Issue 153
October 2024
Editorial Outlook: Athole McDonald delivers a sharp critique of the political climate, advocating for the "No Farmers, No Food" movement and the protection of family farms.
Health & Safety: Features a critical focus on Lyme Disease and tick awareness, providing essential advice for farmers working in high-risk areas during the summer.
Livestock Technology: Explores the benefits of Electronic Identification (EID) in beef herds to monitor growth rates and improve overall enterprise profitability.
Arable Innovation: Discusses the role of biostimulants in modern crop production, specifically how they help plants like tomatoes withstand environmental stress.
Estate Spotlight: Covers the "Walk on the Wild Side" at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, showcasing the integration of biodiversity and traditional land management.
Renewable Energy: Highlights the use of hybrid barley varieties as a high-yielding feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants across Scotland.
Machinery Updates: Reviews the latest in precision agriculture, including the 10th-anniversary updates to the Valtra T Series tractors and new cultivation tools.
Animal Welfare: Provides technical guidance on managing summer mastitis and heat stress in dairy cattle to maintain milk quality and herd health.
Forestry & Timber: Examines the current state of the Scottish timber market and the long-term economic benefits of integrating commercial forestry on marginal land.
Community News: Includes updates from the Scottish Women’s Institutes (SWI) and local agricultural show societies as they prepare for the peak competition season.