Field Talk: A Monitor Farm Scotland Podcast
Welcome to Field Talk, the Monitor Farm Scotland Podcast. Each episode will follow one of the nine farms chosen to take part in the four-year programme. The Monitor Farm Scotland programme is farmer led and farmer driven, with support from specialists and experts to assess farm performance, explore opportunities, and develop solutions to the challenges farmers face. Our host, Wallace Currie, will speak with farmers about what they've been implementing on their farms, sharing both their successes and the challenges they've faced. We’ll also bring in industry experts to dive deep into key topics and offer valuable insights.
Episodes
23 episodes
Series 3 Episode 2: Coaching for Clarity – Making a Positive Difference
Ever wondered how coaching can unlock clarity, confidence, and meaningful change in farming families and rural businesses? In this episode, Heather Wildman shares her approach to coaching—what it is, what it isn’t, and how it helps people move ...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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41:28
Series 3 Episode 1: Discuss the Undiscussabull Comes to Scotland
Season 3 is now here!!These are the conversations farming families often avoid, but they are the ones that matter most. In this special episode, we dive into the heart of farm family dynamics with Canadian experts Elaine Froese and...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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41:09
Series 2 Episode 10: Ground Level - What Environmental Baselining Data Means for Your Farm
What is the impact of your farm’s carbon footprint—and how can knowing it help your business? In this episode of Field Talk, we break down the QMS and AHDB Environmental Baselining Project in plain terms. You’ll hear about how measuring things ...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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43:36
Series 2 Episode 9: Ruminating on technology – Is smaXtec changing beef herd health?
In this episode of Field Talk we dive into the smaXtec bolus project, a cutting-edge innovation trialled and implemented through the Monitor Farm Programme. Hear from Helen Hollingsworth and Ewan Jamieson as they discuss how this...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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50:45
Series 2 Episode 8: Fine tuning feed and breathing easier – The Strathspey Monitor Farm Approach
In this episode of Field Talk we discover how the Strathspey Monitor Farm has transformed cattle nutrition by fine tuning rations to boost performance in suckler cows and growing stock. Karen Stewart, SAC Consulting and Jane Harley (Strathspey ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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49:52
Series 2 Episode 7: The Hidden Numbers Behind Herd Success (Identifying Profitability Markers in Cattle)
In this episode, we sit down with Lorna Shaw, Ruminant Nutritionist at SAC Consulting, to explore how farmers can identify and act upon key profitability markers within their herds. Lorna breaks down the essential starting points for assessing ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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57:49
Series 2 Episode 6: Grazing Smarter – Lessons from the Monitor Farms
In this episode, we dig into the fundamentals of grazing management and explore why it's become a key focus for the Monitor Farm network. With expert guidance from John Ritchie, Montalt Farm, Perthshire and Farmers Weekly Awards 2023: Grassland...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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57:17
Series 2 Episode 5: Exploring Forage Crop Management
In this episode of the Monitor Farm Scotland podcast, Wallace, Kirsten Williams (Sheep and Beef Consultant, SAC Consulting) and Alex Stephen (dairy and sheep farmer, Edzell) discuss the intricacies surrounding the implementation and manag...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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47:35
Series 2 Episode 4: Future Proofing Through Maximising Sustainable Output
In this episode of the Monitor Farm Scotland podcast, Wallace hears from Chris Clark (Nethergill Associates) and Angus Walton (Peelham Farm) all about Maximising Sustainable Output and how to find the 'sweet spot' when dealing with economic and...
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52:39
Series 2 Episode 3: Selecting for the Future – Using genetics and genomics for replacement suitability and lifetime profitability
In this episode of Field Talk, the Monitor Farm Scotland podcast, Wallace, Lauren Porteus (Zoetis), and Chris Barclay (Stabiliser Cattle Company) discuss the integration of genetics and genomics in livestock farming, particularly focusing on he...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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48:41
Series 2 Episode 2: Negotiating Cattle EID and Optimising Tag Retention
This week on Field Talk, our host Wallace is joined by Matthew Blyth. Matthew is an experienced innovator within the sheep and beef industry and is the founder of Blyth Livestock Advisory Services – BLAS.With his keen attenti...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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57:11
Series 2 Episode 1: Virtual Fencing – Opportunity to return suckler cows to the hills
Virtual Fencing is still a novel technology for many Scottish Farmers but there is increasing interest. Four of the Monitor Farmers are trialling this technology to look at cost benefit analysis; potential labour savings and opportunities to ge...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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50:30
Series 1 Episode 11 - Farming on an Island
Islay has been a strong farming island, known particularly for cattle, for many years. However, it's not without its challenges – namely 47,000 geese and cost and logistics of haulage onto and off the island. Craig Archibald of Craigens Farm di...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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39:27
Series 1 Episode 10 - Optimising Inputs for Marginal Gains
The Andrews of Rowanston Farm are a busy multi-enterprise business with cattle, sheep and cropping. David Andrew joins the podcast to discuss how the Monitor Farm Programme has helped them put some data behind the decision making with the ultim...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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40:08
Series 1 Episode 9 - The role of cover crops when assessing technical and financial arable performance
The McNicol Family have diversified their business portfolio into Agritourism over the years. Through the Monitor Farm programme they have refocussed on the technical and financial performance of the core arable enterprise. Cover crops have bee...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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53:24
Series 1 Episode 8: Evolving a Multigenerational Business
The Stirling Monitor Farm is a real family affair with 3 generations involved in the business. The family have been looking closely at business figures to optimise marketing of stock and making management changes to boost performance and allow ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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52:15
Series 1 Episode 7: Suckler Cow production in a National Park
Auchernack is an 800ac farm in Strathspey. The family have farmed here since 1936. Today, it is run by Malcolm Smith. He farms alongside his sons Calum, who is employed full-time, and Hamish, who works part-time. Sammie, Malcolm’s wife is...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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44:55
Series 1 Episode 6: Field Talk Special - Get Ready for Lambing!
At the Dumfries Monitor Farm we have been investigating into lamb survival and we are bringing you the headlines! This episode, Wallace chats to Katie Denholm, University of Glasgow and Ali Haggerty, Stewartry Vets about best practice in the le...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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52:38
Series 1 Episode 5: Planning for Success
Richard McCornick farms at Barnbackle Farm, Lochfoot and is the Dumfries Monitor Farm. During the Monitor Farm programme, the family have transitioned through succession and now looking to fine tune the system to optimise grass growth and have ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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48:25
Series 1 Episode 4: Finding the Sweet Spot
Robert Wilson is a tenant farmer at Cowbog Farm in the Borders. Farming in partnership with his father Ron, the Wilson's have been looking at balancing productivity with profitability to find that 'sweet spot' in their business. Listen to hear ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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42:25
Series 1 Episode 3: Lamb Health and Productivity
The Irvine Family are steeped in history at Sauchentree with nine generations farming there for 250 years.Bruce Irvine discusses how during the Monitor Farm Programme he has focussed on the productivity of the sheep flock and boosted per...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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41:08
Series 1 Episode 2: Making Data Driven Decision Making
Meet Duncan Morrison, the Deeside Monitor Farm, who farms at Meikle Maldron near Torphins. Alongside wife Claire, the young couple are described as fourth generation farmers with a first generation business. They have built up a spring calving ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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41:57
Series 1 Episode 1: Introducing 'Field Talk': The New Farmer Led, Farmer Driven Podcast 🎙️🔥
Series 1 Episode 1: Introducing 'Field Talk': The New Farmer Led, Farmer Driven Podcast 🎙️🔥 At AgriScot 2024, Monitor Farm Scotland supported by QMS, proudly launches Field Talk, a brand-new podcast series dedicated ...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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35:43