Experts on hand to 
offer help to the smaller landholder

BMR (Borders Machinery Ring), the member services co-operative covering the Scottish Borders is encouraging rural property owners and managers to contact them with requests for help with tasks such as paddock maintenance, scrub clearance and even the supply of commodities such as fuel, fertiliser and phone tariffs.

BMR manager Michael Bayne explains:“Many home owners with a few acres of ground may not know where to turn to for tasks such as grass topping, fertiliser spreading and other mechanised operations.

“BMR has worked for many years to tap into the spare labour and machinery capacity of Borders farmers and match this up with other farmers who need work done but may not have the machinery or time to do it themselves.

“We have many experienced farmer and machinery operator members of BMR who could also be available to help other non-farming local people.

“Our members have everything from tractors to mini-diggers, and can do anything from seasonal tasks such as hedge-cutting, making hay from excess horse grazing or clearing snow or fallen trees from driveways to one-off jobs such as site-clearance. Drystane dyking, fencing and drainage and groundworks are also all within the capabilities of our existing members.

“We would love to talk to anyone in the Scottish Borders who owns or manages ground – golf and other sports clubs too – about the services we can offer them. Because we pool resources and buying power across all of our membership we are also able to offer competitive prices.

“The BMR team will be joined by some of our existing members on our stand at the Border Union Show, a warm welcome and a cup of tea will be on offer to anyone who stops by.”