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Young farmer, Lucy Story, has had a challenging year. At the age of 29 she took on the tenancy of the beef, sheep and arable farm in Northumberland farmed by her parents – one of few female farm tenants and probably among the youngest in the country – and in January, 2021, she became a mum. Now, with help from her husband, Tom, an auctioneer with Harrison and Hetherington, as well as two full-time members of staff, Lucy is running the 1000 acre Rugley Farm, near Alnwick – the third generation of the family to farm it in almost 50 years. Lucy and Tom are evolving the farming policy of beef, sheep and arable crops, which optimise production on heavy soils that limit arable production, to ease management now that she is running the Northumberland Estates’ holding on her own.
Ardross Farm near Fife was recently awarded its Pasture for Life status FEED EFFICIENCY is the key ingredient to a productive and profitable beef system. There is not a one size fits all approach to cattle finishing, with a variation of systems from semi-intensive feeding to 100% grass fed – according to Quality Meat Scotland. Producers operate under tight margins, so it’s important to identify cattle to suit your system based on infrastructure, nutrition, genetics and management, which will help meet market requirements and generate profit, advised QMS cattle and sheep specialist, Beth Alexander. Fifth generation farmer, Claire Pollock from Ardross Farm, near Fife, adapted her system to allow all cattle and sheep to be fed on a 100% forage-based diet. Her efforts have paid off, with the farm recently being awarded its Pasture for Life status.
100% Pasture for Life status awarded to Fife farm
8 February 2021 |
Originally dairy farmers, the Pollock family transitioned into beef 25 years ago
A Scottish farmer who adapted her system to allow all cattle and sheep to be fed on a 100% forage-based diet has paid off, with the farm recently awarded its Pasture for Life status.
Fifth generation farmer Claire Pollock from Ardross Farm, near Fife, says her feeding regime is very simple - grass in the summertime and silage when the grass has stopped growing.
“We use a mix of strip and paddock grazing in a rotational system; however, it is something we should do more of, she explains.