Field Talk: A Monitor Farm Scotland Podcast
Episodes
Series 4 Episode 2: Farming on the Edge: Resilience and Innovation on Islay
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we head to Islay to explore what it takes to farm successfully on Scotland’s western edge. Scott McLellan shares his experience of ...
Series 4 Episode 1: Behind the Gate: Driving Change within the Banff and Buchan community
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes farming in Banff and Buchan unique? In this episode, we sit down with Becky MacAngus to explore her journey from industry leadership to cha...
Series 3 Episode 5: Discuss the Undiscussabull - The power of talking it through
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a special roundup episode of Discuss the Undiscussabull, where we reflect on the powerful conversations that took place across Scotland th...
Series 3 Episode 4: Tackling transition successfully
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does a successful farm transition really look like? How do you balance tradition with fresh ideas while keeping family relationships strong?In th...
Series 3 Episode 3: Mediation Matters - Finding common ground in farming families
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Conflict in farming families is more common than we talk about—and more solvable than we think. In this episode, we speak with experienced mediator...
Series 3 Episode 2: Coaching for Clarity – Making a Positive Difference
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how coaching can unlock clarity, confidence, and meaningful change in farming families and rural businesses? In this episode, Heather Wi...
Series 3 Episode 1: Discuss the Undiscussabull Comes to Scotland
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Series 2 Episode 10: Ground Level - What Environmental Baselining Data Means for Your Farm
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Series 2 Episode 9: Ruminating on technology – Is smaXtec changing beef herd health?
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Field Talk we dive into the smaXtec bolus project, a cutting-edge innovation trialled and implemented through the Monitor Farm Prog...
Series 2 Episode 8: Fine tuning feed and breathing easier – The Strathspey Monitor Farm Approach
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Field Talk we discover how the Strathspey Monitor Farm has transformed cattle nutrition by fine tuning rations to boost performance...
Series 2 Episode 7: The Hidden Numbers Behind Herd Success (Identifying Profitability Markers in Cattle)
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Lorna Shaw, Ruminant Nutritionist at SAC Consulting, to explore how farmers can identify and act upon key profitabil...
Series 2 Episode 6: Grazing Smarter – Lessons from the Monitor Farms
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ex...
Series 2 Episode 5: Exploring Forage Crop Management
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Monitor Farm Scotland podcast, Wallace, Kirsten Williams (Sheep and Beef Consultant, SAC Consulting) and Alex Stephen (dairy an...
Series 2 Episode 4: Future Proofing Through Maximising Sustainable Output
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Monitor Farm Scotland podcast, Wallace hears from Chris Clark (Nethergill Associates) and Angus Walton (Peelham Farm) all about...
Series 2 Episode 3: Selecting for the Future – Using genetics and genomics for replacement suitability and lifetime profitability
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Field Talk, the Monitor Farm Scotland podcast, Wallace, Lauren Porteus (Zoetis), and Chris Barclay (Stabiliser Cattle Company) disc...
Series 2 Episode 2: Negotiating Cattle EID and Optimising Tag Retention
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Series 2 Episode 1: Virtual Fencing – Opportunity to return suckler cows to the hills
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Virtual Fencing is still a novel technology for many Scottish Farmers but there is increasing interest. Four of the Monitor Farmers are trialling this...
Series 1 Episode 11 - Farming on an Island
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Islay has been a strong farming island, known particularly for cattle, for many years. However, it's not without its challenges – namely 47,000...
Series 1 Episode 10 - Optimising Inputs for Marginal Gains
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Series 1 Episode 9 - The role of cover crops when assessing technical and financial arable performance
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The McNicol Family have diversified their business portfolio into Agritourism over the years. Through the Monitor Farm programme they have refocussed ...
Series 1 Episode 8: Evolving a Multigenerational Business
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Stirling Monitor Farm is a real family affair with 3 generations involved in the business. The family have been looking closely at business figure...
Series 1 Episode 7: Suckler Cow production in a National Park
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Calu...
Series 1 Episode 6: Field Talk Special - Get Ready for Lambing!
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Series 1 Episode 5: Planning for Success
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Richard McCornick farms at Barnbackle Farm, Lochfoot and is the Dumfries Monitor Farm. During the Monitor Farm programme, the family have transitioned...
Series 1 Episode 4: Finding the Sweet Spot
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 bal...
Series 1 Episode 3: Lamb Health and Productivity
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Irvine Family are steeped in history at Sauchentree with nine generations farming there for 250 years.Bruce Irvine discusses how during the Monito...
Series 1 Episode 2: Making Data Driven Decision Making
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Duncan Morrison, the Deeside Monitor Farm, who farms at Meikle Maldron near Torphins. Alongside wife Claire, the young couple are described as fo...
Series 1 Episode 1: Introducing 'Field Talk': The New Farmer Led, Farmer Driven Podcast 🎙️🔥
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Series 1 Episode 1: Introducing 'Field Talk': The New Farmer Led, Farmer Driven Podcast 🎙️🔥 At AgriScot 2024, Monitor Farm Scotland...