The SRUC Podcast

Join host Alison Braddock, Marketing and Business Development Manager, as she chats with special guest Lorraine Johnston, SRUC’s Bee Advisor for Scotland. Explore the hidden complexity of bee society, how a hive works throughout the year, and why these incredible pollinators are essential to our food systems.
Whether you’re a beekeeper, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious about the tiny creatures that keep our world thriving, this episode is packed with insights, surprising facts, and practical tips to help protect all types of bees.
You can email Lorraine at [email protected] or join the local beekeeping association, join other groups such as the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust. Any crofters, farmers, smallholders, and beekeepers can get in touch if they wish to attend one of the two pollinator conferences FAS (Farm Advisory service) are organising in Dumfries at the Barony on the 27th of February and in Perth on the 27th of March.
Sources of information:
Scottish Bees Information Sheet
Honey bees in the UK
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

This podcast has been created as a useful update for farm vets with beef clients. Gareth Mulligan, Director of Afon Vets a mixed practice in South Wales and Chairman of Iechyd Da (the delivery partner for South Wales), speaks to Alison Braddock, SRUC Veterinary Services. The Welsh Governments' Sustainability in Farming Scheme is launching in March of this year with opportunities for local farm vets to work directly with their farm clients to deliver an Animal Health Improvement Cycle programme with the overall aim of improving animal health production metrics and therein farm productivity performance. They discuss how the Premium Cattle Health Scheme (PCHS) can be an effective tool for suckler herds to improve health and productivity help tackle diseases such as BVD and Johne's Disease and the potential to develop the scheme in commercial as well as pedigree herds.
See the CHECS (Cattle Health Certification Standards) technical document
PCHS Quick Guides to Biosecurity, BVD and Johne's for vets out and about plus an overview of each scheme.
More information is available at www.cattlehealth.co.uk

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in SRUC and On the Hoof podcasts are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Scotland’s Rural College. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only, not professional advice. The "Scotland’s Rural College" name and all forms and abbreviations (including but not limited to SRUC, and inclusive of SAC Consulting) are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organisation, product, or service.

Guests:
Mike McKenna – General Manager, Amata Spring Country Club
Mike O’Keeffe – Global Intern Manager, Ohio State University’s International Turfgrass Intern Program

Summary:
Ian is joined by Mike O’Keeffe to speak with Mike McKenna about his extraordinary career journey in the golf industry that has taken him from Newcastle to stunning locales around the world. Currently the Managing Director at Amata Springs Country Club in Thailand, Mike M kindly takes the podcast on a whistlestop tour of his career and shares some of the incredible experiences he’s had along the way working in the game of golf. Please join Ian, Mike, and Mike for an entertaining discussion with a top golf industry professional about making a career in the game and taking advantage of the opportunities that come your way.
Links From The Podcast:
Amata Spring Country Club
Ohio State University International Intern Turfgrass Program

Guest:
Tony Hanson – Managing Director, Environmental Solutions International

Summary:
Water! Yes, that’s right we are talking water in this episode of the podcast with Tony Hanson, Managing Director of Environmental Solutions International. Water accessibility is a compelling topic around the globe and one the golf industry will need to come to terms with sooner than later. Tony provides some compelling insight on the future of water access for the broader leisure industry and how this may influence future practice for golf course operators. Please join us for a wide-ranging chat about water resources, carbon reporting, risk management, and how sustainability can be conceptualised as an efficient approach to running a business.
Links From The Podcast:
Environmental Solutions International
Leisure Association Water Charter and Leisure Operator Water Charter
The National Framework For Water Resources 2025

Guest:
Kate Stillwell – Head Greenkeeper, The Golf Club of Kópavogur and Garðabær (GKG)

Summary:
Ian and Ben virtually touch down in Reykjavík, Iceland for an engaging chat with Kate Stillwell, Head Greenkeeper at Golf Club of Kópavogur and Garðabær to discuss her career journey, the experience of working abroad, and Icelandic culture. We dive into a broad range
of topics with Kate including what drew her to the golf industry, the benefits of volunteering at tournaments, the challenges of harsh winter conditions on golf course management, the family culture of golf in Iceland, and the unique challenge of 24 hour tee times! Please join us for an entertaining podcast with of the UK’s brightest young leaders in the golf industry plying her trade in the dramatic environment of Iceland.
Links From The Podcast:
Golf Club of Kópavogur and Garðabær (GKG)
R&A Women in Golf Leadership Programme
The British and International Golf Greenkeepers' Association (BIGGA)