Farming

Sustainability is one of the most used buzzwords of recent times and no more so than when applied to our fisheries.

Loans to help farmers hit by months of adverse weather are being offered by the Scottish Government.

I have the privilege of ­travelling across the UK and ­seeing how Government attitudes to ­forestry are developing and ­playing out – and it is clear to me that ­Scotland is well ahead. Scotland leads in its understanding of how ­important ­forestry and wood processing is to the economy and to the environment and it leads in implementing ­policies to deliver more forestry and the greater use of wood.

Thirty SNP politicians representing rural areas are demanding action from the UK Government to tackle Brexit-fuelled labour shortages that have left Scotland’s soft fruit farms in crisis.

We often talk about the successes of the Royal Highland Show, but a value often overlooked is the social benefit. As I walk around the show, it is always very apparent that this is very much a social event.

The Scottish Government recently released its latest statistics on Scottish ­agriculture, and the headline figures reveal that in 2017 it contributed 0.9 per cent of gross value added and 2.6 per cent of total Scottish employment.

Sheep are being sent to eat a poisonous plant with caustic sap that causes burns to anyone who touches it.

A group of Scottish farmers and food industry professionals have raised millions to launch an “innovative” vegetable based snack brand.

“Ultimately, this is about the sort of country – society and economy – we want to become and believe that we can become.” It is a point well-made in the Sustainable Growth Commission report and one that resonates for Scotland’s future irrespective of politics or sovereign destiny.

Agricultural specialist Cefetra is planning a Scottish expansion after signing a long-term contract with Forth Ports.

A buffalo farm has unveiled plans to become the first Scottish producer of buffalo mozzarella.

While the overall figure might have been a couple of busloads behind last year’s record breaking attendance, the organisers of the Royal Highland show – which finished its four-day run yesterday in sweltering temperatures – said the high levels of attendance reflected the growing appeal of Scotland’s biggest celebration of farming, food and rural life.

A Fife firm is aiming to double sales over the next two years as it rolls out a shellfish storage system that it believes will revolutionise the fishing industry.

While talk of the introduction of measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions dominated much of the political chatter at the Royal Highland Show yesterday, in an ironic twist, it emerged that a shortage of the gas could be set to affect several sectors.

Ruth Davidson has told farmers she is “pressing the case” on the need to respect Scotland’s distinct needs after Brexit.

From shooting in the rolling hills of the Highlands to fishing on the banks of scenic rivers and lochs, Scotland’s rich rural landscape is the perfect setting for a variety of country sports.

A stark warning that overly ambitious targets set out in the Scottish Parliament’s ­Climate Change Bill could prove ­disastrous for Scotland’s beef and sheep farmers was made at yesterday’s Royal Highland Show.

For those making their living from the land, having their finances add up has been a long standing issue. Although farmland has been achieving good prices of late, selling the key asset is not something to do lightly and it is often a more complicated – and emotional – equation than pure arithmetic.