Quality Meat Scotland Podcast

Mark talks to Dr Jan Connell and Jeremy Taylor from SRUC to find out how Further and Higher Education is equipping it’s students to adapt to the technological and data driven revolution taking place in agriculture. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

This introductory podcast discusses the skills challenges facing livestock farmers in Scotland and the range of opportunities for new entrants and existing farmers to develop the skills they require in an ever-changing landscape. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Colostrum is the key to healthy lambs and calves, delivering a boost of energy and vital protection against disease.  With spring around the corner many farmers will be thinking about storing colostrum, when and how much to give, and whether to use replacements. Colin Mason, Centre Manager at SRUC Veterinary Services in Dumfries, and Fiona Lovatt, European Recognised Specialist in Sheep Health and Production, join us to share essential advice and practical tips on colostrum management.Colostrum is the key to healthy lambs and calves, delivering a boost of energy and vital protection against disease.  With spring around the corner many farmers will be thinking about storing colostrum, when and how much to give, and whether to use replacements. Colin Mason, Centre Manager at SRUC Veterinary Services in Dumfries, and Fiona Lovatt, European Recognised Specialist in Sheep Health and Production, join us to share essential advice and practical tips on colostrum management.Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

In the run up to COP26, environmental sustainability is at the top of everyone's agendas. As a country we are working towards Net Zero. This podcast series looks at how the Scottish Farming industry can contribute to this. David Barron of Nether Aden Farm is current chair of the Scottish Beef Association and a former 'Farming for a Better Climate' Monitor Farmer. David joins the podcast to discuss the introduction of a hydrogen electroliser to his machinery as one of the steps he has taken to reduce his farm emissions. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Nature and the environment are high up on the agenda at the COP26 conference. Jim Simmons of Ruthven Farm on the Glenlivet Estate strongly believes farming productively and enhancing the environment and biodiversity can go hand in hand. Listen now to hear what changes Jim has made in the last 15 years to the traditional upland farm to receive the accolades of Cairngorms Nature Farm Award in 2016 and RSPB Nature of Farming Award in 2017.Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

COP26 is the latest UN Conference for Climate Change taking place in Glasgow from 31st October to 12th November. The event will bring together scientists, politicians and campaigners form around the world to map out decisions which will likely have a great impact on the Scottish Agriculture industry. Sarah Millar, Director of Market Intelligence and External Affairs for QMS is joined by Laura Ryan, CEO of Lavenpark Consultancy and Global Chair of Meat Business Women to discuss what work is going on in the industry ahead of COP26 and what we can expect from the conference. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

The Monitor Farm Legacy project has revisited 6 previous Monitor Farmers to look at what has changed since their involvement in the project. Andrew Booth of Savock Farm, Aberdeenshire was a monitor farmer from 2011 to 2015. Peter Chapman of South Redbog Farm, Strichen was chairman of the Monitor Farm community group. Listen now to hear how the Monitor Farm impacted not only Andrew’s business but the wider community group during and after the initial project Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Farmers have faced unpredictable and more extreme variations in weather in recent years. The ‘Beast from the East’ was one to remember but this year has had its challenges with a cold, dry Spring followed by a very dry summer. The unpredictability of the weather adds an extra layer of complexity for Scotland’s farmers. Listen now to hear how Kenny Adams of Torhouskie Farm has managed his livestock and land this growing season. Robert Ramsay, beef specialist from SAC Consulting joins us to suggest some strategies to help plan ahead but flexibility to this plan is key. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Fodder beet has becoming increasingly popular for outwintering livestock. Robbie Newlands of Cluny Farm, outwinters his cows and this year for the first time will be finishing lambs on fodder beet. Kirsten Williams, beef and sheep specialist at SAC Consulting, has been involved in a number of trials for growing the crop across the country. Listen now to hear Robbie’s experience and some tips for growing fodder beet including optimal growing conditions and how to transition stock onto the crop.Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

The Monitor Farm programme provides an environment for farmers to try new ideas and concepts and evaluate how they affect the livestock and the wider business. Back in 2012 as Monitor Farmers, Kate and Ed Rowell were involved in a study to change the feeding of pregnant ewes in the run up to lambing time. They used a more natural diet of good quality silage and added protein in the last few weeks of pregnancy. The trial compared soya to a protected soya product named Sopralin. The key to this feeding regime is good quality silage as Poppy Frater, sheep and grassland specialist at SAC Consulting, explains. The Monitor Farm Legacy project revisited this project and incorporated a new by product of rapeseed oil named Neolac. Listen now to hear how the trial was carried out and the results. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Continuing the theme of last weeks podcast we Focus on how arable farming can be productive while delivering for the environment and public goods. Hugh Broad, Woodhead Farm, was one of the first monitor farmers in Scotland. He has worked hard to deliver environmental goods as well as improving his yields. Bill Gray is a farm manager for Prestonhall Estate, another past monitor farm that has focused on the benefit of livestock in an arable rotation. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

This series we are visiting Monitor Farm Legacy farmers to discuss the long lasting impact the project had on their business and community. Political and social pressure is looking to farmers to do more than produce food. There is a growing desire for the farming industry to deliver wider environmental benefits and public goods. Joining the podcast to discuss how hill farming is part of this solution is previous Monitor Farmer Iain Mackay and NFUS President Martin Kennedy.Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

New Zealanders amongst the world leaders in sheep production. Sharon McIntyre, Genetics Technical Manager from Sheep Improvement Limited, New Zealand, joins the podcast to discuss how farmers have adopted genetic evaluation and performance recording to revolutionise sheep production.Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

James Walker is an Australian farmer based on the tropic of Capricorn in the middle of Queensland, Australia where they are farming in the throes of an 8-year drought meaning he is operating at 50% stocking capacity. While Australian market prices are at their highest, productivity is at its lowest. Join us to hear how James diversified his business to reduce volatility to the climate and commodity prices by investing in solar power and the development of Agrihive. Agrihive is a digital platform aimed at tackling crisis points in global food, farming and agriculture. The platform aims to give real time financial data to help famers and business owners to make informed decisions.  Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast

Dr Karen Beauchemin is a federal scientist in Canada and is recognised as an international authority on Green House Gas emissions from livestock farming. Karen and her colleagues have established a broad based research programme to improve feed utilisation in beef and dairy cattle while reducing methane emissions. Karen joins the podcast to discuss her research. Her team has discovered multiple methods of reducing methane emissions but the number one way is still to improve overall efficiency whether that’s through more kgs reared per cow or improved grass utilisation. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podcast