OnFARM Scottish farming podcast

Have you got a Highland Show-shaped gap in your life? This summer, OnFARM are teaming up with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) to bring you a celebration of rural Scotland, and all that we'll miss now that the show is sadly cancelled. In weeks to come, we'll hear from regular visitors, businesses, competitors, and many others. But in this first episode in the series, chairman Bill Gray and chief executive Alan Laidlaw re-live the difficult decision to cancel this year's Highland Show.=================================We want your stories for future episodes. Do you have a special memory of the Highland Show, or a particular friend you'll miss seeing this year because you only meet once a year at Ingliston? We are also looking for inspiring stories of rural communities and businesses who have adapted to life under Coronavirus lockdown. Please tweet @On_FARMUK. We'd love to hear from you.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

How do you help your rural business to survive – and even thrive – in these phenomenally difficult times? Julia Latto runs Scotland's Rural Leadership Programme, and spoke to #OnFARMHelps about how to adapt, innovate, and plan for a recovery. This episode is packed with great advice for helping Scottish rural businesses to adapt and innovate in the light of Covid-19. The Rural Leadership Programme is delivered by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. There is also support available at https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/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

Much livestock feed is made with imported soya and palm oil. These ingredients, usually sourced from South America and countries like Indonesia, are blamed for rainforest deforestation and the destruction of orangutan habitat. Aberdeenshire feed producer Norvite have developed an exciting alternative livestock feed product called NEOLac. It is proven to be just as protein-rich as other brands, but is primarily made from locally-sourced and sustainable rapeseed oil. For this repeated edition of OnFARM, Anna visits Norvite manufacturing plant to meet company MD Ed Smith. Together, they also visit Bruce Mackie at Middleton of Rora, a dairy farm where successful trials of NEOLac have taken place.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

With Coronavirus still impacting our lives and businesses, we need a massive injection of positivity. So we've re-published our episode with amazing Doddie Weir. Doddie is a Scotland and Lions rugby legend, a brave campaigner raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease, and a Borders farmer. In this edition, first published earlier this year, the big man welcomes OnFARM's Ross 'Monty' Montague to his home for a coffee and chat. The pair recall Doddie's early days in eventing and his time at the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) college (later renamed Scotland’s Rural College, or SRUC). Doddie also hails the "unbelievable" support of Scotland's farming community for his MyName5Doddie fundraising campaign, and has brilliant tips about staying positive in difficult times. If you can, please lend Doddie your support 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

Coronavirus lockdown and relentless bad news is taking its toll on all of our mental health. For this edition of #OnFARMHelps, Anna speaks to Jim Hume, Scottish Borders farmer, former MSP, and convenor of Scotland's National Rural Mental Health Forum (https://ruralwellbeing.org). Whether you are an individual in need of help, or you want resources to offer wellbeing support to your team or community, Jim is happy to hear from you. Email [email protected] or tweet @Rural_Wellbeing. All episodes of OnFARM are available at www.podfollow.com/onfarmMentioned 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

“One toot and your order is oot”! Multi-award winning cheese-makers Connage Highland Dairy’s response to Coronavirus has been to ask customers to honk their horns to get their order brought out to their car. They’ve also put more of their products online, and are doing local doorstep deliveries. It's just one example of Scottish food and drink businesses innovating in response to difficulties posed by Covid-19. For this episode of OnFARM, Anna is with Connage's Jill Clark.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

Coronavirus HR and management support for rural businesses. Since the start of Covid-19, there have been numerous and significant changes to how we operate businesses and manage staff. Gail Ellis from HR consultancy Greenburn talks to Anna about staffing questions, from furlough planning and managing holiday leave, to performance management during home-working, and much more. OnFARM Helps is here to support rural and food-based businesses to survive and even thrive during lockdown and beyond. Please contact us on Twitter @On_FarmUK if you have suggestions for future episodes. All our podcasts are available at www.podfollow.com/onfarmMentioned 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

With the UK in continuing Covid-19 lockdown, The Batch Lady's methods are invaluable for making the most of your freezer and kitchen storage. Her social media videos and best-selling book show you how you can feed your household delicious and healthy meals, with just one hour-long cooking session each week. In this episode, Suzanne Mulholland also gets Anna to try some batching for herself. This is the second of two OnFARM editions recorded at Suzanne's Scottish Borders farmhouse. All episodes can be heard at www.podfollow.com/onfarmMentioned 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

Covid-19 support and information for your farm or rural business. This new mini-series is OnFARM's response to Coronavirus, and the uncertainty and upheaval it brings to all our lives and businesses. #OnFARMHelps offers tips and advice to help your rural enterprise cope and even thrive in these unprecedented times. In episode 1, OnFARM hosts Anna and Monty share some of their own PR, marketing, and resilience tips. Find all our podcasts at www.podfollow.com/onfarmMentioned 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 Batch Lady, aka Suzanne Mulholland, is a global social media sensation, publishing regular videos sharing her method of modern batch cooking. Her recently published first book shows you how to "Shop Once, Cook Once, Eat Well All Week". She creates all her content in her Scottish Borders farmhouse. This episode was recorded at her home during lambing season for many Scottish farmers, and as Coronavirus was starting to become a serious UK issue. So it's a timely look at how to make the most of the food in your freezer. (Part 1 of 2)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

He's the upland Perthshire farmer who once described himself as VEGAN (V-ery E-nthusiastically G-rowing A-nimals N-aturally). Martin Kennedy is also NFU Scotland's vice-president, and has built a name for himself through widely-shared Facebook posts that debunk farming myths and take a common-sense approach to promoting the industry. In this episode, Anna visits Martin on his farm to talk about the future of farming, positive ways forward on climate change, and a shared love of social media.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 Jim, AKA Jim Smith the Stand-up Farmer, welcomes Anna back to his home in the Perthshire hills. This time, the pair take Jim's truck up to the sheep fields at the very top of his ground. There's chat about Jim's ambitions in both farming and comedy. (Hands up who wants to see Jim on 'Live At The Apollo'?!) There's also some decent footballing promise shown by Floss the dog, advice from Anna on Jim's impending parenthood, and a general blether about life and farming. This is part 2 of Jim's chat with Anna, so go back to find the first half in your podcast feed if you haven't heard it already. If you are enjoying On Farm, please rate, review and subscribe to us - and please share this episode with anyone you think might like it. Thank you - and thanks as ever for listening!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

Perthshire's Jim Smith is well-known to comedy audiences as Farmer Jim the Stand-up Farmer. His Back to the Teuchter tour sold out to audiences across Scotland. His Farm Diaries have earned him worldwide social media fame - and no shortage of female admirers! He's also a regular on BBC Scotland's Breaking The News. But he says farming will always be his number one passion. He talks to Anna about his comedy roots, trying to relieve the boredom of roguing tatties, then writing pantomime scripts for his beloved Bankfoot YFC. We only meant to record one episode with Jim, but he was such good craic, we split their chat into two parts. So this is part 1 of 2. Enjoy!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 can farmers do to reduce climate-changing emissions? What is the science around farming's impact on global warming? And how can Scottish agriculture better share its message that it is part of the solution on emissions, rather than the problem? For this OnFARM edition, Anna speaks indepth with Ruth Taylor, NFU Scotland's first ever Climate Change Policy Manager, as well as the two co-chairs of the 'Farming for 1.5 Degrees' group, Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) chief exec Mike Robinson, and former NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller. It was recorded at NFU Scotland's annual conference in February 2020.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

It's a rare visit to the big city this week for onFARM, with Anna in Glasgow for the NFU Scotland annual conference. There's an indepth interview with president Andrew McCornick. It was also an ideal chance to find out the different issues concerning farmers across Scotland and beyond. Topics include seasonal workers, climate change, veganism, problem geese in Shetland, and much more!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

One Scottish farmer didn't speak to anyone for 6 weeks, until RSABI arranged for him to get regular phone calls to alleviate his loneliness. Another was struggling with debt - but RSABI discovered he was owed £18,000 in unclaimed entitlements. These are just two examples of people in Scotland's agricultural sector who've been helped by the RSABI - Scotland's farming charity, providing emotional, practical and financial support to individuals and families. In this episode of onFARM, Anna hears how to recognise signs if someone is struggling, the help that's on offer, and how you can support, either financially or by giving your time as a volunteer. Taking part are RSABI welfare manager Mags Grainger, chief executive Nina Clancy and chairman Ewan Pate, as well as farming husband and wife Colin and Lynne Lowrie (thanks to Lynne for the tea and cake!)To reach RSABI: www.rsabi.org.uk or on the helpline: 0300 111 4166Mentioned 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

Doddie Weir - Scotland and Lions rugby legend, MND campaigner, and Borders farmer - welcomes onFARM's Ross 'Monty' Montague to his home for a coffee and blether. The two men, who have long been friends and farming neighbours, recall Doddie's early days in eventing and his time at the SAC college (later renamed the SRUC). Doddie also hails the "unbelievable" support of Scotland's farming community for his MyName5Doddie fundraising campaign. We thought it was fitting to publish Doddie as episode 5 in the onFARM series. We hope you enjoy it - and find out how to lend your support 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

AgriScot, held annually at Edinburgh's Royal Highland Centre, is one of the biggest events in Scottish farming's calendar - with visitors coming from all over Scotland and the world. This episode of onFARM was recorded at AgriScot back in November. Anna Davies spent the day exploring the show site, and finding out thousands of people love to attend the event. She also hears from AgriScot organiser Martin Dare.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 is munching delicious broccoli crisps this week! She's in Cupar in Fife, at the headquarters of Growers Garden. They make crisps from vegetables that would otherwise not have made the grade for supermarket shelves. Growers Garden are part of a farmer-owner co-operative called East of Scotland Growers. It is a brilliant example of individual farmers working together to benefit each other as a group - under the larger Scottish umbrella group for co-operatives, the SAOS.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

Aberdeenshire animal-feed producer Norvite have an innovative new product called NEOLac - a protein-rich livestock feed made primarily from locally-sourced and cold-pressed oilseed rape. It's an exciting development for anyone who recognises that importing soybean and palm oil is unsustainable and even potentially unethical. For this edition of OnFARM, Norvite's Ed Smith talks Anna through the process of manufacturing NEOLac at his processing plant. Ed and Anna also visit Bruce Mackie at Middleton of Rora, a dairy farm where successful trials of NEOLac have taken place.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

70,000 children in Scotland benefit each year from the work of RHET - the Royal Highland Education Trust. RHET take children onto farms, and bring farmers into schools, to help young people aged 3 to 18 to understand more about where our food comes from. For this first ever edition of OnFARM, Anna Davies joins John Sinclair, owner of Craigies Farm Shop and Cafe, as he leads children on a RHET tour. Also taking part in this episode are primary school teacher Emmie Petrie, and RHET learning and development coordinator Sara Smith.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 is coming very soon. A brand new podcast showcasing the very best of Scottish rural life. Full episodes every Monday from 6th Jan. You'll be able to find us by searching for 'OnFARM' wherever you get your podcasts. For now, you'll just have to content yourself with this short taster of what we've been working on.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