Welcome back to the Rural Round-up. On today’s episode George Chalmers and Mary-Jane Lawrie are joined by Andrew Coalter to discuss what the recent Autumn Budget means for farming.

Timestamps

02:05 Upcoming deadlines

04:51 Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF)

06:35 Greening 2026

07:34 Introduction to Andrew Coalter

09:45 Autumn budget - overall summary

11:47 Autumn budget – Relief (APR & BPR)

14:08 Autumn budget - Practical Advice

22:54 Autumn budget – Personal tax

26:45 Autumn budget – National living wage

28:38 Autumn budget – Capital allowances

33:01 Autumn budget - Other changes

35:10 Making tax digital

37:20 Upcoming events

FAS Resources

Business and Policy December 2025 - Management Matters - Autumn Budget

https://www.fas.scot/article/business-and-policy-december-2025-management-matters-autumn-budget/

Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme

https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/scottish-suckler-beef-support-scheme/

FAS Events

https://www.fas.scot/events/

For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Welcome to Cropcast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Andrew Milne and Nick Hobson of United Oilseeds. We hear how the co-operative is structured, review 2025 OSR harvest and look ahead to prospects for 2026. They also discuss physical movements of the crop and market pricing mechanisms, so for all things OSR, enjoy listening to this very interesting conversation.

Andrew Milne – United Oilseeds Area Manager (Scotland)

Nick Hobson – United Oilseeds Trading Manager

Timestamps

00.55 Introducing Andrew and Nick from United Oilseeds

02.39 United Oilseeds – the company, it’s history and the area it covers

09.52 Varieties

12.15 Harvest 2025

18.43 Looking ahead to 2026

23.47 Movement of rape beyond the store

30.07 Different contract options and storage options

37.44 Key market watchpoints

41.43 Independent analysis of oil content

43.51 OSR Reboot

47.33 Andrews take home message

Related FAS Resources

Crops and soils | Helping farmers in Scotland

How to Get Oilseed Rape off to a Good Start | Helping farmers in Scotland

Other Related Resources

United Oilseeds | Oilseed Rape | Buy Seed | Sell crops

OSR-Reboot | United Oilseeds | Oilseed Rape

Winter oilseed rape recommended and candidate lists | AHDB

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

In this episode George Chalmers is joined by Professor Fiona Burnett to look back at some of the key developments in agronomy which have taken place over her 33-year career, along with discussion about those which will shape the future.

Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC adviser, George Chalmers 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.

Timestamps

02:00 Fiona Background

05:00 Developments in crop rotation

07:00 Yield (change in mindset)

10:29 Using multi-site chemistry

16:28 New technology & Chemistry

18:00 Biostimulants

20:40 IPM Planning

24:14 Changes in regulations

29:30 BASIS training

31:50 Quality Assurance

33:45 The future of agronomy

35:40 Managing inputs for the season ahead

38:05 Seed dressings

39:50 Reducing application rates

41:30 The challenge of resistance

43:40 Three top tips

Related FAS Resources

FAS Crops & Soils https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/

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. On today’s episode Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Anna Wylie and Jack Munro. Anna and Jack met when they both attended the Tesco Future Farmer programme for young farmers run through Harper Adams university. The programme gave them the opportunity to meet other farmers from all backgrounds across the UK, to learn from each other and to attend in person meetings, webinars and farm business visits. They talk about what they both enjoyed about the course, how it shaped their own plans for their futures, and how important they both feel it is to be involved in the farming community, learning and making time for personal development.

Thanks for joining us for this episode of Agri Culture. If you’d like to find out more about the Future Farmer Programme or if you would like to contact Anna to learn more about the World Food Forum, you can find 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:

Future Farmer Programme | School of Sustainable Food and Farming

Anna Wylie | LinkedIn

Jack Munro | LinkedIn

For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot

Twitter: @FASScot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Along with our regular monthly updates on policy, cereals, beef, sheep and milk, in this edition we also have a spotlight on the UK Autumn Budget and its impacts on Scottish Agriculture.

Show Notes

00:41 News in Brief

06:33 Policy Briefs – Future Farming Investment Scheme, Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, Scotland’s Climate Change Plan to 2040, Council Tax Reforms, QMS Cattle and Sheep Assurance Scheme Standards

15:15 Cereals – latest arable news and market update

23:24 Beef – latest beef news and market update

27:05 Sheep – latest sheep news and market update

32:26 Milk – Milk Production Data, Farm-gate Prices, Dairy Commodities and Market Indicators, Dairy Exports, Winter Lighting Systems, Organic Milk

40:48 Sector focus – overview of the UK Autumn Budget and its impacts on Scottish Agriculture.

47:07 Further articles – FAS 12 Days of Christmas, Achieving Net Zero in Beef Farming (FAS TV) and Looking After Yourself (FAS Podcast)

Links and Resources:

Newsletters - Business & Policy Edition - Farm Advisory Service

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025

Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ)

SRUC’s research (how to improve the lives of animals)

Climate Change Plan to 2040

A consultation on the Draft Climate Change Plan

Future of council tax in Scotland: consultation - gov.scot

QMS Cattle and Sheep Standards

Cattle and Sheep Assurance scheme - what's changed

Sheep Producers Intentions Survey - Meat and Livestock Australia

Tesco Christmas Trend Report for 2025

Office for Budget Responsibility’s report

The 12 Days of Christmas | Helping farmers in Scotland

FAS TV Series - Net Zero on Beef Farms

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Kirsten Williams. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by two industry experts to discuss the beef industry. It’s a lively discussion covering many topics, including: replacement strategies, where the market is it at just now, sustainability and the future of the Scottish herd.

Gavin Hill is a Senior Beef Specialist with SAC Consulting and Robet Gilchrist is Chief Executive of the Aberdeen-Angus Society.

Episode Timestamps

02.30 Cattle replacement strategies

10.03 Where should the end price be?

13.26 Changing eating behaviours and changes in the industry

17.05 Future of the Scottish herd

27.45 Cow of the future

43.08 Matching the sire

50.07 What will the Scottish beef industry look like in the next 10-20 years

Resources

Livestock resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service

Cattle resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service | FAS

Sustainable Beef Systems | Helping farmers in Scotland

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

Facebook: @FASScot

National Advice Hub

Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire is Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere which promotes a balanced relationship between people and the natural environment. Built on partnership, community action, innovation and learning, the Biosphere supports thriving, sustainable communities living in harmony with nature.

In this episode, we’re joined by Nature Recovery Manager Dr Anna Griffin and Natural Capital Officer Jonathan Olandi to explore the work of the Biosphere and introduce their new project, OPIN (On-farm Plans Integrated with Nature). This initiative will recruit 12 farms across the Biosphere in Dumfries and Galloway to take part in a five-year programme focused on whole-farm planning and farming resilience. We discuss how land managers can get involved, the benefits of participation, and the support available, including access to a robust suite of tools, data, and capital grant funding, that will help implement strategic land management actions that are good for natural capital and good for business.

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Editor Kieron Sim, Executive Producers Kerry Hammond & Kirstyn Blackwood

Timestamps:

1:04 – 9:00 Intro to speakers and Biosphere

9:00 – 14:30 Reasons for the designation and previous projects delivered

14:30 – 30:30 The OPIN project

30:30 – 50:00 Benefits for land managers and how to get involved

Related FAS resources:

Natural Capital: https://www.fas.scot/sounds/natural-capital/

Biodiversity: https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/

Other Related Resources:

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere: https://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/

To apply or for more information: https://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/contact-us/

Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal: https://www.borderlandsgrowth.com/

In this episode George Chalmers is joined by Edward Jones, who is a Sustainable Farming Advisor at Frontier Agriculture to discuss cover crops.

Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, George Chalmers 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.

Time codes

04:13 Definitions of green manure, cover crops & catch crops

09:14 Potential benefits

12:24 New species available

14:15 Different species for different areas

20:03 Considerations when choosing a crop

24:14 Greening 2026

28:40 Establishment

33:46 Potential uses with livestock

36:00 Seeds suitable for broadcasting

39:19 Three top tips

Linked FAS Resources

FAS Crops & Soils https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/

EFA Greening 2026 https://www.fas.scot/preparing-for-the-future/

Other Linked Resources

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-jones-931725133?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

Clinkstone – Companion Crops & autumn cover crops in a min-till system https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw5xnHdsaEw

Cover Crop Guide: https://covercropsguide.co.uk/