The 7th annual Farming Scotland Conference, co-sponsored by EQ, took place at Carnoustie on 4 February 2010, and once again drew a large number of delegates from across Scotland.

Peter Barron from the Competition Commission was first to speak, and he explained how the recent investigation into the Groceries Supply Chain had been undertaken, and some of the reasoning behind the recommendations made to Government, the appointment of an Ombudsman being one of the key recommendations.

SCRI’s Mark Taylor explained how some of the work being undertaken at the Institute is designed to address the challenges facing agriculture over the next 40 years. Climate change and population growth, amongst other challenges, drive the need for agriculture to get “more from less”. There is also a need to develop nutritional and taste improvements to agricultural produce, and this is at the heart of research.

Farmer’s Weekly Green Energy Farmer of the Year, Russell Armstrong, from Co-operative Farms, explained how he is reducing farm energy consumption and improving efficiency with initiatives including irrigation booms, satellite mapping for Nitrogen application, machinery pools, zoned lighting, housing insulation and wind turbines. All contribute to reducing energy consumption and costs significantly.

Our final speaker was Jim McCarthy, Director of global farming business Agro Terra Ltd. With farming interests in Ireland, USA, Argentina, Australia and Eastern Europe, Jim gave the Conference an intriguing insight into his approach. His declaration that in Argentina his company can deliver malting barley to the port for £50 a tonne provided a stark warning to Scottish producers!

For press coverage of the event click on the following –

hhtp://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2010/02/06/newsstory14503200t0.asp

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1592911

http://business.scotsman.com/fooddrinkagriculture/Irishman-scotches-ban-on-GM.6045941.jp