Latest Press Releases

The Royal Agricultural Society of England’s report Farm of the Future: Journey to Net Zero was launched today, 8th March, at the Low Carbon Agricultural Show. The report follows a COP26 policy brief that was published by the organisation in October 2021. The Farm of...

As series six of the hot time-travel drama, Outlander, hits our screens this month, Scotland’s bespoke travel operator, Spirit Journeys, celebrates with five Outlander tours around Scotland.The popular guided trips, which have been running for five years, combine...

Two successful young Scottish butchers are fronting a campaign to encourage young people across the nation to join the profession and learn a craft that blends traditional skills with cutting-edge technologies and business know-how. As part of Scottish Apprenticeship...

The review of the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Cattle & Sheep Scheme Standards has been completed and the updated 2022 Standards, which have been approved by the QMS Board, become effective from 1 April 2022. Key changes include a new environmental section,...

As travellers look for nature-based, sustainable holidays again this year, Scotland’s customised travel experts, Spirit Journeys, introduce three self-guided cycling holidays on some of Scotland’s less biked routes. Spirit Journeys Worldwide has a strong focus on...

Popular Netflix series, The Crown, has boosted visitor numbers to Scotland’s East Cairngorms, the home to the royal family’s Scottish seat, Balmoral Castle, according to local tourism guides. Ballater Business Association (BBA) and Braemar Tourism Group (BTG) has...

A very special ‘hot tent’ experience with Highland ponies is being introduced in Scotland’s Cairngorms by mountain experts, Scot Mountain Holidays. The 4-night, 4-day wild camping trip brings a hike through remote landscapes together with the comfort of a ‘hot’ Nordic...

Ex-forces and career changers are being targeted in a bold new programme to skill up the fresh produce sector. Kickstarted by a £450,000 Government grant for flexi-apprenticeships, the renowned food supply chain training provider, MDS, is using the funding to create a...

The recipient of the prestigious AgriScot Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year award was announced on Wednesday 9 February. The accolade, which is managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors, was awarded to Saughland farm, run by Farm...

The recipient of the prestigious AgriScot Scotch Beef Farm of the Year award was announced on Wednesday 9 February. The accolade, which is managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors, was awarded to Drumbreddan Farm in Ardwell,...

A new cooking guide has been launched by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, to support customers to confidently choose and cook with different cuts of Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork. The 2022 edition of...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) welcomes the announcement that Quality Pork Processers Ltd has been acquired by Browns Food Group.  The acquisition will provide the platform to build a stronger future for the Scottish pig industry. The meat manufacturer, Browns, which...

The profound and lasting impact of the Monitor Farm programme on farm businesses and communities has been celebrated with the launch of the ‘Legacy Project Impact Report’. The report provides a snapshot of each of the legacy farms and highlights the key changes they...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has appointed Sarah Millar as its new Chief Executive. Sarah is currently Director of Market Intelligence and External Affairs at QMS and with immediate effect becomes Chief Executive Designate and will take over the reins as Chief...

The eastern side of the Cairngorms National Park— home to Ballater, Braemar and Royal Deeside — is attracting a wave of creative chefs, chocolatiers, and micro-brewers whose fresh and landscape-inspired ideas have transformed this historic area into a dynamic dining...

Pressure to optimise crop nutrition is growing.  Rising prices makes nutrient losses through run off, volatisation and nitrate leaching not just harmful to the environment, but increasingly damaging to the bottom line. Richard Orr, Monitor Farmer in Northern Ireland,...

Tickets to Europe’s largest small animal veterinary event have gone on sale, with early bird discounts for those that register before 17th February 2022. With a new structure to the programme, free practicals for onsite delegates, immersive “a day in the life of…”...

The finalists for the AgriScot Scotch Beef and Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year were announced today, 18 January, with all sharing a common enthusiasm to improve productivity and efficiency. The awards, sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors and supported by Quality Meat...

Known as the record-beating sailor who solo-circumnavigated the world, Dame Ellen MacArthur is now making waves with her charitable work centred on the circular economy. Speaking to delegates on the final day of the 2022 Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), Dame Ellen...

On the opening day of the Oxford Farming Conference, agricultural ministers from England, Northern Ireland and Wales shared their different visions for future agricultural policy and how new support payments can help achieve climate targets. Secretary of State for...

In a bid to tackle Scotland’s obesity epidemic and educate the next generation of consumers, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has delivered 322 ‘meat vouchers’ to schools across Scotland, a figure which tops that of previous years. The QMS Meat Voucher Scheme is an...

Two timely reports focused on quantifying, qualifying and ensuring good governance in the trading of natural capital and carbon, were launched today, 5 January, at the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC). The two-part report, commissioned and funded by the WWF and Tesco...

As details of the new programme, including the five Learning Zones, module titles and sessions, go online, BSAVA reveals the full extent of the programme’s shakeup. Manchester Central, the event’s new venue, facilitated the move away from long format lectures. ...

To raise industry confidence in the lead up to January, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), has released the second edition of its toolkit ‘Having positive conversations about red meat’ in collaboration with AHDB and HCC. The pack of materials, which includes downloadable...

A focus on adventure tourism is making the East Cairngorms one of the most popular destinations in the UK for mountain biking. The adventure tourism community’s best-kept secret, the area has seen a surge in people of all abilities, due to the surge in e-bike sales,...

Unusually there was agreement between an AHDB Monitor Farmer, an agribusiness consultant and the Defra Deputy Director of Policy, Engagement and Strategy Jonathan Baker, Countryside Stewardship Schemes can hedge against the loss of BPS. The Northampton Monitor Farm...

The Scottish Machinery Rings Association (SMRA) has once again supported thousands of farmers and rural businesses through a successful harvest season, despite energy and labour hardships. The nine-strong rings that make up SMRA collectively represent over 7250 member...

Agrifood technology start-ups involved in the Farm491 incubation hub are beginning to think very differently about the products and service models for the future of agriculture as a result of input from a highly disruptive entrepreneur. Ben Jones and a close-knit...

By Michelle Nuttall, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager Given soaring fertiliser prices and tightening regulations, it was timely to host a practical webinar on how to make the most of muck. At £451/ha in saved fertiliser cost for every 40t of cattle muck applied, the...

After nearly 40 years of trading in a small corner shop in Fraserburgh, I.J McIntosh Butcher has made the move to a new custom-built eco-friendly premises in a bid to expand and future proof the business. The new shop, which was opened on Friday 12 November and will...

Hacks for showstopping cooking with Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork will be at the heart of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS)’s 2021 Christmas campaign which is set to reach over 75% of the UK population through TV, digital and billboard...

Capitalising on the messages from COP26, Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) Health & Education team has launched Mission Sustain, a game designed to encourage young people to engage in discussion around sustainability in Scottish farming. The free interactive resource...

Scotch Lamb PGI is set to take centre stage this St Andrew’s Day with the red meat industry coming together to promote the consumption of lamb during the patron saint’s day.  Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), alongside the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), the...

Eighteen progressive people from the agrifood industry have been awarded fully funded places to attend the Oxford Farming Conference which runs from 5 - 7 January 2022. The ‘Inspire’ programme targeted at 30 - 45 year olds replaces the Emerging Leaders initiative...

Join BASF and KWS in Britain’s first farming bake off BASF and KWS have accepted a grower’s challenge and so the first British Farming Bake Off begins on 1st November with the two companies donating to Fareshare.  Fareshare, fights hunger and poverty in the UK and...

The Oxford Farming Conference’s (OFC) Bitesize series provides a platform for vibrant discussion on the biggest issues facing the agricultural industry. The more recent bitesize, held in partnership with the Institute for Agriculture Management (IAgrM), focused on the...

Organisers of the mental health fundraiser, Run1000, are looking to set a new record in January 2022, when the initiative will return for the battle of the nations across the UK and, for the first time, New Zealand. Launched in 2021 by founder Sheena Horner, who...

Scotland’s red meat industry has united to deliver an unprecedented amount of lamb to school children across Scotland this St Andrew’s Day. In the penultimate week for donations, the Lamb Bank has received a 300kg boost from meat processors and packers, Woodhead...

“The Government should be signing deals that position us as strategic exporters rather than importers undermining our own producers. It should be investing cleverly to safeguard and strengthen our agri-food production in order to support the industry to boost...

Sue Martyn of Hornacott Barton Farm has been appointed President of the Border Leicester Sheep Society, following previous marketing and convenor roles within the council. Based in Cornwall and having dedicated 34 years to the breed, Sue currently has 25 Border...

BSAVA has announced that their annual Congress will be held as a hybrid event for 2022. The live event is due to be held on Thursday 24th March – Saturday 26th March in Manchester, with the opportunity for delegates to also attend online through an interactive virtual...

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) has launched its programme for the 2022 event which will return to the Examination Halls at Oxford University in January, with tickets now on sale. The Conference, which takes place from Wednesday 5th to Friday 7th January 2022,...

Farm491, part of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), is set to host a series of three webinars exploring the current policy landscape, market trends, and challenges within UK agriculture. Over the coming weeks, leading academics will delve into their specialist...

Listeners of BASF’s latest podcast, ‘Strong against weeds together’, hear industry-leaders discuss their hopes and fears around weed control, IPM and resistance management. Cereal herbicide campaign manager at BASF, Ali Richards, hosts the first episode where NIAB’s...

In the latest ‘Perfecting Potatoes Together’ podcast guests, Meg Edmonds from Eurofins Agroscience Services Ltd and Paul Goddard from BASF, discuss the take-home messages from one of the UK’s toughest and comprehensive late blight trials. With catchy weather, shifting...

In the lead up to COP26, the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) welcomed an international panel and audience at its recent Bitesize webinar ‘Farming on the Frontline of Climate Change’. The event focused on the practices that farmers are using to not only combat the...

With susceptible crops, irrigated and inoculated with the most virulent strains, Eurofins is one of the toughest tests for crop protection products. BASF’s portfolio of fungicides, however, rose to the challenge with its existing products, Enervin SC and Percos, both...

Three diverse and highly accomplished entrepreneurs have joined Farm491 as business advisors to the incubation hub’s start-up companies. The trio are, serial entrepreneur, Ben Jones, co-founder of the snack-maker, Graze and Tails, a bespoke, subscription-based dog...

Innovative livestock farmers, the Scott Family of Fearn Farm, Ross-Shire successfully hosted their tenth “Great from Grass” breeding sheep sale on Friday 27th August 2021. The sale which included a range of Aberfield, Texel, Beltex, Sufftex and, NZ Suffolk rams and...

A young butcher from Fochabers has successfully completed the prestigious Craft Butcher Diploma of Scotland after the new partnership between Quality Meat Scotland and the Scottish Craft Butchers enabled him to overcome the financial barriers associated with further...

After five years as part of the innovative UK wide pilot project, RamCompare, Bowhill Estate Farm Manager, Sion Williams, believes that the programme has helped close the gap between commercial and pedigree producers. Launched in 2015, RamCompare is the UK’s...

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is relaunching their Sustainable Red Meat Action and Young Producer Groups with a series of free on-farm events. Members of the groups are invited to attend the introductory meetings, with a small number of places still available, which...

The Monitor Farm initiative has pioneered new ways of working, experimented with new ideas and, most importantly, measured the inputs and outputs of host farms to improve their productivity and profitability. Reflecting on the lasting impact of the programme is the...

Responsible tourism is at the heart of a new initiative to deepen the understanding of crofting during the holiday period. The Crofting Commission have produced an informative leaflet to educate visitors about crofting and encouraging them to be considerate of the...

Growers and agronomists took refuge from the heatwave earlier this month and logged on to the BASF’s Virtual Farm to explore newly uploaded virtual trials, watch live webinars and explore the site’s new look. Throughout ‘Digital Demo Week’, BASF showcased a wide range...

Over the past 10 years, Scotland’s livestock marts and red meat sector has been promoting Scotch Lamb as the meat to eat to celebrate St Andrew’s Day on 30 November. In a bold move to supply free lamb to as many Scottish schools as possible during St Andrew’s week,...

Examining whether family farms are fit for the future, panellists at the recent Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) Bitesize webinar on Thursday 5 August explored their routes to resilience. The session, which was held in partnership with Nuffield Farming Scholarships, is...

Innovative livestock farmers, the Scott family of Fearn Farm, Ross-Shire, are set to hold their annual “Great from Grass” breeding sheep sale on Friday 27th August. Up for auction will be 160 rams, 350 gimmers and a larger than usual selection of Aberfield rams, with...

A tenancy termination by the Crofting Commission on the Isle of Colonsay paved the way for new entrants Lizzie & Darragh Keenaghan to bring a croft back into purposeful use. In less than two years, The Wee Croft has, and continues to, positively contribute to the...

Alternaria used to be a minor disease. But for some potato crops in the UK, it's now a significant threat that can cause substantial yield loss.  According to guests of the latest ‘Perfecting Potatoes Together’ podcast, the likelihood of infection has risen sharply in...

Based in Laurencekirk in the North East of Scotland, Ringlink Services has been delivering training for over twenty-five years to an extremely diverse customer base throughout Scotland and the wider UK. Training remains one of the most crucial elements in maintaining...

The Crofting Commission has seen a welcome expansion to establish a crofting community-focused Crofting Development Team. The new team transforms the way the Commission can support and engage with crofters and the location of the two new officers within the Western...

During last year’s enforced lockdown people became interested in making things again. The rise in sales of crafting materials rose dramatically, with Hobbycraft, John Lewis, as well as independent stores citing drastic increases in demand. With a 200% increase in...

Following on from the success of last year’s ‘Bitesize’ webinars, the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) has announced their return in 2021 with a series of four starting on Thursday 5 August. The Bitesize webinars will complement the return of the conference, hosted in...

Agritourism alongside Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb are at the heart of a new campaign to capitalise on the rising staycation market this summer and, ultimately, deepen the understanding of what buying Scotch really means. With a recent report identifying that over...

Genomics is revolutionising sheep production in New Zealand providing a new level of accuracy on breeding traits that allow farmers to select for greater productivity and, importantly, tailored to their farming environment. In the sixth and final podcast in QMS’...

Gloagburn Farm Shop, Perthshire, is the international judging panel’s choice for winner of the first-ever Scotch Butchers Club Challenge, announced today by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Judge, Jon Brown from Grogan and Browns, Ireland , said: “The quality of the...

On 19th July BASF kicks off a digital demo week to introduce the new and optimised look and rich content of its Real Results Virtual Farm. During the week BASF will reveal their intuitive ‘Trials Zone’, host two webinars and launch a wealth of content across multiple...

The Border Leicester Sheep Society is set to mark 125 years of this versatile breed, by hosting an innovative National Show at Harrison and Hetherington Market in Carlisle, on Saturday the 7th of August, starting at 12 noon. President of the Border Leicester Sheep...

Imagine farming in the outback of central western Queensland, Australia - one of the most rainfall variable and volatile areas to farm in the world. This is the reality of James Walker, the next guest on Quality Meat Scotland’s international podcast and founder of...

With high prices and deeper insights into cabbage stem flea beetles (CSFB), the future for OSR maybe a turning a corner. Titled ‘Champion OSR Together: how to get the best from OSR’, the recent webinar hosted on the BASFs Virtual Farm featured ADM’s Martin Farrow,...

A free online tool to help farmers optimise their grazing, which will in turn improve their productivity and profitability, has been launched by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). Whether rotationally grazing livestock for the first time or developing their system, farmers...

With disease pressure high and the crop protection programme for cereals concluded, yet another challenging season of twists and turns is heading to an interesting culmination. Cereals have good potential, however, with the high level of disease pressure, realising...

Delving into the world of potato agronomy, the new potato podcast from BASF sees host, Cedric Porter, interviewing leading experts and growers on a range of seasonal topics. As the editor of World Potato Markets, Cedric has followed the ups and downs of the sector for...

Diet is at the heart of beef’s race to net zero, according to Dr Karen Beauchemin , a federal scientist in Canada and an international authority on Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from livestock farming. Seaweeds, fat from crushed oilseed rape and feed additives have...

Hybrid wheat to enable higher and more stable performance in yield and quality for farmers and the value chain to meet the nutritional needs of a growing population Globally-driven, locally-tailored wheat breeding platform to meet grower’s agronomic and economic needs...

“We know that there are certain traits in cattle that affect profitability but it’s not just a matter of breeding highly productive animals,” says Tom Gubbins, Director of world-class seedstock and breeding data business, Te Mania Angus, based in New South Wales,...

Champions of Scotland’s beef and sheep industry are urged to submit nominations for the prestigious 2021 AgriScot Scotch Beef and Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year awards. Resuming after a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the awards, sponsored by Thorntons...

Following a year in which LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has encouraged thousands of people to join virtual farm tours across the country, the sustainable farming organisation has reported that over 100 farms opened their gates on 27th June for LEAF Open Farm...

BASF Digital Farming GmbH has joined forces with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) to integrate their detailed environmental data in the ASSIST E-Planner tool, with the comprehensive online crop optimisation solution, xarvio FIELD MANAGER. Alongside...

American soil specialist and co-founder of the Soil Health Academy and Understanding Ag LLC in Missouri, Ray Archuleta, is the next guest on QMS’ international podcast series, airing on Tuesday 22 June. In conversation with QMS podcast presenter Mark Stephen, “the...

Fourteen independent butchery businesses from across Scotland are finalists of the inaugural Scotch Butchers Club Challenge, managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The finalist will now compete in a counter display competition of Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and...

Siblings from Dumfriesshire have picked up a top prize after winning Quality Meat Scotland’s ‘Farm Kid Diaries’ competition. Lucy (9), Rory (8) and Abbie (5) from Poldean farm submitted their video as part of the Farm Kid Diaries video series initiative. With...

Some of the world’s leading farming advocates will star in the QMS podcast’s ‘World Tour’ series. Launching on 15th June with US New York Times bestselling author and real food nutritionist, Diana Rogers. The six-part international series is hosted by BBC Radio...

Blight is the bane of potato growing and experts warn that, long-term, pressure in the UK is only set to rise.  We asked a specialist agronomist, a grower and a crop protection manufacturer about best-practice now and in the future Together with his business partner...

More than 3,500 visitors are expected at the family run Groundswell event being held at the Cherry’s Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire on 23-24 June 2021. The regenerative agriculture show has gained a huge following because of its focus on no-till farming techniques,...

Scottish Agronomy has appointed Jim Mason of Denbrae Farm in North-East Fife as Chair of its 12-strong board. The farmer cooperative, which offers independent agronomy advice based on over 20,000 cutting edge trials plots, has more than 250 members from arable and...

Biological seed treatment aids establishment and minimises early disease Wide range of crops can be treated Few seed treatments options following loss of thiram Integral® Pro, BASF’s biological seed treatment, had been granted approval for two Extension of...

A yield uplift of almost half a tonne a hectare from spring malting barley treated with a half label rate dose of Revystar® XE is the latest success story from Andrew Booth’s involvement with BASF’s Real Results on farm tramline trials. Mr Booth said, “All tramlines...