Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisors Tiffany Stephenson and Mark Bowsher-Gibbs will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field. The CropCast series alternates monthly between regular technical updates with host Tiffany Stephenson and CropCast Conversations with host Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. Producers George Gauley and Heather Stuart, Editor Cameron Waugh, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with the Scottish Government. Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is funded by the Scottish Government. Our podcast covers a range of topics which help support your farm or croft to be more profitable and sustainable.
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57 recent
September 15, 202632 min
Sowing, Growing & Milling at Mungoswells
On today’s episode Mark is joined by Angus McDowall from Mongoswells Farm. Mungoswells flour begins in the fields of the family farm in East Lothian, a region known as the ‘Breadbasket of Scotland’. What started as a passion project has since evolved into a unique field-to-flour operation. They sow, grow, harvest, mill, and package on-site, offering both organic and non-organic flour, with the aim of keeping the entire process as local as possible. The farm has been in the family for 100 years and began selling flour in 2015. Timestamps 01.27 Introducing Angus McDowall 05.00 Diversifying into malting and milling 11.38 The farm rotation 15.16 Wheat protein content 17.17 Wheat varieties 21.29 Grain qualities that make a good flour 23.00 A family operation 26.18 Seasonality of sales 27.10 Rye and spelt 28.08 Award winning flour 29.48 Angus’s take home message Resources Organic Information | Helping farmers in Scotland Organics In Scotland Series | Helping farmers in Scotland Winter Wheat Choices 2025/26 | Helping farmers in Scotland Website: www.mungoswells.co.uk Contact Mungoswells: orders@mungoswells.co.uk Get in touch with our host: Mark.Bowsher-Gibbs@sac.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot
August 18, 202634 min
Using Insects to make Fertiliser
In this episode Tiffany is joined by Arthy Surendran a Lecturer from Queens University Belfast to discuss her post-doctoral research, which looks at feeding food waste to insects with the aim of producing high value protein and fertiliser (Frass) as a by-product. Tiffany is also joined by Lachlan Jones, an Agricultural consultant from SAC Consulting, who is using Frass in SRUC crop field trials. Listen to this episode to learn about using insects to produce protein and the potential benefits of using the by-product (Frass) as a potential fertiliser and biostimulant. This episode was presented by Tiffany Stephenson, produced by George Gauley, edited by Cameron Waugh, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood & Kerry Hammond. Timestamps 00:49 Introduction to Arthy 01:06 Introduction to Lachlan 01:32 Introduction to FRASS 03:00 What is FRASS? 04:57 What is chitin? 07:50 How can chitin prime a plant against disease? 09:37 Micronutrient value of FRASS? 14:54 What is the organic matter value of FRASS? 15:41 How much protein is produced alongside the FRASS? 19:14 What is the pH of FRASS? 22:00 Potential negatives of using FRASS? 24:00 SRUC Field trials using FRASS 30:00 Where does it fit into Agriculture? Resources Positive early results in Sustainable control of clubroot https://www.fas.scot/article/positive-early-results-in-sustainable-control-of-clubroot-using-chitinous-food-waste/ Arthy Surendran on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthy-surendran-123408153/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot
July 21, 202646 min
Field to Fork with Kettle Produce
Field to Fork with Kettle Produce: in this episode Mark is joined by Finlay Ross (Crop Manager) and Andrew Orr (Head of Agriculture) from Kettle Produce Ltd. Kettle Produce are a market leader for the provision of fresh and prepared vegetables, with over 5,000 hectares of crops grown in Scotland and around the world. Listen to this episode to hear about the background to Kettle Produce, regions farmed, crops grown, rotational demands, agronomic and climatic challenges, technical innovations in the field, labour and market trends. This episode was presented by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Cameron Waugh, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood & Kerry Hammond. Timestamps 02.08 Introducing Andrew Orr (Head of Agriculture at Kettle Produce) 04.18 Introducing Finlay Ross (Crop Manager at Kettle Produce) 06.51 Scale, set up of the business and crops grown 10.06 Crop rotation and working with a pool of growers 12.42 Cover crops 14.18 Farming calendar for broccoli and cauliflower 18.08 Vegetable agronomy 27.18 Adapting to extreme weather conditions 33.46 Crop trials 34.46 Labour requirements and graduate scheme 39.20 Market trends and demand for vegetables 42.28 Andrews take home message 43.50 Finlays take home message Resources Kettle Produce Ltd Contact: mail@kettle.co.uk Mark.Bowsher-Gibbs@sac.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot
June 16, 202637 min
Crop Trials & Innovation
In this episode Tiffany Stevenson is joined by Simon Oxley to discuss Arable innovation along with Dr Neil Havis to discuss what growers can expect to see at the upcoming SRUC Crop trial events, which take place on the 23rd & 25th June 2026. With increasing pressure on margins, rising input costs and more challenging growing conditions, arable innovation and making the right variety and crop protection decisions has never been more important. The upcoming crop trial events provide a valuable opportunity to see current and upcoming Winter Wheat and Spring Barley varieties performing under local conditions and hear directly from researchers, industry specialists and fellow farmers about what is looking promising for the seasons ahead. Timestamps 0:10 Introduction to Neil & Simon 2:32 What does Innovation mean? 6:27 Where is the most potential for innovation? 10:48 How are crops looking this season? 15:14 Changes to crop varieties? 17:28 What to expect at the upcoming crop trial events? 26:14 Impact of climate change on arable production? 27:50 How can growers make the best decisions? For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot
May 18, 202642 min
Scottish Quality Crops - Under The Bonnet of SQC
Welcome to Cropcast Conversations. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Teresa Dougall (Managing Director SQC) & John Hutcheson (Chair, SQC). Scottish Quality Crops is the quality assurance body that sets the standards for food safety and good practice for crops grown in Scotland. This gives confidence to buyers across the world and creates market opportunities for Scotland’s growers. SQC has 3,100 voluntary members, covering more than 90% of Scotland’s crops. The board is a cooperative of eight organisations from across the supply chain. Audits are carried out by an independent certification body, Food Integrity Assurance, who conduct assessments and certification. SQC standards are formed by and for growers and grain buyers. Listen to this episode to hear how SQC works with the supply chain to place Scotland’s combinable crops at the premium end of the UK and European markets. Time Stamps 01.16 Introducing Teresa Dougall and John Hutcheson (SQC) 05.32 SQC as a cooperative organisation 08.18 SQC history and where it all began 14.41 Annual review structure & what the market wants in terms of assured products 25.19 Interaction with Scottish Government 29.36 Recognising our unique and diverse landscape in Scotland 31.14 Representing a high standard product 34.05 Importing / exporting grain 40.11 Closing thoughts from Teresa and John Resources https://www.sqcrops.co.uk/ Contact: info@foodassurance.co.uk Mark.Bowsher-Gibbs@sac.co.uk For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot
April 21, 202643 min
PCN & Water Scarcity
In this episode George Chalmers is joined by SAC Consultants Kerry Leslie & Gavin Prentice, to discuss results from PCN Action Scotland along with the new CREW water scarcity guidance. 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. Timestamps 01:42 Introduction to Kerry Leslie 02:27 Who does PCN impact? 03:32 What is PCN? 06:08 What is the PCN yield penalty? 09:43 How do we know if there is PCN in a field? 12:27 Variety choice 16:42 The impact of other crops on PCN 18:40 The impact of ground keepers 20:50 PCN Action Scotland 24:50 Next steps for PCN action Scotland 28:50 Introduction to Gavin Prentice 31:19 Water scarcity project 33:20 Key project outcomes 34:40 Identifying water scarcity risks 37:50 Easy wins for farmers Related FAS Resources Technical Note (TN30): Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) Planning for Water Scarcity - New Practical Guide for Farmers and Growers in Scotland | Helping farmers in Scotland Other Related Resources PCN Action Scotland CREW Planning for Water Scarcity: https://www.crew.ac.uk/news/arable-futures-new-guidance-supports-scottish-farmers-plan-water-scarcity Planning for Water Scarcity: Practical guidance for Scottish farmers and growers | CREW | Scotland's Centre of Expertise for Waters
February 17, 202639 min
Conversations - Hemp - The Crop in Waiting?
Welcome to CropCast Conversations. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Iain Riddell. Iain was a consultant and project manager with SAC Consulting for 45 years, before becoming self-employed and operating under Graystones Consulting. Iain’s work focuses on agricultural supply chains and his main interest is industrial hemp, which will be the focus of this episode. The global market for hemp is expected to quadruple by 2030 and as markets here evolve, there is great potential for Scotland’s farmers to reap the benefits. Hemp was actually grown in Scotland in the Middle Ages for rope and textile production, before it became more economic to import, to make ropes and sails for ships. It has recently attracted interest as a new arable crop as more uses for hemp become viable, including fibre/shiv for insulation and boarding in house construction and seeds used for cold pressed oil and food health products, plus many other uses. Hemp has also been shown to improve soil structure and quality, store CO2 and improve biodiversity and could play an important role in reducing Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. There is potential for this highly versatile crop to be a profitable break crop for farmers as demand increases for biobased materials to replace products derived from fossil fuels. Industrial hemp is used across sectors such as agriculture, automotives, bio-energy, construction, food and beverages, furniture, paper, personal care, recycling and textiles. Several years field crop experience in Angus and the Borders, and hemp crop trials in Scotland in 2024 has confirmed that the crop grows well in our climate. Episode Timestamps 01.23 Introducing Iain Riddell 02.50 Potential uses for hemp as an industrial crop 03.46 What do we mean by ‘industrial hemp’ 05.45 Historical context 10.45 Growing hemp for fibre 12.17 Hemp – what’s currently going on in the UK 17.09 What we learned from growing hemp in the rotation 22.48 Retting process 28.32 Emerging hemp markets and potential uses 33.42 Hemp seed industry 35.26 Phytoremediation and the advantage of deep tap roots 37.23 Biodiversity benefits Resources The Potential of the Hemp Crop in Scotland | Helping farmers in Scotland Advancing a sustainable Scottish supply chain for industrial hemp and co-products British Hemp Alliance IndiNature – Natural fibre construction insulation https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/industrial-hemp-licensing-guidance/industrial-hemp-licensing-factsheet The Rowett Institute | The University of Aberdeen Contact: Mark.Bowsher-Gibbs@sac.co.uk Graystonesconsulting308@gmail.com (Iain Riddell) For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot
January 21, 202657 min
Knowing Your Numbers
In this episode George Chalmers is joined by SAC Consultant David Ross, to discuss crop margins from 2025 and predictions for 2026. 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 Stamps 1:12 Introduction to David Ross 5:00 Impact of weather on 2025 yields 11:12 AHDB Farmbench 13:44 2025 Winter Wheat 19:20 2025 Oilseed Rape 24:50 2025 Spring Barley 28:32 2025 Winter Barley 30:58 Variations between farm 32:55 Projections for Winter Wheat 38:27 Projections for Oilseed Rape 2026 42:04 Projections for Barley 2026 45:35 Alternative crops for 2026 53:30 Key messages Related FAS Resources Crops and soils | Helping farmers in Scotland Other Related Resources Farmbench - a farm business comparison tool | AHDB Agricultural Reform Route Map
December 16, 202549 min
Conversations - United Oilseeds
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 Related FAS 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
December 16, 202545 min
Agronomy Past, Present & Future
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/
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