Welcome to Stock Talk, bringing you all the latest news and advice for livestock producers. Each month, livestock specialists will discuss current issues, opportunities and options for producers.
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.
Welcome to Stock Talk. In this episode James is joined by Duncan Shell from Bushelhill farm in the Lammermuir hills. Duncan runs 1500 easy care breeding sheep and a herd of 200 pedigree Aberdeen Angus cows with no hired labour on his 1800 acre farm. He runs a low input organic system with zero purchased feed and makes the most from grazing management such as rotational grazing in the summer, and outwintering. Duncan talks about why he was driven to convert to organic back in the late 1980s. He is passionate about improving his livestock and having them suit his system. He talks about the challenges of being organic and how he deals with these challenges. Duncan also talks about the importance of a work : life balance and the importance of looking after your mental health.
Resources
Organics Discussion Group from the Farm Advisory Service (https://www.fas.scot/organics/)
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot (http://www.fas.scot/)
Facebook: @FASScot (https://www.facebook.com/FASScot/)
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161 (tel:03003230161) (tel:03003230161)
Email: advice@fas.scot (mailto:advice@fas.scot)
23 Sept 2026
Bluetongue: What You Need to Know
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 (https://www.gov.scot/publications/bluetongue/pages/latest-situation/)
Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals - Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot (https://www.gov.scot/publications/bluetongue/pages/bluetongue-movement-restrictions-for-animals/)
APHA map:
Bluetongue Cases and Zones (https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4867f4e1f680415898482df7aabb703d)
AHDB:
Vaccination cost calculator launched to help Battle Bluetongue | AHDB (https://ahdb.org.uk/news/vaccination-cost-calculator-launched-to-help-battle-bluetongue)
BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (sheep) | AHDB (https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/btv-3-vaccination-finance-calculator-sheep)
BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (dairy) | AHDB (https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/btv-3-vaccination-finance-calculator-dairy)
BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator (beef) | AHDB (https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/btv-3-vaccination-finance-calculator-beef)
Ruminant Health & Welfare website:
Home - Ruminant Health & Welfare (https://ruminanthw.org.uk/)
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot (http://www.fas.scot/)
Facebook: @FASScot (https://www.facebook.com/FASScot/)
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161 (tel:03003230161)
Email: advice@fas.scot (mailto:advice@fas.scot)
28 Aug 2026
The Role of Rare Breeds in our Industry
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 (https://www.rbst.org.uk/)
Link to training courses: Conservation Grazing - RBST (https://www.rbst.org.uk/conservation-grazing/)
Email: enquiries@rbst.org.uk (mailto:enquiries@rbst.org.uk)
For more information, visit www.FAS.scot (http://www.fas.scot/)
Facebook: @FASScot (https://www.facebook.com/FASScot/)
National Advice Hub
Phone: 0300 323 0161 (tel:03003230161)
Email: advice@fas.scot (mailto:advice@fas.scot)
Who has been a guest on Stock Talk
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Ben Lowe
Harriet Lowe
Craig Grant
Claire Grant
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
92,195
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
34
Social presence
0
YouTube
85
Engagement
27
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