The Scottish Farmer

1 day ago | thescottishfarmer.co.uk | Kelly Henaughen

Training now required to use legal traps in Scotland Farmers and crofters who use legal traps to protect poultry, ground nesting birds or to safeguard livestock in Scotland are being urged to undertake mandatory training. While it is still currently lawful to use approved Spring or Corvid traps without certification, this is set to change through the provisions of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill.

1 day ago | thescottishfarmer.co.uk | Kelly Henaughen

Farmers and traders react to shifting weather forecasts and market pressures Feed wheat prices are easing due to a forecasted increase in global grain supplies. The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) confirmed the trend is influenced by improving weather predictions in the US and currency fluctuations. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that 47% of US winter wheat was in good or excellent condition as of April 13, down from the previous week.

1 day ago | thescottishfarmer.co.uk | Kelly Henaughen

Eleanor Kay, senior policy adviser on agriculture and climate change with Scottish Land & Estates A rural business organisation has warned of a heightened risk of Lyme disease due to an increase in ticks. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has said the number of ticks in the countryside is increasing, and people should be vigilant. In summer 2023, the number of Lyme disease cases reported in the UK increased by a third compared with the preceding year.

1 day ago | thescottishfarmer.co.uk | Kelly Henaughen

Farmers are being urged to priorotise grain store hygiene Farmers are being reminded of the importance of thoroughly cleaning out grain stores ahead of this year’s harvest to reduce the risk of insect damage. Ken Black, account manager at Envu, says milder winters are removing one of the natural factors that previously helped reduce pest pressure in grain stores.

1 day ago | thescottishfarmer.co.uk | Kelly Henaughen

NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon said: "ShelfWatch has delivered vital insight. (Image: web) Less than 20% of food in supermarkets is labelled as Scottish, a study has found. The Union's ShelfWatch initiative, which monitors the availability of Scottish produce in major retailers, found that only 17% of own-label products were from Scotland.