Organic Cereals Meeting at Mungoswells

Scottish Organic Growers Group visit Mungoswells, North Berwick

On Wednesday 22^nd February the Scottish Organic Growers Group(SOGG) were invited by kind permission of Angus McDowall to Mungoswells Malt and Milling in North Berwick for a discussion and tour.  

Angus began by telling the group about the history of the farm and mill. The farm came into the family 100 years ago at 360 acres. Initially when Angus took over in 1984 potatoes were the main revenue earner covering up to 150acres (~60 at home and the rest rented locally) of the 460 acres then owned. Conversion to organic farming began in 1999 and now 40% of the 550 acres are certified to SOPA Organic Standards (Scottish Organic Producers Association).

As well as growing organic and non-organic wheats for milling, land is let annually for potatoes (both organic and non-organic) and brussel sprouts, as well as rotational clover covers for fertility building.

After starting development of a small maltings in 2007 a small mobile flour mill was purchased and he started selling both organic and non-organic flour in 2015. Sales grew steadily and the COVID-19 pandemic boosted throughput as consumers sought out local markets and baking became a popular lockdown activity. In 2022 Angus sold approximately 500 tonnes of flour to bakeries, wholesalers, cafés and restaurants, farm shops and direct to customers.  

The group was then taken on a tour of the mill and the malting unit and following this, the discussion turned to crops.  

Angus works on a 5-year crop rotation with a fertility crop of clover as part of that rotation. The rotation follows a clover, milling wheat, soft wheat, beans and potatoes. There is currently a trial underway growing peas within the mix to try to boost protein levels in the milling wheat.  After much discussion on achieving high protein wheats, organic rotations and managing nutrients in organic cropping, the meeting was closed by Debs Roberts from SOPA and Adrian James from AHDB Scotland, who thanked Angus for hosting and attendees for coming.  

The next meeting will be a farm walk at Scotston, Dundee, courtesy of JS Baird and Sons on 9th June 2023.

All organic growers in Scotland are welcome to attend and it is free to join the Scottish Organic Growers Group. Find out more here

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