Latest news with #SRUC
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scots scientists breeding sheep to make them FART less to be more eco-friendly
LITTLE BO PARP Scots scientists breeding sheep to make them FART less to be more eco-friendly SHEEP are being bred to be kinder to the planet — by making them fart less. A new research study is developing ways to identify farm animals who emit smaller amounts of gas, which can then be selected as part of breeding programmes. 3 sheep-field-looking-camera-1000393705 Credit: Getty 3 Flock of curious sheep Credit: Getty Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and the British Texel Sheep Society have teamed up with partners from other sheep-breeding nations to provide a platform for national and global comparison of methane and carbon dioxide emissions. Around 450 hill sheep from SRUC's Hill and Mountain Research Centre near Loch Lomond are participating in the research, which will run until 2027. Methane is a natural byproduct of the digestive process of ruminant animals, where microbes in the rumen ferment feed and produce methane as a waste product. Globally, there are an estimated 1.2 billion sheep, producing around seven million tonnes of methane into the atmosphere. The Sustain Sheep builds on research which suggests that, by exploiting the natural variation in methane emissions between individual sheep, selective breeding could reduce emissions by one to two per cent per year, without compromising genetic improvement in other traits. The study uses portable accumulation chambers for individual animal methane measurements. Dr Nicola Lambe, from SRUC, said: 'A crucial aspect of this project is understanding what impacts there might be of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) on other animal characteristics such as growth, feed intake and efficiency, and quantifying the effects of these. 'This will enable recommendations for breeding programmes to be determined in tandem with the economic implications of selecting for low-methane sheep. 'In the UK and other countries there is chronic under-adoption of genetic improvement as a means to meet policy targets for lower GHG emissions, and there are many barriers to taking up new outcomes from research by the sheep industry. 'The robust science from the project will provide a mechanism for national and global comparisons to underpin Governmental GHG reduction targets for the successful implementation of science into policy.' Moment Scots family run away screaming & kids in tears as animal breaks into home It is expected the research will provide tools and knowledge to help steer the direction of future breeding programmes and related government policies, so that UK sheep producers can see clear benefits from reducing methane emissions from their flocks. John Yates, of the British Texel Sheep Society, the largest pedigree sheep society in the UK, said: 'Methane measurement using Portable Accumulation Chambers (PACs) is still in its early stages, but if scalable and affordable, it could play a vital role in breeding programmes to support the government's net-zero target.' Sustain Sheep is funded through the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation (R&I) programme.
The Courier
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Elmwood cuts prompt vote of no confidence in SRUC management by college staff
Staff at Scotland's rural college have sent management an overwhelming vote of no confidence in the wake of Elmwood cuts. A lack of planning and investment at the Cupar campus was cited as one of the main reasons for the move. Lecturers say SRUC decisions have led to 'a shocking decline of Elmwood Campus and the removal of a viable programme'. All Elmwood animal care courses will cease at the end of this academic year and the Cupar campus main building will close. The vote was taken at a recent EIS teaching union branch meeting after last month's announcement. Pay grievances and uncertainty around other courses were also raised. North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie says he is not surprised by the outcome. And he revealed his confidence in SRUC management has also been knocked. Elmwood animal care courses were axed despite a high-profile campaign. College principal and chief executive Wayne Powell said on April 24 the main building, where animal care is housed, is structurally deteriorating and too expensive to fix. Mr Rennie, along with devastated students, then branded an eight-week staff consultation 'a sham'. On Thursday, the Liberal Democrat MSP added: 'This vote of no confidence in the management team at SRUC sends a very powerful message, especially as the level of support it received was so overwhelming. 'I'm not surprised staff across the SRUC feel this way as my confidence in the management has been knocked over their decisions around the future of Elmwood. 'The board must understand the anger and frustration that is widely felt.' An SRUC spokesperson says staff concerns are being taken very seriously. And he told The Courier new 'distance-learning' animal care topics are now being considered as a result of feedback. He added, however: 'The decision to close the animal care course and main building was taken following an open and meaningful collective consultation process during which we carefully considered feedback. 'Unfortunately, we were unable to identify a financially-viable alternative model for animal care in its current form.' The spokesperson acknowledged a pay and grading project that could lead to staff salary rises is behind schedule. Steps are now being taken to conclude this, he said.
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Rare opportunity to take over dairy farm on outskirts of Dumfries
A rare opportunity is being offered to take over a dairy farm on the outskirts of Dumfries. Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is inviting prospective dairy farmers to apply to manage its Acrehead farm near the Crichton. The chance has arisen as SRUC is moving the focus of it's academic dairying activities to its Barony campus at Parkgate, which is home to the new Digital Dairy Chain and Dairy Nexus innovation hub. Principal and chief executive of SRUC, Professor Wayne Powell, said: 'This new venture is a unique opportunity and we're proud to be able to support the future of farming by making SRUC land available to the farmers of tomorrow. 'If you're a knowledgeable farming entrepreneur seeking a new opportunity, or a farmer early on in their career, ready to take on the rarely available chance of a next step up, we would like to hear from you.' SRUC hopes offering the chance to manage the farm will support the future of the dairy industry by prioritising key issues such as reduced emissions, biodiversity, human health and economic growth After submitting a successful business plan, the chosen contractor will receive a share of the milk cheque dependent on the performance of the plan, while running the farm and taking part in knowledge exchange activities. SRUC will maintain responsibility for the condition and legal compliance of the farm and also provide the herd and machinery. Acrehead covers 130 acres and comprises highly productive grasslands, with outputs reaching 12t/ha DM, along with sufficient buildings and infrastructure to support a herd of approximately 210 cows. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. Overwintering facilities, milking parlour and associated plant form part of the offer, along with a house nearby. This is a five to 10 -year proposal. Acrehead sits on the Crichton unit, with strong connections to the nearby Barony, allowing the successful applicant to benefit from the new dairy facilities. The Barony will also soon house the Langhill Experiment, which won SRUC a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2017. Prospective candidates can register their interest with the Scottish Land Matching Service . The closing date for registrations is midnight on May 11, with SRUC hoping to announce the successful contractor at the Royal Highland Show on June 19.
STV News
01-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Applicants sought to take over running of long-established dairy farm
A rare opportunity to take over the running of a long-established dairy farm has been created by Scotland's Rural College (SRUC). Prospective dairy farmers are invited to submit an application to manage SRUC's 130-hectare Acrehead farm, near its Barony campus in Dumfries and Galloway. The opportunity has been created as part of wider SRUC aims to support the future of the industry by prioritising forward-looking issues such as reduced emissions, biodiversity, human health and economic growth. Following the submission of a successful business plan, the contractor will receive a share of the milk cheque dependent on the performance of the plan, while running the farm and taking part in knowledge exchange activities. SRUC will maintain responsibility for the condition and legal compliance of the farm and provide the herd and machinery. Professor Wayne Powell, principal and chief executive of SRUC, said: 'This new venture is a unique opportunity and we're proud to be able to support the future of farming by making SRUC land available to the farmers of tomorrow. 'If you're a knowledgeable farming entrepreneur seeking a new opportunity, or a farmer early on in their career, ready to take on the rarely available chance of a next step up, we would like to hear from you.' Acrehead comprises highly productive grasslands, with outputs reaching 12t/ha DM, along with sufficient buildings and infrastructure to support a herd of approximately 210 cows. The offer includes overwintering facilities, a milking parlour and associated plant, along with a house nearby. Candidates interested in the opportunity at Acrehead can register their interest with the Scottish Land Matching Service at The closing date for registrations is midnight on Sunday May 11. SRUC is hoping to announce the successful contractor at this year's Royal Highland Show on June 19. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Multi-million pound dairy innovation centre opens
A multi-million pound facility designed to drive innovation in the dairy industry and make it more environmentally friendly has been officially opened. The research and development laboratories have been built at Scotland's Rural College's (SRUC) Barony campus near Dumfries. The Dairy Nexus project aims to decarbonise the dairy industry and boost sustainability in milk production. It has been funded with £4m each from the UK and Scottish governments and £738,00 from South of Scotland Enterprise. It is expected to be home to about 60 staff - 15 of them new. Those behind the development say its location means it is ideally placed to boost innovation in the major dairy-producing regions of Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria. They hope it will allow researchers, advisors, farmers and businesses to identify and solve real-life problems, and take opportunities to improve sustainability and productivity. The labs were officially opened by UK government minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeil and Tom Arthur, Scotland's employment and investment minister. Russel Griggs, who chairs South of Scotland Enterprise, said Dairy Nexus also aimed to bring further jobs and investment to the area. He added: "It will drive innovation to allow the dairy sector to decarbonise, as well as accelerate its productivity, enhance animal welfare and develop new products from dairy resources." It is the first project to be delivered through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. In 2019 the UK and Scottish governments confirmed funding of up to £350m for the region through the original plans for the Dairy Nexus had to be revised due to financial pressures said to be caused by Brexit, inflation and the Covid pandemic. The original scheme would have seen a two-storey building but that has been replaced by a single-storey structure built by Portakabin
