Monitor Farms to host open meetings

Nine new Monitor Farms across the country will be opening their gates to local farming communities in the coming weeks.

The objective of the Monitor Farm Scotland programme is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of farm businesses through practical demonstrations, the sharing of best practice and the group approach to addressing industry issues.

In a series of open meetings, host farmers will give an overview of their businesses and share their aspirations for the next three years. The meetings are open to all and are free to attend.

During the first meetings the facilitators for each farm will highlight the key aims of the programme which is being run jointly by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds with funding from the Scottish Government and European Union’s Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF).

There will be an opportunity for local farmers to get involved with their local Monitor Farm and join the business group and management group which will be established for each farm.

Douglas Bell, Head of Industry Development at QMS is delighted with the diversity of farm types that are involved in the programme.

Mr Bell said: "The nine monitor farms that have been selected represent a wide range of farm and business types and range from traditional family farms to larger integrated agribusinesses.

"The hosts themselves are a mix of farmers and farm managers, managing land held under a range of land tenure options. Some monitor farms are managed by younger farmers, some are in the process of succession and some are comparatively new entrants to farming."

Bigton Farm, run by sisters Kirsty and Aimee Budge, is the new Shetland Monitor Farm. Kirsty and Aimee are passionate about farming and keen to improve their farm business. They are also keen to raise awarenss of the importance of farming on Shetland and the role of women in agriculture.

Aimee Budge said:

"Farming on Shetland has some unique challenges – a short growing season means that cattle on the island are usually housed for longer, increasing feed costs. The weather, especially the high winds, can also be a challenge, and transport costs for animals, feed and other supplies are also much higher compared with most farms on the mainland. 

"While there are certainly challenges, there are also a lot of positives. Shetland is a beautiful place to live and work and has a wonderful farming community. People here are incredibly friendly and supportive and we really hope that the local farmers will get involved and make the project successful."

Visit the QMS website for more information about Monitor Farms.

Dates of Monitor Farms meetings

Nithsdale Monitor Farm Meeting - Thursday 26 January. Courtesy of Andrew and Aileen Marchant, Clonhie Farm, Penpont, Thornhill. For further information and to book your place contact Judith Hutchison on 07718 919055 / Judith.agridigm@icloud.com

Lochaber Monitor Farm Meeting - Thursday 26 January. Courtesy of Chris Cameron, Strone Farm, Banavie, Fort William. For further information and to book your place contact Niall Campbell or Morven MacArthur on 01631 563093 / FBSOban@sac.co.uk

North Ayrshire Monitor Farm Meeting - Wednesday 1 February. Courtesy of John Howie, Girtridge Farm, Dundonald, Ayrshire. For further information and to book your place contact Raymond Crerar or Carol-Anne Warnock, on 01292 525252 / FBSAyr@sac.co.uk

Shetland Monitor Farm Meeting - Saturday 4 February. Courtesy of Kirsty and Aimee Budge, Bigton Farm, Bigton, Shetland. For more information and to book your place contact Graham Fraser on 01595 693520 / frbslerwick@sac.co.uk

Morayshire Monitor Farm Meeting - Wednesday 8 February. Courtesy of Iain Green, Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Morayshire. For more information and to book your place contact Samantha Stewart on 01343 548787 / samantha.stewart@sac.co.uk or Derek Hanton on 01463 233266 / derek.hanton@sac.co.uk

Lothians Monitor Farm Meeting - Thursday 9 February. Courtesy of Bill Gray and Peter Eccles, Prestonhall and Saughland Farms, Pathhead. For further information and to book your place contact Colin MacPhail on 07747 046 461 / colin@macphailconsulting.co.uk.

Sutherland Monitor Farm Meeting - Thursday 9 February. Courtesy of Jason and Vic Ballantyne, Clynelish Farm, Brora, Sutherland. For further information and to book your place contact Cat MacGregor on 01847 892602 / FBSThurso@sac.co.uk

Borders Monitor Farm Meeting - Wednesday 22 February. Courtesy of the Mitchell family, Whitriggs Farm, Denholm, Hawick. For further information and to book your place contact Stephen Young on 07502 339613 / Stephen.young@saos.coop

Angus Monitor Farm Meeting – Monday 6 March. Courtesy of the Stodart family, Mill of Inverarity Farm, Inverarity, Forfar. For further information and to book your place contact David Ross on 01569762305 / David.Ross@sac.co.uk