Scottish rugby player Stafford McDowall has thrown his not insignificant 6ft 4 inches might behind Farmstrong Scotland, and talks with host, Sarah Stephen, on the succession planning that's underway for his farming future.

Stafford had his name down to study agriculture at Newcastle University as an 18-year-old, but he deferred the place while he tried to break into the professional rugby ranks, juggling training sessions with farm jobs. 

Of course, with luck on his side, that won’t be for a long while yet. After all, Stafford is still only 26 and is playing the best rugby of his life as a back in the Glasgow Warriors squad and in the Scotland team.

Listen in to this interesting half-hour on the ins and outs of professional rugby and how Stafford is preparing himself for one day, returning to the family farm....

Farmstrong Scotland is an initiative to help farmers, crofters and their families to cope with the ups and downs of farming and crofting by sharing things they can do to look after themselves and the people in their business. It is a peer-to-peer led programme, driven by scientific information and real-life stories, so together we can share, learn and support our wellbeing - visit the website to find out more.

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If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI’s (24-hours) helpline: 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123

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Join us live at AgriScot 2025

We’ll be recording anepisode of Blether Together live at AgriScot on Tuesday 19 November. Come along to the Seminar Room Two at 9.00am to be part of the conversation, or catch the Farmstrong Scotland team as we make our way around the show.