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Alan Steven

Hillhead Farm, Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife 

  • Farm size: 138ha 
  • Annual rainfall: 710mm 
  • Soil type: Loam 

Alan Steven farms in Fife near the coast with his brother, John, and cousins. He grows premium crops; a mixture of potatoes, field-scale vegetables and cereals on a seven-year rotation for local markets.  Other enterprises are Brussels sprouts (10ha), parsnips (6ha), malting barley (40ha), oats (10ha) and winter wheat (14ha).

Transition goals: 

  • Reducing cultivations 
  • Improving soil health 
  • More resilient rotations 
 

All articles featuring Alan Steven

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Scottish agricultural support scheme changes: What we know

The Scottish government has provided further detail on its post-Brexit farm support policy. Here consultants and policy experts give an insight into this summer’s update and their views on the…

BUSINESS

Analysis: Faster progress needed on Transition

The fourth annual Farmers Weekly Transition survey – carried out by Macleod Research – provides a detailed picture of UK farming as it transitions from farm support payments to alternative…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Transition survey reveals depth of policy and cost concerns

Input price volatility and uncertainty over government policy continue to hold back farmers looking to secure a sustainable future for their businesses, a major survey has revealed. The third Farmers…

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

How to reduce nitrogen fertiliser costs and emissions

High prices, supply chain issues and environmental concerns are prompting more farmers to reassess their fertiliser strategy. Nitrogen fertiliser is the biggest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture,…

SOILS

Soil health key to premium crop grower's sustainability goals

Growing premium crops for local markets is helping Fife farmer Alan Steven optimise margins at Hillhead Farm, Kingsbarns, St Andrews. “Our location means haulage is a significant factor,” says Mr…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Rotation planning: How should you plan for future changes?

Rotation planning for the next few years should start with the acknowledgement that nothing is cast in stone anymore, say agronomists and consultants. After two consecutive wet autumns and dry…

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