St Boswells Monitor Farm meeting to focus on mindset for farming success

Farmers are invited to a Roxburghshire Monitor Farm evening meeting in St Boswells next Wednesday (3 December) when a panel of farmers will share their personal stories, experiences and tips on how to shift your mindset for success in the farming industry.

The speakers have adopted new approaches to overcome their challenges. They will be discussing how they have embraced change and made their businesses more resilient. Booking is open for the meeting at the Buccleuch Arms, which starts at 6.30pm for 7pm.

Chaired by Fenwick Jackson from Jacksons at Jedburgh, the panel will feature David Cooper from Tardoes Farm, Muirkirk; Mark and Jane Gray from Broom House, County Durham; and Robert Shanks from Queenscairn Farm near Kelso.

First generation landowners David Cooper and his wife Cora have built their business to 5,050 acres by prioritising low inputs and being efficient with their time. Their sheep enterprise runs on adaptive mob grazing, and the business has no feed costs, no energy costs and minimal medicine. It does make not make hay, silage or top grass, and is championing the positive role that sheep can have in conservation grazing and nature recovery, having restored almost 2,000 acres of peatland while still grazing,

Country Durham organic livestock farmers Mark Gray and his wife Jane farm at 750ft, growing grass, clover mixes and some arable crops for a healthy rotation and to produce home-grown feed. The aim for the farm’s Aberdeen Angus herd, Lleyn flock, Saddleback pigs and laying hens is to breed their own replacements, improving stock quality. An on-farm butchery has developed into a successful farm shop and cafe, and they have now produced their own range of farm shop products, as well as opening the Forest Adventure for families.

Queenscairn, Kelso dairy farmer Robert Shanks and his wife Andrena run 250 Holstein cows with a Friesian bull with the aim of converting the herd to Friesian. Converting to organic in 2008, in 2018 they took the decision to construct new facilities, including a new parlour and state-of-the-art straw-based system for one-third of the milking herd as well as dry cows and in-calf heifers. Queenscairn was shortlisted in 2021 for the Scottish Dairy Farm of the Year title at AgriScot.

Iona Smith, Monitor Farm Scotland regional adviser said: “This will be a great evening of discussion, looking at how new approaches have helped overcome some of the traditional challenges we’ve faced in farming. The panel’s stories will highlight the impact of mindset shifts, with the aim of inspiring attendees to embrace change and build a more resilient agricultural community.”

• Changing the Mindset in Farming - A panel night on Wednesday 3 December from 7-9pm (tea and coffee served from 6.30pm) at the Buccleuch Arms, The Green, St Boswells TD6 0EW. Booking:https://PanelNight.eventbrite.co.uk