Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

In this podcast, Ben Graham, Managing Partner at Kirkland in Dumfries and Galloway talks to us about his experience of applying for an Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP) to reflect on how he runs the enterprise.  In the interview, Ben details his reasons for applying for an ILMP and how this fits into the long term plan for the business. He also discusses on wanting to leave the business in a...

Janette Sutherland SAC Consulting Portree interviews Zero Waste Scotland’s Dr William Clark about a new type of farming – insect farming.  The podcast covers a wide variety of topics from why we need to produce more protein and rely less on soya and how also we protect the welfare of farmed insects.  We gain good get insights into the legalisation and how the markets are likely to develop in the f...

In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk beef with Veterinary Investigation Officer, Alwyn Jones of SRUC Veterinary Services and Livestock Specialist, Lesley Wylie of SAC Consulting.  (Recorded October 2021)

In this podcast we hear from Richie Walsh who organised the Oats So Simple Brewing trail using oats grown on a croft in Lismore.  We discuss his vision of craft ales being a catalyst for supporting small scale heritage cropping in the Crofting counties and beyond and all the benefits to nature and sustainability that could bring. Were you inspired by listening to the podcast.  Interested in gettin...

Net Zero is a phrase that we hear all the time, but what does the journey to net zero look like for cropping systems. In this Cropcast, Prof Fiona Burnett of SRUC talks to Prof Bob Rees who is the Professor of Agriculture and Climate Change at SRUC and Julian Bell who leads the Agrecalc which is a carbon footprint tool developed by SAC Consulting together with SRUC researchers.

In this episode of the Thrill of The Hill podcast, host Alex Pirie chats to Patrick Laurie from Working For Waders .  They discuss the decline of waders in Scotland, the practical steps that farmers can take to counter the biodiversity crisis as well as reflect on good practice, the trees versus waders debate amongst other topics. Find out more about how to manage farmland for waders on the FAS we...

In the shadow of COP26 Scotland prepares to host the world as we agree common targets and policies to combat climate change, equally important is the biodiversity crisis. In episode seventeen of the Thrill of the Hill series the Alex Pirie from the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to Nature Friendly Farming Network coordinator, Phil Knott about how Scotland is addressing biodiversity decline, the...

As part of the Health is your Wealth series we chatted with Anna Groom, registered dietician, nutritionist and farmers wife. With Anna we discuss why nutrition is important and how those working in rural industries can improve their health and overall wellbeing through better informed decisions about nutrition. 

Scotland is host to the largest concentration of heather moorland in the world with huge biodiversity interest and carbon holding potential.  In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series Alex Pirie from the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to British Moorlands advisor, Dick Bartlett about the state of Scotland’s moorlands, with conversation ranging from hot topics like burning, as well as swi...

Ramularia has established itself as one of hardest of all pathogens to manage in our barley crops. Symptoms are unpredictable and severity varies hugely site to site and season to season. At its worst it damages yield and quality and has evolved resistance to many fungicide groups. This podcast discusses the latest research and lays bare ramularia’s complicated lifecycle. With trial results just i...

In this podcast, Agricultural Consultants Julian Bell and Mark Bowsher-Gibbs review the 2021 growing season along with a few market predictions going forward.  Expectations at sowing and following the cold Spring weren't high, so where are we now and what can be done?

In this podcast Janette Sutherland chats to Mary McAndrew who is a project officer with the Pearl Mussel Project in Ireland .  Ireland and Scotland have rivers in their High Nature Value farmland areas with populations of Freshwater Pearl Mussels. Mary discusses the lifecycle of this species and how their success is connected to farming practices. Mary then tells us how their project with a Result...

In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes, this month hosted by Malcolm MacDonald 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 whether you're partially housed or still at grass.  Colin and Lorna talk about the animal...

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 Spiridoula Athanasiadou.  Spiridoula discusses research which is being ca...

Janette Sutherland SAC Portree interviews Catherine Matheson, Flùraichean le Gaol, Skye.  Flùraichean le Gaol means flowers with love in Gaelic and Catherine discusses growing cut flowers in Skye, starting a new business and incorporating her Gaelic heritage into her company branding. Find Flùraichean le Gaol on Instragram and Facebook to follow Catherine’s growing journey.

Daniel Stout speaks with Professor Laura Green OBE and Poppy Frater about the latest research on mastitis, the pathogens involved and how we can refine management and nutrition in sheep systems to reduce mastitis risk. If mastitis is a real issue in your flock this podcast is one to listen to.

In this livestock podcast, Agricultural Consultant Robert Ramsay speaks to SAC Consulting sheep specialist Poppy Frater and to SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer Heather Stevenson.  The podcast covers, among other things, parasites, health planning and pre tupping management. 

Janette Sutherland, SAC Portree, interviews Skye’s RSPB Corncrake project officer Shelagh Parlane. They discuss how partnership working with farmers and crofters is key to this bird’s breeding success in Scotland. They discuss the collaborative work done by the Skye Crofting and Corncrake Partnership. They also talk about an exciting new initiative called Corncrake Calling that has started in 2021...

Agricultural Consultant Daniel Stout speaks with Professor Laura Green OBE about how best to get on top of footrot and reduce lameness in the flock. Laura has been involved in a great deal of hugely influential research on lameness, the impact of foot trimming and effective treatment and control of footrot so if you’re struggling with lameness in your flock this podcast is one to listen to 

The focus of this episode is pesticide filling and handling areas - the pollution risks, the legislation, design considerations and the safe disposal of pesticide solutions. Agricultural Consultant George Chalmers chats with SEPA's Pete Wright and D & H Direct's Dan Fentiman.  Pete gives an insight into the pollution risks and the legislation that surrounds the safe use of pesticides.  Dan has...

Cropcast continues. This month Prof Fiona Burnett, Dr Philip Burgess and Dr Ruairidh Bain talk about potato blight management.

In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk beef with George Baikie, Head of SRUC Farms. 

Join SRUC's Prof Fiona Burnett as she talks to Donald Dunbar from SAC Consulting and Dr Steve Hoad from SRUC.  In this episode of the podcast they talk about up-and-coming varieties things to note as we get towards harvest.

Farming as with all other industries has been set the challenge of operating more efficiently and sustainably in the face of climate change. To achieve a roadmap for the future Scottish Government and other special interest groups have been investigating and evaluating options to improve the green credentials of farming generally. In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory...

 In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk dairy with Colin Mason of SRUC Vets and Hugh McClymont of the SRUC Barony.