Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

Hello and welcome to Crofting Matters, hosted by Osla Jamwal Fraser where we discuss topics that matter in crofting. Today we’re speaking with Chartered Surveyor and Senior Agricultural Consultant with SAC Consulting, Fergus Russell. Wherever you may be in the Crofting Counties there are lots of new and different types of land-based development going on from renewables to data centres and everything in between. If you or your community are affected, it can be difficult to know where to turn for advice and support. Fergus specialises in exactly this area so today we are going to be taking a look at what you need to know if your area is involved in large-scale development projects. If you would like to find out more about anything we discussed today, you’ll find links in the show notes. If you enjoyed this episode of Crofting Matters, please do subscribe to make sure you hear the next episode when we’ll be discussing all things wool! We’ll be hearing about the last fleece to garment mill in Shetland and learning more about the quiet revolution happening in how Shetland perceives and promotes the importance of its own knitwear heritage. Many thanks to our producer Kerry Hammond, our Editor Keiron Sim, and thanks to you for tuning in. This podcast was produced in association with the Scottish Government Resources: Scottish Land Commission: Making more of Scotland's land - Scottish Land Commission Your local NFUS branch may be able to answer questions on access to support RICS - Rights over land for electricity infrastructure - Code of practice The Electricity Act 1989 which provides the legislation around new and existing developments: Electricity Act 1989 For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Before FAS, Farming for a Better Climate helped put practical climate action firmly on the agenda for Scottish agriculture. At its heart was a focus on practical change. The programme encouraged farmers and crofters to look at areas including energy and fuel use, renewable energy, soil carbon, fertiliser and manure management and livestock efficiency. Rather than approaching climate change as an issue separate from everyday farm management, Farming for a Better Climate sought to demonstrate where better use of resources could reduce costs, strengthen the business and lower emissions at the same time. In this episode Rebecca Audsley joins Alex to look back over the life of Farming for a Better Climate and consider its impacts. More than fifteen years on from the programme's beginnings, they also consider what comes next. This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond. Timestamps01.35 Introducing Rebecca Audsley 02.37 Where are we in terms of climate change, landscape management and lower carbon farming 05.42 Farming For a Better Climate (FFBC) initiative 08.37 Where did FFBC operate across the country & 5 key action areas 12.53 FFBC outputs and learning from others 14.48 A Policy Pathfinder 17.10 Emission reductions and associated financial benefits 19.17 What problem did FFBC identify that is less of an issue now 22.22 A good healthy soil – PLANT YOUR PANTS! Climate change: are we moving in the right direction? Farming & Water Scotland 30.14 Getting in touch & what's next for Rebecca ResourcesFarming For a Better Climate Scottish Forestry Integrating Trees Network Farming & Water Scotland Climate Smart Advisors Climate Week | Net Zero Nation Previous episode of interest: Thrill Of The Hill - Climate Change Catch up with Seamus Murphy Previous episode of interest: Thrill Of The Hill - COP26 One Year On Get in touch with Rebecca [email protected] Get in touch with the show [email protected] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

We’re joined by Derek Robeson from the Tweed Forum to explore their catchment-scale action across the River Tweed and the surrounding landscape and communities. We discuss their various projects including Eddleston Water and Destination Tweed and cover topics including natural flood management, working with landowners and economic drivers, to showcase what it takes to turn ambitious ideas into practical, beneficial action on the ground. Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood Key Timestamps: 0:59 – 14:54 Intro to Tweed Forum, its activities and Eddleston Water project. 14:55 – 24:49 Destination Tweed, other projects and drivers. 24:50 – 33:40 Catchment scale approach, funding and logical solutions 33:40 – end How to get involved and find out more Resources: Tweed Forum: https://tweedforum.org/ Tweed Foundation: https://rivertweed.org.uk/tweed-foundation/ Borders Forest Trust: https://bordersforesttrust.org/ Southern Uplands Partnership: https://sup.org.uk/ FAS Water Management: https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/ River Catchment Management at Landscape-Scale: https://www.fas.scot/article/river-catchment-management-at-landscape-scale/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer Kythe Mackenzie. In this episode, recorded on 17th September 2026, we discuss the Bluetongue Virus. It's important to note to listeners that the spread of the Bluetongue Virus, the control zones and restrictions is a constantly changing situation, and listeners should ensure that they check the Scot Gov website for the latest up to date information. This Podcast is intended to provide information about the Bluetongue Virus itself, how it is spread, risk factors, clinical symptoms, vaccinations, and testing. ResourcesScot Gov: Latest situation - Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals - Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot APHA map: Bluetongue Cases and Zones AHDB: Vaccination cost calculator launched to help Battle Bluetongue | AHDB BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (sheep) | AHDB BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (dairy) | AHDB BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (beef) | AHDB Ruminant Health & Welfare website: Home - Ruminant Health & Welfare For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Organic farming in Scotland is entering a period of renewed growth. The latest Scottish Government statistics show that, in 2025, 168,200 hectares of Scottish agricultural land were either fully organic or undergoing conversion — an increase of 28% on 2024 and 62% since 2021. Of this, 115,800 hectares were fully organic, while 52,400 hectares were in conversion, around double the area recorded the previous year. Organic and in-conversion land now accounts for 3.3% of Scotland’s agricultural area.For businesses considering making the change, organic conversion is about considerably more than simply replacing conventional inputs. The conversion period provides an opportunity to examine the whole farming system — including rotations, soil fertility, nutrient management, grass and clover production, livestock management, markets and the financial implications of operating within organic standards. A well-developed conversion plan is central to understanding whether organic farming is both practically achievable and financially sustainable for an individual business.In this episode of Thrill of the Hill, we are joined by Ewan Johnston, Principal Consultant with SAC Consulting and the Farm Advisory Service Topic Lead for Organics. Based at Thainstone in Aberdeenshire, Ewan has more than 25 years of agricultural consultancy experience, having worked in Shetland and Moray before moving to the North East. His career has given him experience across a broad range of Scottish farming systems, from crofting, hill and upland livestock enterprises through to intensive lowland arable businesses.Growing demand for organic advice led Ewan to complete an MSc in Organic Farming, and he has since developed particular expertise in organic production, soil and nutrient management, grassland and clover-based systems, alongside wider crop, livestock and farm business management. He is BASIS, FACTS and FBAASS accredited, sits on theScottish Organic Producers Association technical advisory committee and teaches organic farming to students at SRUC.As FAS Topic Lead for Organics, Ewan is also working to broaden the conversation beyond farms already committed to certification, looking at how principles and practices associated with organic farming can be integrated into conventional and regenerative systems.In this episode, we discuss what farmers and crofters need to consider before beginning an organic conversion, what goes into preparing an organic conversion plan, where the potential opportunities and challenges lie, and why planning the farming system as a whole is so important before taking the first step towards certification.This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond.Timestamps00.57 Introducing Ewan Johnston03.26 Where are we at now in Scotland with organic conversions04.19 What goes into the organic conversion plan08.14 The conversion plan is a live document09.50 Timeline for the conversion process11.18 Standard conversion and simultaneous conversion12.58 Be clear in your own mind why you want to go organic14.35 Information to include in a conversion plan18.00 How should seasonal grazing be viewed18.50 Partial conversion & parallel production20.55 Nutrient management24.06 Stocking rates and forage demand25.40 Dispelling the myth – animal health in organic systems28.10 Record keeping31.06 Common mistakes in conversion plans33.45 Ewan's take home messageResourcesAccess a range of FAS Organic information and guides here Organic Information | Helping farmers in ScotlandRural Payments and Services: Organic Farming: ConversionSoil AssociationScottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA)Get in touch with Ewan [email protected] in touch with the show [email protected] more information, visit www.FAS.scotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]