The Holyrood spin doctors will be busy fine-tuning First Minister Humza Yousaf’s spiel for the NFUS conference in Glasgow. Now, the urban MSP might not claim a strong farming pedigree, but he’s got to face the music on two straightforward queries: what is the vision for farming, and when are the pilfered millions making their way back to the rural coffers?

If Mr Yousaf needs some inspiration, he could sift through Nicola Sturgeon’s messages from her last appearance at the conference in 2017 – although they’ve likely hit the delete button by now.

Let’s just hope Mr Yousaf doesn’t stroll up to the podium in Glasgow in ‘listening mode’ because the era of consultations and committees is well and truly over. Conference delegates better see through any charm offensive and demand the no-nonsense answers they’re owed.

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee in Holyrood had a go at scrutinising the Agriculture (Scotland) Bill this week. Governments often publish outline Bills before diving into the nitty-gritty rules in secondary legislation, especially when governments need to act fast in the face of an emerging issue. But the lack of detail on the secondary legislation is shocking, especially when it was clear that new rules were in order the moment the UK voted to leave Europe. The only message farmers get is a desire for more wood and less food.

The cabinet secretary for Rural Affairs has stated the first draft of the rural support plan won’t grace us until 2025 – that’s nine years post-Brexit referendum. Coincidentally, this could be just a few months from the next Holyrood election, which will push tough decisions into the long grass.

Farmers could be forgiven for wanting to utilise their democratic right to protest. But don’t look to the Union to kickstart a rally. Martin Kennedy isn’t keen on copying our continental cousins and prefers to put their efforts into the AGM, lobbying at parliament, and getting the farming policy etched into political manifestos.

It’s a well-trodden lobbying path, but it could be time for a critical review of its success, especially if Glasgow delegates are left high and dry without the answers they crave.

Farmer power was in force at the Union’s meeting in Skye which shouted a strong message that National Parks don’t offer enough perks to justify the red tape. Something Cairngorm farmers know only too well.

If Mr Yousaf lacks the detail in Glasgow then it’s time for a hundred tractors to park outside Holyrood on a Thursday, right before the First Minister’s questions – now that would send a more potent message than any number of cosy coffee meetings.

Plus, no worries about those tractors getting parking tickets in the capital – just send the bill to Bute House, they are due us a bob or two.