Charles Abel • Chairman’s Tour
Magnificent Borders “For success, attitude is equally as important as ability” Sir Walter Scott
“The will to do, the soul to dare” Sir Walter Scott
Cutting-edge farming efficiency, innovation, Club fellowship and culture characterised a fascinating Club tour to Scotland’s Borders region. Charles Abel reports THE Scottish Borders region around Kelso provided a stunning backdrop for the 2021 Chairman’s Tour, hosted by Keith and Grace Redpath. It proved to be a very welcome return to more normal Club activity after the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic. From some of the most technically progressive farming in the UK to artisanal honey production the Borders Tour was packed with insight, and a host of cultural interludes, including the stunning Floors Castle near Kelso, Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House near Melrose and a gala dinner in the Victorian Conservatory of the fabulous Schloss Roxburghe Hotel. Home for our stay was the classically-styled Ednam House Hotel, with a glorious lawn overlooking Kelso’s wonderful River Tweed – perfect for winding-down over a glass of chilled fizz following a busy day investigating the local area. With members joining the tour from all parts of the UK, including several former Club chairmen, the conversation flowed freely as the Borders revealed some of Britain’s best farming and cultural gems.
06 • The Farmers Club Winter 2021
Farming efficiency For a glimpse into the future of super-efficient combinable crop production it would be hard to beat Colin McGregor’s Coldstream Mains in the Tweed Valley. Gleaming Quad-Tracs seemed to pop out from behind every hedge, while three huge Claas Lexion combines dominated an immaculate yard ready to get back to barley harvesting duty, while two giant Agrifac Condor self-propelled sprayers demonstrate the latest spraying technology to minimise environmental pressures and boost crop performance. The ethos is simple – “we’re in a service industry and a professional service is what our clients expect, and it what they get,” said Colin. Harnessing the best technology through a meticulously managed farming operation based around in-house expertise, has seen the business grow to almost 3500ha (8600 acres), with a reputation for superbly managed contract farming agreements (see p8). Further evidence of the rich innovation agenda in Borders farming was shared by Kelso-native Angus Armstrong, Chief Executive of Produce Investments, which includes major potato packer Greenvale at Craigswalls, Borders, and businesses supplying daffodils, Jersey Royals, and Alzheimerslowing drug galantamine (see p9).
