With the proximity of Aberdeen, and the inevitable draw of the oil industry, there has been a dearth of experienced machinery operators for the agricultural sector. This has accelerated the inevitable move to larger machinery in a drive to increase output and efficiency 

This use of larger tractors and complementary machinery coupled with increased arable area have resulted in reductions in fuel, time and horse power per acre:

In 2007/8, our machinery costs for planting wheat were £38.70 per acre, using a four furrow reversible (£17.40), Combi drill (£18) and rolling (£3.30). It took 47 minutes.

In 2013/4, the same operation cost £26.80, using a nine furrow reversible plough (£15), disk/drill (£8.50) and rolling (£3.30). Now it takes 27 minutes.

Fuel usage for all cultivations has dropped from 24 gallons per acre to under 15 gallons.

Stracathro Estate try, where possible, to do all operations in house with our own operators on our own machines.

Machinery is all modern and well maintained 

Contractors are brought in for the haulage of Rye and Grass silage, Anyone interested in seasonal work during the summer should contact the Farm Manager - Iain Wilson on iain@stracathro.com

Current Machinery