The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Host farm for next Stock Tech event unveiled
RNAS: Dunscroft, near Huntly, will see grass seed varieties and machinery for silage assessed
An extensive livestock enterprise near Huntly has been unveiled as the host for the next Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS) technical event.
The RNAS Stock Tech event, which takes place on June 6 2018, will be staged at Dunscroft, near Huntly, courtesy of the Innes family.
It is the latest in a succession of successful on-farm events held by the RNAS over the past 30 years, covering beef, grassland, arable and countryside activities.
The event will cover all aspects of grass and forage management, and its utilisation for beef and sheep production. It will include a particular focus on grass seed varieties and the various pieces of machinery used for silage making.
In preparation for next year’s event, 240 square metre plots have already been sown with different varieties of perennial grass, ryegrass and red and white clover.
The seed has been sourced from three seed houses – DLF, Germinal and Barrenbrug.
Visitors will be able to assess how successful each variety has been at next year’s event.
RNAS said machinery companies were also being encouraged to mount practical demonstrations at the event, and a number had already indicated their intention to be present.
Event chairman John Gordon, of Wellheads, Huntly, has been supervising the sowing of the grass seed plots with fellow RNAS director George Duncan of Agri Solutions of Alford.
Mr Gordon said: “We are delighted with the response from the seed houses and machinery companies which should make for really interesting practical demonstrations of interest to livestock farmers.
“The opportunity of seeing grassland machinery in action – but not harvesters for health and safety reasons – will also be welcomed by visitors to the event.”
He said three main sponsors had already been confirmed for the event – ABP UK, Harbro and Yara – and RNAS is actively seeking other sponsors.
Most of the activities at Stock Tech will take place at Brawlandknowes, which adjoins Dunscroft.
The two farms, which are both run by the Innes family, extend to a total of 4,400 acres.
They carry 800 suckler cows and 750 ewes, including the family’s renowned flocks of pedigree Suffolk and Texel sheep, which regularly command high prices at auction as well as championship rosettes at shows.
Mr Gordon said: “The high standard of management of the present generation of the Innes family – Jim and his sons, James and George – is widely recognised and we are confident the reputation of the farm will ensure a huge turnout for farmers for the event.”