Stock Talk - The Role of Rare Breeds in our Industry

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on Greening changes for 2027 and changes to muirburn legislation.Timestamps:00:48 News in Brief06:07 Policy Briefs – Bluetongue update, Future Farming Investment Scheme, BSE in Scotland, Organic farming sector continues to grow, Payment rates for Basic Payment Scheme and Greening.14:47 Cereals – Latest news and market update26:39 Beef – Latest news and market update32:36 Sheep – Latest news and market update38:40 Milk – Latest news and market update48:06 Sector focus – Greening changes for 202752.08 Specialist Article – Getting Ready for Muirburn Licensing55:49 Further articles –Soil structure and compaction, Biodiversity auditing in Scotland, Are you tick aware? Get Livestock updates via WhatsApp channel.FAS Links and Resources:Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service [email protected] podcasts: FAS Sounds | Helping farmers in ScotlandOther Links and Resources:Bluetongue - how to spot and report the diseaseAPHA Bluetongue interactive disease mapScottish Government - declaration of a Temporary Control Zone (Bluetongue) documentAHPA bluetongue case mapAPHA animal disease alert subscription serviceBluetongue: latest situation - GOV.UKBluetongue movement restrictions: 1 June - 9 September 2026Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals - Movement licence information - gov.scotThe Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) contact number - 03000 600 704Future Farming Investment Scheme BSE in ScotlandBSE: how to spot and report the diseaseOrganic Farming in Scotland: 2025 - gov.scotPayment rates set for Basic Payment Scheme and Greening 2026Scottish Upland Sheep Support SchemeScottish Pig Producers Support SchemeBasic Payment Scheme - including links to Greening Guidance Getting Ready for Muirburn Licensing | Helping farmers in ScotlandNatureScot - Muirburn Licensing - Check your land for a muirburn applicationFAS - Muirburn info, link to NatureScot & link to webinarFAS - soil structure and compaction.TOTH Podcast - Beyond the Hedgerow, Biodiversity Auditing in ScotlandFAS TV Series 6 Ep 9 - Are You Tick Aware?FAS Livestock updates – WhatsApp:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDCFdy0gcfPkJONju3vFor more information, visit www.FAS.scotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]

You are listening to Agri Culture, a podcast that aims to explore the stories of the people that make up our agricultural industry and culture of farming, in Scotland and beyond.In this episode, Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Rebecca Mactaggart and Tracey Roan who run the Scottish Women in Dairy network. Tracey initially set up the network after identifying she was not alone in juggling the realities of parenting, working on farm and holding down an off-farm job. This led to creating a space for women in dairy to support each other through life’s daily struggle whilst learning together, sharing knowledge and building a network. Rebecca came on board to reinvigorate the network after a break during Covid. Rebecca is an enthusiastic content creator and uses her self-taught skills and personal experience as a dairy farmer to share their work. They discuss the benefits of a network, specifically for women in dairy, touch on some of the opportunities and difficulties in the sector and tell us what’s ahead.Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to find out more about the Scottish Women in Dairy network, check out their website or social media 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:Scottish Women in Dairy NetworkScottish Women in Dairy InstagramScottish Women in Dairy | FacebookFor more information, visit www.FAS.scotTwitter: @FASScotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by Alice Lennox from the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST). Alice tells us all about what the RBST does and gave us some insight to some of the rare breeds on the ‘at risk’ watchlist. Alice and James discuss the role of these rare breeds including conservation grazing, conservation of livestock genetics and the inclusion of native rare breeds in commercial systems, for example to produce a low input suckler cow that can be outwintered. Resources RBST website:Right breed, Right place, Right system Link to training courses: Conservation Grazing - RBST Email: [email protected] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Join us for a conversation with Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, the not-for-profit initiative is taking a proactive approach to restoring and connecting native woodland across the region. We explore the importance of woodland connectivity, the realities of creating woodland on working farms, and how the Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands and their projects are helping landowners turn good intentions into trees in the ground.Contact: McNabb Laurie - D&G Woodlands ManagerEmail: [email protected]: 07538 798 837Harry Fisher - ConsultantEmail: [email protected] Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn BlackwoodKey Timestamps:0:00 – 14:26 Intro to D & G Woodlands and their work14:26 - 21:18 Their woodlands connectivity project21:19 - 28:08 Types of woodland creation and the wider benefits28:09 – End Next steps and how to find out more informationResources:Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands: https://dgwoodlands.org.uk/Galloway & South Ayrshire Biosphere: https://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/Integrating Trees Network: https://www.forestry.gov.scot/integrating-trees-networkTweed Forum: https://tweedforum.org/our-work/projects/borders-tree-grant-scheme/FAS trees & woodland resources: https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/farm-woodlands/FAS Environment: https://www.fas.scot/environment/For more information, visit www.FAS.scotTwitter: @FASScotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting.For this series, we are bringing you Crofting Matters from Shetland. Today we are looking at traditional crofting practices, Shetland Kale, and how a local development group is working to protect and develop rural life in Northmavine in the North Mainland of Shetland. We’re delighted to welcome Kathleen Anderson, who has been in crofting since her childhood in the 1950s. She now works to preserve traditional crofting practices producing Shetland Kale, Shetland Sheep and Shetland Cattle, usually referred to as kye here. We’re also joined by her daughter in law, Charlotte Anderson, who works as the local project manager for NCDC, which is the Northmavine Community Development Company.If you enjoyed this episode of Crofting Matters please do subscribe to hear the next episode when we’ll be joined by Andrew Thin from the Crofting Commission to take a look at the changes that will be coming soon with the new Crofting Act passing into law.Many thanks to our producer Kerry Hammond, our Editor Keiron Sim, and thanks to you for tuning in.This podcast was produced in association with the Scottish Government.Resources:Kathleen Anderson - Growing up on the Croft - Northmavine Community Development CompanyNorthmavine Community Development CompanyPolycrub – Storm-Strength Polytunnels Built in ShetlandShetland Kale Seeds l Seeds of ScotlandFor more information, visit www.FAS.scotTwitter: @FASScotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]

Biodiversity auditing has become part of the Scottish Governments Whole Farm Plan and discussions around nature conservation are becoming commonplace around the farm table. In today’s episode Alex is joined by senior ecologist Dr Lorna Cole for a broad discussion on the state of Scotlands Nature and where biodiversity auditing fits into the bigger ambitions for nature restoration. Lorna also puts Alex in the hot seat to talk about levels of farmer agreement with habitat classifications.This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond.Timestamps01.48 Introducing Dr Lorna Cole02.36 Current state of nature in Scotland07.19 How significant is agricultural land in combating biodiversity decline13.24 Biodiversity auditing19.40 Completing your habitat map23.54 Alex – level of agreement between farmers and consultants in regard to habitat identification for the Whole Farm Plan29.37 NatureScot Farm Biodiversity Scotland App34.30 Submitting your biodiversity audit36.28 Biodiversity audit – where to start40.22 The value in Biodiversity Auditing43.05 An opportunity to demonstrate the contribution agriculture is already making to nature44.15 Lorna’s take home messageResourcesState of Nature Scotland - 2023 reportNatureScot - biodiversity appWhole Farm Plan full guidanceEvents | Farm Advisory ServiceImproving Biodiversity on Your Farm | Helping farmers in ScotlandIncreasing Biodiversity to Build Resilient Farms | Helping farmers in ScotlandUsing technology to record biodiversity | Helping farmers in [email protected] more information, visit www.FAS.scotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson discuss Bluetongue, updates to greening guidance for 2027 and updates to the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS), as well as other key considerations for Autumn 2026.TimestampsHow are things in the borders? 00:27Bluetongue 03:30Greening guidance for 2027 06:25Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) 16:00EFA Hedge cutting guidance 22:17NVZ closed period dates 23:46Taking stock of what you have before winter feeding. 27:11Soil sampling 28:49Managing grass for tupping 29:47FAS ResourcesFarming in Water Scarcity https://www.fas.scot/news/farming-in-water-scarcity/Other ResourcesBluetongue Latest updates can be found here: Gov.uk latest BTV updatesBluetongue Clinical signs in sheep are usually more pronounced than in cattle but can be very variable. A range of photos can be found here: https://ahdb.org.uk/clinical-signs-of-bluetongue.Suspect cases should be reported to APHA Scotland on 03000 600 704.The Ruminant Health and Welfare website has various Bluetongue resources for vets and farmers including a vaccination decision maker tool (Battle Bluetongue vaccination decision maker tool)FFIS 2026 Update https://www.ruralpayments.org/news-events/future-farming-investment-scheme-2026-announced.htmlGreening guidance 2027: https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/basic-payment-scheme/basic-payment-scheme-full-guidance/greening---bps/greening-guidance/For more information, visit www.FAS.scotTwitter: @FASScotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]

In this episode Tiffany is joined by Arthy Surendran a Lecturer from Queens University Belfast to discuss her post-doctoral research, which looks at feeding food waste to insects with the aim of producing high value protein and fertiliser (Frass) as a by-product. Tiffany is also joined by Lachlan Jones, an Agricultural consultant from SAC Consulting, who is using Frass in SRUC crop field trials.Listen to this episode to learn about using insects to produce protein and the potential benefits of using the by-product (Frass) as a potential fertiliser and biostimulant.This episode was presented by Tiffany Stephenson, produced by George Gauley, edited by Cameron Waugh, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood & Kerry Hammond.Timestamps00:49 Introduction to Arthy01:06 Introduction to Lachlan01:32 Introduction to FRASS03:00 What is FRASS?04:57 What is chitin?07:50 How can chitin prime a plant against disease?09:37 Micronutrient value of FRASS?14:54 What is the organic matter value of FRASS?15:41 How much protein is produced alongside the FRASS?19:14 What is the pH of FRASS?22:00 Potential negatives of using FRASS?24:00 SRUC Field trials using FRASS30:00 Where does it fit into Agriculture?ResourcesPositive early results in Sustainable control of clubroot https://www.fas.scot/article/positive-early-results-in-sustainable-control-of-clubroot-using-chitinous-food-waste/Arthy Surendran on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthy-surendran-123408153/For more information, visit www.FAS.scotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]

You are listening to Agri Culture, a podcast that aims to explore the stories of the people that make up our agricultural industry and culture of farming, in Scotland and beyond. In this episode, Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Nicola Wordie an award-winning livestock farmer and social media creator from Aberdeenshire. She farms in partnership with her Dad on a mixed upland sheep and beef farm and shares her day-to-day farming life across social media platforms and a YouTube channel under the name Livestock FarmHER. Her success in content creation recently led her to win the Fordyce Maxwell award for agricultural communications. Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to find out more about Nicola, follow her social channels or watch her YouTube videos 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: FarmHER Youtube Channel FarmHER Instagram Livestock_farmher | Facebook 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 pig sector. Show Notes00:34 News in Brief 06:09 Policy Briefs – Scottish Pig Producers Support Scheme, New calls to boost Scotland’s wildfire response, Scotland bans glue traps, Cracks appear over the future of brown eggs. 11:29 Cereals – Latest news and market update 20:11 Beef – Latest news and market update 25:56 Sheep – Latest news and market update 31:24 Milk – Latest news and market update 40:05 Sector focus – Pig sector 46:25 Further articles – Soil Moisture Monitoring (FAS articles), Mains of Errol: From Field to Punnet (FAS TV), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (FAS Video). FAS Links and Resources: Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service [email protected] Other Links and Resources: www.ruralpayments.org Rural Priorities - Greening Introduction and updates Scottish Pig Producers Support Scheme Scottish Pig Producers Support Scheme: how to apply - gov.scot [email protected] Wildfires Strategic Action Plan Scotland bans glue traps Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 Publications: Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease Swine fever: how to spot and report the disease Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease SEPA Water scarcity levels and reports Island Resilience Fund 2026-2027 Online Sessions Bluetongue movement restrictions: 1 June - 9 September 2026 https://www.ruralpayments.org/news-events/agricultural-census-2026.html Soil Moisture Monitoring: Technology for Modern Irrigation Management Understanding Portable Soil Moisture Meters Mains of Errol: From Field to Punnet Disease Surveillance Part 4 - Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Agri Culture podcast - Finding Your Tribe For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]