Quality Meat Scotland Podcast
Business & Finance
About
Spanning topics including market trends, brand communications and industry development projects, the Quality Meat Scotland podcast will draw together sector experts with farmers and stakeholders to hear their views and the all-important facts about the Scottish Red Meat industry.
Episodes
- Series 13 The Supply Chain Story - At the Farm Gate with Murray McConchie
Murray McConchie details his experience modernising a traditional family farm in south-west Scotland, discussing his farming system, diversification for resilience, and adaptation to environmental and market changes. The episode also touch…
- Series 13 Pilot Episode - The Full Supply Chain Story and Meet Your New Hosts
This pilot episode of the Quality Meat Scotland podcast introduces new hosts Kirsten Williams and Robert Ramsay. They discuss their backgrounds and the Scottish red meat supply chain, from farm to fork, setting the stage for future episode…
- Series 12 Episode 18 - On the Ground: Building a More Resilient Supply Chain (Part 2)
This episode, part two of 'On the Ground', features experts Lorna Shaw and Fiona Crowden discussing strategies for enhancing beef and lamb production systems. Topics include nutrition, health planning, and transitions for livestock managem…
- Series 12 Episode 17 - On the Ground: Building a More Resilient Supply Chain (Part 1)
This episode focuses on building a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready beef and lamb supply chain, featuring practical insights from an independent consultant and a working farmer. It stems from discussions at the Building Better B…
- Series 12 Episode 16 - Routes In: Real Career Stories From Scotland’s Red Meat Supply Chain
This episode of the Quality Meat Scotland Podcast features three guests sharing their career journeys within Scotland's red meat supply chain. It includes an update from the Chair of Quality Meat Scotland and market insights.
- Series 12 Episode 15 - Evolving Standards, Strengthening Trust
Send us Fan Mail This episode dives into the latest updates to the QMS Cattle & Sheep Assurance Scheme, what’s changing, why it matters, and how it strengthens both farmer practicality and consumer trust. With insights from farmer and QMS…
- Series 12 Episode 14 - Lamb for St Andrew’s Day: Connecting Tradition, Farming & Consumers
Send us Fan Mail This Lamb for St Andrew’s Day episode brings together three voices at the heart of Scotland’s Scotch Lamb story. Tracy Martin talks us through QMS’s campaign approach and how raising the profile of Scotch Lamb during Novem…
- Series 12 Episode 13 - Showcasing Scotch: Taking Scotland’s Red Meat to Anuga
Send us Fan Mail Scotland’s red meat goes global! Tune in as our host Claire Taylor deep dives in the highlights, insights and opportunities from Anuga 2025 – one of the world’s biggest food and drink trade shows. Hear from Kate Rowell, Ia…
- Series 12 Episode 12 - Behind the Scotch Label: Stories from the Summer Campaign
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the QMS Podcast, Kate reflects on a busy month of activity, sharing key meetings, industry takeaways, and a look ahead to what’s next for QMS, including our presence at Anuga in October. Abby brings mark…
- Series 12 Episode 11, Strengthening Local Processing: The Future of Private Slaughter in Scotland
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Claire interviews Jenny McKerr, who discusses her role as Private Kill Coordinator at Quality Meat Scotland. They explore the challenges facing abattoirs in Scotland, the importance of private kill for loc…
- Series 12 Episode 10 - Red Meat Industry Profile Special
Send us Fan Mail This bonus podcast episode delves into the latest findings from Quality Meat Scotland's Red Meat Industry Profile 2025, highlighting record economic contributions, challenges in livestock numbers, and evolving consumer beh…
- Series 12 Episode 9 - Meating Our Potential: Confidence, Collaboration and the Future of Scottish Red Meat
Send us Fan Mail In this special episode, Claire is joined by Neil Wilson, Executive Director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS), to explore the Meating Our Potential campaign and what it means for the future…
- Series 12 Episode 8 - Meating Our Potential: Unlocking Opportunity
Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, Crawford Niven shares insights into his farming journey in central Scotland, discussing the balance between arable and cattle farming, the growth of his farm shop and butchery, and the importance o…
- Series 12 Episode 7 - Tech Meets Tradition: Inside the First BeefTech Event
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we're joined by RNAS President as we look ahead to the very first Beef Tech event, hosted on 28th May at Home Farm, Kininmonth, Peterhead – a new event showcasing innovation and technology in the beef sect…
- Series 12 Episode 6 - Scottish Red Meat: Policy, Challenges & Opportunities
Send us Fan Mail In this month’s episode of the QMS Red Meat Podcast, we’re joined by Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, for an exclusive deep dive into the latest Scottish Government policies…
- Series 12 Episode 5 - A Legacy of Leadership: Martin Kennedy Reflects on His Time as NFUS President
Send us Fan Mail In this month’s episode of the QMS Red Meat Podcast, we catch up with Martin Kennedy to reflect on his time as President of NFU Scotland. He shares the highlights and defining moments of his presidency, offering valuable i…
- Series 12 Episode 4 - Building a Stronger Future: Farm Assurance and Industry Feedback
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the QMS Red Meat Podcast, we welcome James Withers, a seasoned expert in economic development, strategy, skills, public affairs, and communications. With a distinguished career in agri-food, drink, and t…
- Series 12 Episode 3 - New Year, New Toolkit: Unpacking Red Meat Myths & Market Trends for 2025
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the QMS Podcast, our host Claire Taylor is joined by a fantastic line-up of guests. First, QMS Chair, Kate Rowell provides a New Year’s update and greetings to the audience, while Iain Macdonald, QMS Mar…
- Series 12 Episode 2 - Rugby, Cows, and the Future of Agriculture: Exploring New Partnerships and Global Challenges
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore two exciting topics; Rugby and A World Without Cows. First, to kick off the episode, we have Sarah Millar Chief Executive of QMS reflecting on the year and the exciting work QMS has taken on. We…
- Series 12 Episode 1 - QMS on a Global Stage: Exports & Exclusive Insights from SIAL Paris
Send us Fan Mail 🎉 The wait is over—Series 12 of the QMS Podcast is LIVE! 🎙️🔥 Join our new host, global agriculture commentator, Claire Taylor, as she sits down with QMS Chair, Kate Rowell to chat about her exciting time at SIAL Paris a…
- Series 11 - Episode 11 - Scotch, why it's so special and why it should be the first choice
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Jane Craigie hears what the QMS team has been up to lately, which includes attending the World Steak Challenge in Amsterdam, visiting London to explain the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Sele…
- Series 11 - Episode 10 - Turriff Show discussions and Deeside Monitor Farm learnings
Send us Fan Mail At the beginning of August Turriff Show brought many people from the farming world together in North East Scotland, including Quality Meat Scotland’s Kate Rowell and Iain Macdonald, who in this podcast talk to Jane Craigie…
- Series 11 - Episode 9 - Baselining carbon on Scotland's farms
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we catch up with Professor John Gilliland about the QMS/AHDB about an Environmental Baselining programme based on the success of a similar scheme in Northern Ireland. This industry-led pilot aims to recrui…
- Series 11 - Episode 8 - Highland Show highlights & sourcing Scotch
Send us Fan Mail Working with farmers and influencing policy is key for QMS. In this episode Kate Rowell explains how QMS is doing this important work alongside other industry stakeholders and Scotch farming ambassadors, to promote the Sco…
- Series 11 - Episode 7 - Grass, Farmstrong Scotland & market outlook
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we speak to John Ritchie about grassland management - he's very inspiring and infectiously enthusiastic! Also to Alix Ritchie about Farmstrong Scotland and the events coming up in their calendar for farmer…
- Series 11 - Episode 6 - Pork sector investment & market outlook
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we speak to Wayne Godfrey, Chief Executive of Brown Brothers, about their vision to add £100 million in retail sales of Specially Selected Pork via the family’s investment in the Brechin processing facilit…
- Series 11 - Episode 5 - Growing red meat opportunities
Send us Fan Mail In this episode we look at developing red meat markets in Scotland, the wider UK and internationally. Guests are Tom Gibson, QMS's Business Development Director and Emma Heath, who is the new Marketing Director at QMS. Tom…
- Series 11 - Episode 4 - Celebrating Scotland's Pork after 'Porktober'
Send us Fan Mail This episode is all about pork, following the successful month of 'Porktober', during October, when QMS, and butchers all over Scotland, celebrated Scotland's pig farmers and Specially Selected Pork. Conversations are with…
- Series 11 - Episode 3 - Red meat in schools
Send us Fan Mail Ensuring Scotland's school children know where their food comes from, and the nutrition it offers, is part of the role for QMS Health and Education Managers, Jen Robertson and Alix Ritchie, who promote Scotch Beef, Lamb an…
- Series 11, Episode 2 - Scotland, the choice for premium red meat.
Send us Fan Mail QMS Chief Executive, Sarah Millar and QMS board Chair, Kate Rowell, explain the three key pillars of QMS’s five-year strategy - provenance, profitability and productivity, planning and place, and what getting this right me…
- Series 11, Episode 1 - Love Meat Tender
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the conversation focuses on meat eating quality. The discussions are with Bruce McConachie, QMS's Head of Industry Development and Dan Gilmour, a third generation butcher from East Lothian. For the red mea…
- Season 10, Episode 6: Variety for Versatility
Send us Fan Mail Farmers are having to look at all aspects of their business to try to control costs and one of the areas that they can do this is by focussing on the forage that they grow for their livestock. Tune in to this week’s podcas…
- Season 10, Episode 5: Farmstrong Scotland
Send us Fan Mail Farmers and their workers are the most important asset on any farm. Now an initiative founded in the farming community in New Zealand has made it’s way to Scotland. Farmstrong aims to help farmers and their workers live we…
- Season 10, Episode 4: The Power of Data
Send us Fan Mail Data is power. By collecting and measuring data it can help to make informed management decisions on farm. There are multiple platforms you can use to help gather this data, one of which is AgriWebb. Lawrence Martin, Farm…
- Season10, Episode 3: QMS Back with a Bang
Send us Fan Mail As part of the post-covid engagement strategy, QMS staff have been out at shows and events to engage with members, levy payers and consumers. In this episode Mark catches up with Sarah Millar, Chief Executive and Kate Rowe…
- Season 10, Episode 2: Reducing the winter feed bill
Send us Fan Mail Stuart Mitchell, Whitriggs Farm joins the podcast to discuss how they have dramatically reduced the winter feed bill by moving to outwintering. Through the Monitor Farm Scotland Programme the Mitchell's calculated the cost…
- Season 10, Episode 1: QMS at the Royal Highland Show
Send us Fan Mail Beth Alexander, cattle and sheep specialist at QMS, is joined by quests at the QMS stand live from the 200th Royal Highland Show. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms-podc…
- Season 9, Episode 6: Continually Developing skills within the retail butchery sector
Send us Fan Mail Barry and Gordon discuss the continued personal development and skills requirements as you move up through the business into management/shop ownership. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.…
- Season 9, Episode 5: The skills challenges and opportunities within the processing sector of the red meat industry
Send us Fan Mail Sonia and Gordon discuss the challenges faced by the processing sector and the training and opportunities available within the sector. Here is a link to all episodes of QMS's podcast https://qmscotland.co.uk/news-media/qms…
- Season 9, Episode 4: The importance of technology & Innovation in ensuring a sustainable red meat industry
Send us Fan Mail Dr Jonathon Wilkin, Abertay University, discusses the importance of New Product Development (NPD) and innovation to the future sustainability of the red meat industry and the skills and attributes required to work in this…
- Season 9, Episode 3: Work-based learning - an employer's perspective
Send us Fan Mail Sion and Andrew discuss the benefits of work-based learning to both the student and the employer and the on-farm logistics of taking on a trainee.Sion and Andrew discuss the benefits of work-based learning to both the stud…
- Season 9, Episode 2: How Further & Higher Education is adapting to meet the needs of a sustainable red meat industry.
Send us Fan Mail Mark talks to Dr Jan Connell and Jeremy Taylor from SRUC to find out how Further and Higher Education is equipping it’s students to adapt to the technological and data driven revolution taking place in agriculture. Here is…
- Season 9, Episode 1: Overview of the challenges and opportunities in ensuring there is a skilled agricultural workforce
Send us Fan Mail This introductory podcast discusses the skills challenges facing livestock farmers in Scotland and the range of opportunities for new entrants and existing farmers to develop the skills they require in an ever-changing lan…
- Season 8, Episode 6: Human Health
Send us Fan Mail This series has focused on animal health from fertility to colostrum quality. Yet there is one important aspect of animal welfare we have not discussed – human health. At one of the busiest times of the year for Scotland’s…
- Season 8, Episode 5: Colostrum
Send us Fan Mail Colostrum is the key to healthy lambs and calves, delivering a boost of energy and vital protection against disease. With spring around the corner many farmers will be thinking about storing colostrum, when and how much to…
- Season 8, Episode 4: Metabolic Profiling
Send us Fan Mail Nutrition is vital for ewes and cows pre lambing and calving. Analysing forage and building a ration to suit the animal’s needs is instrumental but how do you know if the ration is performing as required? Metabolic profili…
- Season 8, Episode 3: Investigating pregnancy loss
Send us Fan Mail In the run up to lambing and calving we can see pregnancy losses which are disappointing for all famers. In this week’s podcast, Cici Corbett, a Veterinary Investigation Officer for SRUC joins us to discuss abortion in cat…
- Season 8, Episode 2: Neonatal Survival
Send us Fan Mail The Neonatal Survival Project, jointly funded by QMS, AHDB and HCC, set out to build a structured plan to improve survival rates across the industry. There is strong research to understand the biology of survival but how d…
- Season 8, Episode 1: Health Planning
Send us Fan Mail Health planning is a key aspect to good herd and flock health which can lead to improved performance. Health planning is not just necessary to adhere to quality assurance standards but is a fantastic opportunity to take st…
- Season 7, Episode 6: COP26 from the inside, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP
Send us Fan Mail The world's attention was on Glasgow for 2 weeks while the COP26 conference took place. The final agreement fell short of the aspirations of many, who felt the proposals didn ot go far enough to address climate change. How…