The Rural Roundup

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson are joined by practice vet and SRUC veterinary investigation officer Andrew Robinson to discuss Bluetongue, along with any key updates and reminders for September.

Resources

Bluetongue Latest updates can be found here: Gov.uk latest BTV updates

Bluetongue Clinical signs in sheep are usually more pronounced than in cattle but can be very variable. A range of photos can be found here: https://ahdb.org.uk/clinical-signs-of-bluetongue.

Suspect cases should be reported to APHA Scotland on 03000 600 704.

FFIS 2026 Update https://www.ruralpayments.org/news-events/future-farming-investment-scheme-2026-announced.html

Greening guidance 2027: https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/basic-payment-scheme/basic-payment-scheme-full-guidance/greening---bps/greening-guidance/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson discuss Bluetongue, updates to greening guidance for 2027 and updates to the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS), as well as other key considerations for Autumn 2026.

Timestamps

How are things in the borders? 00:27

Bluetongue 03:30

Greening guidance for 2027 06:25

Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) 16:00

EFA Hedge cutting guidance 22:17

NVZ closed period dates 23:46

Taking stock of what you have before winter feeding. 27:11

Soil sampling 28:49

Managing grass for tupping 29:47

FAS Resources

Farming in Water Scarcity https://www.fas.scot/news/farming-in-water-scarcity/

Other Resources

Bluetongue Latest updates can be found here: Gov.uk latest BTV updates

Bluetongue Clinical signs in sheep are usually more pronounced than in cattle but can be very variable. A range of photos can be found here: https://ahdb.org.uk/clinical-signs-of-bluetongue.

Suspect cases should be reported to APHA Scotland on 03000 600 704.

The Ruminant Health and Welfare website has various Bluetongue resources for vets and farmers including a vaccination decision maker tool (Battle Bluetongue vaccination decision maker tool)

FFIS 2026 Update https://www.ruralpayments.org/news-events/future-farming-investment-scheme-2026-announced.html

Greening guidance 2027: https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/basic-payment-scheme/basic-payment-scheme-full-guidance/greening---bps/greening-guidance/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson discuss opportunities for those looking to enter Agriculture, though apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship schemes, The Scottish Land Matching Service, and funded mentoring services, whilst also talking about Succession for those who may be ready to think about passing on the reigns, identifying specialist advice funding and resources to support people on their journey wherever they may be. They bring you all of this alongside the latest industry updates.

FAS Resources

Agri Culture - Lawrence Martin: Opportunities Through Apprenticeships | FAS

New Entrants resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service

Mentoring for new farmers and crofters | Helping farmers in Scotland

Specialist Advice | Helping farmers in Scotland (Succession Planning)

FAS Connect | Helping farmers in Scotland

Land-Based Pre-Apprenticeship Scheme | Helping farmers in Scotland

Other Resources

Scottish Land Matching Service | Opportunities in Scottish Farming

Future Farming Investment Scheme

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme

Study at SRUC | Apprenticeships

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson are joined by SAC Consulting forestry consultant David Eadie to discuss farm woodlands, as well as bringing you the latest industry updates.

00:35 How are things with George & Tiffany?

02:21 Upcoming events?

04:00 Important deadlines to be aware of

06:18 The World Cup

10:23 Introduction to David Eadie

10:50 Why might a farmer consider woodlands?

12:45 Specialist advice available for woodlands

14:58 Woodland creation

15:57 Is scoring for woodland creation competitive?

17:30 What does the maintenance grant cover

20:39 What is the optimum site for planting?

22:09 Thinning & felling

24:30 Process of obtaining felling permission?

25:27 Harvesting & processing grants?

26:50 What are the signs of woodland disease?

FAS Resources

RSABI Keepie Uppy challenge https://www.rsabi.org.uk/rsabi-social-challenge-takes-off-as-excitement-builds-towards-farmer-football-tournament/

FAS Events https://www.fas.scot/events/

FAS Specialist advice https://www.fas.scot/specialist-advice/

Future Farming Investment Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/ffis/

Agri – Environment Climate Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/

Forestry Grant Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/forestry-grant-scheme/

Scottish Forestry https://www.forestry.gov.scot/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson discuss upcoming events and updates, while Kerry Hammond chats to Linda McAllister from visit Scotland to discuss opportunities for Agri tourism.

Timestamps

00:30 Welcome back Tiffany

02:15 IACS Deadline

02:55 Enhanced Greening

08:28 Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS)

10:42 AECS

12:26 Events

13:18 Funding for specialist advice

19:27 Linda McAllister from visit Scotland

FAS Resources

Visit Scotland https://www.visitscotland.org/tourism-events-industry/strategies/agritourism

FAS Events https://www.fas.scot/events/

FAS Specialist advice https://www.fas.scot/specialist-advice/

Other Resources

Future Farming Investment Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/ffis/

Agri – Environment Climate Scheme https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie discuss the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) along with other relevant updates.

Timestamps

04:14 Single Application Form (IACS)

08:40 Fuel & Fertiliser prices

14:08 Food processing, Marketing & Cooperation Grant

16:33 Future Farming Investment Scheme

17:00 Agri – Environment Climate Scheme (AECS)

FAS Resources

FAS Events https://www.fas.scot/events/

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

Other Resources

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie get a policy update from SRUC Professor Steven Thomson.

Timestamps

03:05 EFA Management for 2026

04:48 Entitlement transfer & SAF 2026

09:47 Steven Thomson

09:50 Main policy changes for 2026.

12:40 Why are we having policy changes?

23:40 Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme

25:30 Future Farm Investment Scheme

26:05 Rural Support Plan

33:00 LFASS

37:10 Future Farm Investment Scheme

40:00 Other capital grants

42:20 Continued Professional Development

FAS Resources

FAS Events

https://www.fas.scot/events/

Other Resources

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 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 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]

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]