Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

The idea of land receiving designations or protections often gets a visceral reaction from farmers, crofters and landowners, with the threat of limitations and restrictions of activities, however these can also present opportunities. In episode twenty-four of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to Arran Geo Park and Arran Access Trust member, Malcolm Wilkinson about...

Daniel Stout speaks with Dr Philip Skuce from Moredun Research Institute about liver fluke in sheep. Resistance to triclabendazole, the only flukicide effective against all stages of immature fluke, is on the rise so it’s essential that we develop our understanding of the fluke lifecycle, treatment options at different stages and diagnostics tools to combat this and maintain effective control. 

In this podcast we hear from Johanne Ferguson of NatureScot about the importance of cropping on the Uist Machair.  We discuss what the machair is and what it is designated for, as well as how the traditional cropping practices used on the Uist machair benefit the wildlife.

In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes, this month hosted by Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk dairy with specialist Lorna MacPherson and Colin Mason of SRUC Vets.  What are the seasonal challenges dairy farmers are facing and what's the best strategy to get you through the season with the risk of respiratory disease on the rise.

Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts.  Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & welfare, with the aim of providing you an insight into the latest strategies which are being both developed & implemented. In this episode Tiffany Mactaggart is joined by Dr Fiona Kenyon and Dr Philip Skuce, research scientists from the Moredun Re...

In this podcast we hear from Chris Bailey RSPB Scotland about the importance of cropping areas for many farmland birds.  We discuss the nature and climate emergencies and the need for partnership working with crofters and farmers to help tackle these.

In this episode of the Farm Advisory Service podcast, we're focussing on mental health and well being. We're really lucky to be joined by a man who is now a bit of a celebrity, and synonymous with resilience and mental health all around the world - Doug Avery.

Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts.  Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & welfare, with the aim of providing you an insight into the latest strategies which are being both developed & implemented. In this episode Tiffany Mactaggart is joined by Iain McCormick and Connie Rafferty and follows a post-mortem during the podc...

In this episode, Tiffany Mactaggart and George Gauley are joined by Professor Marie Haskell and Dr David Bell at Crichton Royal Farm, a dairy research and innovation centre in Dumfries. Hear about the latest research in dairy calf health, climatic housing and early disease predictors for respiratory diseases. 

A national priority species and apex predator, the hen harrier is a unique and important bird within the farmed upland environment. Despite this, historic bad practices, burning and lack of predator control have placed increased pressure on a vulnerable population. In episode twenty-three of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to RSPB officer Daniel Brown about the...

Food & Drink specialist consultant, Kerry Hammond facilitates an hour with some of Scotland ( & Ireland’s) most enthusiastic collaborators.  Featuring Anna Robertson the Co-Op and training manager at SAOS, Hector Munro from Foulis Farm (Black Isle) , Caroline Black Director of Black’s Agri-services (Angus), Jim Booth Head of CoOp Development at SAOS, Donald Ross (from Rhynie Farm Tain) &am...

Hosted by Kerry Hammond, ‘Plugging the Protein’ talks to Food and Drink Industry consultants Alistair Trail and Ceri Ritchie, chef lecturer Mark Barker, and product development chef and restaurateur Morag Hamilton. This podcast digs deep on he trends and influences around plant-based protein, the industry view on category growth, and lab-based meats, while also highlighting the opportunities avail...

Animal welfare and farmer wellbeing – the holistic benefits of improving animal housing with John Imrie  In this episode of the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) podcast John Imrie from Hillhead Farm talks to us about his experience of receiving specialist advice for animal welfare.  In this conversation, John discusses his ambition of making his farm a more comfortable place for animals and people. Joh...

For many farmers, crofters and landowners in Scotland rewilding is a new and intimidating frontier, the prospect of rewilding and reintroduction of species previously native to Scotland presents challenges, concerns and opportunities. In episode twenty-two of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to rewilding advocate and Executive Director for Scotland: The Big Pictu...

Woodland creation and management is only one of the many avenues Scotland is taking to tackle the climate emergency and woodland has a proven link to increasing carbon capture on the farm. Agroforestry allows farmers, crofters and landowners the chance to maintain agricultural output, with options for woodland grazing and intercropping, meaning productive activity can be promoted at the same time...

Changes brought on by climate change will set new challenges for farmers and landowners, with periods of intense heat and dry conditions being followed by milder and wetter winters. At the same time, Scotland is renowned for its lochs and catchments, that contribute to Scotland’s natural capital. In episode twenty of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to Nature Sco...

Horticultural Question Time -  in this podcast we posed the questions asked by you the FAS listeners to horticultural expert Audrey Litterick.  Lots of topics were covered from the difference between growing medium and compost, watering and growing potatoes on the machair to many more!  We hope you enjoyed the podcast with Audrey Litterick.  If you want to learn more, please see the materials on t...

Managing Scotland’s landscapes sustainably is what all farmers, crofters and landowners seek to achieve. For years now there has been a steady increase in the number of land managers turning to organics, and regenerative practices are gathering momentum; at the same time the idea of farming holistically is also on the rise. In episode nineteen of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Ser...

In this Cropcast, Prof Fiona Burnett of SRUC talks soils and soil health with Joanna Cloy who is a Soil Scientist and Researcher at SRUC, Paul Hargreaves who is a Soil Scientist and Grassland Researcher also with SRUC and David Ross who is a senior Consultant with SAC Consulting in the North East

Potatoes are an important crop in the Crofting Counties with many crofters growing for home consumption whereas other crofters may sell their potatoes at farmers markets or in vegetable boxes.  In this podcast Janette Sutherland interviews Innes Jessieman SRUC potato expert to get his advice and top tips throughout the growing cycle. 

In this Cropcast, Prof Fiona Burnett of SRUC talks to Dr Neil Havis who heads up Crop Protection at SRUC, Crops Consultant Peter Lindsay and Pierre and Alain Bouffandeau who is the Crops Trials Manager at SRUC.

Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts.  Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & welfare, with the aim of providing you an insight into the latest strategies which are being both developed & implemented. In the first part of the episode George Gauley will be joined by SRUC’s monogastric research scientist, Dr Salvatore Galgano...

Taking on a farm or croft for the first time is an exciting opportunity but as New Entrants there can be challenges along the way.    We speak to Trudi Cueto from Carfrae Farm to discuss their diversification journey and the wide range of exciting activities available to the public on the farm.

In this livestock podcast, Agricultural Consultant Robert Ramsay speaks to SAC Consulting sheep specialist Kirsten Williams and to SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer Fiona Crowden.  The podcast covers, latest problems presenting at vet labs and what are the big issues sheep specialists are being asked at the moment.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a holistic approach to pest management that aims to maximise profit whilst also aiming to minimising the negative impacts of crop production on the environment. That's the technical definition, but what does it mean in practice? In this Cropcast, Prof Fiona Burnett of SRUC talks to Dr Henry Creissen who is research lead on integrated Pest Management at SRUC.