Sustainable Systems

Compost and Growing Media

Do you have a horticultural enterprise on your croft or smallholding? Do you buy or make compost or growing media? Do you get variable results?! In this webinar, Audrey Litterick…

Regenerative Agriculture – Integrating Livestock

Integrating livestock on arable farms has many benefits from extending the rotation by providing more break crops, to increasing soil protection and boosting microbial activity below ground. However, it can…

Podcast: Thrill of The Hill – Sustainable Principles

Managing Scotland’s landscapes sustainably is what all farmers, crofters and landowners seek to achieve. For years now there has been a steady increase in the number of land managers turning…

Evaluating Soil Quality and Testing for Soil Health Status

At grass roots level SAC consultants are noting a growing interest in soil health from farmers and increasing numbers of questions about what SRUC can offer. Soil health is not just about having a good biological system (lots of worms, ample beneficial microbes to keep the pathogens in check) there are also physical and chemical aspects, and to have soil in ‘good heart’ you need the biology (biodiversity), physics (structure) and chemistry (pH and nutrients) in balance.

Tackling Soil Compaction to Reduce Fertiliser Costs

Dairy farmers across Scotland often rely on fertiliser to ensure that they grow enough grass to meet the needs of their livestock. However, fertiliser prices have soared recently, which will…

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 up shed space. It can also help manage body condition, especially if cows are fit going into the winter. However, careful management is required to ensure that cows do not lose too much condition before calving.

Health is your Wealth: PeaceFit – Movement Plan for Scottish Farmers and Crofters

Health is your greatest Wealth. Keeping physically active is the best way to improve your mental and physical health. PeaceFit is a purpose-built training facility run by Emma Forster and…

Cropcast: Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a holistic approach to pest management that aims to maximise profit whilst also aiming to minimising the negative impacts of crop production on the environment.…

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 to 2nd cut. This is similar in 2nd cut bales which have also analysed higher in protein compared to 1st cut bales.

A sunset across an upland habitat with purple heather highlighted in the low light. In the top left corner is a text box that reads "How well do you know your upland habitats"

How well do you know your upland habitats?

We often talk about ‘Heather Moorlands’ when referring to the uplands, but there are three distinct upland habitats in which ling heather plays a prominent part. In this video, filmed…

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