Investing heavily into research to become net zero at a new farm at Southfield, Hawick, is the ambition behind the breeding company Innovis. The company took over the tenancy of this 630-acre upland unit, which is home a 1000-ewe nucleus flock in September 2020. In total the farm comprises 533 acres with the addition of 64 acres of forestry, 361 acres of low ground and 172 acres of rough grazing.

“We have adopted a detailed, multi-faceted strategic approach which takes in production costs, environmental benefit, mitigated risks, and maximum returns in order to achieve our goal at Southfield,” explained Dewi Jones, CEO of Innovis, adding that the main aim is to produce sheep bred to perform and reared to last.

"We are learning new approaches as evidence becomes available and adapting our approach to suit our farming operations. We are improving soil health, optimising home-grown feed resources and strengthening the environmental capital of the farm as focus areas for Innovis facing the challenge of achieving net zero on its own unit by 2030,” added Dewi Jones.

He added that soil pH was on average 5.5 across the farm with the goal being to increase that up to 6. The farm sequestrates more than is emitted, the net carbon sequestered is 358,721kgCO2e which is heading in the right direction.

“There are so many different ways of monitoring methane and carbon in the industry we need a standardised solution that is accurate to get more farmers involved,” he added.

@thescottishfarmer Innovis Open Day at Southfield Farm #thescottishfarmer #innovisopenday #southfieldfarm ♬ original sound - The Scottish Farmer

“During the last two years we’ve rolled out a practical seven-point plan and made an initial £85,000 investment in farm infrastructure all of which is designed to drive efficiency towards achieving net zero,” said Dewi Jones, who aligned the points as:

• Qualifying the land resource

• Identifying the feed gap and seasonal bottlenecks

• Developing infrastructure that will have a return on investment

• Forage crops, good grass and nutrient planning

• Minimal equipment and smart operations

• Regular monitoring

• Finding the ‘sweet spot’ for the farm

Initially, the company got to grips with the farm's soil profile pH, mineral status and carbon content, checked out sward composition and nutrient levels, and completed a parasite profile.

“Since the entire flock is lambed outdoors and forage reared, we had to start to understand the farm's growing potential, so we identified any feed gaps and seasonal bottlenecks,” said farm manager, Hamish Mcdonald.

The farm’s large shed – capable of housing 1000 ewes – is used as a backup to accommodate leaner ewes in adverse weather conditions. Any of these leaner ewes are noted and not retained for breeding.

Over the last two years they have also sub-divided the productive ground into 3.7ha paddocks, combining wire fencing, water systems, while working with Tweed Forum to plant 23,000 trees in four parcels totalling 15ha where the land is not suited for anything else.

Winter forage crops – kale and swedes – have been planted as part of a nutrient plan, with 40ha drilled with clover and herbal leys following the winter crops annually. All cultivations are single pass wherever possible.

On top of that 70ha of upland grazing is deferred for three months of winter grazing. Limited amounts of supplement feeding for twin/triplet scanned ewes on a pre-lambing rotation with preferred rapeseed, is planned if needed

With Bowhill Farming’s nearby AD plant, they are also able to use digestate thereby minimising the need to purchase inorganic fertiliser.

“To ensure we’re on track and maximising potential efficiency we regularly monitor for grass growth and yields, worm burdens through FEC and health screening of animals and sheep growth rates; we condition score the ewes four times a year. Soil health is monitored whilst fresh grass in analysed at strategic points through the growing season,” added Innovis’ lead geneticist, Dr Janet Roden.

Hamish added: “You can’t monitor what you don’t record, and recording data is a really great management tool.

“Overall, we’re attempting to find the farm’s ‘sweet spot’. We are using data and experience to identify carrying capacity and tweaking that yield to achieve the best outcome to the business,” he added.

On top of improved infrastructure, the team aims to breed more efficient sheep by selecting for specific traits including mature ewe weight and lamb survival which combined with ability to thrive off grass and forage will help farmers on their journey to net zero.

“New Zealand research has shown that smaller sheep can be bred naturally to produce less methane from the grass they eat,” added Dr Janet Roden, who is responsible for developing Innovis’ breeding programme.

Company breeding objectives are totally focused on improving production efficiency off grass and forage with the business' 11,000 ewes managed under commercial pressure in large flocks. This large-scale data contributes genetics to a national population of more than 180,000 replacement females born from Innovis-sired maternal lines.

As a result, four traits have been identified and incorporated into their breeding programme that will benefit a farm’s carbon footprint which include:

Ewe weight

“Approximately 70% of a flock’s methane emissions are associated with the ewe and so finding the optimum sized ewe that costs less to keep but can still maintain the level of output required has never been more important,” Dr Roden explained.

“All Innovis maternal lines are bred to improve the weight and quality of lambs sold off grass without increasing the weight of the ewe. This is done by rewarding lighter ewes in the selection index, but only if they can compete on output and retain their condition.

Lamb survival

Every lamb lost between scanning and sale represents feed eaten by the ewe, and therefore methane produced, without anything to show for it, consequently reducing lamb losses should be a priority for both improving the carbon footprint and achieving a profitable flock.

The nucleus flock at Southfield scanned well at 185% this year and came through winter in good condition, however, Campylobacter abortion has yet again dropped their rearing percentage to 150%.

“We cannot seem to mitigate its impact despite vaccinating replacements ewes every year. It is a very difficult time for Hamish and his team when you face this at the start of lambing,” said Dewi Jones.

Ewe longevity

Reducing flock replacement rate can have a positive impact on carbon footprint. In the last two to three years, Innovis has introduced a productive life EBV for all the maternal lines that helps identify sheep which will have longer productive lives and reduce flock replacement rates.

Body condition score

A body condition score EBV has been introduced to help identify ewes that can maintain their condition while also being productive and efficient in the commercial systems.