THURSDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2PM AT MEIKLE MALDRON, TORPHINS, AB31 4NR Location
Poppy Frater, SAC Grassland and Sheep Specialist and Duncan Morrison, Deeside Monitor Farmer, will describe the vital role data plays in short and long-term decision-making on his farms. And how FARMAX, the farm planning tool, can help your business too.
The meeting is aimed at:
-farmers and/or their employees who are interested in collecting and using data and information to drive their businesses
-consultants, accountants, livestock and grassland specialists
-people interested in the use of agritech for planning and decision making
-livestock managers interested in pasture-based systems
If you’ve got one, bring your Plate Meter or Sward Stick!
Featuring
•Gathering grassland data for forage management
•The benefits of FARMAX – the farm planning tool
•Maximising your profitability while minimising inputs
•Comparing different farm options for your livestock farm
•Creating a confident long-term vision for your business
Event Programme
2.00pm: Arrival at Meikle Maldron, tea, coffee biscuits
2.15pm: Duncan’s new heifer management and Poppy on collecting grassland information
3.00 – 5.00pm at Mid Deeside Church Hall
-An introduction to FARMAX
-The FARMAX commitment, cost and return on investment
-Duncan’s data-driven strategy for Meikle Maldron, Womblehill and Ingliston
-Where data collection can benefit your business planning
-A FARMAX group for the North East
-Questions and answers
Monday, 13th November, 5pm at UA Huntly Mart
Sheep producers in the North and North-East are invited to a lamb selection and butchery demo as part of the Monitor Farm programme.
The event will focus on selecting healthy lambs for market and a butchery demonstration of value-added cuts in new season lamb, with discussions involving a variety of speakers.
Featuring
– Handling & conformation of lambs for sale with Michael Wilson of Woodhead Bros.
– Batching and presenting lambs for the ring, with Lucy Shand, United Auctions
– Lamb health with Alasdair Prentice and Olivia Busson of Strathbogie Vets
– Butchery techniques of Traditional and Value-added cuts with Gary Raeburn, Forbes Raeburn Butchers
Delicious lamb dishes supplied by Forrest Catering
Cash donations are welcome for the end-of-evening Charity Auction of the lamb cuts for RSABI
Lambs supplied by Bruce Irvine, Banff & Buchan Monitor Farmer
Scanning and Managing OPA (Jaagsiekte) in Your Flock and the Benefits of Blood Testing
Pre-Tupping for Minerals and Other Iceberg Diseases
Fluke, Fanks, No Fence, and Forage Budgets – Farm Walk & Talk at Kinnabus Farm, Islay with Stuart Lamont (Farm Manager) and Dr Philip Skuce (Moredun)
THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023
10am – 3pm
Kinnabus Farm, Isle of Islay, Argyllshire, PA42 7AU
Event Programme
Programme
10.00am Arrival with tea, coffee, and biscuits.
10.30am Farm walk and talk with Stuart Lamont and Dr Phil Skuce
12.30pm Depart Kinnabus Farm
1.00pm Arrive at Ardbeg Distillery nr Port Ellen, PA42 7AE for lunch
1.45pm How to calculate your winter forage budget
2.45pm Close and depart
Join us for a farm walk and talk at Kinnibus Farm, Islay to find out how RSPB Farm Manager Stuart Lamont is taking a proactive approach to targeted control of Fluke. Dr Philip Skuce will share his extensive knowledge on determining fluke risk as well as wider environmental aspects of practical and sustainable liver fluke control.
As a RSBP reserve, conservation grazing is an integral part of the farm to protect species such as choughs and use a small number of Nofence cattle collars to manage the coastal grassland and heath whilst protecting the bird habitats. We will also be able to see the mobile farms mobile fank system.
The farm walk will be followed with lunch at Ardberg Distillery and a practical session on how to calculate your winter forage budget.
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
South Ayrshire Monitor
A total of 1770 acres are farmed by John and Allison Andrew in partnership with son David. Rowanston comprises 320 acres of owned land, with an additional 100 acres of neighbouring land rented annually. The 1350 acre hill farm of Blair lies 3 miles away and is rented on an MLDT from Kilkerran Estate. The Andrews have 150 hill suckler cows. Replacements are homebred and all progeny finished on farm. Approximately a further 200 store cattle are bought in for finishing each year. There’s also a flock comprising 550 hill ewes and 450 low ground ewes.
The first meeting date is: 30th November 2022.
Strathspey Monitor Farm
Auchernack Farm is an 800ac livestock farm based in Strathspey. It is run by Malcolm and Sammie Smith who farm alongside son, Calum. They have 140 suckler cows and 120 store cattle and focus on store calf production using predominantly Limousin sires.
The first meeting date is: 5th December 2022.
Banff and Buchan Monitor Farm
Sauchentree Farm, at New Aberdour, on the north-east coast of Scotland, is run by Bruce Irvine in partnership with his father and mother. In total, Bruce farms 650ac with cereals, sheep and cattle with livestock providing fertility for the arable side.
The first meeting date is: 6th December 2022.
Deeside Monitor Farm
Meikle Maldron, in the northeast of Scotland, is run by Duncan and Claire Morrison who moved to the farm in 2016.
In total, Duncan and Claire farm 226 ha as a wholly suckler enterprise with 220 suckler cows comprising commercial Aberdeen Angus and Pedigree Aberdeen Angus and Stabilisers. Of the 220 cows, they own 120 and lease a herd of 100 stabiliser cows.
The first meeting date is: 7th December 2022.
Stirlingshire Monitor Farm
Lands of Drumhead and Blairfad total 1,250ac and are situated on the boundary of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. They are farmed by the Duncan family, who have a stratified system with the hill farm at Inveruglas producing replacements for the lowland units. In total, the Duncan’s are calving 180-190 calves each year, and have a flock of 2,300 sheep. Three of Bruce and Shona’s four children are looking to return to the farm from full-time education. Bruce’s parents and father’s cousin also continue to be involved at their respective holdings.
The first meeting date is: 13th December 2022.
Roxburghshire Monitor Farm
Cowbog is a mixed tenanted farm, with two holdings and a contract farming arrangement with the Roxburghe Estates. In total, husband and wife team, Robert and Lucy Wilson, together with Robert’s parents, farm 242ha.They’ve 100 suckler cows plus followers, and 20 finishing cows. All are pure bred Herefords. The Wilson’s also have a small flock of sheep and 160ha in arable or forage production over the 3 farms.
The first meeting date is: 14th December 2022.
Dumfries Monitor Farm
Barnbackle is a 500ac beef and sheep farm run by Richard McCornick, partner Hayley Currie and Richard’s parents, Andrew and Janice. Richard’s brother Craig and wife Michelle are also involved, although farming in Ayrshire but still involved. Barnbackle runs 150 suckler cows, 20 store cattle, 700 ewes. The cows are sim-luings and calve in spring and autumn.
The first meeting date is: 15th December 2022.
East Lothian Monitor Farm
Castleton Farm is a 169ha farm run by Stuart McNicol and his father, Bill, who works on the farm part-time. Stuart’s wife, Jo manages the Agritourism enterprises.
The arable acreage produces wheat, malting spring barley, spring beans, and cover crops
which are grazed by sheep. Stuart only ploughs when necessary, the majority of crops are established with a strip-till.
The first meeting date is: 11th January 2023.
Argyll Monitor Farm, Craig Archibald
Craigens Farm is a 2000ha tenanted unit on the west coast of Islay. Craig Archibald and his family focus on producing Angus and Charolais yearling calves for the store market and fat lambs. In addition to the 220 suckler cows, 200 stores, 1,000 ewes and their lambs, the farm has arable land. 20ha is producing barley grown for a local distillery and 10ha is growing forage rape.
The first meeting date is: 17th January 2023.