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Farming Pioneers Identified – Cabinet Secretary Introduces Climate Change Focus Farmers At SAC Event

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N45
Published: 22 Jun 2010

Four volunteer farms, from Galloway, Blairgowrie, Montrose and Perthshire are to be pioneers in the “Farming for a Better Climate” initiative, funded by Scottish Government and to be managed by SAC.

They are to be the focus of activity to find practical ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions that will not only help farming lessen its carbon footprint but result in real financial gains for their businesses. Over three years SAC staff will help the farmers and the neighbours working with them, look at the options, develop their own ideas and learn lessons that can be rolled out across Scotland.

Introducing the farmers to the press at SAC’s Easter Howgate Research Farm, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead MSP said,

“The four climate change focus farms represent the three agricultural sectors – dairy, upland livestock and arable.  The fourth will demonstrate farm diversification and can be used for education and public demonstration.”
 
“Our target, to reduce emissions by at least 42 per cent by 2020, are among the most ambitious in the world. Our four Climate Change Focus Farms will demonstrate how avoidable greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced whilst balancing sustainable food production and maintaining a competitive farming industry.”

The aim of the focus farms is to use the groups of farmers linked to them to identify and pilot ideas and techniques that are practical, affordable and have credibility amongst the rural community. Among the key action areas to be addressed are: 

  • Using energy and fuels efficiently – reducing the spend on fuel and power
  • Developing renewable energy –  saving on purchased energy and earning  from surplus energy sold  to the national grid
  • Locking carbon into soils and vegetation – protecting  soils and improving soil quality for future generations
  • Optimise the application of fertilisers and manures – saving through better use and management of nutrients
  • Optimise livestock management – improving livestock productivity though better grazing management and nutrition

Speaking on behalf of SAC, who will facilitate the activity on the focus farms, Professor Bill McKelvey, Chief Executive and Principal said,

“Climate change is affecting agriculture as it will affect us all, but SAC research has already shown there are win-wins for the industry if it takes the right steps. It won’t be solved by relying on others to come up with the answers, the industry must be involved in discovering the most practical solutions that suit individual businesses. The Focus Farms and their associated groups are a key part of that. I believe that, together, these pioneers and SAC can make real progress in delivering for the industry, for the government and for Scotland.”

The four farms were selected from volunteers to represent different types of farming in varied locations. They are:

Torr Farm, Castle Douglas – Torr is a dairy farm run by brother and sister team Ross and Lee Paton.  Although there are already low carbon measures in place, Ross and Lee are keen to explore other win-win opportunities for the dairy sector as part of the focus farm process.

Glenkilrie, Blairgowrie – David and Morag Houstoun's upland farm provides an ideal location to learn from measures taken to date as well as looking at other ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on upland farms.

Milton of Mathers, Montrose – Brothers Jim and Ron Reid have always tried to farm in an environmentally conscious way whilst maintaining a productive business.  As a producer of seed potatoes, Jim and Ron are interested to see how accounting for carbon can further benefit their business.

Stewart Tower, Stanley – Neil and Lynsey Butler run a mixed dairy and arable farm with ice-cream business including an ice-cream parlour.  Due to the popularity of the parlour, it offers an excellent way to tell visitors about the steps that Scottish agriculture is taking to reduce emissions.

Speaking on behalf of the industry, NFU Scotland’s Head of Rural Policy Jonnie Hall said:

“There is a real opportunity for Scottish farmers to continue to produce more food, impact less on the environment and still improve the bottom line of their businesses.  For grass roots farmers to buy into that message they need to see farm-based evidence that reducing emissions and cutting waste will genuinely improve their efficiency and their profitability.  The climate change focus farms will help generate the kind of best practice that all farmers can relate to, whether they are rearing livestock or growing crops.  That is good news for Scottish farmers and good news in ensuring that our sector’s record on emissions continues to improve in the future."

Rebecca Audsley has recently joined SAC as Climate Change Manager and has organised induction courses for the farmers with consultant Carole Christian.  Carole and Elaine Booth in Aberdeen have both been key in selecting the farms and delivering the Farming For A Better Climate project to date. The next step starts immediately with base line auditing and data collection. The first farmers' meetings will be held towards the end of July.

For more information on the Climate Change Focus Farms, how their work could benefit you, forthcoming meetings, other events and case studies showing what other farmers are already doing to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, see the Farming for a Better Climate website.

Get the top tips, keep up to date and hear about some of the benefits gained by the Climate Change Focus Farm discussion groups through the quarterly Climate Change Focus Farm Updates; email Rebecca Audsley to go on the mailing list (your email address will not be passed on to anyone else) or register online on the Farming for a Better Climate website.
 

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SAC Contact

Ms Rebecca Audsley
Climate Change Manager
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Consulting, Environment & Design, J F Niven Building, Auchincruive,
Ayr
KA6 5HW
TelWork 01292 525089
MobileWork 07786 313885
Fax 01292 525146

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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