The fourth Scottish Rural Parliament is in full swing as we publish this episode. Previous gatherings have taken place in different parts of Scotland - Oban in 2014, Brechin in 2016 and Stranraer in 2018. This time, due to the ongoing Covid situation, the event is taking place entirely online. The aim of the assembly is to bring together people who live and work in rural and island Scotland, to ensure that issues they care about are brought to the attention of decision-makers and influencers. An...
Mar 15, 2021•29 min
Rock on Soils is a project exploring whether spreading crushed rock onto agricultural land can capture large quantities of carbon in the ground. Taking carbon out of the air is a key part of the fight against climate change, and the rock that's used is a by-product of quarrying, so it's an exciting prospect. The EU-funded project is being led by the Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA), and a range of academic and farming partners. To find out more, Anna is speaking with Dunkeld beef an...
Mar 08, 2021•36 min
Gordon Davidson is the Scottish Farmer news and online editor. He joins Anna to share stories of his years at the paper, and to give tips on how best to interest him in your news item or story. We also hear in this episode about how you can get involved with the upcoming Scotland Rural Parliament. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofte...
Mar 01, 2021•34 min
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially launches a research drive to study Equine Grass Sickness, an often fatal disease of horses. The Moredun Foundation and The Equine Grass Sickness Fund have joined forces to launch a three-year research Fellowship, bringing together a partnership of horse owners and scientists. HRH The Princess Royal is patron for both charities. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and h...
Feb 22, 2021•33 min
Her Majesty the Queen's Balmoral estate lost 5 Highland ponies in less than a year to Equine Grass Sickness. The disease is almost always fatal to horses, and seems to affect Scotland worse than other parts of the UK. Sylvia Ormiston, who manages Her Majesty's Balmoral stud, recalls the five losses, and describes how it prompted her to get more involved in searching for a cure. We also meet Grass Sickness fundraiser Yvonne Maclean, while Beth Wells from the Moredun Research Institute details new...
Feb 15, 2021•41 min
Climate-friendly farming can be a more efficient and profitable way to run your business. That's the key message of episode 3 of our series with agri-coop umbrella business SAOS. Anna hears about tools, methods, and processes you can implement on your farm to help Scotland meet its 2045 carbon 'net zero' target. Guests: Mark Clark - SAOS chairman and managing director of Grampian Growers Ltd. Andrew Moir - contract farmer, chairman Scottish Quality Crops, who also heads up the Climate Change Gro...
Feb 08, 2021•41 min
We're asking for your help. Simply by listening to OnFARM and telling others about us, you can help secure our future. As we approach our 50th podcast, Monty and Anna break from normal episodes to share some thoughts about the future of the show. Would you be interested in sponsoring us or partnering with us to get your brand associated with our work? Talk to the team any time. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and...
Feb 01, 2021•14 min
Rob Wainwright is the Doddie Gump fundraising founder, former Scotland Rugby captain and British Lion, and now a beef and cattle farmer on the Hebridean Isle of Coll. Rob joined the SAYFC's Lianne and Ally Brunton for a 'Sofa Chat' over Facebook Live. We've given over this OnFARM episode to the SAYFC, to hear Rob and the Bruntons chat about farming, rugby, and #DoddieAid. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home ...
Jan 25, 2021•38 min
How can the supply chains to Scottish food and drink businesses be made more climate-friendly? Scotland's target is to have net zero carbon emissions by 2045. This is part 2 in our series with agri-co-op organisation SAOS, looking at the challenges and opportunities for Scottish farming and growing as it works to meet that climate change challenge. Joining Anna this time are: Robert Logan - SAOS project manager focusing on climate change Gary Catto - Highland Grain malting barley cooperative And...
Jan 18, 2021•39 min
Brexit "fury" among fish landers, a "frustrating" seed potato export ban, and costly red tape for businesses that rely on immigrant labour. Monty partners with law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn to bring you expert and industry insight at this crucial and confusing time. Guests: Tavish Scott from the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation Archie Gibson of leading seed potato breeder and merchant Agrico UK Ltd George Frier, Shepherd and Wedderburn partner and food and drink lead Jacqueline Moore, S...
Jan 11, 2021•46 min
It is exactly one year since we published our first ever OnFARM episode - a recording with kids on a (pre-Covid) farm visit with the food and farming education charity RHET. To mark our first birthday, we've updated this very first episode with a new interview with RHET chief executive Katrina Barclay. You'll also hear John Sinclair, owner of Craigies Farm Shop and Cafe, primary school teacher Emmie Petrie, and RHET learning and development coordinator Sara Smith. Thanks for being so supportive ...
Jan 04, 2021•31 min
We're rounding off 2020 by eavesdropping on a chat between the Moredun Foundation's outgoing chairman Ian Duncan Millar, and his successor Gareth Baird. Ian chose to retire at the end of 2020 so he could end on the high point of a year of centenary festivities. Alas, this was not to be. But we hope this episode (particularly a surprise right at the end) will be a nice memento. From all at OnFARM, happy retirement Ian, and best of luck Gareth! Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeS...
Dec 28, 2020•34 min
You're on the guest list for a (virtual) drinks reception to celebrate 100 years of Scotland's Moredun Research Institute. Just press play to attend, enjoy the (virtual) free booze and canapes, and mingle with the great and the good of livestock science. Joining Monty for this episode are: Sheila Voas, Scotland's chief vet Nigel Miller, former NFU Scotland president and co-chair of Farming for 1.5 Degrees Phil Stocker, chief executive of the UK National Sheep Association Katrina Barclay, RHET ex...
Dec 21, 2020•32 min
Succession planning is a nettle that all farming families need to grasp. You just never know what is around the corner. But it's a sensitive subject, fraught with legal, technical and emotional difficulties - so Monty has enlisted law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn to talk through the issues. Guests this time: Hamish Lean - Shepherd and Wedderburn Head of Rural Property Gillian Campbell - Shepherd and Wedderburn private client partner Martin Kennedy - Perthshire beef and sheep hill farmer and NFU ...
Dec 14, 2020•41 min
The Moredun Research Institute has come a long way since it was set up by Scottish farmers in 1920, in a bid to cut devastating livestock losses. Monty hears how its latest breakthrough has revolutionised farming practices as far away as South Africa and Australia - and how researchers are even playing a crucial role in the fight against Covid-19. Guests this time: Al Nisbet - head of Moredun's vaccines and diagnostics department Tom McNeilly, Moredun's head of disease control Mara Rocchi - head...
Dec 07, 2020•39 min
In 1920, a visionary group of Scottish farmers came together to work out how to cut alarmingly high rates of livestock losses. Together, they formed ADRA - the Animal Diseases Research Association. These days, it is still owned and run by farmers, but is better known as the Moredun Research Institute for animal health. Many of the vaccines and treatments now routinely used on UK sheep and cattle were developed by Moredun scientists. In its hundredth year, OnFARM's Monty is learning about the his...
Nov 30, 2020•37 min
All too often, farmers and food producers are portrayed as villains on climate change. While there is work to do, the industry's positive stories too often go untold. The co-op umbrella organisation SAOS say it is time to change that. They also want to spearhead an industry-wide collaborative push to cut emissions and ramp up sequestration. For the first of a number of climate change episodes with SAOS, Anna is joined by: Tim Bailey - SAOS chief executive Emma Patterson Taylor - SAOS policy mana...
Nov 23, 2020•37 min
Rory Christie farms in Wigtownshire alongside his brother, and is on the boards of both the Milk Suppliers Association (MSA) and the co-op umbrella organisation SAOS. He strongly advocates investing in becoming as good at negotiation as whoever is on the other side of the table - whether that is a big corporate buyer, your farm landlord, or even your spouse or kids! Anna and Rory sat down for a wide ranging chat, that also takes in farming's response to climate change and fears over farm subsidi...
Nov 16, 2020•35 min
What does it take to convert from conventional to organic farming? What are the benefits and pitfalls of making the switch, and what really captures people’s passion along the way? For this edition of OnFARM, Anna is joined by Debs Roberts of the Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA), and Phil Swire, an Aberdeenshire farmer who is midway through converting to organic. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and h...
Nov 09, 2020•36 min
Organic oilseed rape is often said to be impossible to grow. Aberdeenshire feed manufacturer Norvite are at the centre of trials hoping to prove that claim wrong - and to offer Scottish-grown organic cold-pressed rapeseed oil as a premium product for restaurants and wholesale. They also hope to offer organic animal feed - a counterpart to their soya-free, local, yet conventional dairy ration NeoLac. Dave Howard finds out more, for the first of a new series of onFARM. Mentioned in this episode: M...
Nov 02, 2020•30 min
Anna is munching delicious broccoli crisps this week! She's in Cupar in Fife, at the headquarters of Growers Garden. They make crisps from vegetables that would otherwise not have made the grade for supermarket shelves. Growers Garden are part of a farmer-owner co-operative called East of Scotland Growers. It is a brilliant example of individual farmers working together to benefit each other as a group - under the larger Scottish umbrella group for co-operatives, the SAOS. OnFARM repeating this ...
Sep 28, 2020•41 min
Social media star Suzanne Mulholland AKA The Batch Lady shows Anna her methods for making the most of your freezer and kitchen storage. Her online videos and bestselling books show you how you can feed your household delicious and healthy meals, with a single one-hour cooking session each week. In this second part of the chat, Suzanne also gets Anna to try batching for herself! All episodes can be heard at www.podfollow.com/onfarm Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSky...
Sep 21, 2020•23 min
As COVID-19 continues to impact lives and businesses, and new lockdown rules are implemented across Scotland, Gail Ellis from rural HR specialists Greenburn returns to onFARM. Gail shares practical tips for employers and employees, as well as those facing redundancy and looking for new roles. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofters, b...
Sep 14, 2020•27 min
Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is an annual celebration, running from 5th to 20th September 2020. It shines a light on the incredible work of Scotland's farmers, growers, producers and suppliers. This whole onFARM episode is a widespread and indepth chat with Scotland Food and Drink CEO James Withers. He and Anna discuss the Fortnight, the impact of COVID-19, Brexit, and the future of food and drink. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tanner...
Sep 07, 2020•38 min
The Batch Lady, aka Suzanne Mulholland, is a global social media sensation, publishing regular videos sharing her method of modern batch cooking. Her bestselling books show you how to "Shop Once, Cook Once, Eat Well All Week". She creates all her content in her Scottish Borders farmhouse. This episode hears some of Suzanne's best tips for making the most of the food in your freezer. It was recorded at her home during lambing season for many Scottish farmers, and as Coronavirus was starting to be...
Aug 31, 2020•32 min
Farmer Jim, AKA Jim Smith the Stand-up Farmer, welcomes Anna back to his home in the Perthshire hills. This time, the pair take Jim's truck up to the sheep fields at the very top of his ground. There's chat about Jim's ambitions in both farming and comedy. (Hands up who wants to see Jim on 'Live At The Apollo'?!) There's also some decent footballing promise shown by Floss the dog, advice from Anna on Jim's impending parenthood, and a general blether about life and farming. This is part 2 of Jim'...
Aug 24, 2020•33 min
The OnFARM podcast is a positive voice for farming, agri-food, and rural enterprise, both in Scotland and the wider UK. We give rural areas, people, organisations and charities a strong voice and a platform from which to share their stories. We perform in the top 25% of podcasts globally, and we are much listened to (and talked about!) across rural communities. Would your business or brand benefit from becoming a sponsor to OnFARM? To discuss partnership opportunities, please email anna@sceneand...
Aug 19, 2020•5 min
Perthshire's Jim Smith is Scotland's Stand Up Farmer. His Back to the Teuchter live show and his social media Farm Diaries have earned him worldwide social media fame (as well as no shortage of female admirers!) He is also a regular on BBC Scotland's Breaking The News. But he says farming will always be his number one passion. This is part 1 of 2 episodes recorded with Jim, which we are re-releasing as we take a short break from recording new podcasts. Enjoy! Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFA...
Aug 17, 2020•30 min
Bill Gray and Alan Laidlaw say they will "move heaven and earth" to put on a 2021 Royal Highland Show despite ongoing Covid uncertainty. The RHASS chairman and chief executive also reflect on weathering 2020's 'perfect storm', and look back on their favourite moments from the last 14 weeks of OnFARM episodes. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are lookin...
Aug 10, 2020•44 min
This episode is one big THANK YOU to those people across rural Scotland, and the food and drink economy, who’ve gone above and beyond during Covid lockdown. We speak to people who have scrambled to keep their communities fed, given an extra push for charities, or just continued their vital jobs in difficult circumstances. There are 6 stories in the episode - all people we wanted to say thanks to. It’s not even the tip of the iceberg of people who deserve praise. So please tweet the people you'd ...
Aug 03, 2020•41 min
