Farming & Water Scotland

FAS TV Series 5 Ep 17 - Virtual Fencing Technology Benefits On this week’s FAS TV we’re back at the Strathspey Monitor Farm to find out how the Smiths have got on with trialling virtual fence technology with their bulling heifers on a species rich hill which…

Our colleagues over at FAS have put together a video on virtual fencing – could it benefit your farm? Watch at

Diffuse Pollution - Farming and Water Scotland Reducing diffuse pollution risks can bring a financial benefit to the business whilst also protecting the environment.

Do you need a diffuse pollution audit? There's more info on diffuse pollution and how to reduce the risk over on our webpages www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/diffuse-pollution/

Importing organic fertilisers onto your farm -what do you need to consider? - Farming and Water Scotland If considering bringing organic materials onto your farm, what do you need to know to stay within the rules and benefit your farm

Considering bringing organic fertilisers on to the farm? If the answer is yes, take a look at our recent newsletter article exploring what you need to do to keep on the right side of the regs www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/importing-organic-fertilisers-on-farm-what-do-you-need-to-know/

Alternative Watering - Farming and Water Scotland Although piped mains or borehole water is the first choice as drinking water for livestock, there are some grazing areas too remote from the steading where piping water isn’t an option.

Support to fund alternative watering for field grazed livestock is one of the options under AECS. Range of different systems and all have their pros and cons – see our videos over at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/livestock/alternative-watering/

Getting ready for our joint event with @forthriverstrust.bsky.social and @SASConsulting.bsky.social on 3 March at Drum of Kinnaird, Airth. Looking at what you can to wrt ditches and dredging and other practical ideas for dealing with water around the steading - free event - booking details below.

Responding to Extremes - Forfar | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service Come along to explore how to build resilience to flooding and drought in farming systems by improving soil health. This event offers an opportunity to

This time next week we'll be getting ready to head to Aberlemno to join Scotland's Farm Advisory Service (FAS) colleagues and farmers, discussing how we can better plan for and respond to weather extremes. Still time to book – details at www.fas.scot/events/event/responding-to-extremes-forfar/

Riverbank restoration – where to start - Farming and Water Scotland Riverbank restoration can be daunting, where do you start? Here we explain where this type of project is feasible and possible.

SAC Consulting’s @AlexClarkPirie.bsky.social featured in our recent newsletter, giving an overview of where to start with riverbank restoration, including looking at margins and ponds. Read at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/riverbank-restoration-where-to-start/ @sacconsulting.bsky.social

A practical on farm event looking at watercourse management with @Forthriverstrust.bsky.social and and SAC Consulting's
@alexclarkpirie.bsky.social on 3rd March near Airth. More info and sign up details below.

We’ve been at events with our Farm Advisory Service (FAS) colleagues in Stirling, Grantown on Spey and Crathes recently looking at preparing for weather extremes. Next one 2nd March in Aberlemno www.fas.scot/events/event/responding-to-extremes-forfar/

Ditches and Dredging Part 1: What do you need to know - Farming and Water Scotland SEPA discuss the recent changes to authorisation required when working in ditches and rivers on farm. Here we discuss what you need to know.

Looking for practical tips on waterway management? We are planning an on-farm event with @forthriverstrust.bsky.social and SAC Consulting's @alexclarkpirie.bsky.social - more to follow! www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/ditches-and-dredging-part-what-do-you-need-to-know/

What are the regulations regarding slurry storage capacity and design on farm? - Farming and Water Scotland What regulations do you need to know when storing slurry on farm. Looking at how the regulations have changed to processes and rules now.

Our Winter newsletter featured a recap from SEPA's Stephen Field around the regs regarding slurry storage – if you missed the newsletter, you can read it here www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/what-are-the-regulations-regarding-slurry-storage-capacity-and-design-on-farm/

🌿💧 #NaturalFloodManagement (#NFM) restores natural river and floodplain functions to slow runoff, store water, and reduce #floodrisk to homes, communities and the environment 🏘️🌳

Learn more ➡️ thefloodhub.co.uk/nfm/
#FloodAware #FloodResilience

Map of UK showing detail for February 2026 UK Hydrological Outlook

Latest UK Hydrological Outlook 🌧️

River flows in eastern Scotland likely normal to above normal over next 3 months; flows elsewhere in the normal range except southern England. Here, river flows & groundwater levels likely above normal to notably high.

See more: hydoutuk.net/latest-outlook 🧪

We know its been a wet (and snowy) January, but could summer bring another water scarcity situation? Our latest podcast reviews 2025 and looks at ways to reduce business risk around water scarcity www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/water-availability-what-can-we-do-in-a-changing-climate/

Farming & Water Scotland - Farming and Water Scotland The Farming and Water Scotland initiative helps farmers and land managers keep on the right side of the diffuse pollution regulations, reduce diffuse pollution risks and benefit the farm business.

We are putting together our winter newsletter – you can receive it straight to your inbox. What would you like to see in future editions? Sign up or contact us via our homepage at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/

Responding to Extremes: Stonehaven Water Planning on Farm | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service Come along to explore how to build resilience to drought in farming systems by improving soil health, implementing rainwater collection, and managing

And on Thursday (29th Jan) , we are across to Crathes, near Banchory to hear about water planning on the farm with Scottish Water, Filpumps and SEPA. Booking details at www.fas.scot/events/event/responding-to-extremes-stonehaven-water-planning-on-farm/

Responding to Extremes: Inverness Managing Changing Weather | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service Join us as we examine how changing weather patterns are impacting Scottish farming, from spring droughts to periods of flooding, and what this means for

Its a busy week for us with our colleagues across at Scotland's Farm Advisory Service - FAS. First stop is Grantown on Spey on Wednesday (28th Jan) for the Managing Changing Weather event – see their web page for booking details

Women in Agriculture Conference 2026 | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service This year’s theme is “Land, legacy and leadership” which we will explore through inspirational speakers, break out sessions and presentations. The full agenda will follow shortly, but if you can book…

Land, Legacy and Leadership is the theme for the 2026 Farm Advisory Service Women in Ag conference in Edinburgh on 11th Feb. We are booked already 🥳 - details at www.fas.scot/events/event/women-in-agriculture-conference-2026/

Natural Flood Management Archives - Farming and Water Scotland Natural flood management can help land managers manage water on farm, become more resilient in a changing climate. Looking to nature based solutions.

With more ‘weather extremes’ predicted for Scotland, its worth looking at nature based solutions and how they could help reduce the impact of flooding – see what other farmers have done at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource-category/natural-flood-management/

Calling Upper Forth farmers & land managers!

Don't miss your chance to join the Upper Forth network - let us know your views about the issues that matter to you, share knowledge + expertise, + benefit from site visits, webinars, advice + more. Head to www.upperforthnetwork.org for further details.

Adaptation Scotland have put together a summary of climate change predictions and how they relate to Scotland. 2025 was Scotland's warmest year on record. Will 2026 be in line with predicted trends? Info at

Nature based solution on the Glenlivet Estate. Photo credit: Dr Mark Wilkinson

When Streams Run Low: Building Drought Resilience Through Nature-Based Solutions 🌱💧

Read out latest case study by @hutton.ac.uk and @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social via the link below.

📎https://tinyurl.com/StreamsRunLow

#HydrologicalExtremes #WaterResilience #ClimateAdaptation #WaterScarcity

❄️ Recent icy conditions across the Forth catchment mean our rivers are at their coldest, with fish conserving energy through winter. Cold, clean, oxygen-rich water helps wildlife thrive year-round. Magnus captured this shot from the River Teith yesterday. How’s your local river looking? Share below!

Ditches and Dredging Part 2: What can you do? - Farming and Water Scotland How can farmers manage watercourses on farm, how can you work with SEPA and rules to protect your business and the environment.

Last week we shared Part 1 in our Ditching and Dredging series – Part II goes into more detail, covering some of the practical activities that can be done on farm as part of the general binding rules. Its at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/ditches-and-dredging-part-what-can-you-do/

Thinking of clearing out some of the ditches around the farm? Our Know the Rules Factsheet provides a handy reminder of do's and dont's along with some key definitions. It’s at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FW-Factsheet-14.pdf

Ditches and Dredging Part 1: What do you need to know - Farming and Water Scotland SEPA discuss the recent changes to authorisation required when working in ditches and rivers on farm. Here we discuss what you need to know.

Following on from our Ditching and Dredging event at Mains Farm in November, we’ve got two new videos to share – Part 1 sees handy recap on what work you can do, and when (and why) you should contact SEPA. www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/ditches-and-dredging-part-what-do-you-need-to-know/

It’s a snowy start for some, but what else will 2026 bring? Our colleagues over at Scotland's Farm Advisory Service have some useful resources on responding to weather extremes www.fas.scot/responding-to-changing-weather/

With very best wishes for the festive period. That's Farming and Water Scotland signing off for this year - see you back here in 2026.

Riverbank Stabilisation - what do you need to do? - Farming and Water Scotland Learn the practical & technical elements land managers should know before approaching a riverbank stabilisation project.

High flows can accelerate bank side erosion and loss of land. Our recent podcast looks at some of the options for Bankside stabilisation

Improving Soils and Preventing Runoff and Erosion Through Tramline Management - Farming and Water Scotland Tramlines are a major diffuse pollution pathway. Controlled traffic farming (CTF) systems reduce soil damage, can increase yield and save both fuel and time.

Tramline management is one way to reduce runoff containing valuable soils and nutrients leaving your farm during wet weather. Take a look at our video presentation at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/improving-soils-and-preventing-runoff-and-erosion-through-tramline-management/