SAC Consulting Highlands and Islands

03/09/2026

⚠️ Black Leg in the Southern Isles ⚠️

02/09/2026

Silage Testing

With winter feeding approaching, now is a good time to get your silage tested.

Silage quality can vary between fields, cuts and stacks. A simple analysis can help you:
* Know the energy and protein value of your silage
* Match the right silage to the right stock
* Avoid unnecessary feed costs
* Plan how much forage you have for the winter

Knowing what you have means you can plan your winter feeding programme with confidence.

If you haven’t sampled your silage yet, now is a great time to get it tested.

Please contact your local SAC Consulting Office for advice on silage sampling, analysis or winter ration planning.

01/09/2026

SAC Kirkwall are saying goodbye to Hannah after 12 years! Her last day in the office will be Wednesday 9th September. We would like to wish her good luck in her new job ✨
And all the very best for the future 🍀

01/09/2026

🐑 2026 Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) is now open!

Applications close at midnight on Monday 30 November 2026.

The 2026 Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) is now open for applications.

The scheme provides additional support, on top of the Basic Payment Scheme, to sheep producers farming in Scotland’s rough grazing areas.

Applying online is the easiest and quickest way to submit your application. It can also help prevent common errors, such as claiming for an animal twice or entering an eartag in the wrong format.

If you prefer to submit a paper application, please note that local RPID area offices will be closed on Monday 30 November. Paper applications can still be submitted by posting them through the letterbox at your local area office.

Full scheme guidance is available on the Rural Payments and Services website - https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/scottish-upland-sheep-support-scheme/scottish-upland-sheep-support-scheme-full-guidance/

If you need any help with your SUSSS application, please speak to your local SAC Consulting office.

29/08/2026

The Dunes Larder is helping address a key gap in the island’s food system, bringing local processing back to where it’s needed most.

Across Uist, livestock is widely reared, but much of its value is lost when animals leave the island for processing elsewhere. This not only limits access to local produce but also weakens the connection between production and consumption.

With support from the Small Producers Pilot Fund, The Dunes Larder is investing in a modular butchery unit, creating new on-island processing capacity and enabling more locally reared meat to be sold within the community.

The result? Greater access to local produce, more value retained within the island economy, and a stronger, more resilient supply chain.

The project contributes to wider efforts to improve self-sufficiency and strengthen local supply chains in island communities.

Find out more here: https://ow.ly/lNmh50ZAv4q

The Dunes Larder

26/08/2026

That's the start the the sheep sales up in Shetland at Shetland Livestock Marketing Group🐑💥

What a tremendous show of lambs on display! Congratulations to the winners of the show - Robert James Poleson, Findlins Farm, winning the pen of 5 prime lambs and Charlie Laurenson, Sussetter, winning the pen of 10 store lambs.

The lambs on display today are a testament to the hard work of Shetland crofters and farmers - here's hoping the weather stays like today! ☀

24/08/2026

🐑 🐮 Oban Bluetongue & Animal Health Update Meeting 🚨

Join us, NFUS and Alasdair Carswell from Oban Vets for an evening update on:

🔹 The latest Bluetongue (BTV) situation
🔹 Vaccine updates and current advice
🔹 Animal health planning and preparing for the year ahead
🔹 An opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns

📅 Tuesday 1st September
📍 Oban Livestock Mart
⏰ 7.00pm – 8.30pm

☕ Tea, coffee and biscuits provided!

Can’t make it in person? A video link will be available for anyone who would like to join remotely.

For questions or to request the video link, please contact:
📧 [email protected]

NFU Scotland - Argyll & the Islands Region
Oban Vets
SAC Consulting South West

Keep up to date with latest information on bluetongue in Scotland here

Scottish Government advice on what to do if you suspect there is an outbreak of this infectious disease.

20/08/2026

Be aware of the change in guidance affecting cross border moves as of 22nd August 🚨

Following confirmation of the first case of Bluetongue Virus 3 (BTV-3) in Scotland, testing has now identified positive cases on a second premises close to

20/08/2026

19/08/2026

Free post-mortem examinations are currently available for lambs suspected of having Lymph Node Aplasia, which can be associated with severe and untreatable orf infections.

If you come across a suspected case at weaning, submissions are being encouraged to help support ongoing research into the condition.

👇 See the post below for more information on submissions and the research project.

🚨 Free post-mortem examinations available for Scottish Blackface lambs with suspected Lymph Node Aplasia

As flocks are gathered off the hill for weaning, farmers may encounter lambs born without lymph nodes, often presenting with severe, untreatable orf infections.

Livestock Health Scotland is funding free examinations at SRUC postmortem sites on a first come, first served basis. We encourage vets and farmers to submit suspect cases for investigation.

A new PhD project, part-funded by the Scottish Blackface Sheep Breeders Association, is now underway to help improve understanding of this condition. The more samples collected, the greater the opportunity to support future research and flock health.

📩 Please spread the word and encourage submissions of affected lambs.