Peaks and Troughs of Grass and Water
Manage episode 419808546 series 3570590
Welcome to the second episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant Kirsten Williams. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Poppy Frater (Senior Consultant, SAC Consulting) and Kerr Adams (Research Scientist, The James Hutton Institute). They discuss grass and water management and look at how to build resilience into a system. Also, the wet winter, late spring and how to manage grass growth and maximise productivity. To round off the discussion, our panel look ahead to the summer months, trends and how to plan for possible drought problems.
Episode Timestamps
00.00 Introduction
01.29 Making best use of pasture
02.35 Three leaf rule
04.19 Grass target heights – hitting the sweet spot
05.45 Value of rest
10.30 Effect of a changing climate on water availability
11:55 Climatic water balance projections
15.23 Water footprint
18.52 Strategies to increase water holding capacity
21.59 Sheep are the solution!
22.15 Building resilience into the system
25.45 Learning from others
28.18 Software to help manage supply and demand. Scenario planning.
32.42 Forage crops
33.16 Cashflow
34.35 Change one little thing
38.50 Key message for managing grass supplies
39.34 Key message for managing water supplies
41.17 Kirsten's take home message
FAS Resources
www.fas.scot/publication/resilient-technology-options-for-water-management-on-farm/
www.fas.scot/article/water-scarcity-and-rising-temperatures/
www.fas.scot/publication/feast-or-famine-water-on-your-farm-water-scarcity-video/
Other Resources
www.farmingandwaterscotland.org
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot
Twitter: @FASScot
Facebook: @FASScot
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161
Email: advice@fas.scot
5 episodes