The Rural Roundup

Farm Advisory Service
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The Rural RoundUp is Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service’s regular Podcast, hosted by Kerry Hammond, featuring a roundup of the latest news, information and opinions from some of our other Podcast show hosts. Listen to find out what new information, events and resources are available through the FAS website, and get to know someone working in Industry with our short segment “What’s on your desk?” 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. 2D AGO

    Spotlight: Crofting Through The Seasons - Autumn & Winter

    In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Autumn & Winter last year, where Kieron Sim visited both the Isle of Skye and the Shetland Isles, to speak with four local crofters about their enterprises, the challenges and benefits of Island Living, and how Seasonality uniquely impacts their businesses throughout Autumn and Winter. On the Isle of Skye, Kieron visits Crofter Phil Knott to talk about his Orchards, and how agroforestry has brought not only biodiversity benefits but also economic benefits to his croft, Kieron also speaks to Aiofe Gould & Jake Sayles about their Croft in Skye, where they finish their own Pork, Hebridean Mutton, use their wool for felt accessories, and utilise seasonal fruit and berries. Kieron then visits the Shetland Isles in Winter, first speaking with Brendon Smith a Crofter from the Southern part of Shetland who breeds, trains and sells sheepdogs, runs a system of Shetland Sheep, produces Mussels and also ensures every sheep that comes to Shetland is run through the community dip. Finally Kieron heads to the Northernmost Isle of Unst in Shetland, to speak with Richard Spence who has Crofted in Unst for his whole life and tells us how the new Saxavord Space Port has changed how he Crofts. Thanks for listening to this special two-part edition, Crofting through The Seasons, Autumn & Winter. You can find part 1 of Crofting Through The Seasons, Spring & Summer right now. wherever you normally listen. This episode was hosted by Kerry Hammond and was produced and edited by Kieron Sim as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service, in association with the Scottish Government. FAS Resources Crofting Matters - Crofting Through the Seasons: Spring/Summer | FAS https://www.fas.scot/podcast/crofting-matters-crofting-through-the-seasons-spring-summer/ Other Resources SaxaVord - The Place for Space https://saxavord.com/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    29 min

  2. FEB 26

    Spotlight: Crofting Through The Seasons - Spring & Summer

    In this special two-part edition of Crofting Matters, “Crofting Through the Seasons”, we take you back to Spring/Summer last year, where Ross Mackenzie visited the Staffin Sheepdog Trials, a hugely popular event in Trotternish, on the Isle of Skye. Sheepdog trials are deeply rooted in crofting culture, normally held during the summer months, these trials are a significant part of the identity of crofting over the last century. Also in this episode, Ross joins a group of 30 Crofters who travelled to Wicklow, (south of Dublin) in Ireland last Spring, on the second trip of a Scottish Farm Advisory Service Learning Journey, funded by the Scottish Government, which supported 55 Scottish Crofters (over two trips) to learn about Irish systems, and how Irish farmers make a living from small units. Thanks for listening to this special two-part edition, Crofting Through the Seasons, Spring & Summer. You can find part 2 of Crofting Through The Seasons, Autumn & Winter right now. wherever you normally listen. This episode was hosted and produced by Kerry Hammond and was edited by Kieron Sim as part of Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service, in association with the Scottish Government. For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    25 min

  3. FEB 18

    Farm Insurance

    Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie discuss all things Farm Insurance with NFU Mutual’s Douglas Schreiber. Time Stamps 03:56 Deadlines and Grant updates 07:35 Introduction to Douglas Schreiber 08:25 Starting point for insurance renewal discussions 09:51 Things farmers should think about ahead of renewal? 12:19 The impact of staff qualifications on premiums? 14:50 What are the factors which really impact the price of a policy? 18:23 Anything people can do to reasonably do to reduce premiums related to storm damage? 21:56 How important is it to get your farm valued? 24:14 Cyber Security on insurance policies 26:31 Trackers and dashcams 30:32 What to do in the event of an accident on the road? 31:37 Areas of policies which often get overlooked? FAS Resources FAS Events https://www.fas.scot/events/ Agritourism Investment Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agritourism-investment-scheme--ais-/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    36 min

  4. JAN 21

    Conferences, Updates & Reminders

    Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie discuss the upcoming FAS Women in Agriculture Conference, which takes place on the 11th February. They are also joined by Siobhan Macdonald to discuss the agenda for the upcoming FAS Conference, which takes place on the 19th February. Time Stamps: 05:45 NVZ reminder 12:54 PSF reminder 15:25 AECS reminder 16:03 Inheritance tax update 19:12 Women In Agriculture conference 24:52 FAS Conference FAS Resources FAS Events https://www.fas.scot/events/ NVZ Rules Refresher https://www.fas.scot/publication/nvz-rules-refresher/ NFUS: Summary of IHT changes (23rd Dec 2025) https://www.nfus.org.uk/policy/campaigns/inheritance-tax-iht.aspx#:~:text=After%2014%20months%20of%20relentless,and%20business%20property%20per%20individual. For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

    31 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    6. Unsung Heroes - Agriculture’s Position in the Climate Change Conversation

    Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”. In this episode Calum Johnston sits down one on one with James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems. In the previous five episodes we heard from Farmers from five different beef and dairy farms in South West Scotland about their “Unsung Heroes”. Technology, Data, Biodiversity, Machinery and Efficiency. These Farmers and their Farms evidence that livestock farming in Scotland, has been constantly evolving, improving their practices not only for better profitability, better resilience, better output and better lives, but by doing these things, and making changes big or small, they are reducing their impact on the planet day, by day.   James is going to tell us more about some of his other “Unsung Heroes” not just for Beef & Dairy Farms, but applicable to any agricultural system, and also give us his view on Agriculture’s current position in the climate change conversation.   Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!    If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.   This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government. Related FAS Resources Climate Change resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service Farming for a Better Climate | Helping farmers in Scotland   For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot  Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    34 min

  6. 12/23/2025

    5. Unsung Heroes – Haggs Farm – Machinery (Slurry Separator)

    Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”.  In this episode Calum Johnston visits Alex Marshall and Heather Dyet at Haggs Farm where 3 generations of the family are currently farming, including Heather’s grandmother, Mother Janice, brother Alex, and her father Alex, who also joins us on this episode. They tell us about their recent upgrade to a slurry separator. Through speaking to both Heather and dad Alex it was clear that on their family dairy farm, their unsung hero is machinery.  Their slurry separator has improved farm efficiencies, grass and soil health, so much so they call it “liquid gold”. One of the efficiencies is applying two thirds less fertiliser which has a massive carbon footprint reduction.     Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems, will tell us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!   Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!    If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.   This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.  Related FAS Resources Applicability of Slurry Separation and Acidification | Farm Scotland Milk Manager News July 2022 – Why Invest in a Slurry Separator? | Helping farmers in Scotland Slurry Lagoon Storage and Construction | Helping farmers in Scotland   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    32 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    4. Unsung Heroes – Birks Farm - Efficiency (Calving at Two)

    Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”.  In this episode Calum Johnston visits Douglas Frame at Birks Farm where they discussed Calving at two. Through speaking to Douglas it was clear that on his family beef farm, their unsung hero is efficiency and despite climate change not being his primary driver, Douglas talks about the reduction he’s seen in his carbon audits.   Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems will tell us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!   Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!    If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.   This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.   Related FAS Resources Calving Heifers Vlog Series | Helping farmers in Scotland Calving Heifers at 2 Case Study | Helping farmers in Scotland Optimising Livestock Productivity | Helping farmers in Scotland A Guide to Calving Heifers | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service For more information, visit    Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    29 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    3. Unsung Heroes – Park Farm - Dairy Technology (Robots & Solar PV)

    Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”.  On this episode Calum Johnston visits Glen Neilson at Park Farm Dairy where they discussed introduction of Solar PV. Through speaking to Glen it was clear to me that on his family’s dairy farm, their unsung hero is technology – whilst introducing solar PV was a substantial upfront investment, the ability to run the dairy, the bottling plant, and in future make a good financial return by selling into the grid- from a shed roof that otherwise wasn’t doing anything, is a benefit to the farm, the business, and the environment.   Later in the episode James Orr an Agricultural Advisor with a special interest in the carbon footprint of livestock systems tells us more about this Unsung Hero, the benefits, the things to know if you’re considering it, and the positive impact it could have on your farm or croft, and on the planet!   Thanks for joining us for this special episode of the Rural Roundup. Check out the other five episodes of the Unsung Heroes series, all available to listen wherever you normally do, right now!    If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about anything we discussed in the Podcast, head to the show notes.   This episode was presented by Calum Johnston, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government.  Related FAS Resources Technical Note (TN682): Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Renewables FAQ's | Helping farmers in Scotland Farm Scale Renewables Energy Guide Improving Energy Efficiency on the Dairy Farm | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service Robotics: An Insiders Guide to Starting out with AMS Webinar For more information, visit    Twitter: @FASScot  Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: advice@fas.scot

    38 min
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About

The Rural RoundUp is Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service’s regular Podcast, hosted by Kerry Hammond, featuring a roundup of the latest news, information and opinions from some of our other Podcast show hosts. Listen to find out what new information, events and resources are available through the FAS website, and get to know someone working in Industry with our short segment “What’s on your desk?” 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
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Farm Advisory Service
  • Show Website
    The Rural Roundup

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