Introduction to Dunadd
The hosts for the Argyll Soil & Nutrient Network are C.R Foster & Partners. Whilst the home farm is Ashfield Achnamara, the partners have expanded their business by taking over the ownership of Dunadd this year. This was an ideal location for a host farm and Mr. R.Foster felt that hosting the project would be of benefit to his business and others within the wider farming community.
The total land area now under the Stewardship of the Foster family including rented land is 720 hectares approximately;
- Nine hectares woodland
- Remainder hill and permanent grass
- Mix Region 1& 2
Dunadd is the host farm a traditional beef and sheep farm circumventing the River Add. The soil type is predominately Humous iron podzols with the edges Saline Gleys McAuley Grade 4.2. There is a mix of Region 1 and 2 ground with the latter on the lower end of the farm and is subject to flooding at times. This results in careful management being taken when grazing with sheep during the winter months. The historic monument of Dunadd Fort sits within the area and is listed as a historic fort of significance with free and open access all year round on the Historic Scotland website
Stocking at present is only 260 Blackface and Mule ewes and gimmers with 80 hoggs, however, the aim is to expand to 500 plus ewes and establish a suckler herd probably Angus! To date, hoggs have been grazed and fields were shut up for silage with the long term aim of establishing fodder crops, and with plans to reseed and drain some areas to improve overall output of the farm.
The family hopes that the process of being farm hosts will benefit the business by helping to improve Dunadd's potential as a feeder farm for the business by targeting drainage and soil fertility through a rejuvenation programme whilst exploring the benefits of shelterbelts from both a management and farm biodiversity point of view.
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