The Farm Profit Programme is an ambitious new project delivered by the Farmers Journal and ANM Group with the support of the Scottish Government. The objective of the programme is to improve the technical performance and profitability of livestock farms across the north and northeast of Scotland. Read more

We farm at Arnage farm near Ellonin, Aberdeenshire. Traditionally, we were predominantly arable, but have moved to keeping more livestock over the last number of years. It is a mainly arable area, with most of the land Macaulay Class 3.

We have 130 Simmental and Limousin-cross cows calving from February onwards. Previously, we have finished bulls, but moved away from this in the last few years due to the market signalling a lack of demand for these cattle.

All male calves are now castrated at birth. Cattle that we are not keeping for replacements are sold as stores around 12 to 15 months old, between 380kg and 400kg liveweight.

We have recently started a ewe flock and from 68 ewes a few years ago, we are now running just short of 300 ewes.

The flock is made up of half-bred crossed Suffolk mules and purchased Suffolk-cross ewes.

These are put to both Texel and Suffolk sires, with all lambs sold fat through Thainstone Mart.

Being part of the programme, we are aiming to improve farm profitability over the next three years. We plan to focus on tightening up the calving and move to having two defined 12-week periods.

On the sheep side, we will increase the number of lambs reared per ewe from the current level, increase weaning weight and get lambs sold earlier in the year.

With changes to grassland management, we are aiming to make better use of grazed grass.

By rotational grazing, we will have better utilisation and this should lead to a lift in liveweight gain from grass.