Field Talk: A Monitor Farm Scotland Podcast
Welcome to Field Talk, the Monitor Farm Scotland Podcast. Each episode will follow one of the nine farms chosen to take part in the four-year programme. The Monitor Farm Scotland programme is farmer led and farmer driven, with support from specialists and experts to assess farm performance, explore opportunities, and develop solutions to the challenges farmers face. Our host, Wallace Currie, will speak with farmers about what they've been implementing on their farms, sharing both their successes and the challenges they've faced. We’ll also bring in industry experts to dive deep into key topics and offer valuable insights.
Episodes
In this episode of Field Talk we dive into the smaXtec bolus project, a cutting-edge innovation trialled and implemented through the Monitor Farm Programme. Hear from Helen Hollingsworth and Ewan Jamieson as they discuss how this innovative technology is transforming herd health management by detecting illness early, predicting calving, and reducing antibiotic use with the ultimate outcome of improving herd health, productivity, a...
In this episode of Field Talk we discover how the Strathspey Monitor Farm has transformed cattle nutrition by fine tuning rations to boost performance in suckler cows and growing stock. Karen Stewart, SAC Consulting and Jane Harley (Strathspey Veterinary Centre) discuss how feed budgeting, forage analysis, and health management, especially around pneumonia, can drive herd efficiency and profitability. The Strathspey Monitor Farm sh...
In this episode, we sit down with Lorna Shaw, Ruminant Nutritionist at SAC Consulting, to explore how farmers can identify and act upon key profitability markers within their herds. Lorna breaks down the essential starting points for assessing herd performance—from understanding feed efficiency and weight gain to calving intervals and cow productivity.
We delve into real-world examples from the Monitor Farms in Islay and South Ayrs...
In this episode, we dig into the fundamentals of grazing management and explore why it's become a key focus for the Monitor Farm network. With expert guidance from John Ritchie, Montalt Farm, Perthshire and Farmers Weekly Awards 2023: Grassland Manager of the Year, we uncover how tailored grazing strategies are helping farms boost productivity, improve soil health, and build resilience. Learn about the nuts and bolts of gettin...
In this episode of the Monitor Farm Scotland podcast, Wallace, Kirsten Williams (Sheep and Beef Consultant, SAC Consulting) and Alex Stephen (dairy and sheep farmer, Edzell) discuss the intricacies surrounding the implementation and management of forage crops. They explore the challenges posed by climate variability, the selection of appropriate crops for livestock, and the ongoing findings from the Monitor Farm Programme. The imp...
In this episode of the Monitor Farm Scotland podcast, Wallace hears from Chris Clark (Nethergill Associates) and Angus Walton (Peelham Farm) all about Maximising Sustainable Output and how to find the 'sweet spot' when dealing with economic and environmental resilience on farm. They explore why it is important to consider the balance between business, nature and energy to ultimately lead to farming systems which are fit f...
In this episode of Field Talk, the Monitor Farm Scotland podcast, Wallace, Lauren Porteus (Zoetis), and Chris Barclay (Stabiliser Cattle Company) discuss the integration of genetics and genomics in livestock farming, particularly focusing on heifer selection within the Monitor Farm programme. They explore the challenges and benefits of transitioning from traditional phenotype assessments to genomic data, the importance of cost mana...
This week on Field Talk, our host Wallace is joined by Matthew Blyth.
Matthew is an experienced innovator within the sheep and beef industry and is the founder of Blyth Livestock Advisory Services – BLAS.
With his keen attention for detail and focus on continuous improvement, Matthew identified ways for measuring and monitoring grass performance to optimise livestock nutrition levels, and for monitoring livestock performance to impr...
Virtual Fencing is still a novel technology for many Scottish Farmers but there is increasing interest. Four of the Monitor Farmers are trialling this technology to look at cost benefit analysis; potential labour savings and opportunities to get cows back to areas of ground previously ungrazed due to lack of fencing and ability to monitor cattle. The project is aiming to delve into the people and financial elements of these systems...
Islay has been a strong farming island, known particularly for cattle, for many years. However, it's not without its challenges – namely 47,000 geese and cost and logistics of haulage onto and off the island. Craig Archibald of Craigens Farm discusses how they have been making changes on their farm to benefit the farm profitability and the environment.
The Andrews of Rowanston Farm are a busy multi-enterprise business with cattle, sheep and cropping. David Andrew joins the podcast to discuss how the Monitor Farm Programme has helped them put some data behind the decision making with the ultimate goal of optimising the inputs to make marginal gains across all enterprises.
The McNicol Family have diversified their business portfolio into Agritourism over the years. Through the Monitor Farm programme they have refocussed on the technical and financial performance of the core arable enterprise. Cover crops have been part of this. Stuart McNicol is joined by Ollie Johnson, Head of Engagement and Agronomy at AHDB to discuss the role of cover crops in the farming system at Castleton Farm.
The Stirling Monitor Farm is a real family affair with 3 generations involved in the business. The family have been looking closely at business figures to optimise marketing of stock and making management changes to boost performance and allow for the next generation to come into the business. Bruce Duncan is joined by daughter Rebecca to discuss how they are adapting this multi-generational business.
Auchernack is an 800ac farm in Strathspey. The family have farmed here since 1936. Today, it is run by Malcolm Smith. He farms alongside his sons Calum, who is employed full-time, and Hamish, who works part-time. Sammie, Malcolm’s wife is also a partner in the business and she runs a successful self-catering business.
Farming in the Cairngorms, the Smith family are no strangers to change over the generations. From tenant...
At the Dumfries Monitor Farm we have been investigating into lamb survival and we are bringing you the headlines! This episode, Wallace chats to Katie Denholm, University of Glasgow and Ali Haggerty, Stewartry Vets about best practice in the lead up to and at lambing time. They chat through the interesting results found at the Dumfries Monitor Farm including:
- Ewe Body Condition Score and Nutrition
- Colostrum Quality
- Passive Transfe...
Richard McCornick farms at Barnbackle Farm, Lochfoot and is the Dumfries Monitor Farm. During the Monitor Farm programme, the family have transitioned through succession and now looking to fine tune the system to optimise grass growth and have the right livestock to maintain output in this system. Listen now to hear how putting pen to paper has helped Richard put figures behind that 'farmers feel'.
Join us next ...
Robert Wilson is a tenant farmer at Cowbog Farm in the Borders. Farming in partnership with his father Ron, the Wilson's have been looking at balancing productivity with profitability to find that 'sweet spot' in their business. Listen to hear from the Roxburghshire Monitor Farmer.
The Irvine Family are steeped in history at Sauchentree with nine generations farming there for 250 years.
Bruce Irvine discusses how during the Monitor Farm Programme he has focussed on the productivity of the sheep flock and boosted performance through good hygiene at lambing time and investigating ewe health. Listen to hear more about the Banff and Buchan Monitor Farm.
Meet Duncan Morrison, the Deeside Monitor Farm, who farms at Meikle Maldron near Torphins. Alongside wife Claire, the young couple are described as fourth generation farmers with a first generation business. They have built up a spring calving herd to 250 head and the new addition of a sheep flock. Data is at the centre of every decision, listen now to hear how they have progressed the business.
Series 1 Episode 1: Introducing 'Field Talk': The New Farmer Led, Farmer Driven Podcast 🎙️🔥
At AgriScot 2024, Monitor Farm Scotland supported by QMS, proudly launches Field Talk, a brand-new podcast series dedicated to showcasing the invaluable insights of the Monitor Farm Scotland Programme. This initiative, designed to enhance the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses, provides a ...
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