NEW Angus monitor farmers the Stodart family, of Mill of Inverarity, Forfar, will be holding their inaugural open day to introduce local farmers to their operation next week, on Monday, March 6.

Robert and Alison Stodart run the 358 hectare mixed unit with their two sons, Rory and Tom, managing 200 suckler cows, 440 breeding ewes, 300 bought-in store lambs and finishing cattle.

They also have a arable enterprise growing winter wheat, winter barley, winter oilseed rape and spring barley.

Mr Stodart said: “We were really keen to get involved in the monitor farm programme so we can make genuine changes to our business to make it more sustainable long term.

"We also think it will be great for the local community and the farmers who contribute to the projects will also benefit from the ideas and innovation share which they can take back to their own farms.”

Topics covered during the programme will be selected by the group and cover both local and industry wide issues, for example genetics, disease management and succession. Next week's event will begin with a tour of the three main enterprises, with the family describing the systems currently in place.

Representatives from QMS and AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds will give an overview of the Monitor Farm programme and former monitor farmer, Duncan McEwan, from Arnprior, will share his experiences with the group.

The meeting will be held at Mill of Inverarity, Forfar, Angus, DD8 2JN, from 10.30am to 3pm. The event is free, but to book a place, contact Stacey Hamilton by phone, on 01569 762305, or email frbsstonehaven@sac.co.uk.