Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk sheep with specialist Kirsten Williams and Veterinary Investigation Officer, Eilidh Corr.

Andy McGowan of the Scottish Pig Producers gives an overview of the Scottish pig industry.

Janette Sutherland speaks to Ross MacKenzie about his work in the pig industry and setting up breeding units.

Ross MacKenzie speaks about the opportunities for rearing pigs as a commercial venture.

Listen to farmer Andrew Houstoun from Glenkilrie farm, Glenshee and vet Graeme Richardson from Thrums Veterinary Group in Kirriemuir chat about the importance of nutritional management in the suckler herd. Andrew and Graeme discuss their involvement in the KTIF Scottish Government Funded Project “Feeding for Fertility in the Suckler Herd”. Andrew talks through their farming system, moving from two block calvings to all spring calving and calving heifers at two years of age. Graeme discusses the benefits of using metabolic profiling in the suckler herd as a tool to aid nutritional management and fertility.

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

Predator control for the conservation of ground-nesting birds can sometimes be a controversial issue. In this podcast, Senior Conservation Consultant at SAC Consulting, Paul Chapman, discusses the practicalities with NatureScot’s Alastair MacGugan and hears about an alternative approach to predator-prey conflicts in the Cairngorms Connect project, from Kenny Kortland of Forestry and Land Scotland.

In this podcast the Farm Advisory Service sits down with farm manager and regenerative agriculture enthusiast, Iain Graham. With the need to balance the demands of farming in a more sustainable manner and drive efficiencies across sectors, multi-species grassland offers win win potential. As someone who is only recently new to the benefits of multi-species grassland, Iain discusses the motivations for change across his farming system, the biodiversity conservation impacts, resource management, the improvements in grazing efficiency, the questions answered and those still to be.

Barbara Girvan’s enthusiasm shines through as she describes her recent new enterprise of a pumpkin patch in the Highlands, providing entertainment for school holidays and raising funds for charity. Her family took a bit of persuading, but enjoyed it so much that the enterprise is continuing, and Barbara has been inspired to start growing sunflowers and cut flowers. Barbara explains the mishaps and teething problems with the pumpkins, as well as her experience on the Rural Leadership Programme and what she has taken away from Women in agriculture meetings.

Find out more about nutrient management and cover crops from the Farm Advisory Service website. In this episode George Gauley is joined by David Fuller - Shapcott from Sweethope Farm, near Kelso along with Audrey Litterick from Earth care technical. David uses a low tillage system alongside a winter – spring rotation as a method of improving soil health and organic matter. Over the years David has also had experience with integrating green manures into his system. Audrey has over 25 years’ experience as a crop and environmental scientist. During the past 12 years she has specialised in composting and AD systems, fertilisers, and the use of composts dig estates and other organic materials in agriculture. This podcast explores the use of Green manures in the borders. How can they be practically be incorporated into the arable system & what are some of the benefits?

For further detail on soil organic matter & composting please visit the Farm Advisory Service's Kerchesters Farm webpage. In this episode George Gauley is joined by Jim McFarlane from Edrington Estate & Audrey Litterick from Earth care technical. Jim runs a non-livestock, arable system and has been using a min till establishment for the last 20 years. His focus is to preserve soil organic matter and improve soil microbial activity. Audrey has over 25 years’ experience as a crop and environmental scientist. During the past 12 years she has specialised in composting and AD systems, fertilisers, and the use of composts dig estates and other organic materials in agriculture. This podcast explores the advantages & disadvantages of using on farm produced compost & the merits/practicalities of applying to standing crop in the spring.

Following on from Animal Health is Wealth webinar, James Orr talks to The Woodlands Trust Scotland farmer Janet Pringle and her vet, Rhona Anderson of Forth Valley Vets, about their experience of hands on practical Health Planning. Covering the barriers, challenges that they faced and the benefits that they have seen from undertaking proactive Animal Health Planning.

Sheep and Grassland Specialist Poppy Frater talks to Richard Briggs of Briggs Shetland Lamb – a company which sells Shetland lamb across the country from London to Lerwick. We discuss the importance of small-scale abattoirs, the value of coastal lamb to lamb eating quality and consumer health and access to a UK wide market. Richard remains optimistic about the future of good quality lamb post-COVID disturbance and with a resurgence of the conscientious consumer asking about where their meat comes from. We encourage others to seek similar opportunities for coastal lamb by talking with the whole supply chain from the producer to the consumer.

Common Grazing finances can be bewildering – but they don’t have to be! Listen to Arthur MacDonald explain what committees need to do and tools and resources that are available to help them. #crofting #commongrazing Further resources Common Grazings Discussion Group from the Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Common Grazings | Crofting Commission (scotland.gov.uk) Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

For more information about Woodland Creation & Management visit the Farm Woodlands section on our website. In this podcast, Forestry Consultant Ben Law discusses woodland maintenance with Eric Boyd, a forestry contractor with over 42 years of experience in planting and maintaining Scotland’s trees. Topics discussed include: control of weeds on woodland creation and restock sites maintenance planning from the outset of a woodland creation scheme weevil control on restock sites the challenges of managing bracken provision of welfare facilities within forestry sites.

The Winter Agronomy Roadshows in January for this year will be delivered on-line as a combination of technical lectures, podcasts and interactive discussion sessions. In this podcast we're joined David Doodle and Anthony Spate from the Market Intelligence Department at AHDB

The first in our monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting. The series will bring together specialists and vets to discuss topical trends and themes on health topics and diseases which are cause for concern at that time and provide technical and management advice on reducing the risk of such diseases. This month Robert talks to Veterinary Investigation Officer, Tim Geraghty of SRUC Veterinary Services and Livestock Nutritionist, Karen Stewart of SAC Consulting.

Find out more about the Soil & Nutrient Network on our website. Most farmers understand the importance of applying lime however how many are applying regularly, at the correct rate and the correct type? In this podcast, part of the Lanarkshire Nutrient Network we are joined by Mark Tripney from I-Soils to discuss all things liming.

Listen to our latest podcast interview with Mark Foxwell, a successful crofter based in Sutherland who applied for business development support through FAS to improve his crofting business. Mark and his wife moved to their croft up in the highlands in 2018 to become more self-sufficient. As part of their crofting business, they manage a smallholding of livestock including cows, sheep, pigs and chickens, run a thriving horticultural business and produce tree planting stock, in addition to fuel for their energy needs. In this podcast, Mark describes how expert help with an integrated land management plan (ILMP), specialist advice, mentoring and a carbon audit, is helping him and his wife make worthwhile improvements to their business and invest in future profitability.

Research and development within Scottish agriculture will be key to a successful green recovery, building an efficient and sustainable rural economy and mitigating against the threats posed by climate change. In this special bonus episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) is fortunate to talk to Prof Davy McCracken, Head of the Hill & Mountain Research Centre about innovations in agriculture, as specifically the uplands. Topics include driving efficiency and better grazing in the uplands, balancing conservation and climate concerns, high nature value farming, threats of climate change and what the green recovery and future policy could look like and could target.

Scotland’s land and topography presents challenges for upland farmers across the country, but in many ways, it is also a blessing in disguise. Peatland, while not conventionally productive, provides important habitat and ecosystem services for farmers and the wider general public, retaining water, capturing carbon and providing important niche habitat for national priority species. Sustainable management of peatland will contribute to Scotland’s climate goals and mitigate against biodiversity decline. In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to the project coordinator for the Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative, Daisy Whytock about a range of topics and issues, conflicts between woodlands and peatland, the importance of peatland as a carbon sink, responsible peatland utilisation and the role of peatland for pollinators.

Listen to field manager, Keri Langridge about the new Saving Wildcats project when she chats with agricultural and conservation consultant, Alex Pirie in the sixth episode of our Thrill of The Hill series. Functionally extinct in Scotland, the Scottish wildcat is an important species on several fronts, ecological, historical, and cultural. However, the species has seen decades of persecution which has led to population decline and now with the new threat of hybridisation the species is on the ropes. Other topics covered in this episode include; the state of play for the species, identifying the species in the wild, the benefits of farm habitat for wildcat, the steps farmers can take to improve farm habitats and the role of wildcats as beneficial predators.

The Winter Agronomy Roadshows this year will be delivered on-line as a combination of technical lectures, podcasts and interactive discussion sessions. In this podcast, we talk to Peter Lindsay, a crops specialist from SAC Consulting and Will Hamilton, a farmer from Borders who specialises in combinable crops.

Common Grazings – and crofting counties more broadly – have a crucial and unique role to play in tackling the decline of biodiversity in Scotland. Because of the mosaic of small distinct habitats in close proximity, coupled with expansive rough grazings and heath, many crofts are microcosms of the habitats across Scotland. This in tandem with the typically more extensive, low input management systems makes crofts and Common Grazings hugely important for biodiversity. In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series, the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to agricultural and crofting consultant, Janette Sutherland (SAC), about a range of topics and issues, including the lessons conventional farms can take from crofting, grazing hill cattle, crofting as a public good and heritage value of traditional practices.

Deer farming in Scotland and across Britain is a growing sector with huge potential, whether it is wild deer on the uplands or lowland domesticated units. In the face of threats like climate change and biodiversity decline deer offers a resilient alternative to beef and sheep. In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to Dick Fairplay, John Fletcher and Allan Sneddon of the Venison Advisory Service. Topics covered include; a review of the domestic venison market, deer farming in a changing climate, deer as resilient livestock, differences between farmed and wild venison, the importance of upland game shooting, the practicalities of deer farming and uses for antlers.

The ability to improve your land is crucial at a time when productivity and efficiency are informing future policy and business resilience. The hills and uplands have a reputation for being difficult to improve, and declining agricultural activity means that these areas are reverting back to a less productive natural state. Liming and control of soil pH offers the opportunity to improve the condition of your soil and can be done sustainably. In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to Prof Bill Crooks (SAC), about the current state of Scotland’s soils, the importance and need to apply lime, getting value for money and the implications of low pH, as well as the climate discussion about the impact of liming.

The Winter Agronomy Roadshows in January for this year will be delivered on-line as a combination of technical lectures, podcasts and interactive discussion sessions. In this podcast, Professor Fiona Burnett of Scotland's Rural College talks research and the practical approaches of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with Dr Henry Creissen (SRUC) and David Bell, a farmer from East Fife and IPM champion.

This podcast was first recorded in Winter 2020 but still provides usual information from SEPA for wet weather and mitigation planning for slurry based systems.With Stephen Field, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)In this podcast the Farm Advisory Service sits down with unit manager for the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Stephen Field. With changing and more dramatic weather patterns, increasing periods of wet weather and poor ground conditions, having ample slurry storage on farm is crucial. What is just as important is having a plan or process for when you find your storage stretched to the limit. As part of our series on Slurry Management and Application, Stephen discusses the threats of increased rainfall, the dangers of environmental pollution from slurry and the options available to farmers struggling with their storage capacity.

In this podcast SAC Principal Consultant Chloe McCulloch talks to Davy McCracken, Head of SRUC’s Hill & Mountain Research Centre, about the challenges and opportunities facing Scottish agricultural policy-development post-Brexit. The discussion focusses on the importance that payments for public goods delivery and maintenance of natural capital are likely to play in the future. Chloe and Davy also consider how existing World Trade Organisation regulations will limit the ability of the UK to restrict the import of agricultural goods from countries with lower environmental or welfare standards.

In this podcast Malcolm Macdonald spoke to retired SAC consultant David Younie. David was SAC Consulting’s senior organic consultant and at the forefront of providing advice to farmers who were organic or planning to convert. David talks about how he moved into organics, the work he was involved in and what he sees as some of the most challenging aspects of organic farming systems.

In this podcast Malcolm Macdonald spoke to Sophie Kirk who is the head of business development with soil association accreditation. Sophie talks about how the organic market has fared over the past year, how Covid-19 has affected sales, and what the outlook going into 2021 is like.

A brief summary of this episode

A brief summary of this episode

As linear landscape features, hedges bring with them an array of benefits, whether it is in the context of climate change, biodiversity decline or improved productivity. However, these benefits are reliant on good overall management. In this podcast, a part of the Hedges – Cultivating, Cutting & Carbon Capture series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to Nigel Adams, Countryside Management about all things hedges. Topics of discussion include current condition of Britain’s hedges, advice for those looking to establish new hedges, the options for hedgerow management and restoration, the multiple benefits of hedges and some gripping conservation success figures.

2020 has been a year that has seen all industries and sectors within agriculture have to adapt to a new normal, and this has extended to shows and large events. AgriScot is a staple in the Scottish agricultural calendar, an opportunity to showcase new and innovative technologies, promote good practice and highlight quality livestock. In this podcast the Farm Advisory Service sits down for a dialog with Martin Dare, one of the chief organisers for the event to discuss the shift to a virtual platform, the process of putting together the day in general, some behind the scenes stories and the reception from “attendees”. Each of the seminars from the event was recorded and is now available to watch at https://agriscot.co.uk/video-hub/

In this episode, we speak to beef specialist Robert Ramsay about the practicalities of adapting agriculture to climate change. Focussing on livestock systems we look at the challenges livestock farmers may face in the future and how to make their businesses more resilient to a changing climate.

Building resilient businesses and identifying the weaknesses within your business is crucial as Scotland moves into a period of great uncertainty. At a time when farmers are being asked to balance the demands of climate change and biodiversity decline, they must also contend with market instability and change public perceptions of farming. In the first of two podcast for the Meeting Market Demand series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to agricultural consultant, Alexander Pirie (SAC) about the Net Zero Arran initiative. The group launched in January 2020 and has garnered attention for their group approach to tackling climate change and in this podcast we discuss; carbon auditing, targeting joint areas of business vulnerability and grass roots local responses to the challenges facing island communities and the wider challenges of climate change and Brexit.

What’s stopping You? In this podcast Jen Craig farmer @sheepfarmer782, NSA Scotland Chairwoman and NFUS Clydesdale branch Chairwoman tells us about her journey getting involved with Agri-Politics. We discuss her farming life and balancing this with her committee roles. We discuss the biodiversity and community benefits that hill farming brings.

In this episode, Daniel Stout of SAC Consulting speaks with Harriet Wishart from SRUC's Kirkton & Auchtertyre Research Farm about the different EID and data recording technology now available and how they can be implemented on farm to make more informed breeding and management decisions to improve farm efficiency and profitability, whilst making cross compliance easier and reducing labour requirements of certain tasks.

“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.