Sustainable Systems: Input Management
Information on managing inputs: machinery, fertiliser, feed, and labour
Spring Grazing & Fertiliser – The Proof is in the Planning
In this webinar SAC Consulting specialists Lorna Galloway and Poppy Frater discuss soil health, good nutrient management practices and strategic grazing plan options to reduce reliance on purchased inorganic fertilisers,…
Select by an area of interest
Energy Bill Support for Farm Businesses
March 10, 2023The energy market has been in a volatile state for some time now and this article aims to explain the current support that is available...
Read more >
Nature Based Solutions to Combat Rising Fertiliser Costs
February 10, 2023The rising costs of inorganic fertilisers alongside concerns regarding their environmental impact has seen many Scottish farmers explore alternative solutions. To ensure sufficient nutrients are...
Read more >
Technology to Improve Business Performance and Resilience – Arable
February 10, 2023In this series of three fact sheets an arable, beef and sheep farmer have been interviewed to find out what key pieces of farm technology...
Read more >
Agribusiness News February 2023 – Input Costs: Feed & Forage Update
February 2, 2023Silage analysis update Figure 1 shows the average of all silages received at the SRUC lab between July 22 – Jan 23, of 1st and...
Read more >
Rural Roundup – 25th January
January 25, 2023Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. Happy New Year and a Happy Burns Night from all of us at the Farm Advisory Service! This show...
Read more >
CropCast – Using Nitrogen Efficiently
January 24, 2023Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Mactaggart will be joined by...
Read more >
Seaweed
November 24, 2022In this water episode of our Natural Capital Series, we discuss seaweed and its wider benefits to the farming community, it’s important ecosystem services and...
Read more >
Profiting from Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – Alistair Hodge, Whitsome Farm
November 17, 2022In the sixth of our Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we visit Alistair Hodge, Whitsome Farm who has adopted the principles of minimum tillage....
Read more >Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – Hew Hunter, Broachrigg Farm
November 8, 2022In case study 5 of our Profiting from Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we hear about Hew’s move to reduced tillage where he farms...
Read more >
Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – Neil White, Greenknowe Farm
November 1, 2022In the fourth of our Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we visit Neil White, Greenknowe Farm who has moved to a strip till system....
Read more >
Crofternomics: Farmyard Manure Versus Bagged Fertiliser
October 13, 2022Crofternomics: Comparing Farm Yard Manure with Bagged Fertiliser Input prices escalating mean that we should calculate the value of FYM. This video covers the efficiency,...
Read more >
Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – John Davidson, Penicuik Estate
October 11, 2022In case study 1 of our Profiting from Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we hear about John’s move to strip tillage where he farms...
Read more >
Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – John Muir, Freelands Farm
October 11, 2022In the third of our Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we visit Freelands Farm where John Muir has invested in strip tillage. Click above...
Read more >
Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – Introduction
October 11, 2022During this series of six videos, filmed in Scotland, we look at reduced tillage and reducing farm emissions over six different farms throughout the Lothians...
Read more >
Profiting from Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – John McCluskey, Lea Farm
October 11, 2022In the second of our Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we visit John McCluskey, Lea Farm who has adopted the principles of minimum tillage....
Read more >Cropcast – Better Use of Manures
September 21, 2022Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Mactaggart will be joined by...
Read more >
Small Measures Can Make Big Fuel Savings
July 28, 2022It isn’t news to anybody that fuel prices have rocketed but as tractors and machinery get on the move for silage and harvest, improving fuel...
Read more >
Planning for high fertiliser prices in a beef system
March 30, 2022The fertiliser price over the last six months has been on an upward trajectory and as we enter the main growing season hope of prices...
Read more >
Taking steps to make sure bigger fertiliser bills don’t create too big a hole in your cashflow
February 1, 2022While the rising price of fertilisers have grabbed the headlines this autumn and winter and there has been much talk of how mitigate the prices...
Read more >
Making your soil analysis help you manage fertiliser costs
January 31, 2022The last 12 months have seen fertilisers rocket in price, with nitrogen typically tripling in value with potash and phosphate doubling over the same period....
Read more >
Real time manure analysis and variable rate application of slurry
December 19, 2021With fertiliser costs rising and emissions from manure spreading being under scrutiny we take a look at how technology can be used to maximise the...
Read more >
Phosphorus Management and the Relationship Between Differing Soils Capacity to Regulate P Availability for Plant Uptake in Scotland
December 10, 2021A novel soil specific approach to P management has allowed better use of soil reserves to reduce P fertiliser by using differing soils capacity to...
Read more >
Considerations For Outwintering Spring Calving Suckler Cows
November 26, 2021Outwintering spring calving suckler cows has many advantages. It can reduce keeping costs, saving on bedding and feed if forage stocks are tight and free...
Read more >
High Dry Matter Silages for Suckler Cows
November 26, 2021Analysis of this year’s beef and sheep silages through SRUC’s Analytical Laboratory show some very high dry matter silages, particularly for bales, and these can...
Read more >
Balancing Silage For Growing/ Finishing Cattle
November 22, 2021Silage quality is variable, 1st cut beef and sheep pit silage is on average slightly higher in energy, however, is lower in crude protein compared...
Read more >
Reducing Labour at Lambing
November 3, 2021The lambing period can be extremely labour intensive. In this video we provide some simple, low cost tips to ‘tweak’ the system to reduce labour...
Read more >
Dealing with Rocketing Fertiliser Prices
October 25, 2021Given the recent hike in fertiliser prices, there has never been a more pressing need to investigate your soil’s nutrient status for better targeted use...
Read more >
Developing Safe Farming Practices – How to Complete a Risk Assessment
August 16, 2021Managing health and safety on farms is essential to ensure that you, your workers, family members and others are safe at work. Completing a risk...
Read more >
Developing Safe Farming Practices – Lone Working Guide
August 16, 2021Lone working is common in many agricultural businesses from small family farms that do not employ staff to large scale enterprises with farm workers who...
Read more >
Technical Note (TN748): Strategic Silage Production For Sheep Systems
August 12, 2021The aim of any winter-feeding system is to fill the winter feed deficit and be as low cost as possible, whilst meeting the nutritional requirements...
Read more >
Plugging the Protein Gap in Scotland (webinar)
August 11, 2021Legumes have untapped potential in Scotland and offer the opportunity to improve livestock productivity and sustainability. Researchers at SRUC have been involved in the broader...
Read more >A Guide to Feed Budgeting
August 3, 2021Forward planning forage supplies helps understand whether you will have enough conserved forage to meet the livestock demand – this is becoming more critical as...
Read more >
Planning Bales For Forage Crops
July 15, 2021Poppy Frater gives advice on how to plan for bale grazing livestock.
Read more >
Summer Sown Forage Crops
July 15, 2021There are numerous forage crops that have a short growing period, that are ideal to sow following silage or early harvest, offering additional forage and...
Read more >
Fair Work Nation
July 6, 2021As part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to developing Scotland as a world leading Fair Work Nation, it is seeking to balance the rights and...
Read more >
How Are Your Cows Coping with the Warmer Weather?
June 21, 2021As temperatures increase with the summer weather, it is important to think about heat stress in your cattle and what you can do to reduce...
Read more >
Forage for Profit – Pre lambing Nutrition
June 6, 2021The Forage for Profit Discussion Group are a group of beef and sheep producers based in South West Scotland with a common desire to improve...
Read more >
Forage for Profit – Spring Forage Crops
June 2, 2021The Forage for Profit Discussion Group are a group of beef and sheep producers based in South West Scotland with a common desire to improve...
Read more >
Plugging the Protein Gap in Scotland – Legumes (webinar)
June 2, 2021Legumes have untapped potential in Scotland and offer the opportunity to add increased diversity to an arable rotation or a break crop between grass leys....
Read more >
Protected Urea – Frequently Asked Questions
March 31, 2021Protected urea gives around a 78% reduction in ammonia emissions compared to urea. Protected urea could be a solution to concerns that have been raised...
Read more >
Technical note (TN747): Recording lamb traits
March 22, 2021Lamb survival is a major factor in determining the number of lambs reared and so the financial performance of any sheep enterprise. Flock management and...
Read more >
Spring Barley – Planning your NPK (webinar)
March 9, 2021Fertiliser is often the largest variable cost when growing spring barley with timing and rates critical to achieve optimum yield, market requirements and limit any...
Read more >
Sustainable Sheep Systems – “Ewe are what ewe eat” (video)
February 17, 2021Ewe nutrition in the 8 weeks pre-lambing is essential to ensure the ewe receives sufficient energy and protein to support the growth of the unborn...
Read more >
Breeding And Feeding For Sustainable Sheep Systems
February 10, 2021In this webinar, the first in a number of outputs, Dewi Jones, CEO of Innovis, will discuss how they have developed a low cost productive...
Read more >
Forage Stocktake
January 29, 2021Now is a good time to assess silage and straw stocks to ensure that you have enough to see you through to spring turnout. Take...
Read more >More in FAS Problem Solver
Select by an area of interest
Energy Bill Support for Farm Businesses
March 10, 2023The energy market has been in a volatile state for some time now and this article aims to explain the current support that is available...
Read more >Nature Based Solutions to Combat Rising Fertiliser Costs
February 10, 2023The rising costs of inorganic fertilisers alongside concerns regarding their environmental impact has seen many Scottish farmers explore alternative solutions. To ensure sufficient nutrients are...
Read more >Technology to Improve Business Performance and Resilience – Arable
February 10, 2023In this series of three fact sheets an arable, beef and sheep farmer have been interviewed to find out what key pieces of farm technology...
Read more >Agribusiness News February 2023 – Input Costs: Feed & Forage Update
February 2, 2023Silage analysis update Figure 1 shows the average of all silages received at the SRUC lab between July 22 – Jan 23, of 1st and...
Read more >Rural Roundup – 25th January
January 25, 2023Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. Happy New Year and a Happy Burns Night from all of us at the Farm Advisory Service! This show...
Read more >CropCast – Using Nitrogen Efficiently
January 24, 2023Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Mactaggart will be joined by...
Read more >Seaweed
November 24, 2022In this water episode of our Natural Capital Series, we discuss seaweed and its wider benefits to the farming community, it’s important ecosystem services and...
Read more >Profiting from Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – Alistair Hodge, Whitsome Farm
November 17, 2022In the sixth of our Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we visit Alistair Hodge, Whitsome Farm who has adopted the principles of minimum tillage....
Read more >Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – Hew Hunter, Broachrigg Farm
November 8, 2022In case study 5 of our Profiting from Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we hear about Hew’s move to reduced tillage where he farms...
Read more >Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – Neil White, Greenknowe Farm
November 1, 2022In the fourth of our Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we visit Neil White, Greenknowe Farm who has moved to a strip till system....
Read more >Crofternomics: Farmyard Manure Versus Bagged Fertiliser
October 13, 2022Crofternomics: Comparing Farm Yard Manure with Bagged Fertiliser Input prices escalating mean that we should calculate the value of FYM. This video covers the efficiency,...
Read more >Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – John Davidson, Penicuik Estate
October 11, 2022In case study 1 of our Profiting from Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we hear about John’s move to strip tillage where he farms...
Read more >Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – John Muir, Freelands Farm
October 11, 2022In the third of our Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we visit Freelands Farm where John Muir has invested in strip tillage. Click above...
Read more >Profiting From Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – Introduction
October 11, 2022During this series of six videos, filmed in Scotland, we look at reduced tillage and reducing farm emissions over six different farms throughout the Lothians...
Read more >Profiting from Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions – John McCluskey, Lea Farm
October 11, 2022In the second of our Reducing Tillage and Lowering Emissions series we visit John McCluskey, Lea Farm who has adopted the principles of minimum tillage....
Read more >Cropcast – Better Use of Manures
September 21, 2022Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Mactaggart will be joined by...
Read more >Small Measures Can Make Big Fuel Savings
July 28, 2022It isn’t news to anybody that fuel prices have rocketed but as tractors and machinery get on the move for silage and harvest, improving fuel...
Read more >Planning for high fertiliser prices in a beef system
March 30, 2022The fertiliser price over the last six months has been on an upward trajectory and as we enter the main growing season hope of prices...
Read more >Taking steps to make sure bigger fertiliser bills don’t create too big a hole in your cashflow
February 1, 2022While the rising price of fertilisers have grabbed the headlines this autumn and winter and there has been much talk of how mitigate the prices...
Read more >Making your soil analysis help you manage fertiliser costs
January 31, 2022The last 12 months have seen fertilisers rocket in price, with nitrogen typically tripling in value with potash and phosphate doubling over the same period....
Read more >Real time manure analysis and variable rate application of slurry
December 19, 2021With fertiliser costs rising and emissions from manure spreading being under scrutiny we take a look at how technology can be used to maximise the...
Read more >Phosphorus Management and the Relationship Between Differing Soils Capacity to Regulate P Availability for Plant Uptake in Scotland
December 10, 2021A novel soil specific approach to P management has allowed better use of soil reserves to reduce P fertiliser by using differing soils capacity to...
Read more >Considerations For Outwintering Spring Calving Suckler Cows
November 26, 2021Outwintering spring calving suckler cows has many advantages. It can reduce keeping costs, saving on bedding and feed if forage stocks are tight and free...
Read more >High Dry Matter Silages for Suckler Cows
November 26, 2021Analysis of this year’s beef and sheep silages through SRUC’s Analytical Laboratory show some very high dry matter silages, particularly for bales, and these can...
Read more >Balancing Silage For Growing/ Finishing Cattle
November 22, 2021Silage quality is variable, 1st cut beef and sheep pit silage is on average slightly higher in energy, however, is lower in crude protein compared...
Read more >Reducing Labour at Lambing
November 3, 2021The lambing period can be extremely labour intensive. In this video we provide some simple, low cost tips to ‘tweak’ the system to reduce labour...
Read more >Dealing with Rocketing Fertiliser Prices
October 25, 2021Given the recent hike in fertiliser prices, there has never been a more pressing need to investigate your soil’s nutrient status for better targeted use...
Read more >Developing Safe Farming Practices – How to Complete a Risk Assessment
August 16, 2021Managing health and safety on farms is essential to ensure that you, your workers, family members and others are safe at work. Completing a risk...
Read more >Developing Safe Farming Practices – Lone Working Guide
August 16, 2021Lone working is common in many agricultural businesses from small family farms that do not employ staff to large scale enterprises with farm workers who...
Read more >Technical Note (TN748): Strategic Silage Production For Sheep Systems
August 12, 2021The aim of any winter-feeding system is to fill the winter feed deficit and be as low cost as possible, whilst meeting the nutritional requirements...
Read more >Plugging the Protein Gap in Scotland (webinar)
August 11, 2021Legumes have untapped potential in Scotland and offer the opportunity to improve livestock productivity and sustainability. Researchers at SRUC have been involved in the broader...
Read more >A Guide to Feed Budgeting
August 3, 2021Forward planning forage supplies helps understand whether you will have enough conserved forage to meet the livestock demand – this is becoming more critical as...
Read more >Planning Bales For Forage Crops
July 15, 2021Poppy Frater gives advice on how to plan for bale grazing livestock.
Read more >Summer Sown Forage Crops
July 15, 2021There are numerous forage crops that have a short growing period, that are ideal to sow following silage or early harvest, offering additional forage and...
Read more >Fair Work Nation
July 6, 2021As part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to developing Scotland as a world leading Fair Work Nation, it is seeking to balance the rights and...
Read more >How Are Your Cows Coping with the Warmer Weather?
June 21, 2021As temperatures increase with the summer weather, it is important to think about heat stress in your cattle and what you can do to reduce...
Read more >Forage for Profit – Pre lambing Nutrition
June 6, 2021The Forage for Profit Discussion Group are a group of beef and sheep producers based in South West Scotland with a common desire to improve...
Read more >Forage for Profit – Spring Forage Crops
June 2, 2021The Forage for Profit Discussion Group are a group of beef and sheep producers based in South West Scotland with a common desire to improve...
Read more >Plugging the Protein Gap in Scotland – Legumes (webinar)
June 2, 2021Legumes have untapped potential in Scotland and offer the opportunity to add increased diversity to an arable rotation or a break crop between grass leys....
Read more >Protected Urea – Frequently Asked Questions
March 31, 2021Protected urea gives around a 78% reduction in ammonia emissions compared to urea. Protected urea could be a solution to concerns that have been raised...
Read more >Technical note (TN747): Recording lamb traits
March 22, 2021Lamb survival is a major factor in determining the number of lambs reared and so the financial performance of any sheep enterprise. Flock management and...
Read more >Spring Barley – Planning your NPK (webinar)
March 9, 2021Fertiliser is often the largest variable cost when growing spring barley with timing and rates critical to achieve optimum yield, market requirements and limit any...
Read more >Sustainable Sheep Systems – “Ewe are what ewe eat” (video)
February 17, 2021Ewe nutrition in the 8 weeks pre-lambing is essential to ensure the ewe receives sufficient energy and protein to support the growth of the unborn...
Read more >Breeding And Feeding For Sustainable Sheep Systems
February 10, 2021In this webinar, the first in a number of outputs, Dewi Jones, CEO of Innovis, will discuss how they have developed a low cost productive...
Read more >Forage Stocktake
January 29, 2021Now is a good time to assess silage and straw stocks to ensure that you have enough to see you through to spring turnout. Take...
Read more >