From strength to strength
Central to the farm’s expansion has been cost efficiency. Against a backdrop of rising machinery, feed and fuel costs as well as insurance, David and his wife Cora have been able to craft one of the lowest-input sheep farming systems in the UK.
“Our flock is entirely pasture fed. Most of our grazing lies between 1,000-2,000 feet and is often exposed, which is why we farm the hardy breeds we do. The sheep are free to graze all year round, which means we have no additional feed costs, and the ewes largely fend for themselves including during lambing. Our business model is set up to produce the finest quality product while being as efficient and future proof as possible.”
Income diversification has been boosted by the development of an agricultural fencing contracting business, which continues to go from strength to strength.
Regenerative farming
The farm has also seen the benefits of investing in regenerative farming. Peat restoration conducted on approximately 1,000 hectares of land in 2019 – at the time, the largest restoration project of its kind in Scotland – has helped repair eroded drainage channels, which allows the hillsides to retain moisture, mitigating downstream flood risk while improving the drought resilience of grazing land. “We’re losing fewer sheep on open ground as a result, locking in more carbon by maintaining moisture levels in the peat, while improving ground coverage for nesting birds,” added David.
Named Sheep Farmer of the Year in 2023 by Farmers Weekly, David and Cora have built a thriving business and aspire to grow the farm further. “NatWest has always been there for me. I’ve never heard the word ‘No’ when I’ve asked for support,” added David. “Like any good partnership, we’ve always been able to come up with a solution that works for all parties.”
