Stock Talk

In this podcast we will hear from Nicola Lambe and Claire Morgan-Davies, who are based at SRUC Hill & Mountain Research Centre, Kirkton & Auchtertyre Farms. They talk about the projects they are involved in. One of Nicola’s projects is a breeding program at Kirkton where they are crossbreeding sheep to maximise efficiencies and with the aim of creating a composite breed.  Claire is involved in EU projects EuroSheep looking at issues in sheep farming across the EU and working on solutions to overcome these issues, the SMART project which is looking at technologies in sheep farming and the Take Care project.  They both highlight the importance of hill farming and are fairly positive about its future in the industry.  

Related Resources

EU Projects at Kirkton:

TechCare Project – Integrating innovative TECHnologies along the value Chain to improve small ruminant welfARE management (techcare-project.eu)

Sm@rt | Sm@ll Ruminant Technologies Platform (smartplatform.network)

EuroSheep | European Knowledge Exchange

Breeding Program

Breeding and management strategies for sheep in the Scottish hills and uplands to meet future economic, environmental and climatic challenges | SEFARI

In this podcast we will hear from Paddy Jack, DLF Business Manager in Scotland. Paddy talks about the pros and cons of different forage crops, clover, and different grazing systems. The importance of growing crops which suit your farm type as well as type of stock grazing it was also discussed. With high input costs involved in keeping stock over the winter, there’s opportunities to outwinter stock to reduce costs. 

Linked FAS resources: 

Forage Crops | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

In this podcast we will hear from Jack Munro, Farm Manager from The Buffalo Farm. The Buffalo Farm run by Steve Mitchell in Kirkcaldy, is the largest Buffalo Farm in Scotland. Jack will tell us about how the buffalo herd got established and the progress and changes they have made along the way, including introduction of the dairy buffalo herd to make mozzarella. Jack also discusses opportunities for other farmers that are interested in going into buffalo dairy farming.   

Related Resources: 

The Buffalo Farm | Scotland’s largest Buffalo Farm and Butchery 

Contact email address for the Buffalo Farm: [email protected] 

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 will hear from Cameron Wilson from The Sheep Game. Cameron Wilson was a policeman for many years before going full-time in agriculture, between sheep pregnancy scanning, shearing sheep, as well as looking after his own flock of sheep and running his YouTube Channel and social media pages ‘The Sheep Game’.  

Cameron has experienced livestock worrying from the Police’s perspective and also from a farmer’s perspective. He will tell us about the do’s and don’ts when it comes to handling livestock worrying.  

Linked Resources

The Sheep Game - YouTube 

Sheep Worrying Advice for Lambing Time | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub:

Phone: 0300 323 0161

In this podcast we will hear from the director of the Venison Advisory Service (VAS), Alan Sneddon, and the Estate Manager from Glenrinnes Estate, Alister Laing. They will both tell us about their background and share their knowledge and experience of deer farming. Alister will talk about the establishment of the deer enterprise at the estate which included capturing wild deer in a large enclosure. Alan will provide valuable advice and top tips to people who are considering going into deer farming. 

Linked FAS resources:

 Podcast: The Thrill of The Hill - Deer Farming & Management | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Advice & Grants | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.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 SRUC Barony’s Head Shepherd Perry Parkinson, who will tell us a bit about his background and his work at SRUC Barony including the changes they have made to the sheep system. 

Linked FAS resources:

Breeding And Feeding For Sustainable Sheep Systems | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Using Estimated Breeding Values In Sheep | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.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 SAC Sheep and Grazing Specialist Poppy Frater, who will discuss current issues, opportunities and options for sheep producers. Poppy will also talk about her PHD on grazing strategies and carbon sequestration as well as her opinion on the outlook of the sheep farming industry. 

Linked FAS resources: 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=giles+henry+grazing

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 SAC Consultant George Chalmers, who will discuss current issues, opportunities and options for pig producers. 

George’s consultancy work includes technical advice on livestock, nutrient management, fertiliser usage, crop agronomy as well as animal health and welfare advice. George has a special interest in the pig sector having facilitated the North East Pig Monitor Farm Project, as well as providing regular pig health and sector updates. 

Linked FAS resources: 

Link to Pigs section on the FAS website: 

Pig resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

FAS ILMP & Specialist Advice: 

Advice & Grants | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot 

In this podcast we hear from SAC Dairy Specialist Lorna MacPherson, Kite Consulting’s Senior Dairy Specialist David Keiley and SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer Colin Mason who discuss current issues, opportunities and options for dairy producers.

Linked FAS resources: 

FAS page dedicated to grassland and forage holds numerous valuable resources: 

Grassland and Forage | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

FAS Milk Manager News is a bi-monthly publication which contains up to date information relating to the dairy industry: 

Milk Manager News | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

In this podcast we hear from SAC Beef Specialist Lesley Wylie and SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer Timothy Geraghty who discuss current issues, opportunities and options for beef producers.