Case Studies
Journey Towards Net Zero Emissions as an Upland Sheep Farmer
Benchmarking carbon emissions against kilograms of agricultural output sold provides a standardised and practical way to measure and compare environmental impact. This approach normalises emissions data, accounting for differences in farm size, production systems, and types of agricultural activities. By linking emissions to output, such as meat, or wool sold, it becomes possible to evaluate…
Monitoring Flock Performance Case Study (North)
Michelle Bruce, Meikle Tillyeve, Udny, Aberdeenshire Data driven flock Michelle collects data throughout the year, using a handheld stock recorder. This allows her to capture key data at handling times, to then analyse and make flock decisions, to increase the productivity of the flock for the future. The aim of the flock, is to have…
Monitoring Flock Performance Case Study (South)
Owen Gray, Saughland Farm, Midlothian Using flock and ewe-level data to improve profitability, reduce labour requirement, and lower lamb losses The team at Saughland Farm has made major strides in sheep system efficiency by placing data at the heart of their decision-making. By 2019, the system was under strain: high stocking rates, lamb losses around…
Monitoring Flock Performance Case Study (Central)
John & Alix Ritchie, Montalt Farm, Forgandenny, Perthshire Keeping performance monitoring simple in a grass-based system For the Ritchies at Montalt monitoring body condition of their flock is essential to maintaining flock performance on a grass-based system. The main aim of the system is to maintain body condition of the entire flock at body condition…
Journey To Net Zero Emissions in Dairying
The business C Murchie & Sons is located outside the village of Blackwaterfoot on the island of Arran, and is owned and operated by John Murchie, who farms at Tigheanfroach with his wife and daughter. John has the last dairy farm on the island and produces milk for the local Arran Dairies, primarily for ice-cream…
Restoring Nature Across Luing and Scarba
The Island of Luing in Argyll has for centuries been a centre for agriculture and food production. Formerly referred to as the breadbasket of Argyll it is still a heavily farmed landscape keenly focused on food production. Whilst Luing has a rich history in this respect, the negative result is that its natural history, biodiversity,…
Monitoring Flock Performance Vlog Series
Throughout 2024 and 2025 we followed three sheep farmers in Scotland to discover how they monitor flock performance, and how data helped them make future decisions on breeding and management. Farmer Vlogs Michelle Bruce, Meikle Tillyeve (Ellon) Weaning & Driving Flock Decisions Michelle starts to think about the next breeding year at weaning time, with…
Ireland Trip Summary
As a current agriculture student in Scotland I was very much looking forward to furthering my knowledge of the subject on the trip to Ireland and seeing the similarities & differences between the Scottish and Irish systems. The trip particularly allowed me to expand my knowledge of biodiversity enhancement as we learned greatly about the…