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POWER POSITION new SAYFC chairman Katherine Marr takes a seat in the Scottish Parliament, surrounded by YF members and supportive MSPs

Replacing advisers with apps

IN WHAT could prove to be the first of many such developments, the James Hutton Institute has launched a smartphone application that can assess a soil sample's organic matter content with one press of a button – and all for free.
Bad welfare by the back door

EUROPEAN MEMBER states are financing intensive farming practices in non-EU countries, despite the tough laws that prevent low-welfare livestock systems within the European Union.
Protect your produce

SCOTTISH FOOD producers should give their brand a boost by applying for European protected status.
Future crofters

YOUNGSTERS ARE being given a chance to try out crofting in a bid to make the sector more sustainable.
A new Turra coo

MARKING THE centenary of the Turra Coo incident, when an Aberdeenshire cow became Scotland's best-known bovine, the National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride, has named one if its new calves 'Turra'.

Harbro a YF hit at Tore Mill

MORE THAN 70 Young Farmers from several clubs attended the Harbro 'Feed Your Knowledge' event at Tore Mill, Inverness, last weekend.
Berwick YFs at the Border Union

BERWICK YOUNG Farmers Club have made their own contribution to the 200th anniversary of the Border Union Agricultural Society by erecting tree guards on the showground at Kelso to protect the commemorative avenue of hardwoods donated by local farmers, businesses and landowners.
Young Farmers pull their way to the Highland

HELD ACROSS the country, last weekend, were the tug of war eliminations for the north, west and east regions, held at Cornhill Games, Newmilns Show and Central and West Fife Show, respectively.
YF are Stayin' Alive @ 75!

THE SCOTTISH Association of Young Farmers Clubs has announced details of the 75th anniversary concert to take place on Saturday, November 30, at The Hydro Arena in Glasgow.
'New Generation' hits the road

NFU SCOTLAND'S 'New Generation' group has joined forces with the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs' agri-affairs committee to hold a series of meetings around the country to give the next generation of farmers and SAYFC members an update – and the chance of some input – on policies that could affect their business in the future.

Gavin B Shanks – a giant of the livestock world

A GIANT of both stature and the world of livestock showing, Gavin Bernard Shanks – known to most as Big Gav – passed away recently, leaving a huge gap in the industry.
Hamish Smith – the man who took Ayrshires to Africa

AT THE end of March, Scotland and indeed the world lost one of the most famous and dedicated sons of Kintyre whose enthusiasm, dedication and legacy to cattle breeding will benefit both the UK and Africa for years to come.
Raymond Dyce – grain trader and Kirrie Thistle stalwart

ANGUS GRAIN trader, Raymond Dyce, has died at the age of 49 following a lengthy illness.
Dr Betty Gray – problem solver for generations of potato growers

Leading PLANT pathologist, Dr Betty Gray, who was a mentor to generations of potato growers in North-east Scotland, has died in Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen, at the age of 93.
James Esdaile Harrison – a stalwart of the English dairy sector

TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to one of England's most respected farming figures, veteran dairy farmer James (Jim) Esdaile Harrison, who died last month at the age of 79.