New Entrants: Getting Started
Getting started, is extremely exciting, but where do you start? Once you have purchased land, taken on a tenancy, etc. you must register with the Scottish Government as a farmer/crofter. Depending on the enterprises (livestock, arable, etc.) you may need to register with animal health, quality assurance bodies, the crofting commission, etc.
We have developed numerous guides to assist in, where to start….
Starting Up An Agricultural Business
This guidance note takes you through registering your holding, compliance measures and rules for identifying and recording animals (cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry).
Getting Registered To Keep Livestock and Claim For Support
This short fact sheet simply explains the steps in getting registered to keep livestock.
Next Generation Practical Training Through LANTRA
The Next Generation Practical Training Fund aims to support new entrants to farming by providing the opportunity for skills development and training on the practicalities of agricultural practice as well as wider business and sustainability skills.
Registering a Croft or Small Holding for Cattle and Sheep
This short fact sheet explains the roles of the different people you must contact when registering.
This guidance note explains crofting terminology, how to obtain a croft and the various grants that are available.
Introduction to Crofting (Gaelic version)
The Gaelic version of above.
A Guide to Buying and Selling at the Mart
This guidance note explains what to expect on your first outing to the livestock market.
A Guide to Transporting Livestock
This guide includes health and welfare considerations, training and competence, movements and traceability and safe handling of stock.
This fact sheet is an excellent guide for those thinking about starting a herd of cattle. It covers, breed choice, suitability to the environment, forage, housing, health etc. for cattle.
This fact sheet is an excellent guide for those thinking about starting a flock of sheep. It covers, breed choice, suitability to the environment, forage, housing, health etc. for sheep.
The aim of this factsheet is to summarise the key details of sheep record keeping. It can be used as a guide to find out what is expected from you as a producer to meet legislative and traceability requirements.
Starting Out In Arable Agriculture - Variable Costs And Creating A Budget
Variable costs are important in a farms budget as they vary year on year and vary depending on the crops grown. They can have a big impact on the overall financial performance of a business.
Starting Out In Arable Agriculture - Machinery Appraisal
Machinery cost on farms can be a major contributor to high levels of fixed costs. In 2020, it was estimated that £1.8-1.9billion was spent on new farm machinery in the UK. This factsheet will compare the costs of doing the job in-house against paying a contractor.
Starting Out In Arable Agriculture - Profitability of Rotations
An ideal rotation should include a balance of different crops. The main aim of a rotation is to provide a profitable sequence that breaks the pest and disease cycle, improves weed control, prevents soil erosion and improves the nutrient cycle and soil condition.
This fact sheet provides guidance to New Entrants starting their farming or crofting journey and highlights various enterprise options which capitalise on existing farm or croft assets.
A marketing plan is an operational document that outlines the marketing activity that a business plans to implement to generate leads and reach its target market.
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