Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

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 Notes

00:34 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...

Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by Dick Playfair from the Venison Advisory Service and Janet Keith from Tullynessle Deer Farm. Dick gives us a market overview of venison, tells us about how the wild deer cull influences deer farming and about the importance of provenance when selling venison direct to consumers. Then we speak to Janet, who runs Tullynessle Deer Farm with her husband Willie. Janet tells us their story of how they got into deer farming and how the business has evolved to diversify into direct selling her venison and running farm tours...

In this episode, we're joined by Abi Mordin from Propagate and Colleen McCulloch from the Soil Association to explore the work of the Scottish Agroecological Partnership (SAP), a collaboration of organisations working to make agroecology central to farming, crofting and growing in Scotland.

We discuss what agroecology means in practice, how collaboration is helping farmers, crofters and growers build more resilient businesses and their project to upscale agroecology. Through on-farm workshops, peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange, the partnership is supporting the adoption of farming practices that are good for soils, nature and people. We also explore the...

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting.

Over the next few episodes, we will be bringing you Crofting Matters from Shetland. Today we are joined by David Brown, Crofter, Shetlander, and Area Manager for Cooke Aquaculture Scotland. In this episode we look at the intersection between our crofting communities and the blue economy. Across the Crofting Counties - agriculture, and the seafood sector have always been closely intertwined – It is still true today that the lion’s share of the £5.6 billion generated annually by Scotland’s Marin...

Field to Fork with Kettle Produce: in this episode Mark is joined by Finlay Ross (Crop Manager) and Andrew Orr (Head of Agriculture) from Kettle Produce Ltd.

Kettle Produce are a market leader for the provision of fresh and prepared vegetables, with over 5,000 hectares of crops grown in Scotland and around the world.

Listen to this episode to hear about the background to Kettle Produce, regions farmed, crops grown, rotational demands, agronomic and climatic challenges, technical innovations in the field, labour and market trends.

This episode was presented by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs, produced by...

The beef industry in Scotland is resilient and adaptable, whether it’s changing markets and cost of production pressures, policy developments or the new entrant bottleneck. To help us navigate these topics and many more, today we are joined by Senior Beef Specialist Gavin Hill to discuss the outlook for the beef sector.

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.

Timestamps

01.48 Introducing Gavin Hill

02.58 What’s to...

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on potato markets and optical grading technology.

Timestamps and links for Show Notes

00:45 News in Brief

06:50 Policy Briefs – New EU rules on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025. Growing Consumer Awareness of Regenerative Agriculture. Forestry Grant Scheme budget increased for 2026/27. Latest estimates for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions

15:48 Cereals – Latest news and market update

23:53 Beef – Latest news and market update

30:14 Sheep – Latest news and...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson discuss opportunities for those looking to enter Agriculture, though apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship schemes, The Scottish Land Matching Service, and funded mentoring services, whilst also talking about Succession for those who may be ready to think about passing on the reigns, identifying specialist advice funding and resources to support people on their journey wherever they may be. They bring you all of this alongside the latest industry updates.

FAS Resources

Agri Culture - Lawrence Martin: Opportunities Through Apprenticeships | FAS

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.

Today’s episode isn’t being hosted by Mary-Jane as normal, but by Kerry Hammond. Usually, Kerry sits in the producer’s chair behind the scenes. Today’s episode focuses on the experiences of neurodivergent individuals in the agricultural community. As a neurodivergent individual, and a neurodivergence-informed coach, Kerry jumped at the opportunity to grab the mic for one episode only, to have an incredible conversation with Ren...

In this episode, we are joined by Lorna Cole, Louise Bond and Alistair McVittie to discuss their collaboration on the newly published CREW report; Natural Capital and River Basin Management Planning, and what its findings could mean for the future of Scotland’s water environment and land use.

We explore the report's recommendations, including taking a whole-catchment, natural capital approach to river basin management, to consider the wider landscape and the many benefits healthy ecosystems provide. The conversation covers the evidence behind nature-based solutions as well as the opportunities, trade-offs and challenges associated with implementing them at sc...

Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer Kythe Mackenzie, and farmers Ewan Runciman and Scott Fraser. Today we're looking at one of the most important management practices carried out on sheep farms every spring - lamb marking. For many sheep producers, this includes procedures such as castration and tail docking. These are routine husbandry practices, but they're also areas where there has been increasing focus on animal welfare and reducing pain. In recent years, new technologies have emerged to help farmers carry out these procedures more effectively and with improved welfare...

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting.

Over the next few episodes, we will be bringing you Crofting Matters from Shetland. Today we are joined by two fascinating guests! Eve Eunson who was born and raised on her family’s Croft in Fair Isle and who is now a designer and maker of Fair Isle Straw-backed chairs. We’re also joined by Ewen Balfour who is a crofter, quantity surveyor and also a master craftsman in Shetland basket making. We’re going to hear from them a...

Welcome to The Thrill of The Hill. Today we're talking about one of Scotland's most iconic groups of farmland birds – our waders.

Species such as lapwing, curlew, redshank and snipe have long been part of the Scottish farming landscape. Their calls and displays are synonymous with springtime on farms and crofts across the country, yet many of these species have experienced significant declines over recent decades.

Toby Wilson from RSPB Scotland joins us to discuss what is driving these changes, what practical management can help reverse them, and how current funding schemes can support farmers an...

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson are joined by SAC Consulting forestry consultant David Eadie to discuss farm woodlands, as well as bringing you the latest industry updates.

Timestamps

00:35 How are things with George & Tiffany?

02:21 Upcoming events?

04:00 Important deadlines to be aware of

06:18 The World Cup

10:23 Introduction to David Eadie

10:50 Why might a farmer consider woodlands?

12:45 Specialist advice available for woodlands

14:58 Woodland creation

15:57 Is scoring for woodland creation co...

In this episode Tiffany Stevenson is joined by Simon Oxley to discuss Arable innovation along with Dr Neil Havis to discuss what growers can expect to see at the upcoming SRUC Crop trial events, which take place on the 23rd & 25th June 2026.

With increasing pressure on margins, rising input costs and more challenging growing conditions, arable innovation and making the right variety and crop protection decisions has never been more important.

The upcoming crop trial events provide a valuable opportunity to see current and upcoming Winter Wheat and Spring Barley varieties performing under local conditions...

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on Scottish farm business income: annual estimates 2024-2025.

Timestamps

00:37 News in Brief

06:17 Policy Briefs – Red Diesel Duty, Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme 2025 payments, New strategy for swine fever, Scotland’s New Rural Affairs Secretary, Food tariffs.

11:11 Cereals – Latest news and market update

19:44 Beef – Latest news and market update

25:53 Sheep – Latest news and market update

32:41 Milk – Latest news and market update

40:35 Sector focus...

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 Lauren Houstoun from Glenkilrie Larder who tells us about her farming business, Glenkilrie Farm, which she runs with her husband Andrew and in-laws David and Morag Houstoun. They farm cattle, sheep and deer, and started selling their produce directly to their consumers through farmers markets. Lauren is passionate about producing high quality, local food, and this passion led her to...

Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by David Speller from OptiFarm. David is a poultry farmer who had lots of data and not enough time to analyse it. David will tell us about the AI tool he developed to help him make better informed decisions, which attracted the eyes of investors leading to his company OptiFarm. David explains how the tool works and the benefits of using AI in livestock systems including the use of real-time data to be proactive in terms of livestock management and welfare, and how this can improve livestock performance and...

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Siobhan Macdonald, and this is the Farm Advisory Service series where we discuss topics that matter in crofting.

For this episode, we’re heading north to the wild and windswept Shetland isles to explore the unique world of island crofting and the remarkable resilience of Shetland’s crofters. Join Siobhan Macdonald and Osla Jamwal Fraser as they dive into the opportunities and challenges of farming on the archipelago — from the advantages of geographic isolation for maintaining high-health livestock schemes, to the realities of costly transport links and long ferry crossi...

In the first episode of the new series, we speak with Donya Davidson and Sophie Manson from NatureScot about their Natural Capital Tool and find out what it is, the challenges it addresses, and how it supports land managers in Scotland. We have a walk through showing how the tool works in practice and how it allows decision makers to identify strategies that maximise positive outcomes.

The Natural Capital Tool is a free, easy-to-use spatial decision support tool designed to enable a natural capital approach to land management. Considering the full range of benefits and ecosystem services...

Welcome to The Thrill of The Hill. This is the third and final episode in our series exploring beaver reintroduction in Scotland. Across the last two episodes, we’ve looked at the challenges, concerns, and practical realities beavers bring to land management.

Today, we’re joined by farmer and rewilding advocate Tom Bowser from Lerrocks farm and we’ll be focusing on the other side of the story — the ecological case for beavers, the benefits they can bring, and what a future with more beavers in Scotland might look like.

Timestamps

02.28 Introduc...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson discuss upcoming events and updates, while Kerry Hammond chats to Linda McAllister from visit Scotland to discuss opportunities for Agri tourism.

Timestamps

00:30 Welcome back Tiffany

02:15 IACS Deadline

02:55 Enhanced Greening

08:28 Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS)

10:42 AECS

12:26 Events

13:18 Funding for specialist advice

19:27 Linda McAllister from visit Scotland

FAS Resources

Visit Scotland https://www.visitscotland.org/tourism-events-industry/strategies/agritourism

FA...

Welcome to Cropcast Conversations. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Teresa Dougall (Managing Director SQC) & John Hutcheson (Chair, SQC).

Scottish Quality Crops is the quality assurance body that sets the standards for food safety and good practice for crops grown in Scotland. This gives confidence to buyers across the world and creates market opportunities for Scotland’s growers.

SQC has 3,100 voluntary members, covering more than 90% of Scotland’s crops.

The board is a cooperative of eight organisations from across the supply chain. Audits are carried out by an independent certification body, Food I...

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on the Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS).

Time Stamps:

01:56 News in Brief

05:52 Policy Briefs – Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme 2025 payments, Groceries Code Adjudicator moves to Defra, Crofting and Scottish Land Cout Bill, Cairngorms National Park Fire Management Byelaw

10:26 Cereals – Latest news and market update

21:28 Beef – Latest news and market update

28:05 Sheep – Latest news and market update

32:42 Milk – Latest news and market update

40:08 Se...

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 Julie McLaren. Julie is a Bank Relationship Director – Agriculture & Landed Estates, and Vice Chair of Women in Agriculture Scotland. Julie tells us about her career in banking and how her role evolved, despite not coming from a farming background. Julie joined the Women in Agriculture Scotland committee in 2024, with the aim of setting up a mentoring scheme for the orga...

In this episode George Chalmers is joined by SAC Consultants Kerry Leslie & Gavin Prentice, to discuss results from PCN Action Scotland along with the new CREW water scarcity guidance.

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.

Timestamps

01:42 Introduction...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie discuss the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) along with other relevant updates.

Timestamps

04:14 Single Application Form (IACS)

08:40 Fuel & Fertiliser prices

14:08 Food processing, Marketing & Cooperation Grant

16:33 Future Farming Investment Scheme

17:00 Agri – Environment Climate Scheme (AECS)

FAS Resources

FAS Events https://www.fas.scot/events/

AECS Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/

Other Reso...

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on Maker Space, a Digital Dairy Chain project.

Time Stamps:

00:36 News in Brief

05:45 Policy Briefs – Food and Drink Processing Scheme, Community Right to Buy, Funding for Gleylag Geese on Uist, Help for Households Using Heating Oil, Electronic Identification for Cattle, Key Dates.

17:14 Cereals – Latest news and market update

25:22 Beef – Latest news and market update

31:53 Sheep – Latest news and market update

39:27 Milk – Latest news and m...

In this episode of the Natural Capital podcast we are joined by Jayne Ashley, Head of Natural Capital at SOSE to talk about the South of Scotland's Natural Capital Innovation Zone. The Natural Capital Innovation Zone (NCIZ) is a nationally recognised region in Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders focused on tackling the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. It is a catalyst for innovative natural capital projects, sustainable investment, and partnerships to develop scalable solutions to deliver a wellbeing economy. It provides a collaborative environment for organisations to grow ideas and deliver impact.

We...

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie get a policy update from SRUC Professor Steven Thomson.

Timestamps

03:05 EFA Management for 2026

04:48 Entitlement transfer & SAF 2026

09:47 Steven Thomson

09:50 Main policy changes for 2026.

12:40 Why are we having policy changes?

23:40 Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme

25:30 Future Farm Investment Scheme

26:05 Rural Support Plan

33:00 LFASS

37:10 Future Farm Investment Scheme

40:00 Other capital grants

42:20 Continued Professional Development

FAS Resources

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on how a turbulent global trading environment is shaping the outlook for Scottish agriculture.

Show Notes

00:35 News in Brief

05:42 Policy Briefs – Agri-Tourism Investment Scheme (AIS), Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), National Islands Plan, Securing Homes in Rural and Island Communities, Upcoming Grant Funding, Lamb Castration Consultation, Key Dates, Consultations and Publications.

14:19 Cereals – Latest news and market update

20:42 Beef – Latest news and market update

27:48 Sheep – Latest news and market u...

In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Autumn & Winter last year, where Kieron Sim visited both the Isle of Skye and the Shetland Isles, to speak with four local crofters about their enterprises, the challenges and benefits of Island Living, and how Seasonality uniquely impacts their businesses throughout Autumn and Winter.

On the Isle of Skye, Kieron visits Crofter Phil Knott to talk about his Orchards, and how agroforestry has brought not only biodiversity benefits but also economic benefits to his croft, Kieron also speaks to Aiofe Goul...

In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Autumn & Winter last year, where Kieron Sim visited both the Isle of Skye and the Shetland Isles, to speak with four local crofters about their enterprises, the challenges and benefits of Island Living, and how Seasonality uniquely impacts their businesses throughout Autumn and Winter.

On the Isle of Skye, Kieron visits Crofter Phil Knott to talk about his Orchards, and how agroforestry has brought not only biodiversity benefits but also economic benefits to his croft, Kieron also speaks to Aiofe Goul...

Welcome to Stock Talk. On today’s episode we hear from James Orr who will be taking over from Kirsten Williams’s role as the host on Stock Talk. James talks about his career highlights as an agricultural consultant at SAC Consulting, his key areas of expertise and Kirsten reflects of some of her favourite projects from the past 20 years.

James looks to continue Stock Talk with more interesting farming stories as well as discussing more technical aspects.

Resources

Livestock Resources -

https://www.fas.scot/livestock/

Poul...

In this episode of the Natural Capital podcast, Harry Fisher and Iain Boyd discuss the new report from the Scottish Government; The Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy – A Regional Analysis. The report estimates that Scotland’s natural capital underpins at least £40 billion of economic output (14% of the total economy) and supports 260,000 jobs.

The discussion highlights the sectors of the economy heavily dependent on healthy ecosystems, and explores how reliance varies across regions, the areas most dependent and how to manage the risks. We discuss the many ecosystem services provided which are irreplaceable, the importance of va...

In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Spring/Summer last year, where Ross Mackenzie visited the Staffin Sheepdog Trials, a hugely popular event in Trotternish, on the Isle of Skye. Sheepdog trials are deeply rooted in crofting culture, normally held during the summer months, these trials are a significant part of the identity of crofting over the last century. Also in this episode, Ross joins a group of 30 Crofters who travelled to Wicklow, (south of Dublin) in Ireland last Spring, on the second trip of a Scottish Farm Advisory Serv...

In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Spring/Summer last year, where Ross Mackenzie visited the Staffin Sheepdog Trials, a hugely popular event in Trotternish, on the Isle of Skye. Sheepdog trials are deeply rooted in crofting culture, normally held during the summer months, these trials are a significant part of the identity of crofting over the last century. Also in this episode, Ross joins a group of 30 Crofters who travelled to Wicklow, (south of Dublin) in Ireland last Spring, on the second trip of a Scottish Farm Advisory Serv...

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.

At Scotland's First Nature Friendly Farming Summit, Minister Jim Fairlie announced the return of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme for a 2026 funding round and a commitment to continue the scheme through to 2030. This announcement brought a degree of certainty to the policy landscape and has allowed farmers and crofters to plan for the future and how the industry continues to embed and build nature into their...

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie discuss all things Farm Insurance with NFU Mutual’s Douglas Schreiber.

Time Stamps

03:56 Deadlines and Grant updates

07:35 Introduction to Douglas Schreiber

08:25 Starting point for insurance renewal discussions

09:51 Things farmers should think about ahead of renewal?

12:19 The impact of staff qualifications on premiums?

14:50 What are the factors which really impact the price of a policy?

18:23 Anything people can do to reasonably do to reduce premiums related to storm damage?

Welcome to CropCast Conversations. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Iain Riddell. Iain was a consultant and project manager with SAC Consulting for 45 years, before becoming self-employed and operating under Graystones Consulting. Iain’s work focuses on agricultural supply chains and his main interest is industrial hemp, which will be the focus of this episode. The global market for hemp is expected to quadruple by 2030 and as markets here evolve, there is great potential for Scotland’s farmers to reap the benefits.

Hemp was actually grown in Scotland in the Middle Ages for rope and textil...