Stock Talk

Farm Advisory Service
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Welcome to Stock Talk, bringing you all the latest news and advice for livestock producers. Each month, livestock specialists will discuss current issues, opportunities and options for producers. Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is funded by the Scottish Government. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.

  1. 2 days ago

    The Role of Rare Breeds in our Industry

    Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by Alice Lennox from the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST). Alice tells us all about what the RBST does and gave us some insight to some of the rare breeds on the ‘at risk’ watchlist. Alice and James discuss the role of these rare breeds including conservation grazing, conservation of livestock genetics and the inclusion of native rare breeds in commercial systems, for example to produce a low input suckler cow that can be outwintered. Resources RBST website:Right breed, Right place, Right system Link to training courses: Conservation Grazing - RBST Email: enquiries@rbst.org.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    The Role of Rare Breeds in our Industry

  2. 31 Jul

    Venison Market Outlook & Tullynessle Deer Farm

    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. Janet also tells us the about the meat itself, venison cooking options and how nutritional this meat is. Resources Tullynessle Deer Farm website: Buy Scottish Farmed Venison online or at our family farm Janet’s mobile number: 07827279241 Email address: tullynessledeerfarm@gmail.com Venison Advisory Service website: venisonadvisory.co.uk Dick’s email address: richard@venisonadvisory.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    Venison Market Outlook & Tullynessle Deer Farm

  3. 26 Jun

    Changing the Mark: New Technology in Lamb Marking

    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 outcomes. Our three guest speakers have first-hand experience of using some of these innovations. First, we will hear from veterinarian Kythe about why farmers castrate and tail dock lambs, the legal requirements in Scotland, and the importance of pain management. Then we'll hear from Ewan, who uses Numnuts, a system that combines ring application with local anaesthetic delivery. And finally, we'll hear from Scott, who has experience using ClipFitter, another technology designed to improve welfare during lamb marking. Related FAS Resources Lamb Castration & Tail Docking: Alternative Methods Other Resources ClipFitter - Kinder castration and tailing Numnuts – Numnuts For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

  4. 29 May

    The Use Of AI In Poultry

    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 profitability. Resources https://www.fas.scot/livestock/poultry/ Website address: optifarm.co.uk Optifarm email: info@optifarm.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    The Use Of AI In Poultry

  5. 27 Feb

    James Orr – Stock Talk Handover

    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/ Poultry Resources - https://www.fas.scot/livestock/poultry/ FAS Connect - https://www.fas.scot/connect/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

  6. 30 Jan

    Gordon Whiteford - Lower Mill of Tynet Farm

    Welcome to Stock Talk. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Gordon Whiteford who farms at Lower Mill of Tynet in Banffshire. In 2012, Gordon and June Whiteford began Lower Mill of Tynet Farm. They built an egg business, then a micro-dairy in 2020, selling milk and now ice cream directly from their 24-hour farm shop. They have brought together traditional farming practices with innovative direct-to-consumer strategies and are proud to have won Sustainable Farm of the Year 2024. Timestamps 01.10 How it all started for Gordon 10.23 Organic hens and starting out with poultry 13.14 Lower Mill of Tynet 15.40 Nuffield Scholarship – Organic 22.16 Brown vs white hens 31.49 Micro dairy – milk and ice cream 48.46 What’s next for Gordon Related FAS Resources Organics in Scotland - Lower Mill of Tynet Case Study | Helping farmers in Scotland Getting Started with Organic Farming – How to Convert to Organic | Helping farmers in Scotland Managing Grassland Under Organic Systems | Helping farmers in Scotland Getting Started Growing and Grazing with Organics | Helping farmers in Scotland Other Related Resources Lower Mill Of Tynet.co.uk Direct Retailing from a Poultry, Dairy, Beef, Sheep & Arable farm – Lower Mill of Tynet - FAS Video For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

  7. 26/12/2025

    Basil Lowman – 55 years of Driving the Beef Industry Forward and Pioneering New Ideas

    Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Dr Basil Lowman who has been a beef specialist with SAC Consulting for 55 years. Kirsten describes Basil as a legend in the beef industry. We hear about Basil’s varied career, his passion for the industry, how he thrives on challenge and is a pioneer of new ideas.   Episode Timestamps   01.37 Let’s go back in time  09.13 Body condition scoring of cattle  16.38 The development of silage and straw-based rations  24.24 The Green Shed  29.43 Beef farming in 10 years’ time   Related FAS Resources    Cattle resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service | FAS  Body Condition Scoring - Maintaining condition (FAS)    Other Related Resources The Benefits of Cow Condition Scoring - Part 1 (QMS)  The Benefits of Cow Condition Scoring - Part 2  Greenshed Graphic - SRUC   GreenShed video - SRUC - YouTube     For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

  8. 28/11/2025

    Robert Gilchrist & Gavin Hill

    Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by two industry experts to discuss the beef industry. It’s a lively discussion covering many topics, including: replacement strategies, where the market is it at just now, sustainability and the future of the Scottish herd.   Gavin Hill is a Senior Beef Specialist with SAC Consulting and Robet Gilchrist is Chief Executive of the Aberdeen-Angus Society.   Episode Timestamps   02.30 Cattle replacement strategies   10.03 Where should the end price be?  13.26 Changing eating behaviours and changes in the industry  17.05 Future of the Scottish herd   27.45 Cow of the future   43.08 Matching the sire   50.07 What will the Scottish beef industry look like in the next 10-20 years   Resources     Livestock resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service  Cattle resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service | FAS  Sustainable Beef Systems | Helping farmers in Scotland   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

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About

Welcome to Stock Talk, bringing you all the latest news and advice for livestock producers. Each month, livestock specialists will discuss current issues, opportunities and options for producers. Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is funded by the Scottish Government. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.

Information

  • Creator
    Farm Advisory Service
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Farm Advisory Service
  • Show Website
    Stock Talk

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