farmingscotland.com Issue 88 by farmingscotland.com

Farming Country Issue eighty-eight • November 2012 Win a week at the Colorado Cattle Ranch Agriscot on Farm Feature

New UK Sheep Shearing Record

Latest Tractor and Combine Ranges

World Ploughing Championships & Hall of Fame £2.00

EDITORIAL

Farming Country Issue eighty-eight • November 2012

4 5 6

News Rare Breeds Movers & Shakers

Sheep New UK Lamb Record Alex Results

S Eilidh MacPherson

Farming Country EDITOR: Eilidh MacPherson Marbrack Farm, Carsphairn, Castle Douglas, DG7 3TE Tel: 016444 60644 Mobile: 07977897867 editor@farmingscotland.com www.farmingscotland.com

cotland has had a fantastic sporting year, with Olympic success and Andy Murray on a winning streak. Scots have also excelled in Agricultural sporting circles, with Gavin Mutch the current World Sheep Shearing Champion. He has recently been joined by Andrew Mitchell, jnr, of Haughs of Ballinshoe, Forfar, who picked up the World Ploughing Championship Title for the second time. Read about the Mitchells on page 22. We have included a World Ploughing Hall of Fame, listing Conventional winners since 1953 and Reversible champions since the inception of that class since 1992. Kubota and John Deere are both sporting new tractor ranges on the machinery pages, alongside new additions to the Case IH combines for the 2013 season. Grassland specialist, Charlie Morgan from Wales has an informative column on the effect the wet season will have had on grassland and soils. With so much rain this past year both soil pH and the availablity

of nutrients have been radically affected. It is having a knock on effect for both arable and livestock farmers. Vets are finding cases of deficiencies in areas of the country where certain diseases have never been an issue before. It will pay to have soils tested and blood samples of livestock put under the microscope. The Colorado Cattle Company has put up a fantastic prize this month for the winner of the photographic competition – Horse Power – four legged or wheeled! The successful snapper will receive a six day riding holiday and tuition at the Ranch, for one person, valued at $2199.00. Flights are not included. Bookings are taken from May till October. The winner will be asked to take a photographic diary of their trip, which will be highlighted in a future issue. See pages 28-31 for feature and information. October has been an extremely busy month with tup sales across the country so looking forward to a week of calm before tupping starts!

New Entrant John Fyall

8 Dairy Agriscot 11 1 4 QMS Finishing 1 5 Beef Peebles MF 1 6 RHS Meet the RHS 1 7 New Directors 1 8 Arable Forage & 1 9 Soils, Potatoes

PUBLISHER - farmingscotland.com ADVERTISING – Eilidh MacPherson – 016444 60644 Cover - by De Laval

2 0 Machinery Ploughing Champs 2 5 Tractors & Combines

Text and photography by Eilidh MacPherson unless otherwise stated Page 7 -

John Fyall

Page 8 -

SAC

2 6 Young Farmers Lewis Harkness

Page 10-11 - Jenny Sutherland Page 12-13 - supplied Page 15 -

QMS

Page 16-17 - RHS Page 20-25 - Various Page 27 -

Rebecca Lee

Page 28 -

In the Saddle

Page 30 -

Competition

2 7 Rural Round -Up Photography 3 1 Recreation

NEWS

RARE BREEDS

ÂŁ4 800.00

Progress made in stopping decline of livestock genetic diversity

hile many countries are taking action to halt the erosion of livestock genetic resources, crucial for food and agriculture, a substantial gap remains that needs to be urgently addressed. Reports from 80 countries on the progress made in implementing the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources were presented at an international conference. The reports show that governments are beginning to put programmes into place to reverse the alarming decline in the numbers of indigenous livestock breeds. Representatives from almost 100 countries attended the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to review the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources. The Plan was adopted in 2007 with the objective of improving the management of the world's livestock biodiversity. "The encouraging news is that on average the countries that submitted reports have begun to implement about half the actions agreed under the Global Plan of Action ranging from conservation schemes to surveys of livestock numbers, to the development of policies and legal frameworks addressing livestock biodiversity," said Irene Hoffmann, Chief of FAO's Animal Genetic Resources Branch. But progress has been more marked in developed countries with many countries in Africa, the Near East and Latin America and the Caribbean still lagging behind. The Near East is regarded as one of the cradles of livestock diversity. It was here that several species,

including cattle, sheep, goats and dromedary camels, were first domesticated. Africa, with its diverse tropical and subtropical environments, is another important hotspot of diversity. Indigenous breeds are important in agriculture because they are adapted to often harsh local conditions, contain unique genetic material important for breeding programmes and are often a livelihood bastion for poor households because they are easier to keep than exotic breeds. In a world threatened by climate change, breeds that are resistant to drought, extreme heat or tropical diseases are of major potential importance. 22% of breeds at risk of extinction According to the latest available figures, about 22% of the world's livestock breeds are still classified as being at risk of extinction, although breed population figures are often unreported or out of date, making the true state of livestock diversity difficult to estimate.

Despite the generally limited amount of progress made in developing regions, the country reports indicate that some examples of more active implementation can be found in every region of the world. Reporting countries from Asia are relatively well advanced in establishing conservation schemes for their threatened breeds. In Africa and Latin America, pockets of national success are reported in almost all the priority areas of the Global Plan of Action. "There are about 45 countries that are preparing, or have already prepared, national strategies and action plans for their animal genetic resources, and about half of these are developing countries," said Hoffmann. Projects to be launched The Governments of Germany, Norway and Switzerland contributed more than $1 million to an FAO Trust Account to support the Global Plan of Action's implementation. FAO announced the first eight projects

involving 22 countries to improve the management of animal genetic resources. Countries of former Yugoslavia will join with Albania and Bulgaria to conserve the threatened Busha breed of cattle; Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda will collaborate in improving the management of their indigenous chicken genetic resources; Bolivia and Peru will work together to implement breeding projects for llamas; a regional project in the Southwest Pacific region will establish conservation centres for chickens and pigs in the Cook Islands, Fiji and Niue; Algeria and Morocco will collaborate in the conservation of the BĂŠni Guil sheep breed; and a project in the Gambia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal will investigate the impact of mobile livestock production on the management of genetic diversity. In addition, single-country projects will be implemented in Mozambique and Togo, focusing on cattle and chicken genetic resources respectively.

Be sure to pick up your December Issue of Farming Country published by farmingscotland.com; at your local newsagent, Co-op Store or at Tarff Valley, Dumfries. Packed with features, interviews, news and views from across Scotland and Northern England. Farming Country â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Issue eighty-eight

Cattle Boost LFA Environment

razing LFA land with cattle has clear environmental benefits PhD student Anne Richmond from Ballymoney told the annual Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development PhD seminar. Anne has been examining the ‘Environmental implications of livestock grazing on a range of LFA environments’ in a PhD research project part funded by NI farmers through AgriSearch, the province’s Agricultural R & D Council. Research of great interest as over 70% of Northern Ireland is designated as LFA. Results from this investigation demonstrate that excluding livestock from upland vegetation has potentially negative effects on biodiversity. Grazing cattle can also utilise vegetation on areas unfit for arable farming to produce protein rich food. The primary focus of Anne’s research has been to assess the environmental implications of grazing

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

beef cattle on semi-natural grassland and heath communities. Her research was carried out at Glenwherry Hill Farm and Carnlough in Co Antrim, Feeny, Co Londonderry and AFBI, Hillsborough, Co Down. A vegetation map for each of the sites was established and GPS trackers attached to the cattle to monitor their grazing behaviour. The conclusions from this study so far are: ∑ Growing beef cattle from either dairy or suckler origin beef may be used to control invasive grass species on degraded heathlands. ∑ Total methane emissions per animal for animals grazed on uplands are lower than those grazed on lowland, however their performance was also lower, in comparison to their lowland counterparts. ∑ Methane emissions per kg liveweight gain are 16% higher on the upland pasture compared to the lowland pasture.

SHEEP

SHEARING

Auzzies Win @ Alex New UK Lamb Record

nglish shearer Joel Barton has broken the UK's nine-hour lambshearing record with a little help from a lot of friends, including New Zealand shearer and instructor Chris Brears, who flew-in to lend a hand on the day. But Brears was far from being the only Kiwi influence, for after the record of 537 on Saturday (August 4) at Walter House Farm, Woodchurch, near Ashford in Kent, 26-year-old Barton also paid tribute to Hadfield Smith, who gave him his first stand at Mataura in 2005, and more recent bosses Willy McSkimming in the North Island and Darin Forde in the South. From Heathfield in East Sussex and shearing the standard five-run 5am-5pm day, Barton opened with 119 in the two hours to breakfast, and successive 1hr 45min runs of 110, 106, 102 and 100 to beat the previous record of 521, shorn at Knockrobin, Co Wexford, Ireland on August 27 last year by Roy Collier, who was on hand to watch his record fall. Many of the lambs were supplied by former British Wool Marketing Board chairman Frank Langrish and the attempt was overseen by British Isles Shearing Competitions Association (BISCA) officials: George Graham, from Ireland, Arwyn Jones,

Wales and Charles Fuggle, from East Sussex. His support team of about 15 people came from around the UK, with Brears making a special trip from New Zealand to act as coach and expertly prepare the shearing gear. Barton has been a fulltime shearer for seven years, traveling the globe to work each year in England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand, including last summer. He shears around 50,000 sheep a year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with a personal best on ewes of 470 in a day. He prepared for over a year, giving up alcohol, eating a strict diet and running or going to the gym after shearing. He said: "The idea is to shear at your maximum potential all day." Barton's first experience of shearing was as a student at Plumpton College and initial shearing instructor Phil Hart, a Lecturer in Agriculture at the college, was present to witness the record. A small crowd of friends, family and members of the farming community gathered to watch the event. The crowd cheered Joel on through the grueling last hour. There was a countdown to the 500th lamb, shorn at 4..22pm and the record fell with 15 minutes remaining on the clock.

est Australian shearer Damien Boyle won the New Zealand Merino finewool shearing championship for a third year in a row as the Shearing Sports New Zealand season opened in Alexandra at the beginning of October. He beat runner-up Chris Vickers, of Palmerston, by almost seven points, with seven points back to third placegetter Tony Coster, of Rakaia. Charlie O'Neill, who was first to finish, had to settle for fifth place overall. He shore the 12 sheep in 24min 26.05sec, heading next man off Boyle by over five seconds. Fourth was Mossburn contractor Mana Te Whata, the most successful shearer in the 51 years of the event with six wins (1987-90, 1993 and 1995) and sixth was Invercargill shearer Nathan Stratford, whose 2009 win was the last by a New Zealander. The result for Vickers was probably the best of his career, winning him a black singlet for the first test in the home-and-away transtasman series during the Romney Shears in Warrnambool, Vic., at the end of October. He joins Golden Shears champion John Kirkpatrick, of Napier and PGG Wrightson series winner Angus Moore of Ward, with Sheree Alabaster, of Taihape, and Rocky Hape-Taite, of Danevirke, lined-up for the woolhandling test. World woolhandling champion Joel Henare, of Gisborne who is back in the country after a stint in Australia, won his first New Zealand Merino Championships open title. He previously finished second twice. Cushla Abraham, of Masterton, was

runner-up in her first Open-class competition. Abraham's success was part of a unique weekend for Wairarapa competitors, with third-placed former event winner Tina Rimene third and another open-class newcomer Sharnie Graham, fourth, both also from Masterton. Kodi Hawkins, Martinborough, won the senior woolhandling final, while the senior shearing final also featured first-time seniors David Gordon and Ethan Pankhurst, also both from Masterton. Beefy Mataura shearer Brett Roberts started off what will probably be his last season before tackling the big guns of the Open class, winning the senior final in which he was first off the board in 18min 1sec, beating second-man-off Gordon by 16 s. But second-place, a remarakbale 19pts adrift, ultimately went to Tamehana Karauria, originally from Gisborne. The junior woolhandling final was won by Raylene Johnstone. Meanwhile, a New Zealand team of Stratford, Rakaia shearer Tony Coster and hometown merino king Colin O'Neill won the transtasman challenge against the Perth Show team of Boyle and brother Brendon, and Todd Wegner. O'Neill, shearing five sheep in 10min 11.75sec won the race for time honours by about seven seconds from Damian Boyle, who claimed best individual points in a test the Kiwis won by 16pts. The Open shearing event was the first round of this year's Wrightson PGG National, the second taking place at the New Zealand Spring Shears in Waimate.

FYALL’S FOCUS

BANKING

Change and Adaptability

by John Fyall

am sure I am not the only young business to find that the vagaries of farming and the restrictions on finance have meant adapting or relinquishing plans that seemed achievable. This time last year we had reduced the sheep, with other off farm duties going to earn more money than lambing and saving on seasonal grazing lets. In order to get back to 300 breeding sheep this year, 190 2nd draw, well bred ewe lambs were bought at Lairg to lamb in 2013. In actual fact, with a poor start to the growing season and an acceptance into organic conversion at home meant renting extra grazing for these lambs in 2012. And now, with feed prices looking high and a successful ewe found for Sittyton, we have sold the gimmers. We averaged £102 for 178, which were not pushed so a fair trade given a falling lamb price. Also, our store lambs have been selling well, with the last batch at £52 compared with a fat trade of £64 I am tempted to clear out all lambs remaining. We are happy now with the breeding ewes coming through. I keep some sheep for a moor under environmental schemes with the RSPB and little Shetlands are the order of the day. I thought to cross these with a down sheep to give a decent shaped ewe at Sittyton and to keep the wool cover on early lambs moved away from home we tried the Ryeland and Dorset. The Ryeland looked delightful, but is certainly not a cross which attracts store buyers in Aberdeenshire! The Dorset again was not appealing to store buyers but given its tremendous growth and the ability to hit 40kg by September off grass from a Shetland mother I would consider using it if fattening all my lambs. The Dorset x Shetland also gave a docile good sized ewe which can lamb at any time. The problem I had with both Ryland and Dorset was the welfare in icy snow. In my first winters in the farm the hairyness of the sheep was a big problem. Whereas the Shetlands are clean round the face and legs,

Ryeland/Dorsetx Shetland and Pure down Tups were gathering snowballs on their wool edges, causing cuts round the legs and an inability to forage. I am committed to native sires, but I thought the Dark skinned downs too heavy and the other white faced breeds lacked the weight gain and early maturity. Last year, to get better confirmation, but more importantly stick with easy care and clean skin we tried Logie tups, the composite breed now fixed by the family of another contributor to this magazine. The lambs were born with vigour and the ewe lambs have all reached a reasonable size to tup, which is another prerequisite. The ewe lambs will go back to the Logie for first lambing, then a terminal sire, so in future years I shall have Logie ewe lambs to sell or expand the home flock. I shall certainly not recommend the Logie sheep further though, as they were hard to buy this year and sold out quickly! Whilst I was keen to get more ground to keep sheep like this, and also lamb the Cheviots to the Logie, economics currently have meant selling the Cheviots and with a fraction of the proceeds we took a trip to Shetland to keep up the sheep numbers. (The North Country Cheviot will not be ruled out in future though and I hope there is a continued supply of these tight skinned sheep which are losing much bone and improving into easier lambers). More pure Shetlands were bought, which arrived in the luxurious transport containers at Aberdeen dockside, so only 11 miles of road transport from Lerwick Mart to Sittyton! On other fronts, two more pure Shorthorns came home from Stirling Sales, and hopefully the bull will be able to service them once they calf in spring. Glenisla Excuberant has served all cows without complaint, but has not enjoyed the wet weather and his picked up an infected foot, which we have treated and watch his

progress with baited breath as for a bull in his 9th year he is certainly a picture of health otherwise and a great testament to the breed. He doesn’t seem too bothered at his containment whilst the girls are outside though. The cows by this point are tidying up their grass but may have to move into a ewe flushing field if the stubbles are not ready. I have 20 acres of oat stubble, which are surrounded by fodder and were planned to winter the cows until housing in January. However, the stubble has not yet been created as the oats are only just ripe and will need some dry weather before a combine will venture onto the ground. If the reader recalls, I was using an earlier Scandinavian variety called Belinda; it was not sown until 5th May and neighbouring traditional varieties sown at the same time are certainly a few days behind it but it will not be a fair year to trial yield and growth. I only hope I can save some viable seed. The other worry is hosting a neighbourhood bonfire in that field before I move the cows in; will I have it cut and baled by Guy Fawkes night? All this will no longer be a concern for my banker, who is taking a surprise early retirement along with several long serving colleagues in my local branch. It is a worry trying to

convey ideas and establish faith when you are dealing with a call centre; I hope my new “relationship manager” can give me the service of the outgoer. And I do think it is daft that they call them ‘relationship managers’ instead of bank managers to convey personal attachment, then remove the persons you are attached to!! In the course of my work I find even high net worth individuals are struggling to get lending without significant profit to service loans. The industry is fairly bouyant, and boosted by the energy and forestry sectors, yet lenders are making it very difficult for those with good ideas and tangeable plans. At the recent new entrants summit we spoke with a lady who leads a very interesting establishment programme for New Entrants in Wales. I ventured that we were lucky negotiating with banks at current interest rates compared with when she started farming in the late 1970’s. She thought contrary; whilst you needed a strong constitution in 1977, the bank would throw money at you if you kept up with the interest, everyone wanted to back farmers. We need the banking industry to recognise that agriculture is a safe bet and whichever bank can put its money where its mouth is and give growing farming businesses the support they need will reap the benefits from a customer base that is appreciative and unswerving. And can I thank my outgoing “relationship manager” for a proper relationship, where his brave faith has been appreciated, I am only sorry he will not directly see the rewards of his bank’s investment.

DAIRY

AGRISCOT

Agriscot Top 20

he top twenty in the AgriScot Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year was been selected and the long leet threw up some newcomers as well as one or two herds, which have previously featured in the finals. Heather Wildman of DairyCo, this year’s assessor of the awards, which are sponsored by World Wide Sires said; “This was a most difficult task as all the figures presented were of a very high standard indicating excellent cow management and welfare. They demonstrate outstanding performance and are a credit to all concerned.” The awards, which have captured the imagination and support of the dairy industry in Scotland since their inception at AgriScot in 2009 are initially based on the presentation of background information to the assessor. The statistics include the performance details of all the dairy farms in Scotland that are better than their breed average in all the major categories that indicate efficiency including yield, age at first calving, calving index, somatic cell count, length of life within the herd and PLIs. The farms which have the best results in the major efficiency criteria form the top twenty finalists. The selection process is carried out anonymously so the assessor has no knowledge of the names or addresses of those involved. The next stage of the competition involved farm visits to a short leet of four finalists; A Colquhoun Ltd., Dendoldrum, Inverbervie, Aberdeenshire – 409 Holsteins Firm of Andrew Harvey, Drum Farm, Beeswing, Dumfries – 277 Holsteins, Alistair and Sheila Nelson, Redcroft, Castle Douglas – 173 Holsteins and T M Ralston and Son, East Drumlemble, Campbeltown – 200 Ayrshires. The top four consist of two previous winners A Colquhoun Ltd in 2009 and T M Ralston & Sons last year with Alistair and Sheila Nelson also in a previous top four. The Firm of Andrew Harvey is a newcomer to the top twenty. The top accolade will be announced and presentations made at AgriScot on Wednesday 21st. November at Ingliston.

Breed Ayrshire Jersey Hols Hols Hols Hols Ayrshire Hols/Ayr Hols Hols Hols Hols Ayr/Hols Hols Hols Ayrshire Hols Hols Hols Hols

Cows 189 283 224 512 409 533 118 312 343 277 122 240 225 173 122 200 184 148 230 314

Name M/S John Adamson & Son Alderston Farming R & L Barron M/S W A Campbell % Co A Colquhoun Ltd. Coopon Farms M/S R & R B Cunningham Mr Robert C Gemmell Hardgrove Farm Dfs. Ltd Firm of Andrew Harvey Mrs J C McLean M/S David & Brian McMiken Muirside Farms A Nelson T & C Owen M/S T M Ralston & Son M/S John Rome Firm of J B Sloan University of Edinburgh T & A W Wadsworth

Address Swaites Alderston Mains Darrahill Slagnaw Dendoldrum Coopon Carse West Mossgeil Brownfield Hardgrove Drum Farm Mains of Culsh Ernespie Muirside Redcroft Potstown East Drumlemble Kirkland Panlands Langhill Big Balcraig

Commenting Jack Lawson convenor of the awards said: “The efficiency standard set in the top twenty this year was the highest ever and the top four can only be described as phenomenal. I do not envy the task of the official assessor Heather Wildman to decide the top place once she has visited all four farms. “When you see average yields of over 11,000 kg., calving indexes well below 400 days, low cell counts and calving at 25 months with a large percent of the herd in their fifth lactation and over, these farms lead the world in animal welfare and efficiency and Scotland should be proud of the standard set.”

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

DAIRY

AYRSHIRES

No 1 Hit for Mull of Kintyre!

he famous Paul McCartney song is not the only high profile association to come from the Mull of Kintyre. The area's Cheddar Cheese is a hit around the world; it even has its own dedicated fan base on Facebook. The success of the cheddar is undoubtedly traced to the dozens of dairy farms in the region, who supply the creamery, based in Campbeltown. One such farm is also making a name for itself in its own right. East Drumlemble Farm was the winner of last year's prestigious AgriScot Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year Award and is currently in contention for this year's prize after being shortlisted to the top four. East Drumlemble also made it to the top 20 in 2010.

Owned and run by the Ralston Family, Willie, his wife, Catherine, and their two sons, Murray, 32, and Andrew, 34, East Drumlemble has contributed to Kintyre dairy farming since the early 1900s. The farm was first run by Willie's grandfather in 1908, before being purchased by his father, Tommy from the Duke of Argyll's Estate in 1953. Willie went into partnership with his father and his brother, John, in 1977, trading as TM Ralston and Sons. John has farmed at Kilkivan, a mile-up the road from East Drumlemble, with his wife Anne and son Thomas, since moving from another local farm in 1995. Both farms are, to this day, run in partnership between the brothers. Andrew, along with wife Diane and their young family, live at a neighbouring property, Dalivaddy, which was purchased in 2000, taking the family's area to around 320 acres and providing additional housing for youngstock. Stocking 200 milking Ayrshires plus followers, the total farm stock to date sits at 420 beasts. Producing approximately 7,500 litres per cow per year with 4.2% butter fat and 3.3% protein and a calving interval of 398-days, the farm is constantly looking to improve and prosper in what is becoming an increasingly difficult working environment for farmers. Four years ago the family updated their whole set-up, installing a new milking parlour and more recently creating a new silage pit to give their cows more cubicle accommodation in

the old pit. The feeding regime on the farm was also given an overhaul with all milking cows given total mixed ration, with no animals being fed in the milking parlour. Willie explained: “By moving to mixed ration feeding, we've seen improved performance in the cows and in the economy of feeding generally. We have also seen a notable difference in fertility rates, with the cows generally being more settled.” This winter’s ration is a mix of silage, wholecrop wheat and homegrown barley with protein concentrate and minerals. Breeding on the farm is a mix of mostly AI on the herd and the bottom 25% are inseminated with Belgian Blue and any resulting beef calves sold as store. Maiden heifers run with a home bred Ayrshire bull for ease of management as these cattle are housed at Dalivaddy. Also contributing to the success of the farm is the landscape in which it is situated. Famed for its flat rolling pastures and arable fields, Kintyre has more than 30 dairy farms across the region. “Dairy farming has always been strong in this area,” explained Willie. “We have the benefit here of the Gulf Stream, with milder weather. “In the past we've kept the beasts out late into the winter. Now we're lucky if we can keep them out until November 1st.' “We're on a relatively dry farm here with a mix of sandy/gravel soil – it's an area suited for dairy farming but the wet weather in recent years

has hindered us,” added Willie. “This year has been unfortunate for us as the cows are in early and our crop yields are down a bit.” Catherine added: “The pressure is now always on farmers to make the best out of every dry day. We did manage to get good silage this year, which has helped us with our feed stocks for the winter.” A common theme for most farmers in Argyll, is the cost of haulage for feed. “I suppose a negative to being in this part of the world is the rising cost of getting feed delivered, which is why we try, as far as possible, to use homegrown feed,” commented Willie.

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

FARM FACTS Farmers: TM Ralston & Son Willie & Catherine Ralston & their two sons Andrew & Murray Interviewing: Willie Ralston Farming: East Drumlemble Location: Campbeltown, Argyll Area:

320 acres owned

Cows:

200 Ayrshire cows

Milk:

average 7500 l/year 4.2% butterfat 3.3% protein 398 day calving interval

Crops:

try to grow as much of their winter feed as possible as transport costs high

Elevation:400 - 600 feet Soils:

mix of sandy/ gravel soil

Labour:

Family

And whilst the region's Cheddar Cheese is winning prize after prize, the Ralston family's attentions are turned to this year's AgriScot title. Last year's win was tinged with sadness for the family after the death of Willie's father the night before the awards. “It was a mix of emotions,” said Willie. “We are very proud to have won last year and to have been shortlisted the year before and then again this year.” “We don't show at National shows so to win feels like a reward and recognition for our day-to-day hard work,” he added. The family is no stranger to winning prizes after being presented with the First Milk Highlands and Islands Cheese Award 2011-2012 in recognition of their excellence in the quality of milk produced. With the awards only just around the corner, Willie is also gearing up for Kintyre to host the Ayrshire Cattle Society AGM and National Conference next year. The conference, which will be based around the area, will see more than 150-delegates visit farms from 16-18 May. “It will be really good publicity for not only our product, but for the area and the Ayrshire breed,” explained Willie. But for now the family will continue with the day-to-day running of their farm – waiting with eager anticipation to see how they fare in this year's awards. The winner will be announced on Wed November 21st.

As with all milk producers, Kintyre farmers are also feeling the effects of the fall of milk prices. Willie said: “The price we are paid hasn't risen in line with our costs. “Compared to the work put in and the costs involved in milk producing, we are just not seeing the rewards.” All milk produced in Kintyre is bought by First Milk, the main milk buyer for the area, and taken to Campbeltown Creamery; not a single drop is taken out of the region. “You can't buy a pint of Kintyre milk. It all goes to the creamery and it's nice to know that you are contributing to a successful local product,” explained Willie.

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

NEWS

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Cogent takes on Katreen

ogent has strengthened its specialist beef genetics team in Scotland with the appointment of Katreen Millar and Hugh Dunlop – both established and respected names in the beef industry – as breeding advisors to support its Signature Beef range. Katreen and Hugh will cover Northern/Central and Southern/ Central Scotland respectively in their roles supporting both pedigree and

commercial beef producers in their use of quality genetics. From a family farm near Stirling, Katreen will be well known to many in the Scottish beef sector having enjoyed numerous show successes including ‘Stockman of the Year’ at the Royal Highland Show in 2012. Katreen has her own pedigree Charolais herd under the Lakelady prefix, based at her parents’ (Iain and Rhona Millar) farm at Port of

Menteith. One of the highlights to date of her showing career was reserve senior champion with Lakelady Flint at Perth in February 2012. Katreen has been heavily involved in the Young Farmers Club movement from an early age, taking positions of responsibility including chairman of the SSS YFC. She has also found time for formal study, obtaining an HND in Agriculture at SAC Auchincruive.

Hugh Dunlop joins Cogent

ugh Dunlop will also be a familiar name to many in the beef industry having won at Smithfield four times and been overall champion at the Scottish Winter Fair on three occasions. Three of his Smithfield champions were bred at his home farm in Ayrshire, where he has built up his 130-cow suckler beef enterprise over the past 16 years. A former dairy farmer, Hugh has

25 years experience in DIY AI and has always bred entirely using AI in his own herd. Commenting on the appointments, Cogent Breeding beef sales manager Gareth Scott said that the move was a strong indication of the company’s commitment to supporting what is now an extensive offering of quality beef genetics. “We are fully committed to providing both pedigree and

commercial beef farmers with the necessary expertise and insight to make full use of the best genetics,” he says. “The addition of two new beef advisors of the calibre of Katreen and Hugh is a real boost for the Signature Beef team as a whole and should be particularly beneficial for beef producers in Scotland.” Hugh Dunlop can be contacted on 07921 216950, and Katreen Millar on 07880 186477.

Jim Fairlie – the New Face of Farming

ill sheep farmer Jim Fairlie of Kindrumpark is the new face of farming for Quality Meat Scotland. Jim, whose brother is noted chef – Andrew Fairlie – was (quite rightly) disgruntled that the main body for marketing Scottish meat was employing a model, portraying a ‘plastic image’ of Scottish farming. “There are plently farmers in the country capable of fronting campaigns to promote their own industry,” stated Jim.

To advertise in Farming Country please call 016444 60644

Houston moves from Feed Stocks to Livestock

AC graduate – Ian Houston – who has been working for the past five years, in the animal feed and nutrition sector, with the largest farmer owned co-operative in Scotland – Tarff Valley – is moving on. From 1st November, Ian will be employed by Wallets Marts, Castle Douglas in SW Scotland as a fieldsman. Farming in his own right at Gatehouse of Fleet, for the past three years and a stint as assistant farm manager for Smiths Gore, Ian

has plenty grass roots practical knowledge as well as the technical experience gained as a nutritionist. In spring 2009 Ian took on a 2200 acre hill farm, Grobdale of Girthton, which hadn’t been stocked for 5 years. Ian built up a Blackface flock, buying in breeding females from noted flocks such as Gass, Blackcraig, Greenside and The Glen. Tups came from the first three and Connachan and Dalchirla. Ian is also establishing a herd of

Galloway cattle, bringing in heifer calves, giving them a chance to become acclimatised to the Red Water – a tick borne disease, on the property. Long term, Ian would like to breed Blackface sheep that can look after themselves and finish off grass. He also strives to be able to sell some breeding stock in the future. Ian intends to continue running his farming operation while working full time for Wallets Marts.

NEWS

FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Lantra Launches Land-based Learner of the Year Awards

he Lantra Awards are one of the highlights of the land-based and aquaculture industries’ year as they recognise and reward achievement by individuals across the sector from game-keeping to horticulture, forestry, equine, aquaculture and agriculture. Lantra will be celebrating its 10th annual awards ceremony at Crieff Hydro on 28th November 2013, when all the usual individual awards will be presented, but next year will also include the inaugural Land-based School Project of the Year Award, which will reward the school which has delivered the best rural skills project during the year.

There are currently 43 schools in Scotland delivering a rural skills syllabus and many of them already nominate individuals for the existing Skills for Work Award. However, the independent panel of judges, chaired by Peter Alexander, Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie, felt that sometimes it was difficult for schools to single out individuals and they decided to recognise the achievement of the whole school and all the people involved in delivering some excellent projects, often with the help and input of local colleges. Peter said, “Young people are the future of our industry and often that spark is ignited at school, as judges

involved in land-based industries, we want to encourage them to pursue a career within this sector. The Lantra Land-based School Project of the Year Award will recognise the school which has delivered a meaningful rural project by implementing pupils’ ideas and skills. The judges will take into account how the project has or will benefit the participants, the school, the local community and the environment.” The Award has attracted a five year sponsorship deal from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS). The winning school will receive £500 to benefit the pupils involved in the project.

harity fund-raising activities during the recent Caithness and Sutherland Monitor Farm open day at Westfield Farm raised an impressive £2,000 for Macmillian Cancer Support. The event, which included an open stock-judging competition, judged by Arnott Coghill, Caithness NFUS Branch Chairman and Liam Gunn, Manager of Caithness Livestock Breeders attracted around 80 visitors to the 220-hectare farm, near Thurso. Donna MacLennan won, with runners-up James Sutherland and Stuart Mackay. Caithness District Young Farmers

Allan Murray, Chairman of RHASS, commented, “RHASS is delighted to lend its backing to the inaugural Schools Award which, we believe, will enhance the work undertaken by the Society to inspire innovation, excellence and achievement in agriculture and l and-based industries. We are confident that this award will provide an additional incentive for schools to embrace this learning opportunity and to deliver the aspirations of future generations." Nominations are currently being sought for all the Awards, including the new Schools Project and Willie Fergusson, National Director of Lantra Scotland, encouraged employers, training providers and schools to put forward their candidates before the 24 November deadline. Forms can be downloaded from www.lantra.co.uk

also held their summer stock-judging competition with the individual prize won by Stuart Mackay and the team honours taken by Halkirk A – John Anderson, Fiona Sinclair and Megan Bremner. RHET was on hand to keep the youngsters occupied – ‘milking’ a life-size model cow, making butter and crushing barley. Caithness District YFC also ran a treasure hunt, a vet workshop on sheep foot problems was run by local vet, Sinclair Manson, a sheep race and equipment demonstration followed by a charity auction, with John Bremner of ANM, rounded off the day.

Ceva

eva Animal Health has continued to expand its Large Animal team with the appointment of Stephenie Clarke as Marketing Manager. With extensive knowledge of bovine reproduction, Stephenie will be primarily responsible for progressing the company’s innovative Cevolution anti-infectives range as well as their cattle reproduction portfolio. Stephenie completed a PhD in

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

bovine ovarian function, after which she gained considerable sales and marketing experience in the life science industry. During this time Stephenie also achieved a Professional Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She said: “My new role gives me the opportunity to combine my specialist technical knowledge with my marketing experience. I am particularly looking forward to launching Ceva’s new Cevolution

range of anti-infectives and enhancing the ReprodAction campaign that uniquely encompasses all hormones for cattle fertility treatment.” Ceva has a comprehensive injectable anti-infectives range which includes Marbox®, Florkem® and Cevaxel® RTU and a full range of cattle hormones. For further information contact Ceva Animal Health Ltd, Unit 3, Anglo Office Park, White Lion Road, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 9FB, Tel +44 (0) 1494 781510.

MONITOR FARM

BEEF FINISHING

Options to Maximise Beef Finishing Efficiency

he impact of the escalating price of barley on already slim cattle finishing margins, was the main topic at the recent meeting of the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Moray and Nairn monitor farm. Monitor farmer, Robbie Newlands, who farms with his wife Kirsty and father, also Robbie, at Cluny, near Forres, intensively finishes all progeny from the spring calving, out-wintered, herd of 170, mainly British Blue cross Holsteins. All cows go to Charolais bulls. This year, bought-in replacement heifers ran with a Simmental bull instead of a Limousin. Male calves are kept entire. In addition to the cattle enterprise at Cluny, a 1,060 acre mixed LFA unit, there is a flock of 650 ewes and 150 acres of barley, plus 50 acres of forage crops. Calves receive ad-lib, bruised barley creep from early August until weaning. They are then housed in straw yards, where they receive an ad-lib, hopper-fed, barley, soya, minerals mix with hay/straw in ring feeders. All barley fed is home-grown but with the rising prices of seed, spray and particularly fertiliser, Robbie Newlands has seen his barley growing costs increase by 36%. QMS figures for the twelve months to end of April 2011 for “rearer finisher” enterprises, show that for the 21 enterprises costed, before subsidy payments, the average net margin was minus £140 per cow, with only two enterprises achieving a positive net margin. The Newlands’ enterprise compares well. With feed barley costed in at sale value, the running figures for the 2011 calf crop currently show a slight loss of £32 per cow. However, if the barley is costed in at production cost, the cattle net margin is positive. Of the 136 cattle, 59 bulls and 77 heifers from the 2011 calf crop finished prior to the meeting, bulls had averaged 435 days to slaughter, heifers averaged 421. Bulls averaged a DLWG, from birth, of just over 1.4 kgs with heifers just under 1.2 kgs. With the bulls which were born in 2012 “in the system”, the heifer calves offer more alternative options, which were thoroughly discussed by the community group. Discussions included the traditional cattle farmer custom of future store cattle price, crystal ball gazing. The group agreed that the 2012 switch to a Simmental bull for mating with replacement heifers created future opportunities to either retain some of the resulting Simmental cross heifers for breeding or sell them as

bulling heifers. As to the heifers born in 2012 which are mainly Charolais crosses with some Limousin-sired, numerous suggestions were made, including: • Selling them as stores at the end of March, freeing up covered accommodation for lambing in April. • Sell the best in the autumn and finish the remainder. • Finish at 20 – 22 months, off grass with troughed concentrates. This would reduce barley acreage by approximately 35 acres. • Keep with present intensive finishing system but take to heavier weights. Of the numerous options discussed at the meeting, Robbie favoured sticking to his present system, but keeping the heifers longer. From birth to slaughter, the heifers born in

2012 slaughtered to date, grossed an average income per head of £2.53/day. “I found with the heifers which have gone away recently, that although they looked “fat” when we received the abattoir sheets, they killed out leaner than they looked. So it seems we can take our type of heifers to higher weights without fear of them running overfat,” explained Mr Newlands. “To keep the heifers, say an extra 30 days, while they are still young enough to efficiently convert their food into meat, would earn more than it would cost. “But I will need to think things through, before any final decisions are made!” The meeting was also attended by New Zealand, South Island farmer, Matt Collins, who farms without subsidies. He has to base decisions

on the financial viability of his farming options. “The systems here look high cost in comparison to New Zealand, where there’s no wintering of stock under cover. We also need to work with bigger numbers, to spread our fixed costs,” he commented. Mr Collins runs a sheep enterprise, plus a breeding herd of Hereford and Aberdeen-Angus cows, mated with Charolais bulls. “Sheep have paid well over the last couple of years and the cows are merely used as a ‘clean-up tool’ for the sheep. The benchmark for grazing farms like mine is the dairy industry. Last year I didn’t take any store cattle through the winter. Had I done so, they would have earned around 8 cents (approx 4p) per kilo, whereas grazing dairy heifers over winter, earned 20 cents (approx 10p).

If you have any news or views or suggestions you would like included in Farming Country please either e-mail the editor at editor@farmingscotland.com or call EIlidh on 016444 60644 Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

MONITOR FARM

NEW FARM

First Peeblesshire Monitor Farmer Appointed

he couple who have been appointed the first monitor farmers for Peeblesshire are looking forward to introducing new ideas to the farm business to maximise the farm’s potential. Kate and Ed Rowell have farmed the 1800 acres Hundleshope Farm, three miles south of Peebles, for eight years and next month will host the first monitor farm meeting in the area. The couple run the beef and sheep farm in partnership with Mrs Rowell’s parents, Ann and John Brown, and are tenants of the Haystoun Estate, owned by Mrs Mary Coltman. Mrs Rowell is the fifth generation to have farmed on the estate, where her family have been tenants for almost 150 years. The pair, who have four children, run 75 suckler cows and 750 ewes on the property, which extends to 2200 feet above sea level. The spring-calving suckler herd, comprised of Limousin, British Blue and Simmental cross cows put to a Charolais bull, produces calves which are sold as stores through Lawrie and Symington at Lanark. The Rowells’ sheep enterprise is

comprised of 400 Scotch Mule and Texel cross ewes, which produce fat lambs and 350 Blackface ewes used to produce replacement ewe lambs and wethers. Around 60 acres of spring barley is grown and this is retained for feeding stock. Mrs Rowell, also a qualified vet, said the pair were inspired to get involved with the monitor farm programme when they heard former monitor farmer Rob Livesey speaking at a Peeblesshire Discussion Society meeting. “To us, it sounded a really positive opportunity. As a vet you have to undertake continuous professional development but in farming that doesn’t exist. Getting involved in the Monitor Farm project is a step in that direction though and hopefully it will give us an opportunity to run our business better,” said Mrs Rowell. Among the areas the couple hope to improve during the course of their three year term as Monitor Farmers is the performance of their hill sheep flock. “We have a very poor hill and we’d be open to any ideas to increase the

productivity of sheep on the hill. Ed’s also keen to look at improving the soil structure of the grassland,” she said. The pair are clearly open to new ideas and have been experimenting with growing chicory. “We don’t have figures to prove it yet but it definitely appears to be helping reduce the worm burden. We also enjoy comparing the performance of tups I’ve chosen using EBV (Estimated Breeding Value) figures with those Ed has selected by eye!” she added. Ian MacDougall, Technical Projects Manager with Quality Meat Scotland, which supports the Monitor Farm programme said: “We’re delighted to welcome Kate and Ed on board and I’m sure they will be first class Monitor Farmers. Two facilitators have been appointed to support the Peebleshire Monitor Farm – Chris McDonald and Jennifer Brown of SAC. The first meeting of the new Peeblesshire Monitor Farm will be held on November 7th. If you wish to attend please register your interest with Chris McDonald on 0131 535 3430, chris.mcdonald@sac.co.uk or Jennifer Brown on 01835 823322 at jennifer.brown@sac.co.uk

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

ROYAL HIGHLAND

NEW DIRECTORS

Kenneth Howie – Aberdeenshire

hen Ken Howie took over Cairnton at Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire 23 years ago the need to supplement the farm’s income quickly led to the establishment of what has grown into a major diversification into the leisure industry. Cairnton itself extends to 250 acres of grass plus a small amount of rented ground locally. The main focus of the agricultural enterprise is a well known pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd extending to 65 cows with all female calves kept as replacements or sold on both within the UK and to overseas destinations such as Estonia and Germany. The best of the bulls are kept for the tables of Ken’s busy restaurant and farm shop at nearby Dess, the central hub of the extensive 100-acre Deeside Activity Park, which offers a broad range of outdoor experiences such as quad biking, paintball, archery, karting and children’s play areas. The 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak was instrumental in accelerating the growth of the leisure

side of the business and ongoing development continues apace. Assisted by SRDP funding, carbon neutral holiday homes have been created as well as a rural business hub, which currently includes tenants such as a forestry consultant, IT company and animal feed company. Commenting on his involvement in the RHASS, Ken Howie said: “I have been a member for 30 years or more and have gone to nearly every Highland Show during that time, although we haven’t exhibited our Aberdeen Angus cattle for a number of years because June is a busy time of year for the activity park. “I was invited to become a director by fellow North East farmer Robert Maitland and was immediately convinced after attending my first meeting. It is something I really enjoy and I have met lots of interesting people during what is an exciting time for the Royal Highland Show.” For further information on Deeside Activity Park, visit www.deesideactivitypark.com

Andrew Bowie – Perth FARM FACTS Director: Andrew Bowie Living:

Easter Balado House

Location: Kinross, Perthshire Farmed: Airdrie Farm Location: Anstruther, Fife Area: Previously farmed 1100 acres in partnership with his brother Enterprises: Cereals, potatoes & beef Now:

Helps other farmers, works with horses, showing & stewarding

Wintering wanted for 100 Blackface Hoggs D&G, Ayrshire or Lanarkshire areas Please call 0779 201 2788

epresenting Perth and Kinross is Andrew Bowie from Easter Balado House near Kinross. Until 2010 Andrew farmed in partnership with his brother – Allan, NFU Scotland vice-president – at Airdrie Farm, Anstruther in Fife. The brothers were farming a total of 1100 acres between Airdrie and other

rented and contract-farming arrangements growing cereals and potatoes and finishing cattle. So whilst admitting retirement has been quite a change, Andrew now keeps busy helping out other farmers and enjoys being able to spend more time with his wife Mary and their four horses.

Meet the New Royal Highland Show Directors FARM FACTS Farmer:

Kenneth Howie

Farming: Cairnton Farm Location: Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire Area:

250 acres owned 100 + acres rented

Cattle:

65 Aberdeen Angus cows

Other:

Activity Centre includes: quad biking, archery, paintball, karting and play areas. More recently carbon neutral holiday homes and a rural business hub are more recent additions

Easter Balado is a sixty acre grass unit with a stable block, horse walker and all weather arena. Andrew said, “We’ve both been involved with horses from a young age and Mary has a real talent and dedication for producing show horses, so the facilities here are just what we need to prepare for the shows and competitions.” The couple are regular exhibitors at the Royal Highland Show and Andrew is usually showing or stewarding for at least three out of the four days. In 2011, he lifted the Supreme Championship in Hunters Under Saddle with Jenny’s Prince and in 2012 they reigned supreme again. Andrew commented; “To have achieved this once in a lifetime is great but to have done it twice is absolutely amazing and also very rare.” Andrew is delighted to have been asked to join the society as a director as he sees the opportunity as a great way to give something back. Commenting on the difficult conditions caused by the wet weather this year Andrew said, “Running a full show in the atrocious weather was a fantastic effort by everyone involved in the organisation, lets hope the sun comes out for 2013.”

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

ROYAL HIGHLAND

NEW DIRECTORS

Stewart Barr – Lothian

or Stewart Barr from Kirknewton, Lothian becoming a director of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland was a great way of cementing his involvement in his local show. Stewart’s base is the 600 acre Leyden Farm, which is supplemented by an additional 100 rented acres. The main thrust of the venture is finishing the mainly Limousin and British Blue offspring of the 100 strong herd of cows plus finishing bought in cattle. All cattle leaving the farm are sent to Scotbeef at Bridge of Allan. In addition are 300 Scotch Mule ewes lambing in April to Suffolk and Texel rams, with finished lambs sold through United Auctions at Stirling. A challenging year caused by late

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

sowing, the lack of a usual second cut of silage and a disappointing harvest of the 140 acres of crops resulting in less straw and cereals will see livestock numbers drop at Leyden this winter, where altitudes ranging from 600 to 1000 feet make crops marginal on this LFA farm. Like many other agricultural families, the Barrs decided to look at diversifying their enterprise and four wigwams opened their doors to the first “glamping” holidaymakers in May this year. The Hilly Cow Wigwams project is overseen by Stewart’s former school nurse wife Lesley and such has been the success of the venture in year one, that it is hoped further units can be added in the future. Commenting on his appointment as a director of the RHASS, Stewart Barr said: “I have been a member for about 25 years and was delighted to become a director in July of this year. “It is great to be involved in an important event which I am lucky to call my local show and which is the annual highlight of the farming calendar in Scotland.” For further information on Hilly Cow Wigwams, visit www.hillycowwigwams.co.uk

FARM FACTS Farmer:

Stewart Barr

Farming: Leyden Farm Location: Kirknewton Lothian Area:

600 acres owned 100 acres rented all LFA

Cattle:

100 suckler cows + bought in finishing cattle

Sheep:

300 Scotch Mule ewes covered by Suffolk & Texel rams

Crops: 140 acres Elevation: 600 - 1000 feet Education: HND in Agriculture from SAC Diversification: 4 wigwams on farm

Wintering wanted for 100 Blackface Hoggs D&G, Ayrshire or Lanarkshire areas Please call 0779 201 2788

ARABLE

FORAGE / SOILS

Barenburg Trio

Soils

2012

has been the wettest growing season for 100 years. It has challenged the sowing, establishment, growing and harvesting of all crops and to this end we as farmers have had no option but to damage our soils as we attempt to salvage the best we can. It is very tempting to try and correct the soil quickly. Under arable systems on lighter soils where ploughing is the option then this can be achievable, providing the damage is not below the plough depth. For grassland systems the issue is of greater concern. Do not be tempted to rush in to correct the damage. The most important consideration is always timing. If soil conditions are not suitable more harm than good will be the outcome. The first thing to establish is where in the soil profile does the damage appear and where is the deepest compacted area. This will determine the type of machine needed to correct the damage. With the continued wet weather the earliest chance of correcting the soil on grassland maybe next spring, but every farm and in fact field can be different. The soil booklets will state that the window of opportunity is either spring or autumn and this would be true on a “normal” season if one of those now exists. In reality the correct time is when the soil is soft enough to get the machine in the ground and then dry enough that the soil cracks and shatters at depth, rather than the legs or knives of the machine smearing the soil and capping off the holes made. The size of tractor and tyre pressure also plays its part. Good soil structure should contain 25% air so the soil has to be dry enough not to slump. The soil type will influence this with sandy and

by Charlie Morgan silty soils easier to correct than clay soils. Soil aeration is now a major talking point and poor soil structure can contribute to a significant economic loss to the business as well as significant environmental damage and water quality. However, it is also necessary to re-examine the drainage systems of many farms. Many of these drains are over 50 years of age and many considerably older. There is no point trying to aerate and improve soil structure if the drainage systems are unable to remove excess water. A good drainage system which filters soil particles and removes relatively clean water is economically and environmentally a far better option than surface runoff containing soil particles, nutrients and manures. When using a subsoiler type machine that penetrates to a possible depth of 30cm (12”) knowing where the drains are maybe important! A subsoiler not only improves soil structure but also cuts a channel, which acts as a simple drainage system. Therefore the direction of subsoiling is important. The subsoiling should take place angled across the slope to encourage the movement of water down the slope but not too quickly to cause erosion and nutrient loss. The window of opportunity for a machine such as this is much narrower than a set of knife aerators. A point to note this year is that where aerators have been used and runoff has been avoided, some fields have turned into bog like conditions. This is due to deeper compaction points such as plough pans, some which maybe historic. It is essential that a soil profile pit be dug to identify the lowest compaction zone before any machine is used otherwise serious damage can be done which will take a long time to repair.

he new 2012-13 grass and clover varieties for Scotland recommended list contains very good news for Barenbrug and Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). Of the seven new varieties added, three come from Barenbrug – Glenariff and Clanrye, from the AFBI breeding programme in Northern Ireland, and Katy, from the ABM programme in New Zealand. The recommended list has just been released by the Scottish Rural University College (SRUC), the successor organisation to Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), which has been testing grasses and producing its list for over 40 years. SRUC has been formed by combining the three rural colleges – Barony, Oatridge and Elmwood – with SAC. Glenariff is an intermediate heading diploid perennial ryegrass, with Spelga parentage, which has also been recommended in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. Glenariff is a very high-yielding variety, with growth balanced across the growing season. It is also a very high-quality variety, particularly in the second half of the year, when quality in swards often deteriorates due to re-heading. High digestibility is combined with excellent sward density and disease resistance, making it an ideal grass for use in cutting and grazing swards. Clanrye is a late-heading diploid perennial ryegrass, also recommended

by AFBI and HVG. It was bred by crossing Tyrella with Dutch varieties and is one of the top-yielding late-heading varieties. This yield is combined with superb forage quality, sward density and disease resistance. Both varieties have very good resistance to drechslera leaf spot, a disease that attacks grass in cool, wet conditions, leading to rejection by the grazing animal and increased vulnerability to winter kill. Both Clanrye and Glenariff were sown in 2011 in persistency and palatability trials on dairy farms in Cumbria. Large areas of the varieties were sown as pure swards as part of a normal re-seeded field and the swards are being assessed regularly to ensure they are palatable and that they will stand up to intensive dairy wear and tear. Initial results have confirmed that the two have distinct advantages over previous material and have withstood the added pressures from the abnormal season with flying colours. Katy is a large white clover with a leaf size slightly larger than Menna. It is a very high-yielding variety, giving one of the top yields as both a pure clover and when mixed with ryegrass. It is a very persistent variety, surviving well under both simulated cattle and sheep grazing and will make a significant contribution to Ensign White Clover blend when seed becomes available from the New Zealand harvest in 2013.

Full Productivity

ortheast Scotland farmer Neil Fettes is looking forward to a second year of full productivity from his fields in spite of this year’s challenging growing conditions after using Barenbrug forage grass seed. Pictured here are Agrovista agronomy adviser Neil’s ewes and lambs grazing on a field sown with Highlander multipurpose long-term ley earlier this June. Commenting on the mixture, which was sown in September 2011, Neil says: “The Highlander provided excellent establishment and plentiful grass for our April lambing-ewes stocked at six ewes plus lambs per acre.” With April’s unseasonably bad weather, Neil was stunned that his field was one of few in the region to not only survive, but thrive, in the “appalling” conditions. “The snow, rain and low temperatures reduced grass growth just as it was needed at lambing time,” he continues. “But in a spring where grass growth was extremely limited, we had grass when

most other fields stopped growing. Obviously getting new grass in there helped, but I believe the Moyola and Kilrea early perennial ryegrasses made all the difference. The ley has since supported sheep and cattle throughout the season.” Given the success of the Highlander, Neil also made the decision to reseed another field with Barenbrug’s Cut & Graze long-term ley with clover this August instead of undersowing spring barley, which he’d normally do. This will be cut for first-cut silage in June next year. “I wouldn’t usually sow a mixture like Cut & Graze at this time of year, but this seems like the better choice and will bring full production benefits with the lambs grazing it through winter,” he explains. “It is now more important than ever to get the best establishment and longevity out of the grass. By sowing in August, the Cut & Graze also reduced weed pressure during establishment and will provide some valuable sheep grazing over winter.”

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

ARABLE

POTATOES

Surge in Seed Potato Exports

Albert Bartlett hits US shelves at Walmart

Scottish potato producer is targeting growth in the US market, after partnering with supermarket giant Walmart to supply its Rooster brand of potatoes. The deal by Airdrie-based Albert Bartlett – which employs 700 full time staff in Scotland with further outreach to farmers and distributors around the UK – is the company’s first in the US market and will see the Albert Bartlett Rooster range being stocked in selected stores across Colorado and Georgia from October before being rolled out to stores in multiple states in 2013. The company announced details of the launch while taking part in a Scottish Development International trade mission to Chicago, led by the First Minister Alex Salmond and Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Lena Wilson. The First Minister said: “It is inspiring to see a long-standing, traditional Scottish company develop so confidently and dramatically in today’s market, where Scottish food and drink exports are booming. The Albert Bartlett Rooster brand has become very familiar to Scottish consumers and this deal with Walmart will now see the range take on a truly global scale. It is another example of a quality Scottish product being made available for all to enjoy and comes just after another successful Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight when we celebrate our natural larder.” John Hicks, VP Sales and Marketing, Albert Bartlett USA, said: “This is a very exciting time for Albert Bartlett, we have been working on the project for over four years, having received fantastic support from Walmart since our very early discussions we are now excited to see how the Walmart consumer responds and are confident that we can gain a strong and loyal following as we have done in the UK.”

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

Scott Dray, Director, ProduceWalmart, said: “It is always exciting to bring our customers something new, unique and quality, we have been excited by the Albert Bartlett product since first trying it in the UK and now having tested and sampled US produced product we are delighted by the consistency achieved. The taste profile of the product is fantastic and we are confident that if we can get our customers to try it once they will come back for more.” In preparation for launching into the US market, Albert Bartlett first introduced tissue culture from Scotland to North America back in 2008 and have been multiplying the seed of the Rooster variety over the past four years. Albert Bartlett’s innovative approach, which in effect has seen them export their intellectual property, enables them to produce the product in the US with local farmers and packers, bringing benefit to local economies. Working with their US partner MountainKing and other leading local US farmers, the company carried out extensive growing trials across the USA and based on the results focused initial production in Colorado and Idaho. Next year, the company plans to extend distribution across the US as it multiplies crop production and introduces new growing areas including California, Oregon and Washington. Albert Bartlett opened its first US office in Denver earlier this year to manage the launch and expansion of their activity in North America. The company is one of 11 companies participating in the trade mission to the US, which aims to raise the profile of Scottish food and drink companies in the US. Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “We’ve seen phenomenal growth of

he seed potato industry is on a high as Potato Council has announced another record year for seed exports, with this year’s figures surpassing 103,000 tonnes. “This year, despite the testing conditions experienced by growers, we have achieved another record for our exports of seed potatoes,” says Potato Council head of seed and export Rob Burns, who has recently returned from a successful Potato Europe. “Key areas of growth have been the North African countries and the Middle East, thanks in part to careful development of seed potatoes to ensure great results in varying climatic conditions. This is really exciting news as these markets are developing, and should show important growth in the coming years.” Mr Burns attributes the success to the professionalism of exporters, combined with Potato Council’s work with overseas governments to help smooth the path for international import conditions. Independent specialist advice from Mylnefield Research and from Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) plus support from the

Scottish government is also key to achieving a strong export position for varieties from GB. “Moreover, by establishing an important presence at targeted international events such as Potato Europe and Fruit Logistica, we are helping our exporters to enjoy a higher profile for a modest cost when they share the stand with us. At Potato Europe this year, we again achieved a significant increase in footfall on our stand, which will further help our exporters to build trade.” Potato Council assists importers and exporters by working closely with the authorities in importing countries, so importers can have confidence that their high quality seed potatoes will arrive in good time, adds Mr Burns. British seed potatoes are successfully produced for fresh and processed markets in countries as diverse as Egypt, South America and Asia. “Our success in the export markets is mainly due to a winning combination of professionalism, teamwork and offering the different markets what they need, with timely delivery assured,” he concluded.

Scottish food and drink exports with 60 per cent growth over the past five years. The US continues to be one of the biggest markets for Scottish companies – overall food and drink exports to the US increased by 30 per cent last year, with strong growth in the premium grocery market. “We’re working with more and more companies like Albert Bartlett and helping them to tap into the huge interest and enthusiasm by consumers around the world for the provenance of food and its heritage, origin and uniqueness.” Scottish Development International has supported Albert Bartlett in its international growth plans for several years, including helping them access new customers through attendance at a major international trade show. SDI will continue to work closely with Albert Bartlett both in Scotland and overseas, to support their continued international growth. Albert Bartlett is the UK’s leading fresh potato brand, supplying 20 per cent of the fresh potatoes in the retail market, supplying major retailers with own label, premium exclusive and branded products.

The Albert Bartlett deal follows the announcement by global company Sigma Aldrich recently that they are expanding their operations in Scotland, with the development of a new powder manufacturing facility on their Irvine site – supported by a £1.5 million grant from Scottish Enterprise. While in Chicago, the First Minister undertook a programme of business engagements and delivered a keynote speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and met city mayor Rahm Emanuel. He also played a major role in the handover ceremony at the close of play when he will received the Silver Putter, which denotes Scotland taking over the tournament preparations for Gleneagles 2014. One of the largest sporting events on the planet, the Ryder Cup is expected to inject £100m into the local and wider Scottish economy during the week of the tournament alone. In all, more than 250,000 spectators from all over the globe are expected to visit Gleneagles to watch the event, with millions more able to watch the action on television in more than 180 countries.

New John Deere 6M Series Tractors

vailable from December 2012, John Deere’s versatile 6M Series tractors provide more power, functionality and operator comfort than their 6030 Series predecessors, offering new levels of efficiency and performance from a standard tractor range. The newly styled 6M Series (see table below) includes tractors from 115hp to a new top of the range 170hp (EC 97/68), and a 140hp model featuring the highest power level yet from a John Deere four cylinder tractor. The existing 6130, 6230 and 6330 Standard Cab models from 85 to 105hp will remain in the range for 2013. John Deere 6M Series tractors feature a full-frame design, three wheelbase sizes, optional Triple Link Suspension (TLS) and an optional front axle brake to deliver maximum braking power with minimal pedal force.

Previous 6030 Series Standard model

The 6115M, 6125M, 6130M and 6140M models are equipped with Stage IIIB compliant 4.5-litre four cylinder PowerTech PVX engines, while the larger 6150M and 6170M are powered by Stage IIIB 6.8-litre six-cylinder PowerTech PVX engines – the same as the premium 6R Series tractors. All models feature a rated engine speed of 2100rpm (reduced from 2200rpm), a new cooling system and an increased fuel tank capacity of up to 405 litres. Using field proven technologies to meet the latest emissions standards, these fuel-efficient diesel-only engines feature exhaust gas recirculation

(EGR), a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) and an exhaust filter. This last component includes a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The enhanced cab offers numerous improvements, including a newly designed dashboard with an integrated onboard display to facilitate machine settings. The display can also be used as a performance monitor. The proven PowrQuad and AutoQuad Plus 40kph transmissions allow smooth gear changes on the move, assisted by a standard declutch button. Thanks to the newly available EcoShift mode, engine rpm is automatically reduced when reaching high speeds, thus improving the tractor’s fuel efficiency and further reducing noise levels. More power, faster response times, increased operator comfort and enhanced efficiency are provided by

the 6M Series’ improved hydraulic system. Four-cylinder models feature an 80 litre/min pressure compensated system, with the option to fit a 114 litre/min pressure and flow compensated version, which is fitted as standard to six-cylinder models. Other options designed to provide additional versatility and performance include larger tyre sizes of up to 2m diameter, an ex-factory front hitch and pto, and a choice of John Deere front loaders designed to match individual tractors. In addition, the optional iTEC Basic headland management system helps the operator to automate multiple functions simultaneously. John Deere 6M Series tractors can also be optionally fitted with GreenStar and ISOBUS ready wiring, to further improve productivity, and come fitted as standard with CESAR Datatag and integrated immobiliser systems.

New 6M Series model

6130 (85hp 4cyl)* 6230 6330 6430 6534 6630

(95hp 4cyl)* (105hp 4cyl)* (120hp 4cyl) (125hp 4cyl) (135hp 6cyl)

6830 (145hp 6cyl) 6930 (155hp 6cyl)

6115M 6125M 6130M 6140M

4cyl 4cyl 4cyl 4cyl

small-frame small-frame mid-frame mid-frame

6150M 6cyl mid-frame 6170M 6cyl large-frame

*Existing models remain in range for 2013

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

CASE IH adds to Combine for 2013

ase IH has unveiled new features on its latest Axial-Flow combines for 2013, including a redesigned cab and a folding auger with an industry exclusive pivoting spout option, helping to make these high-output machines even more productive. Guided by feedback from farmers and contractors, Case IH has taken the largest and quietest cab in the industry and made it even better. Customers can also upgrade to an advanced ‘Luxury’ cab. “Our new, redesigned cabin has advanced even further to set the industry standard in convenience, comfort and ergonomics and provides the operator with an office in the field,” says August von Eckardstein, marketing manager for Axial-Flow combines in Europe. New cab features A slim Multifunction Propulsion Handle puts all key controls within a finger’s reach and an upgraded right hand console with simple ergonomic controls and slide rail allows for adjustment of the AFS display, plus a

cup-holder. Convenient storage locations have been added throughout and feature brushed-chrome styling in the Luxury cab. Operators can keep in touch with an iPad or iPod connector and a co-drivers seat opens to reveal a portable electric refrigerator to keep food and drinks cool. The operator’s seat has been lowered and has more seat travel giving greater legroom while a red leather Luxury cab seat option provides greater comfort. The infinitely-adjustable steering wheel provides maximum visibility without impairing the cutterbar view. Air ride suspension is standard on all 30 Series combines, while a semi-active air suspension seat is optional. Unloading Made Simpler New auger options make on-the-go unloading more comfortable and safer with wide headers, including a new High Capacity folding 8.8m auger for the widest headers. The new 8.8 m auger option is fully cab controlled and folds out to 95 degrees for clear visibility when unloading, access to

the rear service deck is unaffected when folded and the auger is within the width of the combine side panels for easier transport and storage. The new industry-exclusive pivoting spout option is available for all High Capacity unloading auger lengths. The operator can accurately adjust the grain stream by simply using the controls on the propulsion handle to position the spout precisely instead of repositioning the entire tractor and grain trailer. The risk of the tractor and trailer spilling grain or coming into contact with the header is reduced and when laying straw swaths for baling, the tractor need not run on the rows. The electrically-controlled auger spout boosts harvest efficiency by allowing perfect grain trailer filling. The new spout moves the grain stream by approximately 60cm to 90cm, while also providing a spill-proof grain saver feature. When the unloading auger is disengaged, the spout automatically and quickly pivots upwards to prevent any grain from dribbling out. In addition to

this, it allows grain to be directed straight downwards to reduce wind-blow of light crop types. Powered grain tank covers, controlled from the cab, reduce downtime when preparing for transport or harvest. New Enhanced Chopper and Chaff Spreader Case IH chopper packages have been upgraded to include in-cab adjustment of the chopper counter knife bank with knife positions adjustable in four steps of 0% to 100% insertion. It is now possible to switch the combine from ‘chop’ to ‘swath’ in under a minute. No covers need to be opened and there is no need for the operator to work in the dust. If the emergency stop button on top of the multi-function handle is pressed, the counter knife bank will fully retract, providing an additional measure to protect the chopper and counter knife against foreign objects. Less need to reset the counterknives manually means chop quality and even spreading are maintained. An enhanced chaff spreader option, which includes in-cab adjustment of the spread distance and distribution is available. Efficient Power, Efficient Operation From the feeding system to the patented Case IH AFX rotor with its concentric rotor cage design, Axial-Flow combines continue to create smooth crop flow, improving throughput and putting more high-quality grain in the tank. “Case IH has been continuously improving the Axial-Flow with the AFX rotor and fuel-efficient Case IH FPT Tier 4 SCR engines, always setting the trend as a leader in harvesting,” says von Eckardstein. “Overall, the simple and reliable Axial-Flow design, with fewer moving parts, helps producers stay in the field over a wider range of crop conditions, helping protect both yields and quality.”

MACHINERY

PLOUGHING

Double Furrow Success for the Mitchells

ndrew Mitchell Jnr, of Haughs of Ballinshoe, Forfar, recently picked up the World Ploughing Championship Title for the second time. His win in the Conventional Ploughing section came in the Croatian town of Biograd na Moru and it repeated his previous World Championship title six years ago in Ireland when he was just aged 17. He was ploughing with a Ford tractor/Dowdeswell plough combination and was marked well ahead of his nearest challenger, Ireland’s Eamon Tracey. Andrew is employeed as a New Holland specialist with Agricar in Forfar. Like father, like son, Andrew Mitchell senior has also been twice World Champion, in 1997 and 2011, both his successes coming in the reversible section. However, he took reserve position this year in the Reversable Championships at the World Champs a few points behind the winner, Frenchman Yves Thievon. It is the third time he has been runner up, making him placed either first or second five years out of the last six. Andrew Junior won at his first attempt taking out the Overall Champion title at his first match at Alyth in 2002 at the tender age of 13. Father’s exploits have no doubt inspired young Andrew and the pair go into great detail on ploughing matters spending many hours in their workshop doing modifications and maintenance on their tractors and ploughs. It is not only his father that encourages Andrew but his mother Joyce is also on hand as support for both men if any thing is needed to be sorted out or organised when they are on their rigs. Both use Ford New Holland tractors that are equipped with four wheel drive and extra spool valve capacity for the myriad of controls needed to adjust a match plough. Young Andrew’s tractor a 1995 Ford 5030 has a power adjusted land wheel fitted too allow for quick wheel width changes when closing out a finish. There is also a large steel box on the front end that carries spares and acts as extra ballast for front wheel grip. At the rear of the cab is a large bank of spool valve controls for

the many adjustments needed to produce a top job. Both also use light green Dowdswell ploughs that are certainly not standard. Indeed young Andrew’s plough was once the reversible his father won the 1994

Year 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992

title with. Now it has been converted to a conventional plough with extra wheels to carry the weight and give an even wheel track over the soil. All this engineering is second nature to Andrew who is Service Manager for Agricar at Laurencekirk after serving an apprenticeship with the spanners. His father is also

Champion Reversible Yves Thievon, France Andrew Mitchell Snr, Scotland Fabien Landré, France Roel Cuijvers, Belgium Andrew Mitchell Snr, Scotland Simon Witty, England Simon Witty, England Simon Witty, England Simon Witty, England James Witty, England Anders Göransson-Frick, Sweden Freddy Bohr, France John Hill, England Christoph Hess, Switzerland Graeme Witty, England Andrew Mitchell Snr, Scotland David Carnegie, Scotland Willi Zollinger, Switzerland Hans Frei, Switzerland John Hill, England John Hill, England

involved in agriculture and their busy work commitments make taking part in matches very difficult. To such an extent young Andrew only does around four local matches a year just in Angus and the Mearns. This level of ploughing doesn’t come cheap and both competitors were grateful for the sponsorship they received.

Runner-up Reversible Andrew Mitchell, jnr, Scotland David Wright, N Ireland Thomas Cochrane, N Ireland Andrew Mitchell Snr, Scotland Yves Thievon, France Andrew Mitchell Snr, Scotland Fabien Landré, France Ove Gedsø, Denmark Thomas Cochrane, N Ireland Kris 't Seyen, Belgium William Morrison, Scotland Kris 't Seyen, Belgium Peter Ulrich, Switzerland John Hill, England Willi Zollinger, Switzerland John Hill, England Peter Waters, England Odd Braut, Norway Willi Zollinger, Switzerland Willi Zollinger, Switzerland Willi Zollinger, Switzerland

World Ploughing Champions since 1953 Year 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953

Town/Host Biograd, Croatia Lindevad, Sweden Methven, New Zealand Moravske Toplice, Slovenia Grafenegg, Austria Kaunas, Lithuania Tullow, Co. Carlow, Republic of Ireland Prague, Czech Republic Limavady, Northern Ireland Guelph, Ontario, Canada Bellechasse, Switzerland Eskjaer, Skive, Denmark Lincoln, England Pomacle, France Altheim, Germany Geelong, Australia Oak Park, Carlow, Republic of Ireland Egerton, Njoro, Kenya Outram, Dunedin, New Zealand Vastraby Gard, Helsingborg, Sweden Albacete, Spain Limavady, Northern Ireland Zeewolde, Netherlands Kleppe, Norway Amana, Iowa, U.S.A. Marchfield, Austria Olds, Alberta, Canada Sdr. Naeraa, Funen, Denmark Horncastle, Lincolnshire, Great Britain Harare, Zimbabwe Tasmania, Australia Wexford, Republic Of Ireland Christchurch, New Zealand Limavady, Northern Ireland Wickstandt, near Friedberg, Germany Flevohof, Biddinghuizen, Netherlands Bjertorp, Vara, Sweden Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Helsinki, Finland Wexford, Republic of Ireland Mankato, Minnesota, U.S.A. Tauton, Somerset, England Horsens, Denmark Belgrade, Yugoslavia Salisbury, Rhodesia Christchurch, New Zealand No world Contest Ringerike, Norway Fuchsenbigl, Near Vienna, Austria Caledon, Ontario, Canada Dronten, Netherlands Grignon, Paris, France Tor Mancina, Roma, Italy Armoy, Antrim, Northern Ireland Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany Peebles, Ohio, U.S.A. Shillingford, Oxford, England Uppsala, Sweden Killarney, Republic of Ireland Cobourg, Ontario, Canada

Champion Conventional

Runner-up Conventional

Andrew Mitchell, jnr, Scotland Christian Lanz, Austria Bruce Redmond, New Zealand Werner Eder, Austria Samual Gill, Northern Ireland David Gill, Northern Ireland Andrew B. Mitchell jnr, Scotland Bernard Altmann, Austria Peter Lanz, Austria David Wright, Northern Ireland Martin Kirnstedter, Austria Henry Thegen, Denmark Henry Thegen, Denmark Martin Kehoe, Republic of Ireland Bernhard Altmann, Austria Thomas Cochrane, N Ireland Jens Iversen, Denmark Martin Kehoe, Rep of Ireland Martin Kehoe, Rep of Ireland Helga Wielander, Austria Graeme Witty, England Ulrik Olsson, Sweden Graeme Witty, Great Britain Daniel Herleer, Belgium Graeme Witty, Great Britain Karl Altmann, Austria Desmond Wright, N Ireland Niels Balle, Denmark Desmond Wright, N Ireland Hermann Altmann, Austria Ian Miller, New Zealand Alan J. Wallace, New Zealand Vivian E. Samuel, Great Britain Robert Wieser, Austria Karl Olov Hedstad, Sweden Franz Rainer, Austria Hermann Altmann, Austria Gunnar Herleth, Norway Carl-Johan Holmstrom, Finland Paavo Tuominen, Finland Willi Flatnitzer, Austria Peter Oveergaard, Denmark Leif Jac. Huser, Norway Flemming Thyssen, Denmark Marinus Schoonen, Netherlands G Johansson, Sweden/P Tuominen, F

Eamon Tracey, Rep. of Ireland Bengt Andersson, Sweden Andrew Mitchell Jr, Scotland John Tracey, Rep. of Ireland Bernhard Altmann, Austria Andrew Mitchell Jr, Scotland Peter Lanz, Austria John Tracey, Rep. of Ireland Evan Watkin, Wales Evan Watkin, Wales John Tracey, Rep. of Ireland Harald Gadermayr, Austria Andrew L. Morrison, Scotland Georg Menitz, Austria David Wright, N Ireland Roger Jordan, New Zealand Desmond Wright, N Ireland Ole L. Pedersen, Denmark Matti Tanila, Finland Josef Gadermayer, Austria Dorinus Schoonen, Netherlands Bengt Andersson, Sweden John Hill, Great Britain Graeme Witty, Great Britain Helge Nielsen, Denmark John Hill, Great Brittain Kees Breure, Netherlands Desmond Wright, N Ireland Bjarne M. Nielsen, Denmark Bjarne M. Nielsen, Denmark Elvery Hunt, new Zealand Sievert Jansson, Sweden John Tracey, Rep of Ireland Josef Liszt, Austria Vivian E. Samuel, Great Britain Paavo Tommiska, Finland Alfred Eder, Autstria Ruud Hermus, Netherlands J Tracey,Ire /C Timbers, Canada John Tracey, Rep. of Ireland Mads Bakken, Norway Alan Wallace, New Zealand James Murphy, Rep. of Ireland Peter Anderson, Australia Adolf Preuss, Germany Jens Kristensen, Denmark

Eero Raultaianen, Finland Charles Keegan, Rep of Ireland Yngve Mansson, Sweden Hans O. Sylling, Norway William Dixon, Canada John A. Gwillian, Great Britain W. Lawrence McMillan, N Ireland T. Leslie Goodwin, Great Britain William de Lint, Netherlands Hugh B. Barr, Northern Ireland Hugh B. Barr, Northern Ireland Hugh B. Barr, Northern Ireland James Eccles, Canada

Fritz Krieglmeyer, Germany Eero Aalto, Finland Eero Raultianen, Finland Eero Aalto, Finland Alan Magson, New Zealand Arne Braut, Norway Charles Bonney, Canada W. Lawrence McMillan, N Ireland John Mason, Great Britain Arne Braut, Norway Ivan McLaughlin, Canada Leslie Dixon, Great Britain Odd Braut, Norway

MACHINERY

KUBOTA

Kubota Unleash M-GX Tractor Range

The new Kubota M-GX tractor range showcases more than 50 years of expertise in tractor innovation. Providing higher levels of practicality and reliability, with clean fuel-efficient performance and a more spacious cab, the M-GX deliver an excellent solution for arable farmers, contractors and demanding mixed farming enterprises. The M110GX delivers109.5 net HP and the M135GX 135 net HP - maximum performance with outstanding economy and low emissions. The advanced, direct injection (E-CDIS) 4 valves per cylinder, common-rail engines are fully electronically controlled. Euro Stage IIIB compliance is achieved through a combination of the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) to reduce engine emissions. Using Kubota’s proven engineering, alongside the latest emission control techniques, gives busy operators the peace of mind that reliability and economy will remain optimised in especially demanding periods such as harvest. “With these latest developments, Kubota has taken its respected farm tractor range to a new level that will help farmers become more productive and efficient.” says General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Dave Roberts. “The new M110GX and M135GX are a clear indication of the growing strength of Kubota in the UK agricultural market, and we are confident that their advanced features will be well received by the arable sector as well as by mixed farming enterprises and contractors.” Using multi-stage fuel injection provides optimal fuel injection process timing and precise injection pressure to enhance power and torque while keeping fuel consumption to a minimum. The result is smooth responsive performance with low fuel consumption, reduced noise and vibration. Engine design also features a powerful Waste Gate System turbocharger, for impressive lugging and power recovery. Equipped with Kubota’s new ‘IntelliShift’ transmission, the M-GX provides eight power shift speeds with three ranges to give a total of 24 forward and 24 reverse speeds. This

offers precise shifting with minimal shift shock and power loss. Power and range shifting can be achieved with a single lever or push-button control, eliminating the need to use the clutch pedal and offering fatigue-free operation throughout the range.. Two convenient upshift/downshift buttons found on the shift lever as well as on the right-side armrest give easy eightstep power shifts. The M-GX range features ‘Auto Mode’ to enable automatic shifting to maximise performance under varying load or terrain. In Travel mode, the gears will be adjusted depending on road conditions and amount of acceleration; uphill and downhill. In Field mode, a downshift of two gears occurs once the three-point linkage has been raised. Field mode also minimises falls in PTO revolution when

the PTO switch is engaged. At the press of a button, operators can use RPM dual memory to save up to two frequently used engine RPM settings, for example for heavy cultivations, changing direction or making turns, without having to adjust the throttle. To keep the engine revolutions constant, in order to prevent the engine rpm falling in challenging working conditions and ensuring consistent operation, there’s ‘Work Cruise’. Used in conjunction with the transmission’s ‘Auto Mode’ feature, ‘Work Cruise’ makes using PTO-driven implements such as powered cultivators much more efficient. The M-GX has a long wheelbase to provide outstanding straight-line stability and pulling power, yet it offers the manoeuvrability and versatility of more compact tractors using Kubota’s

unique Bi-Speed Turn steering system. Bi-Speed is a standard feature that enables the tractor to turn quickly and smoothly, even in narrow or confined spaces, with little damage to the ground surface. The M-GX models can achieve a turning circle of only 4 metres! A brand new three-stage Front Suspension System with Auto Lock is available on the M135GX. This enhances ride quality and performance on challenging tasks such as road speed haulage, a vital element of harvest operations as well as increasing driver productivity when working on hard or rutted ground during crop establishment and husbandry. Suspension stiffness can be adjusted manually or automatically in three stages (Firm/Normal/Soft) or locked to best meet the operator’s needs. Routine maintenance is made easier as the sliding, louvreless-type, AC condenser and condenser protective screen can be easily removed. The flat surface of the battery and tray also boosts serviceability. A new one-piece hood fully opens for easier access to the engine for maintenance. The hood is also slanted to increase visibility. Kubota’s Front Loader is integral to the design of the M-GX, with the Right Console Lever located to enable the operator to remain constantly aware of tip end conditions. The loader provides dramatically increased lifting power, up to 2.2 tonnes; capacity with simple joystick control; Euro8 quick hitch; 3rd function valve and Kubota’s shockless ride that reduces loader shock and operator fatigue.

ARABLE

Jazz it Up!

lways hotly contested, the judging for ‘Britains Tastiest apple’ took place on Wednesday 17th October 2012 at The National Fruit Show. The winner was decided by a panel of six judges, Adrian Barlow CEO English Apples and Pears Ltd, Dr. Debbie Rees, Reader in Plant Physiology at the National Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Peter Checkley Kent Top Fruit Grower, Peter Barwick former Orchard and Nursery Manager Blackmoor Estates, Karen Thurston, Research Assistant East Malling Research and Doreen Spiking of Empire World Trade fruit marketeers. The panel tasted a total of 66 fruits the entries coming from the competition fruit entered in classes 3 to 11 and Class 18 which include all of the commercial produced varieties from across the UK.

APPLES

Rubens has won the top spot for the past two years, something, which has proved to be an excellent marketing tool and many felt that it would be hard to knock off the top spot. It was by some considerable margin that Jazz was declared the 2012 Tastiest Apple. Rubens took second, third and fourth place. The winning apple was grown by Chandler and Dunn from a farm near Canterbury in Kent. Whilst it took the coveted accolade of ‘Tastiest’ the fruit itself was awarded second place in its own class with an impressive 96 points out of 100; not only was this example of Jazz being tasty but also technically it was near perfect. Clive Chandler received his prize money sponsored by The Fruit Grower magazine at the prize giving on Thursday by Society President, The Rt. Hon. Michael Jack and Society Chair Sarah Calcutt.

www.farmingscotland.com

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

YOUNG FARMERS

LEWIS HARKNESS

FARM FACTS Farmer:

Lewis Harkness

Farm:

Netherhall Farm

Location: Kirkmahoe, Dumfries & Galloway Area:

400 acres owned

Cattle:

Suckler cow herd, sell off spring as stores

Sheep:

Pedigree Suffolks, Blackface & Scotch Mule Ewes, sell all lambs fat

Other Income: Sheep shearing & crutching YFC:

Lower Nithsdale

Achievements: Scottish Junior Shearer of the Year 2012 In top 20 BBC Young Farmer of the Year 2012 Won Hard Rock Challenge – 10 mile run in conjunction with friend who cycled 16m Won Champion & Reserve with Suffolks at Lesmahagow Show & Reserve Champ at Club Show

Lewis Harkness – Farmer, Shearer and Sportsman

ower Nithsdale Young Farmer – Lewis Harkness – is on a winning streak this year. The newly turned 21-year old has just been awarded the Scottish Junior Circuit Shearer of the Year. Lewis won the Junior class at both the Royal Highland Show and Lochearnhead Shears. He came in third place at the South of Scotland Shears at the Barony College; as he was beaten by two young Welsh shearers, he was first Scot and gained the full points. With two wins and a ‘first Scot’ at the first three competitions, Lewis didn’t travel to the Black Isle to compete as he already had enough points to win. Lewis, who farms 400 acres in Dumfriesshire in partnership with his aunt, has been sheep shearing for the past three years. Initially he worked for George Brough, but for the past two summer seasons he has shorn with Charollais sheep breeder, Alan Kennedy, Parkgate. Lewis is kept busy through six months of the off season crutching at Dumfries and Castle Douglas markets each week and sometimes at Lanark. This keen young shearer will be moving up a level to shear in the Intermediate section in the 2013 competition circuit. “Having won the Junior at Lochearnhead Shears, I was put in a Scottish Junior team to compete

against Ireland – one Junior and one Intermediate shearers. The Irish won, but we travel to the Balmoral Show next year for the second test. We’ll both be Intermediate shearers then and will be competing against the first and second placed Juniors, so hopefully we’ll have the upper hand this year.” Earlier in the year Lewis was nominated for the BBC Young Farmer of the Year and made it into the top 20. The initial stages included a couple of trips down to Manchester for interviews and a written paper. “The final four all seemed to be in for diversification projects on their farms,” stated Lewis. At home on the family sheep and beef farm Lewis runs a herd of suckler cows which are split into spring calvers and backend calvers. All offspring are sold store through Dumfries market. The backend calves are sold at 12 months and the spring calves are kept till 17 months old. On the sheep front Lewis has a flock of pedigree Suffolks, Blackfaces and Scotch Mules. All non breeding lambs are sold fat through Dumfries. This year Lewis has also been successful in the show ring with his Suffolks, taking out both Champion and Reserve titles at Lesmahagow Show with a ewe. He also lifted

Reserve spot at the Suffolk Club Show and won classes at Ayr and Dumfries. When he’s not busy on farm, this competitive young man attends Lower Nithsdale Young Farmers Club and has enjoyed competing in sheep dressing and sheep shearing at National Level and more recently cattle dressing competitions at West Area. Last season he won the Junior sheep shearing at Club level, qualified at Lesmahagow for the Highland Show and was third in the Young Farmer Section at the Highland. The YF competition is open to any class of shearer, as long as they are a member and under 26, so coming third as a Junior shearer was commendable. Away from farming circles, Lewis finds time to compete at running events and last weekend was triumphant in the Hard Rock Challenger. Lewis ran the 10 miles in just over an hour, while his friend completed the 16 mile cycle. They won the event in 2008, were second in 2009 and second again this year. “I’ve always enjoyed running, it’s something I’ve just been good at,”

admitted Lewis, who said he can sprint too, but prefers long distance. While he was still at school he ran three times at the Scottish Nationals. Like many young sheep shearers, Lewis would love the opportunity to travel to New Zealand to shear, but as the main man on the family farm he feels he cannot up sticks and head off. When Lewis was just a boy, his father climbed a ladder to check how much feed was in a feed bin. He fell off the ladder and has never been able to work again. It shows just how dangerous a farm yard can be and how a simple task can end in tradegy. Recent Health and Safety figures state that a farmer is four times as likely to die on the farm than in a car accident. Figures for Scotland tend to be higher than the rest of the UK. The Harkness family must be very proud of Lewis, who from an early age has had a lot of responsiblity but is making a resounding success of the farm and everything that he does. I personally think the BBC missed out on a shining example of a Young Farmer, who aims to progress in his farming and shearing fields.

Clipping & Shearing Blades Sharpened

All Machines and Spares Supplied

Coorie Doon, Bridgend Road, Wandel, Abington, Biggar, ML12 6RR Tel/Fax: 01864 502485 Mob: 07718 911 181

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

RURAL ROUND-UP

Stags & Hens Farmed at Craigluscar

FARM FACTS Farmer:

RECREATION

John, Margaret & son John Graham

Farming: Craigluscar Farm Location: by Dunfermline, Fife Area:

600 acres owned

Sheep:

350 Derbyshire Gritstone ewes +100 replacement ewe hoggs

Elevation: 500 - 750ft above sea level Diversification: Craigluscar Activities

IN THE SHED 18 Yamaha Grizzly Quads 4 Hovercrafts 1 Hagglund BV20G Snowcat 1 John Deere 6506 Tractor 1 Shooting trailer 2 Grass Toppers

f you’re looking for guaranteed excitement on a family day out or a wee adrenaline rush during time spent with friends and don’t have the resources or inclination to make it to Disney then Craigluscar Activity Centre, near Dunfermline offers all this from John and Margaret Graham’s family farm in Fife. Have you ever fancied flying a Hovercraft? Craigluscar is one of the few places where you can float on air and navigate the craft all by yourself – it’s a test of handling ability and loads of fun. If you’ve got a flat field or shallow water and friends to entertain, you can book up to four of the crafts to come to you. Quad biking is taken to another level here; with 600 upland acres including 300 acres of grass and rough grazing and the remainder established woodland planted with Spruce, Larch and hardwoods, the hill provides perfect terrain for the quads. An experience covers 11 miles with the highlight being the 360 degree view from 750 ft – you can see the Wallace Monument and the iconic Forth Road and Rail Bridges. A customer review on Trip Advisor sums it up well, “Breath-taking.” Clay pigeon shooting, tractor driving and more recently a Swedish snow machine complete the current offering at the centre, which is run by John and Margaret and their son, also John, with help from five part-time instructors. It was John senior who dipped his toe into this diversification project back in 1985 inviting friends to try

Farming Country – Issue eighty-eight

by Fiona Turnbull out the shooting; it wasn’t long until local hotels were sending groups of paying guests. A few years later the farm bought its first farm bike, a trike actually purchased for going round the sheep. Friends and visitors were fascinated and keen to jump on making John realise that he could add this as an attraction. John snr said; “We’ve developed the business to include activities you can’t find elsewhere in Scotland, we were one of the first centres to open, there were no grants available at the time, so we just listened to our customers and developed it one step at a time. On a busy weekend we can now arrange activities for up to 70 people each day. The customers come from all walks of life, families with older children enjoy being able to do an activity together, all the activities build confidence as they are instructor led and most of all, they’re fun!” Farming continues alongside the activities, although there are no cattle or Clydesdales anymore as they didn’t mix well with the visitors. A flock of 350 Derbyshire Gritstones live in harmony with all the happenings on the farm. The Derbyshire Gritstones were introduced in the early seventies, at the time the EU was threatening to ban horned sheep so John senior looked into alternative polled hill breeds and brought back the initial Gritstones from Huddersfield. He has since discovered the breed are very hardy and easy to work with and

he breeds some pure to produce replacements and the remainder go to a Blue-faced Leicester or Texel sire. The first draw of lambs are finished and the remainder are sold store through Caledonian Marts in Stirling. The ewes lamb outside in April and May and they are so accustomed to the quad bikes that the treks up the hill continue to take place throughout the lambing season. John commented, “At lambing time we don’t have to stop any activities, if a ewe needs assistance we’re on hand and it’s actually a highlight for our customers if they see a lamb being born. Many folk have never witnessed an animal giving birth in front of them so they love if we need to make a diversion for a delivery.” With the flat areas being used for the hovercrafts and sunny summer days bringing in the peak numbers of visitors, there are no spare fields or time to make hay so they buy in enough bales for the sheep from neighbouring farmers. In fact the only farm machinery is the John Deere tractor, dump trailer and a topper. The John Deere 6506 is an attraction in itself, with tractor driving proving to be rapidly growing in popularity. “This summer we welcomed a 21 year old girl from Irvine, when she was a child she loved tractors and as she grew up she continued to pester her Dad, asking if she could have a tractor of her own. It seems he couldn’t afford the hefty price tag of a new machine but did want to make her dream come true in a small way

so he brought her here and she learned how to drive the John Deere She was ecstatic and so was her Dad, who had saved a small fortune – we try to keep our prices affordable so that everyone can enjoy a new experience,” shared John senior. John junior has recently returned home after 11 years working full time for an agricultural contractor although he has always been involved at weekends and evenings. One of his first projects is to thin the woodland, which has been established for more than twenty years and he’s also involved in the construction of a purpose built shooting range, planned to open in the New Year. The site is already cleared for the 25m building, which may attract a local shooting club but will also be used for shooting and archery to widen the experiences available. John jnr said, “Our corporate customers return year after year, so it’s beneficial to be providing additional experiences for these loyal clients. The trend to turn a Stag or Hen party into a weekend of celebrating has taken off over the last few years and we’ve linked in with event management companies who plan the whole weekend and bring the parties out to Craigluscar. It’s great to be part of this, we always offer hot drinks and shortbread in the log cabin for their arrival and departure and when they leave many customers shake our hands and thank us all. When they go home on a high from their experiences, we know we’ve done our job well.”

RURAL ROUND-UP

RECREATION

Holiday – In the Saddle

f you are looking for an unforgettable Christmas gift this festive season consider treating that special someone to a present that combines his or her passion for horses, with a once in a lifetime experience. In The Saddle specialise in horseback holidays at destinations all across the globe, from European getaways and short breaks to equestrian escapades on the other side of the world. With a holiday to suit every rider’s abilities, taste and sense of adventure, booking an equestrian trip for a loved one offers a unique and inspiring gift that no horse lover could be disappointed with. For the equine enthusiast who is conscious of their purse strings, the Campania Relaxed Ride in Italy provides breathtaking scenery, exhilarating riding and beautiful accommodation, all at a great price. Set on a delightful hilltop farm in I Moresani, south of Naples, the Campania Relaxed Ride combines early morning rides with relaxed afternoons by the pool and delicious Italian cuisine. Priced from £534 per person, the Campania Relaxed Ride offers the trip of a lifetime at an affordable price. For the equestrian adventurer, Montana’s Bonanza Creek provides the perfect destination to embrace

any rider’s inner Cowgirl or Cowboy! Experience ‘Big Sky’ country at Bonanza Creek and discover what life is like on a real working cattle ranch. Enjoy hearty meals, stay in beautiful log cabins and ride along wooded mountainsides, through vast meadows and past crystal clear lakes. Priced from £1250 per person, Bonanza Creek allows riders to experience the thrill of ranch life on beautiful, responsive horses.

For the horse rider who has everything, a trip to the Sacred Valley Ride in Peru would simply take their breath away. Nestled between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley Ride takes travellers through the spectacular landscape of the Andes, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, deep blue lagoons and ancient lost cities. The Peruvian Paso horses are known as the Cadillacs amongst horses, with their ‘paso llano

gait’ that allows you to cover the ground in a comfortable four beat lateral pace. Priced from £2677 per person, a trip to the Sacred Valley Ride in Peru will prove unforgettable for all the right reasons. In The Saddle can advise on the perfect riding holiday to suit your budget and requirements this Christmas. Seek gift inspiration by visiting www.inthesaddle.com or call 01299 272 997.

RURAL ROUND-UP

COMPETITION

Your Chance For a Holiday – Cowboy Style farmingscotland.com is delighted to offer it’s readers a chance to win a holiday of a lifetime kindly donated by the Colorado Cattle Company a Six Day Riding Holiday If you would like a monthly subscription to Farming Country so it is delivered to your door every month please fill out the form below and send a cheque for £40 to: Farming Country Subs, farmingscotland.com, Marbrack Farm, Carsphairn, Castle Douglas, DG73TE Name:

December Competition ‘HORSE POWER’ First Prize Winner Receives: Six Day Riding Holiday worth $2199.00 e-mail entries to editor@farmingscotland.com by 19th November 2012 You can enter as many photos as you wish.

Address:

Date of first copy required:

To advertise in Farming Country please call 016444 60644

Photography Competition October Winners

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Hard at Work Ist prize winner October Issue – Leanne Betram, Moffat, with her wonderful photo of her son hard at work! Leanne wins a £70 voucher from Craigluscar Activities, featured on page 31 2nd prize winner – wins a cookery book, apron & beanie hat from QMS Sarah Hunter, Farr, Inverness 3rd prize winner – wins a cookery book, apron & beanie hat from QMS 3rd Neil Thomson, Greenlaw, Borders for his ‘Men at Work’ photo – recognise anyone?

his month we are looking for photographs for ‘Horse Power’ – four legged or wheeled! If you have any top shots e-mail them to editor@farmingscotland.com by the 19th November to be in with a chance to win. The winning photographs will be printed in the December issue of Farming Country, with the best three or four receiving a prize from the sponsors below. First prize for December receives a six day riding holiday for one courtesy of the Colorado Cattle Company, worth $2199 (flights not included). The judge’s decision is final and there will be no cash alternative. The winner will be required to take a photo diary while on holiday, which will be featured in a future edition of Farming Country. Second place wins a years subcription to Farming Country and third and fourth will be sent an apron and cookery book and a beannie hat from Quality Meat Scotland.

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