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Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer Kythe Mackenzie. In this episode, recorded on 17th September 2026, we discuss the Bluetongue Virus. It's important to note to listeners that the spread of the Bluetongue Virus, the control zones and restrictions is a constantly changing situation, and listeners should ensure that they check the Scot Gov website for the latest up to date information. This Podcast is intended to provide information about the Bluetongue Virus itself, how it is spread, risk factors, clinical symptoms, vaccinations, and testing. Resources Scot Gov: Latest situation - Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals - Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot APHA map: Bluetongue Cases and Zones AHDB: Vaccination cost calculator launched to help Battle Bluetongue | AHDB BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (sheep) | AHDB BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (dairy) | AHDB BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (beef) | AHDB Ruminant Health & Welfare website: Home - Ruminant Health & Welfare For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by Alice Lennox from the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST). Alice tells us all about what the RBST does and gave us some insight to some of the rare breeds on the ‘at risk’ watchlist. Alice and James discuss the role of these rare breeds including conservation grazing, conservation of livestock genetics and the inclusion of native rare breeds in commercial systems, for example to produce a low input suckler cow that can be outwintered. Resources RBST website:Right breed, Right place, Right system Link to training courses: Conservation Grazing - RBST Email: [email protected] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by Dick Playfair from the Venison Advisory Service and Janet Keith from Tullynessle Deer Farm. Dick gives us a market overview of venison, tells us about how the wild deer cull influences deer farming and about the importance of provenance when selling venison direct to consumers. Then we speak to Janet, who runs Tullynessle Deer Farm with her husband Willie. Janet tells us their story of how they got into deer farming and how the business has evolved to diversify into direct selling her venison and running farm tours. Janet also tells us the about the meat itself, venison cooking options and how nutritional this meat is. Resources Tullynessle Deer Farm website: Buy Scottish Farmed Venison online or at our family farm Janet’s mobile number: 07827279241 Email address: [email protected] Venison Advisory Service website: venisonadvisory.co.uk Dick’s email address: [email protected] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by SRUC Veterinary Investigation Officer Kythe Mackenzie, and farmers Ewan Runciman and Scott Fraser. Today we're looking at one of the most important management practices carried out on sheep farms every spring - lamb marking. For many sheep producers, this includes procedures such as castration and tail docking. These are routine husbandry practices, but they're also areas where there has been increasing focus on animal welfare and reducing pain. In recent years, new technologies have emerged to help farmers carry out these procedures more effectively and with improved welfare outcomes. Our three guest speakers have first-hand experience of using some of these innovations. First, we will hear from veterinarian Kythe about why farmers castrate and tail dock lambs, the legal requirements in Scotland, and the importance of pain management. Then we'll hear from Ewan, who uses Numnuts, a system that combines ring application with local anaesthetic delivery. And finally, we'll hear from Scott, who has experience using ClipFitter, another technology designed to improve welfare during lamb marking. Related FAS Resources Lamb Castration & Tail Docking: Alternative Methods Other Resources ClipFitter - Kinder castration and tailing Numnuts – Numnuts For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by David Speller from OptiFarm. David is a poultry farmer who had lots of data and not enough time to analyse it. David will tell us about the AI tool he developed to help him make better informed decisions, which attracted the eyes of investors leading to his company OptiFarm. David explains how the tool works and the benefits of using AI in livestock systems including the use of real-time data to be proactive in terms of livestock management and welfare, and how this can improve livestock performance and profitability. Resources https://www.fas.scot/livestock/poultry/ Website address: optifarm.co.uk Optifarm email: [email protected] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk. On today’s episode we hear from James Orr who will be taking over from Kirsten Williams’s role as the host on Stock Talk. James talks about his career highlights as an agricultural consultant at SAC Consulting, his key areas of expertise and Kirsten reflects of some of her favourite projects from the past 20 years. James looks to continue Stock Talk with more interesting farming stories as well as discussing more technical aspects. Resources Livestock Resources - https://www.fas.scot/livestock/ Poultry Resources - https://www.fas.scot/livestock/poultry/ FAS Connect - https://www.fas.scot/connect/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk. On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Gordon Whiteford who farms at Lower Mill of Tynet in Banffshire. In 2012, Gordon and June Whiteford began Lower Mill of Tynet Farm. They built an egg business, then a micro-dairy in 2020, selling milk and now ice cream directly from their 24-hour farm shop. They have brought together traditional farming practices with innovative direct-to-consumer strategies and are proud to have won Sustainable Farm of the Year 2024. Timestamps 01.10 How it all started for Gordon 10.23 Organic hens and starting out with poultry 13.14 Lower Mill of Tynet 15.40 Nuffield Scholarship – Organic 22.16 Brown vs white hens 31.49 Micro dairy – milk and ice cream 48.46 What’s next for Gordon Related FAS Resources Organics in Scotland - Lower Mill of Tynet Case Study | Helping farmers in Scotland Getting Started with Organic Farming – How to Convert to Organic | Helping farmers in Scotland Managing Grassland Under Organic Systems | Helping farmers in Scotland Getting Started Growing and Grazing with Organics | Helping farmers in Scotland Other Related Resources Lower Mill Of Tynet.co.uk Direct Retailing from a Poultry, Dairy, Beef, Sheep & Arable farm – Lower Mill of Tynet - FAS Video For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Dr Basil Lowman who has been a beef specialist with SAC Consulting for 55 years. Kirsten describes Basil as a legend in the beef industry. We hear about Basil’s varied career, his passion for the industry, how he thrives on challenge and is a pioneer of new ideas.   Episode Timestamps   01.37 Let’s go back in time  09.13 Body condition scoring of cattle  16.38 The development of silage and straw-based rations  24.24 The Green Shed  29.43 Beef farming in 10 years’ time   Related FAS Resources    Cattle resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service | FAS  Body Condition Scoring - Maintaining condition (FAS)    Other Related Resources The Benefits of Cow Condition Scoring - Part 1 (QMS)  The Benefits of Cow Condition Scoring - Part 2  Greenshed Graphic - SRUC   GreenShed video - SRUC - YouTube     For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode, Kirsten is joined by Ross Robertson, a Farm Technology Specialist at the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Ross collaborates with a network of farms to create practical solutions and demonstrate use of technology on farm to increase productivity. Ross draws on his practical farming experience and knowledge gained through visiting systems in other countries to bring about innovative change at a farm level here in the UK.  Episode Timestamps   00.20 Introducing Ross Robertson, Farm Technology specialist and sheep farmer   04.34 Sector technology: dairy, arable robotics and precision farming, pig and chicken technology and animal health  09.00 Return on investment   10.36 Understanding how to handle and understand the data – the importance of training   13.32 Applying dairy technology to the beef sector   15.41 Main driver for introducing technology: labour, cost saving, health monitoring, increasing productivity   19.11 Ross’s background  24.28 Biodiversity sensors  27.42 LoRaWAN – Long Range Wide Area Network  30.15 Connectivity - a barrier to the uptake of technology?   32.01 ONE AgriTech survey – broadband, apps and expert help  43.30 What motivates Ross   Resources     The UK Agri-Tech Centre | farming & food innovation  Ross Robertson contact: 07858309293, [email protected]   Opportunity North East (ONE)  The University of Edinburgh - The Power of Data in Farm Animal Practice   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot   National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Jilly Duncan Grant, Founder & CEO of Herd Advance Ltd.  Jilly has a real love for agriculture and her varied career led to a focus on data driven decision making and developing Herd Advance with her husband to improve herd performance, profitability and wellbeing.    Episode Timestamps   00.42 Introducing Jilly Duncan Grant – a Jill of all trades!  09.18 What is Herd Advance?  23.49 The family farm – managing ‘boom and bust’ fluctuation in the marketplace  27.55 QMS board member role  31.03 What motivates Jilly to keep pushing forward  FAS Resources  Data Driven Decision Making for Finishing Cattle | Helping farmers in Scotland  Data Driven Decision Making for Suckler Herds | Helping farmers in Scotland  FFBC_Case_Study_Improving_weight_data_capture_Glenkilrie_  Other Resources     Herd Advance     For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Turkey Farmer Paul Kelly. In 1971, Paul’s parents started the family business, known today as ‘Kelly Turkeys’ and ‘Farmgate Hatcheries’. The cycle starts with eggs going into incubators in April for 28 days. When they hatch, they go into brooding sheds, then by 5 weeks of age they are ready to go to the woodland where they roam freely. At Kelly Turkeys they have complete control over the whole production cycle, making them very unique in the industry and one of a kind in the UK. The business has developed resilience to deal with issues like Brexit, labour, marketing and work by the motto ‘change is the name of the game’.    Episode Timestamps   00.31 Introducing Paul and the turkey cycle  02.41 Inseminating vs running with stags  03.24 Genetics and breeding lines  09.43 Hatchery business: 1.8 million chicks a year  12.48 Kelly turkeys: 100,000 turkeys reared through to Christmas  18.38 Split between whole turkeys, crowns and butterflies   27.36 Bringing resilience into the business  33.32 Avian influenza (bird flu)   37.44 Markets, trends and online sales  39.09 Weighing turkeys, sources of protein (acorns!) and organic   44.36 Succession   46.50 Marketing and celebrity chefs!    FAS Resources  Poultry | Helping farmers in Scotland  Other Resources     Kelly Bronze Turkeys    Farmgate Hatcheries  New GB avian influenza wildlife interactive map and data dashboard launched | SRUC  Avian influenza (bird flu): how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot   For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Principal Consultant Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by Colin Mason (Veterinary Centre Manager, SRUC). This episode focuses on livestock health and covers BVD eradication, show biosecurity, dairy beef calves, TB, Bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus.     Episode Timestamps   00.44 BVD eradication (phase 6)  10.08 Top tips for biosecurity of show animals  16.20 Health of dairy beef calves   18.23 Colostrum management   20.45 Blood tests for calves  25.05 Weight for age and average DLWG  27.29 Lung scanning  28.53 Tuberculosis (TB)   31.42 Bluetongue   35.36 Schmallenberg  40.23 Managing calf groups to reduce disease risk   FAS Resources   BVD Eradication Scheme Update (YouTube.com) Other Resources     BVD Guidance | ScotEID  GOV.scot - bovine viral diarrhoea - bvd  Dairy beef booklet - SAC Consulting  GOV.uk - bluetongue information and guidance for livestock keepers  Bluetongue Virus Hub - Ruminant Health & Welfare  Schmallenberg virus - GOV.UK    ibTB - Mapping bovine TB (bTB) in England and Wales     For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Principal Consultant Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by farmers Ben and Harriet Lowe. HB Farms in Aberdeenshire consists of Newseat of Dumbreck, an arable farm on tenancy and Pitmillan Farm which is home to 450 breeding sows and a finishing unit. In addition to grass, forestry and land for environmental schemes, they grow 397ha of crops, with the grain used as feed for the pigs whilst manure is recycled back onto the fields. Soil health, circular agriculture and long-term biodiversity are priorities for HB Farms.  Episode Timestamps   01:05 Introducing Ben and Harriet Lowe  05:38 Farm stats  06:38 Pigs, from breeding to finishing and managing a weekly system  09:15 Knowledgeable staff  10:46 Creating a circular farm  11:36 Saving on inputs due to pig FYM  14:04 Ration changes throughout the cycle  15:53 Data driven decision making  19:19 Genetics and feed conversion  21:14 Target carcase weight and spec  23:36 Processing pig meat  26:13 Managing cashflow  27:31 Protein in the pig diet 33:18 Nuffield: closing the loop in pig production: the 5-mile pig  39:30 LEAF demonstration farm  41:09 Resilience in the business  47:35 Advice for New Entrants  FAS Resources  FAS Case Studies - Gaining A Tenancy As A New Entrant   Other Resources     Instagram - HB Farms  Nuffield scholar - Ben Lowe   Leaf demonstration farms - HB Farms     For more information, visit www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: [email protected]

Welcome to Stock Talk hosted by Beef and Sheep Consultant Kirsten Williams.  On today’s episode Kirsten is joined by farmers Craig and Claire Grant who run a mixed farming enterprise across 1,300 acres arable and 400 acres grass (owned and rented) along with their team of 20 full and part time employees. The business has poultry across five sites with a total of 225,000 laying hens, in addition to 330 bulling heifers that are sold privately with high health off farm to producers throughout Scotland. Craig and Claire regularly engage with the public, sharing information about where food comes from.  Episode Timestamps   00.35 Introducing Craig and Claire Grant  04.30 Business components, systems and staff  07.44 Finding and retaining labour  11.20 Enriched colonies and free-range birds  14.50 Egg markets and Kindrought Egg Hoosie  19.03 Cooperation in farming   21.37 Audits  23.47 Cattle: marketing on farm, scoring charts, high health, certification packages  32.10 Buying young stock  35.57 Building relationships and trust  37.05 An award-winning business (Young Farmer of the Year, Mixed Farm of the Year, Overall Farm of the Year)  FAS Resources  Contract Farming Agreements Explained | Farm Advisory Service  Business planning and financial management: An introduction | Farm Advisory Service  Other Resources     C J Grant | Facebook   For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot  Facebook: @FASScot    National Advice Hub  Phone: 0300 323 0161  Email: [email protected]