Agriculture digs deep to keep supply chains open

Charity urges community to rally round

Rural charity RSABI is stepping up support for the farming industry over the next few months.

The charity is also calling on the agricultural community to try to find time to talk to one another at a time when they face more isolation than usual as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions, and when lambing, calving and spring field work is in full swing.

In an appeal to the whole farming industry, RSABI welfare manager Mags

Granger has asked farmers to check on their elderly or vulnerable friends and neighbours over the coming months.

“On farms up and down the country at this time of year families are working very long hours to ensure animals are well looked after and spring work is done,” she said.

“They are delivering vital work to help provide food but too often they forget to look after themselves properly.”

Ms Granger added the RSABI helpline has been particularly busy during the past few weeks, and the charity is helping 25 to 30 new clients every month.

“We have taken the decision to increase the frequency of the calls we are making to people we know could be lonely or in need of practical help with things like getting groceries to their homes,” she said.

She also encouraged people to be vigilant for signs of stress, including looking out for someone being unusually dishevelled or reluctant to prioritise important tasks.

The RSABI helpline is 0300 1114166.

NSA Scotsheep is the latest agricultural event to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The event, organised by the Scottish region of the National Sheep Association (NSA), had been scheduled to take place on June 3 at Robert and Hazel Mcnee’s Over Finlarg Farm at Tealing, on the outskirts of Dundee.

It has now been postponed until Wednesday July 8, although this date could be changed again depending on the future situation with coronavirus.

“We are really disappointed to have had to postpone this event although current circumstances give us no choice,” said event chairman Willy Millar.

“We also realise that choosing a date in early July brings risks and we may have to review again.

“There is no doubt people will be keen to get back to a more normal way of life as soon as possible.”

NSA Scotsheep postponed