The Rural Roundup

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson discuss the new Future Farming Investment Scheme, which will open for applications on 14th July 2025 and close on 22nd August 2025. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. 

FAS Resources 

Future Farm Investment Scheme full guidance 

Future farming Investment Scheme - gov.scot 

Other Resources

How to Complete your FFIS Application

For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300...

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 Service

Greening 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: ...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson talk about the upcoming AECS deadline and the pressing issue of water scarcity. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. 

FAS Resources 

Water Scarcity - Farming and Water Scotland

Events | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: advice@fas.scot

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by Becka Henderson, a Farm Business Analyst from SAC Consulting to talk about results from the Farm Business Survey and headlines from the spring statement.  

FAS Resources 

Whole farm benchmarks | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Contact: ScottishFarmBusinessSurvey@sac.co.uk 

Scottish farm business income (FBI) - gov.scot

Other Resources  

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

F...

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who talk headlines and deadlines. We talk about the Single Application Form (IACS) window, AECS, and changes to both. We also discuss “Fair work first” and what that means for farmers & crofters undertaking an AECS.  

Related Resources  

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) 

Claims and payments 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Ad...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who bring us their Spring Update, with information on the “New Deal for Agriculture”, NVZ, claim deadlines for PSF & AECS Capital claims, an update on h5n1, and a market update.  

Related Resources

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) 

Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks - gov.scot 

Claims and payments 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot ...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who discuss what Farmers & Crofters can do to put the best foot forward in the New Year, to give themselves a good chance of a successful 2025.  

Related Resources  

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) 

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme 

Whole Farm Plan full guidance 

Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks - gov.scot 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who discuss all relevant schemes and deadlines, and look ahead to Christmas in the Farming Community. 

FAS Resources 

Mental Health and Wellbeing | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service 

fas.scot/downloads/mental-health-and-wellbeing/ 

Other Resources  

Home - RSABI 

Christmas and mental health - Mind 

Farmstrong Scotland - Live Well, Farm & Croft Well 

Preparing f...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by Sascha Grierson, Principal Consultant & Agri-Economics lead at SAC Consulting and Andrew Coalter Senior Consultant & Chartered Accountant at SAC Consulting who discuss the implications of the Autumn Budget for the Agricultural Industry and dive into detail on the inheritance tax update, and why you should start thinking about Succession, sooner rather than later.

FAS Resources

SuccessionPlanning | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

SuccessionPlanning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Adviso...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, Farm Advisors Tiffany, George and Robert give us the latest agricultural updates from around Scotland, and are then joined by Professor Steven Thomson, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Policy at SRUC to discuss the latest policy updates, including EFA, Calving Intervals and more. 

FAS Resources 

Stock Talk | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Other Resources  

SRUC | Rural Policy Centre 

W9 Calving Intervals in Scotland's Cattle Po...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, Farm Advisors Tiffany Stephenson from St Boswells, George Chalmers from Turriff and Robert Ramsay from Ayr, give us the latest agricultural updates from the Borders, N. East and S. West of Scotland, and are later joined by Iain Boyd, a senior Environmental Consultant to talk about Climate Week and what opportunities it brings to Crofters and Farmers in Scotland.  

FAS Resources 

Climate Change resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

Other Resou...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers, Robert Ramsay & Osla Jamwal-Fraser to talk about agritourism, opportunities to diversify and the added value opportunities for Scottish Agriculture.  

FAS Resources 

Alternative Enterprises | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)  

Agri Culture - Cream O Galloway: A Dairy Story | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Other Resources  

Home - Scottish Agritourism 

Agriturismo.it - True Ita...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson to talk about The Whole Farm Plan, and what it means for farmers, crofters & smallholders.

FAS Resources 

Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

The Farm Management Handbook | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Events | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Agribusiness News July 202...

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who chat about the census, thinking about silage and the ECS organics deadline, and I’m later joined by Eleanor Kay from Scottish Land & Estates who talks about their theme of resilience this year. We discuss everything from their organisational strategy, right through to how land-owners can take advantage of the right opportunities at the right time.  

FAS Resources 

https://www.fas.scot/down...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson who chat all things Carbon. Carbon Audits, emissions reductions and more.  

FAS Resources 

Carbon Audits | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Specialist Advice | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Other Resources  

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) (ruralpayments.org) 

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (ruralpayments.org) 

Carbon Literacy for rural ind...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers, Robert Ramsay and Tiffany Stephenson who discuss the recent bout of wet weather, and the implications of this on our agricultural businesses. We also talk about beef enterprise efficiencies. I’m later joined by Sascha Grierson, Principal Consultant at SAC Consulting and Project Lead for the Scottish Farm Business Survey, commissioned by the Scottish Government. Sascha tells us the latest findings from the Scottish & Farm Business Survey, and provid...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. This episode is part of a spotlight mini-series titled Trees of the Gaelic World. This episode is all about Birch and will explore the Gaelic language and lore surrounding the species with scholar Dr Mìcheal Newton, and advice from Viv Halcrow from The Woodland Trust on the best conditions for the species, and how to manage or establish Birch on our land in the current day. You can find three more episodes in this series on the R...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. This episode is part of a spotlight mini-series titled Trees of the Gaelic World. This episode is all about Yew and will explore the Gaelic language and lore surrounding the species with scholar Dr Mìcheal Newton, and advice from Iona Hyde from The Woodland Trust on the best conditions for the species, and how to manage or establish Yew on our land in the current day. You can find three more episodes in this series on the R...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. This episode is part of a spotlight mini-series titled Trees of the Gaelic World. This episode is all about Oak and will explore the Gaelic language and lore surrounding the species with scholar Dr Mìcheal Newton, and advice from Alasdair Firth from The Woodland Trust on the best conditions for the species, and how to manage or establish Oak on our land in the current day. You can find three more episodes in this series on the R...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. This episode is part of a spotlight mini-series titled Trees of the Gaelic World. This episode is all about Scot’s Pine and will explore the Gaelic language and lore surrounding the species with scholar Dr Mìcheal Newton, and advice from Alan Crawford from The Woodland Trust on the best conditions for the species, and how to manage or establish Scot’s Pine on our land in the current day. You can find three more episodes in this...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson discuss, in detail, all the things we need to focus on for Spring, including the Single Application Form (IACS), the Agri-Environment Scheme (AECS), and advice pertinent to calving, lambing, cropping and grass for Spring.  

FAS Resources 

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

CropCast - Spring Fertiliser Applications | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

<...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 20th Feb 2024 and all information considered correct to this date. On today’s episode Robert, Tiffany and George are joined by Professor Steven Thomson from SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre. They discuss the potential future landscape of funding, common grazings & small holders, policy and pressures around GHG emissions, and value chain need for reduced emissions and increased biodiversity. Discussion touches on the next generation of farmers, and how policy can encourage young peop...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers as he fills me in on the headlines from the inaugural FAS Connect Conference. Remember for PSF options completed in 2023, the claim window runs from 1st March 2023 to 29th February 2024. 

FAS Resources 

FAS Connect | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

FAS Connect Conference | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Other Resources  

Preparing for Sust...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Robert, Tiffany and George discuss the impact of the recent wave of bad weather across Scotland. Whether managing flooded soils or staying safe around fallen trees it’s all worth taking a moment to consider best practice and the current advice out there.  

FAS Resources 

Forestry Information Note: Forestry Update – Felling Permission and Windblown Trees | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Mitigating Extreme Rainfall: October 2023 Flooding...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George & Robert think about what Rabbie Burns would have to say about Farming today. They reflect on the similarities, and the massive changes that agriculture has seen since the Poet was working a plough.  

We are also joined by Phil Knott a crofter from Skye, the Vice-Chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network and facilitator of two farmers networks. Phil also discusses the value of looking back to a traditional way of farm...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George, Robert & Tiffany discuss collaboration and partnerships, looking at examples like The Scottish Pig Producers, and investigating how technology could facilitate collaboration. We are also joined by Tara Wight from The Landworker’s Alliance discussing their work in bringing people together, and the benefit of Farmer’s networks.  

FAS Resources 

Cooperation & Collaboration Resources (fas.scot) 

Other Resources  

Landworkers' Alliance Homepage (landworkersalliance.org.uk) 

SCOTTISH...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George, Robert & Tiffany chat about the run up to Christmas, how the public get interested in farms, farming, and local food at this time of year, and how we could make more of this for the rest of the year.  

FAS Resources 

Positive PR | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Positive PR Infographic | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

fas.sco...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George & Robert are joined by Lorna Galloway, a senior consultant at SAC Consulting to discuss developments in agricultural technology, opportunities for efficiencies and what tech might look like in the future.  

FAS Resources 

Thrill of the Hill - Virtually Stockproof | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Podcast: The Thrill of The Hill - Virtual Fencing | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) ...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George & Robert discuss the recent extreme weather events and the opportunities for farmers through PSF (Preparing for Sustainable Farming). We are also joined by Dr Annie Williams to discuss optimum mineral supplementation for cows and sheep.  

FAS Resources 

Mitigating Extreme Rainfall: October 2023 Flooding | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

fas.scot/downloads/water-management-on-your-farm-resilience/ 

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) - An Overview | Helping farmers in Scotlan...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, George & Robert are joined by Professor Steven Thomson from SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre to shine a spotlight on what’s happening currently with rural and agricultural policy.    

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: advice@fas.scot 

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George & Tiffany chat about the Scottish Agricultural awards, AECS 2024 and the Nature Restoration Fund.  

FAS Resources 

Borders Vet Lab Visit | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Farmyard Pollution, Farmer Solution | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Other Links  

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (ruralpayments.org) 

Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) | NatureScot 

Scottish Agricultural Awards | RH...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George & Tiffany bring you some good news about the Basic Payment Scheme, The Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme, and an Organic success story. Tiffany Stephenson also tells us about another podcast she hosts, called CropCast, and tells us what we can expect to hear in those episodes.  

FAS Resources 

Organics Discussion Group from the Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

Organics podcasts | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.sc...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, George & Robert are joined by Iain Boyd, Senior Environmental Consultant at SAC Consulting, to give our quarterly Environmental update. The guys discuss water quality and scarcity, Carbon offsetting & insetting & a look at current issues with invasive species.  

FAS Resources 

https://www.fas.scot/specialist-advice/ 

https://www.nonnativespecies.org/ 

https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/invasive-species/ 

https://www.fas.scot/events/event/choosing-financial-software-for-your-farm-business/ 

https://w...

*Content Warning* This podcast discusses accidents, injuries, and fatalities, some of which involve children. Though there is no gore, and this is discussed in a factual manner, please consider if you are able to listen to this episode safely. * 

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Tiffany, George & Robert are joined by Kathy Gostick, Health & Safety Inspector for HSE to discuss Farm Health & Safety in-depth.   

HSE Links & Guidance: 

Stats: It’s time for farmers to ‘think diffe...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Tiffany, George & Robert catch up with Jennifer Mitchell and Emma Newlands to find out what they have been getting up to on their summer placements with SAC Consulting. 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Tiffany, George & Robert discuss recent weather patterns, silage, a new outbreak of bird flu, and mull over the issues caused by a national labour shortage on farms. Later, we are joined by Ana Allamand, Knowledge Exchange Manager for The Soil Association, to tell us about some of the exciting projects they are working on.  

FAS Resources 

https://www.fas.scot/events/event/selecting-finished-lambs-and-butchery-demonstration/ 

https://www.fas.scot/events/event...

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Tiffany, George & Robert catch up with Steven Thomson, Rural Policy specialist from SRUC for the second policy spotlight update this year.  

FAS Resources 

Rural Roundup - A Spotlight on Rural Policy, a Peek at the Scottish Farm Business Survey Results, and Farmer Networks for Livestock Projects | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

Other Links: 

Steven Thomson — SRUC, Scotland's Rural College

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot <...

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Tiffany, George & Robert catch up after the Royal Highland Show, discuss the difficulties around Bracken Control and roundup sector performance at the moment. We are also joined by Alexander Pirie, Senior Consultant at SAC Consulting and host of the Thrill of the Hill Podcast, one of our sister Podcast shows, as he tells us what’s coming up on their podcast this year.  

FAS Resources 

Thrill of the Hill | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Tiffany & George are joined by Iain Boyd, Senior Environmental Consultant at SAC Consulting for the first quarterly spotlight on the Environment. Discussing water scarcity, wildfires, water pollution and renewables, this is a valuable conversation you don’t want to miss. We are also joined by Rachel Smillie, host of the Natural Capital Podcast, one of our sister Podcast shows, as she tells us what’s coming up on their podcast this year.  

 FAS Resources 

https://www.fas.sc...

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode George & Robert discuss the plethora of opportunities to get onto other people’s farms to learn and get inspired, and we’re joined by Kirstyn Blackwood the producer of our sister Podcast Stock Talk who chats with me and Robert about what’s coming up in the year ahead.   

FAS Resources 

Events | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

Arable Scotland | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas...