Scotland's Farm Advisory Service

Managing arable field margins for biodiversity is becoming increasingly relevant with agri-environment schemes and the advent of the new greening rules. This video provides advice on how to get the most out of margins, for wildlife and your business: youtu.be/wyyGmollpEk

Labour shortages are driving more producers to Automated Milking Systems. In 2025, FAS hosted events for current and future users - this article shares key insights to get the most from AMS 🐄 fas.scot/article/regene… @scotdairyhub

Want to catch up with the latest in Scottish agriculture? Catch up with our March edition of Business and Policy News. Tune in for policy and industry updates and a focus on the relationship between the global environment and Scottish agriculture. ⬇️ player.captivate.fm/episode/4b5a06…

Creating wader scrapes on your farm or croft will provide an excellent feeding resource for wading birds and other wildlife. However, they will only provide maximum benefit if created properly. This video clarifies what is required: youtu.be/hSUZaOsJvYk

Trace minerals are vital for dairy cow health, but copper oversupply is increasingly common. This article looks at the risks and why mineral plans should match actual herd needs, not as a precaution alone. Read here: fas.scot/article/too-mu…

Brona MacDougal, accountant and tax advisor with CT, Brona explains the Inheritance Tax changes which come into effect on the 6th April 2026 along with tax considerations for your family & farming business. Watch here youtu.be/VQkFmXdfKqU @WiAScot @NFUStweets

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week! Check out inspiring podcast episodes with Liz Haines, Pete Black and Cathy Magee, sharing their experiences of neurodivergence in agriculture. fas.scot/podcast/liz-ha… fas.scot/podcast/agri-c… fas.scot/podcast/agri-c… @RSABI @DyslexiaScotlan

The latest Rural Roundup is out now! In this episode we cover important policy and scheme updates. George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie chat to SRUC Professor Steven Thomson about all things policy to help keep you informed. Tune in now ⬇️ player.captivate.fm/episode/9baa00…

From 2026, farmers & crofters will need to complete 2 of the 5 Whole Farm Plan requirements, including a biodiversity audit. The good news – it’s something you can easily do yourself. Find out how 👇 fas.scot/article/biodiv… @scotforestry

In 2024, arable farmers saw a big increase in ergot in their cereal crop, having big financial impact. Could sustainable farming practices be the issue? Samantha Kitchen from SRUC explores the research that is being undertaken for this link: fas.scot/article/could-…

Are you a Woman in Agriculture? We are still taking bookings for our events below! All are welcome to attend. 🍃 Find out more about each event and book a spot! Visit our dedicated page here: fas.scot/events/women-i…

Hedges don’t last forever; they have a finite lifespan and deteriorate over time. They can, however, be rejuvenated by the process of coppicing and given a new lease of life, providing an excellent wildlife habitat and boost biodiversity. Learn more here: youtu.be/8nJ8YLnsBPg

Regenerative farming is becoming a bigger part of milk contract and supply chain discussions. This article shows how applying regenerative principles can boost efficiency, profitability and long‑term resilience within existing systems. ⬇️ fas.scot/article/regene…

What's on at FAS? It's a busy time of year for everyone, but we still have some events! If you have some free time in the evenings why not sign up for one of our webinars? We are also still taking bookings for our Inverness WIA event on 19th March! More at fas.scot/events

Are there better options than the traditional rubber ring method for castrating and tail docking lambs? This video demos Numnuts and ClipFitter, and a local vet discusses whether castration is needed at all—helping you choose what’s best for your flock. youtu.be/K2aS1TD_qaw

Missed our Arable 2026 – Maximising Potential webinar? With cereal market signals harder to read than ever, our experts share insights on understanding the market, building resilience & controlling costs ahead of Harvest 2026. Watch now youtu.be/TKr22R9DF6U @TheAHDB

Are you prepared for any issues with water scarcity? 💧 In this article from the Crops and Soils newsletter, Fiona Salter looks at the recently published guidance by the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) on 'Planning for Water Scarcity' Read more ⬇️ fas.scot/article/planni…

Changes to the 2026 EFA greening rules mean more farms will grow new crops for home‑grown dairy feed. This article looks at crop options that boost energy and protein, and why good grazing and feeding management is key to performance and animal health: fas.scot/article/nutrit…

Have you listened to our Rural Roundup Unsung Heroes series? 🚜 Episode five sees Calum Johnston visit Haggs Farm to talk slurry separation & why machinery is their unsung hero — boosting efficiency, soil health & cutting fertiliser use 🐄 Listen here: player.captivate.fm/episode/2b46d0…

In the current era of geopolitical instability, we need to think about building resilience and security into agriculture and food supply chains. In our article Brady Stevens and Julian Bell from SAC examine key considerations for new alternative crops: fas.scot/article/altern…