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. This is the final episode in this series and we’re going to round off our Shetland focussed episodes in style – discussing the islands’ most famed and celebrated agricultural and cultural product – Wool! We’re going to delve into all things woolly with Louise Grains of Jamieson’s of Shetland, the only fleece to garment mill in the isles and Donna Smith of Donna Smith Designs a crofter, yarn producer, tutor, and knitwear designer. Shetland is famous the world over for wool and knitwear and now also for its iconic week-long festival Shetland Wool Week, which has just celebrated its 17th year. We’re joined today by two of the powerhouses behind the modern wool and knitwear industry in Shetland! 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 catch the first episode of the new series next May when we’ll be hearing more inspiring stories from all over the Crofting Counties. While we’re away, why not have a look through our back catalogue or tune into some of the other Farm Advisory Service podcasts. For now, many thanks to our producer Kerry Hammond, our editor Keiron Sim, and thanks above all to you for tuning in. This podcast was produced in association with the Scottish Government. Resources: Shetland Wool, Yarn and Knitting Accessories – Jamieson's Of Shetland Donna Smith Designs – Knitting Patterns & Yarn in the Shetland Isles Shetland Wool Week 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 are joined by Professor Steven Thomson to discuss the rural support plan for Scotland, along with any key updates and reminders for October.Timestamps00:21 How are things with Tiffany & George 02:45 Bluetongue 03:48 EFA 06:40 Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme 07:29 Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme 07:57 Meetings/Events 08:47 Steven Thomson – Agricultural Route map 12:50 Steven Thomson -Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme 14:00 Steven Thomson – Whole Farm Plan 15:31 Steven Thomson – The Rural Support Plan 18:58 Steven Thomson – CPD for Farmers 21:25 Steven Thomson – Enhanced Greening Resources CPD Consultation: Give your views Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space 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/ Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme: https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/scottish-suckler-beef-support-scheme/ Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme: https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/scottish-upland-sheep-support-scheme/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

In this episode Tiffany is joined by Angus Elder from Chapel Organics, to discuss his business, which is built around the production of high-quality vegetables. Angus discusses his crop rotation, marketing of fresh produce, challenges with organic farming, his use of technology and his role with SOPA.This episode was presented by Tiffany Stephenson, produced by George Gauley, edited by Cameron Waugh, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood & Kerry Hammond. Timestamps01:34 Introduction to Angus Elder03:13 Crop rotation?05:42 How has the business coped with the dry summer?09:00 Integration of livestock?10:00 Reducing the weed burden13:20 Marketing18:27 Grass in the rotation20:15 Use of organic manures?23:31 Potential changes to the rotation?25:50 Packing vegetables26:48 Farm labour29:48 Technology use on farm?36:00 Anything else in the pipeline?38:30 Role with SOPA?42:01 Advice to someone turning organic?Resourceshttps://www.chapelfarmorganics.co.uk/Contact Angus at [email protected]: https://www.sopa.org.uk/For more information, visit www.FAS.scotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]

You are listening to Agri Culture, a podcast that aims to explore the stories of the people that make up our agricultural industry and culture of farming, in Scotland and beyond. In this episode, Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Katja Williams. Katja is an Australian farmer, podcaster, founder, homesteader, and author. Her life is built around Australian agricultural community and creating practical resources that help women to thrive on the farm. Through podcasting, she takes the opportunity to share stories of her own family farm, opinion pieces and good news about the industry. Through ‘The Ultimate Farmer’s Wife’ podcast she connected with women sharing their stories which inspired her to launch her not for profit organisation, ‘Harvest Her Power’. We discuss farming life in Australia, how she juggles the demands of farm work, her own business goals and running a national conference whilst raising a young family. Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to find out more about, Katja, Harvest Her Power, or The Ultimate Farmer’s Wife Podcast check out the links in the show notes. This episode was presented by Mary-Jane Lawrie, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government. Resources: The Ultimate Farm Wife Website The Ultimate Farm Wife - Instagram Katja Williams - The Ultimate Farm Wife Podcast - YouTube For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on Regenerative Agriculture. Timestamps:00:42 News in Brief 07:47 Policy Briefs – New CPD consultation, Scottish Government consults on price caps for essential food, new taskforce looks at getting more Scottish food into schools and hospitals, a look at the Latest Agricultural Price Indices and funding opportunities for training and qualifications. 14:11 Cereals – Latest news and market update 24:38 Beef – Latest news and market update 30:09 Sheep – Latest news and market update 35:52 Milk – Latest news and market update 44:34 Sector focus – Regenerative Agriculture 47:59 Further articles – Do I need to reseed? Bluetongue – What you need to know. EnviroCow article FAS Links and Resources:Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service: https://www.fas.scot/newsletters/FAS podcasts: FAS Sounds | Helping farmers in Scotland:https://www.fas.scot/sounds/[email protected] Other Links and Resources:The Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture:https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/agricultural-reform-programme/the-code-of-practice-on-sustainable-and-regenerative-agriculture/Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space:https://consult.gov.scot/agriculture-and-rural-economy/continuing-professional-development-cpd-tier-4/Price controls on essential food items: consultation paper:https://www.gov.scot/publications/price-controls-essential-food-items-consultation-paper/Price controls on essential food items - take part in the consultation: https://consult.gov.scot/business-and-better-regulation/price-controls-on-essential-food-items-draft-legis/Latest Agricultural Price Indices: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/agricultural-price-indices/agricultural-price-indices-united-kingdom-july-2026Funding opportunities for training and qualifications: https://lantra.co.uk/scotland/scotland-training-funds/Lantra - funding opportunities for training and qualifications:https://lantra.co.uk/scotland/scotland-training-funds/Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme:https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/scottish-upland-sheep-support-scheme/scottish-upland-sheep-support-scheme-full-guidance/Grassland section:https://www.fas.scot/grassland/Do I Need to Reseed? | Helping farmers in Scotland:https://www.fas.scot/article/do-i-need-to-reseed/Blutongue: What You Need to Know:https://www.fas.scot/podcast/stock-talk-bluetongue-what-you-need-to-know/EnviroCow Index Yielding Results: https://www.fas.scot/article/envirocow-index-yielding-results/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]