Welcome to CropCast Conversations. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Iain Riddell. Iain was a consultant and project manager with SAC Consulting for 45 years, before becoming self-employed and operating under Graystones Consulting. Iain’s work focuses on agricultural supply chains and his main interest is industrial hemp, which will be the focus of this episode. The global market for hemp is expected to quadruple by 2030 and as markets here evolve, there is great potential for Scotland’s farmers to reap the benefits.

Hemp was actually grown in Scotland in the Middle Ages for rope and textile production, before it became more economic to import, to make ropes and sails for ships. It has recently attracted interest as a new arable crop as more uses for hemp become viable, including fibre/shiv for insulation and boarding in house construction and seeds used for cold pressed oil and food health products, plus many other uses. Hemp has also been shown to improve soil structure and quality, store CO2 and improve biodiversity and could play an important role in reducing Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions. There is potential for this highly versatile crop to be a profitable break crop for farmers as demand increases for biobased materials to replace products derived from fossil fuels.

Industrial hemp is used across sectors such as agriculture, automotives, bio-energy, construction, food and beverages, furniture, paper, personal care, recycling and textiles. Several years field crop experience in Angus and the Borders, and hemp crop trials in Scotland in 2024 has confirmed that the crop grows well in our climate.

Episode Timestamps

01.23 Introducing Iain Riddell

02.50 Potential uses for hemp as an industrial crop

03.46 What do we mean by ‘industrial hemp’

05.45 Historical context

10.45 Growing hemp for fibre

12.17 Hemp – what’s currently going on in the UK

17.09 What we learned from growing hemp in the rotation

22.48 Retting process

28.32 Emerging hemp markets and potential uses

33.42 Hemp seed industry

35.26 Phytoremediation and the advantage of deep tap roots

37.23 Biodiversity benefits

Resources

The Potential of the Hemp Crop in Scotland | Helping farmers in Scotland

Advancing a sustainable Scottish supply chain for industrial hemp and co-products

British Hemp Alliance

IndiNature – Natural fibre construction insulation

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/industrial-hemp-licensing-guidance/industrial-hemp-licensing-factsheet

The Rowett Institute | The University of Aberdeen

Contact:

Mark.Bowsher-Gibbs@sac.co.uk

Graystonesconsulting308@gmail.com (Iain Riddell)

For more information, visit www.FAS.scot

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In this episode George Chalmers is joined by SAC Consultant David Ross, to discuss crop margins from 2025 and predictions for 2026.

Welcome to CropCast, your go to podcast for all the latest information on arable crops. Each month, SAC advisor, George Chalmers will be joined by a range of industry experts, bringing you timely updates to help you make decisions in the field.

Producer George Gauley, Editor Cameron Waugh, Executive Producer Kirstyn Blackwood, in association with the Scottish Government.

Time Stamps

1:12 Introduction to David Ross

5:00 Impact of weather on 2025 yields

11:12 AHDB Farmbench

13:44 2025 Winter Wheat

19:20 2025 Oilseed Rape

24:50 2025 Spring Barley

28:32 2025 Winter Barley

30:58 Variations between farm

32:55 Projections for Winter Wheat

38:27 Projections for Oilseed Rape 2026

42:04 Projections for Barley 2026

45:35 Alternative crops for 2026

53:30 Key messages

Related FAS Resources

Crops and soils | Helping farmers in Scotland

Other Related Resources

Farmbench - a farm business comparison tool | AHDB

Agricultural Reform Route Map

Welcome to Cropcast Conversations hosted by Mark Bowsher-Gibbs. On today’s episode Mark is joined by Andrew Milne and Nick Hobson of United Oilseeds. We hear how the co-operative is structured, review 2025 OSR harvest and look ahead to prospects for 2026. They also discuss physical movements of the crop and market pricing mechanisms, so for all things OSR, enjoy listening to this very interesting conversation.

Andrew Milne – United Oilseeds Area Manager (Scotland)

Nick Hobson – United Oilseeds Trading Manager

Timestamps

00.55 Introducing Andrew and Nick from United Oilseeds

02.39 United Oilseeds – the company, it’s history and the area it covers

09.52 Varieties

12.15 Harvest 2025

18.43 Looking ahead to 2026

23.47 Movement of rape beyond the store

30.07 Different contract options and storage options

37.44 Key market watchpoints

41.43 Independent analysis of oil content

43.51 OSR Reboot

47.33 Andrews take home message

Related FAS Resources

Crops and soils | Helping farmers in Scotland

How to Get Oilseed Rape off to a Good Start | Helping farmers in Scotland

Related FAS Resources

United Oilseeds | Oilseed Rape | Buy Seed | Sell crops

OSR-Reboot | United Oilseeds | Oilseed Rape

Winter oilseed rape recommended and candidate lists | AHDB

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Phone: 0300 323 0161

Email: advice@fas.scot