Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

Welcome to CropCast Conversations hosted by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by James Bolesworth (CRM AgriCommodities) to discuss how grain markets are looking for 2025 and in part 2 Mark is joined by George Chalmers (SAC Consulting) and Neil Havis (SRUC Professor, Crop Pathology) to update us on how crops are looking in Scotland.   Episode Times...

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by George Chalmers to discuss grain storage and the importance of making sure stores are ready for harvest.   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 i...

Welcome to Business & Policy News Audio, formerly Agribusiness News. Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on farm business diversification.  Show Notes   00:33 News in Brief  05:08 Policy Briefs – Programme for Government 2025-2026, 2025 Climate Change Committee Report, Next Generation Farm...

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by James Logan, the current chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.  This episode was recorded in the lead up to the Royal Highland Show 2025, and James tells us about changes at the Society and what he is looking forward to about this year’s show.  He talks about his life in agriculture and how he got involved with RHASS.  Tha...

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Beef and Sheep Consultant Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by farmers Craig and Claire Grant who run a mixed farming enterprise across 1,300 acres arable and 400 acres grass (owned and rented) along with their team of 20 full and part time employees. The business has poultry across five sites with a total of 225,000 laying hens, in additi...

A game changer for sheep on hill grazings?    It’s very tricky to castrate and tail lambs within 7 days unless lambs are born inbye.  Could two new techniques, that allow castration and tailing up to 3 months of age, not only reduce pain levels in lambs, but allow better and easier management on commons and hills?  The all-important intake of colostrum and bonding of ewe a...

Linear features like hedgerows, ditches and drystone dykes are symbolic of our countryside, providing boundaries and unique habitats. From their history as a form of ancient enclosure, to their importance for nature, we go on a journey with John Wright to discuss these fascinating ecosystems, their natural and cultural significance and what they can tell us about our landscape.   John Wr...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson talk about the upcoming AECS deadline and the pressing issue of water scarcity. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. FAS Resources  Water Scarcity - Farming and Water Scotland Events | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service   For more informati...

In this episode, Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Dr Kerry Leslie to talk about the Potato viruses, which can cause devastating compulsory burn down orders, and why these viruses remain a major concern for the industry going forward. 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 industr...

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by John Ferguson, founder and CEO of Sisaltech Ltd, a Scottish company which produces sustainable building insulation from natural sisal fibres and Scottish wool. In this episode John shares his unique story on how he got started, his sustainable business goals and his top tips for business success.  Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d l...

Welcome to Business & Policy News Audio, formerly Agribusiness News. Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on US tariffs.  Agribusiness News publication is now moving to the Business & Policy newsletter, a monthly update on market and policy intelligence for farmers and other rural professionals. To su...

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment. Scotland has a vibrant and dynamic farming industry, merging traditional practices with new innovations, yet barriers and challenges to entering and exiting the industry remain. Established in 2019 in response to industry conce...

Welcome to the first episode of CropCast Conversations hosted by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs.  On today’s episode Mark is joined by Iain Riddel (Principal Consultant, SAC Consulting). They discuss growing sugar beet in Scotland and cover sugar beet trial work, sites, varieties, farmer group feedback and conclusions from trial work.   Episode Timestamps   00.32 Intro...

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by Becka Henderson, a Farm Business Analyst from SAC Consulting to talk about results from the Farm Business Survey and headlines from the spring statement.   FAS Resources  Whole farm benchmarks | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service...

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you an overview on home grown proteins, nature based solutions, pollinators and seasonal workers.  Show Notes    00:39 News in Brief  03:02 Policy Briefs – Future Farming Investment Scheme, Scottish Suckler Beef Support Payments, Sea Eagle Management Schem...

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Edward Scaman and Chris McClymont to talk about herbicides. How is the current season progressing and what is the best practice advice when it comes to applying products.   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...

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who talk headlines and deadlines. We talk about the Single Application Form (IACS) window, AECS, and changes to both. We also discuss “Fair work first” and what that means for farmers & crofters undertaking an AECS.&n...

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you an overview on the potato sector, New Zealand, fertiliser use in Scotland and Wills and Power of Attorney.  Hosted by Christine Beaton, produced by Heather Stuart. edited by Cameron Waugh, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond. Show Notes   00:41 News in Brief&n...

In this podcast we hear from Kirsten Williams who will be taking over Robert Ramsay’s role as the host on Stock Talk. Kirsten talks about her farming system at home as well as her interests at work. Robert mentions some of his favourite Stock Talk podcasts and how they can develop into something bigger (e.g. the deer farming podcast has now turned into a FAS Deer Farming Group). Kirsten wishes to...

We take a deep dive on the various sources of biodiversity funding opportunities that are available to farmers in 2025 and beyond. Covering Agri-Environmental Climate Schemes, Nature Restoration Funds, and biodiversity audits.   In this episode we are joined by agricultural consultant Alex Pirie, to share updates on environmental funding opportunities for farmers in 2025 - including goin...

Thrill of the Hill returns for season 5, with an exciting line-up on new and returning guest speakers and specialists in their fields and on their hills. Venison, an underappreciated meat in Scotland? Despite the abundance of deer in Scotland, farmed and wild, venison has never been a staple of the Scottish diet, certainly not in the same way as beef or lamb. Scottish Government reports that the a...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who bring us their Spring Update, with information on the “New Deal for Agriculture”, NVZ, claim deadlines for PSF & AECS Capital claims, an update on h5n1, and a market update.   Related Resources Prepari...

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Tom Scrope to talk about his 2025 Nuffield Scholarship, in which he is exploring new ways of farmer knowledge exchange to secure stronger soils. Tom is also the Co-founder of soil benchmark, an online platform which can be used to create bespoke soil management plans.   Welcome to Cropcast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on ar...

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you a sector overview on breeding bulls, pigs, the benefits of Co-operatives and how Whole Farm Plans will affect landlords.  Show Notes    00:41 News in Brief  03:10 Policy Briefs – Foot and Mouth Disease and Avian Flu, heating grant, area monitoring pilo...

In this podcast we hear from Sam Parsons from Balcaskie. He talks about the organic farming system and the use of regenerative agriculture practices at Balcaskie and how it has helped reduce costs. He also talks about meat eating quality in their choice of cattle as they sell their beef direct to customers through the butchery. They are using Lincoln Red bulls across the herd.  Sam talks abou...