SAC Learning

The sheep visit was to Viewfield Farm just outside New Galloway. Viewfield have developed an Easycare system over the past 7 years with the help from New Zealand breeders. Their main aim is to make things as simple as possible, and to have the time to learn and introduce more interesting attributes to farming practises. Mr Maxwell, the farmer, suggests that easycare is an "easier, less stressful and less complicated way to farm sheep and to put enjoyment and a positive challenge back in shepherding. The aims of moving to easy care system was to find a way of farming that would survive, cut overheads and make sheep farming a pleasure and a positive challenge".

The beef visit was to Mr Jim Caldwell, Moorefield farms Kilmarnock. Mr Caldwell gave a good overview of his various systems, from where he sources his cattle through the feeding regime on farm. He also spoke to the students about the current market for his product and what he believes to be the most important issues facing the industry in the future. The farm also grows barley and wheat which support the beef finishing system. The students visited the various houses and viewed animals at different stages within the system. They also had the opportunity to see the grain and straw produced on farm along with the machinery. Mr Caldwell had a very good system but his overall comment to the students is the best system to use is the system which best utilises the resources available.

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