CropCast

Farm Advisory Service
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Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisors Tiffany Stephenson and Mark Bowsher-Gibbs will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field. The CropCast series alternates monthly between regular technical updates with host Tiffany Stephenson and CropCast Conversations with host Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. Producers George Gauley and Heather Stuart, Editor Cameron Waugh, 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. May 18

    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

  2. Apr 21

    PCN & Water Scarcity

    In this episode George Chalmers is joined by SAC Consultants Kerry Leslie & Gavin Prentice, to discuss results from PCN Action Scotland along with the new CREW water scarcity guidance. 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. Timestamps 01:42 Introduction to Kerry Leslie 02:27 Who does PCN impact? 03:32 What is PCN? 06:08 What is the PCN yield penalty? 09:43 How do we know if there is PCN in a field? 12:27 Variety choice 16:42 The impact of other crops on PCN 18:40 The impact of ground keepers 20:50 PCN Action Scotland 24:50 Next steps for PCN action Scotland 28:50 Introduction to Gavin Prentice 31:19 Water scarcity project 33:20 Key project outcomes 34:40 Identifying water scarcity risks 37:50 Easy wins for farmers Related FAS Resources Technical Note (TN30): Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) Planning for Water Scarcity - New Practical Guide for Farmers and Growers in Scotland | Helping farmers in Scotland Other Related Resources PCN Action Scotland CREW Planning for Water Scarcity: https://www.crew.ac.uk/news/arable-futures-new-guidance-supports-scottish-farmers-plan-water-scarcity Planning for Water Scarcity: Practical guidance for Scottish farmers and growers | CREW | Scotland's Centre of Expertise for Waters

    43 min

  3. Feb 17

    Conversations - Hemp - The Crop in Waiting?

    Welcome to CropCast Conversations. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Iain Riddell. Iain was a consultant and project manager with SAC Consulting for 45 years, before becoming self-employed and operating under Graystones Consulting. Iain’s work focuses on agricultural supply chains and his main interest is industrial hemp, which will be the focus of this episode. The global market for hemp is expected to quadruple by 2030 and as markets here evolve, there is great potential for Scotland’s farmers to reap the benefits. Hemp was actually grown in Scotland in the Middle Ages for rope and textile production, before it became more economic to import, to make ropes and sails for ships. It has recently attracted interest as a new arable crop as more uses for hemp become viable, including fibre/shiv for insulation and boarding in house construction and seeds used for cold pressed oil and food health products, plus many other uses. Hemp has also been shown to improve soil structure and quality, store CO2 and improve biodiversity and could play an important role in reducing Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. There is potential for this highly versatile crop to be a profitable break crop for farmers as demand increases for biobased materials to replace products derived from fossil fuels. Industrial hemp is used across sectors such as agriculture, automotives, bio-energy, construction, food and beverages, furniture, paper, personal care, recycling and textiles. Several years field crop experience in Angus and the Borders, and hemp crop trials in Scotland in 2024 has confirmed that the crop grows well in our climate. Episode Timestamps 01.23 Introducing Iain Riddell 02.50 Potential uses for hemp as an industrial crop 03.46 What do we mean by ‘industrial hemp’ 05.45 Historical context 10.45 Growing hemp for fibre 12.17 Hemp – what’s currently going on in the UK 17.09 What we learned from growing hemp in the rotation 22.48 Retting process 28.32 Emerging hemp markets and potential uses 33.42 Hemp seed industry 35.26 Phytoremediation and the advantage of deep tap roots 37.23 Biodiversity benefits Resources The Potential of the Hemp Crop in Scotland | Helping farmers in Scotland Advancing a sustainable Scottish supply chain for industrial hemp and co-products British Hemp Alliance IndiNature – Natural fibre construction insulation https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/industrial-hemp-licensing-guidance/industrial-hemp-licensing-factsheet The Rowett Institute | The University of Aberdeen Contact: Mark.Bowsher-Gibbs@sac.co.uk Graystonesconsulting308@gmail.com (Iain Riddell) For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    40 min

  4. Jan 21

    Knowing Your Numbers

    In this episode George Chalmers is joined by SAC Consultant David Ross, to discuss crop margins from 2025 and predictions for 2026. 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 Stamps 1:12 Introduction to David Ross 5:00 Impact of weather on 2025 yields 11:12 AHDB Farmbench 13:44 2025 Winter Wheat 19:20 2025 Oilseed Rape 24:50 2025 Spring Barley 28:32 2025 Winter Barley 30:58 Variations between farm 32:55 Projections for Winter Wheat 38:27 Projections for Oilseed Rape 2026 42:04 Projections for Barley 2026 45:35 Alternative crops for 2026 53:30 Key messages Related FAS Resources Crops and soils | Helping farmers in Scotland Other Related Resources Farmbench - a farm business comparison tool | AHDB Agricultural Reform Route Map

    58 min

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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About

Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisors Tiffany Stephenson and Mark Bowsher-Gibbs will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field. The CropCast series alternates monthly between regular technical updates with host Tiffany Stephenson and CropCast Conversations with host Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. Producers George Gauley and Heather Stuart, Editor Cameron Waugh, 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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Farm Advisory Service
  • Show Website
    CropCast