Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on how a turbulent global trading environment is shaping the outlook for Scottish agriculture.

Show Notes

00:35 News in Brief

05:42 Policy Briefs – Agri-Tourism Investment Scheme (AIS), Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), National Islands Plan, Securing Homes in Rural and Island Communities, Upcoming Grant Funding, Lamb Castration Consultation, Key Dates, Consultations and Publications.

14:19 Cereals – Latest news and market update

20:42 Beef – Latest news and market update

27:48 Sheep – Latest news and market update

30:50 Milk – Latest news and market update

37:45 Sector focus – How a turbulent global trading environment is shaping the outlook for Scottish agriculture

47:26 Further articles – ‘Preparing for calving (FAS TV), ‘All things insurance’ (podcast) and ‘Alternative Protein Crop Overview’ (FAS article)

FAS Links and Resources:

Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service

[email protected]

Other Links and Resources:

Agritourism Investment Scheme 2026 (FAS)

Agritourism Investment Scheme contact

Management Options

Capital Items

Fair Work First

National Islands Plan - gov.scot

Affordable Housing Supply Programme

Rural and Island Housing Fund

Lamb Welfare: Consultation

Accelerating Home-building in Scotland (closing date 30.04.26)

Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Section 53 of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 (closing date 15.05.26)

Onshore electricity generation: increasing the threshold for applications (closing date 27.05.26)

Short-term lets: regulation information - gov.scot (25.02.26 publication date)

Supporting Scotland's transition - land use and agriculture - gov.scot (25.02.26 publication date)

Scottish farm business income - gov.scot (2024-25 link available from 27.03.26)

Is whisky tourism on the rocks? - BBC News

Scotch whisky production slows as tariffs and weak demand bite | EasternEye

What the India tariffs deal means for Scotch whisky - BBC News

Chinese whisky tariff cut to come into force - BBC News

Impact.economist.com/key-findings

FAS TV Series 5 Ep 27 - Preparing for Calving

All things Insurance - FAS (Rural Roundup podcast)

Alternative Protein Crop Overview

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk. On today’s episode we hear from James Orr who will be taking over from Kirsten Williams’s role as the host on Stock Talk. James talks about his career highlights as an agricultural consultant at SAC Consulting, his key areas of expertise and Kirsten reflects of some of her favourite projects from the past 20 years.

James looks to continue Stock Talk with more interesting farming stories as well as discussing more technical aspects.

Resources

Livestock Resources -

https://www.fas.scot/livestock/

Poultry Resources -

https://www.fas.scot/livestock/poultry/

FAS Connect -

https://www.fas.scot/connect/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Natural Capital podcast, Harry Fisher and Iain Boyd discuss the new report from the Scottish Government; The Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy – A Regional Analysis. The report estimates that Scotland’s natural capital underpins at least £40 billion of economic output (14% of the total economy) and supports 260,000 jobs.

The discussion highlights the sectors of the economy heavily dependent on healthy ecosystems, and explores how reliance varies across regions, the areas most dependent and how to manage the risks. We discuss the many ecosystem services provided which are irreplaceable, the importance of valuing, looking after and investing in nature and how our natural capital assets are fundamental to economic resilience, rural livelihoods and long-term prosperity.

If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about what we have discussed, you can find links in the show notes.

This episode was presented by Harry Fisher, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Kieron Sim, in association with the Scottish Government.

Timestamps:

1:11 – 6:36 Overview of report and our valuable assets.

6:37 – 16:30 Impact on specific sectors, the role of technology, irreplaceability and risks

16:31 – 24:30 Regional analysis and economic reliance

24:31 – 33:10 Main takeaways and the importance of valuing and protecting our natural capital

FAS Resources:

FAS Environment: https://www.fas.scot/environment/

FAS Natural Capital podcast: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/

Related Other Resources:

Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy – Regional Analysis: https://www.gov.scot/publications/importance-natural-capital-scottish-economy-regional-analysis/

National Security Assessment on Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse and National Security: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nature-security-assessment-on-global-biodiversity-loss-ecosystem-collapse-and-national-security

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.

At Scotland's First Nature Friendly Farming Summit, Minister Jim Fairlie announced the return of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme for a 2026 funding round and a commitment to continue the scheme through to 2030. This announcement brought a degree of certainty to the policy landscape and has allowed farmers and crofters to plan for the future and how the industry continues to embed and build nature into their businesses.

Fresh off the release of the approval lists for the 2025 funding round, in this episode we sit down with Environmental Consultant and Lead on the Ecology Knowledge Network, David Brown from SAC Consulting to discuss the successes of the scheme historically and look forward to what this new round will bring. We cover changes to eligibility criteria, spatial targeting, scoring and more – stressing the importance of getting the right advice and getting it early. David also speaks passionately about his involvement with the Farm Wildlife Walks initiative and the willingness of farmers and crofters to meet the challenge of nature decline head on.

Want to get in touch with David? You can get a hold of him via telephone on 01835 342919 or by email at [email protected].

FAS Resources

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) - FAS

https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/agri-environmental-climate-scheme-aecs/

Other Related Resources

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme

https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/

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: [email protected]

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:

[email protected]

[email protected] (Iain Riddell)

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]