Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

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. Stock Talk - The Use Of AI In Poultry

    5d ago

    Stock Talk - 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

    56 min
  2. Crofting Matters - A View From Shetland

    May 27

    Crofting Matters - A View From Shetland

    Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Siobhan Macdonald, and this is the Farm Advisory Service series where we discuss topics that matter in crofting. For this episode, we’re heading north to the wild and windswept Shetland isles to explore the unique world of island crofting and the remarkable resilience of Shetland’s crofters. Join Siobhan Macdonald and Osla Jamwal Fraser as they dive into the opportunities and challenges of farming on the archipelago — from the advantages of geographic isolation for maintaining high-health livestock schemes, to the realities of costly transport links and long ferry crossings. With Osla at the helm of the series for 2026, we will uncover some of Shetland’s most fascinating agricultural stories and industries, including its iconic Shetland sheep, world-famous wool, native ponies, and even the surprising rise of spaceports among the islands’ rugged landscapes. This is a journey into innovation, tradition, and life at the edge of the North Sea. Thanks for joining us for this episode of Crofting Matters. If you’d like to find out more about you can find the link in the show notes. This episode was presented by Siobhan Macdonald produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Kieron Sim, in association with the Scottish Government. FAS Resources: Scottish Land Matching Service Shetland Livestock Marketing Group Crofting Commission For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    41 min
  3. Natural Capital - NatureScot Natural Capital Tool

    May 26

    Natural Capital - NatureScot Natural Capital Tool

    In the first episode of the new series, we speak with Donya Davidson and Sophie Manson from NatureScot about their Natural Capital Tool and find out what it is, the challenges it addresses, and how it supports land managers in Scotland. We have a walk through showing how the tool works in practice and how it allows decision makers to identify strategies that maximise positive outcomes. The Natural Capital Tool is a free, easy-to-use spatial decision support tool designed to enable a natural capital approach to land management. Considering the full range of benefits and ecosystem services nature provides, it helps users plan land use in ways that deliver multiple benefits for both people and the environment. Developed by NatureScot in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University and EOLAS Insight, it is tailored specifically to Scotland’s landscapes and needs. Host Harry Fisher, Producers Iain Boyd & Fiona Salter, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kirstyn Blackwood & Kerry Hammond Key Timestamps: 1:06 – 6:59 intro and background to the tool 7:00 – 18:34 the data, functions and design of the tool 18:35 – 35:30 how to use it and target audiences 35:30 – 44:19 run through of tool and next steps Resources: FAS Environment: https://www.fas.scot/environment/ FAS Natural Capital podcast: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/ Natural Capital Tool: https://natcaptool.nature.scot/ Natural Capital Tool | NatureScot: https://www.nature.scot/doc/natural-capital-tool Biodiversity Audits for Whole Farm Plan | Helping farmers in Scotland: https://www.fas.scot/article/biodiversity-audits-for-whole-farm-plan/ Farm Biodiversity Scotland: https://biodiversity.scot/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    46 min
  4. Thrill of The Hill - A Damming Conclusion? Part III

    May 21

    Thrill of The Hill - A Damming Conclusion? Part III

    Welcome to The Thrill of The Hill. This is the third and final episode in our series exploring beaver reintroduction in Scotland. Across the last two episodes, we’ve looked at the challenges, concerns, and practical realities beavers bring to land management. Today, we’re joined by farmer and rewilding advocate Tom Bowser from Lerrocks farm and we’ll be focusing on the other side of the story — the ecological case for beavers, the benefits they can bring, and what a future with more beavers in Scotland might look like. Timestamps 02.28 Introducing Tom Bowser 07.28 Why are beavers worth having back in Scotland? 08.36 Beavers: ecosystem engineers and keystone species 12.40 Beavers, the most controversial animal that we have at the moment? 14.10 Practical benefits of beavers 22.03 Biodiversity and hairy bottomed handstands! 27.23 Balancing the benefits with the challenges 32.49 NatureScot beaver team and available assistance 37.04 Where are we likely to see beavers in the future? 43.08 Food production and nature restoration, not always opposing forces FAS Resources Thrill of the Hill Episode 12: A Damming Conclusion? https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a1a41750-26db-4341-8783-2aa9443a34c3 Thrill of the Hill Episode 2: A Damming Conclusion? Part II https://player.captivate.fm/episode/34096505-af92-46c9-8a66-6ee445383126 FAS - Rewilding Beavers FAS Farm Wildlife Walk Other Related Resources Argaty Red Kites – Rewilding Experiences in the Heart of Scotland Tom Bowser – Nature Writer, Journalist, Public Speaker Beavers in Scotland | NatureScot For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    47 min
  5. Rural Roundup - Scottish Agri Tourism

    May 20

    Rural Roundup - Scottish Agri Tourism

    Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson discuss upcoming events and updates, while Kerry Hammond chats to Linda McAllister from visit Scotland to discuss opportunities for Agri tourism. Timestamps 00:30 Welcome back Tiffany 02:15 IACS Deadline 02:55 Enhanced Greening 08:28 Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) 10:42 AECS 12:26 Events 13:18 Funding for specialist advice 19:27 Linda McAllister from visit Scotland FAS Resources Visit Scotland https://www.visitscotland.org/tourism-events-industry/strategies/agritourism FAS Events https://www.fas.scot/events/ FAS Specialist advice https://www.fas.scot/specialist-advice/ Other Resources 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/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    41 min

  6. May 18

    CropCast - Scottish Quality Crops - Under The Bonnet of SQC

    Welcome to Cropcast Conversations. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Teresa Dougall (Managing Director SQC) & John Hutcheson (Chair, SQC). Scottish Quality Crops is the quality assurance body that sets the standards for food safety and good practice for crops grown in Scotland. This gives confidence to buyers across the world and creates market opportunities for Scotland’s growers. SQC has 3,100 voluntary members, covering more than 90% of Scotland’s crops. The board is a cooperative of eight organisations from across the supply chain. Audits are carried out by an independent certification body, Food Integrity Assurance, who conduct assessments and certification. SQC standards are formed by and for growers and grain buyers. Listen to this episode to hear how SQC works with the supply chain to place Scotland’s combinable crops at the premium end of the UK and European markets. Time Stamps 01.16 Introducing Teresa Dougall and John Hutcheson (SQC) 05.32 SQC as a cooperative organisation 08.18 SQC history and where it all began 14.41 Annual review structure & what the market wants in terms of assured products 25.19 Interaction with Scottish Government 29.36 Recognising our unique and diverse landscape in Scotland 31.14 Representing a high standard product 34.05 Importing / exporting grain 40.11 Closing thoughts from Teresa and John Resources https://www.sqcrops.co.uk/ Contact: info@foodassurance.co.uk Mark.Bowsher-Gibbs@sac.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    43 min
  7. Business and Policy News Audio May 2026: Policy, cereal, beef, sheep and milk updates and a spotlight on the Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS)

    May 8

    Business and Policy News Audio May 2026: Policy, cereal, beef, sheep and milk updates and a spotlight on the Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS)

    Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on the Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS). Time Stamps: 01:56 News in Brief 05:52 Policy Briefs – Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme 2025 payments, Groceries Code Adjudicator moves to Defra, Crofting and Scottish Land Cout Bill, Cairngorms National Park Fire Management Byelaw 10:26 Cereals – Latest news and market update 21:28 Beef – Latest news and market update 28:05 Sheep – Latest news and market update 32:42 Milk – Latest news and market update 40:08 Sector focus –Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS) 45:37 Further Interest – Slatted Sheep Housing Made Simple (article), Setting up a new grass ley for success (article), PCN and water scarcity (podcast). FAS Resources: Newsletters – Business & Policy Edition – Farm Advisory Service advice@fas.scot Other Resources: Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill Cairngorms Fire Management Byelaw Rural Roundup Podcast AECS Scoring Criteria Thrill of the Hill podcast – Where Policy Meets Pasture: The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme with David Brown Slatted Sheep Housing Made Simple – article Setting up a New Grass Ley for Success – article PCN & Water Scarcity – CropCast Podcasthttps://www.fas.scot/article/the-journey-of-a-soil-sample/ Publications: Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks – latest update Monthly UK statistics on cattle, sheep and pig slaughter and meat production Labour Market Trends: April 2026 – gov.scot African swine fever in Europe – latest update The Environment Strategy for Scotland Rural Support Plan Consultations: Installation and maintenance licences for heat networks Communications from Revenue Scotland to taxpayers For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    49 min
  8. Agri Culture - Mentoring Women In Agriculture: Julie McLaren

    May 6

    Agri Culture - Mentoring Women In Agriculture: Julie McLaren

    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 Julie McLaren. Julie is a Bank Relationship Director – Agriculture & Landed Estates, and Vice Chair of Women in Agriculture Scotland. Julie tells us about her career in banking and how her role evolved, despite not coming from a farming background. Julie joined the Women in Agriculture Scotland committee in 2024, with the aim of setting up a mentoring scheme for the organisation. Now Vice Chair she tells us what she hopes the mentoring scheme will achieve, who it is for, and how both mentors and mentees can get involved. Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to find out more about Women in Agriculture Scotland and their mentoring scheme you can find the link and direct email address in the show notes. This episode was presented by Mary-Jane Lawrie, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Robbie Campbell, in association with the Scottish Government. Resources: womeninagriculturescot@gmail.com https://womeninagriculturescotland.com/contact-us/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    48 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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