CropCast

Welcome to Cropcast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Julian South, Executive Director of The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB). MAGB are the trade association of the UK malting industry and represent over 98% of UK malt production, buying around 2 million tonnes of UK malting barley, to make about 1.6 million tonnes of malt. Mark and Julian discuss harvest 2025, barley varieties, tariffs and trade deals and opportunities for the industry. Episode Timestamps  01.38 Background and structure of MAGB 04.43 What is malt? 06.59 Distilling malts and brewing malts 07.50 Harvest 2025 round up  16.12 Evaluating and approving new barley varieties for malting  23.31 International Barley Hub 26.00 Biggest challenges for the malting barley industry  29.47 International trade 33.25 Tariffs and trade deals 35.04 Peat as a flavouring for malt  37.10 Finding out more: www.ukmalt.com 38.25 The malt industry in 10 years time  Resources    The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain Malting Barley Committee - The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain Contact: Julian South: 07967452838, julian@magb.org.uk SRUC - Soils & plants - Recommended lists  SAC Recommended Lists for Cereals 2025-26 International Barley Hub - The James Hutton Institute  Mycotoxins - The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain  For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

In this episode George Chalmers is joined by SAC Senior Consultant and Chartered Accountant Andrew Coalter to discuss Arable Farm Finances, particularly cash flow challenges, investment and capital allowances for arable farms.  Welcome to Cropcast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, George Chalmers 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 Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government. Related FAS Resources  Cash Flow Forecasting: https://www.fas.scot/article/building-good-financial-habits-with-cash-flow-forecasting/  Budgeting & Financial Planning https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/business-tools/budgeting-and-financial-planning/ Finance & Funding https://www.fas.scot/whats-stopping-you-finance-funding/ 

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Robert Meadley to discuss some of the considerations which should be made when deciding to replace or invest in a piece of machinery. 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 Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government. Related FAS ResourcesGetting Started In Arable Agriculture - Machinery Appraisal | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceOther Related ResourcesRobert Meadley LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-meadley-85652223/?originalSubdomain=uk Machinery costing calculator | AHDB

Welcome to CropCast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by two guests. Grant James (Business Development Manager at Sea2Soil) discusses an organic soil improver product from Sea2Soil. Grant provides an explanation of the biological mechanisms at play in the product, how it works on-farm and what to expect from applications. Steve Townsend brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of Regenerative Agriculture. Steve advises farmers all over the UK and Europe on how No-Till can improve their business. Steve is passionate about helping farmers reduce their fixed costs, increase their crop yields and weed control whilst repairing their soils. Episode Timestamps  00.55 Harvest 2025 feedback 03.03 Steve & Soil First Farming 04.04 Grant & Sea2Soil 06.01 What is fish hydrolysate? 06.46 Feeding the soil biology 11.04 Practices to build up soil biology 20.20 Measuring soil biology 27.47 How different crop sectors are responding to regenerative agriculture 32.04 Nitrogen use efficiency  34.56 Albrecht theory 38.40 Getting the magnesium ratio right 41.15 Grant’s take home message 42.00 Steve’s take home message   FAS Resources Regenerative Agriculture | Helping farmers in Scotland Other Resources    Organic Soil Improver - Make soil healthier & more productive | Sea2Soil  Grant James: grant.james@pelagia.com, 07976 879646 Soil First Farming Steve Townsend: steve.townsend@soilfirstfarming.co.uk, 07989 402112  For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Kristina Grenz, Senior Cereal Product Quality Scientist at AHDB, to discuss ergot, which proved to be a significant problem for many growers during harvest 2024. In this episode we discuss the ergot life cycle, symptoms as well as top management tips. 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 Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government. Related ResourcesAHDB – Ergot management guidance for cereals - https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ergot-management-guidance-for-cereals-strengthened-by-review AHDB – An introduction to Ergot & its management in cereals https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/an-introduction-to-ergot-and-its-management-in-cereals FAS – Ergot – What is it and how to prevent it? https://www.fas.scot/article/ergot-what-it-is-and-how-to-prevent-it/ AHDB- Ergot in harvest 2024 https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ergot-in-harvest-2024-cereals-a-pathologist-s-paradise-a-supply-chain-challenge AIC – Ergot in cereal crops https://www.agindustries.org.uk/resource/ergot-in-cereal-crops-contracts-legislation-and-effective-management-frequently-asked-questions-faqs.html 

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Donald Dunbar and Alan Bruce to discuss changes to EFA options under the Scottish Government’s enhanced greening measures for 2026, and how farmers might go about integrating some of these options into their own farming systems.   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 Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government. Related FAS Resources  Greening guidance (2026)Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Welcome to Cropcast Conversations hosted by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by James Bolesworth (CRM AgriCommodities) to discuss how grain markets are looking for 2025 and in part 2 Mark is joined by George Chalmers (SAC Consulting) and Neil Havis (SRUC Professor, Crop Pathology) to update us on how crops are looking in Scotland.  Episode Timestamps  00.00 PART 1 – James Bolesworth (CRM AgriCommodities) 03.30 Wheat price movements over winter and early spring 06.14 Why has there been a steeper decline in grain price over the last few months? 09:20 Carryover stocks: current position and going into next season 12.58 Trump and tariffs: impact on food commodities and the grain market 16.33 Crop conditions and predicted reduction in production and output 19.55 Selling new crop: looking at opportunities to smooth the curve of volatility  23.00 PART 2 – George Chalmers (SAC Consulting) and Neil Havis (SRUC, Professor of Crop Pathology) 24.17 How crops are looking in Scotland 32.51 Yellow Rust and YR15 37.19 Choosing wheat varieties to grow this autumn  38.20 Spring barley update 42.30 Ramularia: the late season disease  FAS Resources Yellow rust - FAS New yellow rust strain confirmed - FAS June Crop Update - FAS FAS Newsletters - Crops & Soils Edition     Crop Trials Evening - Lothians Crop Trials Evening - Aberdeenshire Crop Trials Evening - Lanark Other Resources    CRM AgriCommodities   jbolesworth@crm-group.co.uk  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by George Chalmers to discuss grain storage and the importance of making sure stores are ready for harvest.  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 Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government. FAS ResourcesCrops and Soils Bulletin June 2023 - Grain Store Hygiene Ahead of Harvest | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceEnsuring Safe Storage for Wet Malting Barley | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceOther ResourcesAHDB (2023) Grain Storage Guide

In this episode, Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Dr Kerry Leslie to talk about the Potato viruses, which can cause devastating compulsory burn down orders, and why these viruses remain a major concern for the industry going forward.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 Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government.Linked FAS Resources  Six steps for virus management doc https://www.sasa.gov.uk/sites/default/files/The_6_Steps_to_Effective_Virus_Management_in_Potato_Crops.pdf The SAC Association of Potato Producers (SACAPP) https://www.sruc.ac.uk/business-services/sac-consulting/our-expert-teams/knowledge-networks/potato-services/ 

Welcome to the first episode of Cropcast Conversations hosted by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs.  On today’s episode Mark is joined by Iain Riddel (Principal Consultant, SAC Consulting). They discuss growing sugar beet in Scotland and cover sugar beet trial work, sites, varieties, farmer group feedback and conclusions from trial work.  Episode Timestamps  00.32 Introducing Iain Riddell 01.49 Background to sugar beet in Scotland 05.05 Rural Innovation Support Service project 10.12 Biorefining hubs 11.35 Farmers feedback on practicalities of sugar beet in the rotation 15.43   Harvesting sugar beet 18.40 Storing sugar beet 19.35 Trials of different varieties at different locations 29.40 IBiolC Conference take-home messages 31.30 Iain’s closing thoughts FAS Resources Field Trialling Sugar Beet in Eastern ScotlandOther Resources    IBiolC (Organisation that connects industry, academia and government to bring biotechnology processes and products to the global market)  IBiolC annual conference (March 2025)    Sugar Beet: A Just Transition for the Chemicals Sector and a Net Zero Solution for Manufacturing.  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Edward Scaman and Chris McClymont to talk about herbicides. How is the current season progressing and what is the best practice advice when it comes to applying products.  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 Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government.Linked FAS Resources  YouTube - Bayer Weed ScreenFind your local Bayer technical managerFAS - Herbicides

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 

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 ResourcesStrategic Cereal Farm Scotland | AHDB

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Borders Farmer Neil Ramsay along with Prof Roger Sylvester-Bradley, Principal Research Scientist and Head of Crop Performance at ADAS; to discuss grain analysis and the benefits it can have when tailoring nutrition. 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 ResourcesThe Yield Enhancement Network | YENNutri-Check Network

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Angus Farmer & Managing Director of Soil Essentials, Jim Wilson to discuss soil health and the types of tests arable farmers should be considering.  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 ResourcesSoilEssentials | Precision Farming Solutions By Farmers for FarmersSoil sampling - SoilEssentialsGreat news for GREATsoils: AHDB issues Soil Health Scorecard guidance | AHDBTechnical Note (TN721): Soil Biodiversity and Soil Health | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Dr Ruth Wade and Professor Pippa Chapman from the University of Leeds, along with Dr Joseph Martlew from NIAB, to discuss Regenerative Agriculture and the trials which have been taking place in Yorkshire. 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 ResourcesUniversity of Leeds Farm - Fix Our FoodHow to assess soil structure | AHDBThe Six Principles of Regenerative Farming: Why are they important? - AgriCaptureCO2Regenerative-in-a-Nutshell.pdf (LEAF)Farm-Scale Regenerative Agriculture | H3

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Dr Steve Hoad, team leader in agronomy, physiology & genetics at SRUC, to provide an update on how Spring cereal varieties have been performing during the 2024 variety trials, along with his top variety picks. 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 FAS ResourcesFor the most recent Scottish Recommended list 24/25  https://www.sruc.ac.uk/media/4qybv20b/sruc-cereals-recommended-list-2024-tables-winter-edition-w1.pdf  Full variety data sets collected are available on the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds website https://ahdb.org.uk/rl  Lothian crop trials webinar 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V74muZHiI9w 

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Dr Steve Hoad, team leader in agronomy, physiology & genetics at SRUC, to provide an update on how winter cereal varieties have been performing during the 2024 variety trials, along with his top variety picks. 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 Iain Boyd, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with the Scottish Government. Linked FAS ResourcesFor the most recent Scottish Recommended list 24/25  https://www.sruc.ac.uk/media/4qybv20b/sruc-cereals-recommended-list-2024-tables-winter-edition-w1.pdf  Full variety data sets collected are available on the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds website https://ahdb.org.uk/rl  Lothian crop trials webinar 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V74muZHiI9w 

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by Professor Fiona Burnett, an applied plant pathologist at SRUC to discuss the performance of fungicides during the challenging growing season, that has been 2024. Cropcast is 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 FAS Resources Lothian Crop Trials Webinar - YouTube 

In this episode Tiffany Stephenson is joined by David Brown, an Environmental Consultant at SAC Consulting to discuss pollinators, beneficial insects and biodiversity on arable farms.  Cropcast is 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 FAS Resources How to increase wild pollinators on your farm | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Improving Biodiversity on Your Farm | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)FAS – Specialist advice – Funding for a biodiversity, habitat and landscape management plan of your farm Specialist Advice | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)