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

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/

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/

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/

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

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/

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

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!

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

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.

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

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/

We’re going to be at the FAS conference Cultivating Change: Tech-Driven Futures for Farmers and Crofters in Inverness in February. Looking forward to attending. Book your place at www.fas.scot/events/event/fas-conference-2026/

With cattle housed for the winter, the 4 Point Plan offers some tips and ideas about managing water around the steading, which could also free up space in your slurry store. Info and links at

Field heap or midden? Stephen Field from @scottishepa.bsky.social (SEPA) gives some useful guidance in our recent newsletter

We are getting ready for AgriScot. Join us and SAC Consulting, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), NetRegs and Voluntary Initiative in the Upland Hall on stand 236. @alexclarkpirie.bsky.social @sacconsulting.bsky.social

Its a busy November for us, we are off to AgriScot next week with special guests on the stand from SAC Consulting, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Voluntary Initiative, and NetRegs. Find us in the Upland Hall on stand 236.

We are at Mains Farm nr Eaglesham tomorrow by kind permission of host George Strang, with SEPA and @alexclarkpirie.bsky.social from SAC Consulting to talk about ditches and dredging. Might still be places available - contact the SAC Consulting Ayr office to book. @sacconsulting.bsky.social

A lot of folks question what they can and can’t do in terms of ditches and dredging on farm. Join SEPA and @alexclarkpirie.bsky from SAC Consulting by kind permission of George Strang at Mains Farm Eaglesham, 11th Nov to hear more - details in flyer below. @sacconsulting.bsky.social

Farmers, land managers, & landowners of the Leven catchment: join our farmer & land manager network. The network is an opportunity share experiences, learn from each other, & explore practical topics like soil health, water management, crop rotations, fertiliser use, grazing techniques & more.

Only one week to go! By kind permission of host George Strang, join SEPA and @alexclarkpirie.bsky.social from SAC Consulting at Mains Farm Eaglesham to talk all things ditches and dredging on the farm. Book via SAC Ayr office - details on flyer! @SACConsulting.bsky.social

Environmental authorisations in Scotland are moving to EASR (Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regs). It aims to make the permitting process for authorised activities (e.g. water abstraction) clearer and more consistent. Our Autumn newsletter covered the main changes, see

Watch one farmers experience of bank erosion on his farm and how sustainable bank protection using willow spiling helped to keep this in check at

Although not suitable for all sites, sustainable bank protection using trees and branches can be a softer and more ecologically sound bank protection option in contrast to gabion baskets. Take a listen to our podcast

Exciting news - only a few weeks til we visit Mains Farm, Eaglesham with SEPA and @alexclarkpirie.bsky.social from SAC Consulting. We'll look at ditches and dredging on farm, what to be mindful of, and when to speak to SEPA. See flyer for details @sacconsulting.bsky.social @scottishepa.bsky.social

We are putting together our Farming and Water Scotland newsletter with info on an up and coming event looking at practical things you can do to manage on-farm drainage – sign up via our website or at shorturl.at/z4cFS to receive your copy.

November sees the introduction of new Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR) which could affect those applying waste to land to improve soils. Our colleagues over at FAS have produced an informative Podcast. There's more information on the SEPA website

Are you keeping 2m buffers around watercourses for cross compliance or wider as an EFA (Ecological Focus Area as part of the Greening rules under the Basic Payment Scheme)? Either way, buffers can protect water quality. We’ve more info in managing water margins at

Not sure what to expect at a Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Priority catchment inspection? SEPA and Scotland's Farm Advisory Service (FAS) put together a series of helpful information videos. Watch at

Still needing to collect soil samples for analysis? There’s a nice ‘how to’ reminder in the Valuing Your Soils Brochure Field Sheets at shorturl.at/UlKO4

Another round of Scottish Government Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) funding for 2026 has been announced. No firm detail as yet, but previous measures included support ranging from floodplain management to irrigation lagoons. Announcement at

How are other farmers managing their soils? See hints, tips and ideas in the Valuing Your Soils brochure, download at

Can you confidently 'hand-texture' your soils? Want a reminder? See the Valuing Your Soils brochure . Download at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/soil-nutrien...

Back in July, we caught up with SEPA’s Pete Wright plus Sally MacKenzie and Malcolm Smith from cairngormsnews.bsky.social to talk about the water scarcity situation. If you missed it, watch at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/water-scarcity-impact-and-mitigation-measures-scotland/

Data from the Met office shows a mixed picture of rainfall across Scotland (and the UK) over the summer months when compared to the 1991-2020 average. You can read their weather and climate summaries at www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/cli...

Tramline management can protect farm soils and reduce runoff; we have an informative slide set with some different machinery options. Take a look at

Plenty of field work going on right now. Remember to keep 2m back from surface water, wetlands or shorelines. More detail in our Know the Rules Factsheet 11; series available at www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/know-the-rules/

Thinking about gold panning? You better get a move on. Good practice requires that gold panning actives shouldn’t be carried out between 1st October and 31st May where fish are present to protect spawning and emergence. See SEPAs position on gold panning shorturl.at/27y3T [Pic from pixabay.com]

SEPA release their Water Scarcity Reports on a Thursday. Read the latest updates beta.sepa.scot/water-scarci...

We heard from SAC Consulting's Harry Fisher about some of the benefits of pond creation and how it's a win-win, providing both an asset for the farm and haven for biodiversity. You can read more at bit.ly/44WLW28 @sacconsulting.bsky.social @scottishepa.bsky.social

Maintenance of field drainage systems, including any work to remove sediments, vegetation or debris from a field drain or completely man-made ditch can be done at any time without contacting SEPA. See Know the Rules factsheet 14 bit.ly/3UKByEt @scottishepa.bsky.social @sacconsulting.bsky.social

Fancy a new podcast? From riparian planting, to use of digestate, to IPM, we’ve chatted to a range of farmers, regulators, Agric technical specialists and consultants. Take a look at our podcast page at tinyurl.com/23z5ex5z @sacconsulting.bsky.social @scottishepa.bsky.social