Jamie Wyllie follows in father James’ footsteps

East Lothian farmer Jamie Wyllie is the new chair of NFU Scotland’s Pigs Committee.

Jamie, who farms at Ruchlaw Mains, Stenton, East Lothian, is following in his father’s footsteps with James Wyllie chairing the Union’s pigs committee in the early nineties going on to be Vice President of NFU Scotland from 1994 to 1996.

The family business, Ruchlaw Produce, stretches to 555 hectares (ha) across four farms – Ruchlaw Mains in East Lothian, another farm in the Borders and two in Lanarkshire – employing 40 members of staff.  The main enterprises are pigs, arable, sheep and renewables.

The pig business consists of 2700 sows across three of the farms, producing breeding stock for a major international pig breeding company. Gilts are supplied to customers across Scotland and England and are also exported into Europe. The remaining animals are sold as weaners or finished to bacon weight. In total, they produce around 70,000 pigs per year.  Jamie is also a director of the marketing co-operative Scotlean Pigs.

Jamie succeeds Kevin Gilbert, Womblehill, Kintore, who steps down from the chairmanship of the Pigs Committee after four years in the hot seat.  Jamie will also become a member of NFU Scotland’s Board of Directors while Kevin will remain on the Pigs Committee to represent the North East.

Commenting on his appointment, Jamie said: “It is an honour to take on the chairmanship of this committee at a challenging time for all aspects of Scottish farming.

 “The priority for the year ahead is to help the Scottish pig sector grow and remain profitable. We need to influence policy makers to ensure they understand the important issues facing the pig industry and to be aware of the economic impact of the decisions they make.”

In recognising the work carried out by past Chairman Kevin Gilbert, Jamie said: “I would like to thank Kevin for all his hard work over the past four years, ensuring that innovation and collaboration have kept Scottish pig production on the front foot.  The good news is that Kevin is remaining on committee.  His experience will be invaluable, and I look forward to continuing to work with him"

Notes to Editors

• Ruchlaw Produce farms approximately 555 hectares (ha) and employ 40 members of staff. The farm land is split between 4 farms - 2 in Lanarkshire, 1 in the Borders and one in East Lothian. The farming enterprises are pigs, arable, sheep and renewables.
• The arable enterprise consists of approx. 295 ha spread between 3 farms. All cereals grown are used by the company and oil seed rape grown is home-pressed and consumed in the pig diet.  Ruchlaw Produce mills all its own feed, producing about 280 tonnes of feed a week.
• The renewables enterprise consists of 2 turbines (275kw and 100kw), 300kw of solar across all the farms and a mixture or air source and ground source heating in several the farm cottages.
• The sheep enterprise consists of 1100 commercial cross bred ewes breeding their own replacements.  Jamie sits on the Scottish Sheep Industry Group for Quality Meat Scotland.   
• A picture of Jamie is available on request from media@nfus.org.uk
  

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Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006