Alternative Watering Meeting: Dumfriesshire – Event summary

Following the introduction of the Diffuse Pollution General Binding Rules (DP GBRs) in 2008, significant livestock poaching and erosion within 5m of a watercourse is no longer acceptable.

This meeting showcased the alternative watering equipment being installed by John and Andrew Nelson at Cogarth Farm, Castle Douglas, with financial support from Scottish Government.

The event was opened by Alistair Beattie from SAC Consulting in Dumfries.  He explained that Cogarth Farm was one of two Scottish host farms showcasing alternative watering equipment.  John & Andrew Nelson’s interest in the project was driven by recent diffuse pollution priority catchment visits in their area.

Jackie McColm, SEPA, provided an update on the priority catchment work within the Stewartry Coastal area.  You can read Jackie’s presentation slides here.

Robert Ramsay, Farming & Water Scotland, showed delegates examples of alternative pumping systems that can be used on farm to fill toughs e.g. solar and papa pumps.  Robert gave a run down of the pros and cons of the different systems and explained how sites may lend themselves better to one over the other.

Jim Campbell, SAC Consulting, gave a detailed presentation on the site topography at Cogarth Farm, explaining why the installed equipment had been chosen.

Later in the afternoon there was a farm walk to see the papa pump and solar powered water troughs in situ and there was good general discussion between delegates and our guest speakers.

Information sheets available during the meeting are available to download from the links below.  For more information on ways to prevent diffuse pollution or to read more about the Diffuse Pollution Priority Catchment works, please visit the Farming & Water Scotland webpage.