Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”. In this episode Calum Johnston sits down one on one with James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems. In the previous five episodes we heard from Farmers from five different beef and dairy farms in South West Scotland about their “Unsung Heroes”. Technology, Data, Biodiversity, Machinery and Efficiency. These Farmers and their Farms evidence that livestock farming in Scotland, has been constantly evolving, improving their practices not only for better profitability, better resilience, better output and better lives, but by doing these things, and making changes big or small, they are reducing their impact on the planet day, by day.

James is going to tell us more about some of his other “Unsung Heroes” not just for Beef & Dairy Farms, but applicable to any agricultural system, and also give us his view on Agriculture’s current position in the climate change conversation.

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.

Related FAS Resources

Climate Change resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service

Farming for a Better Climate | Helping farmers in Scotland

For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”. In this episode Calum Johnston visits Alex Marshall and Heather Dyet at Haggs Farm where 3 generations of the family are currently farming, including Heather’s grandmother, Mother Janice, brother Alex, and her father Alex, who also joins us on this episode. They tell us about their recent upgrade to a slurry separator. Through speaking to both Heather and dad Alex it was clear that on their family dairy farm, their unsung hero is machinery. Their slurry separator has improved farm efficiencies, grass and soil health, so much so they call it “liquid gold”. One of the efficiencies is applying two thirds less fertiliser which has a massive carbon footprint reduction.

Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems, will tell us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.

Related FAS Resources

Applicability of Slurry Separation and Acidification | Farm Scotland

Milk Manager News July 2022 – Why Invest in a Slurry Separator? | Helping farmers in Scotland

Slurry Lagoon Storage and Construction | Helping farmers in Scotland

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”. In this episode Calum Johnston visits Douglas Frame at Birks Farm where they discussed Calving at two. Through speaking to Douglas it was clear that on his family beef farm, their unsung hero is efficiency and despite climate change not being his primary driver, Douglas talks about the reduction he’s seen in his carbon audits.

Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems will tell us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.

Related FAS Resources

Calving Heifers Vlog Series | Helping farmers in Scotland

Calving Heifers at 2 Case Study | Helping farmers in Scotland

Optimising Livestock Productivity | Helping farmers in Scotland

A Guide to Calving Heifers | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

For more information, visit 

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”. On this episode Calum Johnston visits Glen Neilson at Park Farm Dairy where they discussed introduction of Solar PV. Through speaking to Glen it was clear to me that on his family’s dairy farm, their unsung hero is technology – whilst introducing solar PV was a substantial upfront investment, the ability to run the dairy, the bottling plant, and in future make a good financial return by selling into the grid- from a shed roof that otherwise wasn’t doing anything, is a benefit to the farm, the business, and the environment.

Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems tells us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.

Related FAS Resources

Technical Note (TN682): Solar Photovoltaics (PV)

Renewables FAQ's | Helping farmers in Scotland

Farm Scale Renewables Energy Guide

Improving Energy Efficiency on the Dairy Farm | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Robotics: An Insiders Guide to Starting out with AMS Webinar

For more information, visit 

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”. In this episode Calum Johnston visits James Strang at Temples Farm where they discussed Genomics. Through speaking to James Strang, it was clear that on his dairy farm, their unsung hero is data. Data is allowing them to input into their mating programme – selecting best performing cattle for the job from the best part of the herd.

Later in the episode, James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems, will tell us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.

Related FAS Resources

Stock Talk: Dairy Genomics | FAS

Dairy Herd Management | Helping farmers in Scotland

MMN January 2025 - Should You be Using Genomic Testing? | Helping farmers in Scotland

For more information, visit 

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”. In this episode Calum Johnston visits Heather Close at Littleton farm where they discussed outwintering and rotational grazing. Through speaking to Heather, it was clear that on her beef farm, their unsung hero is biodiversity – many farmers would be aghast at the thought of weeds on their farm, but thistles and nettles are the unsung heroes for Littleton Farm.

Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems will tell us more about this Unsung Hero of biodiversity, the benefits, things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm, croft, and on the planet!

Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.

This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.

Related FAS Resources

Biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland

Biodiversity On Your Farm | Helping farmers in Scotland

Climate Change resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service

For more information, visit  www.fas.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

Cattle wintering is an unavoidable and hugely important aspect of livestock management in Scotland. Whether stock are housed in traditional courts or managed outdoors on forage crops, wintering systems sit at the heart of animal performance, farm workload and long-term land stewardship. These decisions are not only about keeping cattle fed and sheltered; they influence soil structure, nutrient use, biodiversity and business resilience in a climate where winters can be long, wet and increasingly unpredictable.

In-wintering cattle offers farmers greater control over nutrition, health management, and environmental conditions. Housing cattle can reduce exposure to harsh weather, support targeted feeding strategies, and make it easier to monitor body condition and wellbeing, particularly in youngstock or higher-value animals. For many farms, in-wintering also helps protect vulnerable soils, reducing poaching and allowing fields to rest during the wetter months.

Out-wintering, whether on deferred grass, forage crops, or purpose-designed out-wintering pads, comes with its own advantages. Lower housing and machinery costs, reduced slurry handling, and the potential for improved cow fitness are significant attractions. Many farmers also value the labour efficiencies of out-wintering systems. When well-managed and matched to land capability, out-wintering can help reduce input costs and support more nature-friendly grazing practices — though careful attention to ground conditions, shelter and welfare is essential.

In this episode, we sit down with Beef and Sheep Specialist, Lorna Shaw for a broad discussion on the options available to farmers and crofters while considering whether to in or out-winter cattle and how to balance key management considerations, like land capability, infrastructure and performance targets. At the same time we'll cover how best to work with the landscape, protect from environmental damage and blend practicality with innovation and sustainable land management.

Want to get in touch with Lorna? You can get a hold of her via telephone on 01738 505069 or by email at lorna.shaw@sac.co.uk.

Related Resources

Stock Talk - James Biggar & Lorna Galloway | FAS

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie are joined by Andrew Coalter to discuss what the recent Autumn Budget means for farming.

Timestamps

02:05 Upcoming deadlines

04:51 Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF)

06:35 Greening 2026

07:34 Introduction to Andrew Coalter

09:45 Autumn budget - overall summary

11:47 Autumn budget – Relief (APR & BPR)

14:08 Autumn budget - Practical Advice

22:54 Autumn budget – Personal tax

26:45 Autumn budget – National living wage

28:38 Autumn budget – Capital allowances

33:01 Autumn budget - Other changes

35:10 Making tax digital

37:20 Upcoming events

FAS Resources

Business and Policy December 2025 - Management Matters - Autumn Budget

https://www.fas.scot/article/business-and-policy-december-2025-management-matters-autumn-budget/

Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme

https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/scottish-suckler-beef-support-scheme/

FAS Events

https://www.fas.scot/events/

For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot