Net Zero Arran
A group of farmers on the Isle of Arran, sometimes called ‘Scotland in miniature’ because of the range of farming it hosts, have begun to reduce their own carbon footprint to help create a blueprint for Scottish agriculture, and give themselves a commercial advantage in the process.
Farmers on Arran have begun working together to try and reduce the carbon footprint of the island, starting with their own greenhouse gas emissions. In what could be a blueprint for mainland farmers, they are using a tool to benchmark and measure the greenhouse gases they emit through farming - methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide - and will then take action together to reduce those emissions.
Number of Fields Soil Sampled
Soil pH Results
The pie chart shown sets out the variation in soil pH across all tested fields. With soil pH targets ranging from 6 – 6.5 only 17% of all samples taken fall into the ideal range. Work continues to promote good soil management and this table will be periodically updated as more data is collected. Having soil pH is good order means that farmers can make better use of organic and inorganic nutrients, grow a better range of higher quality crops and provide the best conditions for earthworms and soil microbial activity – underpinning agriculture.
Data accurate as of September 2024
What is Net Zero Arran?
Net Zero Arran is a farmer led climate change group, focusing on mitigation of common issues and barriers to climate resilience. Like many businesses across Scotland, there are common issues affecting each business but, in an island setting these manifest unique challenges, but through collective action and incremental change, Arran strives to be Net Zero ready.
As part of FAS Connect, the group has prepared a summary report of all 2023 activity which can be found here:
Island Sustainability Facts and Figures
Each business will have their own individual needs as aspirations and everyone is motivated by different outcomes, some members see participation in the group as a means of achieving increased productivity, other see it as an opportunity to cut emissions or enhance nature value on the island but all are committed to promoting sustainable land use on the island. Of the current group members, 35% have made use of the Scottish Government’s Sustainable Agriculture Capital Grant Scheme (SACGS), 75% have used funding support from FAS for specialist advice relating to carbon and conservation and 32% are currently running their business concurrently with some kind of environmental contract.
Case Studies / Farmer Testimonials
The group has been a terrific success and we have some real momentum behind us now, Arran is Scotland in miniature and if we can make it work here then maybe we have a blueprint for rollout across the rest of the country.
– Alastair Dobson
I can see the way the wind is blowing, whether or not you like it Scottish Government has made climate change a priority and being part of this group has made that relevant and actually mean something at farm level.
– Angus Macalister
For our farm, carbon auditing has changed the way we make decisions, having another way of looking at the business has been good, as a result of our audits we have made new investments in grassland and a stubble turnip rotation that has been great for our flock and our land.
– Laura Currie
Journey To Net Zero Emissions in Dairying
C Murchie & Sons is a dairy farm near Blackwaterfoot on the Isle of Arran, run by John Murchie a nd his family. It’s the island’s last dairy farm, producing milk for Arran Dairies, mainly for ice cream and vending machines. The farm has a herd of Holstein cattle, finishes steers, and winters sheep to manage grass. Spanning nearly 50 hectares, the land consists of improved pasture, wetlands, rush pasture, and scrub, with silage taken twice yearly and grazing managed on a set-stocked platform. Seasonal grazing and youngstock are also managed on nearby land. Initially sceptical about carbon auditing, John completed his first audit in 2021 with FAS funding, and has since done two more. He sees it as a way to benchmark, cut costs, and improve efficiency. He has also engaged in environmental schemes and natural capital trials. Read more >>
Journey To Net Zero Emissions for an Upland Sheep Farmer
Benchmarking carbon emissions against kilograms of agricultural output sold offers a practical way to assess environmental impact. It standardises emissions data, allowing meaningful comparisons across farm types, sizes, and systems. By relating emissions to outputs like meat or wool, farms can evaluate resource efficiency relative to production. This case study from the FAS Connect programme highlights how Scottish farms are applying carbon benchmarking.
Ballarie Farm Partnership, a tenanted farm run by new entrant Jessica Grant, produces store and replacement blackface hoggs and ewes. Jessica saw carbon auditing as a fresh perspective on business performance. The farm completed its first audit in 2022 after joining the Net Zero Arran group, supported by FAS funding. Read more >>
Sign up to the FAS newsletter
Receive updates on news, events and publications from Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service