Articles
From Conventional to Organic: A Farmer’s Reflections
The Stewart family farms 700 acres across three fully organic units, Marshill, South Draffan and Southfield. Converting to organic in 2020, the business runs 390 Holstein Friesians. Cows are ai’d…
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Managing Mastitis Risk During the Grazing Season
Mastitis is often associated with the housing period, when the risk of infection is typically higher. However, the grazing season also presents challenges. Environmental and clinical mastitis can occur at…
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Natural Capital on Scottish Farms – Real Assets, Real Benefits
Natural capital and ecosystem services can be confusing concepts because: Even though we use this economic / accounting language, the full value of natural capital and ecosystem services is difficult…
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Feeding and Ensiling Potatoes for Cattle
Stockfeed potatoes are a viable energy feed for cattle and a useful additive to ensiled forage when managed correctly. They offer an economical alternative to cereals but require: Gradual introduction into diets …
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Key Learnings And Takeaways From The Natural Capital Podcast In 2025/26
The Natural Capital podcast series explores the role of natural capital in Scottish agriculture and rural economy. Natural capital refers to the soils, water, air, plants, wildlife and ecosystems that…
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Investigating Abortions in Cattle and Sheep
Abortions are associated with financial losses on farms and crofts which can be direct from the loss of the lamb/calf and/or the dam, and indirect from reduced performance through reduced…
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Organic Arable Silage – What You Need To Know
At Kirwaugh Farm near Wigtown in the Machars peninsula, Andrew Robinson has been running his dairy farm organically for over 17 years. As part of his crop rotation and weed…
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Agronomy for EFA Herb and Legume Rich Swards
A new option under the Greening changes for 2026 includes establishing and managing herb and legume rich pastures. This article will explore the benefits of herb and legume rich pastures…
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Setting up a New Grass Ley for Success
Management of a grass ley in its first year will dictate the persistence and yield potential of that sward in future years. It can take a new ley at least one year to establish properly…
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The Journey of a Soil Sample
This publication focuses on one of the five key elements of the whole farm plan – soil analysis – and aims to explain the soil analysis procedures that take place…
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