SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT is on track to start its National Test Programme towards a future farming policy this spring.

The Scottish Farmer has been told that ScotGov is currently working up the programme's framework in preparation for launch, based on and informed by the work and recommendations of the farmer-led groups.

A key aspect of the effort to build a whole-farm low carbon approach will be peer-to-peer learning, in the hope that future participants can learn from the practical steps taken by people they trust, and develop the confidence to follow in their footsteps.

A ScotGov spokesperson said: “It will begin this Spring and over the next three years, we will invest up to £51 million in supporting farmers and crofters to start our journey towards becoming global leaders in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

“The Programme establishes a twin track approach. It ensures that all farmers can either start, or continue on their journey, towards a sustainable future. We are working through the design of the first track in partnership with the industry in order to launch in spring 2022.”

In the first track, every farm in Scotland will be supported and encouraged to undertake baseline measures over the next few years, starting with a carbon audit or nutrient management plan, including soil testing, for their individual farm business.

Further options, such as biodiversity assessments and animal health and welfare plans are likely to be added to the programme as it develops.

Read more: ScotGov launches National Test Programme for new agri-policy

The spokesperson continued: “We will also put in place livestock data and performance systems as part of the first track to support collation of data and performance information for every beef farmer, and we will look to roll this out to other livestock sectors in the near future."

The second track of the programme will work with a focused group of farmers and crofters from across the industry to design and test how ScotGov will measure and reward sustainable farming practice in the future.

“We have all got to be open to change, to explore what might be possible, to learn from each other’s experiences, to try new things as well as take actions known to work and most importantly, to see the urgency in the need to act," said ScotGov.

“So we are also developing a Conditionality Test programme, to involve a cross section of around 1500 farmers and crofters to learn from what is already known to work, what might work, and just as importantly, to determine what won’t work.”

The plan also includes carrying out a livestock management test to determine how dedicated assistance for some suckler beef farmers can be used to improve emissions performance and build upon the livestock data.

“Crucially this work will also help us best understand how and what data should and could be collected, how it should be shared and how we use it to ensure all farm businesses continue to be recognised and rewarded for the steps they can and have taken towards helping with the twin crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss we are facing,” concluded the spokesman.