LEARNING how to deliver important messages through social media will be one of the highlights of this week’s Lothian’s Monitor Farm meeting, with top tips from twitter aficionado Jim Beary.

Hailing from the Peak District, Jim farms 800 Romney ewes, 130 dairy heifers and 20 sucklers, and is very active on twitter. He’ll be telling his story on how to secure a social licence to produce meat and crops.

The meeting will take place this Friday, July 19, at neighbouring farms Saughland and Prestonhall, led by farmers Peter Eccles and Bill Gray

Bill Gray commented: "I'm looking forward hearing Jim Beary's thoughts on sustainability and delivering important messages. It’s something we have been keen to do throughout this project. As usual it’s a busy afternoon and hopefully a barbecue at the end will prove an additional attraction!"

After Jim’s session, the Monitor Farm meeting will split into arable and livestock groups. On the livestock side, Peter Eccles of Saughland Farm will be covering sheep handling, cow wintering options, staff and fodder crops – along with a farm tour.

The arable group will be led by Bill Gray, which will include looking at the new grain store, Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) crop and a tour of the farm, including the Salome spring barley trial.

A number of Monitor Farms across Scotland have been trying out the Scandinavian spring barley variety 'Salome' to see whether it could be a useful addition to the rotation.

The meeting will begin at 2pm with tea and coffee at Rosemains and will finish with a barbecue at 6pm at Saughland, where Peter’s new meat box business ‘Native and Wild’ will supply the burgers.

For those interested in attending the event for free, should confirm their attendance with Colin MacPhail on 07747 046461 or at colin@macphailconsulting.co.uk.