Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has now relocated its poultry research unit from Ayrshire to Midlothian.  The new facility has been  built on the Easter Bush Estate, which is already home to most of the College’s animal and veterinary scientists.  JSR Services were selected to supply the first birds due to their attention to detail in the rearing process and their reputation for providing quality pullets.  The SRUC needed to have the best quality of birds they could get so observations and trials have the best chance to produce the right results.  

JSR Services (Blairgowrie) Ltd now carry stock of a wide range of Bird Welfare Enhancements.  These enhancements can be used in the rearing process and then also once the birds are housed in the laying sheds.

With the ever increasing demand on the birds to give a maximum output of quality product research states that having some extra enrichment can do the birds the world good.  Enrichment’s such as Lucerne bails hanging for the birds to peck at and eat will not only keep the birds stimulated but supply them with extra fiber.  This extra fiber helps with reducing feather loss and stress so keeps the birds producing better quality eggs for longer.  As all egg farmers will tell you if they can keep the shell colour and quality good there is more profit to be made.

Another popular enrichment are the Vilofoss Pecking Stones.  Birds naturally want to peck at things and forage so placing these blocks around the scratch area will give their area a more natural feel.  On top of these the blocks are full of minerals to help with bird health so keep them happy all round.

There is a minimal cost to these enhancements so JSR Services do not include these with every rear.  If you would like any enhancements to be put in as part of your rearing please requested this on order.

On the stand will be a full demonstration machine for you to play with and we will be on hand to answer any questions or discuss any ideas you may have to retail your eggs or meat.  If you would like to book an allocated time slot to speak to Stuart please call him on 07917730452.

We are delighted to report that Phillip Burke, farm manager of Hillocks of Gourdie Farm was  Commended  in the Producer Category and Dougie Welland of Kirktonley Farm  was Highly Commended in the Organic Category of the Scottish Egg Quality Awards.

3 in a row!

Round 3 of the Junior Ecosse challenge was at Crail for the Crail summer stages. Two years ago it was my first event so I’m always excited to do it.

Ss1 & 2 we went for a push to try and get a lead coming in after two stages with a 16sec lead.

After our success at last years Farming Business Innovation Show at Birmingham NEC we are pleased to  say that we will be there again this year.

Dates for your diary are 9th and 10th November 2016

For further information go to www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk

and for further information on our vending machines go to www.vendingbyjsr.co.uk

Wishing all our Customers & Friends a very Merry Christmas

This Friday the 4th December one of our good customers Grewar Farming will be featured on the Landward programme on BBC1.  Peter Grewar and his cousin Euan first had the idea to sell their potatoes in our vending machines after seeing the egg machine we had installed on one of our own farms back in early 2014.  With potato prices being low they saw this as a great way of selling their product direct to the customer and maximising profits.

After a successful months trial with a small machine at their Ardler premises in Perthshire the Grewars ordered their first three machines.  What happened next was phenomenal.  Being the forward thinking young farmers they are, they contacted the local shopping centre and promoted their idea on the basis there was no way of buying good healthy fresh food in the centre.  The promotions people loved the idea and when the local press picked up on this a number of press and radio interviews followed. With these first machines selling only tatties and eggs they were an instant hit.

With the success of the first machines the Grewar family have now added a further two cooled machines to their fleet. Grewar Farm Vending was born and they now have machines in 6 sites spread over the local area.  These sites are two shopping centres, two of their own farms, a children’s outdoor play centre and an upmarket hotel.

In response to customer demand they are now growing a range of vegetables themselves for stocking the machines.  They had soft fruit in the summer and will continue the trend  of supplying home grown seasonal produce.

Local reporter Martel Maxwell is to be a guest reporter on the BBC Landward programme. When reporting on the global market for Scottish potatoes it was only right she covered Grewar Farm Vending and their forward thinking approach to selling direct to the public.

We look forward to her report.

located Overgate Shopping centre Dundee

Well done again the Grewar family

Finlay grandson of John & Linda Retson came 2nd Overall Driver in the junior 1000 Ecosse Challenge, and Finlay’s Co driver Andrew Falconer winning 1st placed Co driver for the 2015 season.

Pictured here is a very proud Linda Retson with Finlay & Andrew, showing off there silverware!

Video is a little snippet of Finlay & Andrew in the summer @ Crail.

John Retson will be chairing the conference for the fourth year running, and quoting the “Conference & AGM ” programme “John is a stickler for time keeping” – I’m sure everything will run smoothly and a great day will be had by all.

Guest speakers are Adam Henson from Countryfile and Allan Wilkinson of HSBC Bank also James Baxter this years Farmers weekly “Poultry Farmer of the Year” winner.

The BFREPA Free Range Awards sponsored by Elanco, will be announce by none other than Alan Dedicoat the voice of the National Lottery and Strictly Come Dancing, along side Adam Henson presenting the awards to the winners, good luck and congratulations to everyone entered for an award.