Business & Policy News Audio

May 2026: Policy, cereal, beef, sheep and milk updates and a spotlight on the Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS)

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on the Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS). Time Stamps: 01:56 News in Brief 05:52 Policy Briefs – Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme 2025 payments, Groceries Code Adjudicator moves to Defra, Crofting and Scottish Land Cout Bill, Cairngorms National Park Fire Management Byelaw 10:26 Cereals – Latest news and market update 21:28 Beef – Latest news and market update 28:05 Sheep – Latest news and market update 32:42 Milk – Latest news and market update 40:08 Sector focus –Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme (AECS) 45:37 Further Interest – Slatted Sheep Housing Made Simple (article), Setting up a new grass ley for success (article), PCN and water scarcity (podcast). FAS Resources: Newsletters – Business & Policy Edition – Farm Advisory Service [https://www.fas.scot/newsletters/] advice@fas.scot [advice@fas.scot] Other Resources: Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/scottish-suckler-beef-support-scheme/scottish-suckler-beef-support-scheme-full-guidance/] Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill [https://www.gov.scot/news/crofting-and-scottish-land-court-bill/] Cairngorms Fire Management Byelaw [https://cairngorms.co.uk/our-work/wildfire-management] Rural Roundup Podcast [https://www.fas.scot/sounds/rural-roundup/] AECS Scoring Criteria [http://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/agri-environment-climate-scheme-scoring-criteria/] Thrill of the Hill podcast – Where Policy Meets Pasture: The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme with David Brown [https://www.fas.scot/podcast/thrill-of-the-hill-where-policy-meets-pasture-the-agri-environment-climate-scheme-with-david-brown/] Slatted Sheep Housing Made Simple – article [https://www.fas.scot/article/slatted-sheep-housing-made-simple/] Setting up a New Grass Ley for Success – article [https://www.fas.scot/article/setting-up-a-new-grass-ley-for-success/] PCN & Water Scarcity – CropCast Podcast [https://www.fas.scot/podcast/cropcast-pcn-water-scarcity/]https://www.fas.scot/article/the-journey-of-a-soil-sample/ [https://www.fas.scot/article/the-journey-of-a-soil-sample/] Publications: Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks – latest update [https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-outbreaks/] Monthly UK statistics on cattle, sheep and pig slaughter and meat production [https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cattle-sheep-and-pig-slaughter/monthly-uk-statistics-on-cattle-sheep-and-pig-slaughter-and-meat-production-statistics-notice-data-to-february-2026] Labour Market Trends: April 2026 – gov.scot [https://www.gov.scot/publications/labour-market-trends-april-2026/] African swine fever in Europe – latest update [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69e7506a47e9787c2d71ffc2/ASF_in_Europe_40_April_2026.pdf] The Environment Strategy for Scotland [https://www.gov.scot/publications/environment-strategy-scotland/pages/2/] Rural Support Plan [https://www.gov.scot/publications/rural-support-plan-rsp/] Consultations: Installation and maintenance licences for heat networks [https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/installation-maintenance-licences-heat-networks/] Communications from Revenue Scotland to taxpayers [https://consult.gov.scot/tax/modernising-revenue-scotlands-tax-admin-framework/] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot [http://www.fas.scot/] Facebook: @FASScot [https://www.facebook.com/FASScot/] National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 [tel:03003230161] Email: advice@fas.scot [advice@fas.scot]

April 2026: Policy, cereal, beef, sheep and milk updates and a spotlight on Maker Space, a Digital Dairy Chain project

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on Maker Space, a Digital Dairy Chain project. Time Stamps: 00:36 News in Brief 05:45 Policy Briefs – Food and Drink Processing Scheme, Community Right to Buy, Funding for Gleylag Geese on Uist, Help for Households Using Heating Oil, Electronic Identification for Cattle, Key Dates. 17:14 Cereals – Latest news and market update 25:22 Beef – Latest news and market update 31:53 Sheep – Latest news and market update 39:27 Milk – Latest news and market update 46:49 Sector focus – Maker Space, a Digital Dairy Chain project 51:40 Further articles – FAS TV ‘After Winter: Crop Performance and the Season Ahead’, FAS podcast ‘Rural Roundup Policy Update’ and FAS article ‘Agronomy for Ecological Focus Area Herb and Legume Rich Swards’ FAS Resources: Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service [https://www.fas.scot/newsletters/] advice@fas.scot [advice@fas.scot] Other Resources: ScotGov - Scottish farm business income: annual estimates 2024-2025 [https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-farm-business-income-annual-estimates-2024-2025/pages/key-points/] Food and Drink Processing Scheme - Intro & Guidance [https://copilot.formstack.com/start-workflow/5fedcd9d-5412-4b00-a038-f8056a55da74] Community rights to buy review - gov.scot [https://www.gov.scot/publications/community-rights-buy-review/] Energy Grants Assistance | Energy Advice | energyadvice.scot [https://energyadvice.scot/knowledge-centre/energy-grants-assistance/] Scottish Government Consultations: Accelerating Home-building in Scotland [https://consult.gov.scot/planning-architecture/penalties-incentives-to-speed-up-housing-delivery/] Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Section 53 of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 [https://consult.gov.scot/justice/scottish-law-commission-report-section-53-title-co/] Onshore electricity generation: increasing the threshold for applications under The Electricity Act [https://consult.gov.scot/planning-architecture-and-regeneration/electricity-act-thresholds/] Publications: Short-term lets: regulation information - gov.scot [https://www.gov.scot/publications/short-term-lets/] Supporting Scotland's transition - land use and agriculture: consultation analysis report - gov.scot [https://www.gov.scot/publications/supporting-scotlands-transition-land-use-agriculture-consultation-analysis-report/] Planning for Water Scarcity: Practical guidance [https://www.crew.ac.uk/publications/planning-for-water-scarcity] The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator: Milk Sector Survey 2026 [https://defragroup.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8HNlCoLZFIOQ2IC] Further choices: After Winter: Crop Performance and The Season Ahead [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF_VfFq0j-I] Rural Roundup - Policy Update [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfv5ZjeLRYw] EFA Herb and Legume Rich Swards [https://www.fas.scot/article/agronomy-for-efa-herb-and-legume-rich-swards/] New Technologies & Renewable for Dairy Farms [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk3rB4UpDfM] Crofting Through the Seasons - Spring & Summer [https://www.fas.scot/podcast/rural-roundup-spotlight-crofting-through-the-seasons-spring-summer/] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot [http://www.fas.scot/] Facebook: @FASScot [https://www.facebook.com/FASScot/] National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 [tel:03003230161] Email: advice@fas.scot [advice@fas.scot]

March 2026: Policy, cereal, beef, sheep and milk updates and a spotlight on how a turbulent global trading environment is shaping the outlook for Scottish agriculture

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on how a turbulent global trading environment is shaping the outlook for Scottish agriculture. Show Notes 00:35 News in Brief 05:42 Policy Briefs – Agri-Tourism Investment Scheme (AIS), Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), National Islands Plan, Securing Homes in Rural and Island Communities, Upcoming Grant Funding, Lamb Castration Consultation, Key Dates, Consultations and Publications. 14:19 Cereals – Latest news and market update 20:42 Beef – Latest news and market update 27:48 Sheep – Latest news and market update 30:50 Milk – Latest news and market update 37:45 Sector focus – How a turbulent global trading environment is shaping the outlook for Scottish agriculture 47:26 Further articles – ‘Preparing for calving (FAS TV), ‘All things insurance’ (podcast) and ‘Alternative Protein Crop Overview’ (FAS article) FAS Links and Resources: Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service [https://www.fas.scot/newsletters/] advice@fas.scot [advice@fas.scot] Other Links and Resources: Agritourism Investment Scheme 2026 (FAS) [https://www.fas.scot/news/agritourism-investment-scheme-ais-2026/] Agritourism Investment Scheme contact [Rural%20Payments:%20Agritourism%20Investment%20Scheme%20(AIS)] Management Options [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/management-options-and-capital-items/] Capital Items [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/capital-items/] Fair Work First [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/agri-environment-climate-scheme-full-guidance-menu/aecs-fair-work-first/] National Islands Plan - gov.scot [https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-islands-plan-2/] Affordable Housing Supply Programme [https://www.gov.scot/policies/more-homes/affordable-housing-supply/] Rural and Island Housing Fund [https://www.gov.scot/policies/more-homes/rural-housing-fund/] Lamb Welfare: Consultation [https://consult.defra.gov.uk/on-farm-animal-welfare-future-farming-policy/lamb-castration-and-tail-docking/consultation/subpage.2025-11-26.6906763319/] Accelerating Home-building in Scotland (closing date 30.04.26) [https://consult.gov.scot/planning-architecture/penalties-incentives-to-speed-up-housing-delivery/] Scottish Law Commission’s Report on Section 53 of the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 (closing date 15.05.26) [https://consult.gov.scot/justice/scottish-law-commission-report-section-53-title-co/] Onshore electricity generation: increasing the threshold for applications (closing date 27.05.26) [https://consult.gov.scot/planning-architecture-and-regeneration/electricity-act-thresholds/] Short-term lets: regulation information - gov.scot (25.02.26 publication date) [https://www.gov.scot/publications/short-term-lets/] Supporting Scotland's transition - land use and agriculture - gov.scot (25.02.26 publication date) [https://www.gov.scot/publications/supporting-scotlands-transition-land-use-agriculture-consultation-analysis-report/] Scottish farm business income - gov.scot (2024-25 link available from 27.03.26) [https://www.gov.scot/collections/scottish-farm-business-income-fbi-annual-estimates/] Is whisky tourism on the rocks? - BBC News [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq6v3ngz630o] Scotch whisky production slows as tariffs and weak demand bite | EasternEye [https://www.easterneye.biz/scotch-whisky-production-slows-as-tariffs-and-weak-demand-bite/] What the India tariffs deal means for Scotch whisky - BBC News [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czxex8yekn5o] Chinese whisky tariff cut to come into force - BBC News [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g54xzzze0o] Impact.economist.com/key-findings [https://impact.economist.com/key-findings] FAS TV Series 5 Ep 27 - Preparing for Calving [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHoYh4T0lA0&t=11s] All things Insurance - FAS (Rural Roundup podcast) [https://www.fas.scot/podcast/rural-roundup-farm-insurance/] Alternative Protein Crop Overview [https://www.fas.scot/article/alternative-protein-crops-overview/] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot [http://www.fas.scot/] Facebook: @FASScot [https://www.facebook.com/FASScot/] National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 [tel:03003230161] Email: advice@fas.scot [advice@fas.scot]

February 2026: Policy, cereal, beef, sheep and milk updates and a spotlight on promoting your farm or croft online.

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on promoting your farm or croft online. Show Notes 00:33 News in Brief 04:35 Policy Briefs – Agri-Tourism Investment Scheme (AIS), Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF), Drivers over 70, Agri Wages Board Minimum Wage Proposal, Protection of Tenants, Rural and Island Communities 19:05 Cereals – Latest news and market update 26:20 Beef – Latest news and market update 30:04 Sheep – Latest news and market update 34:00 Milk – Latest news and market update 39:27 Sector focus – Promoting your farm or croft online 50:40 Further articles – ‘Preparing for lambing’ (FAS TV), ‘New Year, New Kit?’ (FAS TV) and ‘Who will milk the cows tomorrow?’ (FAS article) FAS Resources: Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service [https://www.fas.scot/newsletters/] Other Links and Resources: Visitor Levy Amendment Bill published - gov.scot [https://www.gov.scot/news/visitor-levy-amendment-bill-published/] Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks - gov.scot [https://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-outbreaks/] Sheep scab notifications - gov.scot [https://www.gov.scot/publications/sheep-scab-notifications/] Business Insights and Conditions in Scotland (wave 148) [https://www.gov.scot/publications/bics-weighted-scotland-estimates-data-to-wave-148/] Agritourism Investment Scheme (AIS) [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agritourism-investment-scheme--ais-/] AECS - Management Options page [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/management-options-and-capital-items/] AECS - Capital Items page [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/capital-items/] AECS - Targeting tool [https://www.ruralpayments.org/media/resources/AECS-Targeting-Tool---January-2026.xlsx] AECS - Seeking Endorsement [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/agri-environment-endorsements/] Fair Work First [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/agri-environment-climate-scheme-full-guidance-menu/aecs-fair-work-first/] Preparing for Sustainable farming portal [https://scotrural-my.sharepoint.com/personal/hstuart_sruc_ac_uk/Documents/Documents/FAS/FAS%20SOUNDS/BPN/2026/02.%20Feb%202026/Preparing%20for%20Sustainable%20Farming%20(PSF)%20%E2%80%93%202025%20Year%20Grant%20Claims] Renew your driving licence if you're 70 or over - GOV.UK [https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70] SAWB@gov.scot [SAWB@gov.scot] The Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [https://www.legislation.gov.uk/sdsi/2026/9780111065099/contents] Rural & Islands Insight Report 2025 [https://www.ruralexchange.scot/nisrie/rural--islands-insight-report-2025/] Slaughter lamb classification (GOV.UK) [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sheep-carcase-classification/how-to-classify-sheep-carcases] Wix - website builder [https://www.wix.com/] Squarespace - website builder [https://www.squarespace.com/] IONOS - website builder [https://www.ionos.co.uk/] Mailchimp (email marketing) [https://mailchimp.com/?currency=GBP] FAS TV Series 5 Ep 24 - Preparing for Lambing [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSAmAibI26I&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fas.scot%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fas.scot&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ] Who will milk the cows tomorrow? [https://www.fas.scot/article/the-dairy-labour-crisis-who-will-milk-the-cows-tomorrow/] FAS TV Series 5 Ep 23 - ONE AgriTech [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbUVqy0ngVU] CropCast - Knowing Your Numbers| FAS [https://www.fas.scot/podcast/cropcast-knowing-your-numbers/] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot [http://www.fas.scot/] Facebook: @FASScot [https://www.facebook.com/FASScot/] National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 [tel:03003230161] Email: advice@fas.scot [advice@fas.scot]

January 2026: Policy, cereal, beef, sheep and milk updates and a spotlight on geopolitics and global agricultural trends

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on geopolitics and global agricultural trends. Show Notes 00:36 News in Brief 03:24 Policy Briefs – Muirburn licencing, Sheep and Goat Inventory, PSF claims, slurry storage regulations, visitor levies, key dates, newly released publications. 13:47 Cereals – Review of 2025 and looking ahead to 2026 20:13 Beef – Review of 2025 and looking ahead to 2026 31:20 Sheep – Review of 2025 and looking ahead to 2026 36:06 Milk – Review of 2025 and looking ahead to 2026 42:54 Sector focus – Geopolitics and global agricultural trends 50:21 Further articles – Ledmacoy free-range bronze turkeys (FAS TV), Organics at Bowhouse (FAS TV) and Agronomy Past, Present & Future (FAS Podcast) FAS Links and Resources: Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service [https://www.fas.scot/newsletters/] Other Links and Resources: National Flood Advisory Service [https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-flood-resilience-strategy-3/pages/2/] Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill [https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/s6/natural-environment-scotland-bill] Glyphosate Renewal Group [https://www.glyphosate.eu/] Next Generation Practical Training Fund [https://www.scotland.lantra.co.uk/next-generation-practical-training-fund] Peatland Training Fund [https://skillshub.scot/badges/10/peatland-training-fund] Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations (EASR) 2018 [https://beta.sepa.scot/regulation/authorisations-and-compliance/easr-authorisations/] Wildlife Management & Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 [https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2024/4/contents] Sheep and Goat Inventory [https://www.gov.scot/publications/sheep-and-goats-annual-inventory/] Farming and Water Scotland - Slurry and Manure Storage [https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/resource/managing-slurry-storage/] Antimicrobial resistance [https://www.gov.scot/publications/antimicrobial-resistance-information/] Rural Scotland data dashboard 2025: data tables [https://www.gov.scot/publications/rural-scotland-data-dashboard-2025-data-tables/] Livestock identification and traceability: guidance [https://www.gov.scot/publications/livestock-identification-and-traceability-guidance/] The First National Good Food Nation Plan [https://www.gov.scot/publications/first-national-good-food-nation-plan/] The First National Good Food Nation Plan (Gaelic) [https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-good-food-nation-plan-executive-summary-gaelic/] FAS TV Series 5 Ep 21 - Ledmacoy Turkeys - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV6U0ewtkiU] FAS TV Series 5 Ep 20 - Organics at Bowhouse [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF55eTlTnCM] CropCast - Agronomy Past, Present & Future | FAS [https://www.fas.scot/podcast/cropcast-agronomy-past-present-future/] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot [http://www.fas.scot/] Facebook: @FASScot [https://www.facebook.com/FASScot/] National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 [tel:03003230161] Email: advice@fas.scot [advice@fas.scot]