You are in > Home > News & Events > News > Improving Dairy Farm Productivity - Farmers Meeting, Carrutherston

Improving Dairy Farm Productivity - Farmers Meeting, Carrutherston

SAC News Release Ref. No: 12N27
Published: 06 Feb 2012

dairy cow in parlour (opens in new window)

Looking over the dyke has always been a popular pastime with farmers, whether it be to study a neighbours crops or another man’s stock. SW dairy farmers will get a special chance to do that when progressive dairy farmer Alistair Marshall hosts an event on his Hardgrove Farm at Carrutherstown, just off the A75. Organised by SAC the free event not only offers a chance to see how they do things at Hardgrove but also discuss some practical approaches to improving productivity and cutting costs.

Alistair Marshall has recently expanded the milking herd on his 930 acre unit to 350 cows and has chosen the high input high output approach to production. However with the costs of feed, fertilisers and fuel rising, alongside labour and energy prices it is an approach that needs careful attention to budgets, detail and efficiency. Increasingly those same efficiencies are also having a direct impact on the farm’s carbon footprint. Something dairy processors and retailers are paying increasing attention to.

Staring at 10.45 am on Wednesday 15th February Alistair will be joined by SAC specialists Jimmy Goldie and Jim Campbell in discussing ways to cut energy bills, the opportunities for renewables and making the best use of feed. Adding yet more practical, down to earth advice will be Hugh McClymont, Farms Manager at SAC’s Crichton Royal Farm, who is developing a reputation for the way he has cut spending on fertilisers through good management of animal slurry and dung. Events like this also offer the opportunity to learn from the experience of other farmers drawn into any discussion.

The milk from Hardgrove supplies Robert Graham’s dairies. In addition to the dairy herd Alastair raises beef calves produced by crossing some of his herd with beef bulls. He grows 300 acres of wheat and barley used to feed the cattle.  

The free meeting at Hardgrove is funded via the Scottish Government’s Farming for a Better Climate initiative. While the event is free  there will be lunch available and to help with catering those planning to attend should contact Sandra MacRae at SAC’s Dumfries office via the details below.

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Mrs Sandra Macrae
Administrator
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Farm Business Services, 1St Floor, Heston House, Crichton Estate,
Dumfries
DG1 4TA
TelWork 01387 261172
Fax 01387 251789

Add to Address Book | Help

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

Add to Address Book | Help