Biodiversity

Sheep and cattle sharing a field on a grassy hill

Podcast: The Thrill of The Hill – Sheep Upland Grazing Strategies

Consultant Alex Pirie speaks with Daniel Stout about Sheep Upland Grazing strategies and the broader Sheep industry in Scotland. Sheep are synonymous with the Scottish farmed upland environment and at…

Natural enemies, their lifestyles and how to promote them

Natural enemies, their lifestyles and how to promote them A diversity of invertebrate species inhabit farmland. Some are pests, but many are beneficial providing ecosystem services that support agricultural production.…

Natural enemies, their lifestyles & how to promote them

A diversity of invertebrate species inhabit farmland. Some are pests, but many are beneficial providing ecosystem services that support agricultural production. Earthworms, springtails and millipedes break down organic matter,
ensuring nutrients are recycled back to the soil. Bumblebees, hoverflies and solitary bees are key visitors to crop flowers increasing yields in insect pollinated crops such as oilseed rape, raspberries and field beans. Then there are the wide variety of predatory and parasitic invertebrates that provide a crucial first line of defence against pests such as slugs, aphids and pollen beetles. With the range of pesticides available to farmers becoming increasingly limited, it has never been more important to promote these crucial natural enemies.

Podcast: Using outcome based agri-environment schemes on your farm

A new approach to agri-environment schemes, based on payment by results, is being investigated in a pilot project by Scotland’s Nature agency, NatureScot. In this podcast, senior conservation consultant at…

Keeping Pace with Green Policy

For over ten years, Scottish agriculture has come to recognise the importance of sustainable management of the farmed environment, mainly in response to the growing climate crisis and biodiversity decline.…

A photo of a pdf document titled Information Note: Beneficial Insects

Information Note: Beneficial Insects – Pollinators, Why we need them and how you can help

Information Note: Beneficial Insects – Pollinators, Why we need them and how you can help Our pollinators, along with many other insects, are in serious decline. Through a range of…

Information Note: Beneficial Insects – Pollinators Why we need them and how you can help

Our pollinators, along with many other insects, are in serious decline. Through a range of considered practices, farmers, crofters, and land managers can provide a lifeline for pollinators and other insects, providing food and habitat resources to support activities such as nesting, foraging, mating, dispersing, and migrating.