NFU Scotland’s Highland region has a new chairman as Tain farmer Jim Whiteford steps down from the post.
Martin Birse, from Pitgaveny Farms, Elgin was appointed to the chairman’s role at the region’s AGM held in Dingwall Mart this week.
Mr Birse manages a very busy farming business. Pitgaveny has 1,400 hectares of land in hand growing spring barley, wheat, winter barley, oilseed rape, peas and letting land for potatoes and carrots.
The farms also run 220 Simmental cross beef cows put to Shorthorn and Simmental bulls with the progeny finished or sold for breeding. Land is also rented for an outdoor pig unit of 1,200 sows.
Around 120 hectares of land is organic, growing spring barley, oats, beans, carrots and grass. The pasture supports an organic beef herd of 60 Angus cows and 900 ewes.
Mr Birse, and Pitgaveny, have been long standing supporters of education and public events. Around 1,000 children and students visit Pitgaveny each year and the farm’s open day, held every two years, has attracted crowds of more than 3,000, raising thousands for charity.
He is a director of both the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative and the Royal Highland Educational Trust. Married to Fiona, with two sons, he is a past chairman of NFU Scotland’s Moray branch and has represented the region on both the Combinable Crops Committee and the Soft Fruit/Field Veg working Group.
The region has two vice chairmen. Remaining in the position is Arnott Coghill, Skinnet Farm, Halkirk. Mr Coghill is a member of Caithness branch and represents the region on the union’s livestock committee.
Also elected as vice chairman of the region was Cameron Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Kinloss. Mr Maciveralso represents the region on the combinable crops committee.
Speaking after his appointment, Mr Birse said: “It is great to get this opportunity to represent such a beautiful and diverse region as the Highlands and I know, following on from the great work of Jim Whiteford, and with a great team in place, I can really look forward to the work ahead.
“Post-Brexit, there will be challenging times for all and I want our farmers and crofters to be profitable, and for the Highland voice to be heard.
“The Highlands is a region dominated by livestock on our less favoured areas but with some hugely productive arable ground as well. And with the abundance of high quality produce coming from our farms, I am keen to help all farmers tap into the premium markets that exist for our food and drink.
“We are farming and crofting in an area of outstanding beauty with a great story to tell to those keen to source locally.
“We also want to share that story with those around us and make sure that the next generation have a vibrant and safe industry to come into. Education, filling the skills gap and health and safety will be three of my priorities for the region.”
