Articles
The Role of Major Nutrients in Grass Plants
Plants capture light and energy converting this to carbon dioxide and carbohydrates, such as sugars which are required for crop growth. This process of photosynthesis and the rate at which…
Read More >
Trading Straw for Farmyard Manure – Calculating Relative Values for a Fair Exchange
Farmers may have sold straw in the swath this season or intend to trade baled straw for farmyard manure (FYM) over the coming months. For many arable and livestock farmers…
Read More >
A Practical Guide to Arable Contract Farming Agreements
In a sector still facing challenging commodity prices, collaborating with another business to maintain or improve margins will be attractive to those looking to restructure how they operate. This article…
Read More >
Thermal Imaging for Biodiversity Monitoring and Land Management
Thermal imaging is a non-invasive technology that uses special cameras to detect the infra-red heat given off by objects. Originally developed for the military, the technology has since been adapted…
Read More >
A Guide to Artificial Calf Colostrum
There are many artificial colostrum products available for dairy and beef calves. They are labelled as either colostrum supplements, colostrum replacers or can be classed as both and it is…
Read More >
Business and Policy September 2025 – Cereals
Harvest off to a Fast Start This harvest may well prove to be one of the swiftest that farmers can recall given the exceptional harvesting conditions and drying winds. The…
Read More >
Business and Policy September 2025 – Milk
Milk production data While milk production is just about at its lowest point in the milk year, production is still well above this time last year. Despite many parts of…
Read More >
Business and Policy September 2025 – Policy Brief
Payment rates set for Basic Payment Scheme and Greening 2025 Following the annual budget review, the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payment rates farmers and crofters are set to…
Read More >
Business and Policy September 2025 – Beef
Falling consumer demand and imported beef impacting on finished prices After a volatile spring, trade for prime cattle rose last month following a period of lower slaughterings, helping to rebalance…
Read More >
Business and Policy September 2025 – Sector Focus: The Cost of Infertile Gimmers
It is fairly common for gimmers (ewes lambing for the first time at two years old) to have a lower pregnancy rate than mature ewes in their first-year lambing. After…
Read More >Sign up to the FAS newsletter
Receive updates on news, events and publications from Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service