Agriculture

A - Agriculture

Stewarton lies in an ideal position for farming,on the gentle sloping banks of the River Annick. Until the 18th century, however, Ayrshire farming followed the rig or strip system (hence the names Rigg Street and Bowes Rigg). If you look carefully at the fields beyond the town and behind the Millhouse Hotel, you can still see the rigs if the sun is in the right position in the sky.

By the late1800’s a new crop rotation system of producing more grass pastures were introduced everywhere. This was a huge boost to the meat and dairy industries.

Dutch dairy cattle were cross bred with local Kyle cattle originally known as Dunlop or Cunninghame cows these eventually became known as Ayrshire cows. These dairy cows produced high quality milk average output of 24.6 lit. per day with a butterfat content of 4.13 % and a good kappa casein content. This made an ideal milk for using to produce yogurt, cheese and ice cream which Stewarton and Dunlop were famous for.

One way of improving the land was by spreading lime and the remains of lime kilns can still be seen around the town. Another improvement was the introduction of new machinery, and Miller of Wardhead developed an improved plough, which was never patented, while in 1821 it is reported that a ploughing match took place as a result of a wager between McAllister of Kennox and Cuninghame of Lainshaw to see who had the better plough, the result being published in the local press.

Actual quote from newspaper :-  Ayr & Wigtonshire Courier - 29th November 1821.

“On Mr Finlayson's way home, he operated his plough on the lands of William Cuninghame Esq ., of Lainshaw. Colonel McAllister of Kennox was among the spectators  and spoke of the superior qualities of another plough in the neighbourhood. Mr Finlayson requested that the matter might be brought to the test by a fair trial and to this the Colonel frankly agreed, and it was also agreed that it should take place on a piece of rough ground belonging to himself at 11 o'clock the next day, and that the result should be published in the county papers - the only reward sought by either. Colonel McAllister's plough turned up 8 falls* while Mr Finlayson's had done 19 falls* in a superior style.”

*Fall = 6 yards imperial measure.