Soil is a perennial topic, something that needs to be discussed on a recurring basis, and last time we did so was with Dr Bill Crooks some years ago now.

In this episode, we hear from agricultural consultant and soil management enthusiast Lorna Galloway and talk all manner of things, from improving the uplands, raising soil pH, integrating clover, managing drainage and highlighting the support available for soil sampling under Preparing for Sustainable Farming.

Soil forms the foundation of just about everything we do in agriculture, we like to think of our society as being at the cutting edge, but this is not a new idea. “To be a successful farmer one must first know the nature of the soil” – Xenophon, 400 B.C. More recently, Leonardo Di Vinci is attributed as saying “We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot”.

Want to get in touch with Lorna? She can be contacted at SAC Consulting Stranraer on

01776 702 649 or via email at Lorna.Galloway@sac.co.uk.

FAS Related Materials

https://www.fas.scot/publication/podcast-the-thrill-of-the-hill-lime-soil-health/

https://www.fas.scot/publication/technical-note-tn656-soils-information-texture-liming/

https://www.fas.scot/downloads/valuing-soils-practical-guidance-scottish-farmers/

https://www.fas.scot/downloads/practical-guide-soil-sampling-i-take-soil-sample/

https://www.fas.scot/downloads/farming-better-climate-practical-guide-field-drainage/

https://www.fas.scot/downloads/practical-guide-understanding-soil-carbon/

Mary-Jane Lawrie visits Whitriggs Farm in the Scottish Borders to speak to Lesley Mitchell. They chat about the family farm and how it has evolved over the years, their openness to challenges and change, and how that has allowed Lesley and her family to build a business that supports the family whilst also allowing a good work life balance. Once key change has been converting the business to organic and following a more regenerative agriculture approach, which has required a change in mindset. The farm now runs cattle and deer alongside their organic arable enterprise, making the most of their skills, time and farm assets. Lesley also talks about how she personally makes time for learning, which recently resulted in a trip to Antartica.

FAS Resources

Organics

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Professor Fiona Burnett, an applied plant pathologist at SRUC to discuss the performance of fungicides during the challenging growing season, that has been 2024.

Cropcast is your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Stephenson will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field.

Producer George Gauley, Editor Cameron Waugh, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with the Scottish Government.

Linked FAS Resources

Lothian Crop Trials Webinar - YouTube