Fodder beet offers many potential benefits to livestock producers in Scotland, the largest of which is the yield potential, which is larger than any other forage crop grown in the UK.
The high yield potential gives the crop the ability to be the cheapest forage per kg of dry matter, while the excellent nutrition gives it the ability to be the cheapest forage per mega joule of energy. Achieving the yield in a cost-effective manner is key to maximising the potential of the crop.
Monitor Farm Scotland is a joint initiative managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds with funding from the Scottish Government. The aim of the monitor farm programme is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.#
Autumn pasture planning and management will be the focus of the next Sutherland Monitor Farm meeting to be held on Tuesday 27 August.
Independent consultant and self-confessed ‘grass geek’ Michael Blanche will be the key speaker at the event and will address what farmers should consider when managing their autumn pasture.
“At this time of year there is real potential for farmers to profit from strategies to maximise the potential from autumn grass; these include extending the grazing into the autumn, ensuring quality pasture for tupping and for growing calves, and setting up grass covers for Spring so they can be used to feed stock in early season.
“Clynelish have effectively created a tool for managing their grass by subdividing 60 hectares into two to three-hectare paddocks which will provide more management control going into autumn. At the meeting we will look at the best way to utilise this ‘tool’ and how this method will grow and utilise more grass with less waste,” said Mr Blanche.
Nina Clancy, Chief Executive of RSABI, will also be at the event to explain the how RSABI supports farmers and crofters, particularly with their well-being.
“Isolation and long-term stress are big problems in rural areas and it’s about learning to recognise when you, your neighbour, or family member, needs a helping hand. One in four of us will face a mental health issue in our lives.
“I’ll be holding a break-out session for those in attendance about how they can identify the tell-tale signs of someone who may be struggling and needs help and support,” said Ms Clancy.
The meeting will start at 11:00am at Clynelish Farm in Brora with host farmers Jason and Victoria Ballantyne to give attendees demonstrations of the technology that is being used in innovative trials as part of the Monitor Farm Scotland programme.
“Earlier this year we applied to the Monitor Farm Innovation Fund for some innovative trials that will help improve the productivity and profitability of our business. These trials involve utilising technology including a Vetmarker and a drone that we are using to trial new approaches to reduce the labour requirement on farm and make our production more efficient.
“We were really keen to test how a drone can be used in a farming context particularly during early lambing. Although the livestock are still adjusting to the use of a drone, we’ve found it a useful tool to see if any sheep are stuck on their back or need extra attention. While we are still finding out how to fully utilise the technology, initial results look promising.
“The Vetmarker trials, in particular, have shown its potential to reduce the time we spend on sheep maintenance. It is only used for a short time each year, but was invaluable over those weeks and identified significant savings, and we’re pleased other members of the community group have also been able benefit from this equipment,” said Victoria Ballantyne.
Finally, the Ballantynes will also update the meeting on their lamb growth rates, lamb sale results and the weaning strategies they introduced this year before kicking off a discussion on farmers’ “Top Weaning Tips”.
Clynelish Farm is one of nine monitor farms established in Scotland as part of a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds with funding from the Scottish Government. The aim of the monitor farm programme is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.
The meeting at Clynelish farm on Tuesday 27 August is free to attend and open to all. It will begin at 11am, with coffee and registration from 10.30am. Lunch is included.
For catering purposes, anyone interested in attending the meeting should confirm their attendance with the facilitators Willie Budge or Cat MacGregor by phoning SAC Thurso on 01847 892602 or emailing fbsthurso@sac.co.uk.
The next Nithsdale Monitor Farm meeting on Wednesday 21 August will be a learning journey to Selkirk to visit Oakwood Mill farm and Bowhill Estate with both farms to highlight how collaboration has benefitted their businesses.
The first stop will be to see Giles Henry, of Oakwood Mill farm, where Mr Henry currently runs 72 spring-calving Luing cows, 50 yearling calves and 60 two-year-old steers, 17 of which Giles finishes for another farmer over 110-hectares.
Mr Henry will explain to attendees the benefits he has found from running a low-cost system that breeds, grows and finishes cattle outside on forage alone, using organically managed clover rich swards in a rotational grazing system.
“Since beginning rotational grazing in 2010, we’ve increased grass production by 30 per cent and increased the kg of beef produced per hectare by 25 per cent.
“This is the first year we’ve calved in fields, rather than on the hill. That involved us stocking paddocks with 18 to 20 cows straight into rotation, being moved on every third day.
“The main advantage from breeding, growing and finishing cattle outside has been the huge financial benefits from not having to house stock and buy in concentrate feed which has allowed us to invest the money saved on upgrading fencing and water troughs,” said Mr Henry.
The second stop on journey will be to Bowhill Estate, a 6,555 hectare mixed hill/upland farming enterprise where farm manager Sion Williams, and his team run the 530 herd premium Aberdeen Angus / Shorthorn X cows and 8100 hill/upland flock – a mixture of Blackface, South Country Cheviot, Aberfield X, Aberdales X, Pure Abermax and Primera.
Mr Williams will give attendees a tour of Bowhill Estate including the livestock housing and water system and explain their use of anaerobic digestate as an alternative to bagged fertiliser.
“We introduced anaerobic digestion to Bowhill in 2016 as a way to reduce costs. We put biodegradable materials such as poultry manure, cattle slurry and crops in a controlled environment where in the absence of oxygen, microbes break down the materials and produce digestate which is used a fertiliser and biogas which is used to generate renewable heat and energy,” said Mr Williams.
Mr Williams will also talk about sheep genetics and his involvement with the RamCompare project has helped him to make breeding decisions for his sheep flocks.
The meeting in Selkirk on Wednesday 21 August will begin at 10:30am at Oakwood Mill farm, with an aim to finish by 4:30pm at Bowhill Estate.
The Nithsdale monitor farm is one of nine monitor farms that have been established around Scotland in a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. The aim of the programme, which is funded by Scottish Government, is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.
To book your place please contact facilitator Judith Hutchison on 07718 919055 or email judith.agridigm@icloud.com.
The next Shetland monitor farm meeting on Saturday 17 August will focus on fighting fluke in livestock.
The meeting will start at Bigton Farm at 11:00am where key speaker Dr Philip Skuce from Moredun Research Institute will address the meeting on sustainable fluke control in Shetland.
Dr Skuce has a PhD in Parasitology and is a Principal Scientist at Moredun with research interests in the diagnosis and control of parasitic diseases in livestock, specifically roundworm and fluke infections and the detection and management of anthelmintic resistance. Dr Skuce sits on the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) working group and is the Knowledge Exchange Sector Lead for livestock within the Scottish Environment Food and Agriculture Research Institute.
‘’I am really looking forward to my first trip to Shetland and hearing farmers’ experiences with fluke first-hand. Fluke risk is a function of local geology, climatic conditions and farm management practices, some of which will be common to most sheep farms in Scotland, others will be unique to Shetland. I’m keen to explore local conditions and discuss best practice advice around sustainable fluke control,” said Dr Skuce.
Monitor farmers Kirsty and Aimee Budge, who farm at Bigton, are looking forward to welcoming the speakers and group back to the farm.
“We are really grateful that Dr Philip Skuce is travelling to Shetland to speak to the meeting about fluke as it’s something we have identified as a problem at Bigton, causing reduced performance in both our sheep and cattle enterprises” said Kirsty Budge.
“We, like lots of other farmers on Shetland, are keen to learn how best to control parasitic diseases in livestock. We’ve got three fantastic speakers for the meeting with Derek Hanton from SAC Consulting updating the meeting about the farm audit as well as calving and lambing figures, and Jim Tait from Shetland Vets will be presenting to the group on keds and lice.”
At the meeting on 17 August, Kirsty and Aimee Budge will also update the group on developments at Bigton including the barley trial plots and the grazing season.
The Shetland Monitor Farm is one of nine monitor farms that have been established around Scotland in a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. The aim of the programme, which is funded by Scottish Government, is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.
The meeting on Saturday 17 August, which is free to attend, and will begin at 11:00am with an aim to finish with a BBQ by 3:00pm.
To book your attendance (and lunch) please contact Graham Fraser, SAC Consulting Lerwick on 01595 693520 or email frbslerwick@sac.co.uk
Fodder beet offers many potential benefits to livestock producers in Scotland, the largest of which is the yield potential, which is larger than any other forage crop grown in the UK.
The high yield potential gives the crop the ability to be the cheapest forage per kg of dry matter, while the excellent nutrition gives it the ability to be the cheapest forage per mega joule of energy. Achieving the yield in a cost-effective manner is key to maximising the potential of the crop.
Monitor Farm Scotland is a joint initiative managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds with funding from the Scottish Government. The aim of the monitor farm programme is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.
Listen to the podcast here.
The Angus monitor farm community group will be heading south this week to share best practice in the arable and livestock sectors by visiting three local farms.
On Thursday the group will tour Prestonhall, Saughland and Barnside Farms to engage in farmer-to-farmer learning.
Starting at Prestonhall, attendees will meet with farmer Bill Gray to hear how he and fellow monitor farmer Peter Eccles integrated livestock into an arable system. They will also view the new grain shed – a significant investment – as well as discuss the cropping in the ground.
Next stop is at Saughland, courtesy of Peter Eccles. The group will be shown a flock of ewes which have been in the genetic spotlight as part of the monitor farm programme. There will also be an opportunity to see and compare the rotational grazing systems and learn why this farm has opted for a leader-follower grazing system.
The tour will culminate at Charley and Andrea Walker’s farm, Barnside, which is known for exceptional clover based rotational grazing and winning the AgriScot Sheep Farm of the Year in 2018.
During the visit, the group will be able to quiz the Walkers on how they manage a productive sheep and cattle farm combining low cost and simplicity, with a view to achieving a better work-life balance.
Angus Monitor Farmer Robert Stodart said: “With a packed agenda, this should be a really interesting meeting for the group with lots to take in. I’m particularly interested to hear from Charley and Andrea Walker on achieving a better work-life balance and discuss ways we can generate more time outside of work.”
Mill of Inverarity is part of the Monitor Farm Scotland initiative, managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds with funding from the Scottish Government. The aim of the monitor farm programme is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.
Groups will leave the SAC office at 77 North Street at Forfar at 7 am, heading for Prestonhall Farm. The event is free to attend and will, with lunch provided, but to assist with catering those who’d like to come should book a place by phoning SAC Consulting’s Stonehaven office (01569 762305) or emailing fbsstonehaven@sac.co.uk.
Preparing and managing change in the lead up to organic conversion at Whitriggs in 2020 will be the focus of the next Borders Monitor Farm meeting on Wednesday 31 July.
Whitriggs is a partnership between Robert and Lesley Mitchell and their son Stuart. The Mitchell’s run a herd of 170 suckler cows at their 442-hectare farm as well as a breeding herd of 300 red deer. Stuart took on the responsibility of the day to day decision making at Whitriggs last year and initiated the conversion to organic earlier this year.
“We put in our application in April with the two-year conversion to officially start in June 2020. It’s a long process to become organic, but we’re preparing for it and working closely with our agronomist and veterinarian to trial some ideas in the run-up year, and to ensure we meet all the requirements to be recognised as organic when the time comes,” said Stuart Mitchell.
A strong line up of speakers, including James Bretherton from Agscope Ltd and agronomist David Cairns, will offer insight into reviewing the barriers of organic conversion as well as tips on soil, grassland and weed management relevant to both conventional and organic farmers alike. It’s a big decision to convert to organic farming and good technical performance and careful planning are fundamental to profitable organic systems.
Cattle nutritionist and soil specialist James Bretherton from Agscope Ltd has been working alongside farmers for over 20 years to and will lead the discussion on improving soil health and the mutual benefits to livestock and profitability.
“It all starts in the soil. I encourage any farmer looking to find out how we can help our soils cope and ensure good grass supply to come along to the meeting,” said Mr Bretherton.
Finally, the Mitchells will give an update on how they have tightened their calving pattern and improved suckler cow management. Colin Penny of Zoetis will be on hand to discuss the practical requirements for successful synchronisation and artificial insemination programmes to improve conception rates.
Whitriggs is one of nine monitor farms established in Scotland as part of a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds with funding from the Scottish Government. The aim of the monitor farm programme is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.
The meeting on Wednesday 31 July will be held at Whitriggs farm, near Denholm, TD9 8QR and will begin with tea and coffee at 3:00pm. The meeting is expected to finish by 7:00pm with a BBQ dinner to follow. All are welcome and the event is free.
To reserve your place (and dinner!) please contact Stephen Young, one of the project facilitators, on 07502 339613 or email stephen.young@saos.coop.
Scandinavian spring barley variety Salome is now being grown on Monitor Farms across Scotland to see if it is a viable option for commercial use in the malting sector.
The variety, chosen for its early maturity, is being grown this year by monitor farmers in Angus, Lothian and Shetland, in order to compare its performance in different regions and climates. The farms will grow Salome alongside existing varieties, such as Laureate and Concerto, to compare grain and spirit yields.
Jamie Leslie, Chair of the Shetland Monitor Farm Management Group, said: “In Shetland we can grow decent crops of spring barley, our long summer daylight hours mean we can maximise growth during these months.
“However when autumn appears, harvest can be extremely frustrating with short damp days therefore crop maturity is of the upmost importance. These is no point in growing a record breaking crop if it won’t ripen and you can’t cut it.
“During a recent AHDB-sponsored study trip to Sweden I was extremely impressed with the trial plots of Salome that were on display, they stood out amongst many other varieties some of which were familiar to us in the UK. I was really keen to try it and I hope it exceeds my high expectations.”
AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager Chris Leslie said: “Maltsters, brewers and distillers are concerned about the long-term sustainability of the barley crop. Seasonal problems in many parts of Europe resulted in a restricted malting barley supply that has only just been alleviated by an above average harvest in Argentina. Within the UK, drought conditions resulted in reduced barley crop quality, with higher protein levels.
“This project aims to bridge the gap between research and end user with a much more considered growing regime to create a niche within the Scotch whisky industry.”
The project is funded through the Monitor Farm Scotland programme, funded by the Scottish Government, and due to the diverse locations of the farms involved there will be a series of ‘virtual agronomy’ sessions to support crop management.
Chris explains: “Salome should ripen a week earlier than current favoured spring barleys such as Laureate which means we expect to see an increase in vigour and earlier use of key fungicides.
“At these critical timings we will host a virtual agronomy seminar with all the farms involved in the trial. Using tablets and 4G, the hosts will be able to walk their fields while discussing their crop with the other farmers in different locations as well as agronomists from SAC Consulting and Scottish Agronomy.
“At a time when product registration is becoming increasingly difficult it allows us to see first-hand the potential of new varieties in different locations in Scotland.”
The project results will be shared after harvest.
Monitor Farm Scotland is a joint initiative managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. The aim of the programme, which is funded by Scottish Government, is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.
For more information listen to this recent podcast episode on the topic.
The next meeting of the Morayshire Monitor Farm on 9 July will focus on the spring and winter barley varieties the farm has been trialling.
Many of the trials are run by Syngenta and Katie Murray will be present to discuss how the crops have been managed, highlighting key traits of the varieties on farm, and their management requirements.
Monitor farmer Iain Green explains: “We won’t know until after harvest how these varieties will yield but we can get a good idea of how they are performing through looking at the green leaf, how many heads we are getting per square metre and how they have stood up to disease pressure.”
The group will also visit Iain’s continuous winter wheat at the Duffus site, exploring how continuous crops are grown and managed in Morayshire.
“We’ve grown continuous wheat at Duffus since 1987,” Iain explains. “It’s not something many people do but in the right conditions it does work. That area is ideal for growing wheat and every year it yields well, which is why I am not keen on breaking the cycle.”
Stewart Rothnie from Agrovista, who has advised Iain on his agronomy for over 30 years, will also be on-hand to answer questions and talk through his management advice.
Later in the day there will be a session on grain marketing led by GrainCo’s Charlie Birnie. He will go over how the world and domestic cereal market is performing currently and how this will affect trade in 2019 and 2020.
The final session will be a roundup of all the trials on the farm over the last year which include the use of the beef monitor system and the calving results from the pelvic measured heifers.
The day will end with a BBQ, so booking is essential.
Corskie Farm is one of nine monitor farms that have been established around Scotland in a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. The aim of the programme, which is funded by Scottish Government, is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.
The Monitor Farm meeting will take place on Corskie Farm, Garmouth, IV32 7NN, on Tuesday 9 July from 1.30pm – 4.30pm. The event is free of charge but please book a place by contacting Samantha Stewart by phone (01343 548 787) or email (samantha.stewart@sac.co.uk).
For more information about the monitor farm programme visit www.monitorfarms.co.uk.
Download the presentation, Fooder Beet in Scotland, by Kirsten Williams, SAC Consulting Beef and Sheep Consultant and Dr Alex Sinclair, SAC Conculting Senior Consultant.
Fodder beet offers many potential benefits to livestock producers in Scotland, the largest of which is the yield potential, which is larger than any other forage crop grown in the UK.
The high yield potential gives the crop the ability to be the cheapest forage per kg of dry matter, while the excellent nutrition gives it the ability to be the cheapest forage per mega joule of energy. Achieving the yield in a cost-effective manner is key to maximising the potential of the crop.
This webinar is part of a series that will be held as part of this farmer led action research project, funded through the Monitor Farm Scotland innovation pot, which is exploring ways to collate information and data on farming activities — in this case the growing of fodder beet.
To listen to the webinar recording, click here.