Two new additions to the SAC Consulting Team in Dumfries have a lifetime experience of farming in the South West. For Scotland’s Rural College the recent appointment of Michael Halliday and Sam Henderson is evidence of a continued commitment to agriculture and rural businesses in Dumfries and Galloway.
Michael Halliday, from a Thornhill farming family, studied for his Agriculture degree at Aberdeen University. After a spell in New Zealand he returned to Nithsdale to work in the family dairy farming business. During his time there he gained invaluable experience of tenant farming and also completed the much respected, Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Course delivered by SRUC.
“My background means I have a sound understanding of the realities of farming in the region,” says Michael. “In addition my experience as a tenant farmer and involvement with Scottish Tenant Farmers Association gives me a practical perspective on the very live issues surrounding that important sector.”
After gaining an Honours Degree in Agriculture at the Scottish Agricultural College (now SRUC) in Ayr, Sam Henderson’s returned to the family beef, sheep and dairy farm near Auldgirth. He later
moved on to work briefly for the Scottish Government’s Rural Payment and Inspection Division, what many farmers still call the Department.
“My experience there can only help my new role with SAC Consulting,” says Sam. “A lot of our work involves the farm subsidies and regulations SGRPID administers. But I also have a keen interest in beef & sheep production and grassland. I have already been out meeting clients across the area to discus a variety of issues. It’s a part of the job I really enjoy.”
These two young men are valued additions to our team at Hestan House in Dumfries,” says Senior Agricultural Consultant David Colquhoun. They know the area and they know many of the new generation of farmers working here.”
“SAC Consulting has recently recruited a number of new Consultants and technical support staff for our offices around Scotland. Michael and Sam’s excitement about the challenges and opportunities of their new job are typical of the standard of people we have invested in for the benefit of Scottish agriculture.”
Clients attending virtually every one of SAC Consulting’s locally based centres across Scotland will see a new face or faces. Of the new appointments nine are Business Consultants while ten more new staff will provide technical expertise and assistance with tasks such as soil sampling, data handling and mapping. SAC Consulting provides technical, rural business and veterinary services to more than 11,000 customers in the islands as well as in the varying landscapes of the mainland.
