The Rural Roundup – Podcast episodes
Scotland is a country synonymous with its rugged landscape, iconic wildlife and diverse habitats, particularly in the uplands.
Threats in climate change and biodiversity decline have brought the management of Scotland’s farmed upland environment squarely under the microscope.
In this podcast series, Thrill of the Hill, the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) explores the multitude of issues facing the farmed upland environment and how we can reconcile priorities in conflict, showcase good practice, new developments, technologies and build resilient, sustainable businesses.
Find all of our podcast episodes on our Audioboom account where you can subscribe to ensure you don't miss any!
Latest episode
Rural Roundup – Headlines & Deadlines for SAF (IACS) and AECS
Welcome back to the Rural Roundup. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who talk headlines and deadlines. We talk about the Single Application Form (IACS) window, AECS, and changes to both. We also discuss “Fair work first” and what that means for farmers & crofters undertaking an AECS. Related Resources Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) Claims and payments For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot
Episodes
Rural RoundUp – Spring Update, Avian Flu & a “New Deal for Agriculture”
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who bring us their Spring Update, with information on the “New Deal for Agriculture”, NVZ, claim deadlines for PSF & AECS Capital claims, an update on h5n1, and a market update. Related Resources Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks – gov.scot Claims and payments For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot
Rural Roundup – First Footing Forward: Plan for the Year Ahead
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who discuss what Farmers & Crofters can do to put the best foot forward in the New Year, to give themselves a good chance of a successful 2025. Related Resources Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) Agri-Environment Climate Scheme Whole Farm Plan full guidance Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks – gov.scot For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot
Rural Roundup – Keeping Well at Christmas
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who discuss all relevant schemes and deadlines, and look ahead to Christmas in the Farming Community. FAS Resources Mental Health and Wellbeing | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service fas.scot/downloads/mental-health-and-wellbeing/ Other Resources Home – RSABI Christmas and mental health – Mind Farmstrong Scotland – Live Well, Farm & Croft Well Preparing for sustainable farming – gov.scot Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (Mainland and Islands) Agri-Environment Climate Scheme Home…
Rural RoundUp: The Autumn Budget 2024 (Death & Money)
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, we’re joined by Sascha Grierson, Principal Consultant & Agri-Economics lead at SAC Consulting and Andrew Coalter Senior Consultant & Chartered Accountant at SAC Consulting who discuss the implications of the Autumn Budget for the Agricultural Industry and dive into detail on the inheritance tax update, and why you should start thinking about Succession, sooner rather than later. FAS Resources Succession Planning | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm…
Rural Roundup – Policy Spotlight – Calving Intervals & EFA
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, Farm Advisors Tiffany, George and Robert give us the latest agricultural updates from around Scotland, and are then joined by Professor Steven Thomson, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Policy at SRUC to discuss the latest policy updates, including EFA, Calving Intervals and more. FAS Resources Stock Talk | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Resources SRUC | Rural Policy Centre W9 Calving Intervals in Scotland’s Cattle Population: Conditionality Options – New Rural Support Scheme development – evidence:…
Rural Roundup – Climate Week
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode, Farm Advisors Tiffany Stephenson from St Boswells, George Chalmers from Turriff and Robert Ramsay from Ayr, give us the latest agricultural updates from the Borders, N. East and S. West of Scotland, and are later joined by Iain Boyd, a senior Environmental Consultant to talk about Climate Week and what opportunities it brings to Crofters and Farmers in Scotland. FAS Resources Climate Change resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Resources Climate Week | Net Zero Nation Take Action…
Rural Roundup – Agritourism, the People, the Places, the Produce
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers, Robert Ramsay & Osla Jamwal-Fraser to talk about agritourism, opportunities to diversify and the added value opportunities for Scottish Agriculture. FAS Resources Alternative Enterprises | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Agri Culture – Cream O Galloway: A Dairy Story | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Resources Home – Scottish Agritourism Agriturismo.it – True Italian agritourism only For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300…
Rural Roundup – The Whole Farm Plan
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson to talk about The Whole Farm Plan, and what it means for farmers, crofters & smallholders. FAS Resources Preparing For The Future | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) The Farm Management Handbook | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Events | Events helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Agribusiness News July 2024 – Sector Focus: Whole Farm Plans…
Rural Roundup – Census, Silage, & Scottish Land & Estates
Welcome back to the Rural Roundup hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson who chat about the census, thinking about silage and the ECS organics deadline, and I’m later joined by Eleanor Kay from Scottish Land & Estates who talks about their theme of resilience this year. We discuss everything from their organisational strategy, right through to how land-owners can take advantage of the right opportunities at the right time. FAS Resources https://www.fas.scot/downloads/feed-and-forage-factsheet/ Integrated Land Management Plans (ILMPs) | Helping farmers…
A Carbon Conversation, audits, emissions, reductions and more
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers and Tiffany Stephenson who chat all things Carbon. Carbon Audits, emissions reductions and more. FAS Resources Carbon Audits | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Specialist Advice | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Resources Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) (ruralpayments.org) Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (ruralpayments.org) Carbon Literacy for rural industries | Keep Scotland Beautiful For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300…