Tebay services and farm shop in Westmorland is a staple of many people's north-south car journeys, with food and facilities several cuts above most motorway stop-offs. Monty meets farm manager Bob Day and Tebay head of butchery David Morland, and follows the Tebay journey from farm to fork - a distance of about 3 miles door-to-door. Luing cattle are among the breeds favoured at Tebay - and this is the second of two OnFARM episodes produced with the Luing Cattle Society.

OnFarm - Scottish rural stories

Tebay Services farm shop and kitchen

Agriculture faces many profitability and sustainability challenges, not least in suckler beef production where margins are tight and environmental impact questions are constantly raised. In the first of two episodes supported by the Luing Cattle Society, Monty finds out how the Luing breed is meeting these challenges head-on, and driving a profitable business for first-generation farmer Giles Henry. We also hear how the breed was designed and developed by the Cadzow brothers, and how their aims for the breed ring true with many of today’s farming systems. Find more about Luing online at https://luingcattlesociety.co.uk/

Luing cattle and the Cadzow brothers

Equi-Scotia have, since the start of the pandemic, been running horse-facilitated learning and psychotherapy - to groups, individuals, businesses and youth groups. OnFARM's resident horse-lover Anna has been finding out more about their work from founder Julie-Anne Griffith.

Learning and psychotherapy with horses: Equi-Scotia

Anna and Monty discuss the incredible response to last week's episode - when Monty spoke with Jamie Brand, the brother of East Lothian farmer Grant Brand, who very sadly took his own life back in February. Anna is also joined by Morna Ronnie and Kirsty Ritchie from 'Be Your Best Self' - a fully-funded personal development programme currently on offer to women in agriculture in Scotland. Be Your Best Self helps participants to grow confidence and resilience, identify their strengths, and understand how and when to work with others. It also offers mental health and wellbeing support, and a network of like-minded women that can last for the long-term. For more on Be Your Best Self, visit https://thepeopleportfolio.co.uk/category/beyourbestself/

Be Your Best Self – personal development for women in agriculture

Content Warning: Suicide, Mental Health >>> The news in February that East Lothian farmer Grant Brand had taken his own life left many in Scottish farming shocked and upset – and, of course, sending heartfelt good wishes to Grant’s family. This episode pays tribute to Grant, hearing memories and thoughts from his brother Jamie Brand. We also hear how Grant’s death prompted OnFARM's Monty and his friend Scott Brown to create the ‘We All Need a Farmer’ short film, that has now been shared hundreds of times on social media. This episode of OnFARM discusses suicide and mental health. Any time you need to speak to someone about your own mental health, please talk to someone you trust. You can call your GP, contact the Samaritans (https://www.samaritans.org/), or – if you are in Scottish farming – the RSABI (https://rsabi.org.uk/). You can watch the We All Need a Farmer film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lbWDC6CWc8

Remembering Grant Brand, and 'We All Need a Farmer'

Monty goes in search of a new breeding tup at Europe's largest ram auction - while OnFARM producer Dave nearly buys one by accident. We also follow a young auctioneer getting his first opportunity on the big stage, and speak to Border Union Agricultural Society chief executive Dan Withall. The Kelso Ram Sales, held annually by BUAS, had an electric atmosphere from the outset - as one of the first major 'in person' agricultural events after Covid restrictions were loosened. Big thanks to the Border Union Agricultural Society for supporting this episode.

Europe's largest ram sale in the Scottish Borders

Christopher Trotter, the food writer who once ran a Michelin-starred kitchen, and Fife food ambassador, wants us all to eat more varied and sustainably sourced Scottish fish. His new book is called Coasts and Waters: The British Seafood Cookbook. Christopher speaks to OnFARM's Sarah Anderson, in the first episode of our new series.

Food writer Christopher Trotter on sustainable Scottish fish

Malting barley producers face a difficult and uncertain summer, after one of Scotland's biggest grain merchants fell into administration. Many fear they will lose large sums of money as a result of Alexander Inglis and Son's closure. An already limited set of grain purchasers is now even smaller, making it harder for producers to negotiate a price. Perhaps most urgently - many now face having nowhere to dry and store this summer's harvest. It's a tough situation, so Monty is searching for solutions - with Ally Brunton of the SAYFC agri affairs committee, Donald Ross, an ex chairman of Highland Grain, and dairy and pig farmer Rory Christie, of the Milk Supply Association and SAOS.

Grain Emergency: searching for solutions

A summary of the themes discussed more indepth in 5 recent OnFARM episodes with SAOS, discussing themes around climate change, farming, and the value of cooperation.

SAOS on climate and collaboration - overview episode

In what should be Royal Highland Show week 2021, Monty speaks with SAYFC's Hamish Logan on how Young Farmers have made the best of a difficult and isolated time in lockdown. SAYFC members are gearing up to take centre stage at the Royal Highland Showcase, a series of virtual and online events replacing this year’s Show. We also look back on last year’s 14-part special OnFARM series with RHASS, celebrating the Royal Highland Show and all the Society achieves.

Highland Showcase and SAYFC in lockdown

Highly organised criminal gangs are targeting Scotland's farms, and using the latest technology including overhead drones to overcome security measures. It may sound like Line Of Duty, but Inspector Alan Dron heads up Police Scotland's Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC). He's been sharing details of recent arrests and operations with Anna.

Fighting back against rural crime

You’re 18 times more likely to lose your life farming than in the average UK workplace. Cutting out farm-related deaths and life-changing accidents has to be a priority for us all. Anna's guests are Stephanie Barclay from the Farm Safety Foundation, James Chapman, who lost his left arm in a tractor accident and is now an FSF trustee, and George Noble from SAOS. OnFARM producer Dave Howard visits Willie Harper in Renfrewshire, to hear about his narrow escape from being butted and stamped on the spine by a cow with calf. Thanks to the Scottish Rural Network for supporting this episode.

Farm Safety

How Scottish salmon has innovated and used technology to become the UK's biggest food export. Monty and producer Jac Phillimore also how the industry is increasingly focused on farming more sustainably. This is the second of two episodes in partnership with the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO).

Scottish salmon's innovation and sustainability

2021 marks 50 years since the start of Scottish commercial salmon farming. It's a half century that has seen the industry rise from very humble beginnings to being the UK's number one food export, globally recognised for its high quality, and a major provider of jobs in the Highlands and Islands. This is the first of two OnFARM episodes in association with the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO). Monty hears how a pioneering spirit brought success to Scotland's very first salmon farmers.

50 years of Scottish salmon farming

The theme for 2021's Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday 10th May to Sunday 16th May) is 'nature'. Whether it's Anna’s own passion of sea-swimming, or mountain biking, forest-bathing, or walking the John Muir Way, this episode is packed with tips on making the most of being outdoors. It is made in partnership with the Scottish Rural Network.

Nature and Mental Health Awareness Week

OnFARM showcases rural enterprise, rural community, rural creativity, rural charity, rural history, and so much more. OnFARM gives rural Scotland a strong voice and platform from which to share its wonderful and inspiring stories. Each episode, we will champion the producers, the grafters, and the innovators who put food on our tables and keep our countryside green and beautiful for all. OnFARM: Food, Agricultural and Rural Matters in Scotland. It's the perfect place to keep up with what 'grows' on in rural Scotland. New episodes from 0600B every Monday, presented by Anna Davies and Ross Montague.

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OnFarm - Scottish rural stories

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