A student from Middletown was among a group of CAFRE agriculture students who travelled to Scotland to study modern farming systems, including robotic milking, selective breeding and precision livestock management.
The students, who are completing the Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, undertook the study tour before completing their three years of study. The trip, published by DAERA on 29 July 2026, exposed them to a range of livestock enterprises and progressive approaches to farm management.
Farms using technology and breeding to improve performance
The first visit was to Myremill Farm near Maybole in Ayrshire, where the Lowrie family manages around 300 Holstein and pedigree Ayrshire cows as well as 300 youngstock. The farm has installed a robotic milking system, allowing cows to be milked more frequently and according to their own schedule.
Students also learned how herd-management technology can be used to monitor animal health, fertility and performance. The farm’s modernisation has been accompanied by investment in housing and ventilation, with cow comfort remaining an important part of the system.
At nearby Darnlaw Farm, the Sloan family manages a 190-cow Holstein-Friesian herd milked by robots, with the cows housed throughout the year. The visit focused on genetics and selective breeding. All the animals are pedigree registered, while the use of sexed semen has helped the farm produce pedigree heifer calves for sale and showing.
On the second day, the group visited Parkend Farm near Cowdenbeath in Fife. Brian Weatherup’s farm has approximately 160 Holstein cows and is known for pedigree breeding and show success. Robotic milking was introduced to address labour challenges and improve work-life balance, bringing greater efficiency and more time for detailed herd management.
From upland sheep and beef to precision feeding
The tour then moved to Over Finlarg, an upland farm near Dundee managed by Robert and Hazel McNee. The 1,200-acre holding rises to 1,200 feet above sea level and has been developed through reseeding, drainage, fencing and infrastructure improvements.
Its livestock system includes 1,100 breeding ewes and a 200-cow suckler herd. The sheep enterprise produces commercial and pedigree stock across several breeds, while the beef operation focuses on maternal and terminal traits and the production of high-quality bulls.
At the 4,767-acre Holehouse Farm in Kilbirnie, students saw how a large mixed enterprise combines dairy, beef and sheep production across several farm units. The Logan family runs a 280-cow Holstein herd, a 160-head suckler herd and 1,700 Blackface ewes grazing on hill ground.
Management tools demonstrated during the visit included infrared scanning for body-condition scoring, automated feed pushers and precision feeding systems. Breeding work is focused on producing high-quality replacement females for the sheep enterprise.
The final visit was to West Galdenoch Farm near Stranraer, a large dairy unit with 1,300 Holstein cows milked through a 70-point rotary parlour. The farm combines high milk yields with strong compositional quality and uses a “flying herd” system, with calves reared off-site so the business can concentrate on milk production.
Students consider their next steps
DAERA said the tour demonstrated the importance of adaptability and forward-thinking in agriculture, particularly in technology adoption, genetics and large-scale farm management.
Among those pictured at Myremill Farm were Emma Quinn from Dungannon, Emma Hegarty from Lurgan, Aileen O’Reilly from Middletown, Matthew Sloan from Randalstown and Martin McCrory from Omagh. They were pictured with host farmer Kevin Lowrie.
The study tour was supported by a contribution from The Gibson Trust. CAFRE also thanked the farms that hosted the visits and gave the students time to tour their facilities.
As the students move on from their Level 3 course, they may progress to higher-level study, enter employment or return to their home enterprises. CAFRE said it offers full-time and part-time agriculture courses for people considering leaving school after Year 12, with further information available through the CAFRE website.