Walk & Talk: Working Towards Net Zero and Measuring & Improving Efficiency at Hoddom & Kinmount Estate
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Venue: Charlesfield Farm, Hoddom & Kinmount Estate, Annan, DG12 5RG
Hoddom and Kinmount Estate extends to 9,735 ac. (3,940 ha.) outside Annan in South West Scotland. The estate encompasses traditional elements of forestry, in-hand and let farming and residential properties, commercial lets, in addition to Hoddom Castle Caravan Park, Kinmount House exclusive use venue, an Anaerobic Digestor, and a number of self-catering properties. The Estate businesses are split into several trading entities but have a single overarching approach to management to ensure that decisions made benefit the Estate as a whole. Davidson & Robertson oversee the management of the Estate, with in-hand trading businesses headed up by internal managers.
James Marshall oversees the in-hand farming enterprises and is now in his third year in the role. During this time James has made significant changes to the profitability and efficiency of the in-hand farming enterprises, including increasing the farmed acreage to 3,200 acres. Aside from just growing the traditional wheat and barley, the cropping plan also extends to spring beans, forage brassicas, oats, triticale, maize and miscanthus, in addition to large quantities of grass silage and hybrid rye produced for the on-site AD plant. Grain is sold dry, along with whole-cropped for cattle feed and sold standing for local dairy farmers. H&K Farms have 1,200 head of ewes (primarily mules and texel cross, with a herd of Black Welsh mountain) and a 120 head Aberdeen Angus suckler herd finishing system, in addition to a small herd of Shorthorns. More recently, the farm has expanded to incorporate an integrated finishing system for a supermarket, rearing young stock through to finishing, and native Galloways to manage rougher grazing. Annual grazing agreements (grass parks) and overwintering sheep also supplement the farm income.
In 2024, the farm undertook a carbon audit and extensive soil sampling in order to meet the 2025 BPS eligibility requirements. Looking more broadly, undertaking these tasks has been a useful activity which has positively fed into decision making; allowing several efficiencies to be made across the business. Looking specifically at the cattle enterprise and arable cropping, driving these efficiencies has resulted in measurable financial improvements for the business and wider Estate.
The Walk & Talk will be hosted by James Marshall, Farm Manager at H&K Farms.
James has produced some excellent videos for FAS which give further information:
Working Towards Net Zero Carbon at Hoddom & Kinmount Estate:
Measuring and Improving Efficiency at Hoddom and Kinmount Estate
Improving Efficiency at Hoddom & Kinmount Estate
Programme
| 10:00-10:15 | Arrival at Charlesfield Farm. Tea, coffee, and toilets will be available. Initial introductions from Katie Kolita and Niall Milner of Davidson & Robertson |
| 10:15-11:15 | The Walk and Talk will open with James Marshall, Farm Manager at H&K Farms. Topics to include carbon auditing, soil sampling and improving efficiencies within the cattle and arable enterprises. |
| 11:15-12:15 | Travel to Mainholm Farm Steading to look at these measures in practice. |
| 12:15-12:30 | Q&A and Close |
This event is free of charge to SLE Members, but booking is essential through the SLE website.
Additional event information:
Format of the event: Participants will gather at Charlesfield Farm DG 12 5RG on the Estate, where there is good parking near the Anaerobic Digester & silage clamp.
What 3 Words: fermented.success.stripped – this is more accurate than the postcode
Other information: Elements of this event will take place outdoors so please bring suitable clothing and footwear. There is a big shed that we can use in case of bad weather.
Booking information: Booking is essential. To secure your place please book online today.