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PODCAST

Thrill Of The Hill

Farm Advisory Service

This is a podcast about hill farming in Scotland, brought to you by the Scottish Farm Advisory Service. 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.

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All Episodes

38:07

Talking Timber

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2022/05/11

Consider sooner rather than later where integrated farm forestry could benefit your agricultural business, and seek professional, impartial advice at the earliest opportunity- it takes time to develop a new woodland creation, and with high demand/limited resources in market at present, it’s worth starting this process as early as possible.Farm forestry doesn’t have to be about planting whole farms in trees, and it isn’t a bad thing- integrated farm forestry can improve the productivity of your land,

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41:29

The Great Yellow Bumblebee

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2022/03/29

2017 saw the start of Scotland’s Pollinator Strategy, now in 2022 and half way through a ten-year plan, the role and importance of pollinators has only become more significant. Pollinators play an important role in the provision of ecosystem services across the country, impacting on biodiversity and productive farming in equal measure.We talk to The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Katy Malone about conservation efforts around the national priority species, great yellow bumblebee. We discuss the

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36:44

Hen harrier management

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/12/20

A national priority species and apex predator, the hen harrier is a unique and important bird within the farmed upland environment. Despite this, historic bad practices, burning and lack of predator control have placed increased pressure on a vulnerable population.We talk to RSPB officer Daniel Brown about the importance of hen harrier, their function within the uplands and the beneficial management practices farmers and landowners can take to improve and enhance habitat for them.Also up for

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55:06

A wilder Scotland?

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/12/16

For many farmers, crofters and landowners in Scotland rewilding is a new and intimidating frontier, the prospect of rewilding and reintroduction of species previously native to Scotland presents challenges, concerns and opportunities. We talk to rewilding advocate and Executive Director forScotland: The Big Picture, Peter Cairns about how rewilding and reintroductions can be part of the answer to Scotland’s biodiversity crisis. We talk defining rewilding, success stories, managing conflicts.Also up

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47:02

Natural flood management

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/12/13

Changes brought on by climate change will set new challenges for farmers and landowners, with periods of intense heat and dry conditions being followed by milder and wetter winters. At the same time, Scotland is renowned for its lochs and catchments, that contribute to Scotland’s natural capital. We talk to Nature Scot advisor, Ian Cornforth about the state of Scotland’s water environment, the need for water retention, green engineering and nature-based solutions to aid good management of our

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59:12

Sustainable principles

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/12/10

Managing Scotland’s landscapes sustainably is what all farmers, crofters and landowners seek to achieve. For years now there has been a steady increase in the number of land managers turning to organics, and regenerative practices are gathering momentum; at the same time the idea of farming holistically is also on the rise. we talk to beef and business consultant, Robert Ramsay and head of the Farm Business Survey, Sascha Grierson about farming organically, using regenerative practices and taking a

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43:29

Working for waders

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/10/29

In this episode of the Thrill of The Hill podcast, host Alex Pirie chats to Patrick Laurie fromWorking For Waders.They discuss the decline of waders in Scotland, the practical steps that farmers can take to counter the biodiversity crisis as well as reflect on good practice, the trees versus waders debate amongst other topics.Find out more about how to manage farmland for waders on the FAS website at:https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/how-to-provide-for-wading-birds/

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46:04

Nature Friendly Farming Network

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/10/22

In the shadow of COP26 Scotland prepares to host the world as we agree common targets and policies to combat climate change, equally important is the biodiversity crisis.Alex Pirie from the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks toNature Friendly Farming Networkcoordinator, Phil Knott about how Scotland is addressing biodiversity decline, the need for a conservation calculator and the effectiveness of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS). Also up for discussion is crofting’s contribution to

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48:58

Heather Management

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/10/12

Scotland is host to the largest concentration of heather moorland in the world with huge biodiversity interest and carbon holding potential.Alex Pirie from the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to British Moorlands advisor, Dick Bartlett about the state of Scotland’s moorlands, with conversation ranging from hot topics like burning, as well as swiping and grazing for heather management, the carbon holding potential of peat and biodiversity value of these unique habitats. Also up for discussion is

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50:09

Farming for 1.5 degrees

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/07/21

Farming as with all other industries has been set the challenge of operating more efficiently and sustainably in the face of climate change. To achieve a roadmap for the future Scottish Government and other special interest groups have been investigating and evaluating options to improve the green credentials of farming generally. In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to dairy farmer and contributor to the 1.5 Degrees in Agriculture report, John Smith

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39:43

Finishing well

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/05/29

Beef finishing has long been seen as an inherently intensive activity, however finishing beef cattle at grass can be a productive use of time, while contributing to good habitat management and a lower input, more sustainable system. This episode we speak to beef specialist Lesley Wylie (SAC Consulting) about the challenges faced by the beef sector and some of the practical steps that can be overcome them. Also up for discussion is the responsibility of the beef sector generally to tackle the issues

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52:27

Concentrating on calving

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/05/28

Calving is one of the busiest times of the year for those in the beef sector and a crucial time for things to go right! A successful calving has huge business and climate impacts as well as of health, welfare and farmer mindset. The Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to returning contributor and beef specialist Robert Ramsay (SAC Consulting) about the sector’s state of play post Brexit, top tips for calving success and the importance of keeping safe while working with cattle. Also up for discussion

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40:47

Flock Resilience

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/05/27

While a Brexit trade deal has taken some pressure off the sheep sector the changing political and agricultural landscape means that it must adapt to the new challenges of climate change and biodiversity decline. In episode twelve of theThrill of the Hillseries the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to sheep specialist Kirsten Williams (SAC Consulting) about flock resilience and what that actually means in the face of challenging and uncertain times. Also up for discussion is the importance of body

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01:16:08

Research and Policy

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/01/22

Research and development within Scottish agriculture will be key to a successful green recovery, building an efficient and sustainable rural economy and mitigating against the threats posed by climate change. In this special bonus episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) is fortunate to talk to Prof Davy McCracken, Head of the Hill & Mountain Research Centre about innovations in agriculture, as specifically the uplands. Topics include driving efficiency and better

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46:02

Lime & Soil Health

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/01/21

The ability to improve your land is crucial at a time when productivity and efficiency are informing future policy and business resilience. The hills and uplands have a reputation for being difficult to improve, and declining agricultural activity means that these areas are reverting back to a less productive natural state. Liming and control of soil pH offers the opportunity to improve the condition of your soil and can be done sustainably.In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm

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46:15

Enhancing Peatlands

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/01/20

Scotland’s land and topography presents challenges for upland farmers across the country, but in many ways, it is also a blessing in disguise. Peatland, while not conventionally productive, provides important habitat and ecosystem services for farmers and the wider general public, retaining water, capturing carbon and providing important niche habitat for national priority species. Sustainable management of peatland will contribute to Scotland’s climate goals and mitigate against biodiversity

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43:54

Common Grazings for Common Good

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/01/15

Common Grazings – and crofting counties more broadly – have a crucial and unique role to play in tackling the decline of biodiversity in Scotland. Because of the mosaic of small distinct habitats in close proximity, coupled with expansive rough grazings and heath, many crofts are microcosms of the habitats across Scotland. This in tandem with the typically more extensive, low input management systems makes crofts and Common Grazings hugely important for biodiversity. In this episode of the Thrill of

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01:09:04

Deer Farming & Management

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/01/15

Deer farming in Scotland and across Britain is a growing sector with huge potential, whether it is wild deer on the uplands or lowland domesticated units. In the face of threats like climate change and biodiversity decline deer offers a resilient alternative to beef and sheep. In this episode of the Thrill of the Hill series the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) talks to Dick Fairplay, John Fletcher and Allan Sneddon of the Venison Advisory Service. Topics covered include; a review of the domestic venison

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52:19

Wildcats

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2021/01/14

Listen to field manager, Keri Langridge about the newSaving Wildcatsproject when she chats with agricultural and conservation consultant, Alex Pirie in the sixth episode of our Thrill of The Hill series.Functionally extinct in Scotland, the Scottish wildcat is an important species on several fronts, ecological, historical, and cultural. However, the species has seen decades of persecution which has led to population decline and now with the new threat of hybridisation the species is on the ropes

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46:21

Renewables

Thrill Of The Hill ·

2020/09/25

Alex is joined by Iain Boyd to discuss the potential of renewables in farms across Scotland. The potential our landscape and geography have for different types of renewable energy, and what conditions are currently conducive to their addition to your business.Renewables have an important part to play in the fight against climate change, allowing Scotland to transition from fossil fuels to greener alternatives. Generally, the uplands present the greatest opportunity for uptake of large scale

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