Arable farm of the year embracing precision tech

Preston Hall Farms, the 2021 AgriScot Scottish Arable Farm of the Year award, is set to benefit from a bespoke precision farming package as an award prize.

Preston Hall Farms consists of four arable units around the village of Pathhead in the gently rolling Midlothian countryside 15 miles south of Edinburgh. The farms are predominantly under a combinable crops rotation consisting of 520Ha, however areas of permanent and rotational grass are utilised by neighbouring livestock farmers. Cover crops are also established, and grazed when circumstances allow, as part of a commitment to building soil fertility.

Owned by the Callander family for over 200 years and managed by Bill Gray since 1994, the business was an early adopter of Trimble guidance technology and this will now be upgraded as part of the prize package, courtesy of award sponsors, SoilEssentials.

Rod Armour, Sales Manager with SoilEssentials commented:
“SoilEssentials is proud to sponsor the AgriScot Scottish Arable Farm of the Year. The award is a fantastic way to bring recognition to the top-class arable enterprises we have here in Scotland.”

“As sponsor, we like to reward the recipient farm each year with a special tailored package to suit their precision farming needs. This can be a valuable prize and I hope that it also encourages other farms to enter the award.”

“Recently we visited Preston Hall Farms to talk with Bill and his team around the machinery and existing technology already in place. As Bill says, at farm level, associated technology is moving at pace, but it must have material and cost benefits. Some years ago, the Prestonhall team set off on their precision journey, initially investing in a Trimble CFX-750 guidance display and later upgrading that to provide full steering to a Case Puma tractor.”

“Now, as part of Preston Hall Farms prize, SoilEssentials are providing a full system health check, and firmware upgrade. We will also provide a one-year upgrade to RTK accuracy with the correction signal provided by SoilEssentials’ very own award-winning EssentialsNet RTK service.”

Bill Gray commented:
“Here at Preston Hall Farms, we have never been afraid to try new things, whilst also being open and sharing information and our experiences with others.”

“Receiving the 2021 Scottish Arable Farm of the Year award and subsequently working more closely with SoilEssentials, will allow us to go further along this path. Previously we were very proud to be a Monitor Farm and work with a great network of local farmers to discuss and trial new ideas. It is great to keep some of this momentum going through the AgriScot award.”

“We are a small team here, with Trainee Manager Ben McClymont and highly skilled operator Alastair Hogg always striving to ensure our operations are as efficient and sustainable as possible. The improvements to our Trimble system and utilisation of EssentialsNet RTK should be hugely beneficial to these aims.”

Rod Armour continues:

“We look forward to working with Bill and his team over the coming months to help them to really get the most from our precision technology and we are excited about their enthusiasm for showcasing the benefits to other farmers.”

“All of us at SoilEssentials would also like to send Bill every best wish as he prepares to preside over the 200th Anniversary of the Royal Highland Show in June. It is fantastic to have the Highland back in the calendar this year and we really look forward to welcoming visitors to our stand – in the usual spot on Avenue Q.”