A unique opportunity to see why the judges of the 2010 Future Farmer Award were inspired by the Park family of Drinkstone, Hawick comes in an open invitation to an open day this month.
Arnold Park and son, John are opening their gates for the first time to farmers and associates on Wednesday 27 July as winners of the Murray Trust’s ‘Future Farmer of the Year 2010/11’, when visitors will be shown the practical side of cutting edge genetics and land management.
Their joined-up thinking is put into practice on 1,300 acres rising to more than 1,000ft where annual outputs include 100 rams, 400 gimmers and 600 commercial lambs, plus embryos and semen worldwide.
The Murray Trust’s Harvey MacMillan, enthused:
“Arnold’s futuristic approach to farming is impressive, combining innovation with profitable and sustainable farming. It was not just the genetic progress, but the utilisation of new grass varieties to maximise production, while linking in with conservation work through the Scottish Rural Development Programme and management of an SSSI that impressed.”
Arnold Park said:
“We don’t always get everything right first time, but we have found that the genetics are not only paying off financially, but also hitting UK targets to reduce farming’s carbon footprint by 11% by 2020. It is a fact that by using improved genetics the Scottish sheep industry itself could achieve 20% improvements in carbon footprint – according to independent figures.”
Mr MacMillan added:
“What this open day and the Trust’s principles are driving is the sharing of ideas, so that the industry is working as a team player. Arnold already has overseas farmers falling over themselves to visit and now it’s time he shared with those closer to home, whether you are travelling 10 or 110 miles – this will be time well spent.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- The event, which starts at 11am includes brief papers by Stuart Ashworth, QMS head of economic services on greenhouse gases; Sam Boon, of Signet on breeding for a better future, and Moira Gallagher, SAC, on SRDP & Funding.
- To assist with catering please enrol with Arnold Park either j_park@btconnect.com or visit http://www.drinkstone.com/ or call 01450 370795.
- The event will take place at Drinkstone, Hawick, Roxburghshire, TD9 7NY.
Ends
Contact Sarah Anderson on 0131 472 4108