In Conversation With...

Scottish Farm Advisory Service
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In Conversation With... is a monthly podcast that dives deep into specific parts of agriculture with a panel of guests. This series alternates monthly between grain supply chains with Mark Bowsher-Gibbs and then sheep health with Kirsten Williams. These episodes are timely and relevant to the month they are released. We feature new guests on every episode, from supply chain professionals, traders, vets nutritionists and more. Listen now, to deep dive into your arable or livestock area of interest.

Episodes

  1. 12/16/2024

    The Golden Hoof

    Welcome to In Conversation With… hosted this month by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs (Principal Consultant) and Kirsten Williams (Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant). On today’s episode Mark and Kirsten reflect on their highlights from 2024 and are joined by David Ross (Principal Consultant, SAC Consulting) to discuss integrating livestock and arable. They explore options for integrating livestock, share top tips and farmers experience as well as the benefits this can bring to both the arable and livestock farmer.  Episode Timestamps   00.45 Kirsten’s 2024 highlights  01.24 Mark’s 2024 highlights  05.15 Integrating sheep into arable systems  06.42 Grazing cover crops and catch crops  09.09 Pest management and drawing moisture out of the soil  12.20 Biodiversity benefits  16.58 Soil compaction and deep rooting crops  21.00 Opportunities and new entrants  22.35 Things to be aware of (possible issues)  27.50 Temporary grass leys  31.55 Farmers’ experience  34.46 Grazing winter cereals  42.48 Marks top tips  44.05 Kirsten's closing thoughts  FAS Resources  Sheep grazing winter crop - what you need to know  Winter grazing cereals - an alternative forage source   Whitriggs - winter grazing of crops    Practical guide - use of cover crops  Regenerative agriculture integrating livestock  The benefits of grass leys in arable rotations     Other Resources   Grass leys for the arable rotation - AHDB  An introduction to cover crops - AHDB  Cover crops for additional forage | AHDB     Outwintering Strategies  The benefits of sheep in arable...

    46 min

  2. 11/21/2024

    Winter Stocktake – flock health and records

    Welcome to In Conversation With… hosted this month by Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant Kirsten Williams. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Willie Budge (Senior Consultant, SAC Consulting) and Kythe Mackenzie (Veterinary Investigation Officer, SRUC). They will discuss trends from the year, what’s coming into the labs, tips on preparing for sheep inspections and how to keep meaningful records. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. Episode Timestamps 01.42   2024 health highlights – using them to plan for next year 04.14   Top tips for sheep inspections 08.20  Tagging records 14.00   Using records to review performance 15.19    What’s coming into the vet labs 21.16     Funded Animal Health and Welfare interventions (PSF) 24.00  Notifiable diseases and the risks to Scottish flocks 28.08  Biosecurity and quarantine 30.58  Nutrition, winter budgeting and housing 34.48   Kythe’s top tip for winter stocktake 35.58 Willie – Animal Health and Welfare Plan and benefits of up to date records FAS Resources Record Keeping Growing and finishing lambs in autumn and winter Preparing for Sustainable Farming full guidance (Animal Health and Welfare Interventions) Cull Ewe Screening Ice-berg Diseases in Sheep - Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) (youtube.com) Ice-berg Diseases in Sheep - Maedi Visna (MV) (youtube.com) Ice-berg Diseases in Sheep - Ovine Johnes Disease (OJD) (youtube.com) Ice-berg Diseases in Sheep – Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma (OPA) (youtube.com) Ice-berg Diseases in Sheep - Border Disease (BD) (youtube.com) Iceberg Diseases In Sheep | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Iceberg diseases of ewes | AHDB Other Resources Livestock identification and traceability guidance pages sheep and goats (gov.Scot) Ruminant Health & Welfare Bluetongue Virus - RuminanHealth & Welfare Iceberg diseases of ewes |...

    39 min

  3. 10/07/2024

    Sebastien Mallet

    Welcome to the October episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs.  On today’s episode Mark is joined by Sebastien Mallet, CEO at ODA (Offre & Demande Agricole). They discuss the UK and European harvest, how UK grain prices have changed and what drives price change, the best time to sell into the market and selling strategies going forward.  Timestamps: 03.17 Harvest 2024 in Europe 04.40 Getting market messages/analysis to farmers 06.05 Where the UK sits in the global supply and demand picture 06.45 “The world market is a village” (freight costs) 10.24 US influence on wheat market (record yields and surplus export volumes) 14.28 Factors influencing UK market ex-farm prices 21.55 Malting premium 23.10 Where might wheat market prices go next 25.36 Selling strategies 28.05 Weather effects on the market 29.24 Oilseed Rape – UK a net importer FAS Resources Agribusiness News September 2024 - Cereals and Oilseeds | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Related Resources ODA Connect - The independent grain marketing consultancy for Farmers Corn Returns: Ex-farm prices and volumes | AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds markets | AHDB

    33 min

  4. 09/13/2024

    Marketing, Mating and Management

    Welcome to In Conversation With… hosted this month by Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant Kirsten Williams. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Lorna Shaw (Ruminant Nutritionist, SAC Consulting) and Jonny Williams (Joint Business Director, Farm Stock). They discuss marketing the 2024 lamb crop, preparing for mating and nutrition of purchased stock. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government.  Episode Timestamps   00.41 - Introducing Lorna Shaw and Jonny Williams  02.35 - What’s happening with the sheep market and why  05.58 - Flexibility: farming what’s in front of you  08.32 - Nutrition: protein and energy requirements for growing lambs  11.20 - Prioritising grazing and assessing feed costs vs returns  12.30 - Variations in feeding grain quality and the importance of grain analysis  14.35 - Introducing lambs to supplementary feeding  16.10 - Keeping current European buyers supplied  20.58 - Marketing lambs of different spec   23.38 - Diet transitioning for purchased rams  27.10 - Urinary calculi in rams  28.38 - Processing grain for sheep  30.14 - Post tupping aftercare for rams  32.16 - Lambs coming off forage crops  34.26 - Jonny’s main message for marketing  36.15 - Lorna’s main message for managing nutrition  37.34 - Kirsten’s take home message    FAS Resources  Agribusiness News   Management and selection of rams for efficiency   Marketing lambs   Other Resources   farmstock.org.uk  Lamb markets | AHDB   QMS Scotland - market prices   QMS Scotland - monthly market updates   fas.scot - specialist advice   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    39 min

  5. 08/16/2024

    Global and Scottish Grain Markets

    Welcome to the August episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs.  On today’s episode Mark is joined by Julian Bell (Principal Consultant with Agrecalc) and James Bolesworth (Managing Director at CRM Commodities). They discuss global grain supply, demand and market influences and look at how prices have changed over the last 12 months. Closer to home, they discuss the UK position regarding stocks ahead of harvest, new crop markets and selling strategies.   Episode Timestamps  01.35 Global grain perspective  04.30 Stock relative to demand  05.19 US contract with UK and Europe  09.33 Supply in Europe  11.37 UK outlook  17.57 European harvest update  20.50 Malting barley expectations   26.26 Futures market   29.06 Marketing strategies   FAS Resources  https://www.fas.scot/article/grain-contracts-making-them-work-for-you/   https://www.fas.scot/article/how-should-i-sell-my-grain/   https://www.fas.scot/publication/marketing-the-crop-getting-the-best-outcome-for-your-crop/   https://www.fas.scot/article/agribusiness-news-july-2024-cereals-and-oilseeds/   Other Resources  www.ahdb.org.uk/cereals-oilseeds-markets   www.crmagri.com   www.graintab.com   https://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde   https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/production.pdf   https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/monitoring-agricultural-resources-mars/jrc-mars-bulletin_en#crop-monitoring-in-europe   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    32 min

  6. 07/31/2024

    Pesky Parasites

    Welcome to In Conversation With… hosted this month by Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant Kirsten Williams. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Fiona Crowden (SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer) and Ann McLaren (SRUC Research Associate). They discuss worm trends and how they are changing, the effect to the sheep industry, how targeted selective treatment works and how data recording can help. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government.   Episode Timestamps   01:42 Nematodirus – disease in lambs caused by the Nematodirus battus worm  03:08 SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep)  07:49 Hemonchous (tropical parasite)  08:50 Targeted Selected Treatment   11:28 Wormer resistance   17:44 Fluke  21:43 Ticks  23:20 Scab  26:28 PSF (Preparing for Sustainable Farming) funding   29:13 Biosecurity for new stock  31:36 Key message from Fiona and Ann  FAS Resources  Sustainable Worm Control Factsheet (fas.scot) Faecal Egg Counts (FEC) to Monitor Parasite Load | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) - An Overview | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)  Other Resources   SCOPS | Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep Liver Fluke | SCOPS FEC Check | Moredun Livestock Parasites | SRUC Sustainable farming initiative: Sheep and cattle roundworms | SRUC Making Worms Squirm: Sustainable Worm Control in Lambs through Precision Livestock Farming | SEFARI   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    34 min

  7. 06/27/2024

    Distilling the Arbikie story

    Welcome to the third episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs.  On today’s episode Mark is joined by John Stirling (Director at Arbikie Distilling Limited). They discuss how John draws on different strengths within the family business to sustainably produce a premium brand spirit, controlling the whole production process, starting with quality home-grown ingredients. Mark and John explore how to add value to the crops grown on farm, marketing of products and how to remain competitive in the marketplace. To finish, John outlines his vision for the future of Arbikie. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government.  Episode Timestamps   03.34 Arbikie – a historical family business  07.00 Drawing on family skill sets   10.23 Lightbulb moment!  12.34 Varietal resilience   14.35 Different crops and the processing calendar   18.20 The world’s first climate positive spirits  20.34 Intercropping   22.57 The premium market – quality over quantity  25.06 Producing base spirit at Arbikie  28.51 Unique selling points – locality, short supply chain, sustainability  29.43 Emissions – sequestering more than emitting  34.00 World’s first green hydrogen distillery  35.40 Water – conserving a valuable resource   FAS Resources  www.fas.scot/crops-soils/soils/regenerative-agriculture/  www.fas.scot/news/legumes-in-rotations-benefits-for-the-environment-and-your-budget/   www.fas.scot/news/grant-funding-to-help-scottish-agri-businesses-reduce-emissions-and-improve-sustainability/  Other Resources     www.arbikie.com   www.hutton.ac.uk    sustainable creds SINGLE PAGES).pdf  Elsevier Science Article Nadar .pdf  Arbikie_Nadar_G&V_A5 Brochure_Jan21_WEB.pdf    For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: a href="mailto:advice@fas.scot" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    39 min

  8. 05/23/2024

    Peaks and Troughs of Grass and Water

    Welcome to the second episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant Kirsten Williams. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Poppy Frater (Senior Consultant, SAC Consulting) and Kerr Adams (Research Scientist, The James Hutton Institute). They discuss grass and water management and look at how to build resilience into a system. Also, the wet winter, late spring and how to manage grass growth and maximise productivity. To round off the discussion, our panel look ahead to the summer months, trends and how to plan for possible drought problems.   Episode Timestamps   00.00 Introduction   01.29 Making best use of pasture  02.35 Three leaf rule  04.19 Grass target heights – hitting the sweet spot  05.45 Value of rest  10.30 Effect of a changing climate on water availability   11:55 Climatic water balance projections  15.23 Water footprint  18.52 Strategies to increase water holding capacity   21.59 Sheep are the solution!  22.15 Building resilience into the system  25.45 Learning from others  28.18 Software to help manage supply and demand. Scenario planning.  32.42 Forage crops  33.16 Cashflow  34.35 Change one little thing  38.50 Key message for managing grass supplies  39.34 Key message for managing water supplies   41.17 Kirsten's take home message   FAS Resources  www.fas.scot/publication/resilient-technology-options-for-water-management-on-farm/   www.fas.scot/article/water-scarcity-and-rising-temperatures/   www.fas.scot/publication/feast-or-famine-water-on-your-farm-water-scarcity-video/   Other Resources   www.hutton.ac.uk   www.crew.ac.uk/   www.sruc.ac.uk/business-services/sac-consulting/agricultural-production/grassland-management/grazeup/  www.farmingandwaterscotland.org   www.rsabi.org.uk  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    43 min

  9. 04/25/2024

    Malting Matters

    Welcome to the first episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Gary Catto (Head of Merchanting at Scotgrain Agriculture, part of Bairds Malt Ltd) and Robin Barron (General Manager at East of Scotland Farmers). They provide business insights and discuss grain marketplace, how the last 12 months have been, grain quality, supply and demand and what does 2024 look like as a trading environment.    Episode Timestamps   00.00 Introduction – background and business operations  04:26 Increasing demand for malting barley  05:15 Steps in the supply chain  06:29 Global whisky sales and investment at malting level  08:29 Procuring grain and how a cooperative works   09:52 Grain varieties  10:33 Current planting situation and growers aommitments  11:30 Grain storage and movement throughout the year  15:10 Do end users drive when processing occurs and tonnage targets?  17:39 Dealing with variable grain quality  20:42 Expectations for 2024  23:14 New varieties on the horizon  26:33 Supply chain – priorities for the next 24 months  30:29 Lower carbon barley  33.01 Next month – Kirsten Williams discusses sheep health and welfare  FAS Resources  https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/   www.fas.scot/problem-solver/all-arable/   https://www.fas.scot/article/agribusiness-news-april-2023-cereals-and-oilseeds/  Other Resources   www.scotgrain.co.uk   www.bairds-malt.co.uk   www.eosf.co.uk   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot  Credits: Hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs   Guests; Gary Catto (Bairds Malt) & Robin Barron (East of Scotland Farmers)  Produced by Heather Stuart  Edited by Cameron Waugh  Executive Producer Kerry Hammond

    34 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

In Conversation With... is a monthly podcast that dives deep into specific parts of agriculture with a panel of guests. This series alternates monthly between grain supply chains with Mark Bowsher-Gibbs and then sheep health with Kirsten Williams. These episodes are timely and relevant to the month they are released. We feature new guests on every episode, from supply chain professionals, traders, vets nutritionists and more. Listen now, to deep dive into your arable or livestock area of interest.

Information

  • Creator
    Scottish Farm Advisory Service
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Scottish Farm Advisory Service
  • Show Website
    In Conversation With...