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Agriculture & Associated Services News


Caithness Beef Group Get Up to Speed on Production Efficiency
The change in farm support away from direct headage payments means that livestock producers need to improve efficiencies in production and not rely on the single farm payment to prop up the business.   Learning new ideas and implementing these ideas is the way forward.  
Mey Selections North Highlands Meats Focus of Sainsbury's Training DayThumbnail for article : Mey Selections North Highlands Meats Focus of Sainsbury's Training Day
Mey Selections beef and lamb, which is available in a growing number of Sainsbury's stores, was the focus of a special training day, held last week at the Park Lane Marriott Hotel in London, for the company's meat buyers, counter and fresh foods managers.   Over 50 Sainsbury's senior counter staff, buyers and food technologists heard Justin James, the company's category manager for meat, say that the supermarket group was fully committed to promoting the brand.  
SAC Appoints New North East Beef SpecialistThumbnail for article : SAC Appoints New North East Beef Specialist
A new beef specialist, Ian Pritchard, is due to join Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) at its Thainstone Office, near Inverurie, on 13 June.   This new post has been established by SAC to further strengthen its services to beef farmers in the north and north-east of Scotland.  
SAC Gets New Funding For Courses In HIE Area
SAC has been awarded nearly £152,000 by the European Social Fund (ESF) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to fund the continuation of a training project in the highlands and islands area.  The renewed funding will support the project from August 2006 to July 2007.  
Mey Selections Adds £140k In Premium Prices For Local Farmers
North Highland Products - the operating company for the Mey Selections brand - has reported turnover of over £1.2m in its first five months of operation, with over £140,000 gained in premium payments to farmers by the end of March this year for branded beef and lamb.   Mey Selections was launched by The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay in August 2005 as part of his North Highland Initiative, which aims to boost the North Highlands economy by promoting its produce, tourism and the built environment.  
Caithness Cows Supply Milk For New Highland Blue CheeseThumbnail for article : Caithness Cows Supply Milk For New Highland Blue Cheese
A new soft blue cheese Highland Blue, specially developed by Tain cheese-maker Rory Stone for the North Highland Initiative's Mey Selections brand, is set to become a national festive favourite following a Gold medal-winning launch at the recent Cheltenham Cheese Festival.   The flavour and quality of the new soft blue cheese, described as: 'Tangy and long; a soft rich blue with creamy notes and a mellow aftertaste', has now attracted the attention of buyers from food retail giant Sainsbury who have launched it on their delicatessen counters in 23 Sainsbury stores in time for the festive season.  
SAC Single Farm Payment Meetings in HIE AREA
SAC is organising a series of meetings throughout the Highlands and Islands which aim to help farmers and crofters understand how the new Single Farm Payment Scheme works.   The meetings will take place over the next six weeks (see below for times and venues) prior to the deadline for IACS applications on 16 May 2005.