Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

In this podcast, Eileen Wall, Head of Research at SRUC, provides an overview of the genomics work she is involved in – looking at genetics data and tissue samples recorded by farmers on the Beef Efficiency Scheme (BES).  Through the genomics project, Eileen and her team hope to develop genetic and genomic evaluations that could be beneficial for farmers looking to develop specific traits within th...

In our latest podcast on alternative bedding, Beef Consultant Sarah Balfour discusses the merits of various alternative bedding products.  In this episode she visits Keenan Recycling in Aberdeenshire to discuss the use of green compost.  Our previous episode looking at woodfines as an alternative bedding can be found here .

In this episode of the podcast, Agricultural Consultant Malcolm MacDonald chats to Roger Polson who farms at Knock Farm near Huntly, and Dairy and Nutrition Consultant Lorna MacPherson.  Roger outlines the farming system at Knock and Lorna discusses the different issues to be aware of  when rationing cows over the winter and in the run-up to calving.

Ask any farmer about ‘the cloud’ and very often the response is that they don’t really understand it, nor do they use it.  However the reality is very different – lots of information about you and your business is already on the cloud, and it’s increasing daily.  In this podcast we’re talking to two people from agriculture-specialist cloud software companies – their working lives effectively exist...

This is the second of a 2 part series podcast, which is brought to you from Argyll & Lochaber, in the west coast of Scotland. The focus of this series, is Biodiversity and farming. In the first episode, we heard from conservation consultant Helen Bibby, who explained, not only the principles of Biodiversity, but also highlighted the role that conventional farming can play in enhancing biodiver...

This is the first of a 2 part series podcast, which is brought to you from Argyll & Lochaber, in the west coast of Scotland. The focus of this series is 'Biodiversity and Farming'. There is no doubt that Agriculture has attracted a lot of attention recently, particularly centred on greenhouse gas emissions and new ideas that conventional food production will eventually be replaced by laborator...

Mark Tripney from iSoils and Gavin Elrick from SAC Consulting were the guest speakers during the first meeting of the Inverness Soil & Nutrient Network.  In this podcast we hear their key recommendations about how farmers can go back to basics with soil management to improve productivity and increase their sustainability. Find out more about the Soil & Nutrient Network and our host farms o...

In this podcast, the first of four from our North East Organic Discussion Group, Malcolm MacDonald chats to Murray Cooper who farms at Mains of Thornton, and SRUC Research Agronomist Dr Robin Walker. Robin discusses some of the research he has done on intercropping and crop mixtures and how they can be used in organic systems. Murray outlines his farming system and also discusses the practicalitie...

 Maintaining a balanced life is becoming increasingly more important for your personal health and well-being in a fast-paced, modern world. Ross Mackenzie of SAC consulting speaks to partners Ian MacLean and Robbie Pancic who made the bold step to move from their hectic working life in the City, to a balanced lifestyle on their croft on the Isle of Skye.  He also chatted to Sandra Mackenzie from D...

As part of our work on Women in Agriculture, we went to meet Primrose Beaton of Lawrie & Symington at Lanark Auction Mart.  Primrose is head of cattle sales and Lawrie & Symington, and gave us a colourful and entertaining insight into her work and life in farming.  Mary-Jane Lawrie of SAC Consulting chatted to Primrose about her early career, educating the public about where their meat com...

In our latest podcasts, join Beef Consultant Sarah Balfour as she discusses the merits of various alternative bedding products.  The main focus of this podcast is Woodfines.  

In this episode of the podcast we talk to Alex Pirie, an Agricultural Consultant about people he spoke to at AgriScot 2019 covering the state of farming and how attendees thought Brexit would affect the future of their businesses.

We've been running events looking at digital security for your agricultural business.  After one of the events, Seamus Murphy sat down with Chloe McCulloch and Alex Pirie who were running the event to go over topics covered and how you can take simple steps to protect your business online

Many producers know and understand where their output goes downstream in the supply chain but what about upstream and the suppliers there?  In this episode, Chloe McCulloch speaks to Matthew Everett of Origin Fertilisers about where our fertiliser comes from and how Brexit will affect supply.

In order to make the most of the 30 minutes of free advice offered by Scotland's Farm Advisory Service, this podcast has been created to help give a better understanding of woodland creation and management.  We've recorded the answers to ten of the most frequently asked questions that are put to Forestry Consultants and Scottish Forestry.  This podcast aims to better inform anyone who may be inter...

In this episode, Agricultural Consultant Malcolm MacDonald chats to Harry Henderson, AHDB's Knowledge Transfer Manager, and later with Gavin Elrick, SAC Consulting's soils, drainage and nutrient management expert.   Ahead of the Changing Practices for a Changing Climate FAS Event held near Inverness, Harry and Malcolm discussed how arable farmers can adapt to cope with the changes that we are expe...

Kirkton Farm near Thainstone is one of the Soil & Nutrient Network host farms for 2019-2020.  In this podcast, we hear from our host farmer, Scott Campbell, who is the 2019 Farmer’s Weekly Arable Farmer of the Year.  Scott gives us an introduction to the farm and how he manages it.  We also hear from Gavin Elrick, soil and drainage expert, and David Ross, agricultural consultant and soil speci...

Arable Scotland was a brand-new event for Scotland where the industry could view, share and explore the new innovations that will drive the markets and the future sustainability of Scottish arable production.  With winter setting in, we're looking back at the day to see what could be learned as you start to make choices for the year ahead. This podcast was hosted by Zach Reilly of SAC Consulting i...

2017 Tweed Forum River Champion, Jim Sinclair farms approximately 800 ha near Galashiels.  The farm is prone to flooding which impacts further downstream to the local town of Galashiels.   Working alongside Hugh Chalmers from the Tweed Forum, Jim has invested on his farm to improve the river management on the water that runs through is farm to reduce the impact of flooding on the farm with measure...

As part of our work for Women in Agriculture, we visited Lynbreck Croft near Grantown-on-Spey to interview Lynn Cassells.  Lynn farms with her partner Sandra Baer, and together they have created a successful crofting business focussed on working with nature and providing sustainable food for their local community.  Mary-Jane Lawrie, of SAC Consulting, chatted to Lynn about being a new entrant, tre...

How can growing trees benefit the rest of the farm?  What grant funding is available to help you plant a new woodland?  How can you access woodland creation grants?  Virginia Harden-Scott, Woodland Creation Officer at Scottish Forestry spoke to SAC Consulting's forester Leona Baillie about how the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) works. They discussed what the funding can pay for and how to find out wh...

‘The Principles of Soil & Metal Interactions’ was the theme for a soil & tillage event on the Mertoun Estate, near St Boswells.  After the meeting finished, event organiser Donald Dunbar, sat down with speaker Philip Wright, from Wright Resolutions, to talk all things soils and tillage and to recap where the meeting had taken attendees.   Philip is a chartered engineer and has a wealth of...

As part of our work on Women in Agriculture, we visited Baddinsgill Farm in West Linton in the Scottish Borders to interview three of the women who run this fantastic upland sheep farm.  Elaine Marshall, her daughter-in-law Anna Marshall, and shepherdess Josephine Holbrook chatted to Mary-Jane Lawrie, of SAC Consulting, about sheep, meat boxes, childcare, and everything in between!  These three wo...

Earlier in the year we held a series of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) awareness events.  In this podcast we join Agricultural Consultants Mary-Jane Lawrie and Craig Bothwell who work within the Lothians areas.  They facilitated the NVZ event in Haddington and reflect on the rules and regulations that need to be adhered to to ensure compliance. For more information and links to some of the documen...

In this podcast, Ross Mackenzie talks to Ian Tolmie, Managing Director of Dingwall and Highland Marts who gives valuable advice for those new to livestock marts, and what they should do to get confidence and experience. That is followed up by local crofter John Mackinnon who thinks back to his first experience, and how much he still gets excited even today.  Local visit to Glendale Market where lo...