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Farm Animals for Adoption on the Internet

KIRKCOLM FARMER Robert Parker has grasped the bull by the horns in a revolutionary drive to modernise farming by offering his farm animals for adoption on the internet.

And the 40-year-old Kirkcolm farmer has adopted children from the local primary school to pilot the "adoptafarm" programme.

Mr Parker who has 500 ewes and 150 cattle on his Drumdow Farm near Kirkcolm explained to the "Free Press" that the idea of combining the age-old profession with modern technology was first suggested two years ago.

But despite an initial feeling of scepticism he is now confident that the programme, where members pay an annual membership fee of £10 to adopt a lamb, will be a success.

He said

"My friend Kenny Middleton is a website designer in Edinburgh and he suggested the idea a few years back.

"Initially I thought it was a bit daft but after the effect of foot-and-mouth and with sheep prices dropping I began to wonder whether it was wrong to be putting all my money into farming".

Visit the web site at www.adoptafarm.com