Looking back on the legacy of Scotland’s Monitor Farm Programme

The Monitor Farm initiative has pioneered new ways of working, experimented with new ideas and, most importantly, measured the inputs and outputs of host farms to improve their productivity and profitability. Reflecting on the lasting impact of the programme is the focus of the next series of Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) podcast.

Launched on Tuesday 17 August, the podcast will welcome the current Monitor Farm Legacy farmers, alongside special guests, to discuss the changes made on farm and highlight the importance of such knowledge exchange programmes.

Released weekly, the first episode features Iain MacKay, from Torloisk Farm on the Isle of Mull, who is a host farm for the Monitor Farm Legacy programme.

Iain runs 950 predominantly North Country Cheviots and some Blackface ewes and 55 highland cows across 3200 hectares of rough hill ground producing commercial and pedigree stock for the breeding and store market. 

“We’re really limited to what we can grow as a food source as the short growing season and poor soil quality do not support crop production. Even growing trees is extremely difficult. There are very few land uses opportunities out here apart from rearing livestock, and that was the challenge with the monitor farms programme,” said Iain.

When asked what difference the Monitor Farm Programme had on him and his business, Iain said:

“It expanded my mind. I was brought up on a hill farm which was very traditional, and you can get into a mindset that this is how it is.

“Luckily, the meetings were held on farm, and it was a relaxed atmosphere. The experts that came out challenged us about traditional farming methods and we, in turn, were able to challenge them about modern technologies and practices that are more applicable to lowland systems. It opened up our minds to what can be achieved out here.”

Beth Alexander, QMS Cattle and Sheep Specialist and podcast producer said:

“The reflective nature of this podcast series means that we can gain an understanding of the impact that changes in management practices and mindset have on a business nearly a decade on. Knowledge exchange through programmes such as the Monitor Farm Legacy programme are important to Scotland’s farm building resilience and improving their productivity and profitability.”

The upbeat series will share the positive benefits of farming in Scotland and will feature the following guests:

• Hugh Broad and Bill Gray
• Kenny Adams and Robert Ramsay
• Kate Rowell and Poppy Frater
• Robbie Newlands and Kirsten Williams
• Andrew Booth and Peter Chapman

The Monitor Farm Legacy Programme is producing in-depth video case studies on each host farm and the Torloisk Farm episode is now available to view via the QMS YouTube channel. The podcast series is available through Apple Podcast, Buzzsprout, and Spotify, as well as via the Quality Meat Scotland website and social channels.