Farming rings world leading

FARMERS are renowned for being highly independent, but over the past 20 years that has changed in Scotland through the development of the concept of machinery rings.

Initially the idea was that farmers would share equipment during busy times, but time and business necessity have moved on and now the range of services available on the end of a telephone line has expanded exponentially for relatively small fees and membership subscriptions.

However, the pressure on the industry is unremitting and individual producers can expect to be subject to increasing production and environmental standards both from the retail sector and government. That most certainly is the view of Bob Yuill, the deputy chief executive of the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, the umbrella organisation that co-ordinates the activities of the £1.5 billion worth of business undertaken by its members each year.