Farming for a Better Climate was invited by NFU Scotland to attend a meeting at Woodhead near Newmilns in Ayrshire with Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon, MSP Willie Coffey and local farmers.

During the visit, Chair of NFU Scotland’s Kilmarnock Branch, John Kerr, spoke about the steps the family business has taken to reduce emissions during and since Woodhead’s time as a Climate Change Focus Farm from 2014 to 2018.  Most recently, John has focussed on regenerative steps to make the most from grass and its carbon sequestering properties, using a dribble bar for slurry applications and more efficient milk cooling systems, along with other tweaks to routine operations.

Speaking to NFU Scotland, John said: “Whilst all eyes have been on the COP26 climate change conference taking place in the city of Glasgow, we were delighted to meet the Cabinet Minister and show first-hand how Ayrshire’s dairy and livestock farmers are taking action on climate change”.  John noted how he is minimising his impact on the environment, sequestering carbon in pastures whilst continuing to produce nutritious food and underpinning the local economy.  It is estimated that John and Anne reduced their farm carbon footprint by around 6% and saved £63,000, with no loss of production during their time as focus farmers with Farming for a Better Climate initiative.  The Kerrs received a grant through the pilot Sustainable Agricultural Grant Scheme for a Dribble Bar slurry spreading attachment.  Pictured (L to R) Anne Kerr, Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon, John Kerr and MSP Willie Coffey.