Ardross Farm near Fife was recently awarded its Pasture for Life status FEED EFFICIENCY is the key ingredient to a productive and profitable beef system. There is not a one size fits all approach to cattle finishing, with a variation of systems from semi-intensive feeding to 100% grass fed – according to Quality Meat Scotland. Producers operate under tight margins, so it’s important to identify cattle to suit your system based on infrastructure, nutrition, genetics and management, which will help meet market requirements and generate profit, advised QMS cattle and sheep specialist, Beth Alexander. Fifth generation farmer, Claire Pollock from Ardross Farm, near Fife, adapted her system to allow all cattle and sheep to be fed on a 100% forage-based diet. Her efforts have paid off, with the farm recently being awarded its Pasture for Life status.
100% Pasture for Life status awarded to Fife farm
8 February 2021 |
Originally dairy farmers, the Pollock family transitioned into beef 25 years ago
A Scottish farmer who adapted her system to allow all cattle and sheep to be fed on a 100% forage-based diet has paid off, with the farm recently awarded its Pasture for Life status.
Fifth generation farmer Claire Pollock from Ardross Farm, near Fife, says her feeding regime is very simple - grass in the summertime and silage when the grass has stopped growing.
“We use a mix of strip and paddock grazing in a rotational system; however, it is something we should do more of, she explains.