6. Michael Kyle, Linns Farm, Collin, Dumfries

He grazes his 700 cows for up to 10 months, with a combination of kale, fodder beet and woodchip corals used for outwintering. He is in the process of developing the farm, having reseeded 265ha (650 acres) and plans to do another 60ha (150 acres) as cow numbers grow to 900.

The Jersey crosses spring block calve from February 25 and would usually thrive on grass alone. Given the very hard winter, Mr Kyle is currently offering palm kernel and maize silage.

In a more usual years, cows would only get 100-150kg DM of supplements in 12 months. This plus grass supports an average production of 3,800-4,000 litres at 5 per cent butterfat and just under 3 per cent protein. Milk is sold to Caledonian Cheese.

Mr Kyle says the grass is a bit behind at the moment, but will not need ‘much of a move to get us back off concentrates again’.

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