Welcome to In Conversation With… hosted this month by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs (Principal Consultant) and Kirsten Williams (Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant). On today’s episode Mark and Kirsten reflect on their highlights from 2024 and are joined by David Ross (Principal Consultant, SAC Consulting) to discuss integrating livestock and arable. They explore options for integrating livestock, share top tips and farmers experience as well as the benefits this can bring to both the arable and livestock farmer. Episode Timestamps  00.45 Kirsten’s 2024 highlights 01.24 Mark’s 2024 highlights 05.15 Integrating sheep into arable systems 06.42 Grazing cover crops and catch crops 09.09 Pest management and drawing moisture out of the soil 12.20 Biodiversity benefits 16.58 Soil compaction and deep rooting crops 21.00 Opportunities and new entrants 22.35 Things to be aware of (possible issues) 27.50 Temporary grass leys 31.55 Farmers’ experience 34.46 Grazing winter cereals 42.48 Marks top tips 44.05 Kirsten's closing thoughts FAS Resources Sheep grazing winter crop - what you need to know Winter grazing cereals - an alternative forage source  Whitriggs - winter grazing of crops   Practical guide - use of cover crops Regenerative agriculture integrating livestock The benefits of grass leys in arable rotations    Other Resources  Grass leys for the arable rotation - AHDB An introduction to cover crops - AHDB Cover crops for additional forage | AHDB    Outwintering Strategies The benefits of sheep in arable...

Welcome to In Conversation With… hosted this month by Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant Kirsten Williams. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Willie Budge (Senior Consultant, SAC Consulting) and Kythe Mackenzie (Veterinary Investigation Officer, SRUC). They will discuss trends from the year, what’s coming into the labs, tips on preparing for sheep inspections and how to keep meaningful records. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government.Episode Timestamps 01.42   2024 health highlights – using them to plan for next year04.14   Top tips for sheep inspections08.20  Tagging records14.00   Using records to review performance15.19    What’s coming into the vet labs21.16     Funded Animal Health and Welfare interventions (PSF)24.00  Notifiable diseases and the risks to Scottish flocks28.08  Biosecurity and quarantine30.58  Nutrition, winter budgeting and housing34.48   Kythe’s top tip for winter stocktake35.58 Willie – Animal Health and Welfare Plan and benefits of up to date records FAS ResourcesRecord Keeping Growing and finishing lambs in autumn and winterPreparing for Sustainable Farming full guidance (Animal Health and Welfare Interventions) Cull Ewe ScreeningIce-berg Diseases in Sheep - Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) (youtube.com)Ice-berg Diseases in Sheep - Maedi Visna (MV) (youtube.com)Ice-berg Diseases in Sheep - Ovine Johnes Disease (OJD) (youtube.com)Ice-berg Diseases in Sheep – Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma (OPA) (youtube.com)Ice-berg Diseases in Sheep - Border Disease (BD) (youtube.com)Iceberg Diseases In Sheep | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Iceberg diseases of ewes | AHDBOther Resources Livestock identification and traceability guidance pages sheep and goats (gov.Scot) Ruminant Health & WelfareBluetongue Virus - RuminanHealth & WelfareIceberg diseases of ewes |...

Welcome to the October episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs.  On today’s episode Mark is joined by Sebastien Mallet, CEO at ODA (Offre & Demande Agricole). They discuss the UK and European harvest, how UK grain prices have changed and what drives price change, the best time to sell into the market and selling strategies going forward. Timestamps:03.17 Harvest 2024 in Europe04.40 Getting market messages/analysis to farmers06.05 Where the UK sits in the global supply and demand picture06.45 “The world market is a village” (freight costs)10.24 US influence on wheat market (record yields and surplus export volumes)14.28 Factors influencing UK market ex-farm prices21.55 Malting premium 23.10 Where might wheat market prices go next25.36 Selling strategies28.05 Weather effects on the market29.24 Oilseed Rape – UK a net importer FAS ResourcesAgribusiness News September 2024 - Cereals and Oilseeds | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Other Related ResourcesODA Connect - The independent grain marketing consultancy for FarmersCorn Returns: Ex-farm prices and volumes | AHDBCereals and Oilseeds markets | AHDB

Welcome to In Conversation With… hosted this month by Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant Kirsten Williams. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Lorna Shaw (Ruminant Nutritionist, SAC Consulting) and Jonny Williams (Joint Business Director, Farm Stock). They discuss marketing the 2024 lamb crop, preparing for mating and nutrition of purchased stock. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. Episode Timestamps  00.41 - Introducing Lorna Shaw and Jonny Williams 02.35 - What’s happening with the sheep market and why 05.58 - Flexibility: farming what’s in front of you 08.32 - Nutrition: protein and energy requirements for growing lambs 11.20 - Prioritising grazing and assessing feed costs vs returns 12.30 - Variations in feeding grain quality and the importance of grain analysis 14.35 - Introducing lambs to supplementary feeding 16.10 - Keeping current European buyers supplied 20.58 - Marketing lambs of different spec  23.38 - Diet transitioning for purchased rams 27.10 - Urinary calculi in rams 28.38 - Processing grain for sheep 30.14 - Post tupping aftercare for rams 32.16 - Lambs coming off forage crops 34.26 - Jonny’s main message for marketing 36.15 - Lorna’s main message for managing nutrition 37.34 - Kirsten’s take home message   FAS Resources Agribusiness News  Management and selection of rams for efficiency  Marketing lambs  Other Resources  farmstock.org.uk Lamb markets | AHDB  QMS Scotland - market prices  QMS Scotland - monthly market updates  fas.scot - specialist advice  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected] 

Welcome to the August episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs.  On today’s episode Mark is joined by Julian Bell (Principal Consultant with Agrecalc) and James Bolesworth (Managing Director at CRM Commodities). They discuss global grain supply, demand and market influences and look at how prices have changed over the last 12 months. Closer to home, they discuss the UK position regarding stocks ahead of harvest, new crop markets and selling strategies.  Episode Timestamps 01.35 Global grain perspective 04.30 Stock relative to demand 05.19 US contract with UK and Europe 09.33 Supply in Europe 11.37 UK outlook 17.57 European harvest update 20.50 Malting barley expectations  26.26 Futures market  29.06 Marketing strategies  FAS Resources https://www.fas.scot/article/grain-contracts-making-them-work-for-you/  https://www.fas.scot/article/how-should-i-sell-my-grain/  https://www.fas.scot/publication/marketing-the-crop-getting-the-best-outcome-for-your-crop/  https://www.fas.scot/article/agribusiness-news-july-2024-cereals-and-oilseeds/  Other Resources www.ahdb.org.uk/cereals-oilseeds-markets  www.crmagri.com  www.graintab.com  https://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde  https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/production.pdf  https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/monitoring-agricultural-resources-mars/jrc-mars-bulletin_en#crop-monitoring-in-europe  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected] 

Welcome to In Conversation With… hosted this month by Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant Kirsten Williams. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Fiona Crowden (SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer) and Ann McLaren (SRUC Research Associate). They discuss worm trends and how they are changing, the effect to the sheep industry, how targeted selective treatment works and how data recording can help. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government.  Episode Timestamps  01:42 Nematodirus – disease in lambs caused by the Nematodirus battus worm 03:08 SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) 07:49 Hemonchous (tropical parasite) 08:50 Targeted Selected Treatment  11:28 Wormer resistance  17:44 Fluke 21:43 Ticks 23:20 Scab 26:28 PSF (Preparing for Sustainable Farming) funding  29:13 Biosecurity for new stock 31:36 Key message from Fiona and Ann FAS Resources Sustainable Worm Control Factsheet (fas.scot)Faecal Egg Counts (FEC) to Monitor Parasite Load | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) - An Overview | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Resources  SCOPS | Sustainable Control of Parasites in SheepLiver Fluke | SCOPSFEC Check | MoredunLivestock Parasites | SRUCSustainable farming initiative: Sheep and cattle roundworms | SRUCMaking Worms Squirm: Sustainable Worm Control in Lambs through Precision Livestock Farming | SEFARI For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected] 

Welcome to the third episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs.&nbsp; On today’s episode Mark is joined by John Stirling (Director at Arbikie Distilling Limited). They discuss how John draws on different strengths within the family business to sustainably produce a premium brand spirit, controlling the whole production process, starting with quality home-grown ingredients. Mark and John explore how to add value to the crops grown on farm, marketing of products and how to remain competitive in the marketplace. To finish, John outlines his vision for the future of Arbikie. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government.&nbsp;Episode Timestamps&nbsp;&nbsp;03.34 Arbikie – a historical family business&nbsp;07.00 Drawing on family skill sets&nbsp;&nbsp;10.23 Lightbulb moment!&nbsp;12.34 Varietal resilience&nbsp;&nbsp;14.35 Different crops and the processing calendar&nbsp;&nbsp;18.20 The world’s first climate positive spirits&nbsp;20.34 Intercropping&nbsp;&nbsp;22.57 The premium market – quality over quantity&nbsp;25.06 Producing base spirit at Arbikie&nbsp;28.51 Unique selling points – locality, short supply chain, sustainability&nbsp;29.43 Emissions – sequestering more than emitting&nbsp;34.00 World’s first green hydrogen distillery&nbsp;35.40 Water – conserving a valuable resource&nbsp;&nbsp;FAS Resources&nbsp;www.fas.scot/crops-soils/soils/regenerative-agriculture/&nbsp;www.fas.scot/news/legumes-in-rotations-benefits-for-the-environment-and-your-budget/&nbsp;&nbsp;www.fas.scot/news/grant-funding-to-help-scottish-agri-businesses-reduce-emissions-and-improve-sustainability/&nbsp;Other Resources&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;www.arbikie.com&nbsp;&nbsp;www.hutton.ac.uk&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;sustainable creds SINGLE PAGES).pdf&nbsp;Elsevier Science Article Nadar .pdf&nbsp;Arbikie_Nadar_G&amp;V_A5 Brochure_Jan21_WEB.pdf&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, visit www.FAS.scot&nbsp;Twitter: @FASScot&nbsp;Facebook: @FASScot&nbsp;&nbsp;National Advice Hub&nbsp;Phone: 0300 323 0161&nbsp;Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Welcome to the second episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Senior Sheep and Beef Consultant Kirsten Williams. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Poppy Frater (Senior Consultant, SAC Consulting) and Kerr Adams (Research Scientist, The James Hutton Institute). They discuss grass and water management and look at how to build resilience into a system. Also, the wet winter, late spring and how to manage grass growth and maximise productivity. To round off the discussion, our panel look ahead to the summer months, trends and how to plan for possible drought problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;Episode Timestamps&nbsp;&nbsp;00.00 Introduction&nbsp;&nbsp;01.29 Making best use of pasture&nbsp;02.35 Three leaf rule&nbsp;04.19 Grass target heights – hitting the sweet spot&nbsp;05.45 Value of rest&nbsp;10.30 Effect of a changing climate on water availability&nbsp;&nbsp;11:55 Climatic water balance projections&nbsp;15.23 Water footprint&nbsp;18.52 Strategies to increase water holding capacity&nbsp;&nbsp;21.59 Sheep are the solution!&nbsp;22.15 Building resilience into the system&nbsp;25.45 Learning from others&nbsp;28.18 Software to help manage supply and demand. Scenario planning.&nbsp;32.42 Forage crops&nbsp;33.16 Cashflow&nbsp;34.35 Change one little thing&nbsp;38.50 Key message for managing grass supplies&nbsp;39.34 Key message for managing water supplies&nbsp;&nbsp;41.17 Kirsten's take home message&nbsp;&nbsp;FAS Resources&nbsp;www.fas.scot/publication/resilient-technology-options-for-water-management-on-farm/&nbsp;&nbsp;www.fas.scot/article/water-scarcity-and-rising-temperatures/&nbsp;&nbsp;www.fas.scot/publication/feast-or-famine-water-on-your-farm-water-scarcity-video/&nbsp;&nbsp;Other Resources&nbsp;&nbsp;www.hutton.ac.uk&nbsp;&nbsp;www.crew.ac.uk/&nbsp;&nbsp;www.sruc.ac.uk/business-services/sac-consulting/agricultural-production/grassland-management/grazeup/&nbsp;www.farmingandwaterscotland.org&nbsp;&nbsp;www.rsabi.org.uk&nbsp;For more information, visit www.FAS.scot&nbsp;Twitter: @FASScot&nbsp;Facebook: @FASScot&nbsp;National Advice Hub&nbsp;Phone: 0300 323 0161&nbsp;Email: [email protected]&nbsp;

Welcome to the first episode of In Conversation With… hosted this month by Principal Consultant Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Gary Catto (Head of Merchanting at Scotgrain Agriculture, part of Bairds Malt Ltd) and Robin Barron (General Manager at East of Scotland Farmers). They provide business insights and discuss grain marketplace, how the last 12 months have been, grain quality, supply and demand and what does 2024 look like as a trading environment.  &nbsp;Episode Timestamps&nbsp;&nbsp;00.00 Introduction – background and business operations&nbsp;04:26 Increasing demand for malting barley&nbsp;05:15 Steps in the supply chain&nbsp;06:29 Global whisky sales and investment at malting level&nbsp;08:29 Procuring grain and how a cooperative works&nbsp;&nbsp;09:52 Grain varieties&nbsp;10:33 Current planting situation and growers aommitments&nbsp;11:30 Grain storage and movement throughout the year&nbsp;15:10 Do end users drive when processing occurs and tonnage targets?&nbsp;17:39 Dealing with variable grain quality&nbsp;20:42 Expectations for 2024&nbsp;23:14 New varieties on the horizon&nbsp;26:33 Supply chain – priorities for the next 24 months&nbsp;30:29 Lower carbon barley&nbsp;33.01 Next month – Kirsten Williams discusses sheep health and welfare&nbsp;FAS Resources&nbsp;https://www.fas.scot/crops-soils/&nbsp;&nbsp;www.fas.scot/problem-solver/all-arable/&nbsp;&nbsp;https://www.fas.scot/article/agribusiness-news-april-2023-cereals-and-oilseeds/&nbsp;Other Resources&nbsp;&nbsp;www.scotgrain.co.uk&nbsp;&nbsp;www.bairds-malt.co.uk&nbsp;&nbsp;www.eosf.co.uk&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, visit www.FAS.scot&nbsp;Twitter: @FASScot&nbsp;Facebook: @FASScot&nbsp;National Advice Hub&nbsp;Phone: 0300 323 0161&nbsp;Email: [email protected]&nbsp;Credits:Hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs&nbsp;&nbsp;Guests; Gary Catto (Bairds Malt) &amp; Robin Barron (East of Scotland Farmers)&nbsp;Produced by Heather Stuart&nbsp;Edited by Cameron Waugh&nbsp;Executive Producer Kerry Hammond&nbsp;&nbsp;