Farming & Water Scotland

Farming & Water Scotland

Helping farmers to reduce diffuse pollution risks and benefit their farming business.

  1. Scottish bathing waters: How can we improve these resources?

    6d ago

    Scottish bathing waters: How can we improve these resources?

    Scotland currently has 90 designated bathing waters across the country. In this podcast we are joined by Ruth Stidson, National science lead for bathing water quality in Scotland, and Jackie McColm, Senior Environmental Protection Officer for SEPA.  Our bathing waters are an essential resource to all who use them, and bring multiple benefits to the surrounding area. Here we discuss what bathing waters offer Scotland, looking into the detail at how they are monitored and protected. Through this we discuss how collectively we can work together to improve and manage these areas to the benefits for all who use them. Further resources:Scotland's Bathing Waters SEPA home page https://bathingwaters.sepa.org.uk/ Scotland's bathing waters: locations and results https://bathingwaters.sepa.org.uk/locations-and-results/ Scotland's bathing waters: Classifications https://bathingwaters.sepa.org.uk/classifications/Farming and Water Scotland https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/FAS Agricultural Actions to improve bathing waters video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWjYby2KY7k

    24 min

  2. Mar 26

    How to build resilience to water scarcity: Practical Guide

    Our climate is changing, how this impacts the agriculture sector is going to be down to how resilient the businesses can become. But where do you start? New guidance from CREW, who are the Centre of expertise for waters, has been released on ‘Planning for Water Scarcity: Practical guidance for Scottish farmers and growers’. In this podcast David Haro Monteagudo from Aberdeen University and Fiona Salter, SAC Consulting, discuss current climate trends and break down the guide to focus this episode on 'How resilient is your farm business to water scarcity?' Supporting material Planning for Water Scarcity: Practical guidance for Scottish farmers and growers https://www.crew.ac.uk/publications/planning-for-water-scarcity  Drought Risk Assessment Toolhttps://www2.sepa.org.uk/drought-risk-assessment-tool SEPA Abstraction https://beta.sepa.scot/regulation/authorisations-and-compliance/easr-authorisations/water-activities/

    22 min
  3. NetRegs: Guidance to help business

    Mar 16

    NetRegs: Guidance to help business

    NetRegs provides environmental guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland. But what does this mean, and how can you use it? In this podcast we chat with Andrew Wallace and Pete Wright about how information is shared on NetRegs, what can be expected and the different resources which are available to help land managers stay compliant with environmental regulation. Highlight best practice, guidance and training opportunities.  Supporting MaterialNetRegs homepage https://www.netregs.org.uk/about/SEPA home page https://www.sepa.org.uk/NetRegs E-learning courses https://www.netregs.org.uk/tools/ Contact NetRegs: netregs@sepa.org.uk

    25 min

  4. Feb 3

    2025 - Water availability - what can we do in a changing climate?

    In 2025, all areas of Scotland were impacted by reduced water availability at some point. With projections showing that droughts will occur more frequently - what does this mean for the agricultural community? In this episode we hear from Pete Wright, SEPA, on how water shortages impact the environment and farming sector. Looking to ways that land managers can find solutions to remain viable in a changing climate.Further information SEPA: Water Scarcity https://beta.sepa.scot/water-scarcity/ Farming and Water Scotland https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/managing-water/ FAS: Water Management https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/

    29 min

  5. 06/12/2025

    Water Scarcity: Impacts across Scotland

    Water scarcity occurs when there is not enough water to meet the demands of humans and the ecology. Recent trends have seen an increase in the frequency of water shortage, but what are the implications of this for those who work, use and rely on water supply. In this podcast, Farming and Water Scotland are in conversation with Pete Wright from SEPA, Malcolm Smith, Agricultural Advisor at the Cairngorms National Park and Duncan Ferguson, Spey Fishery Board to discuss the impact of water scarcity throughout Scotland and what mitigation options are available. Supporting material:SEPA: Water Scarcity https://beta.sepa.scot/water-scarcity/SEPA: Abstractions https://www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/water/abstractions/Alternative Watering: https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/livestock/alternative-watering/ FAS: Water Management https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/Cairngorns National Park https://cairngorms.co.uk/ The Spey Fishery Board https://riverspey.org/

    37 min

  6. 03/24/2025

    Integrated Pest Management and the Voluntary Initiative

    Image copyright Craig StephenHow can you improve pesticide management on farm? In this podcast we chat with Neal Evans, Operational Director from The Voluntary Initiative and David Bell, farmer and chairperson of The Voluntary Initiative. Throughout the podcast we discuss the management of pesticides, integrated pest management and options open to farmers.Supporting materialVoluntary Initiative https://voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/Integrated Pest Management https://voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/schemes/integrated-pest-management/NRoSO The National Register or Sprayer Operators https://voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/schemes/nroso/IPM Assessment Plan https://www.planthealthcentre.scot/scottish-ipm-assessment-planPEPFAA Code https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource-category/pesticides/Pesticide Management https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/pesticide-management/Think Water https://voluntaryinitiative.org.uk/schemes/stewardship/think-water/National Sprayer Testing scheme https://www.nsts.org.uk/Farming and Water Scotland website https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/Plant Health for Scotland https://www.planthealthcentre.scot/BeeConnected https://beeconnected.org.uk/

    39 min
  7. Riverbank Stabilisation - what do you need to do

    03/04/2025

    Riverbank Stabilisation - what do you need to do

    Riverbank stabilisation features can been a key solution to protecting riverbanks and safeguarding key agricultural land. In this podcast episode we chat with Helen Reid, Senior Hydromorphologist from SEPA and Alex Pirie from SAC Consulting about schemes throughout Scotland, the practical and technical elements land managers need to know before approaching a project and potential funding paths that are currently open.Supporting material AECS capital option Restoring (Protecting) River Banks SEPA design guide https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/219450/bank_protection_guidance.pdf Videos showing the sites after installation Sustainable riverbank protection | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Farming and Water Scotland Natural Flood Management page https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/managing-water/natural-flood-management/   Wild Trout Trust flume video showing different types of bank protection Rebalancing bank erosion rates Farm Advisory Service - Water Management https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/

    36 min

  8. 01/29/2025

    Organic matter - why is it important?

    Image © Craig StephenOrganic matter, why is it important, what benefits does it bring to the soil? In this podcast we discuss organic matter, from what it is, to the benefits that can be gained from improving the quantity in your soil. With Zack Reilly from Scottish Agronomy and Wull Dryburgh from SEPA the podcast discusses the technical break down of soil to the interaction with land managers who have spent years dedicated to improving their soil.The conversation then turns to soil organic carbon and what that actually means, and what land managers need to know.Supporting material:Soils and nutrientsValuing your soilsPEPFAA Code: SoilsFarm Advisory Service: SoilsScotland's soilsJames Hutton Institute: Soils maps

    42 min
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Helping farmers to reduce diffuse pollution risks and benefit their farming business.

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