“I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Rory, Rebecca and the team. It was fantastic to be part of a team that works so well together and looks after one another. That was definitely an experience I won’t forget and have taken a lot from. It was super to get the opportunity to see how dairy farming is done right and with forward thinking and innovation. I’ll definitely be back to visit.”
Dourie Farming Co Ltd. comprises the dairy herd and Airlour pig unit. The dairy is a highly specialised, spring block-calving operation, where our 1,100 cows graze outdoors 270 days of the year. We have two rotary parlours with the most recent, state-of-the-art unit built in 2020.
We are leading a cutting-edge genetic research project, focusing on dam line genetics, sexed semen, and IVF. Our milk is sold into the local Cheddar cheese factory in Stranraer with farmer representation via the Milk suppliers Association, which was founded by Rory Christie.
Airlour’s first-class facilities were completed in 2013, creating the highest-output pig farm in Scotland whilst delivering the highest welfare standards. We operate a closed herd of 200, with all progeny reared. The pigs are marketed via Scotlean, a farmer-owned pig marketing cooperative. Gregor Christie is also a director of Scotlean.
We are proud of our facilities, but it is people that we put centre-stage, with values of hard work, loyalty, attention to detail, innovation and cooperation. Our staff and students have unique opportunities to develop their technical and personal skills while climbing the Dourie progression ladder.
Off the farm, Dourie is quarter of a mile from Port William, a picturesque fishing village, which has a post office/grocery, takeaway and fish & chip van; Wigtown, famous for its literary and cultural scene is seven miles away, and Bladnoch, with a vibrant rugby club, the same. Newton Stewart, gateway to the hills and Galloway Forest – one of the world’s top-ten mountain-biking venues and world-famous Dark Sky Park, is less than half an hour away.
Most of our staff live on the farm or in the village and we have a pleasant family culture amongst the team.
TOUR OF THE PIG UNIT
Gregor recently gave a tour of the pig unit to a group from NFU Scotland. If you are interested in working in Gregor's team, this video will give you a great insight into life working within the pig sector.
Many thanks to NFUS Dumfries & Galloway for sharing the video with us.
