Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who bring us their Spring Update, with information on the “New Deal for Agriculture”, NVZ, claim deadlines for PSF & AECS Capital claims, an update on h5n1, and a market update.  

Related Resources

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) 

Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks - gov.scot 

Claims and payments 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected]

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Tom Scrope to talk about his 2025 Nuffield Scholarship, in which he is exploring new ways of farmer knowledge exchange to secure stronger soils. Tom is also the Co-founder of soil benchmark, an online platform which can be used to create bespoke soil management plans.  

Welcome to Cropcast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Stephenson 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 Kerry Hammond, in association with the Scottish Government. 

Linked Resources  

Nuffield Farming Scholarships: https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/scholars/2024/tom-scrope 

Soil benchmark: https://www.soilbenchmark.com/#features 

Tom Scrope, Linked in: Tom Scrope on LinkedIn: 🤔 🇦🇺 🪱 Why do Aussie farmers share soil-y ideas BETTER and FASTER than… | 70 comments 

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] 

In this podcast we hear from Sam Parsons from Balcaskie. He talks about the organic farming system and the use of regenerative agriculture practices at Balcaskie and how it has helped reduce costs. He also talks about meat eating quality in their choice of cattle as they sell their beef direct to customers through the butchery. They are using Lincoln Red bulls across the herd.  Sam talks about the challenges he has faced with changing his system from 6-7 months winter housing cattle to outwintering them most of the year. He also discussed with Robert the importance of young people coming into the industry. 

You can contact Sam by emailing [email protected] 

Related FAS Resources

Stock Talk - James Biggar & Lorna Galloway | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

The loss of species and degradation of our natural environment is an existential threat to the planet that requires urgent, collaborative and transformative solutions. We are in a biodiversity crisis, with 1 in 9 Scottish species facing extinction and declines in numbers and ranges of many plants, birds and animals. There is a need for action and Scotland’s Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 sets out a clear ambition - For Scotland to be Nature Positive by 2030, and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045.  

We are joined by Professor Davy McCracken to discuss the newly published Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and delivery plans to 2045 and his involvement with it. We go through what is included in the strategy and what it means for farmers and land managers in Scotland going forward.  

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood 

Timestamps:

0:55 – 9:20 The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, it’s purpose and history 

9:21 – 20:41 Outcomes, goals and six main objectives within the strategy 

20:42 – 36:24 What it means for the rural sector going forward 

36:25 – 43:39 investment in nature, who is paying for it and shifting baselines 

Related FAS resources:   

Biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

FAS Sounds | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Other Related Resources: 

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 - gov.scot

Davy McCracken | SRUC

Scotland's Biodiversity | NatureScot

Scotland - State of Nature

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who discuss what Farmers & Crofters can do to put the best foot forward in the New Year, to give themselves a good chance of a successful 2025.  

Related Resources  

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) 

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme 

Whole Farm Plan full guidance 

Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks - gov.scot 

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected]

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Balbirnie Farms manager David Aglen along with Professor Fiona Burnett, an applied plant pathologist at SRUC to discuss the results from crop trials, which have been taking place at Balbirnie Home Farms as part of the AHDB strategic cereal farm Scotland project. 

Welcome to Cropcast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, Tiffany Stephenson 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 Kerry Hammond, in association with the Scottish Government. 

Related Resources

Strategic Cereal Farm Scotland | AHDB

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Ally Brunton chair of SAYFC and Jillian Kennedy, SAYFC Vice chair.  They both talk about their time in young farmers and the experiences and benefits of being in the club.  They also tell us about the SAYFC Respect campaign which was launched at the Highland Show in 2024, which aims to allow every member to contribute to SAYFC as a safe, inclusive, fun environment for young people.  This episode discusses themes around mental wellbeing and suicide, please listen with care.  

Resources 

The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs | SAYFC 

SAYFC focused on RESPECT - Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs 

Young Farmers say ‘Leave a Light On’ - Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs 

Mental Health Support | SAYFC Members Support | Contact Us 

Home - RSABI 

Farmstrong Scotland - Live Well, Farm & Croft Well 

Agri Culture : Farmstrong Episode 

Agri Culture: Stephanie Berkeley - Yellow Wellies

Agri Culture: Jim Chapman - Adapting to Life After an Accident

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot 

Twitter: @FASScot 

Facebook: @FASScot 

National Advice Hub 

Phone: 0300 323 0161 

Email: [email protected] 

Thrill of the Hill returns for season 5, with an exciting line-up on new and returning guest speakers and specialists in their fields and on their hills.

We're all human, fragile and fallible, accidents can occur and mistakes can be made, people can be in danger, get hurt and when that happens, be in need of first aid. The National Farmers Union reports that despite accounting for only 1% of the working population, agriculture accounts for 20% of all deaths in the workplace. In this episode, qualified First Aid Trainer and practitioner, Sean Magee discusses the importance of first aid in the farm and rural environment, including what information to provide to emergency services and the processes of seeking help, how to assess the requirements of a casualty and top tips for dealing with agricultural related incidents when they occur.  

If you want to get in touch with Sean, he can be contacted at CPS Activities Ltd via email at [email protected].

Related FAS Resources

Developing Safe Farming Practices - Lone Working

Other Related Resources

First Aid Training - CPS Activities Ltd

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]