Help is on hand for troubled farmers

With harvest running later than normal and farmers reporting difficulties in renegotiating their overdraft limits, RSABI is reminding farmers and farm workers of its Gatepost helpline.

Speaking yesterday, the charity – formerly known as Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution – said that while the helpline normally received more calls in the wintertime from people requiring help, this stressful summer had seen a change.

The charity’s spokeswoman said: “We can help at this time. If anyone feels they are not coping, we offer a confidential service talking through a problem.

“Even when harvest takes up most of the day and you feel too busy to do anything else other than worry about the weather, ‘just talking about it’ can actually help with coping with problems.”

She added that sharing worries and discussing them was one of the survival techniques as was talking about coping strategies.

The helpline has been operating for almost two years now and it is available not just to farmers and farm workers but to anyone linked to working in the countryside.

Next week is National Suicide Prevention week and the spokeswoman stressed that the Gatepost service was not just for those feeling suicidal but for anyone who felt they needed support.

“Phone and get help before the problem gets too big. We provide a sympathetic listening ear,” she said.

The dedicated Gatepost number is 0300 1114166.

With harvest running later than normal and farmers reporting difficulties in renegotiating their overdraft limits, RSABI is reminding farmers and farm workers of its Gatepost helpline.

Speaking yesterday, the charity – formerly known as Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution – said that while the helpline normally received more calls in the wintertime from people requiring help, this stressful summer had seen a change.

The charity’s spokeswoman said: “We can help at this time. If anyone feels they are not 
coping, we offer a confidential service talking through a problem.

“Even when harvest takes up most of the day and you feel too busy to do anything else other than worry about the weather, ‘just talking about it’ can actually help with coping with problems.”

She added that sharing worries and discussing them was one of the survival techniques as was talking about coping strategies.

The helpline has been operating for almost two years now and it is available not just to farmers and farm workers but to anyone linked to working in the countryside.

Next week is National Suicide Prevention week and the spokeswoman stressed that the Gatepost service was not just for those feeling suicidal but for anyone who felt they needed support.

“Phone and get help before the problem gets too big. We provide a sympathetic listening ear,” she said.

The dedicated Gatepost number is 0300 1114166.

Duncan Miller brings a wide and varied experience as he takes the chair at Moredun

Perthshire farmer, Ian Duncan Millar was yesterday appointed chairman of the Moredun Foundation following the retiral of John Ross.

Duncan Millar farms Tirinie, Aberfeldy, where he has arable, beef, hill and lowground sheep enterprises. He is a past chairman of the Highland Glen lamb marketing Co-operative and the Scottish Association for Sheep Health.

He is also a qualified Chartered Surveyor and agricultural arbitrator, and is a former president of the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association.

The Moredun Foundation is a registered charity promoting animal health and welfare through research and education. The foundation governs the work of the Moredun Research Institute, which Duncan Millar served as a director for several years.

Welcoming his appointment, chief executive and scientific director of Moredun, Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, said he would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience of the farming sector within Scotland.

“He is a innovative farmer in his own right and has demonstrated practically the benefits of applying the highest levels of animal health and welfare in his own flocks and herds,” she said.