Whether you’re an outdoor professional, a teacher or lecturer, or simply curious, this episode is an in-depth look at how forest school principles can be applied in the college and university environment.

If you’re interested in signing up for the Forest and Outdoor Learning Award you can find information on the Level 8 here: SRUC Training courses | FOLA (Level 8) or the Level 5 here: SRUC Training courses | FOLA (level 5).

Whether you’re a beekeeper, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious about the tiny creatures that keep our world thriving, this episode is packed with insights, surprising facts, and practical tips to help protect all types of bees.

You can email Lorraine at Lorraine.Johnston@sruc.ac.uk or join the local beekeeping association, join other groups such as the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust. Any crofters, farmers, smallholders, and beekeepers can get in touch if they wish to attend one of the two pollinator conferences FAS (Farm Advisory service) are organising in Dumfries at the Barony on the 27th of February and in Perth on the 27th of March.

Sources of information:

Scottish Bees Information Sheet

Honey bees in the UK

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

See the CHECS (Cattle Health Certification Standards) technical document

PCHS Quick Guides to Biosecurity, BVD and Johne's for vets out and about plus an overview of each scheme.

More information is available at www.cattlehealth.co.uk

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

1. Kate Stillwell – Head Greenkeeper, The Golf Club of Kópavogur and Garðabær (GKG)

Summary:

Ian and Ben virtually touch down in Reykjavík, Iceland for an engaging chat with Kate Stillwell, Head Greenkeeper at Golf Club of Kópavogur and Garðabær to discuss her career journey, the experience of working abroad, and Icelandic culture. We dive into a broad range

of topics with Kate including what drew her to the golf industry, the benefits of volunteering at tournaments, the challenges of harsh winter conditions on golf course management, the family culture of golf in Iceland, and the unique challenge of 24 hour tee times! Please join us for an entertaining podcast with of the UK’s brightest young leaders in the golf industry plying her trade in the dramatic environment of Iceland.

Links From The Podcast:

1. Golf Club of Kópavogur and Garðabær (GKG)
2. R&A Women in Golf Leadership Programme
3. The British and International Golf Greenkeepers' Association (BIGGA)

1. Mike McKenna – General Manager, Amata Spring Country Club
2. Mike O’Keeffe – Global Intern Manager, Ohio State University’s International Turfgrass Intern Program

Summary:

Ian is joined by Mike O’Keeffe to speak with Mike McKenna about his extraordinary career journey in the golf industry that has taken him from Newcastle to stunning locales around the world. Currently the Managing Director at Amata Springs Country Club in Thailand, Mike M kindly takes the podcast on a whistlestop tour of his career and shares some of the incredible experiences he’s had along the way working in the game of golf. Please join Ian, Mike, and Mike for an entertaining discussion with a top golf industry professional about making a career in the game and taking advantage of the opportunities that come your way.

Links From The Podcast:

1. Amata Spring Country Club
2. Ohio State University International Intern Turfgrass Program

1. Tony Hanson – Managing Director, Environmental Solutions International

Summary:

Water! Yes, that’s right we are talking water in this episode of the podcast with Tony Hanson, Managing Director of Environmental Solutions International. Water accessibility is a compelling topic around the globe and one the golf industry will need to come to terms with sooner than later. Tony provides some compelling insight on the future of water access for the broader leisure industry and how this may influence future practice for golf course operators. Please join us for a wide-ranging chat about water resources, carbon reporting, risk management, and how sustainability can be conceptualised as an efficient approach to running a business.

Links From The Podcast:

1. Environmental Solutions International
2. Leisure Association Water Charter and Leisure Operator Water Charter
3. The National Framework For Water Resources 2025

1. Alex Knight – Community Impact Manager, Scottish Golf
2. Carinne Taylor – Northeast Regional Development Manager, Scottish Golf

Summary:

We sit down with Alex Knight and Carinne Taylor of Scottish Golf to chat about growing the game in an inclusive, community focused, and sustainable way. We also get to learn about the amazing ‘Unleash Your Drive’ programme which brings our beautiful game to primary schools around Scotland helping to introduce the sport and its many benefits to a new generation of participants. Please join us for an engaging chat about the many benefits of the game, how we can grow golf in a meaningful way, and the opportunities that exist for golf clubs to evolve and thrive.

Links From The Podcast:

1. Scottish Golf
2. Unleash Your Drive Programme

1. James MacBeath – Course Manager, Brora Golf Club
2. David Gemmell – General Manager, Brora Golf Club

Summary:

Ian goes on the road to Brora Golf Club to speak with James and David about their amazing golf venue and the special experience golfers receive at this gem of a Highland golf course. Their discussion covers the evolution of the golf course in recent times, the modern business approaches being utilised by the golf club, the rise in overseas members, and the special hospitality received by visitors to the Highlands. Please join Ian, James, and David for an insightful look at how golf clubs can grow while still retaining their local charm.

Links From The Podcast:

1. Brora Golf Club
2. Club Management Association of Europe

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Making EDPET work(AHDB)

Healthy Feet Programme (AHDB)

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Useful links

Internal Parasites | SCOPS & Nematodirus Forecast | SCOPS

Veterinary surveillance blogs | SRUC

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Metabolic Profiling in the Sheep Flock - Why and How to Do It | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Phase 6 leaflet: Phase 6 Flyer - ScotEID Library (Scot EID home page Home | ScotEID)

The survey: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Michael O’Keeffe – Global Intern Manager for Ohio State University’s International Turfgrass Intern Program

David McGregor – Director Of Grounds at Westwood Country Club

Summary:

We reach out across the pond to the USA to discuss Mike and David’s passion for the golf industry, the incredible careers that can be found within the game of golf, and the need to raise more awareness of the joys of our ‘hidden industry’. We also explore the importance of relationships in business, the level of recognition golf industry professionals receive abroad, and why we scheduled a podcast recording during the Masters! Join us for an entertaining chat with two highly regarded ambassadors of the golf industry who have made the USA their home.

Darren McLaughlin – Golf Courses Manager at Trump Turnberry Golf Resort

Summary:

We cover a range of compelling topics with Darren including his experience working around the world, the benefits and opportunities that R&A scholarships bring, and how data is driving his approach to golf course management. We also talk about what gets the younger generation of greenkeepers excited about their jobs, Darren’s love for working in the industry, and the Florida Keys most famous libation. Join us for a far-ranging chat with a highly experienced and qualified industry professional looking after one of Scotland’s most well-known golf courses.

Kerr Rowan – Course Manager at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club

David Addison – General Manager at Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club, PGA Fellow Manager

Summary:

We touch base with Kerr and David about career journeys in the golf industry, the opportunities to see the world that working in the industry offers, and their love for their golf club. We also explore how organisational development has transformed their golf club into a synced-up operation that values employees and collaboration as much as growing the business. Join us for a lively chat with two forward thinking professionals who are ‘nudging’ their big-name neighbours in Troon, Ayrshire.

Links From The Podcast:

Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club

Links From The Podcast:

• African Turf Academy
• McKenna Performance Golf Academy
• 'The Infinite Game' Book by Simon Sinek

Links From The Podcast:

• Ganton Golf Club
• Simon's Recent Article 'Golf Course Project Management' In Northern Golfer Magazine

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Colin explains about what the Scottish Surveillance system has picked up and what we need to be aware of as we look at calving and lambing in 2025.

The virus, which is spread by biting midges, is not a notifiable disease but there has been concern about the impact of this disease across the country. The podcast covers vaccination, diagnosis, and clinical signs.

Further details are available in our blogs Veterinary surveillance blogs | SRUC

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

In this episode, we're delighted to have Hayley Potter, Senior Practice Director at the Old Golf House Veterinary Practice along side Adam Masri, Veterinary Lecturer at SRUC to help find out!

Earlier this year the Old Golf House Veterinary Practice won the RCVS sustainability award. This first opinion small animal surgery, which serves over ten thousand clients, achieved an ‘outstanding’ ranking in the RCVS’s new environmental accreditation. We hope that Hayley's valuable advice will be instrumental in inspiring us all to make the positive changes needed! 

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Genomic selection is now widespread in UK dairy and is gaining momentum in beef and sheep. It has led to large benefits for dairy and has the potential to revolutionise food production systems. Usually, people think of genomic improvement for productivity, but the process can be almost as equally effective for welfare traits, disease traits, society traits such as methane emissions and resource use traits such as feed efficiency.

This podcast follows a webinar on the subject which is available at Webinars Bitesize Programme and if you have any further questions about this subject please email alison.braddock@sruc.ac.uk

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

In this second podcast with Mary, she explains about the Ruminant Subscription Service offered to vets and covers the important seasonal topics of forage budgeting, forage sampling and condition scoring.

Further information on body condition scoring suckler cows is available on these videos:

• The Benefits of Cow Condition Scoring - Part 1
• The Benefits of Cow Condition Scoring - Part 2

There is also a useful document on condition scoring here too.

Listen to Part I here.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

This insightful podcast for vets in practice, looks at how to get the best out of client interactions on farm visits to help address livestock health issues. The podcast offers communication strategies and tips and looks at life from a farmer’s perspective!

This follows a vet CPD webinar on the same subject available here https://tinyurl.com/28jx9kme

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

In this episode of the SRUC Podcast, Lesley Winton, founder and CEO of the Scottish charity Fostering Compassion, highlights their remarkable work. We also speak to veterinary student Thomas Westley, who sadly, had to flee his home in Ukraine because of the war. Thomas tells us how Fostering Compassion has helped support him in achieving his dream of studying veterinary medicine at the University of Central Lancashire and shares his experiences of being a veterinary student studying in a new vet school.

Fostering Compassion  is a ground-breaking humane education project, unique in its approach to addressing the links between animal abuse, child abuse, elder abuse and interpersonal violence. By sharing the stories of rescued animals, the charity encourages caring, compassionate and nurturing behaviour in children. Given that we live in a world that can sometimes seem overwhelming, it is these small acts of kindness that can make a big difference in people’s lives. It is reassuring to know that charities like Fostering Compassion are out there making our world that little bit brighter. 

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Useful links:

• Veterinary Pen Scoring System 2021
• Hear a webinar with the same team on this subject

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

There has been an increase in submissions with Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis otherwise known as ‘Pink Eye’ in recent months.

This podcast covers clinical signs, risk factors and prevention and discusses the importance of early identification of cases for management and treatment.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

This parasitic worm has been on the increase in the UK over the past few years and it’s important that vets are aware of the increasing incidence of Heamonchus, helped by the warmer and wetter summers and warmer winters. Alison Braddock, Marketing and Business Development Manager talks to Megan Fergusson, Veterinary Investigation Officer from Ayr Disease Surveillance Hub. Megan covers clinical signs, diagnosis, and prevention with some top tips on combating this parasite.

Useful advice is available here: scops.org.uk/internal-parasites/quarantine-advice-for-internal-and-external-parasites/

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

The following useful links were discussed in the podcast and are available to listeners:

• Ruminant Nutrition Subscription Service
• Ram booklet
• Outwintering booklet

Listen to Part II here

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Please take part in the Control of worms sustainably (COWs) survey COWS Lungworm Survey 2024 (surveymonkey.com) which is open throughout 2024 and vets are encouraged to submit as many forms / cases over the year.

Further information is available at www.cattleparasites.org.uk (Promoting Sustainable Control of Cattle Parasites - COWS - Promoting Sustainable Control of Cattle Parasites COWS home page, lungworm-240823.pdf (cattleparasites.org.uk) and specific chapter on lungworm on COWS website). For further information about our SRUC Veterinary Services tests etc. please visit www.sruc.ac.uk/vets

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Further information is available on our website (www.sheepandgoathealth.co.uk) membership database (www.psghs.co.uk), Health Schemes helpline 01835 822456 and Quick Reference Guides (All about Maedi Visna (MV) (sway.com); MV/CAE Accreditation (sway.com); and Monitoring Schemes (sway.com)) .

Details of Lleyn Sheep and the sales are available at  www.lleynsheep.com

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

In this second of a two-part podcast, consultant Robert Ramsay and vet Colin Mason give their thoughts on some of the highlights from the big beef roadshow events. Giving an insight into the livestock health issues covered along with feedback from the farmers who were there on the day about what is concerning them and where they see the industry going. Robert also discusses the introduction of EID in cattle.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

In this first of a two-part podcast, the organisers and speakers at the series of big beef road show events discuss some of the key messages and take home points from the events. Sarah Balfour, Karen Stewart, Lorna Shaw and Robert Ramsay talk through how the meetings went, and the outlook for the broader beef industry.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

This mini-series focuses on the science of food. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Ciara Bow the founder and Entrepreneur behind Gledfield Distillery, NPD Chef at SAC Consulting, Morag Hamilton, and Professor Fiona Burnett, Head of Knowledge Exchange & Applied Plant Pathology at SRUC, to explore how science & innovation met enterprise to create amazing new products, and also to hear about their stories, and opinions on industry at the moment.

This episode was funded by the University Innovation Funding from the Scottish Funding Council.

Links:

Gledfield Distillery | Where research meets practice (youtube.com)

SAC Consulting | Food & Enterprise (sruc.ac.uk)

Gledfield Distillery

THRIVE 2024 for Scotland's budding food & drink and rural entrepreneurs Tickets | Eventbrite

This mini-series focuses on the science of food. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Ali Easson the founder and Entrepreneur behind Hemp it Up! , NPD Chef at SAC Consulting, Morag Hamilton, and SRUC Researcher, Dr Rosie Boyko to explore how science & innovation met enterprise to create amazing new products, and also to hear about their stories, and opinions on industry at the moment.

This episode was funded by the University Innovation Funding from the Scottish Funding Council.

Links:

Hemp it Up | Where research meets practice (youtube.com)

SAC Consulting | Food & Enterprise (sruc.ac.uk)

Hemp it Up | Hemp Seed Oil | Grown in North East Scotland

THRIVE 2024 for Scotland's budding food & drink and rural entrepreneurs Tickets | Eventbrite

This mini-series focuses on the science of food. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Jane Mackie the founder and Entrepreneur behind Rora Dairy, NPD Chef at SAC Consulting, Morag Hamilton, and SRUC Head of Dairy Research, Professor Richard Dewhurst to explore how science & innovation met enterprise to create amazing new products, and also to hear about their stories, and opinions on industry at the moment.

This episode was funded by the University Innovation Funding from the Scottish Funding Council.

Links:

Rora Dairy - When research meets practice (youtube.com)

SAC Consulting | Food & Enterprise (sruc.ac.uk)

Rora Dairy, simple, pure

Scottish yogurt made on our beautiful farm in Aberdeenshire.

Dairy Research Centre - Crichton Royal Farm, Dumfries (sruc.ac.uk)

This mini-series focuses on the science of food. In this episode, Kerry podcasts live from an Enterprise Showcase event on campus at SRUC Craibstone.

Hear from speakers like Neil Freckingham, the ONE Seedpod Director, and Susannah Bolton Vice Principal of Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange, alongside other speakers and attendees, sharing how SRUC is integrated in the enterprise & innovation network of the Food & Drink Industry in Scotland.

This episode was funded by the University Innovation Funding from the Scottish Funding Council.

Links:

SAC Consulting | Food & Footprint (sruc.ac.uk)

THRIVE

2024 for Scotland's budding food & drink and rural entrepreneurs Tickets |

Eventbrite

ONE SeedPod

SRUC | Course catalogue

KTP Scotland | Home

Adam speaks to veterinary surgeon and co-founder of the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS), Dr Navaratnam Partheeban OBE who raises awareness about the issues facing minority ethnic vets, nurses, and students and promotes the amazing network offered by BVEDS.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

SRUC's Rural Animal Health Programme, the focus of this podcast episode, aims to educate the veterinary technicians of the future. In it, Adam Masri, speaks to veterinary technician Nicola Bowers about her career path and the roles and responsibilities that come with the job. Nicola's passion and enthusiasm really shine through!

Want to study Rural Animal Health at SRUC this year? There are still some spaces available through Clearing! Learn more and apply at www.sruc.ac.uk/clearing

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Further information can be found in our blogs:

SRUC Veterinary Surveillance blog: www.sruc.ac.uk/veterinary-surveillance

SRUC Health Scheme Member blog: www.sruc.ac.uk/health-scheme-member

Disclaimer:

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Links mentioned in the podcast are below.

National bee unit:

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/

Managing varroa booklet:

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Advisory_leaflets/APHA_Managing_Varroa_2020_ELECTRONIC_ONLY-1.pdf

Medicines record:

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/2_Diseases_and_Pests/Varroa/Veterinary_Medicine_Administration_Record-3.pdf

Disclaimer:

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Learn about how Laura got started as a champion for the environment, her most recent campaigns, future goals and how you can follow in her footsteps and get involved in making a difference in your own life and community.

Dive deeper:

• Find Laura across social media @LessWasteLaura or online at www.lesswastelaura.com
• Learn more about studying environment or sustainability at SRUC at: Environment | SRUC or Sustainability | SRUC

Disclaimer:

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice.

The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Sm@RT is a EU funded project, which started in 2021 and will finish later this year. It is about encouraging uptake of innovations and technologies by sheep and goats farmers in Europe and beyond, and facilitating exchange of knowledge and ideas between farmers and researchers.

The project identified farmers needs in terms of technologies, proposed practical solutions and ran participatory events on farms to demonstrate the use of these tools. The idea was to demystify the use of technologies on sheep and goats farms, and learn from different countries.

The consortium comprises eight different countries – Estonia, Norway, the UK, Ireland, France, Hungary, Italy and Israel and 11 different partners.

The episode is hosted by Claire Morgan-Davies, a researcher at SRUC and the coordinator of the Sm@RT project.

Claire is joined by colleagues from:

- Norway: Lise Grøva – from the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy

- Ireland: Brid McClearn – from Teagasc

- Hungary: Renata Klein – from the University of Debrecen

- Italy: Valeria Giovannetti – from Agris Sardegna

- Israel: Assaf Godo – from the Agricultural Research Organisation

- UK: Ann McLaren from SRUC

• SM@RT website
• Sm@RT approach to sheep and goat farming - news piece on SRUC website

In the podcast Robyn talks about her experience at vet school, what she misses about it, what criteria she thinks are important to consider when looking for that first job in practice, the RCVS’s Vet graduate development program (VetGDP) and much more. It’s a really great chat for anyone who has an interest

in studying to be a vet or who is currently studying to be a vet. You’ll hear Robyn’s point of view on lots of the challenges and learnings that are to be had as a vet student.

We are aiming to welcome our very first students to SRUC’s new school of veterinary medicine this September here in Aberdeen. It’s a unique model - As only the third Veterinary School in Scotland and the first in over 150 years, the SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine will prepare students for work in the increasingly important rural mixed practice, agricultural and food sectors.

Why are we different? The SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine will use innovative teaching methods and curriculum design to ensure that students are fully prepared to work in the variety of high demand sectors.

We offer new pathway programmes aimed at those from rural backgrounds who are familiar with the agricultural sector but may not have - or been able to get - the required scientific foundations. 

• Our pathways to study at the vet school
• SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine

The link to SCOPS | Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep is a useful tool to use.

Please also see our  Veterinary surveillance blogs | SRUC

They are a source of free pest control - with a single bat capable of eating up to 3,000 midges in a night - and are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Learn more about the benefits of bats to farming landscapes and what actions farmers can take to support this protected species on their farms in this episode with Communications Officer Rosie Free and SAC Consultant Harry Fisher.

To read more about Bats and Biodiversity, visit: Bats and Biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

For more information about the event at Culzean Castle, visit: The Benefits Of Bats On Farmland | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

Shereene has had a successful career in equine veterinary care, and Adam chats with her about her career journey and the challenges past & present for women in the veterinary sector.

Adam also highlights the career of Aleen Cust who became the first female veterinary surgeon in Ireland and Great Britain in 1922.

• Aleen Cust - Wikipedia
• Profile: Adam Masri
• The world needs more vets and farriers - they should be women | Brooke
• SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine

LINKS:

SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine

Blog by Shereene Williams on how more vets and farriers should be women

Adam's profile - SRUC

Wikipedia page for Aleen Cust

LINKS:

South of Scotland Training Courses (including forest and outdoor learning courses)

SRUC Training Courses

SRUC Wildlife & Conservation Management courses

SRUC Forestry & Arboriculture (academic courses)

Varroa are tiny red-brown external parasites of honey bees. They are sometimes known as varroa destructor or varroa mites. Varroa is one of the most damaging honey bee pests in the world. A significant varroa mite infestation can lead to the death of a honey bee colony.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/

https://nationalbeeunit.com/register/

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/diseases-and-pests

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Fact_Sheets/Fact_13_Estimating_Varroa_mite_populations.pdf

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Advisory_leaflets/APHA_Managing_Varroa_2020_ELECTRONIC_ONLY-1.pdf-

https://www.gov.scot/publications/bee-health-improvement-partnership-bhip-annual-report-2022-2023/

In this episode, William Ancell, Head of Content and Digital at SRUC, speaks with Professor George Gunn about the importance of RAVIC and how it relates to his own career.

RAVIC will provide critical expertise and infrastructure to better manage planetary health challenges including antimicrobial resistance, zoonoses, and the effects of climate change through applied research, innovation, education, and consultancy.

RAVIC is an SRUC flagship initiative at the interface of farming, aquaculture, animal and human health, creating opportunities for collaborative entrepreneurship, commercial development and education.

It will complement the vibrant, thriving life sciences sector already established in Inverness, providing opportunities for synergy and collaborations between local knowledge-based institutions, regional businesses and national partners looking to develop activity in the region.

Professor George Gunn is Director of the Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre. He is Professor of Population Medicine and Zoonoses and has helped win over £50M for SRUC and collaborating institutions, leading research projects in Scotland and internationally. His range of expertise includes livestock disease control with an overarching interest in population medicine and the dynamics of infectious inter-herd diseases and zoonoses.

Learn more about RAVIC here.

Disclaimer:

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Led by SRUC and supported by partners at the University of Strathclyde, Agri-EPI Centre, No Pollution Industrial Systems Ltd, Galebreaker Agri, Organic Power Ireland, N2 Applied and Saturn Bioponics, the shed has been built at SRUC’s Easter Howgate farm.

It addresses the need for the livestock farming sector to reduce its GHG emissions while improving productivity, by developing an integrated low carbon, circular, cattle and vertical farming system, bolstering green technology for UK agriculture.

Following on from our Introduction to the GreenShed project podcast, find out more about how the technology will benefit farmers in the future in this new episode with Rosie Free and George Baikie as they discuss the project from a farmer's viewpoint.

You can learn more at the dedicated webpage for the project.

In this podcast, SRUC Website Officer Lacey Ward speaks with international student Eneyi Oshi - Mastercard Scholar and SRUC student studying Food Security, on her experience of coming to Scotland, studying at SRUC, working with the the Enterprise Academy, and ultimately winning the 2024 Enterprise Challenge.

For more information about the MSc Food Security programme at SRUC (awarded by the University of Edinburgh), click here.

Find more information about the SRUC Enterprise Academy (including the Enterprise Challenge), click here.

• Katie Denholm is a farm animal academic clinician with a special interest in dairy calves and colostrum management at the University of Glasgow.
• Ali Haggerty is a vet in SW Scotland and provides freelance consultancy to milk processors and other industry bodies as well as research into dairy calf health and colostrum.

This podcast complements the webinar of the same name available on the Webinars Bitesize Programme | SRUC

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Our guest of honour on this episode are two alumni apprentices. Nia Hunter who won modern apprentice of the year and agriculture learner of the year at last year’s Lantra ALBAS awards. She did her apprenticeship with Shetland Livestock Marketing Group and studied agriculture at SRUC Barony campus. She is joined by Ryan Yuille, a finalist in this years ALBAS who studied Sports Turf at SRUC Elmwood and is a Greenkeeper at North Berwick Golf Club.

The podcast also features Sharon Gooding-Hill, Senior Marketing and Student Recruitment Officer who focuses on work based learning and apprenticeships.

Sharon is joined by Chris Dickson, lecturer in Sports Turf and greenkeeping at our Elmwood campus - who taught Ryan - and James Orr, senior consulting with our SAC consultancy division who works out in the field with a variety of farms across the central belt of Scotland.

Links to the various topics/areas discussed in the episode:

Scottish Apprenticeship Week

ALBAS Awards

LANTRA

SRUC Apprenticeships

SRUC Apprenticeship information for students

Alumni Stories

We learn about her academic journey through the Netherlands, Vietnam and Canada, and her work in epidemiology. In particular, Annette talks about the devastating impact of microscopic jellyfish on salmon farming in Scotland.

Later on, we cover the approach to Aquaculture at SRUC, how the subject is being baked into courses at the new veterinary school in Aberdeen, and a range of short courses developed for industry practitioners.

You can find out more about all of the above via the links below:

Find out more about our courses

See Anette's research profile

The Sampling Guide srucvs-sampling-guide.pdf is available on our website www.sruc.ac.uk/vets

We’ll be doing more on Varroa in later episodes, as it is quite a detailed subject and a big one for beekeepers to be aware of.

Lorraine is going on the road in the Highlands to spread the word about bee keeping to farmers, crofters and beginners. These are in-person events delivered in partnership with the Farm Advisory Service. You can find out more at the link below to the FAS website.

Links:

FAS events on beekeeping - Nairn and Dingwall

Starting Up Small-Scale Beekeeping – Dingwall

Starting Up Small-Scale Beekeeping – Nairn

FAS resources

Managed pollinators such as honey bees

National Bee Unit

National Bee Unit

Register for the National Bee Unit

National Bee Unit - managing diseases and pests

The podcast touches on how MV acts in the flock and the disease prevalence in GB. It also looks at the testing methodology and options to tackle the infection and how to cope with a larger flock breakdown.

Further details can be found at www.sheepandgoathealth.co.uk

In this podcast, Caroline Bysh, SRUC Vice Principal for External Relations and Student Experience speaks with Linda Hanna, Chair of the SRUC Board about these Non-Executive Director vacancies open for applications to give listeners a feel about the role, the board, and SRUC.

Learn more about SRUC: About SRUC | SRUC

Applying for a Non-Executive Director Role:

SRUC is working with Aspen to recruit for these roles. If you’re interested in learning more about the roles available, visit their dedicated microsite: SRUC - Non-Executive Directors - Aspen People

Should you wish to have an informal, confidential discussion about the post, please contact either Donogh O’Brien or Gillian Blackadder at Aspen People on 0141 212 7555.

Disease dynamics are complex involving pathogens and the environment.

In this podcast Alison Braddock, Marketing and Business Development Manager, asks Megan Fergusson, VIO (Veterinary Investigation Officer), about how vets can help their clients tackle this disease on the farm. 

SRUCSA events mentioned in the podcast:

• Festive pub quiz: Saturday 9 December, 6-10pm @ The Cabaret Bar, The Plesance (Edinburgh)
• Speak Week: www.srucsa.org.uk/speak-week

Available clubs and societies by campus: www.srucsa.org.uk/clubs-societies

 Key SRUCSA contacts:

• Damson Ellen (Central Co-President) - Damson.Ellen@sruc.ac.uk
• Jeroen van Herk (Student Community Coordinator) - jeroen.herk@sruc.ac.uk
• Catherine Stewart (South & West Co-President) - Catherine.Stewart@sruc.ac.uk
• Jeremiah Chibueze (North Co-President) - Jeremiah.Chibueze@sruc.ac.uk

Learn more about SRUCSA, ask a specific question, or discover more about how to

get involved by visiting www.sruc.ac.uk/srucsa or www.srucsa.org.uk

Dr Ana Vuin is a research fellow who has worked around the world in the areas of rural communities and population migration.  

Alexa Green is an early career researcher interested how we can create transformational changes in our society to ensure a sustainable way of living for people and the planet. 

Claire Donaldson has been a lecturer in tourism at SRUC for the last decade. Claire’s area of expertise is rural tourism and how this is utilised as a form of economic development to improve the lives of rural communities.  

The podcast was hosted by Michelle Flynn, Communications Officer at SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre. Ana and Alexa are both members of SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre. 

Information on the Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament   

Click here to visit the Scottish Rural & Islands Parliament 2023 website (srip.scot)  

For more information on the Youth Parliament 

Information on the European Rural Parliament  

Home (europeanruralparliament.com) 

European Rural Parliament - leaflet - 2023.pdf 

This podcast focuses on Blackleg and Blacks disease - two more common presentations at this time of year. The podcast covers causes, risk factors and prevention.

Read our blog on Black's disease.

SRUC offer testing for Clostridial Alpha, Beta or Epsilon Toxin ELISA.

Alison Braddock, Marketing and Business Development Manager speaks with Heather Stevenson Veterinary Investigation Officer (VIO) Dumfries about liver fluke risk in 2023.

As we approach what would have traditionally been peak liver fluke season (autumn-winter), 2023 has been a very strange year weather-wise.

We had a very dry cold spring, a very hot early summer, an extremely wet July-August and, most recently, a heatwave accompanied by heavy rain.

This will inevitably impact on the life-cycle of the liver fluke, through its mud snail intermediate host, Galba truncatula. This will ultimately dictate the risk of liver fluke this season.

Forecasts are available online at Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) SCOPS | Sustainable Control  and of Parasites in Sheep and NADIS NADIS - National Animal Disease Information Service

Sean joins us with not only a wealth of experience working in education but also a grand plan for how to improve student communication.

In this podcast Sean talks about:

• His background
• The challenges facing SRUC in terms of student communication
• The upcoming student elections
• The Student Voice campaign
• The achievements the student body have had recently
• The student mental health and wellbeing strategy
• The upcoming works at our Edinburgh Campus

This is a great listen for any new students at SRUC, or anyone interested in studying with us. If you work for SRUC you may find it interesting too!

Visit www.sruc..ac.uk/study to find out more about studying at SRUC.

Visit www.sruc.ac.uk/studentlife to learn more about life as a student with us.

Visit www.sruc.ac.uk/pathways to explore all the ways you can learn at SRUC.

Alison Braddock, Marketing and Business Development Manager asks Colin Mason, Centre Manager and Veterinary Investigation Officer, some key questions around investigating milk drop in Dairy herds.

It is truly multifactorial with causes including infectious disease, nutrition, management or a combination of all three. With the advance of increased technology on dairy farms there is also an abundance of data to draw on.

From a disease surveillance perspective, it is also of interest as a potential way in which a new and emerging disease may start in a herd.

This podcast complements a recent webinar on the subject and discusses how to approach an investigation, consider some of the common and more exotic differential diagnoses relevant to individual herds and try to help navigate the complexities of what might be going on on farm.

Details of the webinar is available here: Webinars Bitesize Programme | SRUC.

In this episode, William Ancell, Digital Manger, hosts a panel featuring:

• Mary Thomson, Vice Principal for Skills and Lifelong Learning, SRUC
• Lynne Somerville, Skills Lead, Digital Dairy Chain
• Stuart Martin, Programme Director, Digital Dairy Chain

Interested in learning more about the Digital Dairy Chain and how they can help with skills and training? Visit their website.

Want to learn more about the training you can get from SRUC? We can offer bespoke training packages for your dairy business, tailored to your needs and with access to our facilities. Visit our training courses pages, or email us to request more information about our offering or book a place. The best way to do this is to contact the training team at the relevant campus closest to you. You can find more information about our campuses here.

aberdeentraining@sruc.ac.uk

ayrtraining@sruc.ac.uk

baronytraining@sruc.ac.uk

elmwoodtraining@sruc.ac.uk

oatridgetraining@sruc.ac.uk

Guests:  

• Professor Vijay Kumar Thakur who heads up SRUC's Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Centre. Click this link to find out more information on the IGS and Cambond project - looking into the use of hemp for insulation applications to replace traditional stainless steel or other materials - Vijay refers to during the podcast. Along with colleagues, Vijay has also recently published two papers on hemp: linked to here and here. Email: vijay.thakur@sruc.ac.uk 
• Mark Bowsher-Gibbs, a Principal Consultant with SAC Consultancy. Email: mark.bowsher-gibbs@sac.co.uk 
• Anna Mitchell of Castleton Farm. Anna and her husband Ross grow hemp and sell hemp-based products like hemp seed oil from their farm shop on the outskirts of Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire.   

The podcast is hosted by Alexa Green, a Research Associate with SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre.  

Information on licencing process for growing industrial hemp in the UK 

• To find out more about the licensing process for growing industrial hemp there is a dedicated section on the Home Office website - Industrial hemp licensing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
• A new licence application to cultivate hemp (for three growing seasons) currently cost £580. If a farmer has previously grown in the season prior to the licence expiring, then a ‘renewal’ fee of £326 will apply. If a compliance visit is required the fee will be £1,371 (not applicable in most instances).  
• The important dates for prospective applications for the 2024 growing season have not yet been announced. This gives information on the dates for the 2023 growing season.  

 Hemp 30 Project 

• Roadmap plan to boost UK industrial hemp production and processing - News and events, University of York 
• Phase 1 report 

More information on hemp growing in Scotland 

• Why hemp is a field of dreams for Scottish farmers (thetimes.co.uk) 
• www.scottishhempassociation.com 

Listen in to discover just a sample of the current dairy-bred calf research happening in Scotland. There are some fantastic projects on the go at the moment involving collaborations between SRUC, University of Glasgow and vets in private practice.

In this episode Alison Braddock chats with Colin Mason and David Bell from SRUC, Katie Denholm from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow and Ali Haggerty from Stewartry vets.  

They discuss their current projects including critical control points for colostrum cleanliness, Mycoplasma bovis in colostrum and ultrasound diagnosis of respiratory disease. A must listen for anyone interested in fine tuning calf health, highlighting projects to keep an eye on for future results.  

The panel conversation and audience question and answer session took place at SRUC's stand at this year's Royal Highland Show. The subjects covered ranged from the recent agricultural reform route map published by the Scottish Government and the importance of technology in the future of agriculture to a discussion around diversity in the sector and much more.

The panel was chaired by Claire Taylor (Claire Taylor (@cjtaylor92) / Twitter), a freelance writer and agricultural communicator. Claire is a current Nuffield scholar (Claire Taylor | Nuffield Farming Scholarships (nuffieldscholar.org)) and her study is titled turning the Tide on the Anti-Farming Agenda.  

Panel members: 

Steven Thomson (Steven Thomson (@StevenGThomson) / Twitter), a Reader in agricultural economics and policy at SRUC. He is also a Commissioner on Scotland's Independent Just Transition Commission and sits on the academic advisory panel that supports the Agricultural Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB).

John Kerr, Head of the Agricultural Policy division at The Scottish Government    

Andrew Moxey, an independent agricultural economist and policy adviser as well as a Director at ScotEID, the livestock traceability system for Scotland.   

Nigel Miller, a livestock farmer in the Scottish Borders and the previous President of the National Farmers Union of Scotland. Nigel was also Co-chair of the independent farming for 1.5 Degree inquiry and is also a board member of the Morden Research Institute.  

Jonnie Hall( Jonnie Hall (@nfusjonnie) / Twitter or NFU Scotland (@NFUStweets) / Twitter), Director of Policy at the National Farmers Union of Scotland. 

Rural Exchange

Rural Exchange by NISRIE 

Agriculture Bill

Latest information on the Agriculture Bill, due to be introduced into the Scottish Parliament later this year:

Agriculture Bill: consultation analysis - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) 

Agricultural Reform Route Map (ruralpayments.org) 

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 

Cross Compliance 

Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) (ARIOB) 

The Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019: BRIA - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) (LFASS)

Join William Ancell, Digital Manager at SRUC, and Lorraine Johnston, SRUC's Bee advisory Officer, as they form a hivemind (sorry) and look at the top questions around swarming.

1.       What is swarming?

2.       Why do bees swarm?

3.       What does a swarm look like?

4.       What should you do if you see a swarm?

5.       How does a beekeeper try to prevent swarming?

6.       What is swarm control?

7.       Why is it important to control swarming?

8.       What’s a simple method of swarm control that might help beekeepers?

This podcast also looks at the management of dairy beef calves to prevent common problems. This podcast accompanies the CPD bitesize webinar "An Introduction to Dairy Beef Calf Systems – Nutrition and Infectious Disease".

Watch the webinar: Webinars Bitesize Programme | SRUC

Our Veterinary Investigation Officers Katrina Henderson and Iain McCormick recently completed a project looking at the mortality of young beef cattle.

Katrina joins host Alison Braddock to chat about the project which specifically looked at the top ten causes of calf death and pre-disposing factors. Katrina and Iain reviewed all pre-weaned suckler calf post mortems carried out by SRUC from across Scotland between 2016-2020. 

The findings have been the subject of a recent CPD bitesize course for vets which can be found at the link below - the webinar has been recorded, and is free to watch (account creation required).

Fancy studying veterinary science or animal care with SRUC? They are amongst our most popular courses for a reason. We have world-class facilities and expertise and hundreds of animal care professionals have joined the industry after learning with us. You can find out more about them at the links below.

Watch the webinar "Calf losses from breeding to weaning" on our free online CPD portal.

Animal Care courses at SRUC

Animal Sciences courses at SRUC

Veterinary Medicine courses at SRUC

Veterinary Nursing courses at SRUC

The modern apprenticeship scheme is a critical feature of the contemporary vocational landscape and a proven path for young people to learn a trade that will set them up for life in their chosen industry.

Join a panel of experts from SRUC, industry and a modern apprentice for a discussion on how this is a great route for young people to "earn while you learn".

William Ancell, Digital manager at SRUC, hosts the following guests:

• Drew Easton, Learning and Development Manager, Jas P Wilson.
• Kalli Burr, Horse Care Modern Apprentice.
• Chris Stockwell, Training and Work-Based Lead, SRUC.
• Sharon Gooding Hill, Senior Marketing and Student Recruitment Officer for Skills and Lifelong Learning, SRUC.

Want to learn more? Follow these links.

SRUC apprenticeships

SRUC website

Lantra website

Jas P Wilson website

The team covers disease surveillance for the Scottish Government, so this involves doing post-mortem examinations and laboratory testing to diagnose disease and to investigate disease outbreaks. This work goes across the range of livestock species, so cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and game birds as well as other species are monitored by the team.

They also do testing for a wide variety of conditions and medical issues animals may experience. They also offer training courses, health schemes, quality assurance schemes and a whole lot else besides. Listen to the episode to learn about the breadth and depth of work they do.

To learn more, visit www.sruc.ac.uk/vets

Lorraine Johnston, SRUC’s Bee Advisory Officer gives advice on beekeeping in the spring now that we're in March – there is a lot to be aware of if you keep bees.

The podcast covers what changes for the bees are happening as they head into spring, what beekeepers can do to help bees survive the spring, what to do on that crucial first inspection and a whole lot else bee-sides.

Jillian is now on track to complete her PhD and has aspirations to one day be a lecturer for SRUC. Her story of how she got there is fascinating and an inspiration to anyone who feels that further and higher education is out of reach for them.

For more information, check out the policy spotlight on 'Common Grazings in the Age of Conditionality'.

To register for an upcoming CPG on Crofting meeting, visit the Scottish Parliament website.

To speak with an SAC consultant about your croft, check out our website and reach out to us to have a chat.

Not to mention using this system to potentially power a versatile vertical farm - and all while ensuring excellent animal welfare standards & humane treatment of the animals.

Join William Ancell, Carol-Anne Duthie and John Farquhar as they introduce the project. You can learn more at the dedicated webpage for the project.

Jane Atterton, Senior Lecturer at SRUC and Project Leader offers insight into the Rural Exchange in this short introductory podcast.

Visit the dedicated website to learn more about the Rural Exchange.

NISRIE stands for "Novel Insights on Scotland's Island and Rural Economies". It is a project with four work packages:

• rural enterprises
• community wealth building
• agriculture beyond Brexit
• regional food economies

The aims and objectives of the project are discussed with Steven in this podcast. You can visit the dedicated website to learn more about NISRIE and the Rural Exchange.

Join Ceri Ritchie (Head of Food and Enterprise), Alistair Trail (Principal Consultant) and Nicola Holden (Professor of Food Safety) as they chat about the surprising and wonderful discoveries they made on the trip, the networks they started building and what they learned.

Visit our safe and improved food pages.

Visit SAC Consulting's food & enterprise pages.

This episode is hosted by Stephen Briggs from Abacus Agriculture.

Stephen, an author of the Soil Association Agroforestry handbook and a consultant for Abacus Agriculture is also a first generation farmer. He discusses his experience of getting started with silvo-arable agroforestry on his farm.

This episode is hopsted by Mary-Jane Lawrie, SAC Consulting.

Mary-Jane Lawrie is an Agricultural Consultant at SAC Consulting and works in all aspects of agricultural consultancy, including financial and technical reviews, options appraisals, feasibility studies, budgeting, with particular interest in climate change, carbon foot printing, nutrient budgeting, habitat management and conservation, environmental advice and soil management.

Listen and learn more about 3D bufferstrips from Marc Stutter.

Marc is soil and water scientist at the James Hutton Institute who lives on a small Aberdeenshire farm. His interest in the environmental quality of streams, controlling nutrient pollution. Work with colleagues on flood mitigation and soil loss showed how simple natural processes can be re-designed back into more uniform river corridors to enhance beneficial processes; this led to the 3D buffers concept.

Vijay heads up biorefining & advanced materials research (BAMRC) at SRUC.

In this podcast, the panel discusses the role of Forages in a circular economy with a prime focus on current challenges and future perspectives.

Vijay is joined by special guest, Dr James Gaffey.

James is a Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the Circular Bioeconomy Research Group at Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre at Munster Technology University. He has been coordinator, lead PI and Co-PI on several EU and nationally-funded circular bioeconomy research projects. He is a member of the Expert Advisory Group to Ireland's National Bioeconomy Forum, and was on the Expert Panel for the Impact Assessment of Circular Biobased Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) successor programme to BBI JU under the Horizon Europe programme. Prior to joining MTU, James worked in the biorefinery industry since 2009 with the Technology Centre for Biorefining and Bioenergy, Sustainable Biopolymers and Cellulac Ltd. 

Also joining the panel from SRUC is:

• Dr David Lawson, an expert in Grassland agronomy and productivity, alternative outputs from grassland through bioprocessing and biomass-based renewable energy production.
• Dr John Newbold, Head of SRUC's Global Climate Emergency Challenge Centre
• Dr Vijai Gupta, an expert in biomass valorisation to value-added bioproducts, also from SRUC
• Professor Bob Rees, Head of Carbon, Crops and Soils at SRUC.

Link to SRUC's BAMRC pages.

From how farms can adapt to managing soils, to how climate is affecting food systems, to our own challenge centre tackling climate change, we've got it covered.

By securing public and private investment in nature-based solutions via projects like Riverwoods, Landscape Enterprise Networks, and focusing on Vacant & Derelict Land, this podcast explores how Scotland can rebuild its natural capital so that future generations have a better world to live and work in.

Dr Hannah Rudman is a co-leader of both ​SRUC’s Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre and the Scottish Conservation Finance Pioneers network which is developing new natural capital investment projects that can deliver returns for investors.

Interviewees featured in the podcast are Andy Griffiths of Nestlé UK, Lucy Filby of SEPA, Deryck Irving of the Green Action Trust, and Rory Sandison and Bruce Wilson of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The podcast was funded by NatureScot and produced by Hannah with the support of Scottish Funding Council, via SRUC UIF funding.

Visit the website to learn more about SRUC's Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre.

By the end of this half-hour podcast you'll understand the concept of a bioregion and how it helps us see the places we live and work with new eyes.

You'll learn about the project in Tayside which is helping regenerate local natural capital.

Hannah is co-lead of SRUC's Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre. Their goal is to research and build ecosystem markets to meet net-zero targets and reverse the biodiversity decline. We support thriving rural communities through regenerative agriculture and conservation.

This episode was previously available in SRUC's Thriving Natural Capital podcast. We're consolidating our podcast episodes under one SRUC-wide podcast.

Learn more at the Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre pages.