Farmers share best methods
Eighty farmers turned out for the inaugural Ayrshire monitor farm gathering.
The host was 27- year- old John Howie of Girtride Farm, near Dundonald.
Girtridge is one of nine new monitor farms being established in Scotland as part of a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds with funding from the Scottish Government.
The idea is to share best practice and try to avoid pitfalls.
The 346 acre farm is run as a partnership involving John, his mother Margaret and his sister Mary, who also own another 86 acres of grazing nearby.
The main farm enterprise is buying in around 200 store cattle each year and finishing them for sale direct to local abattoirs but the family also have a herd of 10 suckler cows.
The farm also runs 140 cross ewes, producing Suffolk and Texel prime lambs that are mainly sold through Ayr market.
John Howie said he was really looking forward to seeing his business improve its efficiency during the three- year monitor farm project and to sharing what he learns along the way with others.
He added: “I like to be open to new ideas and I’m looking forward to hearing the thoughts of others about what we might look at doing differently.”
Farmers who want to attend future summits can cotnact Raymond Crerar or Carol- Anne Warnock at SAC Consulting Ayr on 01292 525148.