Scott Shearlaw runs a progressive dairy farm in Ayrshire, Scotland, milking 450 cows, where grass yield and quality are critical to overall performance. Like many dairy farmers, docks had become an ongoing issue, but Scott was increasingly concerned about the impact of blanket spraying on grass yield and clover content.
He is part of a global food supply chain that starts on his dairy farm and ends in one of the world’s most recognisable chocolate bars.
Scott sells his milk to First Milk, who in turn supply Nestlé with milk chocolate crumb. With Nestlé operating a major factory in Girvan, South Ayrshire, most of Scott’s milk ultimately finds its way into the production of KitKat biscuits.
As a global food manufacturer, Nestlé is firmly committed to Net Zero, and that commitment runs right through its supply chain. Pressure to demonstrate measurable environmental improvements flows from Nestlé to First Milk, and from First Milk directly to farmers like the Shearlaws.
For Scott, this isn’t a future challenge – it’s a present-day reality. That’s where SKAi comes in.
Discovering SKAi
Scott and his father Robert first encountered the SKAi spot spraying system at AgriScot 2024, where there was a 15m sprayer displayed and they spoke with SoilEssentials. After leaving their details, a follow-up conversation led to contact with the SKAi contractor in his area – Adam Dunlop of A&R Dunlop, and the decision was made to trial the service.
Using the SKAi Spot Spraying Service
- Start date: May 2025
- Total area treated: 200 acres
The flexibility of the SKAi service was a major benefit. Applications were carried out between May and August, allowing spraying to fit around grass growth, grazing, and silage plans rather than forcing fields out of production.
For forward-thinking dairy farmers, SKAi isn’t just about efficiency or cost savings.
In Scott’s case, SKAi is helping tick the environmental boxes that matter most – from farm gate to global brand.
For many progressive dairy farmers, that reason alone is enough to adopt SKAi.
Results and Accuracy
Scott anticipated strong results and was very pleased with how they turned out.
The SKAi system delivered an effective kill of docks while leaving the surrounding grass and clover untouched. Very small docks were occasionally missed early in the season, but these became visible later and can be dealt with this year.
Crucially, Scott repeatedly stressed that there was no reduction in yield – his number one motivation for choosing spot spraying.
Chemical Use and Cost
Compared to blanket spraying, the reduction in chemical use was described as huge – enough on its own to justify the additional cost of spot spraying.
- Significant reduction in chemical applied
- Lower overall spraying costs
- No compromise on grass production
While chemical savings were welcomed, Scott was clear: protecting yield and clover was far more important than saving chemical alone.
Grass Yield and Quality
Since switching to SKAi, Scott has seen a noticeable improvement in grass yield and quality. Blanket spraying in the past had “significantly reduced” yield and clover, whereas spot spraying allowed weed control without damaging the crop.
Confidence and Precision
The precision of SKAi was another key benefit. Scott liked the reassurance of chemical being applied only to the weed, reducing concerns about over-spraying, residues, and unnecessary crop stress.
Looking Ahead
There was no hesitation when asked about future use.
- Will you use the service again? Yes – without question
- Has it become part of your regular weed-control strategy? Yes
- Would you recommend it to others? Yes
By enabling precision spot spraying, SKAi significantly reduces chemical use, and supports more sustainable grassland management. It provides tangible, auditable environmental benefits that help farmers meet the growing demands placed on them by processors and global brands alike.
Overall Impact
SKAi has given Scott a reliable, flexible, and precision-based way to control docks without sacrificing grass yield. For a dairy farm focused on performance, sustainability, and future-proofing, spot spraying has become an essential part of the system.