James Scott has a family farm of 66 acres approx. in the townland of Kiltyfelan, just off the Sligo to Enniskillen road near the border village of Belcoo. His farm is in one of the most scenic areas of the country straddling the Fermanagh – Cavan border. He describes his land as fair, and keeps a small herd of 25 suckler cattle.
Jim is a qualified AI technician and AI trainer and uses AI on all his cows, using mainly Charolais bulls. He aims usually for spring calving. He states that the best investment he ever made was a feeding trailer with headlocks, as it allows him to AI in the field. As James works alone, this is a great boon. James sees poor fertility as a real problem on farms. He is very pleased with the quality of calves he is getting through AI. As a long time MED member he has been very supportive of the AI cattle improvement scheme.
Under the auspices of DARD, James is very involved in countryside management. Part of his farm borders a lake and he is supportive of its development as an amenity. This year some angling competitions were held on the lake. DARD have responded to the success of these events by intimating that they would, with James’s permission like to upgrade facilities (e.g. paths, parking area, gates, & access areas) for the benefit of the public at large. James believes that the countryside should be accessible and for the benefit of all, and would encourage the concept of social farming.
James says that nature with a little help from himself has suitably divided his land, so this negates the need for paddocks.
James has not reseeded for a number of years but states that with the addition of slurry the grass levels are adequate for his herd.
As a qualified AI trainer, James also runs a DIY AI course. The training takes place over 3-5 days with mentoring support throughout and additional back up support. James is well known inSouth Fermanaghas he has several years experience working as an AI technician in the area. If you are interested in the course, James can be contacted on;
Northern Ireland 079 8092 9990 – Rep. of Ireland 0044 7980 9299 90.