Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Principal Consultant Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by farmers Ben and Harriet Lowe. HB Farms in Aberdeenshire consists of Newseat of Dumbreck, an arable farm on tenancy and Pitmillan Farm which is home to 450 breeding sows and a finishing unit. In addition to grass, forestry and land for environmental schemes, they grow 397ha of crops, with the grain used as feed for the pigs whilst manure is recycled back onto the fields. Soil health, circular agriculture and long-term biodiversity are priorities for HB Farms. Episode Timestamps  01:05 Introducing Ben and Harriet Lowe 05:38 Farm stats 06:38 Pigs, from breeding to finishing and managing a weekly system 09:15 Knowledgeable staff 10:46 Creating a circular farm 11:36 Saving on inputs due to pig FYM 14:04 Ration changes throughout the cycle 15:53 Data driven decision making 19:19 Genetics and feed conversion 21:14 Target carcase weight and spec 23:36 Processing pig meat 26:13 Managing cashflow 27:31 Protein in the pig diet33:18 Nuffield: closing the loop in pig production: the 5-mile pig 39:30 LEAF demonstration farm 41:09 Resilience in the business 47:35 Advice for New Entrants FAS Resources FAS Case Studies - Gaining A Tenancy As A New Entrant  Other Resources    Instagram - HB Farms Nuffield scholar - Ben Lowe  Leaf demonstration farms - HB Farms  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected] 

The Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) grant scheme is a new scheme in 2025, allowing crofters and farmers to invest to improve business efficiency, nature and climate friendly farming. The FFIS offers flexible capital grants to support investments with tiered levels of funding available. There are other changes affecting crofters, such as a simplified Crofting Agricultural Grants Scheme, which offers grants towards infrastructure; and changes to Greening rules which will affect crofters with more than 15ha of arable land.   The Preparing for Sustainable Farming scheme is available this year, for the last time, and can help with the Carbon audit and Soil elements of the Whole Farm Plan.  For 2026, the Whole Farm Plan requirements are for 2 elements out of the five choices: Carbon Audit, Animal Health Plan, Biodiversity audit, Soil Analysis and Integrated Pest Management. This episode covers many schemes!  For background, have a listen to the previous podcasts on Subsidy and Support Changes for Crofting, and Subsidy Future and Current Schemes, to find out more about the structure of support for the agricultural sector. Related FAS ResourcesPreparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceCrofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS) | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson talk to Professor Steven Thomson about the Enhanced Greening conditional changes which will come into effect from 1st January 2026. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. FAS Resources Events | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceGreening Guidance 2026 (ruralpayments.org)Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service Other Resources  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Measuring and accounting for biodiversity across farmlands is becoming increasingly important. Environmental DNA (eDNA) involves collecting genetic material from environmental samples like water and soil to detect what species are present. It is a tool that is growing in popularity, that can give insights into the range and distribution of species found across a landscape, assess ecosystem health, and track biodiversity changes over time.  We discuss the role this technology can have in biodiversity baselining with Kevin Fennelly and George Muscatt  from NatureMetrics. NatureMetrics is a global nature intelligence technology company who pioneer the use of innovative methods for biodiversity monitoring. We assess how eDNA works and the role this technology could have across diverse landscapes, including its benefits and limitations, and how it can help understand and manage biodiversity. Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producer Kirstyn Blackwood Timestamps: 1:11 – 7:55 intros to speakers and what is eDNA 7:56 – 25:38 what can it discover and how does it work 21:37 – 36:18 what is driving demand and nature based risks 36:19 – 47:46 benefits for farms, companies and food production Related FAS resources:   Biodiversity On Your Farm | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceHabitat And Landscape Management | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceFAS Sounds | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceOther Related Resources: eDNA Biodiversity Monitoring Case StudieseDNA & Biodiversity Monitoring for Regenerative AgricultureKevin Fennelly - [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.In this episode outreach adviser Charlie Owen from the Woodland Trust discusses the MOREwoods scheme set up by the Woodland Trust. The scheme is there to allow land owners to access partial funding and advice which may will lead to planting trees on their land. Set up in 2010 the MOREwoods Scheme has supported 3000 landowners achieve their goal of planting more trees. Feeling inspired and want more info please visit the Woodland trust website and head to the Plant trees section to find out more. Plant Trees on Your Land with MOREwoods - Woodland Trust  Related FAS ResourcesFarm Woodland resources for farmers from Farm Advisory ServiceOther Related ResourcesPlant Trees on Your Land with MOREwoods - Woodland Trust 

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 Timestamps  00.00 PART 1 – James Bolesworth (CRM AgriCommodities) 03.30 Wheat price movements over winter and early spring 06.14 Why has there been a steeper decline in grain price over the last few months? 09:20 Carryover stocks: current position and going into next season 12.58 Trump and tariffs: impact on food commodities and the grain market 16.33 Crop conditions and predicted reduction in production and output 19.55 Selling new crop: looking at opportunities to smooth the curve of volatility  23.00 PART 2 – George Chalmers (SAC Consulting) and Neil Havis (SRUC, Professor of Crop Pathology) 24.17 How crops are looking in Scotland 32.51 Yellow Rust and YR15 37.19 Choosing wheat varieties to grow this autumn  38.20 Spring barley update 42.30 Ramularia: the late season disease  FAS Resources Yellow rust - FAS New yellow rust strain confirmed - FAS June Crop Update - FAS FAS Newsletters - Crops & Soils Edition     Crop Trials Evening - Lothians Crop Trials Evening - Aberdeenshire Crop Trials Evening - Lanark Other Resources    CRM AgriCommodities   [email protected]  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected] 

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 in the field. Producer George Gauley, Editor Cameron Waugh, Executive Producer Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government. FAS ResourcesCrops and Soils Bulletin June 2023 - Grain Store Hygiene Ahead of Harvest | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceEnsuring Safe Storage for Wet Malting Barley | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceOther ResourcesAHDB (2023) Grain Storage Guide

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.&nbsp;Show Notes&nbsp;&nbsp;00:33 News in Brief&nbsp;05:08 Policy Briefs – Programme for Government 2025-2026, 2025 Climate Change Committee Report, Next Generation Farming – Apprenticeships, Bluetongue (BTV) Virus Vaccine, Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS), Key Dates.&nbsp;15:33 Cereals – Global Supply Risks Mount, Demand-Side Developments, Malting Barley &amp; Feed Barley, Rapeseed Mixed Market, Oats, Overall Outlook.&nbsp;&nbsp;22:13 Beef – Young bull numbers impacting on prices, Strong demand for manufacturing beef, Store Cattle Trade Back, Room for more?&nbsp;29:02 Sheep – UK EU Strategic Partnership, Sheep Trade, Export Market, Protein Consumption&nbsp;33:18 Milk – Production data, Farm-gate prices, Dairy commodities and market indicators, Antimicrobial resistance in calves, Rabobank global outlook &nbsp;39:22 Sector focus – Farm Diversification.&nbsp;&nbsp;51:05 Further articles – Croft Diversification, Reducing Antimicrobial Use in Scottish Dairy Farms, A couple more cows per herd each year would realise Scotland’s economic potential by 2030, Grain Marketing Podcast, Bluetongue, Bee Health Awareness Day&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;FAS Resources:&nbsp;Newsletters - Business &amp; Policy Edition - FAS&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Links:&nbsp;The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill&nbsp;The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill&nbsp;Scotland's Carbon Budgets Report 2025&nbsp;&nbsp;Lantra Scotland - land based pre-apprenticeship&nbsp;[email protected]&nbsp;&nbsp;Report your use of the bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine - GOV.UK&nbsp;GOV.uk - Bluetongue: news, information and guidance for livestock keepers&nbsp;GOV.WALES&nbsp;The Scottish Government - gov.scot&nbsp;QMS article: two more cows per herd per year&nbsp;The Cargill 2025 Protein Profile Report&nbsp;&nbsp;Scottish Farm Business Income: Annual Estimates for 2023-2024&nbsp;<a...

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by James Logan, the current chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; He talks about his life in agriculture and how he got involved with RHASS.&nbsp;Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about RHASS you can find links in the show notes.&nbsp; This episode was presented by me Mary-Jane Lawrie, produced by George Gauley and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.&nbsp;For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot&nbsp;Twitter: @FASScot&nbsp;Facebook: @FASScot&nbsp;National Advice Hub&nbsp;Phone: 0300 323 0161&nbsp;Email: [email protected]&nbsp;

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Beef and Sheep Consultant Kirsten Williams.&nbsp; 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 addition to 330 bulling heifers that are sold privately with high health off farm to producers throughout Scotland. Craig and Claire regularly engage with the public, sharing information about where food comes from.&nbsp;Episode Timestamps&nbsp;&nbsp;00.35 Introducing Craig and Claire Grant&nbsp;04.30 Business components, systems and staff&nbsp;07.44 Finding and retaining labour&nbsp;11.20 Enriched colonies and free-range birds&nbsp;14.50 Egg markets and Kindrought Egg Hoosie&nbsp;19.03 Cooperation in farming&nbsp;&nbsp;21.37 Audits&nbsp;23.47 Cattle: marketing on farm, scoring charts, high health, certification packages&nbsp;32.10 Buying young stock&nbsp;35.57 Building relationships and trust&nbsp;37.05 An award-winning business (Young Farmer of the Year, Mixed Farm of the Year, Overall Farm of the Year)&nbsp;FAS Resources&nbsp;Contract Farming Agreements Explained | Farm Advisory Service&nbsp;Business planning and financial management: An introduction | Farm Advisory Service&nbsp;Other Resources&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C J Grant | Facebook&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot&nbsp;Facebook: @FASScot&nbsp;&nbsp;National Advice Hub&nbsp;Phone: 0300 323 0161&nbsp;Email: [email protected]&nbsp;