The contentious issue of regenerative farming is the subject of the next Roxburghshire Monitor Farm meeting.
Under the banner of ‘Regenerative Farming: Hope or hype?’ a lively meeting can be expected at the Buccleuch Arms, St Boswells, on Thursday 5 December.
It will see a panel of four farmers with diverse businesses dig into the issue, with questions including why is it such a polarising topic, and does it need a rebrand to get away from the seemingly negative connotation for many farmers?
Panel speakers are:
- Sam Parsons, farm manager of Balcaskie Estate in Fife. The farm converted to organic in 2016 in a bid to cut costs while improving soil health and natural biodiversity.
- Former Soil Farmer of the Year winner Stuart Johnston, he has focussed on building a resilient farming business. He started with strip-tillage and has spent the last decade focussing on reducing his reliance on fertiliser, chemicals and other external inputs, while increasing the farm’s resilience to fluctuations in the weather and economy.
- Sally Williams runs a 340-cow herd at Clackmae in the Scottish Borders and has fully embraced technology to assist her in the efficient running of the herd, including installing Lely Astronaut milking robots.
- Colin McGregor, director of McGregor Farms, Coldstream Mains. The business was an early adopter of precision farming, starting with yield mapping as far back as 1996, and is using technology to maintain yield and increase output.
Monitor Farm regional adviser Maura Wilson says: “There has been lots of discussion about regenerative farming at Monitor Farm meetings, and this evening will be a great opportunity to hear both sides of the debate, and for people to ask the panel for their opinions.
For more information or to book tickets click here.
