Grassland Farmer Of The Year

Winner’s Farm Walk

Winner’s Farm Walk – Wednesday 22 May 2024 

Drochil Castle Farm, near Peebles, Peeblesshire

Join us to hear from Robert Black, BGS Grassland Farmer of the Year 2023, about his cattle and sheep systems.

The cattle herd is currently being expanded, with home-bred heifers calving at two years of age. Bull calves are left entire, and finished at 12-14 months of age on a total mixed ration made up of home-grown forage and cereals.

Both the 120 Stabiliser suckler cows and the 1000 Highlander ewes are outwintered on deferred hill grazing. Bales of second cut silage are placed in these areas, and no concentrates are fed.  Lower areas of the farm are part of a six-year rotation that includes forage rape and barley.

Topics covered will include:

• Deferred grazing and hill pasture improvement
• Cattle and sheep breeding
• Grassland management
• Finishing young bulls.

The farm tour will start at 11 am prompt, and will be followed by a light lunch at 1 pm. 

The event is FREE to attend, but booking is ESSENTIAL.