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