The Rural Bulletin: 30th August 2018

Mental health charity launches support groups for farmers

Mental health charity You Are Not Alone (YANA) has launched a national directory of support groups to help farmers experiencing mental health issues. 

In a report by Farming UK this week, spokesperson Jo Hoey said: “We started to do some research into sources of support and advice available to the farming community across the UK and decided to compile and fund a directory of those incredible regional support groups and key national charities which can specifically help those in our rural communities."

The directory will be distributed to various businesses, organisations and charities across the UK and will provide contact details of support groups as well as advice on how to recognise symptoms of stress and depression. 

If you are in need of support or would like more information visit: https://www.yanahelp.org/ 

Outstanding 2017 support payments put strain on Scottish farmers

Many Scottish farmers and crofters are still awaiting 2017 support payments and could now be facing serious problems following a challenging year, according to NFU Scotland. 

For those whose margins are are tight due to the adverse weather this year, these support payments can be vital for cash flow and keeping businesses afloat. NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said it was vital that these payments be made sooner rather than later, benefiting not just farmers but also Scotland’s wider rural communities.

“For those individuals with outstanding sums due we must pull out all the stops to ensure that all payments are made in full as soon as possible. 

“A farmer or crofter who may not have received Pillar 2 payments over the last two years could now be finding themselves with a serious cash flow problem, especially after the winter and summer we have had.”

£1m of grants to improve productivity

Grants of up to £1m are still up for grabs as part of the Countryside Productivity Scheme’s Improving Farm Productivity (IFP) initative. 

The scheme has been designed to help farmers implement a number of improvements to farm productivity – from innovative technology to better nutrient management. 

The minimum project size is £87,500 and applications close on 3 December. 

Find out more

Good wheat yields reported as harvest 2018 heads north

Harvest 2018 continues in the North with many farmers now turning their focus to wheat. Early indications show average yields, though the onset of rain has caused some concerns over sprouting. 

Around 80% of the Scottish spring barley harvest is also complete, and following concerns that crop quality could fall short of targets, maltsters have widened their nitrogen specification. Though most farmers were managing to meet new contract criteria, there were big problems with separating the awn from the seed, making handling more difficult, according to traders. 

Elsewhere in the UK, harvest is drawing to a close, with predominately just pulses left to meet the combine.

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