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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,…

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Select by an area of interest

Energy Bill Support for Farm Businesses

The 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

The 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

In 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

Silage 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

Welcome 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

Welcome 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

In 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

In 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

In 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

In 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

Crofternomics: 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

In 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

In 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

During 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

In 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

Welcome 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

It 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

The 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

While 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

The 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

With 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

A 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

Outwintering 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

Analysis 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

Silage 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

The 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

Given 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

Managing 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

Lone 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

The 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)

Legumes 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

Forward 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

Poppy Frater gives advice on how to plan for bale grazing livestock.

Read more >

Summer Sown Forage Crops

There 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

As 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?

As 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

The 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

The 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)

Legumes 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

Protected 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

Lamb 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)

Fertiliser 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)

Ewe 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

In 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

Now 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

The 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

The 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

In 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

Silage 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

Welcome 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

Welcome 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

In 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

In 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

In 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

In 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

Crofternomics: 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

In 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

In 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

During 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

In 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

Welcome 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

It 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

The 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

While 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

The 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

With 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

A 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

Outwintering 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

Analysis 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

Silage 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

The 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

Given 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

Managing 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

Lone 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

The 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)

Legumes 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

Forward 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

Poppy Frater gives advice on how to plan for bale grazing livestock.

Read more >

Summer Sown Forage Crops

There 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

As 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?

As 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

The 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

The 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)

Legumes 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

Protected 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

Lamb 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)

Fertiliser 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)

Ewe 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

In 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

Now 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 >

Something else on your mind?