A new on-farm series of events is set to highlight how productivity and environmental measures can go hand-in-hand to improve outlooks for livestock farmers.
Hosted by beef and sheep specialists from SAC Consulting – part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) – the aptly named “Graze Up” debate events will showcase real-life, commercial examples of environment and productivity synergies.
Wider project
The events are part of a project led by SAC’s Poppy Frater and Lesley Wylie, funded through the Scottish Government University Innovation Fund, to understand how farmers can combine efficient livestock production with biodiversity and climate change benefits.
See also: 21 ways beef producers can tackle net zero
“Often, environmental-based approaches to farming come with a negative impact on agricultural production – we either leave land for biodiversity or might compromise production per hectare with lighter stocking rates or slower growth rates for environmental reasons,” said Ms Frater.
“However, food production is still an important public service. We are running this project to question whether we can have it all by using methods such as agroforestry, deferred grazing, and diverse pasture swards.”
‘Immeasurable’ benefits
One of the participating farms is Oakwood Mill in Selkirk – run by Giles and Stuart Henry – which boasts wildflower and insect populations on deferred grazing land, yet the cows are outwintered cost-effectively and the majority of youngstock sold finished by 19 months off grass.
‘’The judicious grazing of our hill by cows in the winter has dramatically changed the biodiversity of the area,” explained Giles.
“From an area that was previously overgrazed in the summer and early winter, we now have a complete community of flora and fauna, along with all the living creatures this brings of every size and description.
“The change has been dramatic and the benefit to our environment is immeasurable. It has also allowed us to maintain a herd of cows whose wintering costs are the envy of many.”
When and where?
The roadshow will be hosted by four farms across Scotland on different dates to encourage as many farmers as possible to attend:
- 22 August Edinvale Farm, Dallas. Hosted by Jock Gibson
- 31 August Maxwelston Farm, Girvan. Hosted by David Whiteford
- 2 September Oakwood Mill, Selkirk. Hosted by Giles and Stuart Henry
- 6 October SRUC Hill and Mountain Research Farm, Crianlarich. Hosted by Professor Davy McCracken, Dr John Holland and Dr Nicola Lambe
More information on the farm and details for how to register for the events
