Blog What is my Union doing for me? It is a question that we are frequently challenged with - and in the midst of the current crisis affecting almost every farm sector in Scotland - it is one that we need to have answers ready for. The recent farm visit by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the Dykes family's beef and sheep unit at West Linton is recognition of the seriousness of the situation - and round the table with the First Minister were men and women who see their future in producing beef, sheep, milk, cereals and more.
26/08/2015
Blog For the consumer, dairy products are a daily part of life. They are taken for granted as a safe, nutritious and an essential part of daily diets.But for dairy farmers the status quo is untenable.Farmers 'protests' are not taken lightly, because they would much rather be at home running their business. But out of genuine frustration and desperation, farmers are choosing to highlight the very difficult position the sector is in and the need for change.
12/08/2015
Blog Putting away lambs this week will see you get not much over £50 each. This price is the lowest we have seen in July for year and the situation is truly desperate for farmers who need the confidence to invest as we enter the challenges of the new Common Agricultural Policy.
30/07/2015
Blog Now that the dust has settled after a record-breaking Highland Show, we finally have time to pause and reflect, asking ourselves at NFUS just what did we get out of it? First and foremost, it is an opportunity to meet with a lot of members. Lots of you passed through the stand and many met with staff and the President, two vice Presidents, committee chairmen and regional chairmen.
09/07/2015
Blog Just back from attending Cereals 2015 in Lincolnshire and I must congratulate the organising committee, sponsors and exhibitors for making this a very informative and worthwhile event from a farmer’s perspective.Volatility has hit many sectors this year and commodity prices in cereals are no exception. Dealing with this will be crucial going forward and there was plenty advice available covering agronomy, business, finance and machinery.
12/06/2015
Blog Scotland’s New CAP Package – Where Are We Now?
A year has flown by since Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead MSP stood up in the Scottish Parliament and, after four years of European and domestic deliberation and negotiation, set out Scotland’s CAP package in fifteen minutes.
10/06/2015
Blog The main measure of UK inflation turned negative in April, with the rate falling to -0.1%, due in part to lower food prices compared to a year ago.It is the first time the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has turned negative since 1960.The farming sector is well used to living with price pressure but deflation – particularly if sustained over a prolonged period – will have unwelcome consequences for our sector.
19/05/2015
Blog The Westminster election results particularly in Scotland, have signalled a significant shift in politics within Scotland and UK.
08/05/2015
Blog We are now a few days away from the 2015 General election and our round of regional hustings is drawing to a close, writes NFU Scotland's Parliamentary Officer Clare Slipper.
30/04/2015
Blog This week we met with Solicitor General for Scotland, Lesley Thomson QC to discuss rural crime and how to progress the planned review of prosecution policy.This meeting was a very constructive one, and we covered everything from livestock worrying to agricultural crime in the community.Following evidence being given by NFU Scotland, the Solicitor General confirmed a review of prosecution policy is to be carried out and the Union and other bodies will form a group to assist with this.
16/04/2015