this year’s Royal Highland Show, with sales of more than 1000 shirts raising £5,628 in funds for Cancer Research UK, through the Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh branch. Throughout the four days of the Show the newly...

‘Doddie the iCON’ will report for fundraising duties once again... On Wednesday 14 August, the unique tartan-wrapped JCB Fastrac, known to many as ‘Doddie the iCON’, will lead the march in Sandy Duffus’ Tractor Run – an event that aims to raise funds for the ‘My...

“One of Scotland’s great assets is its red meat industry, which has a great story to tell,” says John Gilliland. Each month Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) releases an informative and fascinating podcast for industry, with red meat experts inside and outside of the...

Through a new study funded by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and Innovate UK under the Farming Innovation Programme, SugaROx Ltd and Fera Science Limited will explore the feasibility of using a game-changing biostimulant technology to...

The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) has released its latest Code of Best Practice (CoBP), reflecting forthcoming legal requirements on professional rodenticide application and supporting the safe and effective rodent pest management delivered by...

The ongoing resilience and economic importance of the red meat sector to rural Scotland was highlighted at Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS’s) presentation to stakeholders across the supply chain at Turriff Show today (5 August 2024), following the release of its Red Meat...

With Contract Farming Agreements (CFAs) growing in popularity in Scotland, the Monitor Farm programme has just published an in-depth Q&A Guide on the topic, aimed at helping farmers and contractors understand more about the opportunities and challenges involved....

The nation’s top young farmer, Abby Forsyth, has thrown her weight behind Farmstrong Scotland and believes it’s vital all ages learn to look after their wellbeing… Although she was pulled in all directions timewise at the recent Royal Highland Show, Scottish...

1 September sees the start of the annual ‘Love Lamb Week’ initiative celebrating lamb’s naturally delicious flavour and versatility, encouraging the nation to try lamb in different ways. This year’s ‘Make it Lamb’ campaign is a collaboration between all four UK red...

A youngster from Inverness has been crowned the winner of Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) latest competition to create promotional artwork for this year’s ‘Porktober’ campaign, run in conjunction with Scottish Craft Butchers to celebrate homegrown pork. Attracting...

Farmers from across Scotland this week came to hear how Deeside Monitor Farmers Duncan and Claire Morrison are finishing their mainly Stabiliser beef bulls at grass in a ground-breaking trial at Upper Ingliston farm near Inverurie. Visitors at the Monitor Farm summer...

Despite a decrease in Scotland's overall beef herd over the past year, recent cattle population data from British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) indicates a significant increase in prime cattle numbers on Scottish farms compared to 2023. According to the latest market...

The EQ Food & Drink Pavilion at Turriff Show is regarded as one of the top attractions at the show, alongside the outstanding exhibition of livestock and animals that takes place. This year will be no different when the show returns on 4 and 5 August 2024 at the...

Currently there is a good market for oilseed rape from both price and demand standpoints and given that many growers are familiar with this agronomically beneficial break crop there are many good reasons to consider giving it a place in the rotation. Huge demand The...

Selling cattle over the next few weeks could be a good business decision for beef farmers, according to Grant Anderson of Harrison & Hetherington, but it’s not the time to rush lambs off farm before they are well finished. “Prices for store cattle are good and...

Business development, retail inspiration and new product ideas were key research areas when the first all-female cohort of Scottish butchery business managers and colleagues visited leading Northern Irish butchers recently. The trip, organised by Quality Meat...

Next month, Scotland’s largest two-day agricultural event, Turriff Show, has a great number of livestock entries for the 1,500+ classes it holds at the event which runs on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 August. Entries are well up on all classes, compared with last year, with...

Throughout May and June, thousands of school children across Scotland have been getting hands-on with understanding where their beef, lamb and pork comes from, how to cook it, and what having Scotch really means for them, their families, and Scottish farmers. Tracy...

‘Growing for optimum output’ is the focus of this summer’s Dumfriesshire Monitor Farm open meeting on Tuesday 30 July at Barnbackle, Lochfoot. Booking for the meeting, which runs from 3.30pm-6.30pm, is now open. Visitors will be able to focus on sheep and cattle...

June is well known for Fathers’ Day and iconic summer events such as Royal Ascot and Glastonbury. For the last 40 years it has also been the month to celebrate Volunteers’ Week and to mark this milestone Farmstrong Scotland speaks to people from the rural community...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) recently organised a successful knowledge transfer day at Kilmacolm Farm Tours, bringing together almost thirty members of The Scotch Beef Club and The Scotch Butchers’ Club. The event focussed on the unique qualities of Scotch red meat and...

Guidance has been tightened for all users of professional rodenticides, including gamekeepers, with the withdrawal of the ‘open area’ pattern of use for second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides (SGARs), from the 4th of July 2024. Reflecting these changes, the...

As the summer rolls in (and hopefully brings us some sun and blue skies!), Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork are teaming up again with the Bauer radio network to bring a sizzling campaign to listeners across Scotland. Building on the successful...

BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson shared a behind-the-scenes insight into ABP Food Group’s sustainability initiative during Sunday’s edition of the popular programme. Viewers watched Adam as he explored the details of the Programme for the Improvement in...

Three months have passed since the Scottish Government announced additional conditions to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme, bizarrely in the middle of calving season, and the argument over its impact rumbles on. Recently, IAAS and the industry were presented...

Building resilience – for farms and anyone in farming – is the theme for the Roxburghshire Monitor Farm summer meeting, being held jointly with Farmstrong Scotland. Booking for the event, on Thursday 18 July, is now open. Farmers are invited to come along and hear the...

‘Chewing the Cud Over Grazing and Managing our Time’ are the two key topics of this summer’s Argyllshire Monitor Farm open meeting, with booking now open for the event at Killinallan Farm on Islay on Thursday 25 July. Visitors to the event at the Archibald family’s...

Bookings are now open for the Deeside Monitor Farm summer meeting on Tuesday 16 July, with visitors set to discuss forage and finishing cattle among other key topics. The meeting, which is open to anyone in agriculture, will see Monitor Farmers Duncan and Claire...

The Better Burger Challenge, a contest designed to inspire students to reformulate classic burgers into healthier and innovative versions using Scotch red meat, has announced its winner for 2024. Kirkintilloch High School in East Dunbartonshire has emerged victorious...

Despite the challenging early season which saw most sugar beet crops drilled later than normal, there is 102,000 ha of sugar beet in the ground with 85% of crops now at the established 6 true leaves stage. In order to get the most from these crops, mastering disease...

The three major farm carbon calculators featured in the Defra Report Harmonisation of Carbon Accounting Tools for Agriculture – SCF0129, have announced a collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), intended to harmonise the methodologies used in...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) appoints Multiply as its integrated marketing agency and Stripe Communications to handle its consumer press office QMS, the Non-Departmental Public Body responsible for promoting Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork on...

A final piece in the jigsaw of Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS’s) reorganisation around its ambitious strategy to make Scotland the choice for premium red meat has been fixed into place with a new Senior Management Team appointment. Chartered Institute of Public...

The Scottish red meat sector has demonstrated considerable progress, generated opportunities and grown its ambition, a year on from the launch of Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS’s) five-year strategy. Addressing 150 guests across farming, butchery, auction market, and...

Farmers at last week’s Banff and Buchan Monitor Farm meeting heard that net zero was ‘a marathon and not a sprint’, and that sustainable farming choices needed to insist on the best science, with accurate, precise data on individual farms. Key speaker Professor John...

We’re all ready for summer, and so is Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) with its latest summer guide ‘The Art of the BBQ’. This free publication from their renowned Scotch Butchers’ Club, shows consumers how to make the most of the BBQ season. These top tips help you enjoy...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is hosting two open days at award-winning farms for farmers and crofters to learn about practices aimed at improving profitability and efficiency while also reducing carbon emissions. The first event will be held in July in the Lammermuir...