“A Good Cow is a Green Cow, and a profitable one”
On May 14th 2026 we held our Winter Open Meeting at Barnbackle Farm, Dumfries. Attendees left recognising that selecting environmentally efficient cows is not a new or separate task it’s already embedded in how they choose their most productive animals: those that are fertile, efficient, durable, and healthy.
The first EnviroBeef Event was one of a kind. What if the cows that perform best in your herd are also the most environmentally efficient? The on farm event showed how the traits you already select for fertility, health, growth, and longevity are the same ones driving sustainability. No new system, just a fresh perspective.
Around 40 members of the farming community attended the meeting.
As the last summer meeting of the programme, we looked at the impact of the grass re-seeding and liming programme, cattle and sheep figures and the aims and direction of travel for Duncan family’s business.
Members of the farming community visited Knockroon Farm to hear how John and David Andrew were implementing Virtual Fencing at Blair Hill, followed by a lamb finishing talk and butchery demonstration before viewing the stock on rotational grazing.
Held on 16 July 2026, the final summer meeting of the Argyllshire Monitor Farm covered, feed planning with Lorna Shaw, re-seeds with Mhairi Dawson Pat Lambert, and rotational and virtual fencing grazing systems with the team at Craigens.
By Beth Alexander, Monitor Farm Programme Manager
The recent spell of warm weather has brought contrasting challenges for livestock farmers across Scotland, with conditions varying significantly depending on local rainfall. While some areas have continued to receive enough moisture to maintain grass growth, others are feeling the effects of prolonged dry conditions.
Across the Monitor Farms in Scotland we have seen big differences in rainfall and therefore grass growth. The Roxburgh Monitor Farm near Morebattle has experienced limited rainfall of 86.4mm since 23rd May 2026 which combined with high temperatures has slowed grass growth considerably. This has become a seasonal pattern for Monitor Farmer, Robert Wilson who has adapted his system to leave taller covers earlier in the season in response to prolonged dry periods. Nearby farms that entered the summer with lower grass covers are seeing grazing supplies tighten, making careful grass budgeting and grazing management increasingly important. Borders farmers have expressed concern regarding winter feedstock but Robert hopes to overcome this using cover crops if he finds a shortfall nearer to harvest.
By contrast, much of Aberdeenshire has benefited from more favourable rainfall, leaving many farms with strong grass covers and good grazing availability despite the warmer conditions. The Deeside Monitor Farm at Torphins, Duncan and Claire Morrison, have seen approximately 145mm of rainfall in the same time period. Grass growth has been strong with good yields of silage but the hot weather is beginning to slow grass growth now. Rotational grazing is fundamental to the Morrison’s system. In response to the recent drier climate, the Morrison’s have begun to lengthen the rotation and leave taller covers behind the livestock to avoid grass scorching in the sun and retaining more moisture at ground level. This has been a different season to last year for the Torphins area, where September 2025 saw them be one of the driest spots in Europe.
Regardless of grass availability, protecting livestock from heat stress should remain a priority. Providing access to shade or shelter, whether through trees, hedges or trailers in fields can help animals regulate their body temperature and reduce the effects of prolonged heat.
An adequate supply of fresh drinking water is equally important. Farmers should regularly check water flow and trough space – making sure calves can reach the water troughs too – as livestock water demand increases significantly during hot weather. As a guide, daily water requirements can increase to:
- A 700kg lactating suckler cow with calf at foot can drink 105 litres of water a day
- Poppy Frater has some good water supply advice here through the Farm Advisory Service: https://www.fas.scot/article/supplying-water-to-rotationally-grazed-beef-cattle
With weather patterns continuing to vary across Scotland, monitoring both grass growth and livestock condition will be key. Decisions around grazing rotations, supplementary feeding and water provision may need to be tailored to local conditions rather than following a national picture.
Roxburghshire Monitor Farm meeting to discuss opportunities on the family farm
Exploring how farming businesses can identify opportunities, make informed financial decisions and use diversification to build resilience for the future will be key topics at the next Roxburghshire Monitor Farm open meeting, which is now open for booking.
The afternoon meeting, on Thursday 30 July at Cowbog near Kelso, is the final open summer meeting on the farm as part of the four-year Monitor Farm Scotland programme. It will focus on ‘Taking opportunities on the family farm’.
Speakers will share practical insights on positioning your business to assess and take opportunities, making informed decisions, plus planning and diversification to build a resilient future for family farming businesses.
Following detailed business analysis, the Wilson family at Cowbog have made strategic changes, including reducing their arable enterprise to create a more agile and livestock-focused business that is better positioned to respond to future opportunities. During a farm walk and discussion, Monitor Farmer Robert Wilson will share insights into the farm’s development, key changes and experiences throughout the programme. The Wilson family’s diversified business, Wilson’s Farm and Kitchen, will provide dinner at the end of the meeting.
Robert will be joined by three other speakers at the meeting, including Sam Charlton, the founder of Planning for Profit, a five-day programme that helps farmers build more profitable, resilient businesses through practical, hands-on learning. Inspired by the Ranching for Profit methodology, Sam will be discussing taking opportunities. This will include exploring how to position your business, identify, assess and act on opportunities for growth, diversification and strategic change within the family farm.
Alasdair Ralston from MSP Agriculture will discuss grass and forage establishment. He will be sharing practical insights on mixture selection, establishment techniques and maximising performance from grass and forage when converting from arable to long-term grass.
Berwickshire pig farmer Adam Marshall, co-founder of Oink which has three shops in Edinburgh selling pulled pork and offers hog roast catering, will talk about building successful agricultural businesses. His session will include discussions exploring business growth, diversification and the connection between farming, food production and catering.
Iona Smith, Monitor Farm regional manager says: “We’re looking forward to welcoming people to this final summer open meeting on the Roxburghshire Monitor Farm. It is an opportunity to hear real experiences, ask questions and take away practical ideas that could support the future of your own farming business.”
- Roxburghshire Monitor Farm open summer meeting ‘Taking opportunities on the family farm’ on Thursday 30 July from 3.30pm til 7pm at Cowbog Farm, Kelso, TD5 8EH. Catering is provided, so booking is essential: https://TakingOpportunitiesOnTheFamilyFarm.eventbrite.co.uk
East Lothian Monitor Farm summer meeting now open for booking
Updates on the arable sector and its future will be some of the key discussions at the East Lothian Monitor Farm open summer meeting on Wednesday 22 July, which is now open for booking.
The meeting, which runs from 4pm to 7pm at Castleton Farm, North Berwick, will explore key issues shaping the future of farming. It is the final summer meeting at the farm as part of the four-year Monitor Farm Scotland programme which has been running since 2022.
Iona Smith, Monitor Farm regional adviser says: “We will hear from industry experts about workforce development, business planning, crop policy, and market influences, and there will be an open discussion, followed by dinner provided by Drift, the farm’s clifftop eatery.”
A Monitor Farm update from host farmer Stuart McNicol will include a discussion about learnings from the programme, including practical changes that have improved resilience, efficiency, and business performance.
Another speaker at the event, Gillian McFadyen from Borders College, will discuss apprenticeships, future career pathways in agriculture, and how businesses can access and recruit skilled staff through the college. Attendees will learn about the opportunities available to both young people entering the industry and to employers looking to strengthen their workforce.
Agronomists Stevie Gray and Greg Dawson from Scottish Agronomy will give an update on profitability and fertiliser prices, and how current market conditions could influence future farm planning and business decision-making.
Attendees will also have a crop policy update, along with his views on the future outlook for the sector and what it could mean for arable businesses from Davie Michie, head of food and farming policy at NFU Scotland.
Iona adds: “We look forward to welcoming everyone to the East Lothian Monitor Farm on Wednesday 22 July. It’s a valuable opportunity to hear from industry specialists, gain practical insights, and take away ideas to help future-proof your own farming business.”
- East Lothian Monitor Farm final open summer meeting ‘Looking To The Future – Farm 24’ on Wednesday 22 July 4pm til 7pm at Castleton Farm, North Berwick, EH39 5PN. Catering is provided, so booking is essential: https://EastLothianSummerMeetingLookingToTheFuture.eventbrite.co.uk
Auchernack, in the heart of the Cairngorms enters its fourth and final year as the Strathspey Monitor Farm.
The meeting theme, ‘Trusting the Process’ highlights the importance of long-term planning and commitment in four important areas;
- Bull choice
- Use of long-term data and information
- Greening requirements of Highland livestock
farms - Planning for the next generation
Read the Full Report Here
https://www.monitorfarms.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Strathspey-Open-Day-26-Report.pdf
The importance of making livestock health and farm business decisions based on good use of data and information are joint themes at the Deeside Monitor Farm final summer open meeting at Meikle Maldron, Banchory.
Read the latest press release here.
The Irvine Family have grown their business at Sauchentree for nearly 250 years. There’s been rapid growth over the last 36 months and Bruce has established a new 32,000 laying hen unit.
Enterprise costings, farming opportunities, banking and entrepreneurship have all featured in discussions within the Banff &
Buchan Monitor Farm Management Group.
The presenters at this final Summer Open Meeting brought together these themes under the title,
‘How to Grow Your (Farm) Business’.
Read the report here!