KEY ‘learning points’ will be revealed to farmers in the Lothians at the final meeting of the Lothians Monitor Farm project, on February 4.

Monitor farmer, Bill Gray, from Preston Hall, and Peter Eccles, from Saughland Farm, will share what they’ve learnt, demonstrate the impact of the programme and share what they plan to do in the future.

Chris Leslie, arable knowledge exchange manager for AHDB in Scotland, said: “Bill and Peter wanted to develop a blueprint of how collaboration should work between farms. They have integrated their businesses by applying a holistic approach to agricultural regeneration, sharing their resources to integrate livestock with arable and provide support to both farms year-round.”

Bill stated: “When we joined the programme, we focused on arable farming with the majority of our pasture and grazing land farmed in collaboration with neighbouring farmers.

“We are now benefitting from collaboratively working with Saughland Farm as we have been able to streamline the core arable business, whilst maintaining the benefits of having livestock on the farm.”

Colin MacPhail, from CA MacPhail Consulting, added: “The meeting will be an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the project and share key learnings. We will provide an update from the farmers, discuss project milestones and then view the collaboration field with the out-wintered cattle.

“The meeting will be focused on collaboration and how we move forward and maximise the impact of the programme.”

The session will take place from 10.30am to 3.30pm and is open to everyone with an interest in farming and rural businesses.

Iain Davidson, of the Scottish Land Matching Service, Kate Rowell, Chair of Quality Meat Scotland, Claire Taylor, from The Scottish Farmer, and Neil Wilson, from SAB Advisory, will all take part in a panel session in the afternoon.

Funded by the Scottish Government and managed as a joint initiative by QMS and AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds, the aim of the monitor farm programme is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses. The meeting will take place at Rosemains Farm, Tynehead, Pathhead (EH37 5UG).