Preston Hall named AgriScot Scottish Arable Farm of the Year

The award, sponsored by SoilEssentials and supported by AHDB, recognises farms who focus on soil health and make best use of innovation and technology. This year’s shortlist consisted of two farms from Aberdeenshire and one from Midlothian.

Farm Manager Bill Gray has managed the farm at Preston Hall in Midlothian since 1996. He was commended for his attention to detail in his approach to soil management; the successful construction of a new grain store which has improved the farm’s grain marketing business; succession planning, employee communication, and knowledge sharing through the farm’s involvement with the Monitor Farm programme.

Preston Hall is a mixed arable farm of 650 hectares, predominantly oilseed rape, first and second winter wheat, spring barley, winter oats and winter barley, plus some permanent pasture and woodland. The farm successfully balances the competing demands of crop production and financial stability whilst protecting the environment and enhancing wildlife. With a highly capable team, modern machinery and a forward-thinking approach, Preston Hall strives to be at the forefront of modern farming practices.

John Weir from Lacesston farm in Fife, and the 2019 title holder, assessed the competition alongside arable award convenor, John Kinnaird. He commented: “What really stood out for me was the farm’s approach to succession planning. Bill has brought in a trainee manager and is taking the time to put him through the farming equivalent of a management training scheme so that he can take over running the farm business if he chooses to stay at Preston Hall. I don’t think anyone else in the industry is doing this and I am sure it will really pay off.

“I also admire the collaborative approach Bill took when he partnered with his neighbour Peter Eccles at Saughland in the Monitor farm programme. By applying a holistic approach to agricultural regeneration, they shared their resources to integrate livestock with arable improving soil health and providing support to both farms year-round with the result that both their farming businesses have become more resilient.”

John Kinnaird gives his view: “I was most impressed by Preston Hall’s approach to soil management and soil health, ensuring they get the best performance from the land. Their investment in the new grain store, succession planning, employee communication and knowledge sharing through the farm’s involvement with the Monitor Farm programme are all noteworthy. Each element is impressive in its own right but when you combine them as a whole they make for an extremely impressive, and successful business, and one worthy of receiving the accolade of Arable Farm of the Year.

SoilEssentials congratulate all three finalists for showing the obvious passion they have for their businesses and the arable industry, as well as making it extremely difficult for the judges to make their final decision. Jim Wilson, Managing Director, explains, “We are delighted to be associated with this award and have been extremely enthused to learn more about each of the three finalists and the farm businesses they manage. We are very much looking forward to engaging with Bill over the coming year and after an initial visit and discussion with Preston Hall, SoilEssentials will provide a tailored precision package suited to their business to help improve and enhance its operations moving forward.”

Sarah Bell, Chair of AHDB’s Cereals & Oilseeds Council met the three finalists at the awards presentation and said: “I was very impressed with each of the farms shortlisted for this year’s award. They are all great examples of farms that are leading the way in the Scottish farming sector, trying new approaches and demonstrating best practice. They are excellent ambassadors for the agricultural industry.”

There were two other very strong finalists in the Arable Farm of the Year category, Milton of Mathers Farm run by Jim Reid and his family, at St Cyrus and Tulloch Farms near Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire managed by Iain Wilson.