SAC Consulting: Perspectives (Spring 2022 | Issue 03)

SPRING EDITION 2022

Supporting sustainable growth

IN THIS ISSUE

STAND UP TO STORMS

FUTURE AG POLICY UNFOLDS

ANTIMICROBIAL USE AT LAMBING

How will we future proof our forests to cope with large wind events?

What’s in store for farming in the next year?

The sheep industry is under pressure to reduce its use of antibiotics

KEEPING YOU UPDATED AND PREPARED FOR CHALLENGES AHEAD

Expanding and growing to meet your needs Welcome to our third issue of Perspectives. As with previous editions, we look at the broadest possible range of issues and topics from across the industry as well as sharing some of the latest developments within SAC Consulting and SRUC. ANDREW LACEY, VICE PRINCIPAL COMMERCIAL & HEAD OF SAC CONSULTING This Spring signals the start of a transition towards a new

EXPANDING AND GROWING TO MEET YOUR NEEDS

agricultural policy in Scotland, where farmers will

We also introduce a range of new recruits in SAC Consulting

increasingly be expected to deliver on meeting government

who bring experience and complementary skills to our teams

targets to reduce on-farm emissions and promote

across the country, allowing us to support you on an ever-

biodiversity. What was far less expected are the recent

increasing range of challenges and opportunities that we now

terrible events taking place in Ukraine. It is clear how fragile

find in our industry. SAC Consulting is investing in these

the food system is and our thoughts are with those people.

people and in developing the skills and capability of all our

The war is having a a huge impact on everyone in farming as

people through our Roots for Growth Academy. Our intention

prices surge and create real difficulties for farmers in

is to ensure that across the country, we maintain a cohort of

Scotland - we are reminded of the original purpose of SAC,

advisors and consultants who can meet your needs.

of improving productivity to build food security, while reducing our collective impact on the planet. Our work

SRUC INVESTING ACROSS THE COUNTRY

has never been more relevant as we aim to support you

WITH BENEFITS TO OUR FARMERS

through this period.

Alongside our investment in our people, I would also like to introduce a range of projects being initiated by SRUC across

We have Sascha Grierson with her observations on

Scotland.

agricultural policy and what it has in store for farming, Fiona Crowden talking antimicrobial usage over the lambing

• The Rural Veterinary Innovation Centre RAVIC, Inverness.

season and Peter Lindsay and George Gauley addressing

• A new Veterinary School for Scotland, based at our Craibstone campus.

rising fertiliser costs. Mark Reed and Rachael Ramsey delve into the balance between public and private funding when it comes to supporting farmers to meet net zero targets and Lorna MacPherson and Alison Clark discuss the different projects being undertaken to develop sustainable breeding and management systems for the dairy sector.

Perspectives Spring 2022

• Opportunity North East constructing Seedpod at our Craibstone campus, supporting sustainable food and drink production, start-up businesses and manufacturing.

• The Dairy Nexus Barony Campus, Dumfries focussing on emerging dairy industry technologies, emissions reduction, and nutrition development.

Starting in Inverness, planning permission has been awarded

and related activities provide a much-needed emphasis

for a new Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre known as

on the dairy industry and will be an inclusive project that

RAVIC. This has great support from Highlands and Islands

combines industry and technology to support the dairy

Enterprise (HIE) and is based on their Inverness Campus,

industry to meet the challenges it faces. This project

making it the ideal location for SRUC and SAC Consulting

represents a real coup for Scotland and SRUC. The funding

to expand its work with businesses and academia. Funding

is Westminster based ‘strength in places’ funding from UK

support has been provided by the European Regional

Innovate. This funding is very difficult to obtain and is

Development Fund Scotland Programme 2014-2020

awarded to projects with the potential to drive economic

and this support has been vital to the project going ahead.

growth and prosperity. To support the Dairy Nexus, SRUC is

RAVIC will support knowledge exchange, development of

investing at the Barony Farm on campus to provide facilities,

new and existing small to medium-sized businesses and will

equipment and spaces that can support the full range of

include areas for new start-ups, community space as well as

knowledge exchange and research activities required.

laboratory spaces to support industry focussed research.

As we move down the country to Aberdeen, SRUC has initiated plans to establish Scotland’s first new Veterinary

Project funding

School in 150 years. Plans for the school are advancing well

In all of these projects, there are external funding

and will make use of our existing array of facilities at our

arrangements and support from government agencies.

Craibstone campus while investing in key additions that

This is compelling and demonstrates a commitment to

support initial student cohorts. The school meets a need,

research and innovation to drive the industry forward,

long identified by the industry, that there are not enough

sending a positive signal that food producers and

large animal vets and technicians to meet demand and

farmers are valued. Investing in these projects will help

that the industry itself is changing.

generate new knowledge and practices to support industry to further progress.

Staying in Aberdeen, SRUC is working in partnership with Opportunity North East (ONE) to facilitate improvement to our Craibstone campus to support the construction of the Seedpod. Seedpod shall support sustainable food and drink

This is our third issue of Perspectives, and we would

production and manufacturing, providing spaces for new

be grateful for your feedback on topics you would like

product development, new business creation and provide a

to see covered in future editions.

focal point for food health, food technology and sustainable food production.

Finally, I’d like to introduce The Dairy Nexus project being initiated at our Barony Campus near Dumfries. This project shall focus on emerging dairy industry technologies, emissions reduction, and nutrition development. The project

Get in touch Andrew.Lacey@sac.co.uk 07384 248397

2

Ag policy: Where are we?

What’s next?

As we move into the transition phase of a new agricultural policy for Scotland’s farmers, the range of consultations, reports, initiatives, and announcements can be hard to keep abreast. The long-term objectives may be clear, but what is in store for farming in the next year?

SASCHA GRIERSON, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, SCOTTISH FARM BUSINESS SURVEY

Farming in Scotland feels like it’s transforming fast. Climate

These recommendations are often shortened to refer to

change is undeniably impacting on our daily lives, input

the three-legged stool: farming for climate, nature and

costs are spiralling, and we are in the midst of a labour crisis

sustainably produced food. There is also, however, the

which has been accelerated by both Brexit and the

urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to

pandemic. Throw into the mix a shake-up in government

reach Net Zero by 2045, with interim targets of a 31%

policy as we head into the transition phase to a new

reduction in emissions over the next 10 years, and the thorny

agricultural policy for Scottish farming in 2025. You could

issue of designing a new system and approach which is just,

be forgiven for wondering what next?

rewarding those who are at different points along the transformation journey and being careful not to penalise

Businesses dislike uncertainty, but when you scrutinise the

those who are further down the road.

government policy picture and the work that has gone into it, much of it in consultation with farmers from different

The Scottish Government has also held an industry wide

sectors, definite trends emerge.

consultation. The results of both the National Test Programme and this consultation will directly inform a paper

The work started with the Farmer Led groups (FLGs) whose

published in 2022 setting out proposals for a future

reports were published in 2021. Last August the Agriculture

Agriculture bill 1 https://www.gov.scot/news/ambitious-

Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) was formed

future-for-rural-scotland/

to work within government to scrutinise and support their policy reform using recommendations from the FLGs, and to

The Rural Policy Unit at SRUC and SAC Consulting co-

set up a National Test Programme. This programme has £51

ordinated a response to this consultation with input from

million of investment money committed over the next three

a wide range of researchers and consultants who work

years with ‘Track 1’ starting this spring.

directly with farmers, crofters and land managers.

Perspectives Spring 2022

The 21 questions asked in the consultation demonstrated

This demonstrates an industry commitment to public

government thinking about specific points of potential

money for public goods, a key move away from the basic

policy intervention. In summary the five themes were:

payment system.

1 Baseline data collection on farm

Track 1 of the National Test programme which is to be rolled out this spring reflects these themes.

2 Capital funding 3 Biodiversity protection 4 Productivity gains 5 Role of Knowledge Exchange, and Research and Development

RECENT GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS • Funding for three new rounds of AECS schemes 2022-2024 • Sustainable Agriculture Capital Grant Scheme (SACGS) opens April 2022 • Pig sector animal health intervention

These themes are all intertwined, and our response reflected this, driven by the principles inherent in that three-legged stool. One intervention does not happen in isolation. The role

• Funding for Carbon audits, soil sampling including soil carbon analysis, and a Suckler Beef livestock performance programme

of research is to drive innovation, knowledge exchange for dissemination and ongoing support for farmers, as different

SAC Consulting will keep you updated as and when these

businesses enter the transition at different points, ensuring

announcements turn into programmes of work which may

a fair and just transition for the industry.

be of interest to individual businesses to apply.

Capital funding must only support interventions that deliver

Our nationwide network of advisors and specialists can help

emission reductions on farm or that contribute to

you navigate this transition not just in responding to grant

improvements on any one of the above themes. Capital

awards, but also in the form of practical advice on the ground

interventions that can support GHG reduction may also

that make these innovations work on farm.

have a productivity benefit, and this is to be accounted for.

The role of technology and data gathering is perhaps a new

Get in touch

one for many farmers to embrace through the establishment

Sascha.Grierson@sac.co.uk

of baseline measurements of key metrics on farm from which

07557 661316

improvement or maintenance of standards can be assessed.

4

Striving for healthy soils New funding by the Scottish Government is now available to land managers looking to improve the nutrient status of their soils and carry out-up-to date soil testing and analysis.

DONALD DUNBAR, SENIOR AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT AND SOUTH EAST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Healthy soils of good nutrient status are the foundation

It was a welcome announcement by the Scottish

of a productive crop and rely on up-to-date soil analysis

Government as it will incentivise those land managers

and good nutrient management.

who are not already investing in nutrient management to prioritise good soil practices.

Many farmers and growers are actively investing in soil analysis on-farm, but may not be doing so frequently

Organic matter (loss on ignition) is also to be included

enough, or fully acting on the results.

as part of the soil test. It is a welcome proposition to not only measure the chemical status of our soils but to have

There may be good reasons for this behaviour, for

an awareness of their biological and carbon state. It is

example budget constraints, which could result in farmers

also good to have a benchmark by which we can see the

prioritising the application of lime in the worst fields or

impact our farming systems are having over an extended

cutting back application rates, meaning the optimum

period - be that good or bad.

status is not reached.

However, there are also incidences where farmers have allowed the frequency of soil analysis to slip, or where

EXAMPLES OF GOOD SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES

testing has been carried out ‘fire brigade style’ after the crop is found to be failing or showing signs of deficiency.

At the annual NFUS conference held in February this year, Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced that there will be funding available for farmers and growers to support soil testing and analysis. This included the imminent introduction of an allowance of around £30 per hectare of Region 1 land for each farming business.

Perspectives Spring 2022

• Rotational breaks • Reduction in structural compaction • Chopping straw • Using muck and slurry and other organic wastes

Incorporating crop residues, utilising available mucks and organic wastes promote good soil biodiversity, contain essential plant nutrients, and add varying degrees of fresh organic matter to the soil. However, I would be concerned if farmers believed raising the level of organic matter in their soils is something that can be changed in the same way as the phosphate or potash status of their soil, or that a market for soil carbon is just around corner.

Soil organic matter should be considered in three different pools. Fresh forms of organic matter are the short-term active fraction which is broken down over one to two years. A portion of what remains becomes medium term intermediate organic matter, of which over many years an even smaller fraction becomes the longterm inert humic fraction. The latter is tied to the soil and is more commonly referred to as sequestered carbon.

SOIL VERSUS FORESTRY CARBON CREDITS The carbon market that exists for forestry is tangible, you can see the woodland grow and the sequestered carbon in the trunks and branches. Accumulating carbon in the soil is a lot less tangible, far more complex and takes time. It can be quickly reversed by changes in practice, therefore discussions around markets for soil carbon credits must be approached with caution.

Get in touch Donald.Dunbar@sac.co.uk 07836 328109

6

Make the most of emerging food trends Consumer food habits have undergone transformational change over the past two years, paving the way for new product developments to capitalise on new and emerging trends.

ALISTAIR TRAIL, PRINCIPAL FOOD & ENTERPRISE CONSULTANT

The events of 2020 sparked a fundamental reset in human

• Functional wellness - Consumers are starting to choose

behaviour, paving the way for one of the biggest changes in

food products not only for the nutrition or enjoyment they

consumer food habits for a generation. With the impact of

provide, but also for the additional functions they can offer

Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, new governmental policy and

to help us live healthier lives. From night-time snacks

the growing awareness by consumers of the environmental

designed to get you ready for bed, to adding superfood

impact of the food and drink supply chain, several new food

ingredients to existing recipes for an extra immunity boost.

trends are coming to the forefront for the industry. There are

Functional foods are popping up across food categories,

five key trends that have become particularly prominent over

promising a greater sense of wellness and control to the

the last 18 months.

consumer.

• Our planet – Consumers are becoming increasingly aware

• Life well-lived – This includes consumers living life slower

of the impact their food choices are having on the

and being more self-indulgent with guilt free consumption.

environment. They are seeking out local products with

Taking time for self-care, as well as rising interest in food

reduced food miles, businesses which commit to ethical

provenance and wild food have also exploded since the

practices, products with sustainable packaging and

pandemic. We have seen the higher in-home consumption

businesses that support efforts to reduce climate change.

of food, including indulgent and reward foods. This has

2/3 customers are willing to pay more for sustainable

sparked a rise in home baking, delivery meal boxes and

products that benefit the planet.

treat foods that would normally be eaten out of the home.

• Plant based – Consumer health and wellness, animal welfare and the rise of vegan/flexitarian/reducitarian are some of the main reasons for the rise of the plant-based category. In 2020 alone, almost 500,000 Brits gave up meat and 33.5% of meat eaters say they are trying to reduce their meat consumption.

Perspectives Spring 2022

SAC Consulting offers a New

Product Development and reformulation service to food and drink businesses in Scotland, to help

create innovative food products.

sustainable products

In the UK, e-commerce share of food and beverage market is expected to

that benefit the planet.

by 2025.

2/3 customers are willing to pay more for

increase 10 times

In 2020 alone, almost 500,000 Brits gave up

meat.

• Convenience and e-commerce – Click and collect, online

Some of the innovative projects we have been involved

delivery and food delivery apps have grown in popularity.

in include the development of non-dairy cheese, Aquafaba,

According to 2021 research, 53% of U.S. shoppers reported

healthy chocolate, seaweed food products and vegan Kuku

that they will likely continue to use online grocery pickup

which is an egg free Persian frittata. The products developed

or delivery, a trend that was previously accelerated by

have also capitalised on new market trends such as:

Covid-19 concerns and is now motivated by consumers’

fermented foods (including Kefirs, Kombuchas); personalised

desire for convenience. In the UK, e-commerce share of

nutrition; snackification; fortification and functional

food and beverage market is expected to increase 10 times

ingredients; healthy fat; plant based & free from foods.

by 2025.

Many of the projects we carry out are funded by the Scottish Keeping ahead of new consumer trends is always difficult when

Funding Council Innovation Voucher system which is

businesses are busy with day-to-day operations. Creative New

administered by Interface. This funding can be used to

Product Development (NPD) is a fantastic way for businesses

develop innovative new food products and businesses can

to position themselves to meet this growing demand.

apply for up to £5K to collaborate with academic partners

SAC Consulting collaborate with the SRUC hospitality chefs at

like SRUC/SAC Consulting to deliver the work.

our Elmwood campus in Cupar, Fife and offer a New Product Development and reformulation service to food and drink businesses in Scotland. We collaborate with businesses to help develop innovative food products for the Scottish market.

Get in touch Alistair.Trail@sac.co.uk 07825 725880

8

Leading the way in dairy research SRUC’s Crichton Royal Farm is not only home to the famous Langhill herd; one of the longest running breeding projects in Holstein Friesian cows, but is also an important hub for dairy research in Scotland.

LORNA MACPHERSON, SENIOR DAIRY CONSULTANT ALISON CLARK, SENIOR AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT & AREA MANAGER

Crichton Royal Farm extends to 300ha and supports a herd of

Table 1: Langhill Herd Diet Details and Herd Performance

430 cows plus 170 replacement heifers. The herd was milked three times per day prior to the Covid pandemic and thereafter moved to twice daily, allowing for great flexibility with labour should staff be required to isolate - cows are milked at 12 hourly intervals, 6am and 6pm.

High Energy Concentrate Fed t/cow/lactation

4.5t

Forage Inclusion

40%

The Langhill herd was established in 1970 when it was housed at the Dick Vet School in Edinburgh. The cows are bred on two distinct genetic lines; High Genetic Merit and Control Genetic Merit, selected from production of milk solids. Cows from both genetic groups are managed identically on two distinct feeding systems, the focus of which changes every five years. Currently,

High Genetic Merit Performance

10,900l

4.21% Fat 3.48% Prot.

Control Genetic Merit Performance

9,700l

3.83% Fat 3.21% Prot.

Standard Energy

we have cows on high energy and standard energy rations, as shown in Table 1.

The aim of any research carried out at the farm is to develop and implement sustainable breeding and management systems for dairy cows, with a strong focus on health and welfare, carbon footprint, soil health and biodiversity.

Perspectives Spring 2022

Concentrate Fed t/cow/lactation

1.5t

Forage Inclusion

60%

High Genetic Merit Performance

9,200l

4.63% Fat 3.56% Prot.

Control Genetic Merit Performance

8,500l

4.12% Fat 3.21% Prot.

GrASTech is a European wide project focusing on reducing

This ambitious project will lead the way in innovations which

greenhouse gas emissions from grazed livestock and the role

will improve the sustainability of the dairy sector, not only at

that precision technologies have in supporting this.

farm level, but across the dairy supply chain.

Work carried out by Dr Holly Ferguson on improving fertility in a 225-cow herd, yielding 8000l, showed that emissions

Crichton Royal Farm has always been a willing host to

can be reduced by up to 8% when calving intervals and

visitors from across the UK and further afield, relishing

mortality rates are reduced, and milk yield increased by

the opportunity to highlight its work to the wider farming

adopting heat detection and health monitoring technology.

community. Due to Covid, the farm has been closed to visitors for almost two years but will reopen its doors on

Increasing the amount of plant protein grown and utilised

Thursday 28th April 2022 in a joint event with AHDB.

in Europe is the focus of the Legumes Translated project.

Anyone with an interest in the UK dairy industry is

Work at Crichton has focused on incorporating beans into

encouraged to come along and hear more about the

the rations to reduce the requirement for soya and rapemeal

work being carried out on-farm.

in the dairy cow ration, as well as demonstrating to farmers about the growth and use of various legumes. https://www.sruc.ac.uk/research/facilities-capabilities/ Crichton Royal Farm is home to the AgriEpi Calf Research

dairy-research-innovation-centre/

& Innovation centre, one of three dairy focused research facilities across the UK which provide world class dairy research and development facilities. Here, our researchers

Later in the year, there will be an opportunity to visit Barony

use the latest in precision technology, such as animal

campus to hear more about the Dairy Nexus project and the

mounted sensors, automated weigh cells and feed stations,

work being undertaken to reduce carbon emissions in dairy

to pioneer research into early calf health and development.

farming. Look out for updates on both these events in SAC Consulting communications, social media, and the

The WELL-CALF project being undertaken at present aims

farming press.

to use precision technology to develop a cloud-based decision-making platform for dairy and beef farms, helping farmers make more informed decisions on factors such as nutrition and health management.

The work carried out by SRUC researchers and the impact on the UK dairy industry will increase with the development of the Dairy Nexus project which will be based at SRUC’s second dairy farm, Barony, on the outskirts of Dumfries.

Get in touch Lorna.Macpherson@sac.co.uk 07760 990901 Alison.Clark@sac.co.uk 07919 175431

10

Strengthening forests to stand up to storms With an increasing number of storms hitting the UK, we are seeing more frequent windblow events across the country.

How do we mitigate this?

KEIR SMITH, FORESTRY CONSULTANT Since November 2021, forest owners have experienced

planted at a high density, meaning they rely on each other

three serious storm which have caused devastating

for stability. If it is a young forest, it may be at a stage

windblow to forests.

where silvicultural management can be introduced to thin out weaker trees, suppressed and dead trees. The idea

From these storm events, it is estimated that over 6000ha

behind this is to slowly open the forest, which in turn will

of forests have been affected by windblow. How will we

expose the trees to wind, forcing the trees to make

future proof our forests to cope with large wind events

themselves more stable.

that could become more frequent?

One benefit of beginning early management of a forest, Unfortunately, there isn’t an exact answer to this, as there

is the possibility of managing that forest in a continuous

are too many variables to consider in relation to soils, tree

cover manner. This is a management alternative to clear

rooting depth, topography, moisture levels and many more.

felling, where a more diverse forest is sought structurally

We also need to consider, is the forest being created for

and in terms of species composition. This can be seen as

shelter, future income for timber or biodiversity? Whilst

a way to reduce the risks posed by future climate changes

there is no reason why it can’t be designed with multiple

and other threats.

objectives in mind, we can do this better if we understand a site’s capability and make the most of the variables.

When thinking about establishing a forest, understanding the soil type is an important first step. This is to identify

So, what can be done to try to make forests more stable?

soil type, fertility and soil depth, amongst other things.

Firstly, it depends on what stage the forest is currently at.

Once this is understood, then the appropriate ground

Is it a standing block or is it in the design phase for

preparation can be chosen and matched to the most

woodland creation or restocking?

suitable tree species for the site. Different tree species have different requirements, rooting depths and growth

If it is an established conifer block, it may not respond to

rates. An area may require different ground preparation

silvicultural management. Introducing a thinning regime

techniques in order to fit with the soil types or desired

may destabilise the forest. This is due to the trees being

outcome.

Perspectives Spring 2022

Forest Research has an excellent range of decision

Selecting the correct ground preparation for the site should be seen as an investment in the future success of a forest, by providing a well-aerated, weed-free planting position and disrupting barriers to tree root penetration.

support tools available; two commonly used tools are Ecological Site Classification (ESC) and ForestGALES. These are computer-based support tools that aid forest managers in selecting tree species that are ecologically suited to sites, instead of trying to enhance the site to suit and aid in estimating the probability of wind damage.

Further information on these support tools can be found at https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-andresources/fthr/ In addition to Forest Research, Scottish Forestry has also published several guidance documents around ground preparation and preparing woodland creation applications that aid in decision-making. These can be found at https:// forestry.gov.scot/support-regulations/woodland-creation Unfortunately, windblow events will naturally occur from time to time. To aid in mitigating against them, it is important to plan and actively manage forests to make them more resilient for future climatic challenges.

Although early management of forests may be viewed as unprofitable, the financial implications of clearing a large amount of windblow further down the line could be higher.

To aid in early thinning operations, you may need to look at alternative markets as a way of attracting income.

Currently, there is no available support through government grants to allow for pre-commercial thinning out with specific areas such as designated sites (SSSI, SAC etc) and Woodland In and Around Towns (WIAT) areas. But with climate change predictions and the certainly of more high wind events, is this an area Scottish Forestry needs to address? Could payments be made available to encourage pre-commercial silvicultural operations and could woodland creation grants have incentives within them to encourage better ground preparation or higher payments for more intensive silvicultural techniques?

SAC Consulting has an experienced forestry and woodlands team who can help you understand the variables of a site and aid in planning to mitigate against future windblow events.

Get in touch Keir.Smith@sac.co.uk 07880 784813

12

Minimising antimicrobial use at lambing In the lambing shed, antibiotics are not a substitute for lax hygiene. Good management of ewes and lambs will ensure the responsible use of antimicrobials.

FIONA CROWDEN, SAC CONSULTING VETERINARY INVESTIGATION OFFICER

The sheep industry is under pressure to reduce its use

hands – there is no need to routinely give antibiotics

of antibiotics. There is currently no accurate data on

following an assisted lambing. If you are reaching for an

antibiotic use in sheep in the UK, which should be an

antibiotic bottle to treat a sick ewe, always ensure you are

uncomfortable statement for vets and farmers alike.

using the 4 Ds – the correct Drug for a known Disease,

AHDB has created the Medicine Hub (available at ahdb.

used at the right Dose for the correct Duration of time.

org.uk/medicine-hub) designed as an online medicine

You should have a clear treatment plan for lambing in

book, which will indirectly collect data from across the

place through consultation with your vet. SRUC Veterinary

UK to produce industry figures and encourage

Services works with farmers and vets to identify bacterial

benchmarking for antibiotic use in different systems.

pathogens and produce antibiotic sensitivity profiles, useful on farm for targeted treatment but this also forms

Antibiotic use on sheep farms increases significantly

part of the national monitoring programme for patterns

around lambing time, especially in indoor flocks. This

of antimicrobial resistance.

means that on most farms, there are opportunities to consider and perhaps reduce the antibiotics used over

The main use of antibiotics in lambs is in the prevention

the season.

of watery mouth, a bacterial infection of neonatal lambs caused by ingestion of E. coli. The only drug licenced for

If you are one of the estimated 10% of farmers using

the prevention of watery mouth, Spectam, has been

oxytetracycline routinely during pregnancy to prevent

withdrawn from market after sales halved in recent years.

Enzootic abortion (EAE), then vaccination provides a

There is solace to be taken from this – many farmers have

more effective, cost effective and socially responsible

managed to control watery mouth without depending on

alternative. SRUC Veterinary Services can screen blood

antibiotics using good quality colostrum given in

samples from ewes or test samples from aborted ewes to

sufficient quantity to lambs which are housed in a

screen for evidence of the presence of EAE on your farm.

hygienic environment.

In the lambing shed, antibiotics are not a substitute for lax hygiene; so, when lambing ewes wear gloves or have clean

Perspectives Spring 2022

“A blood sample from a few lambs at the start of lambing, using a ZST test, can provide reassurance that your lambs are getting the colostrum they need.”

Quality colostrum in ewes, depends on good genetics, but also needs ewes to arrive at lambing in ideal body condition with their energy and protein needs in late pregnancy having been met. SRUC Veterinary Services provide cost effective laboratory testing to evaluate the late pregnancy ration by analysis of blood samples taken 3-4 weeks prior to lambing for beta hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) and urea, giving farmers time to alter the ration if required prior to lambing. Lambs need to ingest sufficient colostrum to provide a defence against bacteria in the environment. A blood sample from a few lambs at the start of lambing, using a ZST test, can provide reassurance that your lambs are getting the colostrum they need.

The most important thing when it comes to the end of lambing, once the sleep debt has been repaid, is to take time to reflect and plan improvements alongside

The 4 Ds If you are reaching for an antibiotic bottle to treat

your vet, consultant or nutritionist for the year to come.

a sick ewe, always ensure you are using the 4 Ds -

Get in touch

The correct Drug for a known Disease,

Fiona.Crowden@sruc.ac.uk

used at the right Dose for the correct

Duration of time.

01224 711168

14

Managing rising fertiliser costs on-farm As fertiliser costs continue to soar, there has been a lot of debate about how much bagged nitrogen farmers and growers should apply to crops in the year ahead.

PETER LINDSAY, PRINCIPAL AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT, PERTHSHIRE GEORGE GAULEY, AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT, SAC CONSULTING, ST BOSWELLS

With rising input costs impacting on many farming

Depending on a range of factors such as previous crop,

businesses, farmers and growers are encouraged to pay

soil type and rainfall, the nitrogen requirement to achieve

careful attention to how much nitrogen they need to

this yield can vary from 100Kg N/ha – 250Kg N/ha.

apply to their soils as fertiliser costs continue to rise.

Before applying this as bagged nitrogen, farmers and growers will also need to account for nitrogen applied

HOW MUCH NITROGEN IS REQUIRED?

from manures and take in to account any NVZ restrictions.

Standrd winter wheat response curve 12.00

BER =

Pence/Kg of N Pence/Kg Grain

10.00 8.00

A break-even ratio (BER), can be used to calculate the

t/ha 6.00

economic adjustment - the amount of grain needed to pay for 1kg of nitrogen. The nitrogen recommendation rates

4.00

shown in SAC Technical Note (TN 731) and NVZ guidance

2.00

notes In Scotland are based on a BER of 3:1 for winter 0

50

100

150

200

250

300

cereals and 2.5:1 for spring cereals and oilseed rape.

Kg/N/ha

However, over the past year, nitrogen prices have risen The graph above shows that for a 10t/ha winter wheat crop,

dramatically resulting in much higher BERs and therefore

the optimum nitrogen requirement is approximately

the standard nitrogen recommendations should be

200Kg/ha.

reduced as shown in the table.

Perspectives Spring 2022

Example

Once the BER exceeds 7.5, no further reductions should be made as the response curve becomes steeper,

Actual BER

Reduce by kg/ha N W cereals & OSR

S cereals & OSR

2.5 - 3.5

0

0

>3.5 - 4.5

11

8

>4.5 - 5.5

22

16

>5.5 - 6.5

33

24

>6.5 - 7.5

44

32

>7.5

55

40

meaning that reduction in yield increases with each Kg reduction in nitrogen applied.

The range of BER this year is extremely wide depending on when fertiliser was purchased. Those who bought fertiliser cheaper in the summer could arguably apply more nitrogen to their crops this year, however with fertiliser prices looking more likely to be sustained into 2023, more growers are considering carrying greater amounts of cheaper sourced product over into 2023.

Your local SAC Consulting consultant can help you calculate your BER and allow you to optimise your return on investment, even when fertiliser prices are at unprecedently high levels.

-Ammonium nitrate (34.5%N) = £570/t (165p/KgN) -Grain (winter wheat) = £220/t (22p/Kg) -BER = 7.5:1 (7.5 Kg grain required to pay for 1 Kg N. Based on the example above, the farmer should consider reducing their bagged nitrogen recommendation by 44Kg nitrogen/ha for a crop of winter wheat.

Get in touch Peter.Lindsay@sac.co.uk 07786 126691 George.Gauley@sac.co.uk 07760 990821

16

Private funding bolsters farming’s net zero journey Are privately funded agri-environmental schemes needed, alongside publicly funded schemes, to help farming play its part in the race to net zero?

MARK REED, PROFESSOR OF RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SRUC RACHAEL RAMSEY, SCIENTIFIC AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT LEAD, AGRECALC, SAC CONSULTING

Research by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is

investment via LENs, which offer a simplified evaluation

demonstrating how private investment in ecosystem

process, to publicly funded agri-environment alternatives.

services could have an important role to play in reducing

The project, carried out in partnership with the

on-farm emissions.

universities of Newcastle, Leeds and Liverpool, and Nestle UK, among others, also sought to understand if the

The Resilient Dairy Landscapes project explored the

implementation of on-farm interventions under the

trade-offs between farmers’ livelihoods, the natural

Cumbrian scheme affected the prevalence, and incidence

environment, and a stable supply of reasonably priced

of vector borne diseases in grazing cattle. The study found

dairy products. It evaluated the operation of Landscape

there was no impact from planting more hedgerows on

Enterprise Networks (LENs), which match private investors

vector-borne diseases such as summer mastitis.

affected by landscape challenges, with land managers.

Lead researcher at SRUC, Mark Reed, said the findings The £1.5m project undertaken by SRUC and funded by

were important because they demonstrated the

the Global Food Security programme, explored LENs in

important role hedgerow planting can play in meeting

Cumbria and East Anglia, as well as initiating the first

net zero targets. He said the research also showed how

networks in South West Scotland and supporting their

carbon finance could speed this process up and make

expansion into Europe.

hedgerow planting more attractive to farmers.

Farmers in the Eden Valley, Cumbria, were found to have

“LENs are now a proven method for enabling companies

planted hedgerows four times faster under the privately

to invest in the natural capital they depend upon,”

funded Nestle-First Milk scheme, than through public

Professor Reed explained. “The research shows that if

agri-environment schemes. According to the project’s

designed well, privately funded schemes can be more

researchers, this suggested that private sector investment

attractive to farmers than publicly funded agri-

may also be needed to reach the UK’s ambitious net-zero

environment schemes, because they are more flexible.”

targets. Farmers interviewed said they preferred private

Perspectives Spring 2022

The SRUC team are now working with the Sustainable Soils

Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, whilst

Alliance, FWAG South West, University of Leeds, the Royal

reducing agricultural GHG emissions and enhancing

Agricultural University and others to develop a UK Farm

carbon sequestration is a fundamental component on

Soil Carbon Code to enable farmers who switch to

the transitional pathway to net zero for agriculture and

regenerative farming methods to benefit from carbon

the wider food chain industry. There is no doubt that

markets. The goal is to generate new revenue streams for

carbon auditing of on-farm enterprises, combined with

farmers that could make regenerative practices such as

soil carbon testing, will be an integral component of this

no-till or biochar application more financially attractive,

process, especially considering new Scottish

whilst providing investors with assurances that the climate

Government plans.

mitigation benefits are long-term and wouldn’t have happened without their investment.

This year will see exciting developments for SAC

on farm,” to include agroforestry systems into

Consulting’s world-leading carbon footprint and

Agrecalc’s biomass sequestration model. The

resource efficiency tool, Agrecalc; developed together

challenges and pressures facing the agricultural

with SRUC researchers. As well as migrating to a new

industry may be unprecedented, but Agrecalc is here

cloud-based platform, with complete data integration

to support agricultural sustainability using the best

capability and enhanced user functionality, recent

independent scientific validated research data and

updates have included a soil carbon sequestration

metrics available, to meet the changing needs of its

module built on IPCC methodology and a woodland

ever-expanding user base in Scotland and beyond!

and hedgerow model which reflects the latest climate-specific IPCC Tier I sequestration equations for different forest types. The Agrecalc scientific

Get in touch

development team of Rachael Ramsey and Kaia

Mark.Reed@sruc.ac.uk

Waxenberg are now actively working to expand upon

07538 082343

this framework, to further refine the soil carbon

Rachael.Ramsey@sac.co.uk

module and incorporate a greater diversity of “trees

0738 595 0447

18

Scaling up from landscapes Everybody has a role to play in shaping the future of our planet – no matter how small our part may seem, we must embrace this shared sense of responsibility.

BRADY STEVENS, RURAL BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS CONSULTANT

The past few decades have made increasingly clear,

restoration, tourism, and how they come together in an

that we are all interconnected through the earth’s natural

interconnected web. Like sub-catchments, it is essential

systems: the sum of humanity’s actions (namely,

to be able to break down our land areas such that we can

our greenhouse gas emissions) will drive us further into

make targeted changes. How big a circle should be drawn

or out of the climate and nature crises.

to encompass a local food system? A habitat for a protected species? A regional economy?

The planetary scale of these paramount issues can be daunting and confusing. This is what makes climate change

While it is usually impossible to draw a line on a map which

such a wicked problem, that it needs to be addressed by

cleanly bounds all the systems involved, the landscape

everyone, simultaneously, at global scale (all 510 million

scale is a promising model with which to understand the

square kilometres of Earth).

benefits and challenges inherent in land use change.

Intermediate scales such as landscapes are being

Other environmental issues can be understood at smaller

embraced by partnerships and other groups and consider

scales. When setting out to improve or maintain the water

areas that can range from tens to thousands of square

quality of a river, catchment scale makes sense because

kilometres. These framings strive to meet socio-

everything upstream and all land uses within the

environmental challenges on the scale that they operate.

catchment boundary must be considered when assessing

From a biodiversity perspective, wild flora and fauna need

the changes to be made. This also means, that if we

sufficient space to live and thrive without being

improve the health of each burn draining into the river

detrimentally impacted by humans. Every tree planted

(its sub-catchments), we will have achieved the goal of

and hectare of peat restored counts in terms of carbon

cleaning up the larger river. Those working to improve and

sequestration, but linking up projects in space (e.g., in

maintain the quality of our lochs and rivers have the

forestry corridors) connects habitats and impacts

advantage of these clear boundaries within which to focus

landscape character.

their efforts. Catchments can be drawn clearly as lines on a map and further broken down into sensible sub-units.

Communities thrive when they have access to a robust diversity of local enterprises and land uses in which to

What about the other facets of the environment we must

work, live, and play. Finally, while we each physically inhabit

improve? At which scales are they best understood? At

only a small piece of the land, we all share and have a stake

SAC Consulting, many of our projects involve land use and

in the landscapes we can view outside our windows.

land use change, including agriculture, forestry, peatland

Perspectives Spring 2022

The character and meaning of that landscape is something that needs to be decided by everyone who thinks of it as home. The scale of the landscape provides a perspective which allows us to join up these diverse outcomes, choose changes which have multiple benefits, and understand the connections to larger and smaller scales. Similar to sub-catchments, if we can get each landscape unit running efficiently, we will have achieved our goals for the (more unwieldy) national and global scales.

Our places and ways of life are nested within these concentric circles. Changes in rural environments cut across scales as detriments or improvements to these different systems, perhaps: the area’s biodiversity, the region’s freshwater system, the nation’s identity, the earth’s carbon budget. For those of us with influence over what happens on any amount of land or water, we are expected to make decisions that promote the wellbeing of others. Just as it is easy to be blind to our unseen impacts, we stand to gain from understanding the full extent of the improvements we create. After breaking these challenges down to their component parts, we need to scale back up, amalgamate sub-systems, and have an eye to our place in the global picture and memory. Understanding how these successes have been won is key to our surviving and thriving throughout the upheaval to come.

Scottish Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-landrights-responsibilities-statement/

Get in touch Brady.Stevens@sac.co.uk 07880 243098

20

Meet the new starts

Hannah Gillies

Kaia Waxenberg

Rachael Ramsey

Agricultural Technician, Portree

Agrecalc Scientific Translation, Edinburgh

Scientific and Research Lead, Agrecalc

Skills I am from a crofting family in the north end of Skye. I have practical experience working with beef cattle and sheep.

Skills Carbon footprinting, plant ecology, R programming, data analysis.

Skills Agroecology, GHG emissions, Soil nutrient cycling, Research, Project management.

Fun fact I have a keen interest in interior design and most of my spare time is taken up by various DIY projects.

Fun fact Kaia is currently working on her yoga teaching certification!

Fun fact I enjoy hill walking, archery, and running (slowly!).

Aleksandra Stevanovic

Niall Depledge

Jessica Armstrong

Aleksandra Stevanovic, Marketing Manager, Agrecalc

Niall Depledge, Agrecalc Product Lead, Edinburgh

Customer Development Manager, Edinburgh, Agrecalc

Skills Search Engine Optimisation, Writing & Editing, Digital Marketing, Linguistics & Semiotics, Organisation.

Skills Building great products, cross functional working, customer/partner relationship building, customer presentations.

Skills Customer-centred design, relationship building, customer success, strategy and cross-platform planning, project management.

Fun fact I collect banana stickers. Yes, that is a real hobby – you can look it up. I just like the art for art’s sake.

Fun fact I enjoy spending time with family, playing links golf and watching movies, even though the latter are all PG or on Disney+ these days!

Fun fact I’m originally from Connecticut, USA & have lived in various cities in the UK & Ireland for the last 22 years.

We are excited about the skills, knowledge, and general awesomeness these new recruits bring to our expanding team.

Keir Smith

Sergei Kositzki

Douglas Ogilvie

Forestry Consultant

Forestry Consultant, Bush Estate

Senior Agricultural Consultant, Bush Estate and Central Scotland

Skills FGS applications, Forest Planning, Environmental Impact Assessment, Timber Harvesting.

Skills Woodland Management; Resilience & Tree Health; Continuous Cover Forestry; Forest Inventory; GIS: Project Management; Research.

Skills Farm management, setting up and administering both arable & livestock, Contract Farming Agreements and grant applications.

Fun fact I’ve worked in Colorado, building trails in remote areas of the Rocky Mountains.

Fun fact Twice playing golf I’ve managed to tee off and put the ball 30 metres behind me.

Fun fact I once worked as a wildland firefighter for the USDA Forest Service in the Pacific North West.

RC Stewart Prize award At the end of last year, we had cause to celebrate. SAC awards the RC Stewart Prize each year to coincide with the SRUC student graduation.

This annual Prize, judged by an

Meanwhile, with more than 30 years’

independent panel, recognises and

experience as a consultant,

rewards an individual’s excellence

Stirlingshire area manager Robin

Aileen Marshall

and commitment to the advancement

successfully balances his family life,

of our industry. We made a double

alongside his responsibility to more

Agricultural Technician, Dumfries

award this year; the winners were

than 300 clients and the Forth Valley,

Kirsten Williams and Robin Mair.

his team and his work in the

Skills SGRPID support schemes, mapping, agricultural background, experienced administrator, local knowledge.

Manager of the Livestock Team,

Fun fact I like hill walking and photography.

community as secretary of the local Rotary club.

Kirsten’s industry, and technical knowledge, allied to her

The strong list of nominees made it

communication skills and a down-to-

a very difficult choice for the judging

earth approach, has led to the

panel. We have two excellent

success of SAC Consulting, SRUC

recipients this year and we would like

and farmers – new and established

to thank everyone who took the time

– across the country.

to make a nomination.

SAC Consulting Offices Ayr

Inverness

St Boswells

01292 525252 ayr@sac.co.uk

01463 233 266 inverness@sac.co.uk

01835 823 322 stboswells@sac.co.uk

Balivanich

Kendal

Stirling

01870 602 336 balivanich@sac.co.uk

01539 769059 kendal@sac.co.uk

01786 450 964 stirling@sac.co.uk

Campbeltown

Kirkwall

Stonehaven

01586 552 502 campbeltown@sac.co.uk

01856 872 698 kirkwall@sac.co.uk

01569 762 305 stonehaven@sac.co.uk

Cupar

Lanark

Stornoway

01334 654055 cupar@sac.co.uk

01555 662 562 lanark@sac.co.uk

01851 703 103 stornoway@sac.co.uk

Dumfries

Lerwick

Stranraer

01387 261 172 dumfries@sac.co.uk

01595 693 520 lerwick@sac.co.uk

01776 702 649 stranraer@sac.co.uk

Edinburgh

Oban

Thainstone

0131 603 7520 edinburgh@sac.co.uk

01631 563 093 oban@sac.co.uk

01467 625 385 inverurie@sac.co.uk

Elgin

Perth

Thurso

01343 548 787 elgin@sac.co.uk

01738 636 611 perth@sac.co.uk

01847 892 602 thurso@sac.co.uk

Forfar

Portree

Turriff

01307 464 033 forfar@sac.co.uk

01478 612 993 portree@sac.co.uk

01888 563 333 turriff@sac.co.uk

SAC Consulting, Peter Wilson Building, The King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG www.sac.co.uk @SACConSol

@ConsultingSAC

linkedin.com/company/sacconsol

Perspectives is printed on a FCS accredited paper made from responsibly sourced virgin fibre wood pulp.