Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

We are at Dornie hall, talking to clerks and committee members about the issues they face when trying to run the common grazing, especially when it comes to finances.  Firstly, we talk with Finlay Beaton from the Crofting Commission, about the problems that they deal with and the solutions for clerks. Finlay also has the advantage of having worked with RPID, so also understands the grant and...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, George & Robert are joined by Professor Steven Thomson from SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre to shine a spotlight on what’s happening currently with rural and agricultural policy.     For more information, visit  www. FAS.scot &nbs...

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Lucy Mitchell.  Lucy was an active member of Young Farmers from her early twenties and went on to become national chair of SAYFC from 2022 to 2023.  Lucy has recently handed over this role, and she tells us about what Young Farmers is, what sort of opportunities it gives young people, and what her year as national chair was like.  Related Resources:  L...

Welcome to Cropcast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Stephenson will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field.  Producer George Gauley, Editor Iain Boyd, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with the Scottish Government.  In this episode Tif...

THRILL OF THE HILL | Farmland covers the Scottish landscape, between 70% and 80% of it, but farmers are not the only stakeholders in the countryside. Increasing, the general public are interacting with farming and land management, encouraged by the prospects of adventure, points of interest, leisure, health and well-being. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) makes provisions for responsible ac...

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, In this edition we are also bringing you 2 sector overviews on dairy costs and science-based targets helping to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. We will also be bringing you news on feed costs and the importance of cashflow.   Show Notes   00.48:-News in Brief  03.01:-Policy Briefs - Hou...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George & Tiffany chat about the Scottish Agricultural awards, AECS 2024 and the Nature Restoration Fund.   FAS Resources  Borders Vet Lab Visit | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)   Farmyard...

 Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Ana Allamand. Ana grew up in Chile before moving to Scotland. She tells us about agriculture in Chile and her work over here with the Soil Association. Ana works to bring farmers together to learn from each other and foster innovation, and has great knowledge about how culture and agriculture fit together. FAS Resources FAS Connect | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm A...

Don’t miss out on the current schemes which boost income and improve animal and soil health! We discuss the PSF scheme, the future of subsidy, recent changes to the Croft House Grant and what we should all do now to prepare for the 2025 change.  We cover:   What the term ‘conditionality’ means PSF Animal Health & Welfare Eligibility How to carry out and how to claim Benefits of...

In this podcast we hear from Hugh Grierson who runs an organic farm and butchery business, direct selling his meat to customers.  Hugh tells us about how his organic business has developed over the years.  Linked FAS resources:  Hugh Grierson Organic | High quality organic meats delivered to your door   Organics Discussion Group from the Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

In this episode of Natural Capital we are getting techy, discussing all things drones, data and technology and how this can be used by land managers to assess, monitor and improve their natural capital assets. Understanding the natural capital you have on your land, its condition and scale is essential to effective land management.   To help us understand this better we are joined by Jac...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George & Tiffany bring you some good news about the Basic Payment Scheme, The Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme, and an Organic success story. Tiffany Stephenson also tells us about another podcast she hosts, called CropCast, and tells us what...

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, aka The Black Farmer.  Wilfred is of the Windrush Generation and describes his difficult start to life in the UK, before he eventually found his chance working at the BBC, where he found his passion for food.  He left television to start his own food and drink marketing company which gave him the opportunity to finally realise his dre...

THRILL OF THE HILL | When people think of Scotland, at some point visions of a red deer ranging across an open hill must enter the mind. Deer have become synonymous with the farmed upland environment in Scotland, bringing huge interest and benefits, but these are not without their challenges. In Scotland's pursuit of a green, low carbon, high nature value future, deer have proven themselves obstac...

Welcome to Cropcast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Stephenson will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field.  Producer George Gauley, Editor Iain Boyd, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with the Scottish Government.  In this episode Tif...

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, In this edition we are also bringing you 2 sector overviews on bull fertility and buffalo farming. We will also be bringing you news on alternative energy and decision grade data from nature tech.   Show Notes   00.48.:- News in Brief  02.19:- Policy Briefs - Fertiliser purchases, wildli...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, George & Robert are joined by Iain Boyd, Senior Environmental Consultant at SAC Consulting, to give our quarterly Environmental update. The guys discuss water quality and scarcity, Carbon offsetting & insetting & a look at current issues...

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Charlie Burrell, a farmer and environmentalist, farming 3,500 acres at Knepp Estate, in West Sussex.  Over the last twenty years, he has transformed the farm from an intensively managed dairy and arable unit into a rewilded biodiversity hotspot.  He has recently co-authored a book “The Book of Wilding: A Practical Guide to Rewilding, Big and Small” with his wife...

In this podcast we hear from SAC Veterinary Investigation Officer Megan Fergusson. Megan talks to us about how to give your flock the best chance of a successful lambing next year as we discuss issues that lead to barren ewes and how to prevent them. During this podcast we discuss enzootic abortion and toxoplasmosis; trace elements; ewe body condition scores; and tups including tup power required.

Crofting legislation is fairly complicated and its no different when it comes to succession! Brian Inkster, well-known crofting law specialist, takes us through different scenarios and highlights what to watch out for when it comes to passing on a croft.   We cover:   Terminology such as Executor, Testate and Intestate  Wills and witness signatures  Procedure for a St...

Protecting, valuing and restoring natural capital at the landscape scale requires a joined-up effort and collaboration amongst different landowners and groups. In this episode we are joined by Ross MacLeod from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust to talk about landscape scale and collaborative farming initiatives.   We discuss the importance of collaboration, GWCTs ‘Farm Clusters’ a...

*Content Warning* This podcast discusses accidents, injuries, and fatalities, some of which involve children. Though there is no gore, and this is discussed in a factual manner, please consider if you are able to listen to this episode safely. *  Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episod...

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to David and Wilma Finlay from Rainton Farm, Gatehouse of Fleet.  They are authors of the book “Our Dairy Story”, in which they tell their farming story from traditional farming, through various diversification projects, to starting a cow with calf dairy system, which they call The Ethical Dairy.  They are forward thinking and not afraid to take on new challenges,...

THRILL OF THE HILL | Agroforestry is an increasingly popular prospect for many in Scotland and across the UK, allowing farmers and crofters the opportunity to increase carbon sequestration, nature value and allowing for the continuation and enhancement of productive activity. In this episode, Ben Raskin, Head of Horticulture and Agroforestry for the @Soil Association joins us for a broad discussio...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Tiffany, George & Robert catch up with Jennifer Mitchell and Emma Newlands to find out what they have been getting up to on their summer placements with SAC Consulting.  For more information, visit  www. FAS.scot Twitter:  @FASScot Facebook:  @FASScot National Advice H...