Brothers Rob and Andy are the third generation of Ramsays to farm at Westgate Farm, Scotton. Grandfather William coming down from Burrelton in Perthshire, Scotland in 1957 was the first, followed by their father Bob.
Farming 242 Hectares, or 600 acres, their fields surround Scotton and are made up of predominately arable land with a few small grass paddocks.
The farmyard is in the middle of Scotton village, which has both upsides and down, but it does mean they are central to all the land making travel relatively easy. Most of the main buildings are on Eastgate, but the main farmhouse and original yard are on Westgate, hence the name and the confusion! Westgate Farm on Eastgate Scotton!!
Cropping on the farm has altered over the years, from the early days when cows were involved, to a mainly 4yr arable rotation which involves crops such as Wheat - winter and spring, Barley - winter and spring, Oilseed Rape - from which the oil comes., Field Beans, Beetroot, Sugar Beet, Potatoes and Vining Peas. But has also in the past had as diverse as Daffodils and Borage.
Initially, the farm had 26 employees, but as the horses and cows were swapped for tractors and modern machinery, the two brothers manage the farm on their own. Except for harvest when contractors come in and help combine the crops and bring them into store.
Soils tend to be on the lighter side, loamy sands to light blow away sand.
In 1980 the shape of the farm had a new look with the planting of six blocks of trees, scattered around the farm in five small two acre spinneys and a larger field, nine acre, of Christmas trees to the west of the village.
Tree and hedge maintainance is very important to Rob and Andy, not only for the farm but also along the road verges approaching the village, alongside this they also plant numerous pollen and nectar mixes in poorer corners of fields and margins as wildlife and the environment are eagerly encouraged and looked after.
On any day its easy to spot, Brown hare, Roe Deer, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Sky Lark and numerous other small birds around the farm.