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, cir...
Jun 27, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 126
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 wi...
Jun 27, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 125
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 Ot...
Jun 26, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 124
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 biodivers...
Jun 24, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 123
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...
Jun 19, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 122
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 sp...
Jun 17, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 121
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 ...
Jun 17, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 120
Welcome to Business & Policy News Audio, formerly Agribusiness News. 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. Show Notes 00:33 News in Brief 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. 15:33 Cereal...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 119
Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by James Logan, the current chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. 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. He talks about his life in agriculture and how he got involved with RHASS. 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 ca...
Jun 11, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 118
Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Beef and Sheep Consultant Kirsten Williams. 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 Scotla...
May 30, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 117
A game changer for sheep on hill grazings? It’s very tricky to castrate and tail lambs within 7 days unless lambs are born inbye. Could two new techniques, that allow castration and tailing up to 3 months of age, not only reduce pain levels in lambs, but allow better and easier management on commons and hills? The all-important intake of colostrum and bonding of ewe and lamb can be disrupted by tailing and castrating. Changing timings, so that one or other is carried out when the lamb is older, ...
May 28, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 116
Linear features like hedgerows, ditches and drystone dykes are symbolic of our countryside, providing boundaries and unique habitats. From their history as a form of ancient enclosure, to their importance for nature, we go on a journey with John Wright to discuss these fascinating ecosystems, their natural and cultural significance and what they can tell us about our landscape. John Wright is a naturalist, fungi expert, forager and author who has written many books covering Britain's countryside...
May 27, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 115
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: advic...
May 21, 2025•15 min•Season 2Ep. 114
In this episode, Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Dr Kerry Leslie to talk about the Potato viruses, which can cause devastating compulsory burn down orders, and why these viruses remain a major concern for the industry going forward. 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 Gaul...
May 20, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 115
Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by John Ferguson, founder and CEO of Sisaltech Ltd, a Scottish company which produces sustainable building insulation from natural sisal fibres and Scottish wool. In this episode John shares his unique story on how he got started, his sustainable business goals and his top tips for business success. Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about John and Sisaltech you can find links in the show notes. This e...
May 14, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 113
Welcome to Business & Policy News Audio, formerly Agribusiness News. Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on US tariffs. Agribusiness News publication is now moving to the Business & Policy newsletter, a monthly update on market and policy intelligence for farmers and other rural professionals. To subscribe, please visit our newsletters page at https://www.fas.scot/newsletters/ Show Notes 00:34 News in B...
May 09, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 112
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. Scotland has a vibrant and dynamic farming industry, merging traditional practices with new innovations, yet barriers and challenges to entering and exiting the industry remain. Established in 2019 in response to industry concerns over the lack of new entrants across the sectors, the Scottish Land Matching Service (SLMS) offe...
May 08, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 111
Welcome to the first episode of CropCast Conversations hosted by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Iain Riddel (Principal Consultant, SAC Consulting). They discuss growing sugar beet in Scotland and cover sugar beet trial work, sites, varieties, farmer group feedback and conclusions from trial work. Episode Timestamps 00.32 Introducing Iain Riddell 01.49 Background to sugar beet in Scotland 05.05 Rural Innovation Support Service project 10.12 Biorefini...
Apr 16, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 110
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 For more information, vis...
Apr 16, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 109
Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you an overview on home grown proteins, nature based solutions, pollinators and seasonal workers. Show Notes 00:39 News in Brief 03:02 Policy Briefs – Future Farming Investment Scheme, Scottish Suckler Beef Support Payments, Sea Eagle Management Scheme, GAEC 7 Retention of Landscapes, Funding for Apprenticeships, Back British produce. 08:38 Arable- Global markets, European ...
Apr 11, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 108
In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Edward Scaman and Chris McClymont to talk about herbicides. How is the current season progressing and what is the best practice advice when it comes to applying products. 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 Ca...
Apr 07, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 107
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, v...
Mar 19, 2025•25 min•Season 2Ep. 106
Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you an overview on the potato sector, New Zealand, fertiliser use in Scotland and Wills and Power of Attorney. Hosted by Christine Beaton, produced by Heather Stuart. edited by Cameron Waugh, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond. Show Notes 00:41 News in Brief 02:59 Policy Briefs – Preparing for Sustainable Farming, Restoring Scotland’s Natural Environment, Delivering for Rural...
Mar 14, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 105
In this podcast we hear from Kirsten Williams who will be taking over Robert Ramsay’s role as the host on Stock Talk. Kirsten talks about her farming system at home as well as her interests at work. Robert mentions some of his favourite Stock Talk podcasts and how they can develop into something bigger (e.g. the deer farming podcast has now turned into a FAS Deer Farming Group). Kirsten wishes to continue Stock Talk with more farming stories as well as discussing more technical aspects. Related ...
Feb 28, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 104
We take a deep dive on the various sources of biodiversity funding opportunities that are available to farmers in 2025 and beyond. Covering Agri-Environmental Climate Schemes, Nature Restoration Funds, and biodiversity audits. In this episode we are joined by agricultural consultant Alex Pirie, to share updates on environmental funding opportunities for farmers in 2025 - including going over what the Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS) is, Nature Restoration Fund opportunities and biodivers...
Feb 25, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 103
Thrill of the Hill returns for season 5, with an exciting line-up on new and returning guest speakers and specialists in their fields and on their hills. Venison, an underappreciated meat in Scotland? Despite the abundance of deer in Scotland, farmed and wild, venison has never been a staple of the Scottish diet, certainly not in the same way as beef or lamb. Scottish Government reports that the amount of farmed venison in Scotland increased by around 4.9% on the last five year average, making u...
Feb 21, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 102
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 inf...
Feb 19, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 101
In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Tom Scrope to talk about his 2025 Nuffield Scholarship, in which he is exploring new ways of farmer knowledge exchange to secure stronger soils. Tom is also the Co-founder of soil benchmark, an online platform which can be used to create bespoke soil management plans. 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, brin...
Feb 18, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 100
Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you a sector overview on breeding bulls, pigs, the benefits of Co-operatives and how Whole Farm Plans will affect landlords. Show Notes 00:41 News in Brief 03:10 Policy Briefs – Foot and Mouth Disease and Avian Flu, heating grant, area monitoring pilot, national flood advisory service, new housing planning hub. 08:18 Arable- US tariff uncertainty, Sterling weakens through J...
Feb 11, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 99
In this podcast we hear from Sam Parsons from Balcaskie. He talks about the organic farming system and the use of regenerative agriculture practices at Balcaskie and how it has helped reduce costs. He also talks about meat eating quality in their choice of cattle as they sell their beef direct to customers through the butchery. They are using Lincoln Red bulls across the herd. Sam talks about the challenges he has faced with changing his system from 6-7 months winter housing cattle to outwinteri...
Jan 31, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 98
