East Lothian farmer Bob Simpson will welcome farmers from across the area on Thursday 26 February when he hosts the latest in a series of events helping farmers improve business efficiency.
Bob Simpson of Castlemains, Dirleton, near North Berwick is one of the new group of volunteer Focus Farmers taking part in the second round of the Scottish Government’s Farming for a Better Climate initiative, organised by Scotland’s Rural College. Special guest on the day will be Robert Neill from Upper Nisbet Farm, near Jedburgh who was among the first Farming for a Better Climate farmers and will describe his experience, the lessons learned and the savings made.
During the first three years of the initiative the Nisbets, along with farmers in Galloway and Perthshire, held meetings, met experts and discussed amongst themselves ways of doing things that improved business efficiency while also lowering their farm’s carbon footprint. Figures for three of the units show savings of almost £60,000 between them and lowering of their carbon footprint by 10% through paying attention to energy use and better management of resources.
At Dirleton Bob is concerned about reports he has read that 8 of the warmest years in Scotland have occurred since 2000 and the impact that might have on agriculture.
“The family have been at Castlemains for 120 years and I’d like to farm in a way that preserves the work done in the past to prepare us for the future. The decline in North Sea oil production is a potential issue for the next generation who are going to have to find more efficient ways of using fuels, and alternative fuels. We need to start addressing this now. In ten years time I’d like to take a step back and allow my sons to take over, and I’d like to know that things are prepared to make the business as efficient as possible. It’s not a short-term job”.
Castlemains lies within the Lothian and Borders Nitrate Vulnerable Zone so the Simpsons already have to be careful about fertiliser use. The 235 hectare farm grows winter wheat, oilseed rape, spring and winter barley and 12ha of potatoes. In addition some land is let out for Brussel sprout production and combining peas. With just 4ha of permanent grass the remaining land is mainly woodland, with field margins also offering environmental benefits. The family have also diversified with a small livery enterprise and four 15Kw wind turbines, erected two and a half years ago. One is mainly for own use while three feed directly into the grid.
Mary-Jane Lawrie who works for SAC Consulting (part of SRUC) and will support events at Castlemains believes the launch of the Climate Change Focus Farm at Castlemains is a tremendous opportunity both for the farm itself and other businesses throughout Lothian and the Borders.
“Bob has already begun to address the efficiency of his business and consider his farms carbon footprint. We know from elsewhere in the initiative that discussing things with friends and neighbours results in finding solutions fitted to local conditions and capable of being replicated on other local farms.”
It is hoped as many local farmers as possible come along to the first meeting where, with no obligation, they can find out more about the project. The meetings will be practical and focus on business efficiency measures that fit local conditions.
A number of well known experts from the SAC Consulting arm of SRUC will be speaking at the first meeting. Biomass Consultant John Farquhar will outline costs and considerations for biomass at Castlemains, while renewables expert Jim Campbell will explore energy use on the farm and tips for reducing bills. Agricultural specialist Euan Hart will outline ways of improving efficiency with precision farming, cover cropping, harvesting and storage. He will also highlight what has worked well for other farmers. Local Consultant Chris McDonald will consider how to turn climate change to advantage.
