Farmer Co-ops Showcase Strength in Collaboration for Cabinet Secretary

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, was introduced to some of Scotland’s hugely innovative and successful co-ops by agri co-op body, SAOS, today (Wednesday 4^th August). Six farmer co-ops highlighted some of the opportunities that can be realised and challenges overcome by greater co-operation, such as improving productivity, tackling climate change, building strength in supply chains, creating more resilience and strengthening the position of individual farmers.

As well as agriculture and food and drink policy, Ms Gougeon’s remit includes responsibility for fisheries and aquaculture, as well as cross-government co-ordination of policies for island communities. As SAOS’s work supports all of these, the day provided an ideal opportunity to talk about many of the issues affecting rural Scotland.

At East of Scotland Farmers in Coupar Angus, Tim Bailey, SAOS’s Chief Executive, opened the discussion by giving Ms Gougeon an overview of the impressive strength and breadth of farm and rural co-operation in Scotland.

Robin Barron, General Manager of East of Scotland Farmers, went on to highlight the power of their membership in raising capital to fund recent improvements to their site which Ms Gougeon was shown, and also how the co-op helps manage risk for members in what is a very volatile market.

Andrew Faichney, Managing Director of East of Scotland Growers, talked about his fruit and vegetable growers’ co-op which is also a ‘Producer Organisation’. With a strong focus on innovation and a self-help attitude, his members have invested in research and development to produce the best products for their markets and to minimise waste, diversifying into broccoli crisp production and driving major productivity gains.

Pictured left to right at East of Scotland Farmers, are: Tim Bailey, SAOS CEO; Jim Booth, SAOS's Head of Co-op Development; Andrew Faichney, MD of East of Scotland Growers; John Hutcheson, SAOS Chairman; Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon; and Robin Barron. General Manager of East of Scotland Farmers.

Having moved on to ANM in Thainstone, one of Scotland oldest and largest co-ops, their CEO Grant Rogerson explained to Ms Gougeon the spread of the Group’s business and how its forward thinking and focus on innovation and diversification has helped it become a hub for farming in the north-east, with seven different business divisions and a wide range of member benefits and advantages.

Andy McGowan, Managing Director of Scottish Pig Producers, talked through some of the innovation projects being undertaken to improve the health and competitiveness of the herd and the collaboration in processing, aiming not just to secure a future outlet, but to add value in Scotland to realise the market potential for Specially Selected Scottish pork.   

First Milk was represented by Mark Brooking their Sustainability Director, who discussed the leadership role that the co-op is taking in helping to tackle the climate challenge. The farmer-owned dairy co-op, which operates throughout the UK, markets members’ fresh milk and operates creameries producing cheese and dairy ingredients. Their First4Milk sustainability programme has seen them set a series of bold targets and commit to achieving net zero by 2040 at the latest.

Tim Bailey then explained how SmartRural, the exciting new farm and rural focused co-op, is delivering Rural Digital Connectivity to allow technology to deliver benefits for rural communities. Mutual ownership would provide a cost-effective strategy to push connectivity out nationally. Smart farming and the use of digital technology promises to equip farmers with the data and insights required to tackle the key challenges the industry faces.

Closing the session, Jim Booth, SAOS’s Head of Co-op Development, talked about the important role co-ops play in our farming and rural sector and the need for a sympathetic agricultural policy to enable and grow this further. He spoke about Australia’s ‘Farming Together’ co-operation and collaboration pilot programme, an inspiring example of what can be done to drive positive change in farming with government support.

The Cabinet Secretary, Mairi Gougeon said: “I want to thank everyone involved for taking time out of their day to share some of the amazing and innovative work occurring across some of Scotland’s co-ops. In order to make meaningful change, we need to work together and learn from each other so it’s great to hear how this cross-sector work comes together for the benefit of rural Scotland.”

Tim Bailey added: ”We were delighted that the Cabinet Secretary took up our invitation to find out more about SAOS’s agri co-op members and their importance to rural Scotland, from the Northern Isles to the far South West corner. We had no problem filling the day with varied examples of forward thinking, and innovative problem solving by co-ops, strengthening their individual members’ position and safeguarding family farms. We believe that working together makes sense in every way, particularly with COP26 coming up and the fight against climate change at the forefront of everyone’s mind. No-one can make a difference individually, but together we really can.”