Good progress is being made on eradication of BVD
The Scottish bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication scheme is now well under way. With the February 1 deadline passed, all keepers of breeding cattle will have performed some form of screening...
View ArticleFarmers urged to discuss disease
Confirmation that a new viral disease has been discovered in Scotland for the first time is an expected but disappointing blow to Scottish cattle and sheep producers.Spread by midges, the Schmallenberg...
View ArticleRain can give arable farmers a hard choice
THE wet conditions of last year and the current prolonged cold snap continue to have a negative impact on arable farming in the border areas. Many arable farmers across the Borders and north...
View ArticleFree bird surveys offered to farmers by RSPB Scotland
RSPB Scotland is offering farmers in Berwickshire the opportunity of free bird surveys, undertaken by local birdwatchers.These surveys are a great way to find out what species are on your farm, what...
View ArticleShepherds Show set to celebrate 150th year
The Borders Shepherds Show is being held for the 150th time at Yetholm this October. And the organisers hope those in the know will help the event celebrate.The show committee is appealing for...
View ArticleHow productive is your grassland?
High feed cost and the poor grass growing season in 2012 has affected animal performance and livestock producers’ margins.Productive, well managed grassland can significantly help offset the...
View ArticleFarming community hoping for a much better year than 2012
Despite the sporting successes of last summer, 2012 will not be remembered fondly by the farming community: awful weather, low yields, increased input costs, lower SFP payments and poor ground...
View ArticleFarmer’s landscape conservation
VisitScotland, our national tourism organisation, is pulling out all the stops this year to encourage us to get outside, enjoy the great outdoors and experience what wonderful wildlife and landscapes...
View ArticleTale of the centuries from Border Union archives
For 200 years, the Border Union Agricultural Society has been at the forefront of developments in local agriculture – and now a new book, marking the organisation’s bicentenary, guarantees this history...
View ArticleCommon good handling comes under attack
A councillor has claimed eight common good funds are being deprived of thousands of pounds by a delay to an investment strategy.Gavin Logan, who is part of the council’s Common Good Investment Working...
View ArticleInspiring youngsters recognised at awards
The voluntary and inspiring efforts of young people across the Borders were recognised at an awards ceremony in Galashiels last Thursday.Hundreds of youngsters attended the first Youth Inspire Awards...
View ArticleSpring, it appears, has finally sprung
Well, the clocks have changed, but nobody told the weather! British summertime arrived with the same covering of snow on the hills we’ve had for weeks and the wind remains doggedly in the east.After...
View ArticleInnerleithen mill closes but site could be developed
STUART Bell hopes the site of Caerlee Mills will still be developed, writes Kenny Paterson.A total of 33 employees lost their jobs on Monday as liquidators KPMG confirmed that no buyer had been found...
View ArticleWeaving links span continents
TEXTILE experts from India and Scotland have been sharing ideas during exchange visits involving the Galashiels campus of Heriot-Watt University.Designers Swati Unakar, from Bangalore, and Murji...
View ArticleSleepless nights ahead over new tax
Local councillors have joined the political debate about the so-called Bedroom Tax which it is estimated will affect 1,000 households in the region.The changes were introduced on Monday, and are hugely...
View ArticleIconic Peebles High Street shop to get new lease of life
After more than five years lying empty, the historic ‘Veitch’s corner’ site in Peebles will be brought back to life by a new business.On Monday, an application for a change of use to allow estate...
View ArticleRugby greats to walk Mosspaul rideout for charity
Hawick Common Riding’s Mosspaul rideout will feature a line up of rugby greats from a couple of decades ago.For international flanker Eric Paxton of Broomlea, Kelso is walking the main horse rides of...
View ArticleFlood plan thumbs-up
The people of Hawick must get behind a £28million flood protection scheme that is expected to protect more than 900 properties in the town.That is the message of provost Ron Smith, after his fellow...
View ArticleCommunity is key for trio
THE three new community inspectors say their focus under Police Scotland will be as local as it ever was.Brian MacFarlane’s area includes Lauderdale, Berwickshire and Kelso and District in the east,...
View ArticleBack to the beat for police with local issues a priority
Up to 40 additional police officers will be available in the Borders under the new single force, according to the region’s chief.Chief Superintendent Jeanette McDiarmid officially took up her post as...
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