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SAC Stirling – New Consultancy Office Confirms SAC Commitment to Rural Sector in Central Scotland

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N89
Published: 25 Oct 2010

SAC Stirling Office (opens in new window)

SAC's increased commitment to rural businesses and communities in central Scotland has been confirmed with the opening of brand new offices on the Caledonian Mart site at Millhall in Stirling.

Growing demand for SAC's consultancy services and the appointment of more staff to do it required more accommodation. Caledonian Marts new Agri Business Centre, shared with NFU Mutual and Agricultural Supply Company Harbro, was the ideal solution. The new office provides convenient and accessible premises with ample parking for farmers and visiting clients.

To mark the opening, SAC, Harbro and Caledonian Marts held a joint open day and barbeque during the main autumn suckled calf sale on 1st November.

According to Colin MacPhail Senior Consultant and Area Manager at SAC Stirling the new arrangement is popular.

"It has allowed us to increase the range of technical services we can provide and an opportunity to grow the business in line with the SAC business plan. Having NFU and Harbro on site adds to the benefits available and has created an agricultural business centre to meet the needs of local farmers"

The area covered by the SAC Stirling office covers West Dunbartonshire, Stirlingshire, Falkirk District and Clackmannanshire. In delivering a comprehensive service to subscribers and rural business clients staff give advice on a range of different farming and rural business topics. SAC's Farm Business Consultants complete 250 Single Farm Payment applications for farming clients, delivering £9.2m in EU farming support each year. They also process many applications for land managers seeking entry to Government environmental, rural development and diversification schemes.

For 23 years the Stirling SAC FBS office was on the Innovation Park at Stirling University. It was staffed by just two agricultural consultants and one conservation consultant. The new, larger, purpose-built facility is now home to a senior agricultural consultant and area manager, two agricultural consultants, one conservation consultant, a livestock business specialist and an administrator. Together they offer a far wider range of services.

Colin MacPhail, Robin Mair and Stephen Whiteford have widespread industry knowledge and back grounds in business management, crops, dairy, beef, sheep and red meat industry expertise. Conservation Consultant Sandra Stewart provides conservation advice often delivered through Scottish Government funded meetings, seminars and on farm environmental awareness talks. Gavin Dick has extensive experience in farm and business management and supplies rural business and specialist livestock consultancy.

John Broadfoot, Manager at Caledonian Marts said: "The directors and management at Caledonian Marts are pleased to welcome SAC consulting to Millhall. Our aim has been to develop the site as the leading agricultural business and rural retail centre in central Scotland. With SAC consulting and Harbro joining NFU mutual we have now secured the long term tenure of three leaders in the agricultural service sector. Our farmer clients and shareholders are delighted to have the majority of their agricultural business, consultancy and retail services available in one location."

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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