Eco innovations on show at technical event

Sustainable farming the focus of AgriTech info event in Huntly

Sustainable farming will be the focus of an innovative, new-style on-farm technical event, Eco AgriTech, being held next Wednesday by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society at Knock Farm, Huntly, courtesy of host farmers, Roger and Beth Polson.

The event will run from noon onwards and visitors will have the opportunity throughout the afternoon of following a designated route to walk round the 1100acre organic farm at their leisure.

They will be able to spend time at any of the 10 information stations en route where experts from SRUC/SAC, James Hutton Institute, Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage, Soil Association Scotland, AA Carrots, Sopa, Sepa and Farming and Water Scotland will be on hand to discuss all aspects of land use and sustainable management.

Transport will be provided for the less able.

“It will be an interesting and informative opportunity for all farmers to consider alternative farming and land management systems which may become increasingly relevant in our changing world,” said Mr Polson.

“Although Knock has been managed as a mixed organic unit since 2006, the event is not about the way we farm but rather we are providing a venue where others can convey their ideas and messages about ecologically-based and sustainable alternatives to conventional ways of farming.”

The information stations will cover subjects including soil health, forestry, legumes and mixed crop trials (e.g. peas and barley), protein crops (the farm is one of five taking part in UK trials to develop protein crops for low ROBBIE NEWLANDS input systems), organic vegetable production, drainage, diffuse pollution grazing management, improving the efficiency of beef production systems, the use of chicory and other herbs in grazing mixtures, increasing lamb output, animal health planning, the importance of genomics, natural capital, bugs and wild flowers and slug control.

RNAS past president, Robbie Newlands said the open day will be of interest to all farmers wishing to farm in a more sustainable way for the future and not just organic farmers.

“We all have something to learn from the way Knock is farmed and the open day will provide a great opportunity for farmers to see which elements they might be able to incorporate into their own farming system to reduce costs and ensure a sustainable future,” said Mr Newlands.

Former NFU Scotland president, John Kinnaird, who is one of the Scottish Government’s “agricultural champions” will give a talk entitled Change and Profitability at 1.30pm and again at 4.00pm and there will be a Question Time-style panel at 6.30pm.

The panel members will be Mr Kinnaird, SRUC principal and chief executive, Prof Wayne Powell, Scottish Natural Heritage policy adviser, Dr Maria de la Torre, James Hutton Institute head of ecological sciences, Dr Helaina Black, East Lothian former organic farmer, John Hamilton, and conventional farmer, Peter Chapman, Jun, South Redbog, Strichen.

Entry is £10 and the event qualifies farmers for two NRoSO points. Catering facilities will be provided throughout the day with a barbecue before the evening discussion.

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The open day will provide a great opportunity for farmers to see which elements they might be able to incorporate into their own system.