Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast
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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. Natural Capital - CREW Natural Capital and River Basin Management Planning

    1d ago

    Natural Capital - CREW Natural Capital and River Basin Management Planning

    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 scale. We also examine the economic implications of changing land use, how the value of environmental improvements can be measured, and what future funding models, including public and private investment, blended finance, and emerging environmental markets could mean for farmers and land managers. Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producer Kirstyn Blackwood Timestamps: 0:53 – 3:44 intros to speakers and CREW 3:45 – 9:08 The report, its recommendations, 5 key elements and why this research is crucial 9:09 – 17:05 Different nature-based solutions, co-benefits, and trade-offs 17:06 – 21:06 how to quantify costs and value of managing land for wider societal good and future markets 21:07 – 32:40 Nature based solutions at scale, stakeholders, and mechanisms Resources: FAS Water management resources for farmers: https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/ FAS Natural Capital podcast: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/ CREW Natural Capital and River Basin Management Planning - Protecting and Improving Scotland’s Water Environment: https://www.crew.ac.uk/publications/natural-capital-and-rbmp FIRNS - The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland: https://www.nature.scot/funding-and-projects/firns-facility-investment-ready-nature-scotland Scottish Forum on Natural Capital: https://naturalcapitalscotland.com/ Nature Finance Exchange: https://naturefinancex.nature.scot/ Farming & Water Scotland: https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    35 min
  2. Stock Talk - Changing the Mark: New Technology in Lamb Marking

    5d ago

    Stock Talk - 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

    40 min
  3. Crofting Matters - Shetland Black Aets: Preserving an Ancient Land Race, and Heritage Straw Crafts

    Jun 23

    Crofting Matters - Shetland Black Aets: Preserving an Ancient Land Race, and Heritage Straw Crafts

    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 about work that they are part of to preserve Shetland’s endangered straw crafts and one of our ancient landraces – Shetland black oats – referred to locally as ‘aets’. If you enjoyed this episode of Crofting Matters please do subscribe to hear the next episode when we’ll be joined by crofters who work in aquaculture in Shetland to discuss the connections between crofting, fisheries and aquaculture in our Island communities. If you would like to find out more about anything we discussed today, you’ll find links in the show notes. This episode was produced by Kerry Hammond, and Edited by Keiron Sim, in association with the Scottish Government. Resources: Eve Eunson Heritage Crafts Ewen Balfour - The Kishie Maker’s Year | Woven Communities SASA (Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture) | Small Oat/Shetland Oat & Common Oat The Red List - Heritage Crafts | Shop — Lois Walpole - Kishie's and Cuddies Book Contact the Shetland Straw Society : shetlandstrawsociety@gmail.com For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    37 min
  4. Thrill of the Hill - Where Waders Wander

    Jun 18

    Thrill of the Hill - Where Waders Wander

    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 and crofters who want to make space for nature alongside productive agriculture. Timestamps 01.17 Introducing Toby Wilson (RSPB Senior Conservation Officer) 02.43 How agricultural landscapes fit into wider wildlife conservation 04.23 The importance of farmers and crofters for delivering nature conservation outcomes 06.44 Farm Wildlife Walks 10.02 The Forth Estuary 15.18 Habitat value of coastal marshland for waders 16.55 The importance of a supporting mosaic of habitats 19.24 Wader numbers in Scotland and some of the main pressures affecting waders 25.55 Habitat connectivity specifically for waders 29.22 What gives Toby hope 33.51 Nature Scot – Nature Restoration Fund 41.50 The future for waders in Scotland 44.34 Toby’s take home messages Resources RSPB Scotland Working for Waders Making a difference for waders in the Cairngorms Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) | NatureScot New strongholds for wader recovery proposed | NatureScot Agri-Environment Climate Scheme Farm Wildlife Walks 2026 | Helping farmers in Scotland toby.wilson@rspb.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    48 min
  5. Rural Roundup - Farm Woodlands

    Jun 17

    Rural Roundup - Farm Woodlands

    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 competitive? 17:30 What does the maintenance grant cover 20:39 What is the optimum site for planting? 22:09 Thinning & felling 24:30 Process of obtaining felling permission? 25:27 Harvesting & processing grants? 26:50 What are the signs of woodland disease? FAS Resources RSABI Keepie Uppy challenge https://www.rsabi.org.uk/rsabi-social-challenge-takes-off-as-excitement-builds-towards-farmer-football-tournament/ FAS Events https://www.fas.scot/events/ FAS Specialist advice https://www.fas.scot/specialist-advice/ Future Farming Investment Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/ffis/ Agri – Environment Climate Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/ Forestry Grant Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/forestry-grant-scheme/ Scottish Forestry https://www.forestry.gov.scot/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    31 min
  6. CropCast - Crop Trials & Innovation

    Jun 16

    CropCast - Crop Trials & Innovation

    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 and hear directly from researchers, industry specialists and fellow farmers about what is looking promising for the seasons ahead. Timestamps 0:10 Introduction to Neil & Simon 2:32 What does Innovation mean? 6:27 Where is the most potential for innovation? 10:48 How are crops looking this season? 15:14 Changes to crop varieties? 17:28 What to expect at the upcoming crop trial events? 26:14 Impact of climate change on arable production? 27:50 How can growers make the best decisions? For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    38 min
  7. Business and Policy News Audio June 2026: Policy, cereal, beef, sheep and milk updates and a spotlight on Scottish farm business income: annual estimates 2024-2025

    Jun 10

    Business and Policy News Audio June 2026: Policy, cereal, beef, sheep and milk updates and a spotlight on Scottish farm business income: annual estimates 2024-2025

    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 – Scottish farm business income: annual estimates 2024-2025 46:44 Further articles – Crop update video, Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus article & FAS TV episode on Future Planning & Succession FAS Resources: Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service advice@fas.scot Other Resources: Red Diesel Duty To Be Cut By One-Third Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) 2025 payments New Strategy Launched To Protect Pig Sector Against Swine Fever Gillian Martin Appointed Scotland’s New Rural Affairs Secretary Food Tariff Reductions Bluetongue movement restrictions - from 1 June 2026 Publications: Agricultural profit estimates and milk production statistics Bluetongue – latest situation Consultations: Scotland’s Peatland Standard – Consultation draft Stock Talk - The Use Of AI In Poultry | FAS Scottish farm business income: annual estimates 2024-2025 - gov.scot Whole Farm Benchmarks Tool 2024-25 | Helping farmers in Scotland scottishfarmbusinesssurvey@sac.co.uk Latest Crop Update for Scotland’s Farmers Climate Change and the Escalating Risk of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) Future Planning & Succession For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    51 min
  8. Agri Culture - Glenkilrie, From Land to Larder : Lauren Houstoun

    Jun 10

    Agri Culture - Glenkilrie, From Land to Larder : Lauren Houstoun

    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 campaign to improve the quality of food available in local schools. She showcases the provenance of their seasonal produce through the Glenkilrie Cook School, demonstrating cooking techniques, the history and heritage of the family and their commitment to sustainable farming practices. Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to find out more about Glenkilrie Larder you can find the link in the show notes. This episode was presented by Mary-Jane Lawrie, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government. Resources: Glenkilrie Larder - From Land to Larder For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    45 min
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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.

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