Smailholm Mains Farm, situated six miles from Kelso in the Scottish Borders, might look like a fairly traditional mixed farming operation. But for 27-year-old Stewart Shaw, who farms in equal partnership with his father and uncle, the saying, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got,” is propelling a new era for the enterprise.
Smailholm Mains has just been crowned winner of the Scottish Agricultural Awards Sheep Farm of the Year 2024, but if it wasn’t for a Christmas gift almost 17 years ago, the business would have gone in a very different direction.
“I was 10 years old when both my grandfathers – recognising my interest in sheep – gifted me a pedigree Suffolk ewe,” Stewart recalls. “That one sheep became the foundation of our Suffolk flock, and every ewe we currently have on farm can trace its lineage back to her.”
Smailholm Mains is a quintessential Borders mixed farm, balancing arable, sheep and cattle enterprises. Of its 600 acres, 80 are permanent pasture, while the remainder is managed within a rotational system that includes grass leys, seed and malting barley, and break crops such as turnips and seed potatoes.
“We’re not just about one thing here,” Stewart says. “The rotation works for the crops and the livestock. Everything ties together – it’s a system that really delivers for us.”
The farm runs 85 Limousin-cross suckler cows and 550 breeding ewes, split into three groups: 70 pedigree Suffolks, 100 early-lambing draft Scotch Half-breds, and 330 March-lambing ewes, all managed with precision to maximise productivity and market returns. Each flock plays a specific role in the farm’s operation and contributes to its growing reputation as a leader in sheep production.
The pedigree Suffolks are the foundation of the farm’s tup-breeding enterprise, producing high-quality shearling rams sold at the Kelso Ram Sales. For Stewart, maintaining quality is non-negotiable. “If a ram isn’t good enough for us to use, it doesn’t leave the farm,” he says. “A strict cull policy is how we maintain our standards and give buyers confidence in what they’re getting.”
The farm’s early-lambing flock is another key enterprise, with 100 Scotch Half-breds reared specifically to meet the Easter market. These ewes are housed six weeks before lambing and fed carefully tailored diets to ensure they’re in top condition. The lambs consistently hit weights of 42 – 45 kg by April, fetching premium prices of up to £220 each. “The Easter market demands early, high-quality lambs, and we’ve built a system that delivers exactly that,” Stewart explains.
The March-lambing flock operates with a low-input approach, focusing on producing grass-fed lambs. These animals graze on clean pastures and achieve daily weight gains of 360 grams without additional feed. “Clean grazing has been a game-changer for us,” Stewart says. “It means healthier animals, lower costs, and a better product. Many of our lambs never need worming, which is something buyers really value.”
While much of Smailholm Mains’ system is rooted in tradition, Stewart is keen to innovate. In recent years, he has introduced Park Cheviots to breed replacements for the Scotch Half-bred flock, a move that reduces reliance on external purchases and builds resilience within the flock. “We wanted to close the loop on our system,” Stewart explains. “Breeding our own replacements means we can control the quality and adapt to market demands more effectively.”
“You have to keep evolving,” Stewart says. “I love the saying, ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.’ Farming is changing, and we need to change with it.”
This willingness to adapt is also evident in the farm’s approach to sustainability, in relation to the arable and cattle enterprises. The arable rotation not only produces high-quality seed and malting barley but also enriches the soil for grazing and silage crops, ensuring long-term productivity. The cattle enterprise, meanwhile, supports the system by providing manure that’s cycled back into the fields.
“It’s all connected,” Stewart says. “The livestock support the crops, and the crops support the livestock. It’s good for the environment and good for business.”
The results speak for themselves. In 2023, the farm’s sheep sales achieved an average price of £159, up £20 from the previous year, while maintaining low input costs. Many lambs are sold direct to buyers who appreciate the farm’s commitment to quality and sustainability.
At its core, Smailholm Mains is a family farm. Stewart, his father, Alan, and his uncle, Ron, each play to their strengths, while Stewart’s sister contributes her expertise in animal nutrition. Even Stewart’s mother is always on hand to help out when required.
“Everyone has their role, and that’s what makes it work,” Stewart says. “We’re a close-knit team, and that’s what keeps the farm moving forward.”
The family’s thoughtful succession planning has also been crucial to the farm’s success. Finding a balance of experience coming from Ron and Alan and youthful drive from Stewart has enabled the farm to embrace new ideas without losing sight of its traditional values.
“They’ve done a great job of passing the baton while staying involved,” Stewart says. They’ve given me the freedom to try new things, and that’s been invaluable.”
Winning the Scottish Sheep Farm of the Year 2024, which is sponsored by Rumenco, has been a highlight for the family and a great source of pride for the team. Judges praised the farm’s low-intervention methods, integrated systems, and focus on producing high-quality livestock that meets market demands.
“It’s not something we ever expected, but it’s a great feeling,” Stewart says. “There are so many incredible farmers out there, especially in this part of the country, so to be recognised like this is quite surreal. It’s a reflection of all the effort the family has put in over the years.”
For Stewart, this recognition is not just about the farm’s success today but about securing its future. “We’ve always believed that if you look after the land, it will look after you,” Stewart explains. “Farming sustainably isn’t just about being green – it’s about ensuring the business is still here for the next generation.”
Looking ahead, Stewart has ambitious plans for Smailholm Mains. He hopes to expand the farm’s land base, allowing for greater diversification and creating opportunities to bring in additional help.
“Expansion to me is as much about creating flexibility as it is about getting bigger, “Stewart explains. “More land would give us the chance to try new things, grow the team and take some of the pressure off my father and uncle as they step back.”
Yet despite his forward-thinking vision, Stewart remains deeply connected to the farm’s roots. “At the end of the day, it’s about making the most of what you have,” he says. “If you can do that well, everything else falls into place.”
