Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast
Episodes
S1: Crofters and Smallholders – Horticultural Question Time
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Horticultural Question Time - in this podcast we posed the questions asked by you the FAS listeners to horticultural expert Audrey Litterick. Lots...
S1: Thrill of The Hill - Sustainable Principles
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Managing Scotland’s landscapes sustainably is what all farmers, crofters and landowners seek to achieve. For years now there has been a steady incre...
S1: Cropcast: Soil Health Tech Talk
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 Hargrea...
S1: All about potatoes!
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Potatoes are an important crop in the Crofting Counties with many crofters growing for home consumption whereas other crofters may sell their potatoes...
S1: Cropcast: Crop Trials
28 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
S1: Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: Poultry Special
27 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts. Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & ...
S1: Capitalising on Assets
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Sheep (November 2021)
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this livestock podcast, Agricultural Consultant Robert Ramsay speaks to SAC Consulting sheep specialist Kirsten Williams and to SRUC Veterinary Inv...
S1: Cropcast: Integrated Pest Management
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a holistic approach to pest management that aims to maximise profit whilst also aiming to minimising the negative ...
S1: Taking stock – the long-term benefits of an Integrated Land Management Plan
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
S1: Future Applications of Insect Protein for Agriculture
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Janette Sutherland SAC Consulting Portree interviews Zero Waste Scotland’s Dr William Clark about a new type of farming – insect farming. The ...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Beef
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk beef with Veterinary Inves...
S1: The Oats-So-Simple Brewing Trial
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 visi...
S1: Cropcast: The Journey To Net Zero
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 Burn...
S1: Thrill of The Hill - Working for Waders
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 wade...
S1: Thrill of The Hill: Nature Friendly Farming Network
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
S1: Health, Wellbeing and Nutrition with Anna Groom
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
S1: Thrill of the Hill: Heather management
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Scotland is host to the largest concentration of heather moorland in the world with huge biodiversity interest and carbon holding potential. In this...
S1: Cropcast: Ramularia
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ramularia has established itself as one of hardest of all pathogens to manage in our barley crops. Symptoms are unpredictable and severity varies huge...
S1: Crop Trials Research into Practice
10 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, Agricultural Consultants Julian Bell and Mark Bowsher-Gibbs review the 2021 growing season along with a few market predictions going ...
S1: The Surprising Life of Freshwater Pearl Mussels
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Janette Sutherland chats to Mary McAndrew who is a project officer with the Pearl Mussel Project in Ireland. Ireland and Scotland ha...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Dairy (September 2021)
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes, this month hosted by Malcolm MacDonald of SAC Consulting, we talk dairy with specialist Lorn...
S1: Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: Natural alternatives to reduce reliance on anthelmintics.
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts. Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & ...
S1: Growing cut flowers in Skye
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Janette Sutherland SAC Portree interviews Catherine Matheson, Flùraichean le Gaol, Skye. Flùraichean le Gaol means flowers with love in Gaelic an...
S1: Sustainable Sheep Systems – Mastitis
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Stout speaks with Professor Laura Green OBE and Poppy Frater about the latest research on mastitis, the pathogens involved and how we can refin...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Sheep (August 2021)
31 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this livestock podcast, Agricultural Consultant Robert Ramsay speaks to SAC Consulting sheep specialist Poppy Frater and to SRUC Veterinary Investi...
S1: Crofting and Corncrakes
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Janette Sutherland, SAC Portree, interviews Skye’s RSPB Corncrake project officer Shelagh Parlane. They discuss how partnership working with farmers...
S1: Sustainable Sheep Systems – Getting on top of lameness
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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. L...
S1: Pesticides - Sprayer filling and washing areas
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The focus of this episode is pesticide filling and handling areas - the pollution risks, the legislation, design considerations and the safe disposal ...
S1: Cropcast: Potato blight management
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cropcast continues. This month Prof Fiona Burnett, Dr Philip Burgess and Dr Ruairidh Bain talk about potato blight management.
S1: Livestock Monthly: Beef (July 2021)
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk beef with George Baikie, H...
S1: Cropcast: Sustainable Variety Choices
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 the...
S1: Thrill of The Hill: Farming for 1.5 Degrees
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Farming as with all other industries has been set the challenge of operating more efficiently and sustainably in the face of climate change. To achiev...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Dairy (June 2021)
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk dairy with Colin Mason o...
S1: Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: episode 3 - Sheep genetics, behaviours and painful procedures
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts episodes. Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal heal...
S1: Natural Capital and Rural Businesses
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the podcast, we are exploring the subject of Natural Capital, what this term means: how does it differs from Environmental Goods an...
S1: Understanding the land - How biodiversity advice helped Threepwood Farm improve soil quality to benefit it's wildlife
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast from the Farm Advisory Service (FAS), Colin Strang Steel, owner of Threepwood Farm in The Scottish Borders, shares his experience of a...
S1: Grassland Management and Silage Making at Glensaugh
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Malcolm MacDonald speaks to Donald Barrie, farm manager at Glensaugh research farm, and Lorna Macpherson of SAC’s livestock team abo...
S1: Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: episode 2
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts. Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & ...
S1: Cropcast: Spring Barley Disease
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cropcast is back! This month we're exploring spring Barley disease management with Prof Fiona Burnett, Peter Lindsay and Dr Neil Havis.
S1: Thrill of The Hill - Finishing Well
29 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Beef finishing has long been seen as an inherently intensive activity, however finishing beef cattle at grass can be a productive use of time, while c...
S1: Thrill of The Hill - Concentrating on Calving
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Calving is one of the busiest times of the year for those in the beef sector and a crucial time for things to go right! A successful calving has huge ...
S1: Thrill of The Hill - Flock Resilience
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
While a Brexit trade deal has taken some pressure off the sheep sector the changing political and agricultural landscape means that it must adapt to t...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Sheep (May 2021)
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk sheep with Veterinary Inve...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Beef (April 2021)
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk beef with Veterinary Inves...
S1: Cropcast: Winter cereal disease management
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Cropcast we're talking about winter cereal disease management with Prof Fiona Burnett, Peter Lindsay and Dr Neil Havis.
S1: Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: episode 1
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of podcasts. Over the course of 2021, we’ll be bringing you 8 podcasts, each falling under t...
S1: Improving efficiency to stay competitive
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest Farm Advisory Service (FAS) podcast, Rowan Marshall, co-owner of family business, Peter Marshall Farms in Perthshire, describes his expe...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Dairy
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk dairy with specialist Lorn...
S1: Slurry - Application and Management
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With Hugh McClymont, SRUC's Crichton Royal Farm In this podcast the Farm Advisory Service sits down with farm manager for the SRUC’s Crichton Roy...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Sheep
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, we talk sheep with specialist Kirs...
S1: Ever Thought Of Pigs As A Commercial Opportunity? - Rearing
05 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy McGowan of the Scottish Pig Producers gives an overview of the Scottish pig industry.
S1: Ever Thought Of Pigs As A Commercial Opportunity? - Breeding
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Janette Sutherland speaks to Ross MacKenzie about his work in the pig industry and setting up breeding units.
S1: Ever Thought Of Pigs As A Commercial Opportunity?
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ross MacKenzie speaks about the opportunities for rearing pigs as a commercial venture.
S1: Feeding for Fertility
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to farmer Andrew Houstoun from Glenkilrie farm, Glenshee and vet Graeme Richardson from Thrums Veterinary Group in Kirriemuir chat about the im...
S1: Forward Thinking Farmers: Adam from Oink
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief summary of this episode
S1: Women In Agriculture- Lesley Mitchell
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief summary of this episode
S1: Forward Thinking Farmers: Neil Thomson
19 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief summary of this episode
S1: Beef Supply Chain
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief summary of this episode
S1: Predator Control For the Conservation of Ground-Nesting Birds
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Predator control for the conservation of ground-nesting birds can sometimes be a controversial issue. In this podcast, Senior Conservation Consult...
S1: Multi-species Grassland Management for Productivity
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast the Farm Advisory Service sits down with farm manager and regenerative agriculture enthusiast, Iain Graham. With the need to balance t...
S1: What's Stopping You? - Barbara Girvan
05 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Barbara Girvan’s enthusiasm shines through as she describes her recent new enterprise of a pumpkin patch in the Highlands, providing entertainment f...
S1: Nutrient Strategy - Green Manures
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Find out more about nutrient management and cover crops from the Farm Advisory Service website. In this episode George Gauley is joined by David Full...
S1: Nutrient Strategy - Compost
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For further detail on soil organic matter & composting please visit the Farm Advisory Service's Kerchesters Farm webpage. In this episode George ...
S1: Animal Health is Wealth
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
S1: Sheep management in coastal areas
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sheep and Grassland Specialist Poppy Frater talks to Richard Briggs of Briggs Shetland Lamb – a company which sells Shetland lamb across the country...
S1: Common Grazing Finances
27 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
S1: Woodlands Maintenance
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For more information about Woodland Creation & Management visit the Farm Woodlands section on our website. In this podcast, Forestry Consultant B...
S1: Winter Agronomy Digital Roadshows – Business Resilience and Markets
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Winter Agronomy Roadshows in January for this year will be delivered on-line as a combination of technical lectures, podcasts and interactive dis...
S1: Livestock Monthly: Beef
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The first in our monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting. The series will bring together specialists an...
S1: Soil & Nutrient Network - Lanarkshire
23 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Find out more about the Soil & Nutrient Network on our website. Most farmers understand the importance of applying lime however how many are appl...
S1: Living off the land: expert help to support self-sufficient croft
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to our latest podcast interview with Mark Foxwell, a successful crofter based in Sutherland who applied for business development support throug...
S1: The Thrill Of The Hill - Research & Policy
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Research and development within Scottish agriculture will be key to a successful green recovery, building an efficient and sustainable rural economy a...
S1: The Thrill Of The Hill - Enhancing Peatlands
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Scotland’s land and topography presents challenges for upland farmers across the country, but in many ways, it is also a blessing in disguise. Peatl...
S1: The Thrill Of The Hill - Wildcats
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to field manager, Keri Langridge about the new Saving Wildcats project when she chats with agricultural and conservation consultant, Alex Pirie...
S1: Winter Agronomy Digital Roadshows – Crop Selection and Variety Performance
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Winter Agronomy Roadshows this year will be delivered on-line as a combination of technical lectures, podcasts and interactive discussion session...
S1: The Thrill Of The Hill - Common Grazings for Common Good
15 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Common Grazings – and crofting counties more broadly – have a crucial and unique role to play in tackling the decline of biodiversity in Scotland....
S1: The Thrill Of The Hill - Deer Farming & Management
13 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 un...
S1: The Thrill Of The Hill - Lime & Soil Health
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The ability to improve your land is crucial at a time when productivity and efficiency are informing future policy and business resilience. The hills ...
S1: Winter Agronomy Digital Roadshows – IPM planning
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Winter Agronomy Roadshows in January for this year will be delivered on-line as a combination of technical lectures, podcasts and interactive dis...
S1: Slurry - Wet Weather Contingency Planning
03 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast was first recorded in Winter 2020 but still provides usual information from SEPA for wet weather and mitigation planning for slurry based...
S1: Supporting agriculture in Scotland post-Brexit
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast SAC Principal Consultant Chloe McCulloch talks to Davy McCracken, Head of SRUC’s Hill & Mountain Research Centre, about the chal...
S1: Converting to Organics - David Younie
23 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Malcolm Macdonald spoke to retired SAC consultant David Younie. David was SAC Consulting’s senior organic consultant and at the fore...
S1: Organic Market Trends and Outlook
23 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Malcolm Macdonald spoke to Sophie Kirk who is the head of business development with soil association accreditation. Sophie talks about...
S1: Focus on Crofts - Echoes From The past
22 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A brief summary of this episode
S1: Focus on Crofts - Crofting Community and Cancer
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A brief summary of this episode
S1: Hedges - Cultivating Cutting and Carbon Capture
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As linear landscape features, hedges bring with them an array of benefits, whether it is in the context of climate change, biodiversity decline or imp...
S1: AgriScot Across The Airwaves
20 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 lar...
S1: Helping Farmers Adapt to Climate Change - Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay
18 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we speak to beef specialist Robert Ramsay about the practicalities of adapting agriculture to climate change. Focussing on livestock ...
S1: Meeting Market Demand - Net Zero Arran
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Building resilient businesses and identifying the weaknesses within your business is crucial as Scotland moves into a period of great uncertainty. At ...
S1: What's Stopping You - Jen Craig
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What’s stopping You? In this podcast Jen Craig farmer @sheepfarmer782, NSA Scotland Chairwoman and NFUS Clydesdale branch Chairwoman tells us abou...
S1: Embracing technology to improve sustainability - EID
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Daniel Stout of SAC Consulting speaks with Harriet Wishart from SRUC's Kirkton & Auchtertyre Research Farm about the different EI...
S1: Technology for Improved Animal Welfare - EID's and sensors
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
“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...
S1: Turning Livestock Record Data in useful information
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
S1: Technology for Improved Animal Welfare - The South West Dairy Development Centre
13 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 Ce...
S1: Livestock Health Planning Over The Winter
12 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Agricultural Consultant Malcolm Macdonald spoke to beef and sheep specialist Robert Ramsay and SRUC Vet Colin Mason about livestock health planning ov...
S1: New Entrant Case Study - Rhys Williams
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A brief summary of this episode
S1: Social Media for Small Scale Producers
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
SAC Consultant Ashleigh Forster chats to Carianne MacDonald of Ardbhan Highland Cattle, North Uist and crofter Donald Macsween of Air An Lot, Lewis. C...
S1: Applying for a carbon audit
09 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, Andrew Farquharson, Partner at Finzean Estate Partnership in Banchory, shares his experience of applying for a carbon audit to identi...
S1: Livestock Grazing Beet: Feat. Dr Jim Gibbs
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 j...