Adrian Ivory acts as manager of the Strathisla Farms, which consists of a pedigree Simmental and Charolais enterprise, as well as a commercial suckler herd and arable operation.

With regards to the pedigree enterprises, significant investment in both high EBV Simmental and Charolais herd sires has enhanced the genetics of both herds. Cow numbers now run at 60 pedigree Simmentals, 60 Charolais cows and 150 commercial suckler cows.

All herds are part of the SAC health scheme. Adrian and his stockmen, Colin Fordyce and Alistair Borthwick, work closely with the farm’s vets monitoring Johne’s, BVD, IBR and Lepto and vaccinate for blackleg, BVD, IBR and bluetongue.

The Simmental herd was established in 1979 with the purchase of Plurenden Geraldo and carries the Strathisla prefix, while the Charolais herd was established in 1998 with purchases from the Moyness and Balmyle herds and carries the Cardean prefix.

Both herds have achieved great success in the show and sale ring culminating in championships at both regional and national show level and at the Perth Bull Sales.

The commercial herd is geared around producing quality bull beef for a deadweight contract with Asda, as well as selling high health commercial females for suckler replacements or embryo recipient females.

Public speaking and presentations

Since winning the Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year, Adrian Ivory has been invited to speak at various conferences, industry working groups and farmer groups. To date he has spoken at the following events and is currently Co Chairman of the Oxford Farming Conference 2014:

• NFU Future of Livestock Farming Conference – “Working with supermarkets and the outlook for British beef.”
• British Cattle Breeders Conference – “Breeding for profit.”
• Worshipful Company of Farmers – “The story so far.........and how to work with the supermarkets.”
• JSR Egg Conference – “Supermarkets - a dragon or an opportunity?”