Send us Fan Mail

There are multiple elements to consider when planning cattle nutrition through the winter. The first step is to assess what’s available on farm and contrast this to what the various groups of livestock require. Discussion with a nutritionist to form a feed budget and build rations from this can help to use resources efficiently. 

Robert Gilchrist is a project advisor with the KTIF funded Aberdeen and Northern Marts/Farmers Journal Scotland Farm Profit Programme. As a former nutritionist with Keenan, Robert discusses some practicalities of diet formulation. 

Alan Smith, Gladhill farm in Morayshire has various ages of livestock that require targeted nutrition. Alan Smith works in partnership with his father and brother. He has been trialling outwintering livestock on kale and stubble turnips.

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Creating the right environment for pigs is key to boosting performance and welfare. Tim Miller, pig environment specialist for ARM buildings, shares his expertise on keeping pigs in their thermoneutral zone through ventilation and the use of technology. Fraser Shaw, Dryfeholm Farm expanded his pig enterprise in partnership with his father, brother and uncle and erected a range of new buildings with ARM. Joins us now to learn how the Shaw family has embraced technology to advance the business.

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Send us Fan Mail

This week’s #QMSPodcast highlights how EID can be a useful tool in increasing the profitability and performance of livestock businesses.

Listen to David Kerr, ScotEID who details what regulations will mean to farmers. David is joined by Hazel Laughton, SAC Consulting and Iain Green of Corskie Farm who discuss the many management benefits of EID.

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Matching the right bull to the right cow takes skill from talented stockpersons. EBVs are a useful tool to aid in this management decision process. 

John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains, has been selecting bulls on a balance between phenotype and EBVs for several years in his Aberdeen Angus, Limousin and Shorthorn herds to great success. 

Cogent UK’s beef programme manager, Boomer Birch, has seen demand for EBVs and data behind cattle surge as focus on productivity and efficiency has stepped into the limelight. 

Listen now for tips on what to look out for when buying a bull, use of EBVs and management of bulls post purchase.

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Planning ahead is key to successful Autumn and Winter grazing strategies. 

Michael Blanche, farmer and consultant from Perthshire discusses the importance of budgeting for the year ahead. Michael is joined by Orcadian farmer, Willie Harcus, who has introduced a managed grazing system and increased homegrown feed availability on farm as a result. 

Listen now to hear how two systems are making the most from their pastures. 

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Send us Fan Mail

The arrival of Covid19 has forced businesses to adapt and overcome challenges in order to succeed. The agricultural sector is no exception. Neil Wilson, Executive Director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland, sheds some light on how farmers and auction marts have adapted in these testing times.

Neil is joined by QMS Senior Economics Analyst, Iain MacDonald to review the current market climate in the midst of the busy store and breeding sale season.

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Keeping with the theme of Love Lamb Week (1-7 September 2020) this week’s podcast focuses on sheep health and performance. 

Ed Hill from Thrums Vet Group is accompanied by Niall Blair, a cattle and sheep farmer from East Cammock Farm for a varied discussion on seasonal health trends, marketing of cull ewes and health screening - delving deep to discover what your cull ewes are telling you.

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Send us Fan Mail

The UK pig sector has reduced its antibiotic usage by 60% in the past 4 years. Lysan Eppink, a technical advisor for the Boehringer Ingelheim Swine team, is joined by Grace Webster, a specialist pig vet and chair of the Scottish Pig Health and Welfare Group. Grace also chairs the UK Pig Health & Welfare Council subgroup on antibiotics. 

Listen to further your understanding of how the UK pig sector has made this progress and what steps are key for this to continue.

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Sheep scab, caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis, can impact sheep welfare and lead to major economic losses for Scottish sheep farmers. 

In this episode of the QMS podcast, we are joined by Dr Stewart Burgess from the Moredun Research Institute and Amanda Carson, a vet for APHA, to find out how to test, treat and prevent the spread of sheep scab in your flock.

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Send us Fan Mail

John Scott, Fearn Farm, started performance recording his flock of Texels 20 years ago and has developed this through his various stud and commercial flocks throughout the years. Sion Williams, Manager of Bowhill Farming Ltd, joined the Ring-Fenced Funded project as a RamCompare Farmer in 2016 which has focussed on the terminal characteristics of performance recording, looking at the carcase merit of rams.

Listen to our latest episode for a discussion on how to start performance recording your flock and how it can turn those extra pennies into pounds.

For more info on the RamCompare project follow the link below:

https://www.signetdata.com/technical/ramcompare/

Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast