Nature Heroes - David & Wilma Finlay, Rainton Farm - The Ethical Dairy
Where to begin with Wilma and David Finlay’s shift to a regenerative, agro-ecological dairy farming operation on Rainton Farm near Kirkcudbright? We could point to the Ethical Dairy’s big reductions in carbon emissions. Or the attention to soil health and variety of pasture planting that means the closed herd is healthy and expanding? Perhaps the impact on nature, with a five-fold increase in biodiversity? Maybe, the cow-with-calf innovation deployed seven years ago that challenged accepted practice? What is clear, wherever you look the link between farming with nature on Rainton Farm and its resilience as a business is strong.
David and Wilma are award winners, with Rainton Farm winning the Outstanding Achievement Award from the 2021 VIBES programme.
Rainton Farm - Project Highlights
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A series of 6 graphical tiles.
- 50% reductions in direct greenhouse gas emissions
- 90% reductions in chemicals use
- 70% reduction in disease in cattle
- 500% increase in biodiversity
- 10% of the farm's 850 acres now covered with 35,000 trees.
- The creation of five new ponds
Rainton Farm’s shift to regenerative farming has been supported by the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) including the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme (SFGS),the Dumfries and Galloway LEADER and with a grant from the Scottish Government’s Food Processing, Manufacturing and Cooperation scheme.
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