Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast
716 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago -Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is funded by the Scottish Government. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.
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Episodes
S1: Social Media for Small Scale Producers
December 10, 2020 22:46 - 51 minutes - 47 MBSAC Consultant Ashleigh Forster chats to Carianne MacDonald of Ardbhan Highland Cattle, North Uist and crofter Donald Macsween of Air An Lot, Lewis. Carianne and Donald both use social media to tell their farming stories. In this podcast we talk about how they both started to use social media and how they feel it has benefitted their businesses today. Listen in to hear about their experiences and what their advice would be to other crofters and small scale producers thinking about using soci...
Social Media for Small Scale Producers
December 10, 2020 18:46 - 51 minutes - 47 MBSAC Consultant Ashleigh Forster chats to Carianne MacDonald of Ardbhan Highland Cattle, North Uist and crofter Donald Macsween of Air An Lot, Lewis. Carianne and Donald both use social media to tell their farming stories. In this podcast we talk about how they both started to use social media and how they feel it has benefitted their businesses today. Listen in to hear about their experiences and what their advice would be to other crofters and small scale producers thinking about using soci...
S1: Applying for a carbon audit
December 09, 2020 22:38 - 7 minutes - 7.09 MBIn this podcast, Andrew Farquharson, Partner at Finzean Estate Partnership in Banchory, shares his experience of applying for a carbon audit to identify efficiencies for the beef and cropping business. In the recording, Andrew gives his thoughts on the process of applying for support, what he got out of the subsequent report and his aspirations for the future of the business. Of which include reducing the carbon footprint of the farm and estate, and creating a viable and efficient busine...
Applying for a carbon audit
December 09, 2020 18:38 - 7 minutes - 7.09 MBIn this podcast, Andrew Farquharson, Partner at Finzean Estate Partnership in Banchory, shares his experience of applying for a carbon audit to identify efficiencies for the beef and cropping business. In the recording, Andrew gives his thoughts on the process of applying for support, what he got out of the subsequent report and his aspirations for the future of the business. Of which include reducing the carbon footprint of the farm and estate, and creating a viable and efficient busine...
S1: Livestock Grazing Beet: Feat. Dr Jim Gibbs
December 08, 2020 22:36 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBThe 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 joined by Dr Jim Gibbs. This technical podcast discusses acidosis, clostridial diseases, soil intake, phosphorus deficiency, protein deficiency and choke of cattle and sheep.
Livestock Grazing Beet: Feat. Dr Jim Gibbs
December 08, 2020 18:36 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBThe 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 joined by Dr Jim Gibbs. This technical podcast discusses acidosis, clostridial diseases, soil intake, phosphorus deficiency, protein deficiency and choke of cattle and sheep.
S1: What may the future hold for the Scottish West Coast sheep farmers?
November 26, 2020 22:21 - 38 minutes - 35.6 MBTo discuss this question, SAC Consultant Poppy Frater speaks with Kev Bevan, a former SAC Consulting colleague who specialises in farm business management, policy and market analysis. Kev highlights the main opportunities and threats to west coast farmers. He touches on the risks posed by Brexit, the increasing importance of environmental influences, potential residual effects of COVID-19 to the market, eating quality and marketing options. Although the future is uncertain and will pose ...
What may the future hold for the Scottish West Coast sheep farmers?
November 26, 2020 18:21 - 38 minutes - 35.6 MBTo discuss this question, SAC Consultant Poppy Frater speaks with Kev Bevan, a former SAC Consulting colleague who specialises in farm business management, policy and market analysis. Kev highlights the main opportunities and threats to west coast farmers. He touches on the risks posed by Brexit, the increasing importance of environmental influences, potential residual effects of COVID-19 to the market, eating quality and marketing options. Although the future is uncertain and will pose ...
S1: Barnside Farm - Becoming Organic, Rotational Grazing, and Mob Grazing
November 24, 2020 22:47 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBIn this podcast SAC Consultant Malcolm Macdonald caught up with Charley and Andrea Walker from Barnside Farm. They discussed their farming system, why they became organic, rotational grazing and mob grazing. Charley and Andrea tell us why these practices work for them and how they got to the business to where it is now.
Barnside Farm - Becoming Organic, Rotational Grazing, and Mob Grazing
November 24, 2020 18:47 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBIn this podcast SAC Consultant Malcolm Macdonald caught up with Charley and Andrea Walker from Barnside Farm. They discussed their farming system, why they became organic, rotational grazing and mob grazing. Charley and Andrea tell us why these practices work for them and how they got to the business to where it is now.
S1: Managing Straw Supplies for the Winter
November 22, 2020 22:37 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBMalcolm Macdonald speaks to SAC beef consultants Robert Ramsay and Sarah Balfour about managing straw supplies this winter. With straw availability varying across the country this podcast discusses how farmers can manage straw usage through minimising waste, reducing straw demand and using an alternative.
Managing Straw Supplies for the Winter
November 22, 2020 18:37 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBMalcolm Macdonald speaks to SAC beef consultants Robert Ramsay and Sarah Balfour about managing straw supplies this winter. With straw availability varying across the country this podcast discusses how farmers can manage straw usage through minimising waste, reducing straw demand and using an alternative.
S1: A Conversation with Hannah Jackson: The Red Shepherdess
November 20, 2020 22:33 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBSAC Consultant Mary-Jane Lawrie speaks with Hannah Jackson, who has become something of a farming celebrity. Hannah has a wealth of advice to offer new entrants, and tells her story about how she found her way into a career in farming, stepping away from her MA in Marine Biology after witnessing a lamb being born, and training their family dog to be a sheepdog to get started. This podcast is a part of the Women in Agriculture project. You can find out more about the project here: https://ww...
A Conversation with Hannah Jackson: The Red Shepherdess
November 20, 2020 18:33 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBSAC Consultant Mary-Jane Lawrie speaks with Hannah Jackson, who has become something of a farming celebrity. Hannah has a wealth of advice to offer new entrants, and tells her story about how she found her way into a career in farming, stepping away from her MA in Marine Biology after witnessing a lamb being born, and training their family dog to be a sheepdog to get started. This podcast is a part of the Women in Agriculture project. You can find out more about the project here: https://ww...
S1: Mentoring New Entrants: An interview with John Matheson
November 19, 2020 22:35 - 8 minutes - 8.16 MBInterview with John Matheson, owner of a 300-acre, 10 year limited duration tenancy farm based in Aberdeenshire. John has over 20+ years experience in farm management and currently specialises in breeding suckler cows, breeding calves and growing spring and feeding barley. In this podcast, John describes how he became a FAS mentor and what skills and advice he’s been able to pass on to the new entrants he’s worked with. This includes help with completing grant applications and other forms, ...
Mentoring New Entrants: An interview with John Matheson
November 19, 2020 18:35 - 8 minutes - 8.16 MBInterview with John Matheson, owner of a 300-acre, 10 year limited duration tenancy farm based in Aberdeenshire. John has over 20+ years experience in farm management and currently specialises in breeding suckler cows, breeding calves and growing spring and feeding barley. In this podcast, John describes how he became a FAS mentor and what skills and advice he’s been able to pass on to the new entrants he’s worked with. This includes help with completing grant applications and other forms, ...
S1: Beneficial Insects
November 19, 2020 14:45 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBHow can beneficial insects help you? What insects inhabit agricultural land? How can we tweak the balance towards insects that are beneficial to production? Join Dr Paul Chapman, a conservation consultant at SAC, and Dr Lorna Cole SRUC’s agricultural ecologist, as they discuss the important role beneficial insects play in farmland. They will explore the fascinating lifestyles of these insects, how they interact and the role they play in pest control and pollination. Our experts will provid...
Beneficial Insects
November 19, 2020 10:45 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBHow can beneficial insects help you? What insects inhabit agricultural land? How can we tweak the balance towards insects that are beneficial to production? Join Dr Paul Chapman, a conservation consultant at SAC, and Dr Lorna Cole SRUC’s agricultural ecologist, as they discuss the important role beneficial insects play in farmland. They will explore the fascinating lifestyles of these insects, how they interact and the role they play in pest control and pollination. Our experts will provid...
S1: Using Fodder Beet - Common problems and myths
November 17, 2020 22:44 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBThe second podcast in our fodder beet for livestock series. Kirsten Williams, SAC Beef and Sheep Consultant is again joined by Dr Jim Gibbs, New Zealand who has had over 12 years’ experience of livestock grazing fodder beet. This is an extremely nutrient rich crop, but it does have a high sugar load and requires careful management for livestock. In this podcast we will discuss transition for each of the species (sheep, beef cattle and dairy cattle) as well as touching on common problems ...
Using Fodder Beet - Common problems and myths
November 17, 2020 18:44 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBThe second podcast in our fodder beet for livestock series. Kirsten Williams, SAC Beef and Sheep Consultant is again joined by Dr Jim Gibbs, New Zealand who has had over 12 years’ experience of livestock grazing fodder beet. This is an extremely nutrient rich crop, but it does have a high sugar load and requires careful management for livestock. In this podcast we will discuss transition for each of the species (sheep, beef cattle and dairy cattle) as well as touching on common problems ...
S1: Using Fodder Beet - An introduction
November 17, 2020 13:27 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBWe are extremely lucky to be joined by Dr Jim Gibbs, vet, ruminant nutritionist and fodder beet specialist, who has designed fodder beet grazing systems over in New Zealand. The first in our three part series, he joins SAC Beef and Sheep Consultant, Kirsten Williams, to discuss the history of fodder beet development, the importance of transition onto the nutrient rich crop, calculating yield and the method used to allocate the crop to livestock.
Using Fodder Beet - An introduction
November 17, 2020 09:27 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBWe are extremely lucky to be joined by Dr Jim Gibbs, vet, ruminant nutritionist and fodder beet specialist, who has designed fodder beet grazing systems over in New Zealand. The first in our three part series, he joins SAC Beef and Sheep Consultant, Kirsten Williams, to discuss the history of fodder beet development, the importance of transition onto the nutrient rich crop, calculating yield and the method used to allocate the crop to livestock.
S1: Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Bob Prentice
November 14, 2020 22:22 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBWhat 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 Gauley speaks with Bob Prentice from Downfield farm. Bob has developed the family run business, adding deer to the enterprises and has grown from there, including converting an old shed into a processing plant. Bob offers Scotland’s only farm to fork venison farm. Find out the hurdles he overcame and what would be done differently. Why not listen...
Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Bob Prentice
November 14, 2020 18:22 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBWhat 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 Gauley speaks with Bob Prentice from Downfield farm. Bob has developed the family run business, adding deer to the enterprises and has grown from there, including converting an old shed into a processing plant. Bob offers Scotland’s only farm to fork venison farm. Find out the hurdles he overcame and what would be done differently. Why not listen...
S1: Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Neil Sandilands
November 13, 2020 20:20 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBWhat 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 Gauley speaks with Neil Sandilands who is part of a share farming agreement at Upper Hundalee. Over trebling sheep numbers in 10 years and taking on additional grazing, find out how someone who started without capital and land has managed to get into farming. A finalist for the Farmers Weekly sheep farmer of the year award 2020. Why not listen to ...
Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Neil Sandilands
November 13, 2020 16:20 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBWhat 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 Gauley speaks with Neil Sandilands who is part of a share farming agreement at Upper Hundalee. Over trebling sheep numbers in 10 years and taking on additional grazing, find out how someone who started without capital and land has managed to get into farming. A finalist for the Farmers Weekly sheep farmer of the year award 2020. Why not listen to ...
S1: Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Jim Shanks
November 12, 2020 22:19 - 1 hour - 58.3 MBWhat 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 Lawrie speaks with Jim Shanks who farms at Standhill near Hawick. Find out how Jim has overcome challenges to grow tomatoes in a 4-acre glass house on his dairy farm. Running the business entirely on sustainable fuel and using every scrap available in the production of tomatoes. Why not listen to the other podcasts with Colin McGregor, Neil Sa...
Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Jim Shanks
November 12, 2020 18:19 - 1 hour - 58.3 MBWhat 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 Lawrie speaks with Jim Shanks who farms at Standhill near Hawick. Find out how Jim has overcome challenges to grow tomatoes in a 4-acre glass house on his dairy farm. Running the business entirely on sustainable fuel and using every scrap available in the production of tomatoes. Why not listen to the other podcasts with Colin McGregor, Neil Sa...
S1: Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Colin McGregor
November 11, 2020 22:27 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBWhat 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 Lawrie speaks with Colin McGregor from Coldstream Mains. Operating and managing over 3500hectares of arable land, across their own farm and 14 local farms under various agreements. There is a focus on attention to detail whilst improving yields and reducing establishment costs. Finding ways to improve yields and reduce establishment costs. Join...
Resilience and Business Skills: An Interview with Colin McGregor
November 11, 2020 18:27 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBWhat 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 Lawrie speaks with Colin McGregor from Coldstream Mains. Operating and managing over 3500hectares of arable land, across their own farm and 14 local farms under various agreements. There is a focus on attention to detail whilst improving yields and reducing establishment costs. Finding ways to improve yields and reduce establishment costs. Join...
S1: New Entrants - Gordon Caldwell
November 06, 2020 22:14 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBIn this podcast Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting speaks to Gordon Caldwell, an Ayrshire based veg farmer. Gordon describes himself as a veteran new entrant, having started his business over 10 years ago. This podcast focuses on Gordon's experiences in establishing his business while also touching on regenerative agriculture, dealing with the end consumer and the future.
New Entrants - Gordon Caldwell
November 06, 2020 18:14 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBIn this podcast Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting speaks to Gordon Caldwell, an Ayrshire based veg farmer. Gordon describes himself as a veteran new entrant, having started his business over 10 years ago. This podcast focuses on Gordon's experiences in establishing his business while also touching on regenerative agriculture, dealing with the end consumer and the future.
S1: Managing People - Part 2: Michael Bayne & Bill Smith
November 04, 2020 22:46 - 51 minutes - 47 MBThe Managing People podcast is part of a toolkit of publications to assist farmers and managers in managing people within their business. In the final episode of the two part series, we will be chatting to Michael Bayne from Borders Machinery Ring to hear more about what the pre-apprenticeship scheme involves and how successful it has been in allowing farmers to introduce young, enthusiastic individuals into their farm teams. Following on from Michael will be Bill Smith from Byres Farm in Mo...
Managing People - Part 2: Michael Bayne & Bill Smith
November 04, 2020 18:46 - 51 minutes - 47 MBThe Managing People podcast is part of a toolkit of publications to assist farmers and managers in managing people within their business. In the final episode of the two part series, we will be chatting to Michael Bayne from Borders Machinery Ring to hear more about what the pre-apprenticeship scheme involves and how successful it has been in allowing farmers to introduce young, enthusiastic individuals into their farm teams. Following on from Michael will be Bill Smith from Byres Farm in Mo...
S1: Managing People - Part 1: John Kerr & John Sinclair
November 02, 2020 22:59 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBThe Managing People podcast is part of a toolkit of publications to assist farmers and managers in managing people within their business. In the first of this two part series we will speak to John Kerr, a Dairy Farmer from Newmilns in Ayrshire and John Sinclair from Craigie’s Farm Shop near Edinburgh to hear their experiences of employing and managing staff as well as their top tips for others.
Managing People - Part 1: John Kerr & John Sinclair
November 02, 2020 18:59 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBThe Managing People podcast is part of a toolkit of publications to assist farmers and managers in managing people within their business. In the first of this two part series we will speak to John Kerr, a Dairy Farmer from Newmilns in Ayrshire and John Sinclair from Craigie’s Farm Shop near Edinburgh to hear their experiences of employing and managing staff as well as their top tips for others.
Managing People - Part 1: John Kerry & John Sinclaire
November 02, 2020 18:59 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBThe Managing People podcast is part of a toolkit of publications to assist farmers and managers in managing people within their business. In the first of this two part series we will speak to John Kerr, a Dairy Farmer from Newmilns in Ayrshire and John Sinclair from Craigie’s Farm Shop near Edinburgh to hear their experiences of employing and managing staff as well as their top tips for others.
S1: High Nature Value Farming - The Uist Machair
October 31, 2020 22:59 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBIn this podcast Jamie Boyle (centre in the photo) introduces us to the wonders of the Uist machair, an excellent example of High Nature Value farming. We learn about how integral crofting through growing crops and grazing cattle are essential for the habitats that host some of the highest densities of waders in western Europe.
High Nature Value Farming - The Uist Machair
October 31, 2020 18:59 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBIn this podcast Jamie Boyle (centre in the photo) introduces us to the wonders of the Uist machair, an excellent example of High Nature Value farming. We learn about how integral crofting through growing crops and grazing cattle are essential for the habitats that host some of the highest densities of waders in western Europe.
S1: Growing Crops on a Small Scale For The First Time
October 30, 2020 22:53 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBIn 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 crops are discussed from root crops and those that are combinable. Some key constraints of working in small fields in marginal areas are discussed.
Growing Crops on a Small Scale For The First Time
October 30, 2020 18:53 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBIn 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 crops are discussed from root crops and those that are combinable. Some key constraints of working in small fields in marginal areas are discussed.
S1: Adding Value To Beef
October 29, 2020 22:28 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MBBeef Specialist Robert Ramsay chats to Michael Shannon and Peter Eccles. Two farmers who both market there products directly to consumers. Michael sells his own beef and other products through his on farm butchery and Peter sells his through a box scheme. They share their experiences and opinions on how producers can add value to their beef.
Adding Value To Beef
October 29, 2020 18:28 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MBBeef Specialist Robert Ramsay chats to Michael Shannon and Peter Eccles. Two farmers who both market there products directly to consumers. Michael sells his own beef and other products through his on farm butchery and Peter sells his through a box scheme. They share their experiences and opinions on how producers can add value to their beef.
S1: New Entrant Case Study - Laura Hinnekens
October 28, 2020 22:29 - 21 minutes - 20 MBA 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 hundred pounds in her pocket, her van and her dogs, she is now farming in Biggar with her partner Euan. @LawhillLamb
New Entrant Case Study - Laura Hinnekens
October 28, 2020 18:29 - 21 minutes - 20 MBA 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 hundred pounds in her pocket, her van and her dogs, she is now farming in Biggar with her partner Euan. @LawhillLamb
S1: Improve your social media presence- Harriet Busby - Border berries
October 26, 2020 22:11 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBIn this episode George Gauley is joined by Harriet Busby from Border berries. Border berries is a thriving farm business, located near St Boswells in the Scottish borders. Harriets’ family have been growing berries since the 1960s and started by supplying jam to a local factory. Since then Border berries has grown to become the largeset pick your own berry farm in the south of Scotland and one of the few remaining out door fruit farms. The business has a large Facebook & Twitter p...
Improve your social media presence- Harriet Busby - Border berries
October 26, 2020 18:11 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBIn this episode George Gauley is joined by Harriet Busby from Border berries. Border berries is a thriving farm business, located near St Boswells in the Scottish borders. Harriets’ family have been growing berries since the 1960s and started by supplying jam to a local factory. Since then Border berries has grown to become the largeset pick your own berry farm in the south of Scotland and one of the few remaining out door fruit farms. The business has a large Facebook & Twitter p...
S1: Planning Feed Supplies For The Winter
October 21, 2020 21:31 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBMalcolm Macdonald spoke to nutritionists Karen Stewart and Mary Young along with beef specialist Robert Ramsay about planning feed supplies for the winter. Karen, Mary and Robert give us a run down of what farmers need to be thinking about as cows come in for the winter and start to be fed. How to produce a feed budget, what the options are if you are short of fodder, how to manage cow condition, how to use poor forage, these and other tips and insights are covered in the podcast.
Planning Feed Supplies For The Winter
October 21, 2020 17:31 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBMalcolm Macdonald spoke to nutritionists Karen Stewart and Mary Young along with beef specialist Robert Ramsay about planning feed supplies for the winter. Karen, Mary and Robert give us a run down of what farmers need to be thinking about as cows come in for the winter and start to be fed. How to produce a feed budget, what the options are if you are short of fodder, how to manage cow condition, how to use poor forage, these and other tips and insights are covered in the podcast.
S1: Rotational Grazing: A Discussion With 4 Farmers
October 20, 2020 21:45 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBThis year, four farmers from across Scotland have been documenting their experience using rotational grazing methods on video. You can follow the whole series on our youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8DdHOvRK_JkCNZpkPiTqLRp8M4lqAyP- For this episode, SAC Consultant Lorna Galloway brings all four farmers together to discuss their experiences so far, and offer advice to anyone looking to try rotational grazing themselves.