Farming for a Better Climate

Upper Nisbet, run by Robert and Jac Neill, is situated near Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. Although well known for their award winning beef enterprise, Robert and Jac are participating in the Climate Change Focus Farm project as the arable representative to investigate positive benefits for the business whilst doing their bit towards reducing greenhouse gases implicated in climate change.

Robert and Jac have 242ha of winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley and beans, 202ha under grass and rent an additional 80ha of grass on a neighbouring farm. In terms of livestock, Upper Nisbet has 300 Limousin cross cows with all progeny finished on the farm and is a previous winner of The Farmers Weekly Beef Farmer of the Year in 2006.

Why has Upper Nisbet become involved with the Climate Change Focus Farm project?

Upper Nisbet is a tenanted farm, and Robert and Jac have worked hard to build up the farm business since taking on the tenancy in 2000. Robert and Jac were keen to be involved with the Climate Change Focus Farm work to investigate ways they could benefit the farm, focusing on the arable side of the business, as well as exploring some of the challenges and opportunities brought about by climate change. Jac said "the pressure from climate change is all around; you don't have to look far to see that current farming systems could be at risk". Robert added "hopefully this project will help us to see where we can be more efficient, reduce costs and be prepared for future challenges".

SAC Consulting facilitator for Upper Nisbet, Moira Gallagher said "climate change could present both benefits and challenges to the farming sector; I'm really looking forward to working not only with Upper Nisbet as part of this project, but also with other farmers in the local area through the discussion group meetings".

What measures are going to be explored at Upper Nisbet?

The programme focuses on five key action areas; all are of direct relevance to Upper Nisbet. The way the programme is structured means that meetings will be very practical, with plenty of time for discussion between participants.  Meetings look at improving efficiencies on the farm; greenhouse gas reduction goes hand in hand with this approach. This is the first year of two years for Upper Nisbet in the project. Some of the topics planned for farm meetings this year include:

• Renewables - exploring the potential for wind and solar PV at Upper Nisbet and what are the key points that all farms should consider before signing up to renewables?
• Targeted nutrient application - use of GIS software and machinery needed for precision fertiliser application.  What are the costs and benefits? 
• Soils and soil structure - highlighting how to identify and remedy soil problems and looking at the important role of soils on the farm in terms of nutrients and impact on crop yield.
• Costs of production - what can we do to minimise fixed costs and increase farm profitability?

How can you get involved or keep up to date with developments at Upper Nisbet?

The farmer discussion group meets around five times a year over the autumn/winter months to discuss a range of key topics with the help of industry specialists, identifying practical and cost effective steps that participants will be able to consider for their farm. Forthcoming meetings will be advertised on the FFBC Events pages; all farmers are welcome to attend. For more information, contact farm facilitator Moira Gallagher at SAC Consulting's St Boswells office on 01835 823322.

If you would like to keep up to speed with what's happening at the Upper Nisbet discussion group meetings you can download the notes from 'Related Downloads' at the foot of this page or for an overview of activities on all the farms you can download the FFBC newsletter.

Visit the Website for more information: http://www.sruc.ac.uk/climatechange/farmingforabetterclimate/