Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

“In this 2-part mini-series of podcasts based on Animal Health & Welfare we are speaking with the head of dairy, Duncan Forbes from the Agri-Epi Centre. This is the second podcast in the series, focusing on the advancements in technology and how the use of sensors, cameras and remote diagnostics are being used to help with early detection of illness and disease in all cattle.”

All businesses must strive to become more efficient. This means making better use data that you have on the farm, whether it be soil data, crop data or livestock data. Information is key to moving your business forward. This podcast looks at what data you can extract from your livestock records whether cattle or sheep with some simple targets to help make your livestock enterprises more efficient.

In this 2-part mini-series of podcasts based on Animal Health & Welfare we are speaking with the head of dairy, Duncan Forbes from the Agri-Epi Centre. In podcast 1, Duncan explains the unique features of the South West Dairy Development Centre and how the great work that is being carried out is benefitting not only the dairy industry but the wider beef sector. The 2nd podcast is focusing on the advancements in technology and how the use of sensors, cameras and remote diagnostics are being used to help with early detection of illness and disease in all cattle.

Agricultural Consultant Malcolm Macdonald spoke to beef and sheep specialist Robert Ramsay and SRUC Vet Colin Mason about livestock health planning over the winter. Colin talked through what issues he has seen coming into the SAC vet labs and what to be on the look out for. Fluke, pneumonia, lungworm, and host of other topics are covered.

A brief summary of this episode

SAC Consultant Ashleigh Forster chats to Carianne MacDonald of Ardbhan Highland Cattle, North Uist and crofter Donald Macsween of Air An Lot, Lewis. Carianne and Donald both use social media to tell their farming stories. In this podcast we talk about how they both started to use social media and how they feel it has benefitted their businesses today. Listen in to hear about their experiences and what their advice would be to other crofters and small scale producers thinking about using social media too.

In this podcast, Andrew Farquharson, Partner at Finzean Estate Partnership in Banchory, shares his experience of applying for a carbon audit to identify efficiencies for the beef and cropping business. In the recording, Andrew gives his thoughts on the process of applying for support, what he got out of the subsequent report and his aspirations for the future of the business. Of which include reducing the carbon footprint of the farm and estate, and creating a viable and efficient business to hand over to the next generation.

The third and final podcast in our fodder beet for livestock series. This podcast focuses on the health of livestock grazing beet and we are again joined by Dr Jim Gibbs. This technical podcast discusses acidosis, clostridial diseases, soil intake, phosphorus deficiency, protein deficiency and choke of cattle and sheep.

To discuss this question, SAC Consultant Poppy Frater speaks with Kev Bevan, a former SAC Consulting colleague who specialises in farm business management, policy and market analysis. Kev highlights the main opportunities and threats to west coast farmers. He touches on the risks posed by Brexit, the increasing importance of environmental influences, potential residual effects of COVID-19 to the market, eating quality and marketing options. Although the future is uncertain and will pose its challenges, we urge the listener to look ahead to be ready to adapt their businesses.

In this podcast SAC Consultant Malcolm Macdonald caught up with Charley and Andrea Walker from Barnside Farm. They discussed their farming system, why they became organic, rotational grazing and mob grazing. Charley and Andrea tell us why these practices work for them and how they got to the business to where it is now.

Malcolm Macdonald speaks to SAC beef consultants Robert Ramsay and Sarah Balfour about managing straw supplies this winter. With straw availability varying across the country this podcast discusses how farmers can manage straw usage through minimising waste, reducing straw demand and using an alternative.

SAC Consultant Mary-Jane Lawrie speaks with Hannah Jackson, who has become something of a farming celebrity. Hannah has a wealth of advice to offer new entrants, and tells her story about how she found her way into a career in farming, stepping away from her MA in Marine Biology after witnessing a lamb being born, and training their family dog to be a sheepdog to get started. This podcast is a part of the Women in Agriculture project. You can find out more about the project here: https://www.fas.scot/discussion-groups/women-in-agriculture/

Interview with John Matheson, owner of a 300-acre, 10 year limited duration tenancy farm based in Aberdeenshire. John has over 20+ years experience in farm management and currently specialises in breeding suckler cows, breeding calves and growing spring and feeding barley. In this podcast, John describes how he became a FAS mentor and what skills and advice he’s been able to pass on to the new entrants he’s worked with. This includes help with completing grant applications and other forms, financial advice, practical guidance on buying the right goods and equipment’s and general support as needed.

How can beneficial insects help you? What insects inhabit agricultural land? How can we tweak the balance towards insects that are beneficial to production? Join Dr Paul Chapman, a conservation consultant at SAC, and Dr Lorna Cole SRUC’s agricultural ecologist, as they discuss the important role beneficial insects play in farmland. They will explore the fascinating lifestyles of these insects, how they interact and the role they play in pest control and pollination. Our experts will provide guidance on the role these insects play in Integrated pest management and will discuss top tips on how to increase a wide variety of beneficial insects on your farm.

The second podcast in our fodder beet for livestock series. Kirsten Williams, SAC Beef and Sheep Consultant is again joined by Dr Jim Gibbs, New Zealand who has had over 12 years’ experience of livestock grazing fodder beet. This is an extremely nutrient rich crop, but it does have a high sugar load and requires careful management for livestock. In this podcast we will discuss transition for each of the species (sheep, beef cattle and dairy cattle) as well as touching on common problems and myths about fodder beet.

We are extremely lucky to be joined by Dr Jim Gibbs, vet, ruminant nutritionist and fodder beet specialist, who has designed fodder beet grazing systems over in New Zealand. The first in our three part series, he joins SAC Beef and Sheep Consultant, Kirsten Williams, to discuss the history of fodder beet development, the importance of transition onto the nutrient rich crop, calculating yield and the method used to allocate the crop to livestock.

What is it that makes a farm business successful? And how can we all strive to be more resilient in the face of challenge and change? George Gauley speaks with Bob Prentice from Downfield farm. Bob has developed the family run business, adding deer to the enterprises and has grown from there, including converting an old shed into a processing plant. Bob offers Scotland’s only farm to fork venison farm. Find out the hurdles he overcame and what would be done differently. Why not listen to the other podcasts with Jim Shanks, Colin McGregor and Neil Sandilands. Join us on 26th November for our online webinar Driving Forward. An opportunity to ask questions on what makes these successful farmers resilient.

What is it that makes a farm business successful? And how can we all strive to be more resilient in the face of challenge and change? George Gauley speaks with Neil Sandilands who is part of a share farming agreement at Upper Hundalee. Over trebling sheep numbers in 10 years and taking on additional grazing, find out how someone who started without capital and land has managed to get into farming. A finalist for the Farmers Weekly sheep farmer of the year award 2020. Why not listen to the other podcasts with Jim Shanks, Colin McGregor and Bob Prentice. Join us on 26th November for our online webinar Driving Forward. An opportunity to ask questions on what makes these successful farmers resilient.

What is it that makes a farm business successful? And how can we all strive to be more resilient in the face of challenge and change? Mary-Jane Lawrie speaks with Jim Shanks who farms at Standhill near Hawick. Find out how Jim has overcome challenges to grow tomatoes in a 4-acre glass house on his dairy farm. Running the business entirely on sustainable fuel and using every scrap available in the production of tomatoes. Why not listen to the other podcasts with Colin McGregor, Neil Sandilands and Bob Prentice. Join us on 26th November for our online webinar Driving Forward. An opportunity to ask questions on what makes these successful farmers resilient.

What is it that makes a farm business successful? And how can we all strive to be more resilient in the face of challenge and change? Mary-Jane Lawrie speaks with Colin McGregor from Coldstream Mains. Operating and managing over 3500hectares of arable land, across their own farm and 14 local farms under various agreements. There is a focus on attention to detail whilst improving yields and reducing establishment costs. Finding ways to improve yields and reduce establishment costs. Join us on 26th November for our online webinar Driving Forward. An opportunity to ask questions on what makes these successful farmers resilient.

In this podcast Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting speaks to Gordon Caldwell, an Ayrshire based veg farmer. Gordon describes himself as a veteran new entrant, having started his business over 10 years ago. This podcast focuses on Gordon's experiences in establishing his business while also touching on regenerative agriculture, dealing with the end consumer and the future.

The Managing People podcast is part of a toolkit of publications to assist farmers and managers in managing people within their business. In the final episode of the two part series, we will be chatting to Michael Bayne from Borders Machinery Ring to hear more about what the pre-apprenticeship scheme involves and how successful it has been in allowing farmers to introduce young, enthusiastic individuals into their farm teams. Following on from Michael will be Bill Smith from Byres Farm in Morayshire telling us about the hugely positive experience he had with a pre-apprentice.

The Managing People podcast is part of a toolkit of publications to assist farmers and managers in managing people within their business. In the first of this two part series we will speak to John Kerr, a Dairy Farmer from Newmilns in Ayrshire and John Sinclair from Craigie’s Farm Shop near Edinburgh to hear their experiences of employing and managing staff as well as their top tips for others.

In this podcast Jamie Boyle (centre in the photo) introduces us to the wonders of the Uist machair, an excellent example of High Nature Value farming. We learn about how integral crofting through growing crops and grazing cattle are essential for the habitats that host some of the highest densities of waders in western Europe.

In this podcast Derek Hanton of SAC Inverness gives advice to those thinking of growing crops on a small scale for the first time. Many types of crops are discussed from root crops and those that are combinable. Some key constraints of working in small fields in marginal areas are discussed.

Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay chats to Michael Shannon and Peter Eccles. Two farmers who both market there products directly to consumers. Michael sells his own beef and other products through his on farm butchery and Peter sells his through a box scheme. They share their experiences and opinions on how producers can add value to their beef.

A real success story, Laura Hinnekens took the bold decision to move to Scotland from Belgium to follow her dream of farming, starting with only a few hundred pounds in her pocket, her van and her dogs, she is now farming in Biggar with her partner Euan. @LawhillLamb

In this episode George Gauley is joined by Harriet Busby from Border berries. Border berries is a thriving farm business, located near St Boswells in the Scottish borders. Harriets’ family have been growing berries since the 1960s and started by supplying jam to a local factory. Since then Border berries has grown to become the largeset pick your own berry farm in the south of Scotland and one of the few remaining out door fruit farms. The business has a large Facebook & Twitter presence, so we wanted to find out more about how this business ticks and uses social media to its advantage. You can find out more about border berries by clicking on the following links below. There have also been numerous articles written about Border berries, including a recent appearance in the scots man food & drink section – Best places to pick your own fruit in Scotland https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/producers/farming-producers/the-best-places-to-pick-fruit-in-scotland/ Visit Website - http://borderberries.co.uk/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/borderberries?lang=en Face book - https://www.facebook.com/borderberries/ Trip advisor - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g315999-d3378286-r294765104-Rutherford_Farm-Kelso_Scottish_Borders_Scotland.html Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/borderberries/

Malcolm Macdonald spoke to nutritionists Karen Stewart and Mary Young along with beef specialist Robert Ramsay about planning feed supplies for the winter. Karen, Mary and Robert give us a run down of what farmers need to be thinking about as cows come in for the winter and start to be fed. How to produce a feed budget, what the options are if you are short of fodder, how to manage cow condition, how to use poor forage, these and other tips and insights are covered in the podcast.

This year, four farmers from across Scotland have been documenting their experience using rotational grazing methods on video. You can follow the whole series on our youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8DdHOvRK_JkCNZpkPiTqLRp8M4lqAyP- For this episode, SAC Consultant Lorna Galloway brings all four farmers together to discuss their experiences so far, and offer advice to anyone looking to try rotational grazing themselves.

Kerry Allison, Senior Marketing Consultant with SAC discusses PR (public relations) with a Food PR Agent, an Agricultural PR firm, and farm businesses who is rocking their PR opportunities. In the third and final podcast, Kerry catches up with Claire Pollock from Ardross Farm Shop. Claire tells a really engaging story of how the farm shop came to be, how the family found their feet with marketing and PR and how it felt to have Gordon Ramsay drinking tea in her kitchen! For more information, visit: https://www.ardrossfarm.co.uk/

Kerry Allison, Senior Marketing Consultant with SAC discusses PR (public relations) with a Food PR Agent, an Agricultural PR firm, and farm businesses who is rocking their PR opportunities. In this second podcast, join Kerry as she speaks to Jane Craigie owner of Jane Craigie Marketing. Jane is a communications and PR expert in agriculture and rural industries. Jane shares some industry overview, and gives us some insight into how a PR agency works. Kerry and Jane discuss when a business might look to work with an agency, and what kind of things people can start to work on themselves. https://www.janecraigie.com/

Kerry Allison, Senior Marketing Consultant with SAC discusses PR (public relations) with a Food PR Agent, an Agricultural PR firm, and farm businesses who is rocking their PR opportunities. In this first podcast, join Kerry as she speaks to Martha Bryce from Soundbite PR. Martha is a food and drink PR professional, and also has her own farm (venison) and has been at the sharp end of some of bad PR, learn her top tips, advice and some tricks of the trade in this podcast. For more information about Soundbite, go to: https://soundbitepr.co.uk/about/

Seamus Donnelly discusses the wider financial and environmental benefits and speaks to Simon Jones (Genap) about choosing Tensioned versus Floating Covers for Ringed Tanks ,Jason Smyth (Linton and Robinson) about fitting a Floating Cover on a Lagoon and Darragh Magee (AEG) about the novel use of LECA to reduce ammonia emissions on Lagoons and Ring Stores.Interest has increased with the opportunity to receive support under the SCOT Gov new pilot Sustainable Agriculture Capital Grant Scheme.

In this episode Hazel Laughton speaks with Andrew Baillie who farms at Carstairs Mains in Lanarkshire. Andrew shares his experience of suffering a substantial loss in productivity as a direct result of liver fluke in his flock, despite having a stringent management plan in place. He discusses his quarantine procedures, what extra measures he has put in place to minimise the risk of infestation and his top tips for other farmers. This episode is of benefit to all sheep farmers.

Patrick Laurie, Galloway based author of ‘Native’ speaks to Janette Sutherland in Skye about his book. They discuss his starting a farming business and Riggit Galloway herd. They discuss native breeds and new technology including GPS cattle collars. Patrick discusses the importance of High Nature Value farming for many of Scotland’s iconic species.

In this episode George Gauley is joined by Lucy Tile from Bairnkine Farm, Jedburgh. Lucy runs a busy 1100 acres farming approximately 2000 sheep. If this wasn’t enough, Lucy also manages two holiday cottages offering guests a unique taste of the countryside. Owl Cottage which sleeps six, and Wild Rose Cottage which sleeps five. Lucy also runs a caravan site offering electric hook ups and hard standing. Bairnkine boasts a fantastic website not only offering info and bookings for holidays, but also including regular updates on the working farm. The business also operates a successful Facebook, twitter and Instagram accounts, helping to promote the business. We find out more about what makes Bairnkine Farm tick and how Lucy effectively uses social media to effectively promote, the story of a working farm in conjunction with the holiday side of the business. Click on the links below to learn more about Bairnkine farm. Website - https://www.bairnkinecottages.co.uk/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bairnkine/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/bairnkine Visit Scotland - https://www.visitscotland.com/info/accommodation/bairnkine-farm-caravan-site-p928461 The caravan club - https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/scotland/scottish-borders/jedburgh/the-bairnkine/

Alex is joined by Iain Boyd to discuss the potential of renewables in farms across Scotland. The potential our landscape and geography have for different types of renewable energy, and what conditions are currently conducive to their addition to your business. Renewables have an important part to play in the fight against climate change, allowing Scotland to transition from fossil fuels to greener alternatives. Generally, the uplands present the greatest opportunity for uptake of large scale renewable technology in the agricultural sector. At the same time there are real concerns over balancing the needs for energy production and protecting the environment. In episode five of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to environmental consultant, Iain Boyd (SAC) about a range of topics and issues, including the current state of play for the Scottish renewables sector, evaluating the potential of your farm for renewables, the footprint of turbines, up and coming technologies and the potential threats of climate change on new and existing projects.

In the fourth Thrill of The Hill episode, Alex is joined by SAC Consultant Malcolm Macdonald to discuss virtual fencing technology and it's potential applications in Scotland and across the world. The uptake of new and innovative technologies is an important factor when considering how to drive productivity in the hill environment. Virtual fencing is an up and coming technology that is gaining popularity, particularly in Australia and New Zealand and has great scope for use in Scotland. In episode three of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to agricultural consultant, Malcolm Macdonald (SAC) who has been involved in a project investigating the potential uses of this technology, including cost and capability of equipment, the market for virtual fencing in Scotland, opportunities arising from the technology, things to watch out for and implications for traceability and policy.

For the third episode of the Thrill of The Hill podcast, Alex Pirie is joined by David Eadie, a woodlands consultant, to discuss the potential of woodland planting and management in the upland environment. Scotland has gone leaps and bounds to green the landscape with woodland to tackle the issue of climate change. With Scottish Government protecting and enhancing funding for woodland creation and the extension of the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) for habitat management a pathway is clear for farmers to increase their farmed woodland. In episode three of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to woodland specialist, David Eadie (SAC) about assessing your farm’s planting potential, conflicts with peatland, carbon sequestration, habitat value, ecosystem services and the need to balance productive timber production with native broadleaf woodland. Visit our website to find out more about Farm Woodlands.

Consultant Alex Pirie speaks with Consultant Robert Ramsay from SAC Consulting's livestock team about the current state of the Beef Sector in Scotland, and how to create synergy between your farmed upland and your improved grassland.

Consultant Alex Pirie speaks with Daniel Stout about Sheep Upland Grazing strategies and the broader Sheep industry in Scotland.

In this podcast Malcolm Macdonald talked to SAC Nutritionist Mary Young and Norvite Technical Director David McClelland about minerals in ruminant rations. This included an overview of the major minerals which are supplemented in ruminant rations and these benefit anima health. David then outlines how minerals and vitamins are defined and can be used in an organic context. Mary and David both outline case studies on specific deficiencies and how they were rectified.

In this episode Mary-Jane Lawrie speaks with Colin Hunter who farms at Stonelaws Farm in East Lothian. Colin has been farming with min till and no till systems for the last 8 years and feels strongly that we should be doing all we can to protect our topsoil and organic matter, whilst still growing a good yielding crop.

Cammy Wilson is a new entrant sheep farming, having started out 5 years ago, Cammy has developed a simple grass based sheep system which allows him time away from the business to work as a contract shearer, social media influencer and part time policeman. This podcast focuses on Cammy’s system, mentoring and his experiences so far.

John Sinclair owns and runs Craigies Farm Shop just outside Edinburgh. It’s a family run business with pick your own fruit and veg as well as the shop and café. Due to Covid the shop and café initially had to close but John and his team quickly adapted to offer home delivery which has become an important new income. As things open up it has allowed them to find a new way of reaching customers.

A new approach to agri-environment schemes, based on payment by results, is being investigated in a pilot project by Scotland’s Nature agency, NatureScot. In this podcast, senior conservation consultant at SAC Consulting, Paul Chapman, speaks to NatureScot’s Kirsten Brewster and Kay Prichard to find out more about how this approach works and how it differs from the prescriptive agri-environment schemes that farmers are currently used to.

We're making some changes to the FAS Podcast! Weekly episodes, covering the width and breadth of the farming world in Scotland, with experts and leading consultants offering relevant, important information on a regular basis. Subscribe now to get every episode on your phone.

Andrew Prentice and his family, overcame the new entrant hurdle of sourcing land by moving to the Isle of Iona to continue their farming journey. Listen to this very inspiring podcast showing the determination of the Prentice family in moving to a remote area to build their business.

What’s Stopping You? Nina Clancy (@clancy_nina) speaks to Janette Sutherland, (@ConsultingSAC) about her career, media engagement, recognising opportunities and avoiding burnout. We also learn more about the excellent work of @RSABI.