CAFRE students explore Agriculture in Scotland, thanks to the Gibson Trust

Date published: 31 July 2025

The Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture final year students, divided into three groups embarked on educational study tours to three locations.

Planned visits to leading farms in Scotland offered valuable insights into large-scale, data-driven farming and the integration of technology in modern dairy systems.

At Girvan Mains Farm, near Girvan, students explored a highly diversified 2,000-acre enterprise run by the Young family. The farm includes a 4,000-head beef finishing unit, 450 suckler cows, extensive potato and carrot production, cereals, and an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant. Students learned how performance data is used to drive efficiency in the beef unit, where underperforming cattle are identified early. The AD plant, powered by manure and forage crops, supplies renewable energy to the farm and local facilities. The farm’s involvement in the Girvan Early Growers Group highlighted the benefits of collaboration in crop production and marketing. Key takeaways included the importance of data, innovation, and working together to build a resilient farm business.

At Darnlaw Farm near Auchinleck, Robert Sloan showcased a 600-acre dairy enterprise milking 190 Holstein Friesians with robotic systems and 90 Jerseys through a conventional parlour. Students saw how automation, attention to silage quality, and high-welfare housing contribute to herd performance, averaging 14,000 litres per lactation. The Jersey herd, introduced to meet specific market demands, demonstrated flexibility in business planning. Robert also shared how strategic investments in infrastructure and technology supported the farm’s growth. Students left with a strong appreciation for how precision, planning, and innovation drive success in modern dairy farming.

The second day offered two visits to progressive mixed farms each offering unique insights into diversification, sustainability, and modern farm management.

At Logie Farm, Andrew and Jo Morris showcased their 523-acre enterprise, which included arable crops, a 550-ewe flock, and luxury glamping pods overlooking the River Tay. Students learned about the importance of crop rotation to restore soil health, the use of crop by-products for livestock feed, and the value of adaptability in response to changing climates and market conditions. The farm’s appearance on ‘This Farming Life’ also highlighted the benefits of engaging with public outreach and diversification.

The visit to Mains of Logie, managed by Peter Salmon, enabled students to explore a 600-acre farm producing cereals, potatoes, and daffodil bulbs, an enterprise that sparked particular interest. They toured storage and handling facilities, viewed the suckler herd and bull beef system, and discussed the use of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in herd management. The farm’s renewable energy systems, including wind, solar, and biomass, demonstrated how clean energy supports both sustainability and operational efficiency.

Students then visited a 4,767-acre mixed enterprise with extensive cattle and sheep operations at Holehouse Farm in Kilbirnie. The farm is home to 280 pedigree Holstein cows, 160 suckler cows (mainly Charolais-sired), and 1,700 Blackface ewes crossed with Bluefaced Leicester or Blackface rams.

Students were particularly interested in the farm’s breeding strategies, including the use of Charolais bulls for profitable calf sales and INRA95 sires on dairy cows to produce efficient beef animals. The sheep breeding programme focused on producing high-quality Mule ewe lambs. The visit also highlighted the role of technology, such as slurry separators, in supporting sustainable large-scale operations.

At Littleton Farm in Girvan, students experienced a 280-acre, fully grass-based system with 130 Traditional Aberdeen Angus x Hereford suckler cows. The farm uses no concentrates or fertilisers, and all cattle are outwintered with only silage provided. Students observed rotational grazing in action and learned how this approach supports soil health, pasture regeneration, and animal welfare. The farm’s minimal-input model challenged conventional practices and demonstrated how natural systems can support sustainable and profitable livestock farming. Key lessons included the benefits of rotational grazing, the viability of outwintering, and how low-input systems can reduce environmental impact while maintaining productivity.

CAFRE is deeply indebted to The Gibson Trust for contributing to the costs of the study tour for the final year Level 3 Agriculture students at Greenmount Campus. Additionally, many thanks to all the farms and staff for taking time to tour the students around their facilities and hosting such great visits.

The study tour provided the opportunity for students to connect with each other one final time as a group, before embarking on their own career paths. Some of the students will continue their studies on higher level courses, some will enter employment, while others will return to their home enterprises to work alongside family members.

If you, or someone you know is considering leaving school after Year 12, CAFRE offers full-time and part-time courses in Agriculture. For more information, visit the CAFRE website.