FARMERS in the Scottish Borders are being invited to take part in the new Monitor Farm programme for 2022-2026.

The first on-farm Roxburghshire Monitor Farm meeting takes place on Friday January 13 at Cowbog, near Morebattle, a mixed tenanted farm of two holdings and a contract farming arrangement with Roxburghe Estates.

In total, Robert and Lucy Wilson, together with Robert’s parents, farm 600 acres.

They have 70 suckler cows plus followers, all pure-bred Hereford, and 32 heifers have been retained to join the herd next spring.

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The Wilsons also have a small flock of sheep and 395 acres in arable or forage production over their three farms.

The cropping regime is predominantly spring malting barley with a small amount of winter barley and winter wheat. Arable silage, calabrese and EFAs make up the remaining area.

The meeting will include visits to and discussions about key parts of the farm, as well as an introduction to the business and the new Monitor Farm programme.

The aim of the Monitor Farm Scotland Programme is to help to farms reach full economic, social, and environmental sustainability by optimising production.

Over the next four years, both other farmers and experts will be brought together to help the families assess their farm’s performance, explore opportunities, and develop solutions to the challenges they face.

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Beth Alexander, Monitor Farm Programme Manager said:. “During its lifetime, the Monitor Farm initiative has pioneered new ways of working, experimented with fresh ideas and, most importantly, helped to improve the productivity and profitability of the businesses it has worked with. The journeys these farms go on will be as unique the farms themselves.

“The benefits of the programme extend well beyond the gates of the individual Monitor Farms.The launch meetings are open to the whole farming community, who are very much welcome to come along and join the discussions.

“We want the learnings and the example set by Monitor farms to benefit all farmers across the whole of Scotland.”

This cycle the Monitor Farm Programme is supported by an in-house delivery team with each farm sitting under one of three,

All farmers attending the meetings will have the opportunity to get involved, as in common with all of the new Monitor Farms, the families will be seeking 10-12 farmers and businesses to be part of a management board, as well as wider farming community providing support and input.

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Visitors to the farm will get the chance to discuss the businesses and their way forward, as well as finding out much more about the four year programme and how they can be part of it.

Lunch will be provided, so booking is essential for catering numbers.

All visitors are asked to come with clean cars, footwear and clothing for biosecurity reasons, and to car share wherever possible to help with limited parking.

Regional advisers Maura Wilson said: There are significant opportunities and challenges ahead for the fantastic agricultural industry in the Borders and I would encourage farmers in the area to come along and find out more about how their businesses can benefit from getting involved.”

The programme is sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland QMS and Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board AHDB.

To book for the meetings, and for further information on each Monitor Farm visit www.monitorfarms.co.uk or contact Maura on 07721 677556 or email monitorfarm@qmscotland.co.uk