Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

Insurance for Crofters and Common Grazings. Welcome back to Crofting Matters! In this episode, Siobhan is joined by Jonathan Hogg, a rural insurance expert from NFU Mutual’s Dingwall branch.  Johnny has an agricultural background, works in a crofting area and understands the issues that crofters and grazing committees face with access, theft and weather-related incidents. We remove the ambiguity surrounding the need for Public and Employer’s liability cover, and what to do if the bull can outrun humans. We discuss: Whether a small crofting business needs insurance, and what kind? The need for Public Liability insurance. Livestock – minimising the risk. Wording on signs. When to cover machinery and livestock for theft and loss. Employer’s liability when you may not think of yourself as an employer! Common Grazings and Sheep Stock clubs – cover required. FAS Resources https://www.fas.scot/news/common-grazings-and-sheep-stock-clubs-liability/ 

In this episode of Natural Capital, Harry Fisher and Alex Pirie reflect on their time at Scotland’s first Nature Friendly Farming Summit. The summit explored how to scale nature-friendly farming to deliver for people, nature and climate and brought together farmers, policymakers, researchers, and environmental leaders to discuss how Scotland can build a resilient, nature-positive farming future. The summit addressed how nature and profitability are not opposites and showed how the path to a thriving, nature-friendly farming future is already taking shape. Harry and Alex explore the main themes from the day, from farmers as stewards of the land, how profitability and biodiversity can go hand in hand and set the scene on biodiversity loss, climate pressures, and the need to de-risk nature-based solutions. The episode also looks at the future of funding, how current and new payment systems can reward environmental outcomes and discusses some of the key messages and announcements made on the day. Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood  Related FAS resources:   FAS Environment - https://www.fas.scot/environment/  NC LENs episode - https://www.fas.scot/podcast/natural-capital-landscape-enterprise-networks-leven-lens/  NC John and Louise Seed Woodend episode - https://www.fas.scot/podcast/arable/  Thrill of the Hill - https://www.fas.scot/sounds/thrill-of-the-hill/   Other Related Resources: Nature Friendly Farming Network - https://www.nffn.org.uk/  Minister for Agriculture speech - https://www.gov.scot/publications/minister-for-agriculture-speech-nature-friendly-farming-network-summit/  RSPB article on summit - https://www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/news/nature-friendly-farming-summit-scotland  AECS announcement - https://www.ruralpayments.org/news-events/ministers-have-confirmed-the-2026-round-of-the-agri-environment-climate-scheme--aecs-.html  Alex Pirie - https://www.sruc.ac.uk/all-unearthed-posts/meet-the-consultant-alex-pirie/  Timestamps: 0:56 – 6:10 Intro to summit, nature friendly farming and setting the scene 6:11 – 25:26 Range of different farmers, organisations and messages from speakers and exhibitors  25:27 – 29:10 Policy, government messages and funding announcements 29:10 – 35:04 Landscape scale initiatives and LENs 35:05 – end. Summing up and main takeaways. 

Welcome to Cropcast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Julian South, Executive Director of The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB). MAGB are the trade association of the UK malting industry and represent over 98% of UK malt production, buying around 2 million tonnes of UK malting barley, to make about 1.6 million tonnes of malt. Mark and Julian discuss harvest 2025, barley varieties, tariffs and trade deals and opportunities for the industry. Episode Timestamps  01.38 Background and structure of MAGB 04.43 What is malt? 06.59 Distilling malts and brewing malts 07.50 Harvest 2025 round up  16.12 Evaluating and approving new barley varieties for malting  23.31 International Barley Hub 26.00 Biggest challenges for the malting barley industry  29.47 International trade 33.25 Tariffs and trade deals 35.04 Peat as a flavouring for malt  37.10 Finding out more: www.ukmalt.com 38.25 The malt industry in 10 years time  Resources    The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain Malting Barley Committee - The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain Contact: Julian South: 07967452838, [email protected] SRUC - Soils & plants - Recommended lists  SAC Recommended Lists for Cereals 2025-26 International Barley Hub - The James Hutton Institute  Mycotoxins - The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain  For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected] 

In this episode George Chalmers is joined by SAC Senior Consultant and Chartered Accountant Andrew Coalter to discuss Arable Farm Finances, particularly cash flow challenges, investment and capital allowances for arable farms.  Welcome to Cropcast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, George Chalmers 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 FAS Resources  Cash Flow Forecasting: https://www.fas.scot/article/building-good-financial-habits-with-cash-flow-forecasting/  Budgeting & Financial Planning https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/business-tools/budgeting-and-financial-planning/ Finance & Funding https://www.fas.scot/whats-stopping-you-finance-funding/ 

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie discuss the aftermath of storm Amy, speak to Gilmour Lawrie ahead of the much-anticipated AgriScot 2025 and talk about upcoming deadlines including EFA green cover, PSF, SSBSS and SUSS. FAS Resources AgriScot 2025: https://agriscot.co.uk/ FAS Events: https://www.fas.scot/events/ Rural Payments, all scheme guidance https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/ For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [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.  On today’s episode Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Wallace Currie.  Wallace may be familiar to you as he runs his own podcast R2Kast as part of his brand Rural 2 Kitchen, which started during lockdown as a way to share his farming life.  Later he became a lecturer at SRUC and has since gone on to do a Nuffield Scholarship on pathways into agriculture through education, youth groups and consumer engagement.  He talks to us about his farming background, his thoughts on how agriculture should be woven into our education system, and his work with the Young Farmers and Farmstrong Scotland. Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about R2Kast, Young Farmers, Nuffield Scholarships, or Farmstrong Scotland 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: Rural2Kitchen - YouTube R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In - Hosted by Wallace Currie Rural2Kitchen | Facebook Wallace Currie MSc (@rural2kitchen) • Instagram photos and videos The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs | SAYFC Agricultural Studies | Nuffield Farming Scholarships Farmstrong Scotland - Live Well, Farm & Croft Well 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 farm-scale renewables.&nbsp;&nbsp;Show Notes&nbsp;&nbsp;00:32 News in Brief&nbsp;&nbsp;05:15 Policy Briefs – Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme, New rules for applying waste to land, Improving Biosecurity on Pig Farms, Compulsory Purchase Reform, Bluetongue BVT-3 - Changes to restrictions in Scotland, Muirburn Licence, Key dates&nbsp;15:21 Cereals – latest arable news and market update&nbsp;&nbsp;22:46 Beef – Finished beef prices, Store Cattle Trade, Dairy Beef calf numbers rising&nbsp;28:44 Sheep – September Trade Round-Up, New Zealand Outlook 2025-26, Australian Lamb, Global Prices&nbsp;32:56 Milk – Milk production data, Farm-gate prices, Dairy commodities and market indicators, UK sexed semen use, Global milk outlook &nbsp;&nbsp;39:32 Sector focus – Viability and profitability of farm-scale renewables&nbsp;&nbsp;45:06 Further articles – Renewable Energy, Sheep records and tagging, Benefits of whole milk for calves, New regulations for the application of waste to land, Talking Turkey, NFUS Policy Manager Lucy McGillvary&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Links and Resources:&nbsp;Newsletters - Business &amp; Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service&nbsp;&nbsp;Farming Profitability Review&nbsp;Cows painted with zebra-like striping can avoid biting fly attack&nbsp;&nbsp;PF22 - Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme claim form&nbsp;Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme full guidance&nbsp;Soil improvement using waste | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)&nbsp;Compulsory Purchase Reform in Scotland - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space&nbsp;Bluetongue Movement checker&nbsp;DEFRA - General licence for the movement of animals from a bluetongue restricted zone - General licence EXD662 (E)&nbsp;Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals - Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot&nbsp;The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/licensing/muirburn-licensing" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Kirsten Williams.&nbsp; On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Jilly Duncan Grant, Founder &amp; CEO of Herd Advance Ltd.&nbsp; Jilly has a real love for agriculture and her varied career led to a focus on data driven decision making and developing Herd Advance with her husband to improve herd performance, profitability and wellbeing. &nbsp;&nbsp;Episode Timestamps&nbsp;&nbsp;00.42 Introducing Jilly Duncan Grant – a Jill of all trades!&nbsp;09.18 What is Herd Advance?&nbsp;23.49 The family farm – managing ‘boom and bust’ fluctuation in the marketplace&nbsp;27.55 QMS board member role&nbsp;31.03 What motivates Jilly to keep pushing forward&nbsp;&nbsp;FAS Resources&nbsp;Data Driven Decision Making for Finishing Cattle | Helping farmers in Scotland&nbsp;Data Driven Decision Making for Suckler Herds | Helping farmers in Scotland&nbsp;FFBC_Case_Study_Improving_weight_data_capture_Glenkilrie_&nbsp;Other Resources&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Herd Advance&nbsp;&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;

In this episode, we sit down with Angus Buchanan-Smith, Co-Founder and Director of The Free Company, an organic farm and restaurant guided by regenerative methods, at the foot of the Pentland Hills. We explore the history of the business, the transition to organic farming and the various complimentary enterprises they operate, from their onsite restaurant, to veg boxes, pigs and engaging with their local community.&nbsp;&nbsp;With a deep respect for the land and experimenting with what works for them to ensure a resilient future, they share their ethos, the practices they use and how they are producing food that feeds both their local community and their on-site restaurant. We explore how they create meaningful links between food and place, and the challenges and benefits of transitioning to organic.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Whether you're a grower, eater, or someone curious about the future of food, this episode offers an honest, grounded look at how farming with nature can nourish people, planet, and community&nbsp;&nbsp;Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond &amp; Kirstyn Blackwood&nbsp;Timestamps:&nbsp;0:56 – 15:29 Intro to the Free Company, transitioning to organic farming and finding out what worked for them.&nbsp;15:30 – 27:06 Getting the most out of the land, a regenerative approach and benefits to biodiversity, soil and carbon.&nbsp;&nbsp;27:07 –40:24 Local food production, customer experiences and their various enterprises.&nbsp;&nbsp;40:25 – end. Challenges, recommendations for others and future plans.&nbsp;&nbsp;Related FAS resources:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Natural Capital: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/&nbsp;&nbsp;Organics: https://www.fas.scot/organics/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Related Resources:&nbsp;The Free Company: https://www.the-free-company.com/&nbsp;&nbsp;Pasture for Life: https://www.pastureforlife.org/&nbsp;&nbsp;

Welcome back to Crofting Matters. On today’s episode, Siobhan is joined by Graham Fraser (SAC Lerwick) to discuss an often asked question – how to start up a croft, smallholding or farming business. The Farm Advisory Service has an Advice Line – free to call or email for advice.&nbsp; Every year the team receives lots of questions about starting up a farming business.&nbsp; It can be tricky to get a croft, but tenancies and purchases do come up so if you are looking for an opportunity, then this will help you understand the process when it happens.Graham and Siobhan talk about setting up an agricultural business with particular emphasis on crofting and chat through some of the questions they have received through the advice line.Timestamps: 01.07&nbsp;&nbsp; Starting up in crofting – things to consider03.09&nbsp;&nbsp; Owner occupier, tenancy and assignation explained 05.14&nbsp; Land that goes with a croft08.39&nbsp; Common grazing shares10.05&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The 3 duties of a crofter12.39&nbsp;&nbsp; Common grazing responsibilities13.45&nbsp;&nbsp; Subsidies and grants that a new crofter could be eligible for 18.13&nbsp;&nbsp; Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF)19.33&nbsp; Applying for BPS (Basic payment Scheme) &amp; LFASS (Less Favoured Area Support Scheme)20.31&nbsp; Getting a BRN (Business Refence Number)27.36&nbsp;&nbsp; Numbers of livestock on a common grazing 29.23&nbsp; Keeping livestock for the first time30.56&nbsp; Getting your own flock/herd number33.01&nbsp;&nbsp; Getting registered and set up – the order of eventsFAS ResourcesFAS - New Entrants -Getting StartedFAS Introduction to crofting - Gaelic FAS -Introduction to crofting - English Other Resources Highlands and Islands Enterprise(business support)Scottish Enterprise(business support) &nbsp;CroftingRegister Welcome| Crofting CommissionRuralPayments and ServicesAnimaland Plant Health Agency - GOV.UKPreparingfor Sustainable Farming For more information, visit&nbsp;www.FAS.scotFacebook:&nbsp;@FASScotNational Advice HubPhone:&nbsp;0300 323 0161Email:&nbsp;[email protected]