Thrill of the Hill returns for season 5, with an exciting line-up on new and returning guest speakers and specialists in their fields and on their hills.

Technology is always progressing, and the same is true in the uplands. New innovations mean it has never been easier to collect, measure and interpret data for the benefit of farming, nature and climate change. In this episode, Environmental Consultant, Jack Zuill discusses the potential for and realities of measuring nature, using a range of technologies, from drones and LiDAR to audio capture, speculate on the future of data gathering and the importance of having specialist input in decision-making.

Want to get in touch with Jack, he can be contacted at SAC Consulting Ltd on 07584 526 926 or via email at [email protected].

Related FAS Resources

UAVs in Agriculture | Farm Advisory Service

Natural Capital - Drones, Data and Decision Making | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who discuss all relevant schemes and deadlines, and look ahead to Christmas in the Farming Community. 

FAS Resources 

Mental Health and Wellbeing | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service 

fas.scot/downloads/mental-health-and-wellbeing/ 

Other Resources  

Home - RSABI 

Christmas and mental health - Mind 

Farmstrong Scotland - Live Well, Farm & Croft Well 

Preparing for sustainable farming - gov.scot 

Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (Mainland and Islands) 

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme 

Home | ScotEID 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected]

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Borders Farmer Neil Ramsay along with Prof Roger Sylvester-Bradley, Principal Research Scientist and Head of Crop Performance at ADAS; to discuss grain analysis and the benefits it can have when tailoring nutrition. 

Welcome to Cropcast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Stephenson will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field. 

Producer George Gauley, Editor Cameron Waugh, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with the Scottish Government. 

Linked Resources

The Yield Enhancement Network | YEN

Nutri-Check Network

Welcome to In Conversation With… hosted this month by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs (Principal Consultant) and Kirsten Williams (Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant). On today’s episode Mark and Kirsten reflect on their highlights from 2024 and are joined by David Ross (Principal Consultant, SAC Consulting) to discuss integrating livestock and arable. They explore options for integrating livestock, share top tips and farmers experience as well as the benefits this can bring to both the arable and livestock farmer. 

Episode Timestamps  

00.45 Kirsten’s 2024 highlights 

01.24 Mark’s 2024 highlights 

05.15 Integrating sheep into arable systems 

06.42 Grazing cover crops and catch crops 

09.09 Pest management and drawing moisture out of the soil 

12.20 Biodiversity benefits 

16.58 Soil compaction and deep rooting crops 

21.00 Opportunities and new entrants 

22.35 Things to be aware of (possible issues) 

27.50 Temporary grass leys 

31.55 Farmers’ experience 

34.46 Grazing winter cereals 

42.48 Marks top tips 

44.05 Kirsten's closing thoughts 

FAS Resources 

Sheep grazing winter crop - what you need to know 

Winter grazing cereals - an alternative forage source  

Whitriggs - winter grazing of crops   

Practical guide - use of cover crops 

Regenerative agriculture integrating livestock 

The benefits of grass leys in arable rotations    

Other Resources  

Grass leys for the arable rotation - AHDB 

An introduction to cover crops - AHDB 

Cover crops for additional forage | AHDB    

Outwintering Strategies 

The benefits of sheep in arable rotations (NSA)   

MIXED projects (Efficient and Resilient Mixed Farming & Agroforestry)  

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you sector overviews The Trump Effect and HerdPlan. We will also be bringing you news on Calving Intervals and Carbon & Biodiversity credits. 

Show Notes  

00:39 News in Brief 

02:30 Policy Briefs – Preparing for sustainable farming, woodburning stoves, vacant crofts, climate change bill, proposed new national park, launch of Scotland’s Natural Capital Market Framework. 

06:49 Arable- Slow Europe export pace  

10:48 Beef – Record beef prices 

14:53 Sheep & Turkeys – Christmas costs  

18:51 Sector Focus – The Trump effect   

24:46 Milk - Production data, farm-gate prices, dairy commodities and market indicators, new export market, Arla farmers to trial Bovaer 

29:51 Sector focus – HerdPlan   

33:51 Inputs – Calving Interval – Herd fertility    

39:00 Management Matters – Carbon & Biodiversity credits  

FAS Resources 

Agribusiness News December 2024  

Other Links:  

Building (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2024 

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill  

A Proposed New National Park in Scotland - Have Your Say | NatureScot  

Natural Capital Market Framework - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)  

HerdPlan  

[email protected]  

UK Government Principles for Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market Integrity  

QMS - guide to improving suckler herd fertility (Graph 1, page 8)  

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Kenneth Bone from Glenkiln Farm on the Isle of Arran.

Kenneth Bone farms Glenkiln Farm on the Isle of Arran with his family.  They won the Diversified Farm of the year award at last year’s Scottish Agriculture Awards, as well as taking home the Champion of Champions trophy.  The business has an impressive portfolio, from the farming business to hydro scheme, pub, equestrian centre and housing.  Kenneth tells us where it all began, and how the business diversified to be the success it is today.

Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about the various projects on Arran that we mentioned you can find links in the show notes.  This episode was presented by me Mary-Jane Lawrie, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.

Resources

Glenkiln Farm - Champion of Champions - AgriScot - Your Farm Business Event

The Drift Inn |Lamlash Isle Of Arran

Welcome to VisitArran

Arran Trust | welcome to the beautiful island of arran

Rural and Islands Housing Funds - More homes - gov.scot

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

In this podcast we hear from Bruce Wyper, Stockperson at SRUC Easter Howgate. He talks about some of the projects have been going on at Easter Howgate including GreenCow and Green Shed. He also discusses the move to running the herd more commercially than it has been previously although it is still a farm used for research projects. He talks about the challenges the herd has faced including Johnes and fertility issues and how dynamic health planning has helped them to improve the performance of the herd.

In this podcast we hear from Jan Vos, Agronomist from Agrovista & Lorna Galloway SAC Consultant from SAC Stranraer Office. They talk about soil health, agronomy, and sustainable practices to get the desired outcome – healthy crops and effective weed management. They also talk about the best way to establish and keep clover in the sward and a clover-safe herbicide that is undergoing trials and should be available to use soon. Rushes and bracken control is also discussed.

Linked resources:

GrassCheck - HOME - GrassCheck GB

Fungi, the often-overlooked kingdom of life, runs mostly undetected under out feet, forming intricate networks that support ecosystems in extraordinary ways. Mycorrhiza, a symbiotic relationship where fungi connect with plant roots, enables plants to absorb more water and nutrients in exchange for energy the plant obtains from sunlight.

Rhizocore Technologies specialise in producing locally-adapted mycorrhizal fungi to boost tree planting success. By working with native fungi, they’re accelerating woodland regeneration, improving forest productivity, and creating sustainable solutions to combat climate change.

In this episode, we’re joined by Toby Parkes, founder and CEO, and Franziska Scott, European Business Development Manager at Rhizocore Technologies. Together, we’ll explore the untapped potential of fungi in agriculture and forestry, the opportunities for shaping the future of sustainable land management and the vital role of fungi in fostering resilient, productive ecosystems.

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Robbie Campbell, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond.

Related FAS resources:  

FAS Sounds Natural Capital - https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/

FAS Environment - https://www.fas.scot/environment/

Technical note 721 – soil biodiversity and soil health https://www.fas.scot/publication/technical-note-tn721-soil-biodiversity-and-soil-health/

Farm woodlands - https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/farm-woodlands/

Other Related Resources:

Rhizocore Technologies - https://www.rhizocore.com/

SPUN article - https://www.spun.earth/articles/carbon-paper

Timestamps:

2:18 – 14:47 – What is fungi and what does it do?

14:48 – 27:19 – Categorising and identifying types of fungi

27:20 – 43:39 – Woodlands and Rhizopellets

43:40 – END – Biodiversity, carbon and other natural capital benefits

Thrill of the Hill returns for season 5, with an exciting line-up on new and returning guest speakers and specialists in their fields and on their hills.

Love them or hate them, geese are a recurring feature on farms across Scotland. Views differ on the benefits of having them, some see them as a pest species, others as a necessary component of a larger biodiversity network. In this episode we sit down with Rae Mackenzie for a broad discussion on geese and goose management in Scotland. We cover their ecology and nature value, look at the international efforts being made to promote the species and the ins and outs of Scotland's own goose management support scheme.  

Got questions on goose management, contact your local NatureScot office for advice and signposting in the first instance.

Related FAS Resources

Natural Capital - Islay Geese | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Goose Management in Scotland | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Understanding Goose Control Law in Scotland | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Other Related Resources

Managing geese | NatureScot