OnFARM Scottish farming podcast

As eagle numbers grow in parts of Scotland, so do farmers' concerns over livestock predation. At Rothiemurchus falconry outside Aviemore, Jonny Ames believes he might have an answer. He is training two Italian Maremma 'guardian dogs' - called Luigi and Peaches - to live 24/7 in fields with livestock, to guard sheep from birds-of-prey. He is looking to find volunteer farmers keen to trial the dogs in coming months. Thanks as ever to Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew for supporting this episode of OnFARM.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

All things ploughing – ahead of the 59th Scottish Ploughing Championships taking place in Ayrshire on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th October. Producer Dave is joined by Hugh Currie, Derek MacIver, and Lizzy Baxter, all from the Scottish Ploughing Championships 2023 organising committee. The championships are taking place at Monktonhill Farm, Prestwick, Ayrshire, KA9 1UL, and there will be lots of stalls, stands and activities for anyone that comes along.Find more information at the Scottish Ploughing Championships website.Picture credit: Five K PhotographyMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Celebrations have been taking place in Caithness to mark 100 years since the Young Farmer’s movement got underway in Scotland. The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs - SAYFC - wasn’t formed until 1938, but the first ever club was set up at a rural school house near Thurso in 1923.Centenary events have included a tractor rally, a quiz night, a forthcoming dinner and dance, and - most recently - the unveiling of a commemorative stone at the site of the first meeting. OnFARM's Dave Howard was there.This episode, which is supported and made possible by RHASS, is the result of OnFARM's 'Pitch a Pod' competition, when we challenged people at the Royal Highland Show to tell us stories they thought we should tell in future episodes of the podcast.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Patrick Laurie is an upland farmer and conservationist from Dalbeatie in Dumfries and Galloway. He talks to Monty of his pride in his herd of traditional Riggit Galloway cattle, and his growing concern for the plight of wildlife - particularly the birds that he says are disappearing from the landscape around him. He is the author of several books including Native: Life in a Vanishing Landscape, a Times bestseller that was also shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize. Huge thanks to Scottish law firm Gillespie MacAndrew for supporting this episode of OnFARM. Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

East Lothian upland farmer Kelvin Pate is a relatively recent convert to bird conservation; he first started paying closer attention to the birds on his farm during Covid lockdown. He tells Anna about changes he's made on his farm to support birds, and shares his views on how people and policy can work better to protect wildlife. Thanks to sponsors Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew for making this episode possible. Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Fife food ambassador, writer and chef Christopher Trotter once ran a Michelin-starred kitchen. In this chat with OnFARM's Sarah Anderson, which we are re-releasing to mark Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight, he talks widely about sustainable and locally sourced produce, and particularly Scottish fish. He has recently published Coasts and Waters: The British Seafood Cookbook. Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

The number of adults receiving ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) prescriptions in Scotland has increased seven-fold in the last decade, according to recent headlines. Will Evans and Domhnall Macsween are both well known farmers who have both been diagnosed with ADHD. Will is chair of the Oxford Farming Conference and host of the Rock and Roll Farming podcast. Domhnall is a crofter on Lewis in the Western Isles and presenter of BBC Alba's An Lot (The Croft). Both men believe that undiagnosed ADHD may be prevalent in UK agriculture.Our thanks to episode sponsors rural business specialists Bell Ingram.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

The unique Great Glen Challenge sees teams compete in cycling, kayaking, walking, and running between Fort Augustus and Fort William, covering a 49 km route. The event is a fundraiser for Scotland's rural charity RSABI - and this year, Monty and producer Dave were along for the action.Please consider donating to the RSABI Great Glen Challenge fundraising effort here.This episode has been produced in partnership with the headline sponsors of 2023 The Great Glen Challenge, Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew. Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Joanna MacGregor is the driving force behind a farm shop and play area at Farm Ness, on the Dochfour Estate outside Inverness. Joanna and her husband Donald Fraser are tenant farmers, and starred in series 5 of BBC Scotland's This Farming Life. Listen to Anna's January 2022 episode of OnFARM, recorded with both Joanna and Donald from Farm Ness: https://pod.fo/e/108b85 Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

In amongst the action at the 2023 SAYFC Tug of War championships - this episode's got grit, glory, excitement, and controversy. We hear from competitors, fans, tearful relatives, and SAYFC national vice chair Ally Brunton. Huge congrats and respect to all the competitors. Episode supported by Bell Ingram.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Rider Pilates Club is a rider-specific exercise plan, to help people sit straighter, stronger and easier in their saddle. It was created by Bristol-based Jess Rudkin, after she found that Pilates eased her own riding aches and pains. As Jess says in this episode, her aim is to "keep riding until lunchtime on the day of my funeral" - and she wants to help others to do the same. To find out more about Rider Pilates Club - here are links to both their website and a Facebook group.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Farmer-led charity Pickups For Peace collect farm jtrucks and 4x4 vehicles, pack them with aid, supplies, and equipment, and then drive them in convoy to Ukraine. The trucks are left to help in the war effort - moving people, recovering casualties, or transporting supplies. In this episode, Monty speaks with one of the founders of Pickups for Peace, Keith Dawson, as well, as charity supporter Nicola Alexander from Cupar in Fife. For more information, or to donate vehicles or supplies, contact [email protected] or make a donation on justgiving.com.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

OnFARM's 150th episode! To celebrate this milestone, we gave Highland Show go-ers the chance to pitch us their ideas for future podcast subjects. Hear our shortlist of the ideas that we heard, and find out which lucky winner will get their own future episode, to be sponsored by our partners Bell Ingram. Who will get their own future OnFARM episode? Contenders include: 100 years of the Highland Pony Society100 years since the first Scottish Young Farmers' Club was founded, in Caithness Stranraer ShowVertical farming with The Rowett InstituteSustainable seafood with the Rowett InstitutePickups for Peace, a farmer-led charity taking trucks and supplies in convoy to UkraineThe Perthshire team making and exporting lifesize plastic cows around the worldEpisode kindly supported by Bell IngramMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Eagle populations have been boosted in the South of Scotland to their highest numbers for decades, thanks to The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), a collaborative project between land managers and conservationists. Rick Taylor joins Anna to talk about their work.We also hear from Freddie Ingleby from Caledonian Climate - an environmental service and consultancy firm working with landholders, communities and businesses to revitalise Scotland’s peatlands.Both organisations were winners in the 2022 Scottish Land and Estates 'Helping It Happen' Awards. This is the final episode in our three-part mini-series in partnership with SLE, hearing from 2022 winners how awards recognition has helped them. We also hear in each episode from SLE chief executive Sarah-Jane Laing.The 2023 Helping It Happen awards from Scottish Land and Estates are open for nominations here (but be quick!).Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

From the cattle ring to the Highland Hall, the machinery lines and everywhere inbetween, Monty and Dave cover as much of the action at Ingliston as can be crammed into one episode of OnFARM.Among many others, we catch up with the Sheep Game's Cammy Wilson, celebrate the Highland Pony Society's centenary with president Sylvia Ormiston, and check in with veteran Kelso stockman Keith Redpath ahead of his prestigious task of judging the beef interbreed teams.To listen to last week's Golden Shears 2023 World Shearing Championships episode, and all previous episodes featuring the Highland Show, RHASS, or RHET, please select this link. We'll publish an episode soon specifically on SAYFC action from the Highland Show. Please be patient for that one - it'll be great when it arrives!This episode of OnFARM is kindly supported by Scottish legal firm Gillespie Macandrew. Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

The Golden Shears world sheep shearing championships are hosted in 2023 by the Royal Highland Show. The competition's first return to Scotland in over 20 years has teams from 30 countries competing in machine shearing, hand shearing, and wool handling categories. Competitors gathered earlier this week for a last-minute training session at Crookston Farm in the Borders. OnFARM's Monty and producer Dave were there too. This episode of OnFARM is kindly supported by Lawrie and Symington.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

RHET chairman and Dumfries and Galloway farmer Alistair Marshall is midway through a cross-Scotland cycling fundraiser. His e hopes to visit schools in all 13 RHET regions in the run-up to the Royal Highland Show. The aim is to raise over £10,000 to support RHET to continue to provide free educational activities and experiential learning for young people aged 3 -18 years.OnFARM's Anna Davies was one of a group of riders who joined Alistair for the first leg of his trip, setting out from Stobhill Primary School in Midlothian.To support Alistair's cycle challenge for the Royal Highland Education Trust, visit the JustGiving page here.This episode of OnFARM is kindly supported by Bell Ingram.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Anna attended the recent national conference of SOPA – Scottish Organic – at the Royal Highland Showground.  It was a brilliant forward-thinking day; in fact the theme of the event was “The Road Ahead”. Organic is still quite a small part of the total food and farming economy, but it is growing, and there is huge potential for the future. This episode is packed with inspiring and insightful conversations recorded over the course of the day, including with:Deb Roberts, SOPA managerBryce Cunningham of Mossgiel FarmJennifer Brodie of Undo CarbonFiona Richmond of Scottish Food and DrinkJayne Jones, from Argyll and Bute councilTom Wood, food exporter at Robin Appel Ltd.Murray Cooper, Aberdeenshire organic rapeseed oil growerMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Most of us in farming - unfortunately - know someone who’s been in an argument or a dispute. It could be between relatives over an inheritance, or over a business relationship, or whatever it might be. You may not realise you can call on support from professional mediators - or even, in some cases, offer to step in as a mediator yourself.This episode is all about the power of mediation – hearing from Gillespie Macandrew's dispute resolution team lead Fiona Cameron, and Gordon Davies, a mediator working for - among others - rural support charity RSABI. (Full disclosure: Gordon is also OnFARM host Anna's dad!) To fill in the SAOS butchery and abbatoir survey mentioned at the beginning of the episode, go to this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ML9QN56Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

We are alongside the main arena at Fife Show, courtesy of OnFARM partners and sponsors Gillespie MacAndrew. Guest co-presenters are Carol McQuillan and Sam Connington from GM's Land and Rural Business Team. They check in with RSABI's Carol MacLaren about their upcoming fundraiser The Great Glen Challenge. We also hear from Jenn Stewart at Johnston Carmichael, and NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy tells us about his recent London trip, for a 'food summit' at 10 Downing Street. Sign up to take part in RSABI's Great Glen Challenge here: https://www.rsabi.org.uk/event/rsabi-great-glen-challenge-2023/ Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

A follow-up to our episode on the restoration of Braemar Castle in Royal Deeside. We are with Bell Ingram team volunteers, senior architect Iain Cram, and expert Scottish thatcher Brian Wilson, as they gather sheaves of heather to redo the roof of a folly - or 'fog house' - in the castle grounds.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Braemar Castle in Royal Deeside has been under scaffolding for many months - as it is being lovingly restored by a team led by the local community, with architecture support from specialists at Bell Ingram. In this episode - the first of two recorded at Braemar Castle - Monty meets vice chair of Braemar Community Ltd. Doreen Wood, director of stonemasonry at Harper and Allen masonry Steven Harper, and Iain Cram, senior architect and partner at Bell Ingram. Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

The 2023 Helping It Happen awards from Scottish Land and Estates are open for nominations here. In this mini-series in partnership with SLE, Anna meets the 2022 winners, to find out how the recognition has helped them or given their work a boost. We also hear in each episode from SLE chief executive Sarah-Jane Laing.Helping it Happen 2022 award-winners showcased in this second episode: Tourism & Visitor Management Award: The Fairy Pools Car Park and Off-Grid Toilets Development, Isle Of Skye – finding a solution to the huge increase in visitor numbers to one of Scotland’s most popular rural destinations.Rural Business Award, sponsored by Shepherd & Wedderburn: Skyeskyns - the sole remaining commercial woolskin tannery in Scotland producing some of the most beautiful and handcrafted sheep skins, leather and woollen goods.Innovation in Farming Award, sponsored by Douglas Home & Co: FastBreeders - a collaborative project involving four pasture dairy farms, using data to enable precise genomic selection decisions to maximise the health and efficiency of crossbred dairy cows.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

The 2023 Helping It Happen awards from Scottish Land and Estates are now open for nominations here. In this mini-series in partnership with SLE, Anna meets the 2022 winners, to find out how the recognition has helped them or given their work a boost. We also hear in each episode from SLE chief executive Sarah-Jane Laing.Helping it Happen 2022 award-winners showcased in this first episode: Housing award: Strathcathro Estates - Hugh Campbell Adamson Education: The Be Your Best Self programme - Kirsty RitchieWorking with Communities award: Countryside Learning Scotland - Ian Robertson Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

The first ever SAOS Growing Tomorrow's Leaders cohort have recently completed their training. Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders programme has been designed to help Scotland's rural sector cope better with its many and growing challenges, including climate change, sustainability and supply chain issues. OnFARM's Anna took part in the training herself - and recorded this episode at their recent graduation event. Find out more about upcoming 2023/24 programme at: https://saos.coop/events-and-training/growing-tomorrows-leaders-trainingMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

There has never been more sheep scab in Scotland than there is at the moment, according to advisors at the Moredun animal health research institute. Monty visits one farm struck by its first ever scab outbreak, and hears about the welfare, economic and mental anguish of dealing with the aftermath. There is also expert advice from the Moredun's Stewart Burgess and Scott Brown.This podcast is sponsored by Bimeda, makers of Gold Fleece Gold Fleece Sheep Dip, 608 mg/ml concentrate for Dip Emulsion. Gold Fleece is a POM-VPS medicine and further information is available from the SPC, datasheet or pack leaflet. Use medicines responsibly- advice should be sought from the prescriber prior to use. Bimeda can be contacted by telephone on 01248 725 400 or via email [email protected]”Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Will Evans and Domhnall Macsween have both recently been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Will, who is chair of the Oxford Farming Conference and host of the Rock and Roll Farming podcast, shares thoughts with BBC Alba presenter Domhnall and OnFARM host Anna Davies. Both men believe that undiagnosed ADHD may be prevalent in UK agriculture.Our thanks to episode sponsors rural business specialists Bell Ingram.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Horse racing will make a welcome return to the hills above Galashiels next month (Sunday 16th April) when the Lauderdale point-to-point takes place at Mosshouses.The race meeting, the first since 2019, will celebrate 75 years of racing at the scenic course.Monty caught up with two members of the organising committee, Charlotte Dun and Tony Hogarth, to find out more about the sport and the history of racing at Britains highest race course.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Barbara Girvan sells fresh seasonal flowers grown on her family's Highland farm in the heart of Glenurquhart, near Inverness. You can set up a subscription to get monthly bouquets delivered direct to your door. Something to think about with Mother's Day just around the corner!Barbara's flower business 'The Wild Acre': https://corrimonyfarm.co.uk/contact-usThanks as always to episode sponsor Scottish law firm Gillespie McAndrew: https://www.gillespiemacandrew.co.uk/Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

A second visit to the home of farmer and Sunday Times-bestselling author James Oswald. Monty's a big fan of James' supernatural crime books, especially the Edinburgh-based Inspector Tony McLean series. This is the second of two episodes recorded at James' home. (Episode photo credit: David Cruickshanks)Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

James Oswald is the Sunday Times-bestselling author of dozens of books including the Edinburgh-based Inspector Tony McLean series of supernatural crime novels. He's also a Fife farmer, and particularly proud of his breeding herd of Highland cattle. Monty's a big fan of James' books, and jumped at the chance to pay him a visit for the podcast. This is the first of two episodes recorded at James' home. (Episode photo credit: David Cruickshanks)Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Something a bit different this week: Anna was recently interviewed by Mary Jane Lawrie for the FAS Sounds Agri Culture podcast, so we thought we'd bring you that interview in full as a behind-the-scenes peek at life at Scene and Herd and OnFARM. If you enjoy what you hear, do go and check out the FAS Sounds stable of podcasts at fas.scot/sounds Agri Culture is one of six different shows under the FAS Sounds banner. Among others, they have a 'Rural Round-up', 'Stock Talk', 'CropCast', and 'Crofting Matters' shows. They are all delivered under the banner of the Scottish Government’s Farm Advisory Service, or FAS for short. The Farm Advisory Service offers advice to farmers on almost any topic: www.fas.scotMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Following last week's episode when Monty got to try a Dynescan portable semen quality analyser, we're hearing from a livestock vet who offers Dynescan tests to clients. Tom Oxtoby is from the George Farm Vets practice in Malmesbury in Wiltshire. The Dynescan ensures that vets can provide speedy and reliable advice to farmers looking to improve productivity and profit margins. Find out more about Dyneval at their website. The George Vet Group are online here. Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Created in Scotland: a game-changing portable pen-side semen quality analyser for livestock industries. The Dynescan was developed at Edinburgh University's Roslin Innovation Centre and provides accurate semen quality results within minutes. Its developers say anyone can use it. It helps farms to be more profitable, improving fertility management and reducing carbon emissions. Monty's been speaking with one of the technology's inventors Dr Vincent Martinez. Find out more about Dyneval at their website.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

In February 2021, Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, was a guest on OnFARM, launching a fundraising drive to find a cure for Equine Grass Sickness. The mysterious disease is almost always fatal to horses, and, in recent years, had killed 5 prized Highland ponies on Her Majesty the Queen's Balmoral estate. Efforts to find a treatment are being led by Dr Beth Wells of Edinburgh’s Moredun Research Institute, while fundraising is spearheaded by RHASS director and equine vet Anne Logan. In this episode, Anna speaks with Beth and Anne for an update on their important work. For more on funding and supporting a cure for Equine Grass Sickness, isit: www.grasssickness.org.ukWe are grateful to Horselyx for supporting this episode: www.horslyx.comMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Hannah and Danny Gallagher - better known to many on social media as The Red Shepherdess and Danny the Farrier - share their delight and excitement at not one but two pieces of life-changing news; they have just taken on their first farm in their own names, and - after three miscarriages - have their first baby on the way. The couple talk to Monty about sharing their lives on social media, and how they hope to open up their farm to more visitors in 2023.Huge thanks to Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew for supporting this episode.Image credit: Ryan Day PhotographyMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

For our final episode of 2022, Monty, Anna and Dave look back on the year's highlights. Huge thanks to everyone who's been involved in helping make OnFARM a success this year - especially our series sponsors Scottish legal firm Gillespie Macandrew. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and we'll be back with new episodes on 2023.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Rising costs, increasing uncertainty and a squeeze on prices are all contributing to a "full blown crisis" for Scottish fruit growers, according to Angus Soft Fruit's James Porter. James has been speaking to OnFARM's Dave Howard - and has issued a plea for greater support from UK and Scottish governments, farming unions, and anyone else with influence to change things.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Scottish agritourism faces “the opportunity to become world renowned”, according to Visit Scotland’s Vicki Millar. Monty also meets Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon, Scottish Agritourism lead Caroline Millar and many others, in this episode recorded at the 2021 Scottish Agritourism conference. Contributors:Cabinet Secretary Mairi GougeonScottish Agritourism’s Caroline MillarVisit Scotland’s Vicki MillarAlan Laidlaw from RHASSThe Scotsman newspaper’s Brian HendersonThe Scottish Farmer’s political editor Claire TaylorLinda Tinson of Ledingham Chalmers solicitors Agritourism businesses:Stuart and Jo McNicol from DriftJasmine and Fenwick Jackson from Jacksons at JedburghJohn Scott of Fearn FarmHelen Smith from Byres FarmSarah Johnson of Bowbridge Alpacas ScotlandNikki Storrar of Ardross Farm ShopRobert and Lucy Wilson of Wilson’s Farm and KitchenWith thanks to: The Scotland Starts Here podcast from the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA)Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

We are all adjusting to life without Doddie Weir - Scotland and Lions rugby legend, Motor Neuron Disease campaigner, and Borders farmer. In this OnFARM edition, recorded around Christmas 2019, Monty visited his friend and farming neighbour for a coffee and blether. The pair recall Doddie's early days in eventing and his time at the SAC agricultural college (now SRUC), and talk about Doddie's determination to raise funds for MND research. You can support the MyName'5 Doddie Foundation at www.myname5doddie.co.uk/support-usMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Midlothian mum Rachel Moyes broke her back in four places after being flung from a horse's back in a remote location. Ambulance workers used the What3Words app to find quickly Rachel, and take her to hospital for treatment. Monty hears Rachel's story, and also speaks with What3Words' Albe Pereira. If you spend time in remote areas, whether for work or for leisure activities like riding, biking, or walking, please consider installing What3Words to your phone. It is free, easy to use, and endorsed by organisations like the NFU and Police Scotland. Find out more here.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Denise Walton trained as an ecologist, but has spent 30 years alongside family and business partners building up Peelham Farm, and expanding into butchery and charcuterie. Denise is Scotland chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, and is passionate about how farming can be part of solutions to both climate change and biodiversity - while still being productive. Thanks to this episode's sponsors, Scottish legal firm Gillespie Macandrew.LinksPeelham Farm: peelham.co.uk Nature Friendly Farming Network: nffn.org.uk Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

What needs to happen to prices and ways of working, to enable farming and food production to meet carbon reduction targets? A year on from world leaders amassing in Glasgow to discuss climate change action, and with COP27 underway in Egypt, we're revisiting Anna's chat from this time last year with SAOS chairman John Hutcheson, and Emma Patterson-Taylor, SAOS's climate change and sustainability manager.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

A chat with Scotland's only Savory Institute-trained holistic management educator. Anna spends time with William Houstoun, who works with farms, estates and other organisations to support transitions to becoming more holistically-managed and regenerative. William's website is here: https://www.land.scot/Find out more about the work of the Savory Institute here: https://savory.global/This episode was edited by Bespoken Media's Carys Wall with support from MultiTrack Fellow Stephen Maguire.  Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Amanda Owen, 'The Yorkshire Shepherdess', is one of the UK’s most famous famers. She chats with Anna about her hill farm, and her life as a shepherd, sheepdog trainer, mum-of-9, and best-selling author. Find Amanda's latest book 'Celebrating the Seasons' at her website here: https://www.yorkshireshepherdess.com/books/Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Anna speaks with some of the shortlisted teams and winners at the recent Scottish Land and Estates 'Helping It Happen' awards. The awards recognise the role of estates, farms, rural businesses and individuals who are helping rural Scotland thrive.More here: https://scottishlandandestates.co.uk/helping-it-happenMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Four rural communities from around Scotland have been shortlisted for up to £50,000 of Scottish Government funding to support climate change solutions - administered by Firstport, Scotland's agency for start-up social entrepreneurs. Anna speaks with Firstport's Carmen Paputa-Dutu about the shortlisted projects, and funding for similar projects in years to come. This episode is supported by Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew.Read about the shortlisted projects here: https://www.firstport.org.uk/news/social-innovation-challenge-introducing-the-shortlist-and-panel/Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

A wander around the 2022 Tillage Live event held at Dunbar in East Lothian, and organised by the Agricultural Engineers Association. Monty and producer Dave talk to exhibitors and punters, and narrowly avoid getting run over by some big shiny kit. Episode kindly supported by Cefetra. Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Advice and support for anyone looking to maximise the impact of social media to support your rural business. Anna is joined by social media expert Pam Newby, to make sense of the sometimes intimidating world of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more. Pam is a farmer's daughter, and passionate about helping rural businesses. Pam has created some fantastic content for the OnFARM Academy which provides bite-sized online training courses: find out more at: www.training.onfarmacademy.comMentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media

Rodney Blackhall and Emma Cheape describe how they both - independently of each other - organised moving rural tributes to Her Majesty the Queen as she was carried by cortège from Balmoral to Edinburgh. Rodney brought together over 40 tractors to stand guard as the convoy passed through Aberdeenshire. Down the road in Perthshire, Emma was standing by with over 30 riders on horseback. Helicopter images of both gatherings have since travelled around the world. Our thanks to Scottish legal firm Gillespie Macandrew for supporting this episode of OnFARM.Mentioned in this episode:Podcast producers Bespoken MediaAll episodes of OnFARM are produced and edited by Scottish podcast production specialists Bespoken Media. Find Bespoken at www.bespoken.media