Latest news from National Farmers Union Scotland

Recent milk price analysis shows that UK and Scottish dairy farmers are lagging behind their New Zealand and EU counterparts when it comes to the returns they are seeing from their milk production.

Sarah Anderson

24 January 2018

Latest news from National Farmers Union Scotland

Dalrymple farmer Colin Mair has replaced the outgoing Jimmy Ireland as NFU Scotland’s Ayrshire Regional Chairman. Colin (58) farms at Montgomerieston, a 320-acre upland farm running 35 suckler cows and 350 ewes, and former Vice Chairman for the region. He will be joined by his vice-chairmen John Kerr and John Sharp.

It was a tough week for many last week with the heavy snowfall and none more so than NFU Scotland’s members, who as ever battled on through the cold to keep food on our tables. The snow did make for some picturesque views.

This week sees the round up of the Union’s regional AGMs with Highland, Shetland, and Orkney rounding off another busy season for NFU Scotland. It was a successful few weeks for NFUS with several changes in personnel at regional level along with a fair amount of special guest speakers and member interaction on the way. Next stop, national AGM on 8 and 9 February.

McCornick Mundell – It was a spirited discussion at the Brexit debate at Barony with the audience able to field questions to some of the top industry leaders, including the Scottish secretary David Mundell and NFUS president Andrew McCornick. From left to right, Neil Wilson from HSBC; David Christensen from Arla; Alastair Marshall SRUC and Chair; Secretary of State David Mundell MP; meat processor Isla Roebuck; Andrew Lacey of SRUC and Andrew McCornick

Recent milk price analysis shows that UK and Scottish dairy farmers are lagging behind their New Zealand and EU counterparts when it comes to the returns they are seeing from their milk production. This has led NFU Scotland to call on milk suppliers to even out the market.NFU Scotland vice-president Gary Mitchell said: “While NFUS acknowledges the pressures of the competitive market, we make no apologies for arguing that farmers cannot continue to be the at the sharp end of this pressure.

NFU Scotland vice-president Gary Mitchell said: “While NFUS acknowledges the pressures of the competitive market, we make no apologies for arguing that farmers cannot continue to be the at the sharp end of this pressure.

“Statistics from the levy body AHDB Dairy indicate that in New Zealand the average milk price over the last year was ahead of the UK. In Europe in the past 12 months, the UK has lagged Northern European countries by between 2p and 6p/ litre.

“While there will be many varied reasons for this, the result is that dairy farmers in Scotland and the UK have little confidence that the supply chain is fairly sharing returns from high-value dairy products with those milking the cows.

“This is a travesty as global dairy demand, both short and long term, remains strong. This week saw the positive sign of global auction prices for dairy commodities rising by more than four percent, largely due to weather issues impacting on production in New Zealand.

“The latest Scottish Dairy Farming statistics, published last week, showing a further decline in the number of dairy farmers are another stark reminder that dairy farmers are still giving up, often because the next generation is not convinced that dairy is for them. Skilled labour shortages add to the weight of concern for dairy farmers.

“There are solutions, and these must be based on increased trust and collaboration. A case can be made that the relatively high milk prices in northern European countries, New Zealand and Ireland are to an extent due to a supply chain which values the contribution of farmers.

“That is underpinned by wider collaboration, shared efficiencies, commitment to marketing and government support for trade, education and regulation.

“There are green shoots and we at NFUS recognise the efforts of Lactalis, Muller, First Milk, Arla and Grahams for specific efforts to progress Scottish dairy. These efforts must be built on in the face of growing competition and uncertainty, heightened by Brexit.”

Stalwart award

Ronnie Campbell, of Mull, was awarded the NFU Scotland Stalwart Award for his ongoing services to his branch and region. Ronnie could not make it to the Argyll and the Islands AGM, so Jim Corbett accepted the award from Andrew McCornick on his behalf.

AGM

If you have still to book your place at our AGM Conference and dinner in Glasgow on 8-9 February – one of the most prestigious events in the Scottish farming calendar – then you need to do it soon. It is always an interesting and informative event, so do not wait around. Details on the event can be found at: https://www.nfus.org.uk/about-nfus/agm-2018.aspx

Abbatoir closure

NFU Scotland continues to work with local authorities in Orkney in a hope to come to a resolution following the closure of the local abattoir. It is important for the local economy that farmers are able to have beef and sheep slaughtered on the island and the Union is looking to work with all those involved to solve the problem.

Documentary

NFU Scotland member and Harris crofter Donald John MacIness is the subject of a short documentary film by filmmaker Joya Berrow. Berrow’s five-minute-long film looks at the hard, but rewarding life of an island crofter. The film showcases some of the wonderful views and images of Donald’s day-to-day working life, as well as the struggles which makes crofting such a unique life.