About us

Scotland’s experts on farmer co-ops and food industry collaboration, we provide a range of specialist information and development services to help businesses work together more effectively. #workingtogether we grow

What we do

Now more than ever, it’s vital for farmers and food and drink businesses to work together more effectively - all of SAOS’s work centres on facilitating this.

Membership

As a development organisation, owned by our members, we provide a range of specialist services not available elsewhere, to assist them in developing their people and their businesses. Get in touch to find out how we can help you.

What's New

Latest news, views and updates from us here at SAOS.

Climate Change

Climate change is a critical issue for food producers around the world.

SAOS is working in various ways to help make farming practices smarter, more efficient and sustainable.

We are also working to gather and report the true figures around Scotland's farmers' role as guardians of the countryside.

Scottish farmers produce quality beef and lamb from the grass and rough grazing which make up around 80% of Scotland’s agricultural land which is not suitable for cereal, fruit or vegetable production. Scotland’s grassland acts as a carbon sink and grazing animals provide habitats for wildlife and help to maintain the landscape.

How do we help?

Several of our workstreams are focused on helping our members and the wider Scottish agricultural community towards a more sustainable future. Much of our work involves our key focus areas of co-operation, supply chains, technology, data, and collaboration - all of which are integral to smarter, more efficient and sustainable farming.

What are SAOS Members Doing?

Many of SAOS’s member co‑ops are working hard to mitigate their impact on the environment. In a host of different ways they and their members are leading the way for Scottish agriculture, pushing forward to drive positive change and helping position farmers as a key part of the climate change solution.

You can read about some of their actions and impacts in the case studies below.

Our Co-op Members' Climate Change Work

Aberdeen Grain

Aberdeen Grain is a farmer owned, grain co‑op based in Aberdeenshire.

Angus Growers

Angus Growers Ltd is a soft fruit producer organisation based in Arbroath in the heart of the traditional Scottish berry growing area.

The 17 grower members, the majority of these in Angus, Perthshire and Fife, grow a variety of fruits and other crops; The co‑op markets their strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, specialising in producing fresh fruit for the major supermarkets, shops, restaurants and food and drinks manufacturers.

First Milk

First Milk works together with its farmer members to produce the highest quality dairy products, united by a single commitment – to enrich life every day to secure the future.

Grampian Growers

Highland Grain

Owned by its 89 Members, Highland Grain Ltd exists to dry, condition, store and add value to the arable products produced by its Members, mainly malting barley destined for the Scotch Whisky distilling industry.

ScotEID

ScotEID and MyHerdStats allow Scottish farmers to make better use of their data to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their sustainability in multiple ways.

Scottish Agronomy

Scottish Agronomy supports its farmers members enabling them to grow their business with the best crop management strategies. Independent, evidence-led advice focuses on optimising inputs, utilising disease resistance and achieving economic returns.

Scottish Borders Produce

SBP Ltd is a cross-border co-operative of farmer members in the Scottish Borders, East Lothian and North Northumberland specialising in the environmentally responsible growing and processing of top quality vining peas for the retail frozen market.

Key contacts

Emma Patterson Taylor

Climate Change and Sustainability Manager

07502 339307 | emma@saos.coop