OnFARM Scottish farming podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

We're republishing this episode for folk that might have missed it over the summer.

It's part 2 of Anna and producer Dave's challenge to record 50 stories from the 2024 Royal Highland Show. This is part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories initiative, and the second of two episodes (because we couldn't make all 50 stories fit into just one!)

Huge thanks to Bespoken Media's Katie Revell, who took on the mammoth task of editing these stories together!

240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tales from living and working in agricultural communities. We are working with RHASS through our OnRECORD Memories initiative which focuses on recording stories and memories from rural Scotland.

All past episodes recorded at the Highland Show, or with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, are in this playlist:

Get in touch if you’d like us to record with one of your family members, a long-serving staff member, or anyone else with a great story to tell or a voice to treasure.

Those wishing to share other rural stories with RHASS are encouraged to get in touch at stories@rhass.org.uk

Those looking to record stories and memories from family members privately, outside of this project, can find out more at www.onrecordmemories.co.uk

With the kids back at school, we (and you?) are back into a podcast listening routine. So we thought we'd re-share these packed and fun-filled episodes recorded at the 2024 Royal Highland Show

Anna and producer Dave set themselves a challenge: to record 50 stories from the Show, as part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories project. This is the first of two episodes (because we couldn't make all 50 stories fit into just one!)

Huge thanks to Bespoken Media's Katie Revell, who took on the mammoth task of editing these stories together!

To support the amazing My Name5 Doddie Foundation cyclists featured in this episode, please visit their JustGiving page.

240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tales from living and working in agricultural communities. We are working with RHASS through our OnRECORD Memories initiative which focuses on recording stories and memories from rural Scotland.

Get in touch if you’d like us to record with one of your family members, a long-serving staff member, or anyone else with a great story to tell or a voice to treasure.

Those wishing to share other rural stories with RHASS are encouraged to get in touch at stories@rhass.org.uk

Those looking to record stories and memories from family members privately, outside of this project, can find out more at www.onrecordmemories.co.uk

AMR - anti-microbial resistance - is the name for the growing number of infections that are becoming difficult or impossible to treat with antibiotics. It affects livestock, wildlife, and humans alike.

It's a global concern - considered by the World Health Organization and others to be among the world's top public health threats.

In this episode, Anna speaks with:

Dr Nuno Silva - who leads the AMR research group at the Moredun Research Institute

Dr Eleanor Watson - also at the Moredun, studying transmission of AMR within wildlife populations

Professor Karen Scott - a microbiologist at the University of Aberdeen's Rowett Institute, studying carriage of AMR in gut microbiota.

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This is the third in a 4-part OnFARM mini-series in partnership with SEFARI (Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutions), a partnership of six globally renowned institutions providing research and expertise to Scotland's agriculture, environment and food communities.

A focus on one of the benefits available to NFU Scotland members who are entitled to 20 minutes of free legal advice (helpline number 0131 271 8585). OnFARM producer Dave Howard visited law firm Gillespie Macandrew, whose Land and Rural Business team manages this service. Episode created in partnership with Gillespie Macandrew.

Mentioned in this episode:

Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns

SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofters, breeders and farmers who breed native, rare, or heritage breed sheep, to supply skins for their tannery. This will mean they can hand-craft fully traceable sheep skins, and support producers by putting value back in to the sheep farming process. Find out more about joining the SkyeSkyns supplier network:

Skye Skins

Go Rural Scotland are seeking to get more people engaged in visits and experiences on Scottish farms, which inevitably means more people being out and about in rural areas. The arrival of warmer spring weather makes this a good time for a chat about enjoying rural areas responsibly. Monty visits Go Rural's Caroline Millar, and her neighbour Euan Baird.

Mentioned in this episode:

Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns

SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofters, breeders and farmers who breed native, rare, or heritage breed sheep, to supply skins for their tannery. This will mean they can hand-craft fully traceable sheep skins, and support producers by putting value back in to the sheep farming process. Find out more about joining the SkyeSkyns supplier network:

Skye Skins

Virgina Osborne runs a sustainable organic mixed farm near Kirriemuir in Angus, with her parents and siblings. They breed organic pure-bred Aberdeen Angus and Limousin cross cattle and have a small organic sheep herd. Virginia also tells Anna about her love of Highland Ponies and how they are a critical tool in managing the farm. Episode supported by SOPA, the Scottish Organic Producers Association.

Mentioned in this episode:

Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns

SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofters, breeders and farmers who breed native, rare, or heritage breed sheep, to supply skins for their tannery. This will mean they can hand-craft fully traceable sheep skins, and support producers by putting value back in to the sheep farming process. Find out more about joining the SkyeSkyns supplier network:

Skye Skins

Andrew Arbuckle is a well kent name in Scottish farming. The former Scotsman and Dundee Courier farming editor, ex MSP, author and farmer has raised over £100,000 for the RSABI with proceeds from his books. However, we bet you didn't know about his time as a champion pole vaulter...

Mentioned in this episode:

Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns

SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofters, breeders and farmers who breed native, rare, or heritage breed sheep, to supply skins for their tannery. This will mean they can hand-craft fully traceable sheep skins, and support producers by putting value back in to the sheep farming process. Find out more about joining the SkyeSkyns supplier network:

Skye Skins

A whistle-stop tour of farm visitor experiences within easy reach of Dundee, with Go Rural Scotland. Go Rural's 'Days Out on Your Doorstep' campaign encourages people in Scotland’s towns and cities to get out into nearby countryside for farm experiences, short breaks, and food and drink days out. For this episode, Monty visits Anna Lamotte at Guardswell Farm, Louise Nicoll of Newton Farm, Stephen Melville of Cuplahills Farm, and Caroline Bruce-Jarron of Ogilvy Distillery.

Mentioned in this episode:

Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns

SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofters, breeders and farmers who breed native, rare, or heritage breed sheep, to supply skins for their tannery. This will mean they can hand-craft fully traceable sheep skins, and support producers by putting value back in to the sheep farming process. Find out more about joining the SkyeSkyns supplier network:

Skye Skins

What are the challenges and opportunities facing Scottish agriculture, in today's uncertain business environment? To help fill the void left by the absence of an in-person AgriScot in 2022, Monty chairs a wide-ranging chat with former Aldi executive Marion MacCormick, SAOS vice-chair Rory Christie, The Sheep Game YouTuber Cammy Wilson, and Berwickshire arable farmer Neil White. This is the second of 2 episodes featuring our four brilliant panelists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns

SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofters, breeders and farmers who breed native, rare, or heritage breed sheep, to supply skins for their tannery. This will mean they can hand-craft fully traceable sheep skins, and support producers by putting value back in to the sheep farming process. Find out more about joining the SkyeSkyns supplier network:

Skye Skins

What are the challenges and opportunities facing Scottish agriculture, in today's uncertain business environment? To help fill the void left by the absence of an in-person AgriScot in 2022, Monty chairs a wide-ranging chat with former Aldi executive Marion MacCormick, SAOS vice-chair Rory Christie, The Sheep Game YouTuber Cammy Wilson, and Berwickshire arable farmer Neil White. This is the first of 2 episodes featuring our four brilliant panelists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns

SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looking for crofters, breeders and farmers who breed native, rare, or heritage breed sheep, to supply skins for their tannery. This will mean they can hand-craft fully traceable sheep skins, and support producers by putting value back in to the sheep farming process. Find out more about joining the SkyeSkyns supplier network:

Skye Skins