Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

In this podcast we will hear from Cameron Wilson from The Sheep Game. Cameron Wilson was a policeman for many years before going full-time in agriculture, between sheep pregnancy scanning, shearing sheep, as well as looking after his own flock of sheep and running his YouTube Channel and social media pages ‘The Sheep Game’. Cameron has experienced livestock worrying from the Police’s perspective a...

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined this week by Sammi Kinghorn MBE. Sammi is a farmer’s daughter and Team GB wheelchair racer from the Scottish Borders. We spoke the week after she was back from the Commonwealth games where she won bronze in the 1500m. We chatted about her childhood on the farm, the accident that left her paralysed and how she got into wheelchair racing. She has such a special bond with h...

Thrill of the Hill is back! Season 3 #6 – Virtually Stockproof. In this episode we hear from SAC Consulting’s Malcolm Macdonald & Robert Ramsay about the increasing opportunities for virtual fencing technology in Scotland, including; benefits to stock management, habitat grazing and ease of use for the farmer. As an industry, we have repeatedly been told that a mix of innovation, sequestration...

In this fortnight’s edition we get the latest news from Tiffany MacTaggart, and are joined by George Chalmers and Robert Ramsay to talk about soils and fertilisers. Janette Sutherland is here to give an update on her personal development book club, and Amy Burton from Azets Accountants and Consultancy gives us an insight onto what’s on her desk. Linked FAS resources: https://www.fas.scot/crops-soi...

Thrill of the Hill is back! Season 3 #6 – Understanding Natural Capital. In this episode we hear from SAC Consulting’s Rachel Smillie & Paul Chapman as we get to grips with the concept of natural capital, ecological functions and services, and review some of our own experiences with a recently completed natural capital calculator trial. Farmers and landowners are at the front line of fighting...

In episode three of this Natural Capital Series, we are joined by Dr Emily Taylor to explore the very relevant and important topic of peatlands. Peatlands are a key part of the Scottish landscape covering over 20% of the land. Healthy peatlands are valuable carbon stores and provide many ecosystem services and benefits to people and nature. We discuss the importance and value of this natural capit...

In this fortnight's edition of Rural RoundUp we get the latest news from Tiffany Mactaggart. Robert Ramsay and George Chalmers discuss the energy crisis and we hear all about Janette Sutherland's virtual book club before finishing with 'What's On Your Desk Sascha Grierson?' Related FAS Resources; Renewed Interest Podcast: https://feeds.captivate.fm/thrill-of-the-hill/ FAS Book Club: https://us06we...

If you are a new crofter, or new to buying livestock, we have some wise words from Sarah Balfour on what to think about and how to navigate the auction mart system. This is the time of year for sales of breeding cattle and sheep. Sarah and Siobhan discuss disease risk, how to bid, different terms used, buying in guineas, how the auction mart works, and how to prepare. Related FAS resources: New En...

In this fortnight’s edition of the Rural Roundup, we get the latest news from Tiffany Mactaggart and we speak to Sascha Grierson and Mark Bowsher-Gibbs about the benefits of the new Quick FAS tool, as well as how to get the best outcome for your crop. We bring you a highlight from the latest Natural Capital podcast, where Stan Phillips and Helen Bibby discuss Scotland's Rainforests. Finally, we sp...

Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Mactaggart will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field. In this episode Tiffany Mactaggart is joined by Craig Bothwell, a senior consultant with SAC Consulting to discuss how to best utilise manures. Producer...

In this podcast we will hear from the director of the Venison Advisory Service (VAS), Alan Sneddon, and the Estate Manager from Glenrinnes Estate, Alister Laing. They will both tell us about their background and share their knowledge and experience of deer farming. Alister will talk about the establishment of the deer enterprise at the estate which included capturing wild deer in a large enclosure...

In episode two of this Natural Capital Series we discuss and raise the awareness about Scotland’s Rainforests. What are Scotland’s rainforests, why are they special, what are the threats and how do we look after them? Recorded on site at Tanish National Nature Reserve with Helen Bibby Senior Conservation Consultant SAC Consulting and Stan Phillips from NatureScot. Helen Bibby is a Senior Conservat...

Show Notes Tiffany McTaggart - Rural Roundup 0:22.697 Margo McGill 18:28 Other great podcasts from the Farm Advisory Service 13:44.468 Robert Ramsay & George Chalmers - Calf sales and Harvest 2:4 Related FAS resources: Deer Farming Meeting - Innerhadden Estate | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Virtual Fencing Tech Roadshow - Highlands | Events helping farm...

If you enjoyed this episode, you can subscribe to all episodes of Agri Culture here . Our second episode with Chris Dyer from Garths Croft is available to listen to here .

No matter the size of your herd, choosing the correct suckler replacements is important to ensure yearly, trouble free calvings and avoid nights spent calving or coaxing calves that refuse to suckle! Or worse, pets!

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Chris Dyer of Garths Croft, Bressay about how an Archaeologist from the South of England found himself owning a croft on Shetland. He discusses some of the fascinating archaeology of the Shetland Islands, how he started out volunteering on farms, and what his life is like as a crofter. Chris tells us about starting his croft, the livestock he owns, and how he has now open...

In this fortnight’s edition of the Rural Roundup we get the latest news from Tiffany Mactaggart, we speak to George Chalmers and Robert Ramsay about harvest progress and how the dry weather has affected crops and grass. Sascha Grierson and Findlay Ross introduce us to the new Quick FAS feature and we speak to Hamish Logan from Savills to ask him what’s on his desk?

Thrill of the Hill is back! Season 3 #4 – Sea Eagle Management & Mitigation. In this episode we hear from SRUC Head of Research at Kirkton & Auchentyre, Dr Davy McCraken about the reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle to Scotland, how the species is adapting to the Scottish landscape, the case for rewilding in Scotland and managing conflicts when they occur. As Scotland endeavours to me...

Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Mactaggart will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field. In this episode Tiffany Mactaggart is joined by Julian Bell, a Principal Consultant with SAC Consulting along with James Bolesworth, managing director o...

In this podcast we hear from SRUC Barony’s Head Shepherd Perry Parkinson, who will tell us a bit about his background and his work at SRUC Barony including the changes they have made to the sheep system. Related FAS resources: Breeding And Feeding For Sustainable Sheep Systems | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Using Estimated Breeding Values In Sheep | In...

The Earth's soils, rocks, air, water, plants and animals are all valuable resources that provide a wide range of services and benefits. These resources need to be carefully managed and maintained to support a healthy functioning environment. In this Natural Capital podcast series, hosted by Rachel Smillie we will explore different natural capital assets and their value to Scottish agriculture and...

Show Notes 00:18 - Rural Roundup with Tiffany MacTaggart 04:05 - This years harvest discussion with Robert Ramsay and George Chalmers 13:35 - Other great podcasts from the Farm Advisory Service 16:10 - What's On Your Desk? With Brady Stevens Related Resources FAS Sounds | Helping farmers in Scotland Crofting Matters - Bull Management | FAS Peter Eccles - Success out-with succession | FAS CropCast...

Crofting regulation, which covers what you can do with your croft land and how, is a tricky subject, full of acronyms and references to various Acts of Parliament. For most crofters, the day-to-day croft work is unaffected by legislation. It’s often only when crofts change that attention to the legislation is needed. In this podcast, we discuss some of the most common scenarios. Is there anything...

In this podcast we hear from SAC Sheep and Grazing Specialist Poppy Frater, who will discuss current issues, opportunities and options for sheep producers. Poppy will also talk about her PHD on grazing strategies and carbon sequestration as well as her opinion on the outlook of the sheep farming industry. Linked FAS resources: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=giles+henry+grazing For mo...

In this fortnight’s edition of the rural roundup we get the latest news from Tiffany Mactaggart and we speak to George Chalmers and Robert Ramsay about regenerative agriculture and organics. We hear about the latest instalment of the personal development book club from Janette Sutherland and find out about a brand new Dragon’s Den imitative for new entrants to farming. Finally, we speak to Rosanna...