Scotland's Farm Advisory Service Podcast

In this episode, we catch up with Amelia Heath (Co-Director, Forth Rivers Trust), Clara Schade-Poulsen (Leven LENs Project Officer), and Tom Brown (Senior Programme Manager, LENs Scotland) to explore how the Leven LENs is taking shape following its launch.   We discuss what LENs really means on the ground: how farmers and businesses are partnering to fund environmental improvements, what actions are being supported, and what’s next for this innovative approach in Scotland and beyond.  This episode offers practical insight into how collaborative, place-based solutions are helping unlock environmental outcomes at scale to the mutual benefit of those living and operating in a landscape.   Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood. Timestamps:  0:50 – 4:56 Intro to speakers, LENs and recent developments  4:56 – 19:44 Leven LENs , who is involved, motives and drivers   19:44 –  29:25 How to get involved and farmer perspective   29:25 – 40:26 Consensus and feedback so far  40:26 – end: LENs elsewhere, sharing benefits and more info    Related FAS resources:    Natural Capital: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/ [https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/]   Landscape scale conservation: https://www.fas.scot/article/landscape-scale-conservation/ [https://www.fas.scot/article/landscape-scale-conservation/]   Specialist advice: https://www.fas.scot/specialist-advice/ [https://www.fas.scot/specialist-advice/]      Other Related Resources:  Landscape Enterprise Networks LENs: https://landscapeenterprisenetworks.com/ [https://landscapeenterprisenetworks.com/]   LENs Impact Report: https://landscapeenterprisenetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LENs_impact_report_2024.pdf [https://landscapeenterprisenetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LENs_impact_report_2024.pdf]   Leven Catchment Collective: https://catchmentcollective.scot/ [https://catchmentcollective.scot/]   Leven LENs funding announcement: https://www.3keel.com/news-lens-leven-funding-july-2025/ [https://www.3keel.com/news-lens-leven-funding-july-2025/]   FIRNS: https://www.nature.scot/funding-and-projects/firns-facility-investment-ready-nature-scotland [https://www.nature.scot/funding-and-projects/firns-facility-investment-ready-nature-scotland]

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 [https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/soils/regenerative-agriculture/]  Other Resources     Organic Soil Improver - Make soil healthier & more productive | Sea2Soil [https://www.sea2soil.co.uk/]   Grant James: grant.james@pelagia.com [grant.james@pelagia.com], 07976 879646  Soil First Farming [https://soilfirstfarming.co.uk/]  Steve Townsend: steve.townsend@soilfirstfarming.co.uk [steve.townsend@soilfirstfarming.co.uk], 07989 402112   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]

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment.  Scotland’s upland farms and crofts are home to hardy cattle and sheep breeds, producing high-quality meat and supporting rural communities in some of our most challenging environments. Yet, feeding and nutrition in these landscapes can be complex, with variable forage quality, harsh weather and limited grazing options influencing livestock health, fertility and productivity. Getting nutrition right is key to maintaining body condition, improving breeding success and ensuring the long-term sustainability of hill farming systems. In this episode Dr Cara Campbell from SAC Consulting Ltd discusses the fundamentals of upland nutrition for cattle and sheep, and offers practical advice on feeding strategies around bulling and tupping to help farmers achieve the best results for their herds and flocks.  Want to get in touch with Cara? She can be contacted at SAC Consulting Ltd via email enquiries at cara.campbell@sac.co.uk. [https://slms@nfus.org.uk] Related FAS Resources Beef Nutrition: https://www.fas.scot/livestock/beef-cattle/beef-nutrition/ [https://www.fas.scot/livestock/beef-cattle/beef-nutrition/] Sheep Nutrition: https://www.fas.scot/livestock/sheep/nutrition/ [https://www.fas.scot/livestock/sheep/nutrition/]

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 Resources AHDB – Ergot management guidance for cereals - https://ahdb.org.uk/news/ergot-management-guidance-for-cereals-strengthened-by-review [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 [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/ [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 [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 [https://www.agindustries.org.uk/resource/ergot-in-cereal-crops-contracts-legislation-and-effective-management-frequently-asked-questions-faqs.html]

Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers introduces Mary-Jane Lawrie, who will be sitting in for Tiffany Stephenson, while on maternity leave. Topics of discussion include, extreme weather, FFIS updates and cross compliance reminders, which includes useful tips on hedge management.  FAS Resources  FAS Website – Responding to changing weather https://www.fas.scot/responding-to-changing-weather/ [https://www.fas.scot/responding-to-changing-weather/]  FFIS Scheme Guidance - https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/ffis/future-farm-investment-scheme/ [https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/ffis/future-farm-investment-scheme/]    Other Resources   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot [http://www.fas.scot/]  Twitter: @FASScot [https://twitter.com/FASScot]  Facebook: @FASScot [https://www.facebook.com/FASScot/]  National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161 [tel:03003230161]  Email: advice@fas.scot [advice@fas.scot]