Following a move from a farm near Lincoln in Lincolnshire, to a grassland farm in Newton Stewart, Scotland, the Lawson family set about turning the permanent pasture into an arable operation. 

“There are only a handful of arable growers in this area as we’re outnumbered by grassland and livestock farmers due to the topography and soil not really lending itself to arable cropping,” says Mark Lawson. “However, while it can be a challenge, we have good markets for crops, and the straw is used for the B+B beef cows we finish on the farm.”

Finding a system that works on the hilly ground they farm, with machinery that offers enough capacity to beat the weather, has been crucial to the success. A further test has been the soil, which has a lot of stones and has required an excavator to extract some of the larger boulders in the past.

Hills are also a big factor and one of the reasons for the farm’s latest flagship tractor. “We have just taken delivery of an MF 8S.305 Xtra, that replaced a previous generation MF 8S that offered us excellent service.

“We moved to a direct disc drill, which demands significant horsepower, especially into unmoved ground on our hills, which is why we chose the MF 8S Xtra. Although the plough and power harrow system is popular in Scotland to beat the weather, it wouldn’t last a week on our land, so we’ve had to adapt.”

Mark and his brothers, Ben and Phillip, farm at the 330ha Airlies Farm in Newton Stewart, 25 miles from Stranraer in south west Scotland, with arable cropping the primary workload alongside finishing B+B beef cows. The farm also runs an MF 5S.125 with a loader, which handles the spraying and baling, and an older MF 390T.

Latest 8S Xtra

As with the outgoing MF 8S, the brothers felt the new Xtra models retained the MF 8S design which impressed them so much. “When we first saw the MF 8S, we were impressed by the depth of the design, everything has been thought of and when you sit in the cab you’re not wanting for anything.

Mark Lawson’s latest MF 8S Xtra replaces an MF 8S that delivered outstanding reliability during its four years on the farm

“It’s quiet and comfortable and has great visibility for a 300hp tractor. During the process of buying the new MF 8S Xtra, we evaluated a few other brands to ensure we were getting the best suited tractor at the most competitive price.

“There were several things we liked but none of them could match the cab comfort or visibility of the MF 8S Xtra. The design makes it feel like a much smaller tractor and isn’t numb in comparison to others, which is helpful when some of our fields are just 2.4ha.”

The MF 8S Xtra’s cab is praised as a spacious, quiet and comfortable place to be with all the controls well laid out

The MF 8S Xtra has the top-spec Exclusive package, which includes the PTx Trimble receiver, Datatronic 5 touchscreen terminal, five electric spools and electric joystick, 150l/min closed centre hydraulics, MF Connect telemetry and MF Task Doc job recording.

The optional PTx Trimble receiver will improve pass to pass accuracy on the MF 8S Xtra

The MF 8S Xtra has the Dyna-VT transmission, which adapts quickly to the regular hill transitions, allowing Mark to maintain a constant speed across all tasks. The main job for the MF 8S Xtra is sowing with a Horsch Avatar 6m direct drill, which arrived on the farm in 2023. The tractor also handles the fertiliser applications, any cultivations that are required, along with hauling rock in the winter.

“It’s a well-known and proven engine and gearbox which gives us confidence for reliability and longevity. The MF 8S Xtra can last a full day on a single tank of fuel, which is great for logistics. The transmission is excellent and we’re really impressed with the way it handles the hills, whilst under load,” concludes Mark.

What has changed on the MF 8S Xtra

The MF 8S was introduced in 2020 and has found popularity with farmers and growers requiring a versatile 200-300hp tractor that can be pulling trailers one day and destoning the next.

Following various small changes since its inception, the new MF 8S Xtra replaces all original MF 8S models and offers several new features to improve longevity and performance of the machines. The six-model lineup, from 205–305hp, remains unchanged, with a choice of Dyna E-Power dual-clutch or Dyna-VT transmissions. The Protect-U design of the 3.4 m³ cab retains the essential 24cm gap to limit noise and heat transfer – a central feature that is remarked on by all MF 8S users.

Changes under the bonnet include a new fan control software, to improve operating efficiency and increase engine performance by up to 5%, with fuel savings also possible. The fan now has a reversible option to maintain maximum engine cooling even in dry, dusty conditions. It will periodically reverse the air flow direction for short periods while working to blow dust and loose debris away from the cooling pack.

A new exhaust pipe, with a narrow profile that is perfectly aligned to the cab corner post and finished in matt black, offers operators an unobstructed view from the seat.

In the cab, users can benefit from a new steering wheel design, with optional spinner ball, and Entertainment pack featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Focal speakers for premium audio quality.

Elsewhere, a new 360-degree LED lighting pack, first seen on the MF 9S models, is now an option for all MF 8S Xtra machines. The LED 360 lighting set includes 20 ultra-bright LED work lights, providing up to 51,500 lumens of lighting power and delivering 17,400 more lumens than its predecessor.