Aberdeen-Angus producer receives Scottish Nature of Farming Award

Aberdeen-Angus producer John Moir from the northeast coast of Aberdeenshire has just been named the Scottish winner of the 2009 Nature of Farming Award.

 The Award, run by the RSPB in association with BBC Countryfile, Plantlife and Butterfly Conservation, honours farmers around the UK who manage their land sensitively for wildlife and the environment – and John Moir has successfully integrated a host of conservation measures into his commercial farm business.  As Scottish winner, John will be presented with a cheque for £200, and is eligible for the overall UK prize of £1000 if he collects enough votes online before August 28th.

The Moir family farm 668ha of land on the northeast coast of Scotland in Aberdeenshire, with herds of Aberdeen Angus and Scotch Mule ewes alongside spring and winter cereal crops.  However, a keen interest in wildlife and nature friendly farming means several measures have been taken to be as kind as possible to nature.

The nationally threatened corn bunting has seen a significant increase on the farm during recent years and nests have been protected through delayed cutting of grass, and John has even helped to trial seed mixtures to find the best habitat for the red-listed farmland bird. 

Other conservation measures adopted through the Rural Stewardship Development Contracts include unharvested crops, grass margins, beetlebanks, species-rich and open grazed grasslands to enhance habitats for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.    

The farms are situated close to the Loch of Strathbeg Nature Reserve, which attracts tens of thousands of pink-footed geese each winter.  By taking part in the Strathbeg Goose Management Scheme, thousands of geese are able to graze several of the Moirs’ grass fields undisturbed every winter.  In addition, the Moir family are involved in the Savoch Burn Catchment Initiative to reduce diffuse pollution of this watercourse that feeds into the Loch of Strathbeg.  Having been organic since 2006, their management reduces the run-off of nutrients into the burn and by planting riparian woodlands and allowing water margin vegetation to develop, valuable buffer strips have been created.

John Moir said “It’s a great honour to be awarded in this way by the RSPB.  I’ve always believed that commercial farming can go hand in hand with helping biodiversity, and it’s a pleasure to know that the way I manage the land here is actively helping to provide a home for birds and insects for the good of the countryside.”

Mark O’Brien, Farmland advisory manager with RSPB Scotland said “John Moir fully deserves this award for showing what farmers can do for nature, and we hope that people will vote for him for the UK prize of £1000 by visiting www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote.”