tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900452539062958212012-02-17T01:42:40.982ZJoe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.comBlogger631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-56316163964077297192009-01-26T15:52:00.002Z2009-01-26T15:55:09.323Z

Council has three vacancies on it. If you've a burning desire to help make a difference and build on ongoing work then we'd be delighted to hear from you.The job involves attending the four council meetings this year as well as helping at the events the Guild organises for members.Oh and don't forget the homework between council meetings as this is essential in driving the organisation forward.

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-62619805524409854102009-01-26T15:26:00.001Z2009-01-26T15:29:33.228Z

Beware if you are in Lyon this week. Your chairman has lost so much weight in recent months that he can get into the kilt he bought for his 21st birthday but which he has been unable to get into for more than a decade.I'm off to the French city with Quality Meat Scotland and Scottish Development International on a mission to the Bocuse d'Or, the world's culinary grand prix, and where they will be

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-56648191946155013152009-01-26T15:21:00.002Z2009-01-26T15:26:07.718Z

I'm never one who has been happy with technology, even though I've lived with it for the near 40 years that I have been on this earth.I use Google alerts to alert me to any happening stories on groups, individuals and organisations around the world. Once you've entered the info Google then automatically fires you off an e-mail as soon as something has been posted about the group, individual or

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-40280271206121207812009-01-26T15:09:00.002Z2009-01-26T15:20:02.636Z

Are you one of the millions who are on Facebook? If so, you'll find me, the chairman of the IFAJ and a host of other agri hacks from around the globe.There's an IFAJ group on Facebook that currently has 68 members.

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-17307546370915198592009-01-26T15:02:00.002Z2009-01-26T15:09:20.718Z

I am tickled pink at having been asked a couple weeks ago to contribute a think piece to a series of essays being published by the Smith Institute.The invitation came via Agriculture and Horticulture Development chairman John Bridge.The theme of the essays in on Feeding Britain.They asked me, as Guild chairman, to give up to 2,000 words on my view as to the adequacy of the UK’s current policy

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-44072488105662130552009-01-26T14:38:00.002Z2009-01-26T14:57:11.049Z

I make no apology for calling a special council meeting in November to discuss your responses to the membership survey.The questionnaire was long needed to provide council with a strategic direction. We had a stimulating day in which there was a lot of talk. Action has yet to follow in most instances but here's a brief summary of what we looked at. If you want to know more about anything, then

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-59521367906301090122009-01-26T14:16:00.003Z2009-01-26T14:37:29.978Z

I have been somewhat remiss in not updating my blog since September. My profuse apologies. In my defence I have been somewhat busy, though, and this has had to take second place.So to all those who have been asking – yes, there are a few – here are several updates.I have long rabbited on about the benefits of the Guild being a part of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.The

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-56067721491517116952008-09-24T19:39:00.024+01:002008-09-24T21:15:36.407+01:00

The IFAJ held its congress in Austria and Slovenia earlier this month, and boy what a fun time we had. Those of us with a stronger constitution also went on the pre-congress tour to Slovakia organised by the wonderful Jana Janku. It proved a real eye-opener, as my impression of Slovakia was wholly at odds with reality. I imagined it as still being somewhat behind in terms of agriculture.

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-1434159688188901982008-08-17T19:13:00.000+01:002008-08-17T19:14:15.396+01:00

Dear AllMany thanks to the 278 of you who have taken the time to respond to the Guild's online survey. The response is far in excess of what we had expected, with 240 of you completing the survey fully.We have had some well-thought and structured answers and for that I have to express my sincere appreciation.The next task will be in reviewing the responses, putting together a report for the next

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-19281482571461545982008-07-14T09:52:00.003+01:002008-07-14T10:00:07.882+01:00

An interesting e-mail overnight from Louis Flood (senior) on the issue of staff people taking pictures and allegedly doing freelance photographers out of fee.Louis, a long standing Perth-based freelance, has very definitive views on this in that reporters should stick to writing and photographers to taking pictures.I would, however, venture the stance while acceptable at one time no longer cuts

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-60840529400670710972008-07-08T10:55:00.003+01:002008-07-08T11:26:29.817+01:00

What a damp squib the Royal Show proved to be. Smaller it certainly was, and one has to question statements from the RASE that said the food hall was busy, especially as anytime I visited it was deserted over the first two days.The showpiece event - and the one we were all directed to - was the renewable energy centre. If that's the best the RASE can do then I am shocked given that renewable

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-63684434386387872482008-06-23T15:00:00.003+01:002008-06-23T15:04:18.176+01:00

Dear MemberI know time is precious and that I am asking probably rather a lot.I would, however, like you all to complete a membership survey – a task that should take no more than 20 minutes and all of which can be done from the comfort of your seat without even having to lift a pen.This web-based survey will help provide council with your views on how the organisation moves forward.I'd suggest

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-30921697320151389932008-06-16T13:53:00.003+01:002008-06-16T13:58:12.843+01:00

The BBC was taken to task last week by the BBC Trust for its London centric view of news in the UK.The corporation is today carrying an amazing report that confirms – if any evidence were ever needed – that ignorance remains bliss within the London newsroom.A news report carried on Radio 2 claims that Unite, the union representing farmworkers, is seeking a 6% rise in pay talks which started

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-11817264173166606672008-06-15T17:58:00.002+01:002008-06-15T18:42:10.964+01:00

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of rubbish that passes these days for the spoken word and which sadly ends up in print.That we use it is because we as a profession have become lazy. Yes, lazy. You heard me, lazy. That's exactly what I said and I make no apologies for saying so. Journalists are no longer doing what they are paid to do in filtering out the rubbish that people often tell

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-86492856546337869472008-05-27T20:05:00.002+01:002008-05-27T20:14:41.330+01:00

Is the Guild finally on a roll I have to ask?I've pinched myself several times in the last 24 hours as we appear finally on the verge of relaunching the Stuart Seaton Award for Provincial Newspapers. It's taken several years, but I can now report progress thanks to the magnificent endeavours of council member Liz Snaith over the last three weeks.She's now presented to me a proposal that will this

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-87889123185228197902008-05-27T20:00:00.003+01:002008-05-27T20:05:37.478+01:00

Delighted to be able to report that John Fraser, the recently retired chief photographer at The Scottish Farmer, was the centre of attention in Belfast last week.Wee John has for years been a regular at the Balmoral Show. For years he has also had fascination for vintage farm machinery.John's colleagues in Northern Ireland took him by surprise by holding a presentation to mark his retiral.His

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-90526883256725737432008-05-18T21:18:00.004+01:002008-05-19T20:14:50.286+01:00

Some truly magnificent news ... Katie Lomas of Farmers Guardian has won this year's professional development award for young journalists from the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.Katie has proved herself a real world beater as she was judged the number one candidate in the award sponsored by Alltech, the leading animal nutrition firm based in the US.Katie is the livestock

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-6965495115464368492008-04-13T10:52:00.002+01:002008-04-13T11:13:12.956+01:00

Unquestionably one of the most important initiatives the Guild does every year – and which largely goes unseen – is the training course held in conjunction with John Deere.For three days annually and with follow-up on-the-job work experience at a range of agricultural and horticultural magazines we give a range of people an insight into agricultural journalism and all it entails.For the last

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-69603395838885169852008-04-07T22:04:00.002+01:002008-04-07T22:17:03.579+01:00

Delighted to reveal the launch of a competition for a place at this year's IFAJ Congress in Austria and Slovenia from September 10-14.The competition is open to Guild members under 35 at April 25.The place in Austria and Slovenia is organised through the IFAJ and funded by Alltech Biotechnology. Alltech's generous support will allow 10 young journalists to attend the annual congress.Clemmie

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-60056254058518677352008-03-30T17:19:00.002+01:002008-03-30T17:27:37.464+01:00

Guild member James Withers is the new chief executive of NFU Scotland.He steps up to the position on April 7, having been deputy chief executive for since 2005.The much deserved promotion sees James -- who also is the union's communications -- take over from Andy Robertson who left last month after four years.Union president Jim McLaren said: “I am delighted that, after what has been the most

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-55597081658708427772008-03-30T16:40:00.003+01:002008-03-30T16:54:58.939+01:00

I despair. Council is again having to waste considerable time pursuing members who are in subscription default.Treasurer Tim Price has today provided with everyone on council a list of eight names to pursue. You want the full picture then look at the year book count the number of council members and then multiply by eight.Our challenge is to extract from them the Direct Debit mandates that were

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-3174720733601210712008-03-15T13:45:00.003Z2008-03-15T14:05:57.168Z

The Guild held its annual meeting in London yesterday. I know the annual meeting is not the sexiest of subjects, but this year we attempted to make it very different by asking one of the world's leading authorities on bluetongue, the midge-borne virus, to address us.Professor Philip Mellor (pictured), of the Institute for Animal Animal Health at Pirbright, proved amazing. He gave the clearest

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-25229396400322318102008-03-14T20:07:00.004Z2008-03-15T13:45:13.496Z

There appears to have been considerable interest in my comments on Farmers Weekly, the so-called Yellow Peril.Not many of you left comments which is disappointing. The blog had its highest number of hits on a single day in the 24 hours after it was posted. Seems there were a lot of people at one publication who looked at it judging by the Site Meter which allows me to monitor your visits (oh

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-89779320244530615742008-03-14T19:50:00.010Z2008-03-14T20:14:38.223Z

Scottish agriculture has bid farewell to one of the most talented livestock photographers.John Fraser retired from the Scottish Farmer the other week after 30 plus years with the august organ.I can admit to having had considerable fun with JF for many years. He helped liven up many events thanks to him, like me, being non-politically correct.I can only aspire to his considerable prowess at being

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-10144763490428604702008-02-24T12:43:00.004Z2008-02-25T07:47:24.962Z

Is it just me, or are there other agri-hacks, becoming increasingly annoyed/disillusioned at the blatant favouritism being shown by some PRs to Farmers Weekly?The desire to get material into the Yellow Peril – not terribly well read in Scotland and several other regions of the UK, please do remember – means that those of us in the sticks often don't get news releases on many issues until the day

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-51575538423975305872008-02-14T18:23:00.003Z2008-02-14T18:38:11.724Z

The demise of the news service provided by Independent Farm Business News to Farming Online has provoked considerable comment, not least from agri hacks.The replacement of four good agricultural journalists, who daily provided a dedicated agricultural news service, with an automated internet news story picker is a retrograde step in my view.Alan Stennett, who took over management of IFBN from

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-61182972735756979992008-01-22T20:47:00.001Z2008-02-14T18:39:08.249Z

I was in Berlin last week as a guest of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.It was, as usual, making use of the Berlin Green Week to hold an executive meeting. For those that don't know anything about Green Week all I will say is that it is feast of fun, food and entertainment. The event, which was heaving with visitors last Friday, has its roots in showcasing all that was

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-56406672341001603132008-01-20T11:47:00.001Z2008-01-20T11:47:56.681Z

Dear Mr WalshI wrote to you on January 11 to complain about British Airways having lost my luggage on a flight between Aberdeen and London on January 2.I am sorry to have to inform you that your company lost my bag again yesterday while travelling from Berlin to Aberdeen via London Heathrow on the BA983 and BA1314.I appreciate that you have had issues in recent days at London Heathrow, but that

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-11028374467272430062008-01-11T20:11:00.000Z2008-01-11T20:40:44.544Z

I do love British Airways. The world's favourite airline? Well as Jim Royale would say from the BBC's Royale Family: "My arse."Let's just say they are the world's most conceited and arrogant airline, which lives on its past glory.Living in Aberdeenshire you often find that BA often sticks up two fingers to this part of the world as flights to Aberdeen are always the first to be cancelled if any

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-63087363094085440902007-12-23T18:19:00.000Z2007-12-23T18:57:14.583Z

The Guild has made considerable progress over the last 12 months.Council has drafted new rules that will be put to the annual meeting in March. The forms are now out for Direct Debit; please don't forget to return them to the treasurer so you can take part in the prize draw to win a case a wine.We've also set the ball rolling on securing added benefits of membership for members and I've thrown

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-35413414425657171752007-12-16T16:46:00.001Z2007-12-16T16:53:46.462Z

I dread to think how much time your council has spent over the last 12 months attempting to get a Direct Debit regime in place.Hundreds of hours, possibly weeks, have been lost in attempting to get this regime in place.The good news is that we appear at last to be on verge of getting. We on Friday received our Direct Debit authorisation, and are tomorrow or Tuesday expected to get final bank

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-36195524959550297242007-12-09T12:49:00.000Z2007-12-09T13:04:56.913Z

This year's Royal Show could hardly have been described as a vintage. As I have said in previous blogs the show was something of a washout, both in terms of organisation and the event itself which is now but a shadow of its former self.While regional agricultural events go from strength to strength, the Royal appears to have lost its place and turned off not just Joe Public but also farmers.That

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-90157196146206064232007-12-07T19:57:00.000Z2007-12-09T23:22:53.319Z

Council met in London today for what was productive day. We discussed several issues before having Christmas lunch. I should point out that council members paid for lunch themselves.Several issues are going to be taken forward, one of which is considering whether we need to do anything to encourage younger members into the Guild.Anyone who knows the Guild intimately will know that the majority of

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-53858484166478679052007-11-19T23:07:00.000Z2007-11-19T23:25:12.693Z

Good old Defra. Nothing changes and delighted to see it is as incompetent as ever. The carrot munching Hilary Benn announced his new vision for English farming today. Let's not fall foul of the Defra ploy to claim a UK policy as he isn't responsible for agriculture in the devolved regions. That said the Defra dictatorship appears alive and well; its plan for a disease levy could force the

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-484479055195959662007-11-18T16:41:00.000Z2007-11-18T16:49:02.139Z

My wooden spoon of the year award goes to the Oxford Farming Conference.Its recent communication over next year's conference sought details about the MAC address of those journalists wanting to access Oxford University's computer system to send copy and pictures.So what is a MAC address? I have one, joe.watson@mac.com, but that isn't apparently what they want.The assumption from the organisers is

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-72481733834162887192007-11-18T16:12:00.000Z2007-11-18T16:41:44.061Z

I can't believe it is a month since I updated my blog. My apologies for the delay, but it has proved a somewhat busy period and having a week off on holiday hasn't helped either. Council met in London at the end of last month. We progressed various issues, notably planned new rules which will be put to the membership early next year for approval at the annual meeting, the date of which has been

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-36170485321051649542007-10-15T20:16:00.000+01:002007-10-15T20:21:33.465+01:00

You will in the coming days receive the latest national Guild e-news via e-mail.Attached to it is a message from me. Here are the edited highlights. I look forward to the responses as the issue has been raised via my blog.To those who have raised it, I would say: the ball is now in your court. If you want the issue tackled, then show some interest. If no interest is forthcoming, then I will not

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-39956631145214637562007-10-14T16:53:00.000+01:002007-10-14T17:36:36.108+01:00

The Guild held its annual harvest service and lunch in London on Thursday, October 11. Both were excellent.The service in the journalists' church – St Bride's, on Fleet Street – was conducted by Canon David Meera, the Guild's honorary chaplain. Lunch followed a quick dash up Fleet Street and The Strand in the Thistle Charing Cross.The Guild is particularly indebted for

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-63751699611375742442007-09-27T17:18:00.000+01:002007-09-27T17:21:05.321+01:00

There will, no doubt, be much moaning and groaning in the coming weeks as letters from the treasurer drop through members' letter boxes encouraging them to shift over to Direct Debit.The new subscription service comes into play next year and realises a longstanding ambition of council. It is certainly one issue that I have been pushing for action on.But I can already hear the howls of protest

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-34610974007105373742007-09-24T05:34:00.000+01:002007-09-24T06:49:52.098+01:00

Well apart from eating, drinking and meeting colleagues from around the globe, we visited farms and farmers' markets, a sake brewery, a plant where they make the paste for miso soup, had lots of lunches attended by the local Mayor and various other dignatories. We also saw the world's first GPS controlled rice planter and travelled on the bullet train. We also all slept in a communal Japanese inn

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-24323732456742802292007-09-24T05:16:00.000+01:002007-09-24T05:32:20.569+01:00

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists' congress in Japan has now closed.Sendai – Japan's third largest city – was the setting for Saturday's grand finale which saw the 180-plus delegates tuck into a most magnificent sponsored meal in the plushest of dining halls. The meal include smoked ham of pure date red pork, Kosode Sushi of Matsushima Anago, Sanriku seafood pie, Miyiagi

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-4513276513895693492007-09-18T06:35:00.000+01:002007-09-18T07:11:37.664+01:00

The congress got underway last night in a spectacular fashion. Lots of wonderful food – and free booze – greeted the 180 delegates.IFAJ president David Markey said a few words as did the Japanese Agricultural Journalists Association president Hiroki Ose.There then followed the traditional breaking open the saki ceremony.With the congress open there was lots of networking and socialising. The most

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-75170442594725911782007-09-17T07:28:00.000+01:002007-09-17T07:32:04.609+01:00

I am in Japan along with 10 other British Guild members for the International Federation of the Agricultural Journalists congress.Today is the first day and it has already been a lot of fun.I with 17 other delegates went on a walking tour of Tokyo. We visited the Imperial Palace and its east garden. I expected a lot of flowers, but the Japanese Emperor appears more into trees and wild grasses –

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-37856371232441171462007-09-02T09:43:00.000+01:002007-09-02T09:49:04.874+01:00

Have you ever had a desire to become more deeply involved in the Guild?Would you like to sit on the Guild council then?Council is currently operating with two vacancies and a third will open later this year when Alison Lea jets off for a warmer lifestyle in Italy.Council can co-opt ordinary members to fill these vacancies. Would you be interested?What does sitting on council involve? Basically

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-48641419637758890042007-08-31T19:40:00.001+01:002007-08-31T19:57:20.471+01:00

When I've friends like John Fraser, chief photographer at The Scottish Farmer, then who needs enemies?He captured me clambouring over the gates to get the commercial cattle results at a rather wet and muddy Nairn Show. I'm not so sure that my presence on the fence had the effect that the image claims. The camera lies, I say!I only publish these pictures as in June I published a picture of Mr

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-74538058394551165372007-08-31T19:12:00.000+01:002007-09-02T09:42:36.350+01:00

A day in London today for the Guild's August council meeting. It proved productive on several fronts. Sadly the productive effort came to an end at Heathrow as the flight to Aberdeen was three hours late and it gone well midnight when it landed in the Granite City.At last we can put to bed the problems caused by those who have yet to pay their full subscription rates. The remaining defaulters are

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-32490621196844136892007-08-13T09:56:00.000+01:002007-08-13T10:05:50.267+01:00

Are you one of the 180-plus who still haven't paid their full subscription for the current membership year?If so, then you may be at risk of having your membership suspended.Various pleas were made throughout the latter part of 2006 and consistently over recent months to remind members to change their standing orders.In spite of all that effort we had 260-plus who were default.Since June there

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-21872714162656096652007-07-17T18:25:00.000+01:002007-07-17T18:45:21.228+01:00

You may well wonder what the Guild's council does at and in between meetings.Hopefully, I'll be able to fill you in on some of the important blanks, and get you to help in the process.Council currently meets quarterly and we discuss a variety of issues at our meetings from accepting new members, to discussing competitions, sponsorship, finances and events.My predecessor as chairman, Roger Abbott,

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-73344062913865858932007-07-05T20:40:00.000+01:002007-07-05T20:57:26.626+01:00

The Guild presented two of its main awards at what I thought was a very successful reception at the Royal on Sunday evening.The Netherthorpe Award is the Guild's top honour, awarded annually for outstanding service to agricultural journalism.The recipient this year was Don Gomery, the Guild's long serving secretary who puts in a considerable effort behind the scenes to ensure we are properly

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-15559963727731984172007-07-05T19:53:00.000+01:002007-07-05T20:33:59.002+01:00

This is a tale of two shows ... the Royal Highland and the Royal.While the former was an outstanding success once again, questions have to be asked about the future of the latter.Certainly not helping the Royal Show at Stoneleigh this year was the atrocious weather, pictured, which forced organisers to end it a day early on health and safety concerns.I have considerable sympathy for the Royal

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-84639160399782339082007-06-17T09:00:00.000+01:002007-06-17T09:16:23.511+01:00

It never ceases to amaze me the things photographers do to get the right picture of livestock.Scottish Farmer photographer John Fraser is a master, but even he occasionally gets left holding the subject while pals are brought out to ensure a calming influence and to get the animal to stand correctly. You may appreciate these.The subjects are a Blackface ram lamb (south type) and an old Blackie

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-10011903570488580822007-06-11T21:46:00.000+01:002007-06-11T22:04:06.254+01:00

Were you watching The Tonight programme on ITV this evening?It was a wonderful insight into the world of organic farming, and the reality of it, rather than the holier than though picture that is painted by many in it.If agricultural journalists, are in the eyes of the Soil Association's Scottish director, Hugh Raven, relentless, remoreless and corrosive in their criticism of organic farming for

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-37515429066127980262007-06-05T22:51:00.000+01:002007-06-05T22:59:43.769+01:00

So what is the judge of this year's Guild press release competition looking for?Well here it is straight from the pen of Cedric Porter, editor of competition sponsor Farm Business.What I'm looking for is a product that or angle that is genuinely new.As all editors, I get hundreds of releases in a week. I estimate that I only follow up on around 5% to 10%.There are too many releases that are a

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-45426877217423295782007-06-03T14:58:00.001+01:002007-06-03T15:12:40.042+01:00

One of the great things we do in the north-east is hold an annual food festival.The Taste of Grampian was instigated in 2000 and has since then grown annually. It is a public-private sector partnership and is organised by the ANM Group, the Press and Journal, Scottish Enterprise Grampian, the Grampian Food Forum and Aberdeenshire Council.More than 14,000 visitors yesterday packed Europe's largest

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-45802742154285104982007-06-03T14:20:00.000+01:002007-06-03T14:37:41.353+01:00

I can't believe it is almost a month since I updated this.The last few weeks have been somewhat hectic, having been at all corners of Scotland and down into Yorkshire for the Beef Expo, organised by the National Beef Association.You may recall that I said a while ago that the Guild organised a press release competition. Well, June is the month in which it will be judged.Cedric Porter, editor of

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-62672501182596643202007-05-12T12:09:00.000+01:002007-05-12T12:13:20.419+01:00

Thanks to those who responded to the last blog.I've now had a response from Hugh Raven. I've pasted it below, and my subsequent response to him.Enjoy!Dear Joe Thanks for your e-mail. I was responding to an accusation from Andrew. I didn't mention you at all. I'm sorry you've taken this personally. Over the last forty years, I don't think there's any doubt that the balance of coverage has been

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-46984110645069756732007-05-09T22:06:00.000+01:002007-05-09T22:14:48.676+01:00

Andrew Arbuckle, the one-time agriculture editor at the Courier & Advertiser in Dundee, was until the end of March a MSP in the Scottish Parliament. He lost his seat in the latest election.Among the last letters he received while in Parliament was from Hugh Raven, the director of the Soil Association in Scotland. In it Mr Raven made the accusation that for the last 40 years Scottish agricultural

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-3814630171452364752007-04-27T18:23:00.000+01:002007-04-27T18:51:46.490+01:00

Greetings all .. but first an apology. I'm a week late in updating this. It has been somewhat busy over the last week; well that's my feeble excuse out of the way.As I said the other week I was heading to Nottingham to spend a day at the Guild's John Deere-sponsored training course for would-be young journalists.It proved an excellent day. It was particularly encouraging to see potential new

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-19923689399502670262007-04-10T19:24:00.000+01:002007-04-10T19:42:52.189+01:00

The Guild does many fantastic things over the course of a year, but none is more important than the training scheme held in association with John Deere.This year's course is at John Deere's UK headquarters at Langar, near Nottingham, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday next week.There are 11 students taking part. They will be given a thorough insight into the news industry by tutor David Mascord, a

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-57897236175199460502007-04-07T10:04:00.000+01:002007-04-07T10:51:27.465+01:00

I am beginning to become increasingly frustrated with Government.We have had two instances in recent weeks where it has sneaked things out.The first was over its decision to stop testing for brucellosis in the UK's beef cattle herd, and the second concerned a devolved matter in Scotland and the start of payments for the Scottish Beef Calf Scheme.It could be argued, in a wishy-washy, feeble civil

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-80290336426400202692007-04-03T22:57:00.000+01:002007-04-03T22:59:35.264+01:00

Ah. You've been reading I am happy to report. I've had just one response though. I would encourage more.Here's a suggestion from Johann Tasker. A wooden spoon for the PR profession; now is that something to contemplate? But just to be balanced I guess we would have to balance it with the worst news report of the year.JoeHi Joe - Well done on your blog - they can be a really really effective way

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-87434222185195616052007-03-29T19:56:00.000+01:002007-04-06T17:25:44.821+01:00

I wonder how many journalists get frustrated at the mish-mash of information that is sometimes presented in press releases?Scientists and accountants are two professions where there are often considerable problems converting prose that claims to be English into a language that everyone understands.Yesterday I spent an afternoon trying to decipher the pearls of wisdom from Deloitte, one of the big

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90045253906295821.post-8724356816261607272007-03-23T18:35:00.000Z2007-03-23T18:42:39.170Z

This is my attempt to bring the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Great Britain into the 21st century.The chairman's blogspot will be used to discuss my travels, promote ideas and tell you what is happening within the organisation. I might also use it to raise issues that we all have as journalists.I realise that staying as I do in northern Aberdeenshire that I will be remote to many of you. I

Joe Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15258632224503593007noreply@blogger.com5