BEEF from Galloway cattle raised on their home region’s upland farms has two main selling points – it tastes good and its production is good for the environment.

Conservation-minded farmer Patrick Laurie will be serving up that message when he opens up his farm to the public next month, as part of the Wigtown Book Festival’s 'This Farming Life' theme.

Farmer and author Mr Laurie will be showing people round Slongaber Farm, Glenkiln, so that they can see how he is reconciling the need to make a profit with the protection of fragile bird species, including black grouse, grey partridge, curlews and lapwings. Key to that are the traditional Galloway cattle whose grazing creates the right conditions for many bird species to thrive.

“Galloways are brilliant, they just eat their way through huge amounts of rough grass and tussocks that other breeds just couldn’t survive on," said Mr Laurie. “They have the hardiness not just to survive but to go on all four cylinders on really difficult land – they are designed for the place. When you have them on land that hasn’t been grazed for a long time then you start to see how things change, with birds returning and breeding in places they couldn’t live before."

“In these days, when consumers are increasingly interested in the origin of their food, it’s a great story for them that they are eating beef from an animal that has helped to improve the environment,” he added.

Mr Laurie's event is on October 4, but prior to that, the Wigtown Book Festival is also organising 'Kitchen Coos and Ewes', on September 30, where the public can get up close to Beltex sheep and Highland cows at High Airyolland Farm; and 'Away with The Belties', on October 3, at the Old Place of Mochrum,whose former owner Miss Flora Stuart worked tirelessly to save the Belted Galloway breed.

For full details go to wigtownbookfestival.com