Passion for growth: Time to celebrate successes

Scottish farmers are great at rearing livestock, cultivating fields and producing food – but they’re rubbish at selling their story, writes

Nancy Nicolson.

For far too long the industry has focused on its problems rather than its success and the next generation is desperate for change.

New entrants are the most vociferous and they refuse to be typecast as downtrodden or part of a failing industry.

They acknowledge the problems of over-reliance on subsidy support and the worrying imbalance in many commodity markets – dairy especially – but they are determined to force their leaders to portray some of the confidence and passion they feel for the future.

For evidence they point to the value of food and drink exports, the demand for land and the need for food security and sound environmental stewardship.

I spent an hour in a frosty neep field with a couple of lads as they moved an electric fence for sheep the other day.

One had just completed an engineering degree but was coming home to work on the family farm.

The other was a contract shepherd with no land or inheritance, but with a burning determination to make his future in agriculture.

“It’s not because we don’t have other options, but because we believe there are great opportunities for farming,” the new entrant said.

“It’s just not easy finding a way in, but I will make it happen.”

His friend agreed, saying: “We’re sick of being told the industry is on its last legs and dependant on subsidies and handouts from Europe.

“We want to stand on our own feet and get a proper return from the market.

“And we want people to know we’re not complaining and miserable all the time.”

These young men are part of a growing trend which is taking the old guard by surprise. Scotland’s sheep farmer of the year Joyce Campbell – a columnist for The Courier – is another producer with a refreshing and almost unheard of attitude to the industry.

Although she works on some of the poorest land in Europe, right on the edge of the Pentland Firth in Sutherland, Joyce, pictured, speaks eloquently about her enthusiasm for the land and the privilege of producing food.

Her skill and attitude – and her growing social media profile – mark her out.

“I love my job,” she told me as we bumped up her hill road in an old Land Rover. I love where I live and I love what I do.

“And I want people to know how we farm, and how their food is produced.

“The interest from all over the world in the stories I post on Facebook and Twitter has bowled me over.

“It would be good for farming if more people tried the same approach in future.”

Scotland’s farming future will hinge to a large degree on the outcome of the EU referendum which will be conducted on the opening day of the Royal Highland Show.

The talk at marts, meetings and at shows until then will centre on whether Scottish farming would benefit more by staying in Europe, or getting out.

Whatever the outcome, the industry owes it to the next generation to get some pride and passion back into agriculture.