SRUC podcast episodes

SRUC podcast episodes

Episode 84. Fostering Compassion

Listen to the episode here.

We couldn’t be more excited to share this heart-warming story about an organisation that is changing lives for the better – both furry and human!

In this episode of the SRUC Podcast, Lesley Winton, founder and CEO of the Scottish charity Fostering Compassion, highlights their remarkable work. We also speak to veterinary student Thomas Westley, who sadly, had to flee his home in Ukraine because of the war. Thomas tells us how Fostering Compassion has helped support him in achieving his dream of studying veterinary medicine at the University of Central Lancashire and shares his experiences of being a veterinary student studying in a new vet school.

Fostering Compassion  is a ground-breaking humane education project, unique in its approach to addressing the links between animal abuse, child abuse, elder abuse and interpersonal violence. By sharing the stories of rescued animals, the charity encourages caring, compassionate and nurturing behaviour in children. Given that we live in a world that can sometimes seem overwhelming, it is these small acts of kindness that can make a big difference in people’s lives. It is reassuring to know that charities like Fostering Compassion are out there making our world that little bit brighter. 

Episode 77. Big Beef Roadshow (Part 2)

Listen to the episode here.

Featuring specialists, researchers, and vets sharing key themes such as efficiency and cattle health, The Big Beef Roadshow took place across Scotland throughout May and June to support beef farmers in improving practices and driving beef systems forward.

In this second of a two-part podcast, consultant Robert Ramsay and vet Colin Mason give their thoughts on some of the highlights from the big beef roadshow events. Giving an insight into the livestock health issues covered along with feedback from the farmers who were there on the day about what is concerning them and where they see the industry going. Robert also discusses the introduction of EID in cattle.

Episode 76. Big Beef Roadshow (Part 1)

Listen to the episode here.

Featuring specialists, researchers, and vets sharing key themes such as efficiency and cattle health, The Big Beef Roadshow took place across Scotland throughout May and June to support beef farmers in improving practices and driving beef systems forward.

In this first of a two-part podcast, the organisers and speakers at the series of big beef road show events discuss some of the key messages and take home points from the events. Sarah Balfour, Karen Stewart, Lorna Shaw and Robert Ramsay talk through how the meetings went, and the outlook for the broader beef industry.

Episode 75. Dairy Heifer Rearing

Listen to the episode here.

In this podcast, SAC Consulting’s dairy specialist Lorna MacPherson speaks to SRUC’s dairy farms manager Sven Koops about their heifer rearing enterprise at Crichton Royal Farm. There have been a lot of changes made to the way heifers have been reared and one of the biggest changes has been moving from a housed TMR system to a pasture based system. Heifers are now grazed from a very young age, with the aim of maximising the use of grass and outwintering during the rearing period to help reduce costs. The challenges of grazing heifers and keeping them on track to achieve target weights at service and calving are discussed.

Episode 74. Mini-Series: The Science of Food. Episode four - Foraging for Plants and Grains

Listen to the episode here.

Welcome to the final part 4 of a four-episode mini-series, produced by Kerry Hammond of the SAC Consulting Food & Enterprise Team (part of SRUC).

This mini-series focuses on the science of food. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Ciara Bow the founder and Entrepreneur behind Gledfield Distillery, NPD Chef at SAC Consulting, Morag Hamilton, and Professor Fiona Burnett, Head of Knowledge Exchange & Applied Plant Pathology at SRUC, to explore how science & innovation met enterprise to create amazing new products, and also to hear about their stories, and opinions on industry at the moment.

This episode was funded by the University Innovation Funding from the Scottish Funding Council.

Links:

Gledfield Distillery | Where research meets practice (youtube.com)

SAC Consulting | Food & Enterprise (sruc.ac.uk)

Gledfield Distillery

THRIVE 2024 for Scotland's budding food & drink and rural entrepreneurs Tickets | Eventbrite

Episode 73. Mini-Series: The Science of Food. Episode three - Hearing about Hemp

Listen to the episode here.

Welcome to part 3 of a four-episode mini-series, produced by Kerry Hammond of the SAC Consulting Food & Enterprise Team (part of SRUC).

This mini-series focuses on the science of food. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Ali Easson the founder and Entrepreneur behind Hemp it Up! , NPD Chef at SAC Consulting, Morag Hamilton, and SRUC Researcher, Dr Rosie Boyko to explore how science & innovation met enterprise to create amazing new products, and also to hear about their stories, and opinions on industry at the moment.

This episode was funded by the University Innovation Funding from the Scottish Funding Council.

Links:

Hemp it Up | Where research meets practice (youtube.com)

SAC Consulting | Food & Enterprise (sruc.ac.uk)

Hemp it Up | Hemp Seed Oil | Grown in North East Scotland

THRIVE 2024 for Scotland's budding food & drink and rural entrepreneurs Tickets | Eventbrite

Episode 72. Mini-Series: The Science of Food. Episode two - Diving into Dairy

Listen to the episode here.

Welcome to part 2 of a four-episode mini-series, produced by Kerry Hammond of the SAC Consulting Food & Enterprise Team (part of SRUC).

This mini-series focuses on the science of food. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Jane Mackie the founder and Entrepreneur behind Rora Dairy, NPD Chef at SAC Consulting, Morag Hamilton, and SRUC Head of Dairy Research, Professor Richard Dewhurst to explore how science & innovation met enterprise to create amazing new products, and also to hear about their stories, and opinions on industry at the moment.

This episode was funded by the University Innovation Funding from the Scottish Funding Council.

Links:

Rora Dairy - When research meets practice (youtube.com)

SAC Consulting | Food & Enterprise (sruc.ac.uk)

Rora Dairy, simple, pure

Scottish yogurt made on our beautiful farm in Aberdeenshire.

Dairy Research Centre - Crichton Royal Farm, Dumfries (sruc.ac.uk)

Welcome to part 2 of a four-episode mini-series, produced by Kerry Hammond of the SAC Consulting Food & Enterprise Team (part of SRUC).

This mini-series focuses on the science of food. In this episode, Kerry is joined by Jane Mackie the founder and Entrepreneur behind Rora Dairy, NPD Chef at SAC Consulting, Morag Hamilton, and SRUC Head of Dairy Research, Professor Richard Dewhurst to explore how science & innovation met enterprise to create amazing new products, and also to hear about their stories, and opinions on industry at the moment.

This episode was funded by the University Innovation Funding from the Scottish Funding Council.

Links:

Rora Dairy - When research meets practice (youtube.com)

SAC Consulting | Food & Enterprise (sruc.ac.uk)

Rora Dairy, simple, pure

Scottish yogurt made on our beautiful farm in Aberdeenshire.

Dairy Research Centre - Crichton Royal Farm, Dumfries (sruc.ac.uk)

Episode 71. Mini-Series: The Science of Food. Episode one - The Enterprise Showcase

Listen to the episode here.

Welcome to part 1 of a four-episode mini-series, produced by Kerry Hammond of the SAC Consulting Food & Enterprise Team (part of SRUC).

This mini-series focuses on the science of food. In this episode, Kerry podcasts live from an Enterprise Showcase event on campus at SRUC Craibstone.

Hear from speakers like Neil Freckingham, the ONE Seedpod Director, and Susannah Bolton Vice Principal of Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange, alongside other speakers and attendees, sharing how SRUC is integrated in the enterprise & innovation network of the Food & Drink Industry in Scotland.

This episode was funded by the University Innovation Funding from the Scottish Funding Council.

Links:

SAC Consulting | Food & Footprint (sruc.ac.uk)

THRIVE

2024 for Scotland's budding food & drink and rural entrepreneurs Tickets |

Eventbrite

ONE SeedPod

SRUC | Course catalogue

KTP Scotland | Home

Episode 70. The (Lack of) Diversity in UK Vets

Listen to the episode here.

In this podcast episode, veterinary lecturer Adam Masri aims to highlight some of the reasons behind the lack of diversity within the UK's veterinary profession and among UK veterinary students.

Adam speaks to veterinary surgeon and co-founder of the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS), Dr Navaratnam Partheeban OBE who raises awareness about the issues facing minority ethnic vets, nurses, and students and promotes the amazing network offered by BVEDS.

To learn more, visit www.sruc.ac.uk/vetschool

Episode 69. Rural Animal Health: Your path to a career as a veterinary technician

Listen to the episode here.

A veterinary technician career may be relatively novel, but it's quickly gaining traction across the UK for the advantages it offers large animal veterinary practice.

SRUC's Rural Animal Health Programme, the focus of this podcast episode, aims to educate the veterinary technicians of the future. In it, Adam Masri, speaks to veterinary technician Nicola Bowers about her career path and the roles and responsibilities that come with the job. Nicola's passion and enthusiasm really shine through!

Want to study Rural Animal Health at SRUC this year? There are still some spaces available through Clearing! Learn more and apply at www.sruc.ac.uk/clearing

Episode 66. Beekeeping and IPM - A conversation with Lorraine Johnston, SRUC's Bee Advisory Officer

Listen to the episode here.

This is episode 6 of our series on beekeeping, and the focus this time is on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of varroa. Lorraine Johnston, SRUC's Bee Advisory Offices is joined by William Ancell, Head of Content and Digital and they are going to talk about what IPM is, why it is important, various approaches and much more.

Links mentioned in the podcast are below.

National bee unit:

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/

Managing varroa booklet:

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Advisory_leaflets/APHA_Managing_Varroa_2020_ELECTRONIC_ONLY-1.pdf

Medicines record:

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/2_Diseases_and_Pests/Varroa/Veterinary_Medicine_Administration_Record-3.pdf

Episode 65. Less Waste Laura - Scottish Influencer of the Year 2024

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Just in time for World Environment Day, SRUC Alumni Officer Julie Robinson chats with alumna Laura Young, aka Less Waste Laura: climate activist, environmental scientist, ethical influencer and recently-awarded Scottish Influencer of the Year 2024.

Learn about how Laura got started as a champion for the environment, her most recent campaigns, future goals and how you can follow in her footsteps and get involved in making a difference in your own life and community.

Dive deeper:

• Find Laura across social media @LessWasteLaura or online at www.lesswastelaura.com
• Learn more about studying environment or sustainability at SRUC at: Environment | SRUC or Sustainability | SRUC

Episode 64. Vet Nurse Awareness Month

Listen to the episode here.

May is Vet Nurse Awareness Month so in today's podcast episode, Adam Masri, Lecturer at the SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine, is speaking with Kirsty Young and Nikki McLeod to highlight and celebrate the various roles that veterinary nurses play in the veterinary profession. They'll discuss what their roles entail, how they came into them, and what you can do if you would also like to study to become a Veterinary Nurse.

Episode 63. Sm@RT – Small Ruminant Technologies: Flashback & lessons learnt

Listen to the episode here.

This episode focuses on the SM@RT project and features an international cast of researchers.

Sm@RT is a EU funded project, which started in 2021 and will finish later this year. It is about encouraging uptake of innovations and technologies by sheep and goats farmers in Europe and beyond, and facilitating exchange of knowledge and ideas between farmers and researchers.

The project identified farmers needs in terms of technologies, proposed practical solutions and ran participatory events on farms to demonstrate the use of these tools. The idea was to demystify the use of technologies on sheep and goats farms, and learn from different countries.

The consortium comprises eight different countries – Estonia, Norway, the UK, Ireland, France, Hungary, Italy and Israel and 11 different partners.

The episode is hosted by Claire Morgan-Davies, a researcher at SRUC and the coordinator of the Sm@RT project.

Claire is joined by colleagues from:

- Norway: Lise Grøva – from the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy

- Ireland: Brid McClearn – from Teagasc

- Hungary: Renata Klein – from the University of Debrecen

- Italy: Valeria Giovannetti – from Agris Sardegna

- Israel: Assaf Godo – from the Agricultural Research Organisation

- UK: Ann McLaren from SRUC

 

Episode 62. The transition from vet school to that first year in practice

Listen to the episode here.

This episode of the SRUC podcast is all about transition. Adam Masri, Veterinary Lecturer at SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine talks to Veterinary Surgeon Robyn Geddes - a 2023 graduate from the University of Glasgow - about the transition from vet school to that first year in practice.

In the podcast Robyn talks about her experience at vet school, what she misses about it, what criteria she thinks are important to consider when looking for that first job in practice, the RCVS’s Vet graduate development program (VetGDP) and much more. It’s a really great chat for anyone who has an interest

in studying to be a vet or who is currently studying to be a vet. You’ll hear Robyn’s point of view on lots of the challenges and learnings that are to be had as a vet student.

We are aiming to welcome our very first students to SRUC’s new school of veterinary medicine this September here in Aberdeen. It’s a unique model - As only the third Veterinary School in Scotland and the first in over 150 years, the SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine will prepare students for work in the increasingly important rural mixed practice, agricultural and food sectors.

Why are we different? The SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine will use innovative teaching methods and curriculum design to ensure that students are fully prepared to work in the variety of high demand sectors.

We offer new pathway programmes aimed at those from rural backgrounds who are familiar with the agricultural sector but may not have - or been able to get - the required scientific foundations. 

Episode 60. Bats on farms

Listen to the episode here.

There are ten species of bats in Scotland ranging from the Common pipistrelle to the rare Whiskered bat.

They are a source of free pest control - with a single bat capable of eating up to 3,000 midges in a night - and are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Learn more about the benefits of bats to farming landscapes and what actions farmers can take to support this protected species on their farms in this episode with Communications Officer Rosie Free and SAC Consultant Harry Fisher.

To read more about Bats and Biodiversity, visit: Bats and Biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

For more information about the event at Culzean Castle, visit: The Benefits Of Bats On Farmland | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

Episode 59. Women in Veterinary Science - a conversation with Shereene Williams

Listen to the episode here.

On this special episode of the SRUC podcast, Veterinary Lecturer Adam Masri is joined by Shereene Williams, Global Animal Health Advisor (Vet) at Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys.

Shereene has had a successful career in equine veterinary care, and Adam chats with her about her career journey and the challenges past & present for women in the veterinary sector.

Adam also highlights the career of Aleen Cust who became the first female veterinary surgeon in Ireland and Great Britain in 1922.

Research Links

LINKS:

SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine

Blog by Shereene Williams on how more vets and farriers should be women

Adam's profile - SRUC

Wikipedia page for Aleen Cust

Episode 58. What is Forest School anyway? A conversation with Lucy Thorton and Ely Blyth

Listen to the episode here.

Lucy and Ely run the Forest and Outdoor Learning Course at SRUC Barony. Here they sit down to a frank discussion about the role of forest school in education, wider society and what they’ve learned delivering forest school training.

LINKS:

South of Scotland Training Courses (including forest and outdoor learning courses)

SRUC Training Courses

SRUC Wildlife & Conservation Management courses

SRUC Forestry & Arboriculture (academic courses)

Episode 57. Beekeeping and monitoring varroa - more varroa advice from SRUC's Bee Advisory Officer

Listen to the episode here.

We're back with another episode in our beekeeping series, and our second one looking at varroa. Lorraine Johnston, SRUC's Bee Advisory Officer, takes us through monitoring varroa and the dangers it can pose to bee populations.

Varroa are tiny red-brown external parasites of honey bees. They are sometimes known as varroa destructor or varroa mites. Varroa is one of the most damaging honey bee pests in the world. A significant varroa mite infestation can lead to the death of a honey bee colony.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/

https://nationalbeeunit.com/register/

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/diseases-and-pests

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Fact_Sheets/Fact_13_Estimating_Varroa_mite_populations.pdf

https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Advisory_leaflets/APHA_Managing_Varroa_2020_ELECTRONIC_ONLY-1.pdf-

https://www.gov.scot/publications/bee-health-improvement-partnership-bhip-annual-report-2022-2023/

Episode 55. RAVIC - a conversation with Professor George Gunn

Listen to the episode here.

Opening in May 2024, the Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC) is SRUC’s new £12.5m facility developing new links between science and industry to help address planetary health challenges and grow the natural economy.

In this episode, William Ancell, Head of Content and Digital at SRUC, speaks with Professor George Gunn about the importance of RAVIC and how it relates to his own career.

RAVIC will provide critical expertise and infrastructure to better manage planetary health challenges including antimicrobial resistance, zoonoses, and the effects of climate change through applied research, innovation, education, and consultancy.

RAVIC is an SRUC flagship initiative at the interface of farming, aquaculture, animal and human health, creating opportunities for collaborative entrepreneurship, commercial development and education.

It will complement the vibrant, thriving life sciences sector already established in Inverness, providing opportunities for synergy and collaborations between local knowledge-based institutions, regional businesses and national partners looking to develop activity in the region.

Professor George Gunn is Director of the Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre. He is Professor of Population Medicine and Zoonoses and has helped win over £50M for SRUC and collaborating institutions, leading research projects in Scotland and internationally. His range of expertise includes livestock disease control with an overarching interest in population medicine and the dynamics of infectious inter-herd diseases and zoonoses.

Learn more about RAVIC here.

Episode 54. A farmer's view of GreenShed

Listen to the episode here.

GreenShed, which has received nearly £3 million in funding from the UK Government, will use cattle waste products to power a methane capturing system and grow indoor crops.

Led by SRUC and supported by partners at the University of Strathclyde, Agri-EPI Centre, No Pollution Industrial Systems Ltd, Galebreaker Agri, Organic Power Ireland, N2 Applied and Saturn Bioponics, the shed has been built at SRUC’s Easter Howgate farm.

It addresses the need for the livestock farming sector to reduce its GHG emissions while improving productivity, by developing an integrated low carbon, circular, cattle and vertical farming system, bolstering green technology for UK agriculture.

Following on from our Introduction to the GreenShed project podcast, find out more about how the technology will benefit farmers in the future in this new episode with Rosie Free and George Baikie as they discuss the project from a farmer's viewpoint.

You can learn more at the dedicated webpage for the project.

Episode 53. Winning the Enterprise Challenge: A chat with Eneyi Oshi

Listen to the episode here.

The Enterprise Challenge is an annual competition run by the SRUC Enterprise Academy for the Rural and Natural Environment that provides all students the opportunity to test, validate and fund new ideas.

In this podcast, SRUC Website Officer Lacey Ward speaks with international student Eneyi Oshi - Mastercard Scholar and SRUC student studying Food Security, on her experience of coming to Scotland, studying at SRUC, working with the the Enterprise Academy, and ultimately winning the 2024 Enterprise Challenge.

For more information about the MSc Food Security programme at SRUC (awarded by the University of Edinburgh), click here.

Find more information about the SRUC Enterprise Academy (including the Enterprise Challenge), click here.

Episode 51. Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024 - round table discussion

Listen to the episode here.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week stands as a beacon of celebration, illuminating the invaluable contributions of apprenticeships across all sectors. It's a time when institutions like SRUC champion the virtues of hands-on learning, fostering a culture where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can thrive.

Our guest of honour on this episode are two alumni apprentices. Nia Hunter who won modern apprentice of the year and agriculture learner of the year at last year’s Lantra ALBAS awards. She did her apprenticeship with Shetland Livestock Marketing Group and studied agriculture at SRUC Barony campus. She is joined by Ryan Yuille, a finalist in this years ALBAS who studied Sports Turf at SRUC Elmwood and is a Greenkeeper at North Berwick Golf Club.

The podcast also features Sharon Gooding-Hill, Senior Marketing and Student Recruitment Officer who focuses on work based learning and apprenticeships.

Sharon is joined by Chris Dickson, lecturer in Sports Turf and greenkeeping at our Elmwood campus - who taught Ryan - and James Orr, senior consulting with our SAC consultancy division who works out in the field with a variety of farms across the central belt of Scotland.

Links to the various topics/areas discussed in the episode:

Scottish Apprenticeship Week

ALBAS Awards

LANTRA

SRUC Apprenticeships

SRUC Apprenticeship information for students

Alumni Stories

Episode 50. Aquaculture with Annette Boerlage

Listen to the episode here.

In this episode, we talk to Annette Boerlage, Research Fellow at SRUC, who talks us through Aquaculture - what it is and what it entails.

We learn about her academic journey through the Netherlands, Vietnam and Canada, and her work in epidemiology. In particular, Anette talks about the devastating impact of microscopic jellyfish on salmon farming in Scotland.

Later on, we cover the approach to Aquaculture at SRUC, how the subject is being baked into courses at the new veterinary school in Aberdeen, and a range of short courses developed for industry practitioners.

You can find out more about all of the above via the links below:

Find out more about our courses

See Anette's research profile

Episode 48. Beekeeping and Varroa

Listen to the episode here.

In this latest episode in our beekeeping series, SRUC's Bee Advisory Officer Lorraine Johnston takes us through Varroa - the scourge of many a beekeeper. Lorraine goes through the basics of what Varroa is, how to spot it and what it can lead to.

We’ll be doing more on Varroa in later episodes, as it is quite a detailed subject and a big one for beekeepers to be aware of.

Lorraine is going on the road in the Highlands to spread the word about bee keeping to farmers, crofters and beginners. These are in-person events delivered in partnership with the Farm Advisory Service. You can find out more at the link below to the FAS website.

Links:

FAS events on beekeeping - Nairn and Dingwall

Starting Up Small-Scale Beekeeping – Dingwall

Starting Up Small-Scale Beekeeping – Nairn

FAS resources

Managed pollinators such as honey bees

National Bee Unit

National Bee Unit

Register for the National Bee Unit

National Bee Unit - managing diseases and pests

Episode 40. Non-Executive Director roles available at SRUC: A conversation between Caroline Bysh and Linda Hanna

Listen to the episode here. 

To place SRUC in the strongest possible position as we advance and develop our plans, to address a number of retirements from the Board, and to accelerate the pace of transformational change, the Board is seeking to recruit up to five new Non-Executive Directors. These roles present an opportunity to become involved and contribute to the future success of an organisation of strategic national importance at a period of exceptional change within the Tertiary Education Sector and the natural economy in Scotland and beyond.

In this podcast, Caroline Bysh, SRUC Vice Principal for External Relations and Student Experience speaks with Linda Hanna, Chair of the SRUC Board about these Non-Executive Director vacancies open for applications to give listeners a feel about the role, the board, and SRUC.

Learn more about SRUC: About SRUC | SRUC

Applying for a Non-Executive Director Role:

SRUC is working with Aspen to recruit for these roles. If you’re interested in learning more about the roles available, visit their dedicated microsite: SRUC - Non-Executive Directors - Aspen People

Should you wish to have an informal, confidential discussion about the post, please contact either Donogh O’Brien or Gillian Blackadder at Aspen People on 0141 212 7555.

Episode 38. SRUC Students' Association (SRUCSA) - who we are and what we do for the SRUC community

Listen to the episode here.

Lacey Ward, Website Officer at SRUC speaks with Damson Ellen (Central Co-President) and Jeroen van Herk (Student Community Coordinator) at the SRUC Students’ Association, or SRUCSA, about how to give you - whether you’re an SRUC student, potential student, alumni, staff, researcher, or simply an interested community member, a better idea of what the SRUC Students’ Association is, why it’s such an important part of the SRUC student experience and - importantly, how you can get involved in SRUCSA and the help and support it offers to our student community.

SRUCSA events mentioned in the podcast:

• Festive pub quiz: Saturday 9 December, 6-10pm @ The Cabaret Bar, The Plesance (Edinburgh)
• Speak Week: www.srucsa.org.uk/speak-week

Available clubs and societies by campus: www.srucsa.org.uk/clubs-societies

 Key SRUCSA contacts:

• Damson Ellen (Central Co-President) - Damson.Ellen@sruc.ac.uk
• Jeroen van Herk (Student Community Coordinator) - jeroen.herk@sruc.ac.uk
• Catherine Stewart (South & West Co-President) - Catherine.Stewart@sruc.ac.uk
• Jeremiah Chibueze (North Co-President) - Jeremiah.Chibueze@sruc.ac.uk

Learn more about SRUCSA, ask a specific question, or discover more about how to

get involved by visiting www.sruc.ac.uk/srucsa or www.srucsa.org.uk

Episode 37. SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre discusses the 2023 Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament

Listen to the episode here.

 

Guests:  

Dr Ana Vuin is a research fellow who has worked around the world in the areas of rural communities and population migration.  

Alexa Green is an early career researcher interested how we can create transformational changes in our society to ensure a sustainable way of living for people and the planet. 

Claire Donaldson has been a lecturer in tourism at SRUC for the last decade. Claire’s area of expertise is rural tourism and how this is utilised as a form of economic development to improve the lives of rural communities.  

The podcast was hosted by Michelle Flynn, Communications Officer at SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre. Ana and Alexa are both members of SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre. 

 

Information on the Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament   

Click here to visit the Scottish Rural & Islands Parliament 2023 website (srip.scot)  

For more information on the Youth Parliament 

 

Information on the European Rural Parliament  

Home (europeanruralparliament.com) 

 

European Rural Parliament - leaflet - 2023.pdf 

Episode 34. Student Communications at SRUC - a Conversation with Sean Cameron

Listen to the episode here.

Sean Cameron is SRUC's very first dedicated Student Communications Officer, and in this podcast he is in conversation with William Ancell, Digital Manager at SRUC.

Sean joins us with not only a wealth of experience working in education but also a grand plan for how to improve student communication.

In this podcast Sean talks about:

• His background
• The challenges facing SRUC in terms of student communication
• The upcoming student elections
• The Student Voice campaign
• The achievements the student body have had recently
• The student mental health and wellbeing strategy
• The upcoming works at our Edinburgh Campus

This is a great listen for any new students at SRUC, or anyone interested in studying with us. If you work for SRUC you may find it interesting too!

Visit www.sruc..ac.uk/study to find out more about studying at SRUC.

Visit www.sruc.ac.uk/studentlife to learn more about life as a student with us.

Visit www.sruc.ac.uk/pathways to explore all the ways you can learn at SRUC.

Episode 32. The Digital Dairy Chain - recruitment and skills in the dairy industry

Listen to the episode here.

Recruitment is a hot topic in the dairy industry right now, and this conversation features an interesting panel discussing the options open to recruiters, job seekers and those looking to upskill in the sector.

In this episode, William Ancell, Digital Manger, hosts a panel featuring:

• Mary Thomson, Vice Principal for Skills and Lifelong Learning, SRUC
• Lynne Somerville, Skills Lead, Digital Dairy Chain
• Stuart Martin, Programme Director, Digital Dairy Chain

Interested in learning more about the Digital Dairy Chain and how they can help with skills and training? Visit their website.

Want to learn more about the training you can get from SRUC? We can offer bespoke training packages for your dairy business, tailored to your needs and with access to our facilities. Visit our training courses pages, or email us to request more information about our offering or book a place. The best way to do this is to contact the training team at the relevant campus closest to you. You can find more information about our campuses here.

aberdeentraining@sruc.ac.uk

ayrtraining@sruc.ac.uk

baronytraining@sruc.ac.uk

elmwoodtraining@sruc.ac.uk

oatridgetraining@sruc.ac.uk

Episode 30. Hemp - the wonder crop

Listen to the episode here

SRUC Podcast Show Notes: Hemp: the super crop episode from the Rural Policy Centre 

Guests:  

• Professor Vijay Kumar Thakur who heads up SRUC's Biorefining and Advanced Materials Research Centre. Click this link to find out more information on the IGS and Cambond project - looking into the use of hemp for insulation applications to replace traditional stainless steel or other materials - Vijay refers to during the podcast. Along with colleagues, Vijay has also recently published two papers on hemp: linked to here and here. Email: vijay.thakur@sruc.ac.uk 
• Mark Bowcher-Gibbs, a Principal Consultant with SAC Consultancy. Email: mark.bowsher-gibbs@sac.co.uk 
• Anna Mitchell of Castleton Farm. Anna and her husband Ross grow hemp and sell hemp-based products like hemp seed oil from their farm shop on the outskirts of Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire.   

The podcast is hosted by Alexa Green, a Research Associate with SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre.  

Information on licencing process for growing industrial hemp in the UK 

• To find out more about the licensing process for growing industrial hemp there is a dedicated section on the Home Office website - Industrial hemp licensing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
• A new licence application to cultivate hemp (for three growing seasons) currently cost £580. If a farmer has previously grown in the season prior to the licence expiring, then a ‘renewal’ fee of £326 will apply. If a compliance visit is required the fee will be £1,371 (not applicable in most instances).  
• The important dates for prospective applications for the 2024 growing season have not yet been announced. This gives information on the dates for the 2023 growing season.  

 Hemp 30 Project 

• Roadmap plan to boost UK industrial hemp production and processing - News and events, University of York 
• Phase 1 report 

More information on hemp growing in Scotland 

• Why hemp is a field of dreams for Scottish farmers (thetimes.co.uk) 
• www.scottishhempassociation.com 

Episode 29. Agriculture Policy in Scotland (recorded live at Royal Highland Show 2023)

Listen to the episode here.

Join us for a lively panel discussion on the future of agricultural policy in Scotland chaired by agriculture communications specialist Claire Taylor. It features SRUC's Steven Thomson, John Kerr of the Scottish Government, independent agricultural economist Andrew Moxey, former NFU Scotland President Nigel Miller and Jonnie Hall, who is head of policy at NFU Scotland.

The panel conversation and audience question and answer session took place at SRUC's stand at this year's Royal Highland Show. The subjects covered ranged from the recent agricultural reform route map published by the Scottish Government and the importance of technology in the future of agriculture to a discussion around diversity in the sector and much more.

The panel was chaired by Claire Taylor (Claire Taylor (@cjtaylor92) / Twitter), a freelance writer and agricultural communicator. Claire is a current Nuffield scholar (Claire Taylor | Nuffield Farming Scholarships (nuffieldscholar.org)) and her study is titled turning the Tide on the Anti-Farming Agenda.  

Panel members: 

Steven Thomson (Steven Thomson (@StevenGThomson) / Twitter), a Reader in agricultural economics and policy at SRUC. He is also a Commissioner on Scotland's Independent Just Transition Commission and sits on the academic advisory panel that supports the Agricultural Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB).

John Kerr, Head of the Agricultural Policy division at The Scottish Government    

Andrew Moxey, an independent agricultural economist and policy adviser as well as a Director at ScotEID, the livestock traceability system for Scotland.   

Nigel Miller, a livestock farmer in the Scottish Borders and the previous President of the National Farmers Union of Scotland. Nigel was also Co-chair of the independent farming for 1.5 Degree inquiry and is also a board member of the Morden Research Institute.  

Jonnie Hall( Jonnie Hall (@nfusjonnie) / Twitter or NFU Scotland (@NFUStweets) / Twitter), Director of Policy at the National Farmers Union of Scotland. 

Rural Exchange

Rural Exchange by NISRIE 

Agriculture Bill

Latest information on the Agriculture Bill, due to be introduced into the Scottish Parliament later this year:

Agriculture Bill: consultation analysis - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) 

Agricultural Reform Route Map (ruralpayments.org) 

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 

Cross Compliance 

Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) (ARIOB) 

The Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019: BRIA - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) (LFASS)

Episode 27. Beekeeping in the summer - focus on swarming with Lorraine Johnston, SRUC's Bee advisory Officer

Listen to the episode here.

This is episode 3 of our series on bee keeping. Now that we are almost into summer, swarming is a hot topic for bee keepers and we’re going to make sure you have the right advice so you don’t get stung by it, if you pardon the pun.

Join William Ancell, Digital Manager at SRUC, and Lorraine Johnston, SRUC's Bee advisory Officer, as they form a hivemind (sorry) and look at the top questions around swarming.

1.       What is swarming?

2.       Why do bees swarm?

3.       What does a swarm look like?

4.       What should you do if you see a swarm?

5.       How does a beekeeper try to prevent swarming?

6.       What is swarm control?

7.       Why is it important to control swarming?

8.       What’s a simple method of swarm control that might help beekeepers?

Episode 25. Supporting Rural Women in Arctic Low-carbon Transitions: A Knowledge Network - Interview with Dr Jayne Glass, Dr Bregje Van Veelan, and Dr Ana Vuin

Listen to the episode here.

This podcast discusses a knowledge network started by researchers at SRUC which focuses on supporting rural women entrepreneurs who are leading low-carbon transitions in Arctic areas.

Episode 23. What is the Digital Dairy Chain? A Conversation with Stuart Martin.

Listen to the episode here.

Lorna Pate from SRUC's Rural Policy Centre speaks with Stuart Martin from the Digital Dairy Chain. Tune in to learn more about the origins and future aims of this project.

Episode 22. Modern Apprenticeships - panel discussion

Listen to the episode here.

There is a reason why the apprenticeship has endured through the ages - it is an essential gateway to countless trades, and a formative experience for many professionals.

The modern apprenticeship scheme is a critical feature of the contemporary vocational landscape and a proven path for young people to learn a trade that will set them up for life in their chosen industry.

Join a panel of experts from SRUC, industry and a modern apprentice for a discussion on how this is a great route for young people to "earn while you learn".

William Ancell, Digital manager at SRUC, hosts the following guests:

• Drew Easton, Learning and Development Manager, Jas P Wilson.
• Kalli Burr, Horse Care Modern Apprentice.
• Chris Stockwell, Training and Work-Based Lead, SRUC.
• Sharon Gooding Hill, Senior Marketing and Student Recruitment Officer for Skills and Lifelong Learning, SRUC.

Want to learn more? Follow these links.

SRUC apprenticeships

SRUC website

Lantra website

Jas P Wilson website

Episode 20. Beekeeping in the Spring - SRUC's Bee Advisory Officer Gives Advice to Beekeepers

Listen to the episode here.

This is the second episode of our beekeeping series.

Lorraine Johnston, SRUC’s Bee Advisory Officer gives advice on beekeeping in the spring now that we're in March – there is a lot to be aware of if you keep bees.

The podcast covers what changes for the bees are happening as they head into spring, what beekeepers can do to help bees survive the spring, what to do on that crucial first inspection and a whole lot else bee-sides.

Episode 19. Student Spotlight - Jillian Gordon

Listen to the episode here.

Jillian Gordon has a fascinating and original story to tell. She left school with hardly any qualifications, and she struggled due to her dyslexia (and lack of support for it). She got a place on an HNC with SRUC, and discovered a passion for agriculture and animals. She also started receiving support for the first time for her dyslexia from SRUC.

Jillian is now on track to complete her PhD and has aspirations to one day be a lecturer for SRUC. Her story of how she got there is fascinating and an inspiration to anyone who feels that further and higher education is out of reach for them.

Episode 18. The World of Crofting and Common Grazings - Janette Sutherland & Siobhan Macdonald (SAC Consulting)

Listen to the episode here.

SRUC's Rural Policy Centre delves into the world of crofting and common grazings with Janette Sutherland and Siobhan Macdonald of SAC Consulting.

For more information, check out the policy spotlight on 'Common Grazings in the Age of Conditionality'.

To register for an upcoming CPG on Crofting meeting, visit the Scottish Parliament website.

To speak with an SAC consultant about your croft, check out our website and reach out to us to have a chat.

Episode 17. Beekeeping in the Winter - a Conversation with Lorraine Johnston

Listen to the episode here.

Join Lorraine Johnston, SRUC's Bee Advisory Officer and William Ancell, Digital Manager as they chat about the challenges of beekeeping over winter. If you keep bees yourself, this episode is packed full of tips to make sure your bees are protected from the elements, how to shield them from common diseases and pests, and what products can come in handy to keep them healthy at a critical time.

Episode 16. Introduction to the Greenshed project

Listen to the episode here.

If there is one thing we love at SRUC it is an exciting, innovative project - and this one is a cracker. Turning methane emissions and by-products from farming beef cattle into everything from a power source to beef with a lower carbon footprint.

Not to mention using this system to potentially power a versatile vertical farm - and all while ensuring excellent animal welfare standards & humane treatment of the animals.

Join William Ancell, Carol-Anne Duthie and John Farquhar as they introduce the project. You can learn more at the dedicated webpage for the project.

Episode 15. What is the Rural Exchange? Interview with SRUC's Jane Atterton

Listen to the episode here.

The Rural Exchange provides an exciting new platform for people living and working across Scotland’s rural and island communities to have their voices heard in both research and policy-making.

Jane Atterton, Senior Lecturer at SRUC and Project Leader offers insight into the Rural Exchange in this short introductory podcast.

Visit the dedicated website to learn more about the Rural Exchange.

Episode 14. What is NISRIE? Interview with Steven Thomson, Project Lead

Listen to the episode here.

In this podcast you can learn more about NISRIE by way of an interview with Steven Thomson, Project Lead.

NISRIE stands for "Novel Insights on Scotland's Island and Rural Economies". It is a project with four work packages:

• rural enterprises
• community wealth building
• agriculture beyond Brexit
• regional food economies

The aims and objectives of the project are discussed with Steven in this podcast. You can visit the dedicated website to learn more about NISRIE and the Rural Exchange.

Episode 13. Iceland Visit by Consulting and Research

Listen to the episode here.

Three representatives from SRUC and SAC Consulting recently visited Iceland to meet with food producers. They learnt a lot about how food is produced in Iceland, what new products are being developed, and how there is an emphasis on innovation and quality.

Join Ceri Ritchie (Head of Food and Enterprise), Alistair Trail (Principal Consultant) and Nicola Holden (Professor of Food Safety) as they chat about the surprising and wonderful discoveries they made on the trip, the networks they started building and what they learned.

Visit our safe and improved food pages.

Visit SAC Consulting's food & enterprise pages.

Episode 12. Barony Blether - Farm Chat with Kathryn Dick

Listen to the episode here.

Wallace Currie and Perry Parkinson are joined by Kathryn Dick, for a chat about all things farm-y. Kathryn is from a farming family, and this informal chat covers some of the fun stuff that comes from growing up on a farm and studying/working at SRUC.

Episode 11. Insect Protein in the UK

Listen to the episode here.

Join Lorna Pate and Pattanapong Tiwasing of SRUC as they talk about the use of insect protein in the UK, and some of the challenges facing the introduction of it as a food source.

Episode 10. Ecosystem Services - Agroforestry

Listen to the episode here.

This podcast is part of a series that is exploring the diverse range of ecosystem services are supplied by Scotland’s rural sector’s stock of natural capital. The topics included within the series are Arable and 3D Buffer Strips.

This episode is hosted by Stephen Briggs from Abacus Agriculture.

Stephen, an author of the Soil Association Agroforestry handbook and a consultant for Abacus Agriculture is also a first generation farmer. He discusses his experience of getting started with silvo-arable agroforestry on his farm.

Episode 9. Ecosystem Services - Arable

Listen to the episode here.

This podcast is part of a series that is exploring the diverse range of ecosystem services are supplied by Scotland’s rural sector’s stock of natural capital. The topics included within the series are Agroforestry, Arable and 3D Buffer Strips.

This episode is hopsted by Mary-Jane Lawrie, SAC Consulting.

Mary-Jane Lawrie is an Agricultural Consultant at SAC Consulting and works in all aspects of agricultural consultancy, including financial and technical reviews, options appraisals, feasibility studies, budgeting, with particular interest in climate change, carbon foot printing, nutrient budgeting, habitat management and conservation, environmental advice and soil management.

Episode 8. Ecosystem Services - 3D Bufferstrips

Listen to the episode here.

This podcast is part of a series that is exploring the diverse range of ecosystem services are supplied by Scotland’s rural sector’s stock of natural capital. The topics included within the series are Agroforestry and Arable.

Listen and learn more about 3D bufferstrips from Marc Stutter.

Marc is soil and water scientist at the James Hutton Institute who lives on a small Aberdeenshire farm. His interest in the environmental quality of streams, controlling nutrient pollution. Work with colleagues on flood mitigation and soil loss showed how simple natural processes can be re-designed back into more uniform river corridors to enhance beneficial processes; this led to the 3D buffers concept.

Episode 7. Barony Blether - introduction to Wallace and Perry

Listen to the episode here.

Join Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) Lecturer Wallace Currie and Shepherd/Stockworker Perry Parkinson for a fun and informal chat about their roles, their education, work history and what they get up to in their day to day adventures at SRUC's Barony Campus. This is the first of a series of episodes from our Barony Campus - so please subscribe to get the latest!

Episode 6. Circular Economy Based on Forages

Listen to the episode here.

This Podcast on Forages for a circular bioeconomy is hosted by SRUC's Vijay Thakur, our very own Professor in New Products from Biomass.

Vijay heads up biorefining & advanced materials research (BAMRC) at SRUC.

In this podcast, the panel discusses the role of Forages in a circular economy with a prime focus on current challenges and future perspectives.

Vijay is joined by special guest, Dr James Gaffey.

James is a Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the Circular Bioeconomy Research Group at Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre at Munster Technology University. He has been coordinator, lead PI and Co-PI on several EU and nationally-funded circular bioeconomy research projects. He is a member of the Expert Advisory Group to Ireland's National Bioeconomy Forum, and was on the Expert Panel for the Impact Assessment of Circular Biobased Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) successor programme to BBI JU under the Horizon Europe programme. Prior to joining MTU, James worked in the biorefinery industry since 2009 with the Technology Centre for Biorefining and Bioenergy, Sustainable Biopolymers and Cellulac Ltd. 

Also joining the panel from SRUC is:

• Dr David Lawson, an expert in Grassland agronomy and productivity, alternative outputs from grassland through bioprocessing and biomass-based renewable energy production.
• Dr John Newbold, Head of SRUC's Global Climate Emergency Challenge Centre
• Dr Vijai Gupta, an expert in biomass valorisation to value-added bioproducts, also from SRUC
• Professor Bob Rees, Head of Carbon, Crops and Soils at SRUC.

Link to SRUC's BAMRC pages.

Episode 5. Professor Davy McCracken on biodiversity and COP26

Listen to the episode here.

Professor Davy McCracken is our in-house expert on biodiversity and land management. This episode features Davy talking to William Ancell, Digital Manager at SRUC, about COP26 and how this is bringing the biodiversity crisis into focus.

Episode 4. COP 26 Round Table discussion with SRUC's Rural Policy Centre

Listen to the episode here.

This episode is packed with a panel of experts talking about the priorities they have for COP26 - what outputs they would like to see, and why.

From how farms can adapt to managing soils, to how climate is affecting food systems, to our own challenge centre tackling climate change, we've got it covered.

Episode 3. Rural Policy Centre - post-brexit policy in Scotland, covid-19 challenges, and tackling climate change & biodiversity.

Listen to the episode here.

In this episode, SRUC's Rural Policy Centre looks at the Policy landscape post-brexit, and after the results of the recent Scottish election. SRUC's Jane Atterton is a policy researcher is joined by a range of SRUC's policy experts to discuss the challenges of covid-19 and the re-shaping of Scottish policy following the UK's exit from the EU.

Episode 2. Rebuilding Natural Capital Through Nature-Based Solutions

Listen to the episode here.

SRUC's Dr Hannah Rudman looks at how a low carbon, nature-rich future can revitalise our economy, and how we can take advantage of the exceptional natural capital we have in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

By securing public and private investment in nature-based solutions via projects like Riverwoods, Landscape Enterprise Networks, and focusing on Vacant & Derelict Land, this podcast explores how Scotland can rebuild its natural capital so that future generations have a better world to live and work in.

Dr Hannah Rudman is a co-leader of both ​SRUC’s Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre and the Scottish Conservation Finance Pioneers network which is developing new natural capital investment projects that can deliver returns for investors.

Interviewees featured in the podcast are Andy Griffiths of Nestlé UK, Lucy Filby of SEPA, Deryck Irving of the Green Action Trust, and Rory Sandison and Bruce Wilson of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The podcast was funded by NatureScot and produced by Hannah with the support of Scottish Funding Council, via SRUC UIF funding.

Visit the website to learn more about SRUC's Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre.

Episode 1. Bioregioning Tayside - with Hannah Rudman

Listen to the episode here.

SRUC's Dr Hannah Rudman hosts this podcast on bioregioning the Tayside area in Scotland.

By the end of this half-hour podcast you'll understand the concept of a bioregion and how it helps us see the places we live and work with new eyes.

You'll learn about the project in Tayside which is helping regenerate local natural capital.

Hannah is co-lead of SRUC's Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre. Their goal is to research and build ecosystem markets to meet net-zero targets and reverse the biodiversity decline. We support thriving rural communities through regenerative agriculture and conservation.

This episode was previously available in SRUC's Thriving Natural Capital podcast. We're consolidating our podcast episodes under one SRUC-wide podcast.

Learn more at the Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre pages.