Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

S1: What may the future hold for the Scottish West Coast sheep farmers?

26 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

To discuss this question, SAC Consultant Poppy Frater speaks with Kev Bevan, a former SAC Consulting colleague who specialises in farm business manage...

S1: Barnside Farm - Becoming Organic, Rotational Grazing, and Mob Grazing

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast SAC Consultant Malcolm Macdonald caught up with Charley and Andrea Walker from Barnside Farm. They discussed their farming system, why...

S1: Managing Straw Supplies for the Winter

22 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Malcolm Macdonald speaks to SAC beef consultants Robert Ramsay and Sarah Balfour about managing straw supplies this winter. With straw availability va...

S1: A Conversation with Hannah Jackson: The Red Shepherdess

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

SAC Consultant Mary-Jane Lawrie speaks with Hannah Jackson, who has become something of a farming celebrity. Hannah has a wealth of advice to offer ne...

S1: Mentoring New Entrants: An interview with John Matheson

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Interview with John Matheson, owner of a 300-acre, 10 year limited duration tenancy farm based in Aberdeenshire. John has over 20+ years experience in...

S1: Beneficial Insects

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How can beneficial insects help you? What insects inhabit agricultural land? How can we tweak the balance towards insects that are beneficial to pr...

S1: Using Fodder Beet - Common problems and myths

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The second podcast in our fodder beet for livestock series. Kirsten Williams, SAC Beef and Sheep Consultant is again joined by Dr Jim Gibbs, New Zeala...

S1: Using Fodder Beet - An introduction

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We are extremely lucky to be joined by Dr Jim Gibbs, vet, ruminant nutritionist and fodder beet specialist, who has designed fodder beet grazing syste...

S1: Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Bob Prentice

14 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is it that makes a farm business successful? And how can we all strive to be more resilient in the face of challenge and change?   George Gau...

S1: Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Neil Sandilands

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is it that makes a farm business successful? And how can we all strive to be more resilient in the face of challenge and change?   George Gau...

S1: Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Jim Shanks

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is it that makes a farm business successful? And how can we all strive to be more resilient in the face of challenge and change?   Mary-Jane ...

S1: Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Colin McGregor

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is it that makes a farm business successful? And how can we all strive to be more resilient in the face of challenge and change?   Mary-Jane ...

S1: New Entrants - Gordon Caldwell

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting speaks to Gordon Caldwell, an Ayrshire based veg farmer. Gordon describes himself as a veteran new ent...

S1: Managing People - Part 2: Michael Bayne & Bill Smith

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Managing People podcast is part of a toolkit of publications to assist farmers and managers in managing people within their business. In the final...

S1: Managing People - Part 1: John Kerr & John Sinclair

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Managing People podcast is part of a toolkit of publications to assist farmers and managers in managing people within their business. In the first...

S1: High Nature Value Farming - The Uist Machair

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast Jamie Boyle  (centre in the photo) introduces us to the wonders of the Uist machair, an excellent example of High Nature Value farmin...

S1: Growing Crops on a Small Scale For The First Time

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast Derek Hanton of SAC Inverness gives advice to those thinking of growing crops on a small scale for the first time.  Many types of cro...

S1: Adding Value To Beef

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay chats to Michael Shannon and Peter Eccles. Two farmers who both market there products  directly to consumers. Michael s...

S1: New Entrant Case Study - Laura Hinnekens

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A real success story, Laura Hinnekens took the bold decision to move to Scotland from Belgium to follow her dream of farming, starting with only a few...

S1: Improve your social media presence- Harriet Busby - Border berries

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode George Gauley is joined by Harriet Busby from Border berries. Border berries is a thriving farm business, located near St Boswells in ...

S1: Planning Feed Supplies For The Winter

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Malcolm Macdonald spoke to nutritionists Karen Stewart and Mary Young along with beef specialist Robert Ramsay about planning feed supplies for the wi...

S1: Rotational Grazing: A Discussion With 4 Farmers

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This year, four farmers from across Scotland have been documenting their experience using rotational grazing methods on video. You can follow the whol...

S1: Positive PR - an interview with Claire Pollock from Ardross Farm

17 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry Allison, Senior Marketing Consultant with SAC discusses PR (public relations) with a Food PR Agent, an Agricultural PR firm, and farm businesses...

S1: Positive PR - an interview with Jane Craigie

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry Allison, Senior Marketing Consultant with SAC discusses PR (public relations) with a Food PR Agent, an Agricultural PR firm, and farm businesses...

S1: Positive PR - an interview with Martha Bryce

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry Allison, Senior Marketing Consultant with SAC discusses PR (public relations) with a Food PR Agent, an Agricultural PR firm, and farm businesses...

S1: So You Want To Cover Your Slurry Store

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Seamus Donnelly discusses the wider financial and environmental benefits and speaks to Simon Jones (Genap) about choosing Tensioned versus Floating Co...

S1: Effective Fluke Control in Sheep: A conversation with Andrew Bailie

03 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Hazel Laughton speaks with Andrew Baillie who farms at Carstairs Mains in Lanarkshire. Andrew shares his experience of suffering a sub...

S1: Derelict to Productive - Hill Cows with Patrick Laurie

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 Patrick Laurie, Galloway based author of ‘Native’ speaks to Janette Sutherland in Skye about his book. They discuss his starting a farming busin...

S1: Improve your social media presence: Lucy Tile – Bairnkine Farm

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode George Gauley is joined by Lucy Tile from Bairnkine Farm, Jedburgh.  Lucy runs a busy 1100 acres farming approximately 2000 sheep. ...

S1: The Thrill of The Hill - Renewables

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alex is joined by Iain Boyd to discuss the potential of renewables in farms across Scotland. The potential our landscape and geography have for differ...

S1: The Thrill of The Hill - Virtual Fencing

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the fourth Thrill of The Hill episode, Alex is joined by SAC Consultant Malcolm Macdonald to discuss virtual fencing technology and it's potential ...

S1: The Thrill of The Hill - Woodlands

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For the third episode of the Thrill of The Hill podcast, Alex Pirie is joined by David Eadie, a woodlands consultant, to discuss the potential of wood...

S1: The Thrill of The Hill - Beef

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Consultant Alex Pirie speaks with Consultant Robert Ramsay from SAC Consulting's livestock team about the current state of the Beef Sector in Scotland...

S1: The Thrill of The Hill - Sheep Upland Grazing Strategies

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Consultant Alex Pirie speaks with Daniel Stout about Sheep Upland Grazing strategies and the broader Sheep industry in Scotland.

S1: NE Organic Discussion Group with Mary Young and David McClelland

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast Malcolm Macdonald talked to SAC Nutritionist Mary Young and Norvite Technical Director David McClelland about minerals in ruminant rat...

S1: Forward Thinking Farmers: Colin Hunter

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Mary-Jane Lawrie speaks with Colin Hunter who farms at Stonelaws Farm in East Lothian.  Colin has been farming with min till and no ...

S1: In Conversation with New Entrant Sheep Farmer Cammy Wilson

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cammy Wilson is a new entrant sheep farming, having started out 5 years ago, Cammy has developed a simple grass based sheep system which allows him ti...

S1: Forward Thinking Farmers: John Sinclair

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

John Sinclair owns and runs Craigies Farm Shop just outside Edinburgh.  It’s a family run business with pick your own fruit and veg as well as the ...

S1: Using outcome based agri-environment schemes on your farm

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A new approach to agri-environment schemes, based on payment by results, is being investigated in a pilot project by Scotland’s Nature agency, Natur...

S1: Introducing the NEW Farm Advisory Service Podcast

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're making some changes to the FAS Podcast! Weekly episodes, covering the width and breadth of the farming world in Scotland, with experts and lead...

S1: New Entrants - Andrew Prentice

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Prentice and his family, overcame the new entrant hurdle of sourcing land by moving to the Isle of Iona to continue their farming journey.  Li...

S1: What's Stopping You? - Nina Clancy from the RSABI

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What’s Stopping You?  Nina Clancy (@clancy_nina) speaks to Janette Sutherland, (@ConsultingSAC) about her career, media engagement, recognising opp...

S1: Starting A Farming Business And Growing Crops For The First Time - A Conversation with Patrick Laurie

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Laurie, Galloway based author of ‘Native’ speaks to Janette Sutherland in Skye about his book.  They discuss his starting a farming busin...

S1: One-to-one mentoring: helping new entrants to find their feet

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Interview with Beth Kendall, a successful crofter based in Strathpeffer. Beth has been crofting for over 20 years and in that time has developed a bro...

S1: Moths don't just eat clothes

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Moths don’t just eat clothes is a podcast aimed at promoting the awareness and the image of Moths in Scotland.  There are over 1300 species of mot...

S1: Forward Thinking Farmers - Bill & Helen Smith of The Byres Farm, Fochabers.

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the first of our series of podcasts with Forward Thinking Farmers, Mary-Jane Lawrie spoke to Bill and Helen Smith of The Byres Farm, Fochabers.  B...

S1: New Entrants - Andrew Jardine

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to our latest podcast interview with Andrew Jardine, who along with his family gained a tenancy at New Farm, Moffat in August 2019.  Andrew sp...

S1: Focus on Crofts - Dyslexia and Resilience

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this Farm Advisory Podcast, we speak to Sandy Murray a crofter from Strathhalladale, Sutherland who has with his family diversified the crofting bu...

S1: New Entrants: Scottish Land Matching Service

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our latest podcast interview is with Ian Davidson OBE from the Scottish Land Matching Service.  Ian explains the role of the service for both those s...

S1: North East Organic Discussion Group: Rotational Grazing

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Agricultural Consultant Malcolm MacDonald chats to Alastair Wilson who farms at Upper Wheedlemont Farm near Rhynie, and Senior Consul...

S1: New Entrants - Michelle Stephen: Meikle Tillyeve Farm, Aberdeenshire

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to our latest podcast interview with Michelle Stephen, A new entrant farmer at Meikle Tillyeve, Ellon. Michelle speaks about how she got starte...

S1: Breacan-Beithe croft – feeding the local community

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to our latest podcast interview with new crofter, Catherine Mitchell, owner of Breacan-Beithe Croft. In this podcast, Catherine recalls how she...

S1: Neil Wilson - Brexit, Coronavirus and Forward Thinking

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 Just before the UK ‘lockdown’ SAC Consultant Chloe McCulloch spoke to Neil Wilson, formerly Head of Agriculture at HSBC and now an independent c...

S1: North East Organic Discussion Group: Marketing

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Malcolm MacDonald speaks to Food and Drink consultant Kerry Allison about marketing and the wider food and drink industry. Kerry outl...

S1: Understanding Nutrient Interactions with Mark Tripney

29 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Tripney, ISoils Ltd, returned as a guest speaker at the second meeting of the Inverness Soil & Nutrient Network. The topic for the meeting ...

S1: Employing People

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Employing People in agriculture is becoming an increasingly complex situation. Many farms employ people on a self-employed basis to provide valuable e...

S1: Women in Agriculture: Becci Barr, Easter Bavelaw Farm

21 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We spoke to Becci Barr, a farmer in Midlothian about her experiences as a new entrant farmer, what she learned from her time on the Rural Leadership P...

S1: Agroforestry in Scotland

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Forestry consultant Stephen Adlard chats to Dr Fritha Langford, a researcher from SRUC.  They discuss the wider benefits of integrating trees and agr...

S1: Kim Walker - Personal resilience

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Farm Advisory Service has run a number of meetings on Personal Resilience with Kim Walker over the last few months, and we spoke to her about what...

S1: Beef Efficiency Scheme - Genomics ft Eileen Wall

17 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

S1: Alternative bedding: Compost by-products

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In our latest podcast on alternative bedding, Beef Consultant Sarah Balfour discusses the merits of various alternative bedding products.  In this ep...

S1: North East Organic Discussion Group: Knock Farm

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the podcast, Agricultural Consultant Malcolm MacDonald chats to Roger Polson who farms at Knock Farm near Huntly, and Dairy and Nut...

S1: The Cloud

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

S1: Farming & Biodiversity in Argyll & Lochaber (episode 2 of 2)

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 se...

Farming & Biodiversity in Argyll & Lochaber (episode 1 of 2)

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ser...

S1: Inverness Soil & Nutrient Network: Getting back to basics with soil management

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Tripney from iSoils and Gavin Elrick from SAC Consulting were the guest speakers during the first meeting of the Inverness Soil & Nutrient Ne...

S1: North East Organic Discussion Group: Mains of Thornton

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Thornt...

S1: Lifestyle Balance

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 Maintaining a balanced life is becoming increasingly more important for your personal health and well-being in a fast-paced, modern world. Ross Mack...

S1: Women in Agriculture: Primrose Beaton of Lawrie & Symington

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 c...

S1: Alternative bedding: Woodfines

26 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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

S1: Agriscot 2019 podcast

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 farmi...

S1: Online safety

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've been running events looking at digital security for your agricultural business.  After one of the events, Seamus Murphy sat down with Chloe McC...

S1: Brexit and fertiliser

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Many producers know and understand where their output goes downstream in the supply chain but what about upstream and the suppliers there?  In this e...

S1: Woodland Creation & Management - Frequently Asked Questions

22 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...

S1: Changing Practices for a Changing Climate - Adapting in the Arable Sector

17 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Agricultural Consultant Malcolm MacDonald chats to Harry Henderson, AHDB's Knowledge Transfer Manager, and later with Gavin Elrick, S...

S1: Thainstone Soil & Nutrient Network - An Introduction to Kirkton Farm

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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, Scot...

S1: Arable Scotland 2019

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

S1: Natural Flood Management II - Crookston Farm, Galashiels

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

2017 Tweed Forum River Champion, Jim Sinclair farms approximately 800 ha near Galashiels.  The farm is prone to flooding which impacts further downst...

S1: Women in Agriculture: Lynbreck Croft, Grantown-on-Spey

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 partne...

S1: Grant funding for woodland creation

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

S1: Soils and tillage: an interview with soil cultivation consultant, Philip Wright

27 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

‘The Principles of Soil & Metal Interactions’ was the theme for a soil & tillage event on the Mertoun Estate, near St Boswells.  After th...

S1: Women in Agriculture: Baddinsgill Farm, West Linton

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ru...

S1: Nitrate Vulnerable Zones - Keeping Compliant

18 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier in the year we held a series of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) awareness events.  In this podcast we join Agricultural Consultants Mary-Jane ...

S1: Making a mark at the markets

05 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Ross Mackenzie talks to Ian Tolmie, Managing Director of Dingwall and Highland Marts who gives valuable advice for those new to live...

S1: Cattle handling systems on common grazings

03 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast we hear from Dr Simon Turner of SRUC Dr Turner did a roadshow on cattle handling systems on Common Grazings in Lewis, Uist and Skye....

S1: The Benefits of Agri-Environment Management at Kirkton & Auchtertyre Farms

29 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Farmers should look carefully at their farm to find small areas where they can engage with agri-environment management to provide a greater benefit to...

S1: An introduction to the Aberdeenshire Soil & Nutrient Network

07 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Aberdeenshire Soil & Nutrient Network farm for 2018-19 is Kincraigie Farm at Lumphanan, which is farmed by the Marshall Family. The business i...

S1: Antibiotics and livestock

06 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – and more particularly, antibiotic resistance – is one of the greatest threats to human health globally.  Food p...

S1: Slurry Lagoons - More than just a hole in the ground

19 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, we hear from Agricultural Consultant Seamus Donnelly.  Seamus chats with Seamus Murphy about what exactly is involved in the planni...

S1: Worming: How to develop a strategy to suit your farm and your budget

19 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With lambing approaching, we spoke to Vet Heather Stevenson, who is based in Dumfries with SAC Consulting Veterinary Services.  Here she talks about ...

S1: Natural Flood Management

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Agricultural Consultant, Chris McDonald, and Tweed Forum's Collaborative Action Co-ordinator, Hugh Chalmers discuss Natural Flood Management with part...

S1: Fodder beet: alternative feeding for sheep

16 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The popularity of fodder beet is growing across Scotland for those wintering ewes in a cost-effective manner while also meeting their nutritional need...

S1 Ep4: Calculating the nutrient value of organic fertilisers

14 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The aim of this guide is to help farmers to evaluate more accurately the potential nutrient value supplied to crops from organic fertilisers such as l...

S1: East Lothian Soil & Nutrient Network: An introduction to Bielgrange

19 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Niall Jeffrey and family farm at Bielgrange which is our Soil & Nutrient Network host farm in the East Lothian region. Niall gives us an introduct...

S1: Moray Soil & Nutrient Network - Using organic manures to save on artificial fertilsers

27 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, we hear from our Moray Soil & Nutrient Network host farmer, James Milne who farms at 'Balnellan'.  James chats with soil & d...

S1 Ep3: Alternative Watering - RAM pump

08 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this final episode of our Alternative Watering series, we hear from agricultural consultant Donald Dunbar and farmer John Anderson. John explains t...

S1 Ep2: Alternative Watering - Solar and pasture pumps

08 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

John Prentice a livestock farmer in the Scottish Border's chats to agricultural consultant Donald Dunbar about his alternative watering systems. ...

S1 Ep1: Alternative Watering - Papa Pump

08 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Agricultural consultant Donald Dunbar visits Paul Adams, who farms at Monashee Farm in the Scottish Borders.  About four years ago Paul installed a P...

S1: Corncrake: How landscape management can protect their habitat

12 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to Bridget England of the RSPB about Corncrake populations in Scotland and what can be down by farmers and crofters to boost their numbers.

S1: Finishing Lambs - dealing with the challenges

08 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sheep Specialist Poppy Frater and Nutritionist Karen Stewart, both of SAC Consulting, talk finishing lambs in the challenging situation many farmers f...