Leader in the limelight: Charlotte Baillie

Charlotte Baillie

Charlotte grew up on a beef and sheep farm in Ayrshire. She spent time milking cows in New Zealand before a brief stint at SRUC and Promar. She now farms in partnership with her husband Robert and her in-laws, Robert and Margaret, in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

They run an all-year-round calving system, producing 10,000 litres of milk through twice-a-day milking. They have 240 cows, with 540 acres of farmed land (a mix of owned and rented) and 330 acres of grassland. They also rear and sell surplus breeding heifers.

Let's get to know Charlotte a bit more

What’s the best advice you received?
"Trust your gut." I'm not sure who told me this but it's the one phrase I always come back to. Instinctively, I think we all make the right decision for ourselves based on what feels right at the time, but it’s having the courage to go through with the decision.

What was the best decision you ever made?
Moving to Lanarkshire in 2012 to live with my now husband. I was living in Fife at the time, working as an agricultural consultant for SRUC. I hadn't known Robert for long at that stage but packed up and moved to live with him on the farm. Married and two kids later, he tells me I'm living the dream!

Who do you admire most and why?
All women in agriculture! Agriculture is not an easy way of life. I have tried to leave the industry in the past, pursuing different career paths when I was younger, but I kept coming back to agriculture.

I have a lot of female friends who are involved in agriculture in one way or another and for many it's a juggling act. Working off farm, and for many working on farm as well, running online sidelines, promoting agriculture through social media, and many raising a family too. It's not a 9 to 5 lifestyle, but we get on with it.

What is your biggest regret?
Not travelling more when I was younger. Especially losing out on two years because of Covid! During that time, when restrictions were tight, it shows you how much we take our freedom for granted.

What has been the highlight of the year to date?
We have just come back from a family holiday in Florida. This trip was booked in 2019, before the dreaded Covid, so it's been a long wait. It was the usual long hours and lots of chaos before we got away, but we had a brilliant time with the kids at Disney. I feel ready for winter after a break and some sunshine.

What keeps you awake at night?
Other than my husband's snoring...? In all fairness not much. As a business, we've had our fair share of tough times but we always come back fighting. For example, we had a farm fire in 2018. It was stressful and frightening at the time but we survived. There is nothing we can't handle.

What’s been the best AgriLeader or other leadership development activity you’ve participated in?
Walking Leaders in Glencoe! I really enjoy AHDB's events as they are great at finding different speakers and hosts, but Walking Leaders was next level.

Obviously, the location was amazing. But the concept of 'walking and talking' had a very positive impact on me, sharing knowledge with fellow attendees (who I didn't know prior to the event) in a relaxed atmosphere and gaining support in a safe and confidential environment.

Paul and Tim, who hosted the meeting, were brilliant too. I always enjoy hearing views and ideas from outside of agriculture. It gives a great perspective on both business and life hearing from people from all walks of life. With their military background, I was fascinated by their views and experiences.

What is the one item (other than spouse, children and pets) that you would rescue from the flames?
This has been the hardest question of them all for me to answer. As long as my family and dogs are safe, everything else can be replaced.

When or where do you get your best ideas?
When I am out walking the dogs. I have four and always say "I'm in my happy place" when I head out with them. It gives me a chance to clear my head and think. Quite often I'll return saying "I was just thinking, we could..."

What superpower would you chose?
Strength: sometimes it would be helpful when I'm trying to turn a bale!