Pitgaveny opens gates to give visitors better understanding

The launch was held at the 3,000- acre Pitgaveny Farms, near Elgin.

It held an open day on Sunday and welcomed 2,000 visitors keen to learn more about its farming operations, conservation work and the equipment used both from themodern era and past times. Farm manager Martin Birse said it had been a tremendous day showcasing the industry and in giving consumers and their children a better understanding of agriculture. Attendance was well upon the 800 who visited last year.

The farm also hosted200 second-year pupils yesterday from Elgin Academy, which has an annual farm- ers’ market project in school. It was instigated by Mr Birse and the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative.

Pitgaveny has 800 acres in permanent organic production. It has joint ventures with Turriff-based farmer Philip Benzie to grow carrots and potatoes f or processor Albert Bartlett and grows oats for Banff-based miller Hamlyns of Scotland. It supplies winter feed in the shape of oats, barley and beans to a local organic dairy farmer and also has a breeding flock of 500 ewes, the lambs from which are finished and sold to Portlethen’s McIntosh Donald for Tesco and Rhinds of Elgin for Sainsbury’s. There is also a small herd of Aberdeen- Angus cattle, the beef from which also goes to McIntosh Donald.

Conventional production at Pitgaveny includes potatoes, carrots, malting barley, winter wheat for distilling, oilseed rape and a herd of 220suckler cows. Bull calves from these are finished on winter barley and peas, while the heifers are all sold privately for breeding.