Episoder
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Disease risk in livestock, and biosecurity is something we perhaps don’t consider as much in crofting areas as farmers might in more intensive systems. Crofting tends to be more extensive, with lower densities of stock, but we often share bulls, and graze on common ground. In this episode I’m joined by Kythe MacKenzie, who is a vet with SRUC, and Kate Lamont, who is a researcher, to discuss the practicalities of managing disease risk.
Linked FAS Resources
Crofting Discussion Groups | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
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This episode hears from 2 crofters with two different routes into crofting. In this episode we discuss how they gained their croft, what they found were barriers, and hints and tips for aspiring or new crofters. I’m delighted to be joined by Derek Dick, who is a relatively new crofter in Berneray, and Angus Ferguson, who is an experienced crofter in North Uist.
Linked FAS resources:
Crofting Discussion Groups | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
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Manglende episoder?
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In this episode we look at what we can learn from the Irish system, where farms are similar to our crofts. A group of crofters are just home from a study tour to Ireland, and we hear from Derek Jamieson who crofts in Unst, Shetland, what he took from this exchange of knowledge. We also hear from Keith Fahy, advisor with Teagasc, explaining the Irish subsidy system and improvements being made to their national flock and herd.
Ireland Study Tour with Crofters
Crofting in Unst
Typical Irish farms
Croft tenancies
Mart provision in Ireland and Scotland
Subsidies in Ireland
Agri-environment Schemes
The Irish Green Cert
Discussion Groups for Crofters
Linked FAS resources:
https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/crofts-small-farms/crofting-discussion-groups/
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Gary Campbell is our guest this week. Gary is the new Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, having just started his role in January this year. With a background working in both the public and private sectors he talks us through his previous roles, his own family crofting story, what he is planning to achieve in his new CE role and his vision for the Crofting Commission.
Related FAS Resources:
Crofting & Smallholders Guide to Organisations
Succession Planning – Crofting | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
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We are at Dornie hall, talking to clerks and committee members about the issues they face when trying to run the common grazing, especially when it comes to finances. Firstly, we talk with Finlay Beaton from the Crofting Commission, about the problems that they deal with and the solutions for clerks. Finlay also has the advantage of having worked with RPID, so also understands the grant and subsidy systems. Arthur Macdonald adds his take from years of running finance training, working with landlords and crofters, and working at the CC. These meetings are continuing around the crofting counties, so if you are a clerk, book on!
We cover:
Common themes such as monitoring and accounting for funds, who is responsible for the funds; how and who to bring onto your committee; how to set it up; the difference between CG and clubs; vacant crofts
Useful Links
Finance Forms for Common Grazings | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
A Simple Guide to Common Grazings Terms | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Appointment of Grazings Committees | Crofting Commission (scotland.gov.uk)
Regulated Commons Grazings | Crofting Commission (scotland.gov.uk)
Common Grazings Dilemmas | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
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Don’t miss out on the current schemes which boost income and improve animal and soil health! We discuss the PSF scheme, the future of subsidy, recent changes to the Croft House Grant and what we should all do now to prepare for the 2025 change.
We cover:
What the term ‘conditionality’ means
PSF Animal Health & Welfare
Eligibility
How to carry out and how to claim
Benefits of animal health
Soil sampling
Carbon audits
What do we know so far
What is Just Transition
What are the Tiers
BPS
Whole Farm Plan
Habitat assessments
Grazing shares
Beef calf scheme
Scoteid My herd stats
CHGS changes
Top tips to prepare for 2025 – FAS biodiversity audits, carbon audits, psf scheme
Related FAS Resources
Crofting Businesses: Carbon Audits and Preparing For Sustainable Farming | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
The Croft House Grant Scheme | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Crofter’s Fuel Poverty – Improving the Existing Housing Stock | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Other Related Resources
Preparing for Sustainable Farming Support (ruralpayments.org)
Croft House Grant (ruralpayments.org)
MyHerdStats Information Guide - ScotEID Library (dozuki.com)
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Crofting legislation is fairly complicated and its no different when it comes to succession! Brian Inkster, well-known crofting law specialist, takes us through different scenarios and highlights what to watch out for when it comes to passing on a croft.
We cover:
Terminology such as Executor, Testate and Intestate
Wills and witness signatures
Procedure for a Straightforward tenancy with a will in place
Moveable items
Confirmation
Docket
Splitting a croft to leave to different people
Owner occupied crofts
Deemed crofts
Heritable and moveable
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It might not sound that interesting, but, especially these days, understanding what you can and should be doing with accounts and tax is important to save unnecessary expense and keep within the law. Margi Campbell, an expert in tax and vat, gives some insight into what crofters can do to improve their finances. It’s a confusing topic, but in this podcast we chat about the different terms, and what they mean in practice for crofters who are self-employed or employed, or vat registered or not.
In this episode, we cover:
Do crofters need to do tax returns?
Is an accountant needed to prepare accounts?
What are audited accounts?
How much could a set of accounts cost?
What is a sole trader, why would you be one, what tax do you pay, can you be vat registered?
What are partnerships and Limited companies?
What do the terms Incorporated/unincorporated mean?
What is the effect of the 5 year rule for hobby farms?
What items are tax deductible?
Can you offset your income with the cost of buildings, such as a shed?
What about smaller kit and tools?
The best way to keep records, VAT, MTD, can you keep everything on paper/programme?
What is the Herd basis?
Who gets taxed through a Sheep Stock Club?
Who pays tax from Common Grazing income?
What should you do if you are starting up?
Top tips
FAS Resources:
Women in Agriculture, Balivanich: Why Keep Accounts?
Bookkeeping and Farm Accounts | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Other Links:
You can contact Margi through LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretcampbellinverness
Or at www.Saffery.com
Also listen to Margi’s story on Episode 6 - Margi Campbell - Women In Wellies | Acast
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The Crofting Commission has recently started accepting online applications through their website for some of their crofting regulatory applications. In this episode, Siobhan Macdonald and Graham Fraser discuss which applications can now be completed online, how to go about completing them, what the benefits are of doing applications online over paper forms, and where you can access help.
Linked FAS resources:
https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/crofts-small-farms/crofting-legislation/
Crofting Regulation Podcast
External resources:
https://www.crofting.scotland.gov.uk/
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Getting a croft isn't easy, whether you are new to agriculture or have been working in crofting all your days. In this episode, Siobhan Macdonald and Graham Fraser discuss how to get a croft, types of tenure, what to be aware of and how to keep a croft.
We cover:
How much does a croft cost? What is the difference between assignation of a tenancy and buying an owner occupied croft? Financing the purchase Responsibilities and duties of a crofter Avoiding becoming landlord of a vacant croft Lets of owner–occupied crofts Decrofting & Resumptions Bareland crofts Where to look for crofts? Shares and deemed crofts Contributions to the CG maintenance Sub-lets Creation of new croftsLinked FAS Resources
Crofting Legislation | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)
Other Useful Resources
Register of Crofts | Crofting Commission (scotland.gov.uk)
About crofting - Scottish Crofting Federation
Woodland Crofts | Supporting Lives & Livelihoods through Managing Woodland
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Selling livestock this autumn and winter? We have some wise words from Sarah Balfour on what to think about and how to navigate the auction mart system. This is the time of year for sales of breeding and store cattle and sheep. Sarah and Siobhan discuss the current beef and sheep markets and tips on presentation. Siobhan also speaks to John William Gillies of the North Rasaay Sheep Stock Club, who discusses how they batch lambs at the mart, and the popular Portree sale of store calves.
For further information, have a look at this webinar which details buyer’s requirements, feed conversion and handy tips: https://www.fas.scot/publication/going-to-market-managing-your-stock-in-preparation-for-selling/ and you might also be interested in this case study, which although not in a crofting area, describes how Nigel Millar sells his AA & BSH store calves to a finisher: https://www.fas.scot/publication/fas-beef-supply-chain-case-study-co-operative-strategy-finishes-cattle-in-the-scottish-borders/
Sarah mentions Agribusiness News, which is a publication with up-to-date monthly market and policy intelligence for farmers and crofters: https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/agribusiness-news/
Linked FAS resources:
A Guide to Buying and Selling at the Mart - https://www.fas.scot/downloads/a-guide-to-buying-and-selling-at-the-mart/
Croft & Small Farms: Store Livestock - Adding Value in Presentation - https://www.fas.scot/downloads/croft-small-farms-store-livestock-adding-value-in-presentation/
Small Lambs – A Problem or an Opportunity for Crofters and Smallholders? -https://www.fas.scot/downloads/small-lambs-a-problem-or-an-opportunity-for-crofters-and-smallholders/
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If you are a new crofter, or new to buying livestock, we have some wise words from Sarah Balfour on what to think about and how to navigate the auction mart system. This is the time of year for sales of breeding cattle and sheep. Sarah and Siobhan discuss disease risk, how to bid, different terms used, buying in guineas, how the auction mart works, and how to prepare.
Linked FAS resources:
New Entrants Guide to Buying and Selling at the Mart Practical Guide - https://www.fas.scot/downloads/a-guide-to-buying-and-selling-at-the-mart/
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No matter the size of your herd, choosing the correct suckler replacements is important to ensure yearly, trouble free calvings and avoid nights spent calving or coaxing calves that refuse to suckle! Or worse, pets!
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Crofting regulation, which covers what you can do with your croft land and how, is a tricky subject, full of acronyms and references to various Acts of Parliament. For most crofters, the day-to-day croft work is unaffected by legislation. It’s often only when crofts change that attention to the legislation is needed. In this podcast, we discuss some of the most common scenarios. Is there anything you need to do now or be prepared for?
Linked FAS resources:
Webpage on succession planning with a succession tool -https://www.fas.scot/succession-planning-crofting/
Webpage with cartoon videos explaining crofting legislation - https://www.fas.scot/rural-business/crofts-small-farms/crofting-legislation/
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Growing Grass
How can we make the best use of our grassland? What is the difference between rotational, mob, deferred and set stocking? What are the benefits of liming?
For many crofters, low soil pH and rushes reduce the productivity of grassland. In this episode, Poppy Frater discusses how to control rushes, increase growth of better grasses, reseeding, soil health and fertilisers.
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With many Crofters across Scotland currently putting their bulls out, it is a good time to consider your current bull management practices.
From pre-breeding examinations and diet, to the Crofting Cattle Improvement Scheme, Crofting Matters discusses key points for Crofters to be thinking about with Sarah Balfour.
Sarah works out of the SAC Elgin office and is a Beef Consultant for the SAC Livestock Team. As well as running an upland commercial suckler herd, Sarah and her family also have three pedigree herds and produce Limousin, Angus and British Blue bulls.
Relevant Resources:
Information note about the Crofting Cattle Improvement Scheme, tips for custodians, common problems and options
Crofts and small farms – A season with cattle webinar recording on the Crofting Cattle Improvement Scheme
