Farmer Focus: Crops are an easy target for pink-footed geese
Neil MacLeod © Angus Findlay In terms of the weather at least, 2026 has arrived with intent. Our coastal location hasn’t been too affected, with snow lasting only two days.
However, persistent rain and sleet created localised flooding on our heavy land.
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A more pressing issue has been a weeklong battle with pink-footed geese that use Montrose Basin Nature Reserve as a migratory stop.
With 71,000 birds counted in October 2025, these hungry visitors have been hemmed in, with their feeding area drastically reduced by the white stuff.
This left us as an easy target, with our green fields and stubbles all a short flight away for the feathered grazers.
As much as geese look graceful when flying in skein formation – and preferably heading west – the same cannot be said when the land is black with them as the Land Cruiser charges down a frozen tramline, desperately attempting to lend said gaggle to our neighbours for a wee while.
After 44 years of dedicated service, we recently said farewell to Allan Wallace at a retirement function celebrated with employees, past and present.
Having started as the farm mechanic at a time when there were significantly more staff and the largest tractor was a John Deere 4440 with 150hp, Allan leaves behind a slimmed down workforce and a fleet with the prime mover topping out at 445hp, in the shape of a Claas half-track.
In his time here Allan has witnessed changes in staff, work roles, cropping and machinery, with new enterprises and the adoption of renewable energy, environmental stewardship and precision farming techniques – all of which he took in his stride.
In the past decade he has witnessed our low-lying business bearing the brunt of climate change, rising costs, labour shortages and a feeling that the public and successive governments would prefer for our industry to disappear.
During this time his own position continued to evolve, merging his role as a mechanic and fabricator with his position as principle arable operator and, during my tenure, the additional role of assisting me run the business.
During these periods of change, Allan has given nothing less than 100% in helping to push our business forward, and the personal support he offered me will never be forgotten.