Crops

Launched in November, 2007, the Lothian & Borders Arable Monitor Farm project is at Woodhead Farm, near Gifford, East Lothian and is part of a network of 15 established monitor farms across Scotland.

Purchased by Hugh Broad in 1991, and shortly after cropped with cereals, oilseed rape, potatoes and spinach, Woodhead Farm is 217.4ha (537acres) all non LFA, with machinery costs spread over 950 acres (own farm plus contract farmed area). In 2004, Woodhead became a LEAF demonstration farm.

The monitor farm project is being undertaken in conjunction with HGCA, Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise and will be in two parts.

Firstly, the monitor farm, which is typical of the area, will provide a focus for a Community Group of local farmers who will become more involved in the decision-making process.

Secondly, three arable business groups, which will be formed within the Lothian and Border areas, will discuss and adapt the findings of the monitor farm to their own circumstances. 

The Community Group consists of farmers and members from the wider community, and sets objectives such as

• improving profitability
• adopting best practice
• taking a whole farm business approach
• discussing items of common concern
• measuring performance
• benchmarking (Monitor Farm and group results)
• small scale trials & demonstrations

It is believed that through the setting of such objectives will lead to better decisions, a positive attitude to change, and faster adoption of proven ideas.