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SAC Welcomes Advisory Group for Hill Farming Research - Future Programme for Kirkton & Auchtertyre

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N104
Published: 05 Sep 2011

SAC Chief Executive and Principal Bill McKelvey has joined NFU Scotland President Nigel Miller in welcoming the appointment of a new Advisory Group to help plan future activity at SAC’s Kirkton and Auchtertyre research hill-farms near Crianlarich. In the letter of invitation each member of the group accepted Professor McKelvey said;

“We see the need for increased activity in practical research and knowledge transfer for the hill farming sector and we would like your help in pursuing this”.

During the 40 years SAC has worked at Kirkton there have been various changes in the fortunes of hill farming as agricultural, policy altered and evolved in Scotland and the EU. The recent, dramatic changes were highlighted in SAC’s report Retreat from the Hills which detailed declining hill sheep numbers and the impact on fragile communities. The decline in the sector was also reflected in the research income available for Kirkton and Auchtertyre. There is an opportunity now to reverse this with the new five- year Scottish Government research programme which seeks the development of profitable and sustainable livestock systems, which includes extensive hill systems.   

An industry strategy group, recently convened jointly by SAC and NFUS, has identified a further programme of new research work for Kirkton, addressing modern concerns for hill and upland farming. That group included representatives from NFU Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland, and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. It is their strategy that the Advisory Group announced today will assist SAC in developing.

“The Advisory Group will have an important role in providing guidance and support for further development” said Bill McKelvey. “We believe it can act as a direct link with the wider farming community. The arrangement offers a two way communication of both what is needed and what work and activities are being planned or undertaken”.

NFUS President Nigel Miller believes the move is a positive development for Scotland’s hills and uplands.

"I commend the vision shown by the strategy group, under the chairmanship of Ian Duncan Millar, which recognised the benefits of having experienced hill farmers more closely involved in mapping out the industry's needs and priorities and how work on these SAC farms can help our crucial hill farming sector. There is the potential to not only tap into existing work on these units but also build an important research platform that can tackle emerging issues for hill farming such as restocking, animal nutrition, health issues and modern shepherding skills”.

The Advisory Group will hold its first meeting at Kirkton on Tuesday 18th October. It consists of:
 
Sybil MacPherson (Chair) Brackley, Dalmally. PA33 1AX.
Stuart Christie, Auchlyne, Killin. FK21 8RG.
Bert Leitch, Lagganulva Farm, Ulva Ferry, Mull. PA73 6LT.
Angus McCall, Culmaily Farm, Golspie, Sutherland. KW10 6TA
Kathy Peebles, QMS, Rural centre, Ingliston. EH28 8NZ.
Grant Moir, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Carrochan, Carroc.
Niall Campbell, SAC ,Glencruitten Rd., Oban. PA34 4DW.
Tony Waterhouse, SAC , Kirkton & Auchtertyre,Crianlarich. FK20 8RU.

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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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