The next Argyll Monitor Farm meeting, taking place on 5 November, will look at ‘What to expect from an inspection – a practical approach.”
With farming and crafting businesses subject to a variety of compulsory and voluntary inspections, growers are looking for advice to deal with changing requirements.
The event will look at the Archibold family, who have been Monitor Farmers for nearly two years on Islay. John MacAulay, higher agricultural officer, Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections, and Eilidh McCulloch, quality assurance specialist from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) will walk and talk through cattle and sheep inspections and quality assurance reviews,
The farm has been subject to a variety of trials and changes in the last two years, including reviewing the sheep system, testing before worming treatments and introducing rotation grazing. A trial of three different cover crops has been sown this winter, and there is an ongoing investigation into determining the most profitable suckler cow.
Craig Archibold will be on hand to discuss what is happening on the farm and what the future holds.
The meeting will be followed by lunch at a local distillery. After this, Margaret Morris and Morven Laurie of Nature Scot will demonstrate an app which will be launching soon to help farmers and crofters carry out biodiversity audits.
For more information, and to book tickets click here. Foot passenger transport to and from Port Ellen can be arranged by must be confirmed at booking.
Christine Cuthbertson, Monitor Farm regional advisor said: “This will be a practical meeting, aiming to tackle a topic that many farmers worry about, and there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions. It will also be great to hear from the Archibald family about the changes they have made since becoming Monitor Farmers, as well as get a sneak preview of a useful new app for farmers.”