Building Farm Resilience: Insights from Bee Edge Farm & Agronomy Experts

Today we are talking with Annabel Hamilton from Bee Edge farm in the Scottish borders and Greig Baird head of agronomy teams in Scotland for Agrii.

In this episode we are checking in with Bee Edge farm which is also an Agrii iFarm, to see how the season is faring so far, what can be learnt from the previous harvest year and what are the top tips as we start a busy season on farm. 

Bee Edge Farm: A Model for Sustainable Farming

Bee Edge Farm, situated near the East Berwickshire coast, operates across 2,500 acres of arable land, balancing owned, rented, and contract-farmed areas while also fattening 300–350 cattle annually. This diversified approach allows the farm to remain adaptable in a rapidly changing agricultural environment.

As a long-standing Agrii iFarm, Bee Edge hosts trials and research initiatives that offer valuable insights to other farmers. Annabel highlights the importance of knowledge-sharing, noting that understanding different farming approaches—both successful and less effective ones—helps improve decision-making.

The Value of Agrii iFarms in Agricultural Research

Agrii iFarms provide real-world data on variety performance, soil health, and disease resistance across different climates and regions. Bee Edge Farm’s coastal location makes it particularly valuable for studying:

• Yellow rust and mildew susceptibility
• Varietal resilience in a maritime climate
• Soil nutrient dynamics and establishment trends

Greig Baird explains that these insights help farmers tailor their crop management strategies based on location-specific risks, ultimately improving farm productivity and sustainability.

Building Resilience: Lessons from Bee Edge Farm

Annabel Hamilton and her team continuously adapt their farming approach to enhance resilience. Key strategies include:

• Diversification: Expanding livestock enterprises for greater financial stability.
• Sustainable Practices: Reducing reliance on contract farming agreements and improving self-sufficiency.
• Continuous Learning: Engaging in industry awards and benchmarking exercises like the Farmers Weekly Awards to scrutinise and improve operations.

According to Greig, this data-driven approach is crucial for long-term farm viability. By consistently evaluating margin over input costs and assessing new sustainable farming options, Bee Edge Farm remains at the forefront of resilient agronomy.

Key Agronomic Trends & Challenges for 2024

1. Disease Pressure & Crop Management

• Yellow Rust & Septoria: With a milder winter and fewer hard frosts, disease pressure is expected to be high in early 2024.
• Winter Barley: Strong establishment, but mildew risk is evident.
• Oilseed Rape: Some signs of light leaf spot and phoma, requiring close monitoring.

Greig advises farmers to regularly inspect crops and adapt spray programmes based on real-time disease development rather than relying solely on past-season data.

2. Spring Agronomic Priorities

• Early Nutrition Planning: Farmers should test soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) to tailor fertiliser applications effectively.
• Tissue Testing: Identifying micro-nutrient deficiencies early allows for precision interventions.
• Optimised Spray Timings: Coastal farms like Bee Edge Farm often have limited spray windows due to wind conditions, making timing critical for disease and pest control.
  
  

3. The Importance of Trusted Agronomy Advice

Annabel underscores the value of working closely with agronomists, explaining that having expert input on crop health, pest risks, and nutrition planning ensures more informed, data-backed decisions.

Greig adds that precision agronomy—leveraging data from trials, real-time observations, and predictive models—helps farms achieve both high yield and cost efficiency.

Final Takeaways: Expert Agronomy Tips for 2024

Greig Baird’s Agronomy Advice:

• ✅ Plan, but be flexible. Weather conditions change, and farm strategies must adapt.
• ✅ Use precision agronomy. Make decisions based on real-time data, not assumptions.
• ✅ Target yield potential. Assess which fields have the highest return on investment.
  
  

Annabel Hamilton’s Farmer Insights:

• ✅ Attention to detail matters. Small agronomic tweaks can lead to big yield differences.
• ✅ Adapt to change. Don’t be afraid to shift strategies mid-season.
• ✅ Stick to what works for your farm. Trends come and go, but farm-specific knowledge is invaluable.