James Sloan has installed a 50-point rotary parlour at Dormieston Farm near Ayr, with a vision to grow his 200 milking herd significantly in the next five years.

However, his investment in three Fendt tractors to manage his 690 acres is one that he suggested could provide the horsepower and technology needed to feed this growing herd.

Working with dealer McNae’s, Mr Sloan has brought in a Fendt 211, 516 and a 716 to cover everything from feeding to ploughing. His aim is to rely less on contractors and have tractors that can reliably reach at least 10,000 hours and still have a decent residual value.

“McNae’s has been very supportive and found us three excellent tractors that we expect to work well over the coming years," he said. "We bought the 211 new and will keep it well beyond the six-year warranty.

"The 516 and 716 were both purchased with low hours and we are looking to take them to at least 10,000,” he added.

Each tractor is expected to hold its value and when sold at 10,000 hours McNae’s expect the residual value to be significantly higher than Mr Sloan has experienced with other brands. He expected that this, combined with the increasing output of his herd, will enable him to invest in similar tractors in the future.

“We have previously felt the need to swap out tractors after 5000 hours, but our dealer suggested that we go Fendt and keep the tractors longer to reduce the amount of buying and selling needed, which would save us money. With the Fendts we will only have one transaction in 10,000 hours, rather than two, which is less hassle and less cost at the end of the day.”

Having an all Fendt fleet offers operational advantages for Mr Sloan and his employees. The cab, controls, and ability to share information provides him with data that is helping improve farming efficiencies.

“The 516 and the 716 share the majority of field work. The 516 is surprisingly capable and will manage most work, but we need the 716 for heavier cultivations work," he pointed out

"The main benefit is that any of us can jump in and work in the same way, sharing tasks, pre-sets, and information on tasks to make the work easier and more consistent.”

Almost all farm work is carried out by Mr Sloan and his team. The 716 is used for cultivations and drilling the 160 acres of cereal crops that are fed to the herd. It pulls a 5m reversible plough with some ease and follows that with a Kuhn SH power harrow combination and drill.

“It is a more powerful tractor than the horsepower output would suggest because the Vario provides even power throughout the rev range. It is also very economical for a machine that can handle even our heaviest work.

"Importantly, it is a pleasant place to be. The visibility is excellent, and the controls are intuitive.”

Whilst the 716 is a relatively compact tractor, he suggested that the 516 is proving a better all-rounder. It handles more of the silage, slurry and fertiliser work and is an even more fuel-efficient machine.

“It is a nice compact tractor, with a great power to weight ratio. It handles remarkably well at headlands and even around buildings.

"We have more than 500 acres of grassland and some of it is hilly and tricky to cut, but I always feel planted in the 516 and it works well with our mower and baler.”

But, for Mr Sloan, the star of the show is Fendt’s smallest tractor, the 211. There are five models in this range – the 207, 208, 209, 210 but he chose the top of the range 211 Profi Plus with 124 hp provided by an AGCO three-cylinder 3.3 litre engine.

“We went for the 211 because it has enough power to pull trailers during silage season and help with other farm work. It spends most of its time on the feeder wagon because it is one of the only tractors that will fit down our tight feed passages.

"However, with wheel weights, it is much more capable than our previous smaller tractor when hitched to a trailer.”

The latest model 211 benefits from ‘Dynamic Performance’ which releases an additional ten horsepower on demand. The system detects when components such as the pto, hydraulics, engine fan and air-con need more power, and then provides that added power through smart control.

“The cab is just like our bigger tractors; quiet, comfortable, and ergonomic. It is spacious and the high seating position provides a good view," said Mr Sloan.

"We have a telehandler and so haven’t specified a loader, but I can see the benefit of having one because the seating position and panoramic roof would make it a good loader tractor.”

With the tractors, he has started to branch out to offer contracting services to neighbouring farms. When this ties up the largest tractors, the 211 is utilised for most of the field and haulage work on the farm.

“It is a really efficient tractor for rowing up with a rake and for carting silage. The lightweight design means that we don’t damage the sward, and using it for road work saves us a good margin on fuel," he added.

"On the farm, it moves around the tight buildings with ease and can be driven through all of our feed passages, which means that we can feed into four-foot troughs as well as in front of the cows.”

Mr Sloan has made the investment in both the rotary parlour and machinery to offer his children the opportunity of a good start with the farm when they are ready to take it on. He is the third generation and is keen to see a fourth given every chance to prosper on the land.

“Investing in the right milking parlour and the right machinery is critical to the future of the farm.

"By making decisions that will benefit the farm long term, I hope that my children will want to give their all and that they will be rewarded,” he concluded.