It’s good to see new farmers getting a chance at land from the Forestry Commission. While this is not a solution to the titanic challenge of becoming a farmer when you start with modest means, it is a step in the right direction, driven by Fergus Ewing and the Scottish Government.

Some of the parcels were left without a bid, indicating that the Government might have been a little too hasty getting as many parks as possible, so they could put “1,000 hectares” on their press release. But we cannot knock the sentiment.

It is important to remember these new farmers have started the clock ticking on their eligibility to new-entrant schemes.

Within two years they will no longer be eligible for National Reserve, and if they are only renting a couple of fields, using their free entitlements for a handful of hectares may be wasteful. This means that if these new farmers move onto a bigger place they will have used up their chance to get free entitlements. Even if they don’t claim after two years, they are no longer eligible.

As we are fast approaching exiting the EU, some may think this is all academic. But we are likely to be in a transition deal – so stuck with EU rules beyond spring 2019.

New farmers have had too many false dawns in recent years. These farmers, who take on some fields to graze livestock, must not have the system stacked against them because they showed gumption and decided to produce some food.

We need a system in which farmers get paid for what they farm, regardless of whether they are old, young, new or have been farming for years. This means farmers should have access to increased payments when they grow and be able to to cast them off if they shrink.

Helping you fill the hunger gap

The grass may be starting to grow in some parts of Scotland, but looking around the country and speaking to SAC it’s clear we have more thin cattle and sheep than usual.

This is no surprise after the poor weather we have had. Since summer last year, feed stocks have been low in volume and quality.

Reports from the college put condition scores of cows back 0.25 to 0.5 less than normal and breeding ewes struggling for milk and needing to be fed hard for the time of year. Though, the grass growth this week will be great for ewes’ energy requirements.

This spring will have a lasting effect, as poorer-conditioned cows turned out to grass later will not be as ready for the bull. It is important to make the most of the feed you have and look at cost-effective methods to fulfil the energy requirement of cows in late spring.

We have our fodder special this week to help farmers see out the remaining weeks until turn-out. This is a difficult time, as we watch for the grass to grow in the parks.

Difficult time for engine room

Not just dairy farmers, but the local economies of Campbeltown and Arran will be nervous as the creameries go up for sale.

The fertile ground in these areas has a tremendous ability to grow grass, and this has resulted in some very good dairy farms.

I know local farmers will be working hard with the Union, SAOS and other dairy bodies to attract serious buyers.