NFUS Highland Region

TONIGHT, NFU Scotland will hear the visions for Scottish agriculture from FOUR political parties ahead of the General Election on July 4.

In the Union's only hustings event, representatives from the four major parties will put forward their agricultural priorities to staff, members and the media. Political candidates due to attend are as follow (named in alphabetical order):
• Graeme Downie – Labour Councillor.
• Luke Graham – Former Conservative MP.
• Seamus Logan – SNP Councillor.
• Claire McLaren – Scottish Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Agriculture, Remote & Rural Communities and Councillor.

This is your chance to hear from the politicians directly on how policies will impact your business. To register for this event, please click here:https://buff.ly/4ctNKjO

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Registration for tonights Presidential Team webinar in the link below

Join our upcoming events on finance & procedures for common grazings in Lairg and Lochcarron. We'll look at the responsibilities of committee members and different financial scenarios. Find out more: https://www.fas.scot/events/
Scottish Crofting Federation Crofting Commission NFUS Highland Region SAC Consulting North East

New criteria for agricultural support will help farmers and crofters meet more of our food needs sustainably.

From 2025 a calving interval of 410 days will be added to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme to make beef production more efficient.

➡️ https://bit.ly/3J6eDO8

This is the second role where a fantastic opportunity to join our team based in Dingwall has arisen due to the ongoing growth within the agency.

You will be assisting the Agents and our team full time and again based in Dingwall.

Please apply with your CV To Johnny's email or via indeed. 🐣

'Wildfire is something that could have a major impact on the National Park. The changing climate is increasing risk and we want to make the right decisions for the long-term. It is really important we get your views.’

In our latest Park Talk, CEO Grant Moir reflects on the need for us to reduce the risk of wildfire to people, nature and property in the Cairngorms and explores some of the options included in our consultation on recreational fire management.

Read more and have your say at cairngorms.co.uk/park-talk-do-we-need-fire-byelaws.

Time is running out to get registration closes today to attend NFU Scotland's annual conference in the Radisson Blu Glasgow Thursday 8th and Friday 9th February we will have Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf Speaking on Friday morning along with Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon . Also a great line up of industry and market speakers as per the attached program.

‼We're undertaking our LARGEST EVER survey of food on sale in Scottish supermakets‼

ShelfWatch to visit Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Lidl and Aldi in next 48 hours.

On behalf of farmers and crofters, NFU Scotland's ShelfWatch campaign is visiting 73 supermarkets across 7 regions to shine a light on how and where Scottish produce is available to buy.

Carried out by an independent firm, the survey will celebrate and recognise good practice on supermarket shelves while identifying stores where more can be done. Researchers will look at beef, lamb, pork, chicken, soft fruit, vegetables and dairy products on offer in Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Lidl and Aldi.

This is the first of four ShelfWatch surveys to be carried out on behalf of NFU Scotland in the next 12 months and the first set of results will be presented at the Union’s National AGM, conference and annual dinner, taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on 8 and 9 February.

Read the full story here: https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/news/nfu-scotland-to-undertake-largest-ever-survey-of-food-on-sale-in-scottish-supermarkets

SUMMER CAMP 2024!

If you are, or have kids aged 16 or 17 years old and are interested in finding out what being at Vet School will be like this camp is for YOU!

We have 49 places for the Inaugural Future Vets Scotland Summer Camp!

Sign up on our website https://futurevets-scotland.org/event/wannabe-vets-camp/

NFU Scotland is delivering a ‘help us to help you’ message to farmers and crofters by encouraging them to participate in the Union’s 2024 Business Intentions Survey.
Last year, more than 550 responses from all sectors were received, painting an accurate picture of what business changes were being planned following a turbulent few years. NFU Scotland wants to build on that evidential database with a fresh survey, closing on 15 January 2024, to help drive its lobbying effort to secure a profitable farming and crofting industry in the years ahead.
The survey is open at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BQTM2XK . Those who complete the survey are invited to enter a free draw to win a hamper of Scottish food and drink, valued at £100.
In announcing the survey, Head of Policy Team Gemma Cooper said: “Our focus is to ensure that farming and crofting businesses are profitable and sustainable, and a solid evidence base is vital when we are speaking to policymakers and parliamentarians.
“We know that members are concerned about many things, including the direction of future support, spiralling costs of inputs and negative perceptions of what we do. We also know that our fantastic industry is full of innovation, change-making and forward-thinking food producers.
“Our network of local branches, regions and national committees is a fantastic route for information flow, but being able to supplement this with data from the survey is invaluable because that input helps us to tell the story of how things are on the ground for farmers and crofters. We know that policy is a key lever for business decisions and behavioural change, and we need to understand this first hand to help us be credible.
“We are the largest agricultural organisation in Scotland, and farmers and crofters are the vital part of how successful NFU Scotland is in making an impact on their behalf. So my message to farmers and crofters is; “We need you to help us help you,” and I urge them all to complete the 2024 Business Intentions Survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BQTM2XK”
Read the full blog at: https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/blog/help-us-to-help-you-by-completing-the-2024-business-intentions-survey

The Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) 2023 application window closes at midnight on Sunday 31 December.

Rural Payments and Services (RP&S) will be closed from 5pm on Thursday 21 December until Thursday 4 January for essential maintenance.

Due to the work being carried out, we will accept SSBSS 2023 online claims up to midnight Sunday 14 January 2024.

If you need assistance with your application, contact your local area office. Please note, all area offices close on 29 December.

For more information ➡️ https://www.ruralpayments.org/news-events/access-to-rural-payments-and-services--rp-s-.html

If you are between 16 and 17 years old and aspiring to become a vet check out
https://futurevets-scotland.org/event/wannabe-vets-camp/

Second A.G.M last night in North Uist, a good attendance of Members. We enjoyed a delicious meal at Langass Lodge before decamping to Carinish Hall for the business of AGM and a good discussion on a number of topics. And Ian Davidson again gave some valuable insight into the Scottish Land Matching Service.

NFU Scotland NFUS Highland Region

Members take time to complete this important survey to help us preform better for you.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Farmers & Crofters of Scotland NFU Scotland is YOUR union!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

💥We need you feedback to help us move forward💥

📢We want to hear from you ALL about what you think, the good, the bad and the ugly, but most importantly what NFU Scotland could do differently to enhance your experience and to drive engagement📢

⏳Very few responses as yet from the Argyll & the Islands Region but there is still time⏳

⬇️You can enter your name should you wish to be entered into a prize draw for a hamper of Scottish Produce ⬇️

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YFPKBSV