An early harvest gives opportunity to assess soil health before autumn drilling. Knowing current nutrient and pH levels allows more targeted (and cost effective) use of manures, fertiliser and lime.

Limited rainfall in July put a number of Scottish catchments into a significant water scarcity situation. Here are the water scarcity status maps for July, taken from the SEPA Water Scarcity Reports. Full reports released weekly at beta.sepa.scot/water-scarci...

BREAKING NEWS | Thousands missed out, but FFIS winners can go again #scottishfarmers #agriculture #farmers

Previous FFIS recipients eligible for fresh funding round

Farmers and crofters who secured FFIS funding in 2025 will be able to apply again, as Scotland announces changes after thousands of first-round…

thescottishfarmer.co.uk

Need to update your RAMS (Risk Assessment for Manure and Slurry) plan? We've got some handy resources - take a look at Factsheet 9 in the Farming and Water Scotland Know the Rules series bit.ly/3TGgAJH or for more detail, see our step by step guide as part of The 4 Point Plan at bit.ly/4yFIrtw

Exciting new, free #Riverwoods webinar series starts Wed 29 July. ALL WELCOME 🧑‍💻 Sessions will dive into key aspects of developing, delivering & monitoring #RiverRestoration projects. 1st session: involving local communities, accessibility, resources tour + live Q&A. Sign up: buff.ly/VvzpNzL

From Potato irrigation innovations to understanding the 5-metre poaching rule, there’s been some great guest articles covering a diverse range of topics in our previous newsletters. Sign up for future editions and see past articles at

Farming and Water Scotland Newsletter Archives - Farming and Water Scotland

Quarterly seasonal newsletter focusing improving and providing key information on water management on farm. Looking at innovative and cost effective methods

shorturl.at

It’s Farm Safety Week. From preventing combine fires to working at height, the Farm Safety Foundation have produced ‘The Little Book of Farm Safety’ with loads of practical information to help keep you and others safe on farm. Take a look at www.yellowwellies.org/resources/ page.

Could soil compaction be limiting growth? Our video with Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service shows how to use the VESS method to identify soil structural issues. Take a look www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/a-guide-to-the-visual-evaluation-of-soil-structure-vess/

A guide to the Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS) - Farming and Water Scotland

Dr. Bill Crooks, a soils and drainage expert, is on a farm to demonstrate how to undertake a Visual Examination of Soil Structure (VESS).

farmingandwaterscotland.org

Looking for a new podcast series around farming and water in Scotland? See what other farmers are doing. Lots to go at, from magic margins to organic matter at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource-cat...

We are hearing a lot about regen ag. In last months podcast, we spoke to David Ross, Senior Consultant @sacconsulting.bsky.social for a practical take on regen ag,and how it can build soil resilience and help to improve water management on farm. Listen at shorturl.at/BgsCI

Regenerative Agriculture: Back to basics - Farming and Water Scotland

Looking at how regenerative agriculture can help build farm resilience to a changing climate. Helping to improve water management on farm.

farmingandwaterscotland.org

Unintentional slurry runoff = loss of valuable nutrients & can impact burn/river quality. Keep a min. 10m buffer between slurry applications and watercourses. Our handy tractor cab sticker reminds you to 'Mind the Gap' - collect from @sacconsulting.bsky.social offices (where available).

Our Farming and Water Scotland Newsletter came out this week. Didn’t get yours? Sign up via our webpage www.farmingandwaterScotland.org

Dry conditions through April and much of May have left many UK crops under moisture stress, with the recent heatwave adding fresh uncertainty to…

UK crops under moisture stress after dry April and May

thescottishfarmer.co.uk

Unpredictable and/or prolonged dry spells could put pressure on our water resources. We've some practical ideas and links that could help improve farm resilience - see our planning for water scarcity pages. Take a look at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/managing-water/extreme_weather/

Improving farm resilience to changing weather - Farming and Water Scotland

Natural Flood Management techniques can help farms become more resilient in the face of increasing wet weather events.

farmingandwaterscotland.org

How are weather conditions impacting water resources in Scotland? Here's a compilation of the SEPA Water Scarcity Report maps for June. Full reports released weekly at beta.sepa.scot/water-scarci... @Scottishepa.bsky.social @sacconsulting.bsky.social

Be the first to know! 🚜 Sign up for our monthly newsletter to get updates on FWS activities and exclusive invites to our forthcoming events (currently planning our autumn roadshow!). Don't miss out on our next big invite! 👇 Sign up at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org

New report live! 📝 Exploring barriers & opportunities for water, nature and climate-friendly farming around the Firth of Forth. 🚜 Pick up a copy at the RSPB stall at the Royal Highland Show or read online: www.wwf.org.uk/our-reports/barriers-enablers-water-nature-climate-friendly-farming-summary

Rainfall boosts Scotland’s crops, easing drought stress, but rising temperatures are increasing disease risks across cereals, oilseed rape and…

Timely showers boost crops as disease pressure increases

thescottishfarmer.co.uk

Going to Royal Highland Show on Friday? Join Farming and Water Scotland and guests as we explore how to build farm resilience in an unpredictable climate at our panel session. SRUC Pavilion 13.45 - details and to register shorturl.at/kCbne @SACConsulting.bsky.social @SRUCNews.bsky.social

We are all set up and ready to go at ScotSheep 2026 with colleagues from @SACConsulting.bsky.social and SEPA - pop in and see us! We are in Shed 10 (and if you are quick, you might get one of our new fancy notebooks?).

We are heading to Wedderlie Farm in Berwickshire tomorrow (Wed 10th June) for Scotsheep! Pop in, we are in Shed 10 with guests from @SACConsulting.bsky.social and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) More info at

NSA Scotsheep | National Sheep Association

NSA Scotsheep is Scotland's biennial National Sheep Event.

scotsheep.org.uk

Valuing your Soils brochure - It’s available on line, or your local SAC Office should be able to source you a paper copy. Alternatively we have a few in the FWS office - contact us via the website and we’ll post one out www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/soil-nutrients/valuing-your-soils/

Valuing your soils - Farming and Water Scotland

The "Valuing Your Soils", booklet and supporting information has been produced to help Scottish farmers, crofters, and land managers protect.

farmingandwaterscotland.org

VESS - Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure. You just need a spade and this handy field sheet, available on line and in the back of the Valuing Your Soils Brochure.

A guide to the Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS) - Farming and Water Scotland

Dr. Bill Crooks, a soils and drainage expert, is on a farm to demonstrate how to undertake a Visual Examination of Soil Structure (VESS).

farmingandwaterscotland.org

For field grazed livestock using burn-fed drinking troughs, a bespoke abstraction point can reduce risk of pump failure during low water flows, and protect inlets at high flows. More info, inc 2 abstraction point designs in FAS TechNote TN665 www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/?s=alternative+watering

DYK the majority of silage effluent is produced in the first two weeks after ensiling? If allowed into watercourses, silage effluent depletes oxygen. At times of warm weather and low flows, with aquatic life already under pressure, an effluent spill can be devastating.

We've collected some useful articles and links on improving resilience to extreme weather, leading with water scarcity. Take a look at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/managing-water/extreme_weather/

SEPA Water Scarcity report comes out every Thursday. With the continuing (mostly) dry weather, a few more catchments have moved into Early Warning status. You can see the full report at beta.sepa.scot/water-scarci...

So many farmers are working to support nature – get recognised for what you do! The Nature of Scotland Awards are open for nominations until 26th May 2026. Take a look at www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/nature-of-scotland-awards

Change of plan – our tent has decided to book holidays this week so we will be joining our friends at the SRUC @SACConsulting.bsky.social stand in plot 4 for Scotgrass on Wednesday! Will have copies of the Valuing Your Soil brochure and Mind the Gap sticker - pop in and see us.

New tractor? You’ll need to pick up a new Mind the Gap cab sticker from us when you go to Scotgrass on Wednesday.