Scotland

On Monday night at our local Highland Perthshire NFU branch meeting we were treated to an entertaining and informative talk by our local butcher Rory McDonald of McDonald Bros, Pitlochry and Aberfeldy.

Farmers in Scotland will benefit from a share of £40m as the Scottish Government moves to decarbonise the agricultural sector.

The reserve senior champion led the Limousin trade at 13,500gns, which finished with an average up 130 on the year at 4,730.34 for 59 animals sold, and a clearance rate of 81 per cent.

A packed ringside saw Aberdeen-Angus bulls sell to a high of 25,000gns, matching last year’s top call.

Beef Shorthorn bulls sold to a high of 20,000gns twice, with averages up 104 on the year for 53 bulls sold at 4,780, and a clearance rate of 61 per cent.

Recent research carried out by SAC Consulting could give Scottish dairy farmers the confidence to minimise antibiotic use in cows at drying off.

While the debate over a second independence referendum for Scotland fills the news, the business of devolved government goes on with the new UK Agriculture Bill proving contentious.

A new UK-wide cattle and sheep industry group, the Ruminant Health and Welfare Group, is to be formed on April 1 2020.

Unlocking the potential of UK-grown seaweed as part of new research could see used in the production of some ruminant animal feeds.

Farming in Scotland needs to change if we are to come close to meeting our climate targets, but the Scottish Government’s Agriculture Bill sets out no plans for reform, says John Finnie, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands.