Hoddom & Kinmount Estate Case Studies
26 February 2025As part of the FAS 2024 programme we spent a lot of time at Hoddom & Kinmount Estate learning about and documenting the actions they are taking towards becoming more efficient as an enterprise. This has resulted in a wealth of information in the form of written case studies, videos, and webinars. All of which you can find collected in this article.
Case studies like these are a great opportunity to see how broader ideas such as reducing fertiliser usage or carbon efficiency can be shaped and mapped on to the specific needs and requirements of an individual business.
If you have questions about anything you find on this page, or how you can start your business on a similar journey, contact the advice line for free, impartial advice.
About The Estate
Owned by the Birkbeck family and managed by farm manager James Marshall, Hoddom and Kinmount Estate, near Annan in Dumfries and Galloway farms approximately 2,035 hectares, which includes 714 hectares of woodland. Charlesfield is the main farming unit which is farmed along with six other land blocks.
Measuring Efficiency at Hoddom & Kinmount Estate
A baseline carbon audit was prepared for the farming enterprises at Hoddom and Kinmount Estate for the crop year 2023. Input and output data was provided by James Marshall, the farm manager from invoices and farm records; the carbon audit was prepared using Agrecalc.
Reducing Fertiliser Use and Improving Soil Health
In this case study we look at how James Marshall has made management changes to improve soil health and encourage climate mitigation. Key outcomes include reducing purchased feed and fertiliser, reducing fuel and machinery costs, improved soil structure and reduced pressure on crops.
Improving Efficiency Through Soil Sampling & Nutrient Budgeting
At Hoddom and Kinmount Estate soil sampling has in the past been carried out on select fields, however utilising the Preparing for Sustainable Farming grant has facilitated James Marshall to sample all the fields that receive bagged fertiliser or manure. This case study will talk you through the difference between GPS soil mapping and basic routine soil sampling, as well as some of the benefits farmers can expect as a result of a better understanding of their land.
The Use of Wood Ash at Hoddom and Kinmount Estate
At Hoddom and Kinmount Estate, the farm manager James Marshall has recently been applying wood fly ash to some of the land with an aim of reducing the use of inorganic fertiliser and lime. Read more to find out what wood fly ash is, the applications and impacts it has had on the farm.
Improving Efficiency at Hoddom & Kinmount Estate Webinar
In this webinar, recorded in February 2025, we caught up with James where he provides further updates on recent management changes. Dr Audrey Litterick, director of Earthcare Technical will also provides her expertise on digestate and wood ash, two products that are being applied to some of the farmland.
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