Winter planning focus at next Banff and Buchan Monitor Farm meeting

Discussing latest performance updates and getting hands-on with cattle and forage are all on the agenda at the upcoming Banff and Buchan Monitor Farm open meeting which is tackling winter planning.

The meeting, on Thursday 21 November from 12.30pm, will include ration planning, body condition scoring and heifer selection, all focussed on ensuring good animal health, best calving outcomes and profitable growth in store animals.

Monitor Farmer Bruce Irvine is using hands-on body condition scoring to target rations to his in-calf cows at Sauchentree, near Fraserburgh. Simon Turner, SRUC expert in animal behaviour, will explain the concept and attendees can try it for themselves.

While usually Bruce selects replacements for his herd by observation and vet testing, this year he’s introduced a third factor – genomic data. Lauren Porteus, precision animal health sales and technical specialist with Zoetis will explain how this joined-up approach can improve a suckler herd’s profitability, and how best to manage the replacement heifers.

Forage and arable crops are grown at Sauchentree, allowing Bruce to mix and match rations across his cows, heifers and stores, with each needing tailored diets to achieve best performance. Using samples of Bruce’s winter feed stocks, David McClelland, technical director of Norvite, will discuss with attendees how best to plan a winter feed plan, while AHDB’s Adrian James will focus on options for arable crops in the system and how arable and livestock are mutually helpful in this farm situation.

Peter Beattie, Monitor Farm regional adviser said: “This is designed to be a really useful meeting ahead of winter setting in. It’s a great chance to discuss all matters breeding, feeding and growing with a team of experts who have a very practical approach.”

Booking is essential for this meeting, which starts at 12.30pm at Boyndlie Community Hall before moving on-farm. Car parking is limited, so car share if possible. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and for biosecurity, clean vehicles, footwear, and clothing before attending. Sorry, no children under 16 or dogs are allowed.

Booking is via this link to Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/SauchentreeWinterPlanning

• Winter Planning at the Banff and Buchan Monitor Farm is on Thursday 21 November from 12.30pm with lunch at Boyndlie Community Hall, AB43 7DX and Sauchentree Farm.