Jim Brown

OUT-TAKE/INTRO PANEL:

At the moment we are riding on the back of a brand, not on consistency, flavour and taste. Yes, much of our beef is excellent, but too many consumers can have an unsatisfactory experience

Almost every farmer today is facing a very difficult period – in fact it could be described as dangerous, all because of one word, volatility.

For the 46th time I have penned my New Year thoughts, when I usually look in to my ‘crystal ball’, to try and predict what might happen in the year ahead.

We are into the last month of a year that has seen thousands of lives lost and many more ruined due to the actions of a man whose mind must be warped in some way, to cause the destruction of a great country like Ukraine, plus the unbelievable suffering of the people.

Although a few weeks have passed since the sad occasion of our great Queen’s passing, it would be remiss of me not to mention the moving tribute which the North-east farmers organised with their tractors, on both sides of the road, and the horses, to pay tribute to Her Majesty.

Most of Scotland’s livestock farmers by now should have ample, excellent quality forage stored, either as silage, haylage, and even some super smelling hay secured. I have seen plenty of absolutely beautiful smelling winter keep on several farms.

By the time you read this column, there will be many silage pits brimming full and maybe some wondering if they are going to have enough for next winter if they do not have a good next cut!

The most important decision to be made next week for Scottish agriculture, is the re-appointment of Fergus Ewing as our rural minister after the election on Thursday.

Writing this, the good news was that it was a beautiful sunny morning – unfortunately, the past week was the opposite, unlike how March came in, like a lamb.