New Series of Field Talk Podcast Dives into On-Farm Innovation and Expert Insight

Following the success of its debut season, Field Talk, the podcast from the Monitor Farm Scotland Programme, is back with a brand-new series celebrating ground-breaking on-farm innovation and the expert voices leading change in Scottish agriculture.

Hosted by food and farming vlogger Wallace Currie – aka Rural2Kitchen – the new series continues to shine a light on real Scottish farms and the people driving them forward. This season’s episodes will take a deep dive into projects tackling the big questions in productivity, profitability, and sustainability – with innovation front and centre.

Launching the series is “Virtual Fencing – Opportunity to return suckler cows to the hills”, an episode exploring how virtual fencing technology is being trialled on four Monitor Farms. Wallace is joined by Ann Elinor Aasen from Monil, the tech provider, and livestock systems expert Dr Tony Waterhouse. Together, they explore how the technology could help farmers make better use of grazing, reduce labour, and improve monitoring.

Grace Reid, Monitor Farm Programme Manager, said:
“This series is all about showcasing practical innovation in action – ideas being tested by farmers for farmers. From virtual fencing to genetic testing and everything in between, it’s a chance to share real results, spark new thinking, and support change on the ground.

“We’re excited to bring listeners into conversations around topics such as grazing management, the Deeside Forage Project, identifying profitability markers in cattle, and the role of nutrition planning in tackling issues like pneumonia.

“We’ll also be exploring what maximum sustainable output really looks like on a modern Scottish farm. These are real, relevant issues that farmers are working through – and we’reproud to help share their stories.”

The Monitor Farm Scotland Programme, launched in November 2022 and running until 2026, is managed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) with support from AHDB and funding from the Scottish Government’s Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund. It is the first of its kind to span four years, giving time and space to properly test and evaluate new approaches.

Listeners can catch up on Field Talk Series 1 – where each episode follows one of Scotland’s nine Monitor Farms – and subscribe for new episodes wherever they get their podcasts, including Spotify. Whether you’re at home, in the lambing shed, or out on the quad, Field Talk is the place to hear directly from farmers and the experts working alongside them.

For more information and updates, visit monitorfarmscotland.co.uk and follow Monitor Farm Scotland on social media.