MSP visits farm in Strathaven to learn about challenges faced by dairy industry

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Lanarkshire MSP has visited a local farm this week to learn about the many challenges the industry is facing. Graham Simpson joined NFU Scotland at East Brackenridge Farm in Strathaven to speak to farmers and get a tour of their facilities.

He met with Andrew Neilson, who runs the 350-acre site, before finding out about the work they’re doing to modernise and overcome the current dairy industry challenges.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android East Brackenridge Farm, which has 350 Holstein cows providing 40 litres of milk per day, have a contract with Muller Diaries to supply the Tesco chain with milk.Farmer Andrew was recently crowned ‘Stockman of the Year’ at the Royal Highland Show – which was shared, for the first time in history, after he and fellow competitor David Mitchell both received 606 points by the judgesAndrew and his father, Hugh Neilson, also outlined their desire to act as custodians of the land and intend to leave it in better shape than when they arrived.Mr Simpson heard about the new technology used to monitor the health and wellbeing of each cow.The farm now uses a computer programme to track the cow’s health, fitness and ability to provide milk.The group discussed the challenges facing the dairy industry – including the substantial rise in the cost of fuel, fertiliser and feed