update
Spring ‘23 - News from, and for, Scotland’s farmer co-ops
Mike Robinson
Andrew Niven
SAOS Members Remain Positive Despite Challenging Times Our conference at the end of January provided a much needed shot in the arm for those seeking a good catch up and some positivite thinking in the middle of winter. We’d chosen to focus on some of the current problems facing food and farming, in order to show that not only is much already being done - and much of that within our own work and that of our co-op members - but that there are opportunities aplenty for those who are willing to grasp the nettle. As is the SAOS wont, we firmly believe that by working together more effectively so much more can be done, and actually that the current frustration over a lack of policy and direction for agriculture is the most challenging issue of all. We were delighted to read in some of the press coverage of the conference:
“Optimism and ambition for farming can come as a shock when you’re used to being bombarded by press releases that focus on negativity and despair.” Alison Hester
Adam Christie
Carbon Capture Scotland
This piece in the Courier was centred around findings from our live polling of the audience to test how positive they felt about the prospects for Scottish food and farming over the next ten years. The question was asked twice, before and after our presentations.The initial result showed 51% were “positive”, 14% were “very positive”, 32% were “unsure”, and only 2% felt “negative”. We were delighted that the speakers gave our attendees even more reason for optimism as, when asked the question again, votes for positive and very positive had increased to 73% and 19%! We heard initially about two of the challenges - Mike Robinson, CEO of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, laid his cards firmly on the table with regard to the effects of climate change on Scotland and the degree of change in agriculture and land use that is required. Andrew Niven of Scotland Food & Drink was up next and focused on how changes in consumer behaviour are impacting on those supplying their food. If anyone was hoping for a ‘silver bullet answer’ to any of the challenges they’d be disppointed but, as suspected, we do have a lot of positives and there’s a lot you can do with the right attitude, confidence in our quality produce and better ammunition to help negotiations with buyers. The second set of presentations focused on some of the possible solutions, again no silver bullets, but a closer look at some forward thinking, science and savvy, showing that, as usual, Scotland is punching above its weight. We heard from Prof Alison Hester of the James Hutton Institute about their green hydrogen work at Glenshaugh and its future potential. Adam Christie, MD of Scottish Agronomy, talked about their extensive trials work and findings with regard to emissions and climate change. In our final speaker session, we heard from Richard and Ed Nimmons of Carbon Capture Scotland, which captures carbon emissions and turns them into dry ice for companies such as Donald Russell, Ocado and Patisserie Valerie. Thanks to all who joined us on the day and particularly to our sponsors NFU Mutual and Ledingham Chalmers. Links to all the presentations and videos are our website at: https://saos.coop/whats-new/news/saos-conference2023-catch-up