Crofting Matters

Farm Advisory Service
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Crofting Matters

More than 750, 000 hectares of land in Scotland is in crofting tenure. In this Crofting Matters series, hosted by Siobhan Macdonald, we will explore all aspects of crofting. Covering seasonal and topical issues, crofting agriculture, regulation, wildlife, support and other associated businesses. Producer Ashleigh Forster, Editor Ross Mackenzie , Executive Producer Kerry Hammond. In association with The Scottish Government. 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. NOV 1

    Matchmaking New and Retiring Crofters (Updated)

    Many aspire to having and working a croft, however crofts are difficult to obtain, at least in the more productive and scenic areas.  At the same time, retiring crofters sometimes find it hard to give up their business, their source of income and home.  The Scottish Land Matching Service is designed to help aspiring new producers, whether crofters or farmers, with advice, guidance, and a database of opportunities.  Ian Davidson joins us today to discuss the SLMS role in helping crofts to remain in productive use.  Related Resources Scottish Land Matching Service

    39 min

  2. SEP 25

    Subsidy and Support Changes for Crofting

    Support is changing, and although not all details are clear, crofters claiming subsidy need to have specific items and plans in place by next spring.  Listen in to hear the essential information you need for next year’s Basic Payment Scheme claim.    We simplify one aspect of the new system, which is called the Whole Farm Plan.  The WFP is actually made up of 5 different parts, of which 2 need to be in place next year, by the 15th May 2025.  We discuss the most sensible and easiest routes for crofters to prepare.  The changes have come about as our subsidy system evolves outwith the EU.  The new support system is in four Tiers, with the familiar Basic Payment Scheme in Tier 1.  The Whole Farm Plan will affect Tier 1 Basic Payment Scheme.  We will cover the other Tiers in future podcasts as more details are released and we understand the impact on crofting, so please subscribe to keep up to date. Related FAS Resources Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)   Crofts & Small Farms resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Crofting Businesses: Carbon Audits and Preparing For Sustainable Farming | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Preparing Small Farms and Crofts for 2025 and Beyond - Events

    40 min

  3. AUG 28

    Livestock Disease Risks on Crofts

    Disease risk in livestock, and biosecurity is something we perhaps don’t consider as much in crofting areas as farmers might in more intensive systems. Crofting tends to be more extensive, with lower densities of stock, but we often share bulls, and graze on common ground. In this episode I’m joined by Kythe MacKenzie, who is a vet with SRUC, and Kate Lamont, who is a researcher, to discuss the practicalities of managing disease risk.   Linked FAS Resources Crofting Discussion Groups | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

    48 min

  4. JUL 31

    Routes to Crofting

    This episode hears from 2 crofters with two different routes into crofting. In this episode we discuss how they gained their croft, what they found were barriers, and hints and tips for aspiring or new crofters.  I’m delighted to be joined by Derek Dick, who is a relatively new crofter in Berneray, and Angus Ferguson, who is an experienced crofter in North Uist.  Linked FAS resources:  Crofting Discussion Groups | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

    41 min

  5. JUN 28

    Lessons from Ireland

    In this episode we look at what we can learn from the Irish system, where farms are similar to our crofts. A group of crofters are just home from a study tour to Ireland, and we hear from Derek Jamieson who crofts in Unst, Shetland, what he took from this exchange of knowledge.  We also hear from Keith Fahy, advisor with Teagasc, explaining the Irish subsidy system and improvements being made to their national flock and herd.   Ireland Study Tour with Crofters  Crofting in Unst  Typical Irish farms  Croft tenancies  Mart provision in Ireland and Scotland  Subsidies in Ireland  Agri-environment Schemes  The Irish Green Cert  Discussion Groups for Crofters  Linked FAS resources:  https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/crofts-small-farms/crofting-discussion-groups/

    40 min

  6. MAY 31

    Crofting Commission Chief Executive

    Gary Campbell is our guest this week. Gary is the new Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, having just started his role in January this year. With a background working in both the public and private sectors he talks us through his previous roles, his own family crofting story, what he is planning to achieve in his new CE role and his vision for the Crofting Commission.  Related FAS Resources:  Crofting & Smallholders Guide to Organisations Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

    41 min

  7. 10/31/2023

    Common Grazing Finances: Common Issues

    We are at Dornie hall, talking to clerks and committee members about the issues they face when trying to run the common grazing, especially when it comes to finances.  Firstly, we talk with Finlay Beaton from the Crofting Commission, about the problems that they deal with and the solutions for clerks. Finlay also has the advantage of having worked with RPID, so also understands the grant and subsidy systems.  Arthur Macdonald adds his take from years of running finance training, working with landlords and crofters, and working at the CC.  These meetings are continuing around the crofting counties, so if you are a clerk, book on! We cover: Common themes such as monitoring and accounting for funds, who is responsible for the funds; how and who to bring onto your committee; how to set it up; the difference between CG and clubs; vacant crofts Useful Links Finance Forms for Common Grazings | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) A Simple Guide to Common Grazings Terms | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Appointment of Grazings Committees | Crofting Commission (scotland.gov.uk) Regulated Commons Grazings | Crofting Commission (scotland.gov.uk) Common Grazings Dilemmas | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

    40 min

  8. 09/29/2023

    Subsidy Future & Current Schemes

    Don’t miss out on the current schemes which boost income and improve animal and soil health! We discuss the PSF scheme, the future of subsidy, recent changes to the Croft House Grant and what we should all do now to prepare for the 2025 change.  We cover:   What the term ‘conditionality’ means PSF Animal Health & Welfare Eligibility How to carry out and how to claim Benefits of animal health  Soil sampling   Carbon audits What do we know so far What is Just Transition What are the Tiers BPS Whole Farm Plan Habitat assessments Grazing shares Beef calf scheme Scoteid My herd stats CHGS changes Top tips to prepare for 2025 – FAS biodiversity audits, carbon audits, psf scheme   Related FAS Resources Crofting Businesses: Carbon Audits and Preparing For Sustainable Farming | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) The Croft House Grant Scheme | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Crofter’s Fuel Poverty – Improving the Existing Housing Stock | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Related Resources Preparing for Sustainable Farming Support (ruralpayments.org) Croft House Grant (ruralpayments.org) MyHerdStats Information Guide - ScotEID Library (dozuki.com)

    31 min
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About

More than 750, 000 hectares of land in Scotland is in crofting tenure. In this Crofting Matters series, hosted by Siobhan Macdonald, we will explore all aspects of crofting. Covering seasonal and topical issues, crofting agriculture, regulation, wildlife, support and other associated businesses. Producer Ashleigh Forster, Editor Ross Mackenzie , Executive Producer Kerry Hammond. In association with The Scottish Government. 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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 Farm Advisory Service
  • Show Website
    Crofting Matters

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