SCOTTISH COMBINABLE crop growers can now access a new service providing independent technical, agronomic, economic and environmental advice.

The Scottish Agricultural College service, SAC Agronomy Select, will give farmers up-to-date R&D-based advice on conventional and low input systems, crop benchmarking, industrial, wholecrop and biofuel production, and environmental issues.

Speaking at the launch (June 28) Keith Dawson, principal crops consultant at SAC and SAC Agronomy Select manager said:

“The need for excellent, practical, independent agronomic advice, based on the best scientific research and sound economics, has never been greater.

“The new service aims to provide profitable cropping solutions, firmly based on optimum financial analysis.”

The service is part of a range of ‘Select’ consultancies on offer, added SAC chief executive Professor Bill McKelvey.

“SAC Agronomy Select is the latest in a series of specialist consultancy services we have developed, which aim to give specialist advice to various sectors of the industry.”

The initiative will include a “Crop Growers” CD ROM, with up-to-date facts on varieties, cropping, environmental issues and the economics of arable systems.

The service includes an agronomy planning package, priced £250 + VAT and a field management package, including cropwalking, for an agreed supplement.