BORDERS farmer Jim Logan, whose business is benefitting from major changes put in place in recent years, will be one of the speakers at the next Sutherland Monitor Farm meeting on Tuesday, September 11. 
The meeting, which will focus on taking steps to prepare for the winter months, will begin at the Sutherland Inn Hotel in Brora. 
Jim Logan of Pirntaton Farm, Galashiels, will talk through some of the improvements he has made to his business in recent years and how they have lifted his farm performance and profitability. He will also share his strategy for the winter months ahead.
Over the last few years Mr Logan has altered the livestock genetics on the farm significantly and focused very much on improving his pasture management, including setting up a successful winter grazing system. However, he is always looking at ways to improve his system.
“Last winter and this spring have really tested our system and shown us that further work is required to give us a system that will stand up to extreme weather conditions,” said Mr Logan. 
During the meeting Iain MacDonald from Norvite will highlight winter feeding options including silage nutrition. As well as describing a range of alternative feeds, Mr MacDonald will explain what kind of growth rates can be achieved from different rations and what the costs of these are likely to be this year.
Following lunch, the group will move to Clynelish Farm, where sheep specialist Kirsten Williams from SAC Consulting will lead a practical session covering the importance of MOTing rams, ewe body condition scoring and ewe nutrition pre- and post-tupping. 
Also at the meeting, Jason and Vic Ballantyne will give an update on what has been happening at Clynelish since the last meeting and share their own feed calculations for the winter.
This spring the Ballantynes were, like many other livestock farmers, struggling to source feed. Keen to avoid that situation again, the Ballantynes have been planning ahead for this winter.
“This is a good time of year for us to take stock and plan for the coming months. Decisions we make now can influence outcomes for the next few years, so we are aware of the importance of getting it right,” said Victoria Ballantyne. 
“We have done some basic feed budgeting based on what we know we have in sheds and in the ground. We also know what stock we expect to carry so this gives us somewhere to start from,” said Jason Ballantyne. 
The meeting at the Sutherland Inn Hotel in Brora on Tuesday, September 11, is free to attend and open to all. It will begin at 11am, with coffee and registration from 10.30am. Lunch is included.
Farmers interested in attending the next Sutherland Monitor farm meeting should confirm attendance by calling 01847 892602 or emailing FBSThurso@sac.co.uk