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The Rural Roundup

The Rural Roundup

Written by: Farm Advisory Service
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The Rural RoundUp is Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service’s regular Podcast, hosted by Kerry Hammond, featuring a roundup of the latest news, information and opinions from some of our other Podcast show hosts. Listen to find out what new information, events and resources are available through the FAS website, and get to know someone working in Industry with our short segment “What’s on your desk?” Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is funded by the Scottish Government. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.Copyright 2025 Farm Advisory Service Biological Sciences Economics Politics & Government Science
Episodes
  • 6. Unsung Heroes - Agriculture’s Position in the Climate Change Conversation
    Dec 23 2025

    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

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • 5. Unsung Heroes – Haggs Farm – Machinery (Slurry Separator)
    Dec 23 2025

    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


    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • 4. Unsung Heroes – Birks Farm - Efficiency (Calving at Two)
    Dec 23 2025

    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

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
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