MILNATHORT farmer Mark Thomson will welcome Scottish environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham to Tillyrie farm next Monday for a meeting showcasing cost effective measures farmers can take to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The free event is part of a programme organised by the Scottish Government’s recently launched Farming Advisory Service, delivered by SAC Consulting. The discussions and demonstrations planned for the Tillyrie meeting build on the work of another Scottish Government initiative, Farming for a Better Climate.

SAC Consulting’s environment team leader, Rebecca Audsley, said: “Throughout Scotland we have worked alongside farmers like Mark Thomson and his neighbours to find ways of farming more efficiently.

“We have measured farm carbon footprints to help us identify where the greatest benefits can be achieved, such as lowering energy use and its costs or producing more kilos of beef a year from the same resources. Farmers are learning that efficiencies like that add value to their businesses as well as helping the climate.”

During the day Mr Thomson will explain how he and his family manage over 300 hectares at Tillyrie, from its lower cropping land to the higher ground where he keeps his herd of Luing beef cows and cross-bred breeding ewes. Experts from SAC Consulting will discuss livestock performance, soil condition, animal health issues and explain the carbon foot printing process.

Ms Cunningham said: “Scotland’s farmers and crofters already play a vital role as custodians of our land and environment. However, climate change is presenting major new challenges for all of us, and we will have to work together more closely if those challenges are to be met.

“That’s why I want to ensure farmers and crofters get the support they need to ensure they can build successful businesses, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There’s much work to be done – around a quarter of Scotland’s emissions come from agriculture.

“But it is possible to reduce those emissions by improving livestock health, while cutting fertiliser bills and increasing yields through better soils," she said. “Access to the most up-to-date advice will enable famers to play their full part in the fight against climate change, which is already resulting in more extreme weather conditions more often.”