BALANCING the needs of soil, plants, animals and humans will be the theme of a conference being held in the Scottish Borders next month.

Organised by Scottish Organic Producers Association in tandem with Organic Farmers and Growers, the Livestock in Low Input Systems event is scheduled for on Friday June 15, at Barnside Farm, near Duns, hosted by Charley and Andrea Walker , the winners of the 2017 Agriscot Sheep Farm of the Year award.

This year’s conference, in SOPA’s 30th birthday year, has the theme of ‘Farming for Lifestyle: how a work-life balance can be achieved without sacrificing farm profit’, will also include a long lunch with plenty of time for networking. Attendees will be able to find out more about the Walker's award-winning business, as well as take part in an on-farm tour.

Barnside comprises 250 hectares on the Lammermuir Hills, operating a low input, grass fed, organic farming system, running 840 ewes and 220 hoggs, which are Easycare, and most are bred pure, with all hoggs and a few ewes put to a New Zealand Texel ram. All stock on the farm is managed in a rotational paddock grazing system.

AgriScot's judges were impressed with the Walkers' passion and enthusiasm for sheep farming as well as the family’s commitment to recording and monitoring and analysing performance figures to ensure their business continues to improve.

In keeping with this year’s event theme, the Walkers aim to produce easily managed, productive cattle and sheep by running low cost, simple systems which leave a respectable margin and time for family and social life.

SOPA policy manager, Debs Roberts, said: “After the success of the past two years, we’re really looking forward to the 2018 LILIS conference, and we’re thrilled to be able to announce that we’re hosting it with Charley and Andrea Walker at Barnside Farm

“The Walkers are well known for their forward-thinking business, as well as their passion and enthusiasm for the industry, and so we believe that this year’s event will give delegates a great opportunity to find out more and to take home some inspiration to their own businesses.”