Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on Selling Your Farm: what you need to have in place.

Show Notes

00:38 News in Brief

04:16 Policy Briefs – Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS), Community right to buy, Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fund (KTIF), Peatland Training Fund, Next Generation Practical Training Fund, Agricultural Household Survey, Key Dates.

13:56 Cereals – latest arable news and market update

22:37 Beef –Beef prices and supply, Store cattle demand and supply, Cull cow trade

27:13 Sheep – New season lamb trade, Imports and Exports

30:23 Milk – Milk production data, Farm-gate prices, Dairy commodities and market indicators, Grass growth and quality, How do you measure up? 

35:54 Sector focus –Selling Your Farm – the benefits of doing some ground work before looking to sell your farm.

41:16 Further articles – Tax and Succession Planning, Challenges and opportunities facing the beef industry, Dairy – How do you measure up?, Rural Roundup – Inheritance Tax and Succession planning.

FAS Resources:

Newsletters- Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service

Other Links:

AHDB  - predicting beef demand as retail prices rise

Future Farm Investment Scheme full guidance

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003

Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016

Community right tobuy: review - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

Leriche’s air Còir-cheannaich Coimhearsnachd co-chomhairle

Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund - Rural Payments and Services

Peatland Training Fund- Skills Hub Scotland

Peatland Training Fund | Lantra - Scotland

Next Generation Practical Training Fund - Skills Hub Scotland

Kingshay - Dairy Costings Focus Report 2025

Scotland's Land Information Service

Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS)

Home Report

Energy Performance Certificate

Inheritance Tax & Succession | Helping farmers in Scotland

FAS TV - developing a more resilient beef finishing enterprise

Kingshay - Dairy Costings Focus Report 2025

FAS - FMH October 2024 - Dairying

FAS podcast - Rural Roundup - Autumn budget 2024

FAS TV - FFIS - Farmers

FAS TV - FFIS - Crofters

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on Scottish Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emission and Nitrogen Use. 

Show Notes  

00:40 News in Brief 

04:08 Policy Briefs – The Future Farming Investment Scheme, Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme, Single Application Form Changes for 2026, Scottish Government Bills Update, Bluetongue (BTV) Virus Update. 

14:03 Cereals – UK Feed Wheat Futures attempt Rebound Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Weather Risks. Global Supply Tightens, but Exportable Stocks Hold Steady. UK Market Faces Headwinds from Biofuel Uncertainty. Oilseeds Market Strengthens on Energy-Led Support.   

19:59 Beef – What a difference a month can make, Market confidence waivers, Beef support, Store cattle, Are prices reflecting consumer demand? Australia drops their 2030 Carbon Neutral Target. 

23:59 Sheep – India Trade Agreement, Lamb trade, Australian Intentions Survey, Mutton. 

28:22 Milk – Milk production data, Farm-gate prices, Dairy commodities and market indicators, Global demand for butter, Falling producer numbers but production rising, Heat stress research.  

36:02 Sector focus – Scottish Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emission and Nitrogen Use report 2023-24.  

42:48 Further articles – Crofting Legislation, Greenhouse Gasses, Nitrogen Use and Benchmarking, Muirburn, Natural Capital Podcast on measuring and accounting for biodiversity, FAS TV episode on Outwintering and Virtual fencing. 

FAS Resources: 

Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service  

Other Links: 

No cuts to cows: Scottish ministers side with farmers - FarmingUK News 

Future Farm Investment Scheme full guidance 

The Future of Agricultural Support - Enhanced Greening 

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill 

NatureScot website 

The Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill 

Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 

Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 

Bluetongue - GOV.scot 

Apply to move animals out of bluetongue zones - GOV.UK 

Crofting Legislation - fas.scot 

Advancing Agricultural Practices, Reducing Emissions and Ensuring Sustainable Growth in the Face of Climate Challenge 

COP 26 – What can farmers do? Reducing Emissions on Farm 

Low emission livestock breeding – the What and the Why 

Profiting from reducing tillage and lowering emissions 

Practical Guidance for reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and soil carbon losses 

Benchmarking Matters – the What, Why, How 

Muirburn - FAS.scot 

AHDB, 25 June 25 

Dairy June forecast update for the 2025/26 milk year - AHDB 

Online survey - Analysis of Scottish Housed Environment for Dairy   

Scottish agriculture greenhouse gas emissions & nitrogen use 2023-24 

Climate Change Committee - Scotland's carbon budgets 

Business and Policy June 2025 - Policy Brief 

Greenhouse gas abatement in UK agriculture 2024-2050 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on farm business diversification. 

Show Notes  

00:33 News in Brief 

05:08 Policy Briefs – Programme for Government 2025-2026, 2025 Climate Change Committee Report, Next Generation Farming – Apprenticeships, Bluetongue (BTV) Virus Vaccine, Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS), Key Dates. 

15:33 Cereals – Global Supply Risks Mount, Demand-Side Developments, Malting Barley & Feed Barley, Rapeseed Mixed Market, Oats, Overall Outlook.  

22:13 Beef – Young bull numbers impacting on prices, Strong demand for manufacturing beef, Store Cattle Trade Back, Room for more? 

29:02 Sheep – UK EU Strategic Partnership, Sheep Trade, Export Market, Protein Consumption 

33:18 Milk – Production data, Farm-gate prices, Dairy commodities and market indicators, Antimicrobial resistance in calves, Rabobank global outlook  

39:22 Sector focus – Farm Diversification.  

51:05 Further articles – Croft Diversification, Reducing Antimicrobial Use in Scottish Dairy Farms, A couple more cows per herd each year would realise Scotland’s economic potential by 2030, Grain Marketing Podcast, Bluetongue, Bee Health Awareness Day   

FAS Resources: 

Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - FAS 

Other Links: 

The Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill 

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill 

Scotland's Carbon Budgets Report 2025  

Lantra Scotland - land based pre-apprenticeship 

[email protected]  

Report your use of the bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine - GOV.UK 

GOV.uk - Bluetongue: news, information and guidance for livestock keepers 

GOV.WALES 

The Scottish Government - gov.scot 

QMS article: two more cows per herd per year 

The Cargill 2025 Protein Profile Report  

Scottish Farm Business Income: Annual Estimates for 2023-2024 

Standard Innovation Vouchers   | Interface Online 

McKinsey wellness market report  

Agribusiness News November 2023 – Sector Focus: Croft Diversification 

Reducing Antimicrobial Use in Scottish Dairy Farms 

QMS article: two more cows per herd per year 

CropCast podcast – Grain Marketing 

CropCast series 

Agribusiness News July 2024 - Bluetongue 

Agribusiness News April 2025 – Pollinator’s Value To Scottish Agriculture 

Scottish Government Bee Health Day Tickets, Sat, Jun 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on US tariffs. 

Agribusiness News publication is now moving to the Business & Policy newsletter, a monthly update on market and policy intelligence for farmers and other rural professionals. To subscribe, please visit our newsletters page at https://www.fas.scot/newsletters/

Show Notes

00:34 News in Brief 

02:39 Policy Briefs – Keeping Up to Date, Glyphosate renewal, Housing Rent Control Consultation, Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill, Key dates. 

08:05 Cereals – Scottish Harvest Estimate, Scottish Farm Business Survey Results.  

15:47 Beef – Prices top £7 per kilo, Consumer demand and trade impacts, Farm Business Survey beef farms. 

21:42 Sheep – Trade and festivals, Impact of US tariffs on the sector, Scottish Farm Business Survey Results.   

25:56 Milk – Production data, farm-gate prices, dairy commodities and market indicators, milk from grass, pre-cutting grass analysis. 

33:01 Sector focus – US Tariffs.  

37:51 Further articles – The Trump Effect, Scottish Farm Business Income, Improving your farming finances.   

FAS Resources: 

Business and Policy Newsletter 2025 (Formally Agribusiness News) 

Newsletters | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Other Links: 

Rural Policy | Scottish Parliament Website 

Active substance renewal: glyphosate - HSE 

EU plant protection regulations (EC website) 

Scottish Government: Housing (Scotland) Bill: Consultation 

Housing (Scotland) Bill - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space 

Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website 

Scottish Farm Business Survey: annual estimates 2023-2024  

Sector Focus: The Trump Effect (ABN December 2024) 

Scottish Farm Business Income 2021 – 2022 (ABN April 2023) 

Improve your farming finances in 30 minutes  

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you an overview on home grown proteins, nature based solutions, pollinators and seasonal workers. 

Show Notes  

00:39 News in Brief 

03:02 Policy Briefs – Future Farming Investment Scheme, Scottish Suckler Beef Support Payments, Sea Eagle Management Scheme, GAEC 7 Retention of Landscapes, Funding for Apprenticeships, Back British produce. 

08:38 Arable- Global markets, European markets, UK markets.  

13:58 Beef – Up and up and up. 

18:29 Sheep – Ramadan progresses, worldwide.   

22:50 Sector Focus – Sustainable proteins.   

28:04 Milk – Production data, farm-gate prices, dairy commodities and market indicators, changes to the Nation Johne’s Management Plan, decline in dairy calf registrations, sign up to the UK Dairy Carbon network research project. 

32:51 Sector focus – Nature based solutions in a chaotic climate.  

38:17 Inputs: Pollinators. 

44:30 Management Matters – Seasonal workers.   

FAS Resources: 

Agribusiness News March 2025  

Other Links: 

Sea Eagle Management Scheme 

GAEC 7 Retention of Landscape 

Agricultural Employers' toolkit by Lantra Scotland  

AHDB - the UK dairy carbon network 

Registration of Interest - UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN) Project  

Increase in the frequency of extreme daily precipitation in the United Kingdom in autumn 

UKCP18 projects greater chance of hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters 

Climate Extremes in Scotland.  

Assessing the socio-economic impacts of soil degradation on Scotland’s water environment 

Water Management on Your Farm: Slowing the Flow  

Climate Adaption and Measures to implement on farm 

Adaptation Scotland (2021) summary of climate projections for the country  

Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops 

How many flowering plants are pollinated by animals? 

State of Nature, Scotland 

Wildlife-friendly farming increases crop yield: evidence for ecological intensification 

The effectiveness of flower strips and hedgerows on pest control, pollination services and crop yield: a quantitative synthesis 

Pollinator Portal    

Visa Scheme 

The Agricultural wages: A Guide for Workers and Employers  

Scottish Agricultural Wages Board telephone number 0131 244 9750 

Scottish Agricultural Wages Board email [email protected] 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you an overview on the potato sector, New Zealand, fertiliser use in Scotland and Wills and Power of Attorney. 

Hosted by Christine Beaton, produced by Heather Stuart. edited by Cameron Waugh, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond.

Show Notes  

00:41 News in Brief 

02:59 Policy Briefs – Preparing for Sustainable Farming, Restoring Scotland’s Natural Environment, Delivering for Rural Scotland, Supporting Farmers, Crofters and Food Producers, Brexit Trade Barriers. 

08:16 Arable- Global overview, market movements and outlook.  

13:47 Beef – Beef prices rocket, demand, dream store cattle prices and manufacturing beef demand. 

19:05 Sheep – Ramadan ramping up trade, import figures jump and social media opportunities.   

23:07 Sector Focus – Potatoes.   

28:30 Milk – Production data, farm-gate prices, dairy commodities and market indicators, investment at Scottish creamery, Scottish dairy herd trends and December dairy costings. 

33:35 Sector focus – New Zealand. 

40:29 Inputs: Fertiliser use trends in Scotland. 

44:10 Management Matters – Wills and Power of Attorney.    

FAS Resources: 

Agribusiness News March 2025  

Other Links: 

December 2024 Sector Focus article  

Preparing for Sustainable Farming: Full Scheme Guidance  

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill  

Rural Delivery Plan  

Scottish Government’s Brexit Trade Modelling Report 

Fertiliser usage - Results from the British Survey of Fertiliser Practice 

Fertiliser Statistics Report 2024 (AIC) 

Contact a FACTS qualified advisor    

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you a sector overview on breeding bulls, pigs, the benefits of Co-operatives and how Whole Farm Plans will affect landlords. 

Show Notes  

00:41 News in Brief 

03:10 Policy Briefs – Foot and Mouth Disease and Avian Flu, heating grant, area monitoring pilot, national flood advisory service, new housing planning hub. 

08:18 Arable- US tariff uncertainty, Sterling weakens through January, barley, oilseeds and oats.  

13:04 Beef – Short supply and records prices continue. 

17:31 Sheep – Shoppers trends, Christmas trends, markets and Australia.  

21:49 Sector Focus – Breeding bulls.   

26:40 Milk – production data, farm-gate prices, dairy commodities and market indicators, Mullers carbon reduction programme, a glass of milk a day! 

31:38 Sector focus – Pigs. 

37:27 Inputs: The role of Co-operatives in supporting agribusiness in Scotland. 

42:09 Management Matters – Landlords and the 2025 SAF Whole Farm Plan requirements  

FAS Resources 

Agribusiness News February 2025  

Other Links:  

The Paris Agreement | UNFCCC   

Foot and mouth disease  

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)  

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Field Services Office   

RSABI Help For Heating   

National Flood Resilience Strategy  

The National Bovine Data Centre (NBDC)  

NBDC beef cattle type classification guide  

Aberdeen-Angus Linear Assessment Explanatory Doc  

Animal Health & Welfare plan  

Integrated Pest Management Plan  

Nature Scot - Biodiversity Audit  

Rural Payments website - Whole Farm Plan guidance  

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you a sector overview of environmental developments over 2024 and we will be bringing you news on global trends and the new Scottish budget and financial update. 

Show Notes  

00:40 News in Brief 

02:06 Policy Briefs – Roundup of 2024 and looking to 2025 and beyond. 

07:52 Arable- Political alliances define trading blocs, Black Sea region supplies diminishing and UK barley and oats.  

12:34 Beef – 2024 market recap, Scottish suckler herd decline and 2025 beef outlook. 

17:33 Sheep – 2024 – what a year! Looking forward to 2025.  

22:02 Sector Focus – 2024 environmental roundup.   

29:56 Milk – 2024 review: a year of two halves and 2025 dairy outlook. 

35:35 Sector focus – Global trends.   

47:08 Management Matters – Financial matters: a year of political change, fiscal policy and looking ahead.  

FAS Resources 

Agribusiness News January 2025  

Other Links: 

Farm management handbook 2024-25 

www.sac.co.uk/fmh 

[email protected] 

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill  

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill 

NatureScot Website 

Whole Farm Plans 

Biodiversity Audits 

Plant Health Centre 

Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill 

Scottish Kept Bird Register 

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill 

Sheep and Goat Inventory 

Preparing for Sustainable farming portal on the Rural Payments and Services Website 

Farming and Water Scotland - Slurry and Manure Storage 

National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 

Biodiversity Delivery Plan 2024-2040  

COP29 

COP16  

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting internationally 

Scottish Government - compliance measures in agriculture from 2025 

Land Reform Bill 

Record levels of peatland restored in 2024 (SG) 

Natural Capital Markets Framework 

Facility for Investment Ready (FIRNs) 

Nature finance investment fund - Nature Scot 

Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs)  

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you sector overviews The Trump Effect and HerdPlan. We will also be bringing you news on Calving Intervals and Carbon & Biodiversity credits. 

Show Notes  

00:39 News in Brief 

02:30 Policy Briefs – Preparing for sustainable farming, woodburning stoves, vacant crofts, climate change bill, proposed new national park, launch of Scotland’s Natural Capital Market Framework. 

06:49 Arable- Slow Europe export pace  

10:48 Beef – Record beef prices 

14:53 Sheep & Turkeys – Christmas costs  

18:51 Sector Focus – The Trump effect   

24:46 Milk - Production data, farm-gate prices, dairy commodities and market indicators, new export market, Arla farmers to trial Bovaer 

29:51 Sector focus – HerdPlan   

33:51 Inputs – Calving Interval – Herd fertility    

39:00 Management Matters – Carbon & Biodiversity credits  

FAS Resources 

Agribusiness News December 2024  

Other Links:  

Building (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2024 

Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill  

A Proposed New National Park in Scotland - Have Your Say | NatureScot  

Natural Capital Market Framework - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)  

HerdPlan  

[email protected]  

UK Government Principles for Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market Integrity  

QMS - guide to improving suckler herd fertility (Graph 1, page 8)  

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy briefs, arable, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we are also bringing you sector overviews on finding the right advisor and farming with extreme weather. We will also be bringing you news on homegrown proteins and biodiversity and the Whole Farm Plan. 

Show Notes  

00:44 News in Brief 

02:47 Policy Briefs – Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme, UK Budget October 2024 Snapshot, June Agricultural Census 2024, Seasonal Worker Visas Scheme 2025, and Scottish Aggregates Tax. 

08:34 Arable- Scottish Harvest Estimate 

12:03 Beef – Demand Holds Finished Cattle Above £5/kg 

16:28 Sheep – Supply and Demand, Land Use Change and Disease Threats  

19:55 Sector Focus – Finding the Right Advisor   

24:14 Milk - Production data, Farm-gate prices, Dairy commodities and market indicators, Positive outlook, Are your calves happy? 

29:33 Sector focus – Extreme Weather   

34:39 Inputs – Homegrown Proteins – Options, Benefits, Nutritional Values and Growing Costs    

39:09 Management Matters – Biodiversity and the Whole Farm Plan  

 FAS Resources 

 Agribusiness News November 2024  

 Other Links: 

Agricultural Census data  

Cereal and oilseed rape harvest - first estimates: 2024 

Trade statistics from QMS 

NFUS survey - consumer attitudes   

Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme FAQ 

2023 seasonal worker’s survey report 

Scottish Aggregates Tax 

Economic Impact of Extreme Weather on Scottish Agriculture 

Agricultural Reform List of Measures 

Agricultural Reform Route Map 

WWF Scotland funded project - Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Scottish Agriculture 

Whole Farm Plans 

Specialist Advice | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected]