Livestock

The Monitor Farm Project sets out to improve the performance and profitability of a commercial farm, typical of local area, over a three year period. 

Involvement of a local community group consisting mainly of farmers, the farm's vet, and other agricultural professionals, including specialists in various subjects, gives the Monitor Farmer access to others' practical experience and new ideas in a positive learning environment. 

This is very much a farmers' project with many of the key decisions guided by the group.  The project is organised and assisted by a local facilitator, whose organisational skills, technical input and analysis of data produced helps guide the project to achieve the maximum improvement in the three year period.

There are currently eleven Monitor Farm projects running in Scotland.  The original five - Borders, Perthshire, Banff and Buchan, Wigtownshire and North Argyll – have  been joined by six more – Easter Ross, East Ayrshire, Bute, Skye, Borders (arable) and Angus (arable) .  QMS funds nine of these Monitor Farms, with other funding from the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise Borders, Highland Council, MDC and HGCA.  SAC facilitates eight of the Monitor Farm Projects.