FARM WALKS held as part of Dumfries and Galloway’s business week have shown the dedication and innovation that makes farming a central plank of the region’s economy.

The events were hosted by the Fleming family at South Milton, Glenluce, and the Roan family at Barnbarroch, Dalbeattie.

At South Milton, visitors saw a progressive grassland-based beef and sheep enterprise running across three farms, where the Flemings have 200 high health spring calving Aberdeen Angus cows, 60 pedigree Roussin ewes and run up to 800 store cattle. The family also hosts an innovative Forage iFarm program, utilising best practice agronomy, forage management and paddock grazing to future proof the farming business.

The Roan family have been in the dairy farm business at Barnbarroch since 1898, where their operation now includes a 140-cow herd milked by two robotic milking machines at Barnbarroch, and a further 200 cows milked through a parlour at nearby Boreland of Colvend. With the development of Roan’s Dairy, they process and deliver their own milk to households, local shops, restaurants and hotels. Additional income is generated through a nine-hole golf course and seasonal tearoom.

NFU Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway regional chairman, Rupert Shaw, said: “With farming and rural business at the heart of the regional economy in Dumfries and Galloway it has been important for NFU Scotland to support Dumfries and Galloway Business Week in recent years.

“Business Week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase businesses in the region whilst supporting individuals and providing networking opportunities. It is important to ensure that the farming community remains part of this and those who visited South Milton and Barnbarroch have seen that farming in the region continues to move forward and innovate.”