Monitor Farm Scotland: Sutherland

Improving pasture productivity through soil management will be the subject of the next Sutherland Monitor Farm meeting on Wednesday 13^th February.

At the meeting, which is being held at Brora Golf Club, cattle nutritionist and soil specialist James Bretherton from Agscope Ltd will outline some of the ways to assess soil structure and health to help enhance its productivity.

As well as sharing tips to help farmers manage the pH, structure and health of their soils to boost pasture production, Mr Bretherton will explain how to interpret results of both laboratory and physical assessments so producers can develop an action plan to improve their own soil productivity. 

Mr Bretherton will also run a ‘’Soil Clinic’’ as part of the meeting on 13^th February, where he will give a free physical assessment of soil samples brought by attendees who are keen to learn more about the soil health on their own farm.

Sutherland monitor farmers Jason and Vic Ballantyne from Clynelish farm run 900 breeding ewes and 80 suckler cows over 125 hectares. They are looking forward to hearing how they, and other farmers and crofters in the area, can interpret the results of soil tests and make some positive changes to soil management on their own farms to improve soil health and productivity and support pasture growth.

The meeting at the Brora Golf Club on Wednesday 13 February is free to attend and open to all. It will begin at 11am, with coffee and registration from 10.30am. Lunch is included.

The three-year Scottish Monitor Farm project, which is funded by £1.25 million secured from the Scottish Government and European Union’s Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund, is being run jointly by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds.