Farmland outside Dundee on the market

A parcel of productive farmland has come on to the market on the outskirts of Dundee.

West Denside, which extends to approximately 355 acres (143ha) near the village of Monikie, has been the lifelong home of producer John Steven.

Purchased by John’s father Robert during the 1930s, the south-facing unit has supported both arable and livestock production under the family’s management over the last 80 years.

“It will be a very big wrench to leave the farm,” said John.

“It has been a very hard decision, but it’s time for me to retire and as my children have all forged successful careers away from agriculture there’s no clear path of succession for the farm within the family.”

Although he uses the land on a purely arable basis, with around 90 acres of wheat and 150 acres of malting barley in the ground and lets for potatoes, swedes and broccoli, the unit was run in tandem – until 2015 – with a successful suckler herd system.

“I had around 80 Simmental cross cows and calved to Charolais bulls, with progeny sold on as yearling stores, and also bought in suckler calves to over winter, so the farm is set up well for a mixed enterprise.”

To equip the arable side of the business, the farm also has an ambient potato store, a combine shed and straw store, silage pit and grain store.

The ring-fenced block, serviced by a series of internal tracks, is predominantly designated as Grade 3 (1) by the James Hutton Institute.