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When Neil White bought his first Valmet 8050 in November 1996, he couldn’t have known it would mark the start of a 30-year relationship with the Valtra brand.
Today, farming almost 630 acres across two holdings at Greenknowe Farm, Duns, Neil of W.O. White and Son remains just as committed to the brand as he was all those years ago.
The White family’s roots at Greenknowe stretch back more than a century. The farm was tenanted by the White family from 1913 before being purchased by Neil’s father in 1960. Today, Neil farms just under 400 acres at the home farm alongside a further 230 acres nearby, producing a wide range of combinable crops including winter wheat, winter barley, winter oats, spring barley, spring peas, spring oats and spring beans. His commitment to progressive, efficient farming was recognised nationally when he was named Farmers Weekly Arable Farmer of the Year 2023.
W.O. White and Son’s tartan Valtra T234D
Working largely on his own, with around 200 hours of additional help during harvest, dependable machinery isn’t simply a convenience, it’s essential.
As a long-standing Valtra ambassador, Neil’s confidence in the brand hasn’t come from brochures or demonstrations. Instead, it’s been built through years of dependable performance in the field.
That first Valmet 8050 laid the foundations for a relationship with the brand that has now spanned three decades. Every tractor since has reinforced the same qualities that first attracted Neil to Valtra.
“I’ve demoed plenty of other tractors over the years and they’ve all been good,” says Neil. “But I never moved away from Valtra because it’s always been great and I’ve always had a great experience.”
That experience extends beyond the tractors themselves.
W.O. White and Son’s Valtra T175D
“Build quality has always been excellent and reliability is crucial when you’re farming on your own. The back-up has always been good, and at times exceptionally good, which is really important.”
Neil has seen plenty of change throughout his farming career. Weather patterns have become increasingly unpredictable, putting greater pressure on increasingly narrow working windows, while the demands of modern arable farming continue to evolve. The business has adapted too, embracing minimal cultivation techniques to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary passes before drilling.
Having machinery that performs when conditions are right has never been more important.
Today, Neil operates three Valtra tractors on the home farm: a Valtra T234 Direct, a Valtra N175 Direct and a Valtra 6400, which has been part of the business for 24 years. In addition, a Valtra T195 Versu was purchased on behalf of the contract farming business.
Each machine has its role, whether supporting the home farm or the contract farming operation, providing the reliability and versatility Neil depends on throughout the season. The Valtra N175 Direct, in particular, has become one of his go-to machines.
“It’s a fantastic tractor with loads of power. It’s a great all-round machine and does everything we need it to.”
Neil’s Valtra T234 Direct is especially distinctive. Finished in white and featuring the now-recognisable Doddie Weir tartan throughout its design, it was one of the first machines to feature the pattern.
The bespoke Doddie Weir tartan was designed by Neil’s wife, Anna White, founder of ScotlandShop, the Scottish Borders-based business renowned for creating bespoke tartans and Scottish-inspired textiles. Having known and played rugby alongside Doddie Weir, Neil was proud to incorporate the design into his T234 Direct as a tribute to his former teammate, while also supporting the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Alongside the newer models, Neil’s Valtra 6400 continues to earn its keep 24 years after joining the fleet, a testament to the durability and longevity he has come to expect from the brand. The veteran machine even recently took part in a charity tractor run, driven by Neil’s son, Harry, proving it’s still got plenty to offer.
Thirty years after buying his first Valmet, Neil sees no reason to change. For him, the combination of dependable machinery, excellent dealer support and tractors that continue to perform year after year has earned Valtra a lasting place at the heart of W.O. White and Son.
