CropCast Conversations - Optimising Soil Biology

Content Warning: The following episode mentions pregnancy loss.  Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Eilidh Verstage from Arngask Home Farm. Eilidh and her husband Lloyd are new entrants, who purchased Arngask 4 years ago.  They have rare breed pigs and this year have just started growing chemical free vegetables to sell wholesale, at markets and locally in weekly veg boxes.  They have also branched out into running events with a neighbouring farm.  Community is at the heart of what they do, and this evident from the volunteers who support the veg enterprise, the local community, frequenting their honesty horse box, and the vibrant digital community that Arngask Home Farm have built on social media.  Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about Arngask Home Farm, the Oxford sandy and black pig foundation, or the rare breed survival trust, you can find links in the show notes.  This episode was presented by Mary-Jane Lawrie, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government. Resources: ABOUT | Arngask Home Farm Arngask Home Farm (@arngaskhomefarm) • Instagram photos and videos Arngask Home Farm - Facebook Oxford Sandy and Black Pigs - Oxford Sandy and Black Pig Foundation Charity Ooooby | Ecommerce for small farms, veg boxes, food hubs, CSA's and craft food.  For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on the economic cost of infertile gimmers. Show Notes  00:34 News in Brief 04:05 Policy Briefs – Payment rates for BPS and Greening 2025, Sustainable and Regenerative Agricultural Practices amongst LFA Farmers and Crofters, Electronic Cattle Tagging Update, Building Climate Resilience, Organic Farming, Community Right to Buy, Key Dates. 13:36 Cereals – latest arable news and market update  19:41 Beef – Consumer demand, imported beef, finished prices, store cattle demand, Cull cow trade 25:27 Sheep – August trade roundup, global position, EU outlook 31:01 Milk – Milk production data, Farm-gate prices, Dairy commodities and market indicators, Great British Calf Week, Heat stress   36:42 Sector focus – The economic cost of infertile gimmers  41:16 Further articles – How are your cows coping in the warm weather? In the face of adversity, try diversity! Is organic farming in your future? Stock Talk - Livestock Health: Laying it All Out. FAS TV: Improving Efficiencies in Sheep Systems. FAS TV: Gaelic Culture, Tradition & Heritage on Uist.  FAS Resources: Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service   Other Links: LFA Farmers and Crofters - sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices - Report  Nature30 Nomination Form - Nature Scot Email nomination form to: [email protected] Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 Community right to buy: review - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space Community right to buy consultation – Gaelic version: Leriche’s air Còir-cheannaich Coimhearsnachd co-chomhairle AHDB - GB calf week Heat stress on fertility traits in dairy cows - Journal of Dairy Science Dairy cows - warm weather  Beef cows and heat stress  Reducing Heat Stress in Calves |...

Please note: We recorded this episode while out at an event, therefore the audio quality varies throughout.Interviewees:Prof Sally ShorthallKaris BeattieHaley ShepherdThe Grass Ceiling is an EU-funded project that helps rural women become leaders in innovation—especially in farming and sustainable rural development. It runs from 2023 to 2025 and supports women across Europe through ‘Living Labs’ where they test ideas, get training, and connect with others. The aim is to help women to drive real change in rural communities—whether it's through eco-tourism, smart farming, or green energy projects. In short: it’s about lifting the “grass ceiling” so women in rural areas can grow, lead, and shape the future. The Scotland Living Lab is based in the Highlands and Islands, working with eight rural women innovators connected to crofting communities. It’s a partnership led by NICRE (National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise) and the Centre for Rural Economy (Newcastle University), in collaboration with the Scottish Crofting Federation. The Lab officially launched with a workshop in Ullapool in June 2023, bringing together women from across the Highlands & Islands.  Women share practical rural innovations, such as livestock rearing, croft diversification, wildflower seed sales, water sports ventures, and creative uses for wool.  Related ResourcesWomen in Agriculture (FAS.scot)https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/women-in-agriculture/Glass Ceiling - The Living Labhttps://www.grassceiling.eu/living-labs/scotland/?utm_source=chatgpt.comDiversification on a Shoestringhttps://www.fas.scot/article/diversification-on-a-shoestring/ Croftworks podcastCroftwork Podcasts - Scottish Crofting FederationBusiness support from https://www.hie.co.uk/  and https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/   

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Turkey Farmer Paul Kelly. In 1971, Paul’s parents started the family business, known today as ‘Kelly Turkeys’ and ‘Farmgate Hatcheries’. The cycle starts with eggs going into incubators in April for 28 days. When they hatch, they go into brooding sheds, then by 5 weeks of age they are ready to go to the woodland where they roam freely. At Kelly Turkeys they have complete control over the whole production cycle, making them very unique in the industry and one of a kind in the UK. The business has developed resilience to deal with issues like Brexit, labour, marketing and work by the motto ‘change is the name of the game’.   Episode Timestamps  00.31 Introducing Paul and the turkey cycle 02.41 Inseminating vs running with stags 03.24 Genetics and breeding lines 09.43 Hatchery business: 1.8 million chicks a year 12.48 Kelly turkeys: 100,000 turkeys reared through to Christmas 18.38 Split between whole turkeys, crowns and butterflies  27.36 Bringing resilience into the business 33.32 Avian influenza (bird flu)  37.44 Markets, trends and online sales 39.09 Weighing turkeys, sources of protein (acorns!) and organic  44.36 Succession  46.50 Marketing and celebrity chefs!   FAS Resources Poultry | Helping farmers in Scotland Other Resources    Kelly Bronze Turkeys   Farmgate Hatcheries New GB avian influenza wildlife interactive map and data dashboard launched | SRUC Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot  For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected] 

In this episode, we catch up with Amelia Heath (Co-Director, Forth Rivers Trust), Clara Schade-Poulsen (Leven LENs Project Officer), and Tom Brown (Senior Programme Manager, LENs Scotland) to explore how the Leven LENs is taking shape following its launch.  We discuss what LENs really means on the ground: how farmers and businesses are partnering to fund environmental improvements, what actions are being supported, and what’s next for this innovative approach in Scotland and beyond. This episode offers practical insight into how collaborative, place-based solutions are helping unlock environmental outcomes at scale to the mutual benefit of those living and operating in a landscape.  Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood.Timestamps: 0:50 – 4:56 Intro to speakers, LENs and recent developments 4:56 – 19:44 Leven LENs , who is involved, motives and drivers  19:44 –  29:25 How to get involved and farmer perspective  29:25 – 40:26 Consensus and feedback so far 40:26 – end: LENs elsewhere, sharing benefits and more info  Related FAS resources:   Natural Capital: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/  Landscape scale conservation: https://www.fas.scot/article/landscape-scale-conservation/  Specialist advice: https://www.fas.scot/specialist-advice/    Other Related Resources: Landscape Enterprise Networks LENs: https://landscapeenterprisenetworks.com/  LENs Impact Report: https://landscapeenterprisenetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LENs_impact_report_2024.pdf  Leven Catchment Collective: https://catchmentcollective.scot/  Leven LENs funding announcement: https://www.3keel.com/news-lens-leven-funding-july-2025/  FIRNS: https://www.nature.scot/funding-and-projects/firns-facility-investment-ready-nature-scotland  

Welcome to CropCast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by two guests. Grant James (Business Development Manager at Sea2Soil) discusses an organic soil improver product from Sea2Soil. Grant provides an explanation of the biological mechanisms at play in the product, how it works on-farm and what to expect from applications. Steve Townsend brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of Regenerative Agriculture. Steve advises farmers all over the UK and Europe on how No-Till can improve their business. Steve is passionate about helping farmers reduce their fixed costs, increase their crop yields and weed control whilst repairing their soils. Episode Timestamps  00.55 Harvest 2025 feedback 03.03 Steve & Soil First Farming 04.04 Grant & Sea2Soil 06.01 What is fish hydrolysate? 06.46 Feeding the soil biology 11.04 Practices to build up soil biology 20.20 Measuring soil biology 27.47 How different crop sectors are responding to regenerative agriculture 32.04 Nitrogen use efficiency  34.56 Albrecht theory 38.40 Getting the magnesium ratio right 41.15 Grant’s take home message 42.00 Steve’s take home message   FAS Resources Regenerative Agriculture | Helping farmers in Scotland Other Resources    Organic Soil Improver - Make soil healthier & more productive | Sea2Soil  Grant James: [email protected], 07976 879646 Soil First Farming Steve Townsend: [email protected], 07989 402112  For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected] 

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’s upland farms and crofts are home to hardy cattle and sheep breeds, producing high-quality meat and supporting rural communities in some of our most challenging environments. Yet, feeding and nutrition in these landscapes can be complex, with variable forage quality, harsh weather and limited grazing options influencing livestock health, fertility and productivity. Getting nutrition right is key to maintaining body condition, improving breeding success and ensuring the long-term sustainability of hill farming systems. In this episode Dr Cara Campbell from SAC Consulting Ltd discusses the fundamentals of upland nutrition for cattle and sheep, and offers practical advice on feeding strategies around bulling and tupping to help farmers achieve the best results for their herds and flocks. Want to get in touch with Cara? She can be contacted at SAC Consulting Ltd via email enquiries at [email protected] FAS ResourcesBeef Nutrition:https://www.fas.scot/livestock/beef-cattle/beef-nutrition/Sheep Nutrition:https://www.fas.scot/livestock/sheep/nutrition/ 

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Kristina Grenz, Senior Cereal Product Quality Scientist at AHDB, to discuss ergot, which proved to be a significant problem for many growers during harvest 2024. In this episode we discuss the ergot life cycle, symptoms as well as top management tips. 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 Cameron Waugh, Executive Producer Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government. Related ResourcesAHDB – Ergot management guidance for cereals - https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ergot-management-guidance-for-cereals-strengthened-by-review AHDB – An introduction to Ergot & its management in cereals https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/an-introduction-to-ergot-and-its-management-in-cereals FAS – Ergot – What is it and how to prevent it? https://www.fas.scot/article/ergot-what-it-is-and-how-to-prevent-it/ AHDB- Ergot in harvest 2024 https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ergot-in-harvest-2024-cereals-a-pathologist-s-paradise-a-supply-chain-challenge AIC – Ergot in cereal crops https://www.agindustries.org.uk/resource/ergot-in-cereal-crops-contracts-legislation-and-effective-management-frequently-asked-questions-faqs.html 

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers introduces Mary-Jane Lawrie, who will be sitting in for Tiffany Stephenson, while on maternity leave. Topics of discussion include, extreme weather, FFIS updates and cross compliance reminders, which includes useful tips on hedge management. FAS Resources FAS Website – Responding to changing weather https://www.fas.scot/responding-to-changing-weather/ FFIS Scheme Guidance - https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/ffis/future-farm-investment-scheme/  Other Resources  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Liz Haines to talk about her lived experience of being neurodivergent and working in agriculture.  Liz tells us about her background in farming and how she and her husband became new entrants to agriculture.  Liz shares some of her systems and process that help her run their successful dairy farm since being diagnosed with ADHD in 2022.  This diagnosis led her to pursue a Nuffield scholarship.  She has travelled the world to study neurodiversity in agriculture, and she shares with us her learnings, and how we can help and support neurodiverse people in our agricultural industry.   Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about the ‘Level The Field’ campaign, you can find more information in the show notes.  You may also want to listen to the two Agri Culture podcast episodes on dyslexia.  This episode was presented by me Mary-Jane Lawrie, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.  Resources Level the field - Farmers Weekly BBC Two - Inside Our Minds Agricultural Studies | Nuffield Farming Scholarships Agri Culture - Cathy Magee: Delving into Dyslexia | FAS Agri Culture - Pete Black: The Superpower of Dyslexia | FAS For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]