CropCast

Farm Advisory Service
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Welcome to Cropcast, bringing you all the on crops and soils. Each month, SAC Consulting advisor, Tiffany Mactaggart will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates and the latest research to help you make decisions in the field. 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. 12/16/2025

    Conversations - United Oilseeds

    Welcome to Cropcast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Andrew Milne and Nick Hobson of United Oilseeds. We hear how the co-operative is structured, review 2025 OSR harvest and look ahead to prospects for 2026. They also discuss physical movements of the crop and market pricing mechanisms, so for all things OSR, enjoy listening to this very interesting conversation.   Andrew Milne – United Oilseeds Area Manager (Scotland)  Nick Hobson – United Oilseeds Trading Manager  Timestamps   00.55 Introducing Andrew and Nick from United Oilseeds  02.39 United Oilseeds – the company, it’s history and the area it covers   09.52 Varieties   12.15 Harvest 2025  18.43 Looking ahead to 2026  23.47 Movement of rape beyond the store  30.07 Different contract options and storage options   37.44 Key market watchpoints   41.43 Independent analysis of oil content   43.51 OSR Reboot   47.33 Andrews take home message   Related FAS Resources     Crops and soils | Helping farmers in Scotland  How to Get Oilseed Rape off to a Good Start | Helping farmers in Scotland  Related FAS Resources     United Oilseeds | Oilseed Rape | Buy Seed | Sell crops  OSR-Reboot | United Oilseeds | Oilseed Rape  Winter oilseed rape recommended and candidate lists | AHDB  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    50 min

  2. 12/16/2025

    Agronomy Past, Present & Future

    In this episode George Chalmers is joined by Professor Fiona Burnett to look back at some of the key developments in agronomy which have taken place over her 33-year career, along with discussion about those which will shape the future.  Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC adviser, George Chalmers 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 with the Scottish Government.  Timestamps 02:00 Fiona Background  05:00 Developments in crop rotation  07:00 Yield (change in mindset)   10:29 Using multi-site chemistry  16:28 New technology & Chemistry  18:00 Biostimulants   20:40 IPM Planning  24:14 Changes in regulations  29:30 BASIS training  31:50 Quality Assurance  33:45 The future of agronomy  35:40 Managing inputs for the season ahead 38:05 Seed dressings  39:50 Reducing application rates  41:30 The challenge of resistance  43:40 Three top tips  Related FAS Resources FAS Crops & Soils https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/

    46 min

  3. 11/25/2025

    Cover Crops

    In this episode George Chalmers is joined by Edward Jones, who is a Sustainable Farming Advisor at Frontier Agriculture to discuss cover crops.   Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, George Chalmers 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 with the Scottish Government.  Time codes  04:13 Definitions of green manure, cover crops & catch crops  09:14 Potential benefits  12:24 New species available  14:15 Different species for different areas  20:03 Considerations when choosing a crop  24:14 Greening 2026  28:40 Establishment  33:46 Potential uses with livestock  36:00 Seeds suitable for broadcasting  39:19 Three top tips  Linked FAS Resources   FAS Crops & Soils https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/   EFA Greening 2026 https://www.fas.scot/preparing-for-the-future/ Other Linked Resources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-jones-931725133?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app   Clinkstone – Companion Crops & autumn cover crops in a min-till system https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw5xnHdsaEw   Cover Crop Guide: https://covercropsguide.co.uk/

    42 min

  4. 10/21/2025

    Conversations - The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain

    Welcome to Cropcast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Julian South, Executive Director of The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB). MAGB are the trade association of the UK malting industry and represent over 98% of UK malt production, buying around 2 million tonnes of UK malting barley, to make about 1.6 million tonnes of malt. Mark and Julian discuss harvest 2025, barley varieties, tariffs and trade deals and opportunities for the industry.  Episode Timestamps   01.38 Background and structure of MAGB  04.43 What is malt?  06.59 Distilling malts and brewing malts  07.50 Harvest 2025 round up   16.12 Evaluating and approving new barley varieties for malting   23.31 International Barley Hub  26.00 Biggest challenges for the malting barley industry   29.47 International trade  33.25 Tariffs and trade deals  35.04 Peat as a flavouring for malt   37.10 Finding out more: www.ukmalt.com  38.25 The malt industry in 10 years time   Resources     The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain  Malting Barley Committee - The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain  Contact: Julian South: 07967452838, julian@magb.org.uk  SRUC - Soils & plants - Recommended lists   SAC Recommended Lists for Cereals 2025-26  International Barley Hub - The James Hutton Institute   Mycotoxins - The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain    For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    42 min

  5. 10/21/2025

    Arable Farm Finances

    In this episode George Chalmers is joined by SAC Senior Consultant and Chartered Accountant Andrew Coalter to discuss Arable Farm Finances, particularly cash flow challenges, investment and capital allowances for arable farms.   Welcome to Cropcast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, George Chalmers 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 with the Scottish Government.  Related FAS Resources   Cash Flow Forecasting: https://www.fas.scot/article/building-good-financial-habits-with-cash-flow-forecasting/   Budgeting & Financial Planning https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/business-tools/budgeting-and-financial-planning/  Finance & Funding https://www.fas.scot/whats-stopping-you-finance-funding/

    33 min

  6. 09/16/2025

    Machinery Replacement

    In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Robert Meadley to discuss some of the considerations which should be made when deciding to replace or invest in a piece of machinery.  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 with the Scottish Government.  Related FAS Resources Getting Started In Arable Agriculture - Machinery Appraisal | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service Other Related Resources Robert Meadley LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-meadley-85652223/?originalSubdomain=uk  Machinery costing calculator | AHDB

    44 min

  7. 08/25/2025

    Conversations - Optimising Soil Biology

    Welcome to CropCast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by two guests. Grant James (Business Development Manager at Sea2Soil) discusses an organic soil improver product from Sea2Soil. Grant provides an explanation of the biological mechanisms at play in the product, how it works on-farm and what to expect from applications. Steve Townsend brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of Regenerative Agriculture. Steve advises farmers all over the UK and Europe on how No-Till can improve their business. Steve is passionate about helping farmers reduce their fixed costs, increase their crop yields and weed control whilst repairing their soils.  Episode Timestamps   00.55 Harvest 2025 feedback  03.03 Steve & Soil First Farming  04.04 Grant & Sea2Soil  06.01 What is fish hydrolysate?  06.46 Feeding the soil biology  11.04 Practices to build up soil biology  20.20 Measuring soil biology  27.47 How different crop sectors are responding to regenerative agriculture  32.04 Nitrogen use efficiency   34.56 Albrecht theory  38.40 Getting the magnesium ratio right  41.15 Grant’s take home message  42.00 Steve’s take home message    FAS Resources  Regenerative Agriculture | Helping farmers in Scotland  Other Resources     Organic Soil Improver - Make soil healthier & more productive | Sea2Soil   Grant James: grant.james@pelagia.com, 07976 879646  Soil First Farming  Steve Townsend: steve.townsend@soilfirstfarming.co.uk, 07989 402112   For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    45 min

  8. 08/21/2025

    Ergot

    In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Kristina Grenz, Senior Cereal Product Quality Scientist at AHDB, to discuss ergot, which proved to be a significant problem for many growers during harvest 2024. In this episode we discuss the ergot life cycle, symptoms as well as top management tips.  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 with the Scottish Government.  Related Resources AHDB – Ergot management guidance for cereals - https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ergot-management-guidance-for-cereals-strengthened-by-review  AHDB – An introduction to Ergot & its management in cereals https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/an-introduction-to-ergot-and-its-management-in-cereals  FAS – Ergot – What is it and how to prevent it? https://www.fas.scot/article/ergot-what-it-is-and-how-to-prevent-it/  AHDB- Ergot in harvest 2024 https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ergot-in-harvest-2024-cereals-a-pathologist-s-paradise-a-supply-chain-challenge  AIC – Ergot in cereal crops https://www.agindustries.org.uk/resource/ergot-in-cereal-crops-contracts-legislation-and-effective-management-frequently-asked-questions-faqs.html

    26 min
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About

Welcome to Cropcast, bringing you all the on crops and soils. Each month, SAC Consulting advisor, Tiffany Mactaggart will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates and the latest research to help you make decisions in the field. 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Farm Advisory Service
  • Show Website
    CropCast