Walk & Talk: Maximising opportunities at Southfield farm - exploring tree planting projects and the Innovis sheep breeding programme

Southfield is a 255ha upland stock farm situated 5 miles south of Hawick on Buccleuch’s Borders Estate.

Historically let on a secure tenancy, the farm was relet by Buccleuch in 2020 as a fully equipped farm on a 10-year Modern Limited Duration Tenancy (MLDT). Prior to this, Buccleuch spent three years farming it in-hand while investing in the farmhouse, steading and land to ensure it was a high-quality farming unit to support a strong landlord / tenant relationship. 
In total the farm comprises 533 acres with the addition of 64 acres of forestry, 361 acres of low ground and 172 acres of rough grazing.

The event will focus on three main areas;

TREE PLANTING (with a focus on the riparian planting project) 
Approximately 38 acres of native broadleaf woodland has been planted across the farm, providing a broad range of benefits; biodiversity, natural flood management, water quality, improving river habitats, shelter, shading and grazing management (breaking up large parcels), supporting Southfield’s rotational grazing method, habitat connectivity and carbon sequestration.  

Southfield is a demonstrator site for the Integrating Trees Network initiative, which is supported by Scottish Forestry and the Scottish Government.

Total Area – 15.78ha 
Total Trees planted – 23,312 
Tree Species – Oak, Aspen, Rowan, Bird Cherry, Downy Birch, Alder, Goat Willow, Hazel, Juniper, Hawthorn, Crab Apple 
Protection methods – Deer fencing and vole guards 
Funding Streams – Forestry Grant Scheme, Wind turbine fund and some financial input from Innovis

INNOVIS SHEEP BREEDING PROGRAMME 
Southfield Farm has been the home of Innovis since September 2020, when the 1000 ewe nucleus flock moved north from Aberystwyth.

Investing heavily into research to become net zero at a new farm at Southfield is the ambition behind the breeding company Innovis. By applying the scientific principles of genetics, Innovis has bred flocks that are fit for purpose, enabling individual farms to meet their own management challenges with the flocks they keep, allowing them to adapt to more sustainable and profitable systems. Innovis has challenged the traditional breeding sheep market by marketing its maternal and terminal lines with data-driven evaluations that allow farmers to identify the rams that will deliver the performance that best suits their own business objectives.  

LANDLORD-TENANT RELATIONSHIP 
The event will also look at the positive landlord/tenant relationship between Buccleuch and Innovis. We will hear from Southfield Farm Manager, Hamish MacDonald and Buccleuch Estate Director, Ed Morris about the positive and supportive relationship that has been fostered, providing confidence to make long-term investment plans.    

We will hear from:   
Hamish MacDonald (Farm Manager at Southfield Farm).   
Dewi Jones (CEO at Innovis). 
Hamish Robertson (Project Officer at the Tweed Forum).  

Additional event information
Participants will meet at Southfield Farm, TD9 0PE 
Tea and coffee will be available on arrival.
The Walk & Talk will open with an introduction to Southfield farm from Farm Manager Hamish MacDonald. Lunch is being kindly provided by Innovis.  

Other information: Since part of this event will take place outdoors, please bring suitable clothing and footwear.

Booking information: Booking is essential. To secure your place please book online today.