SAC Video Transcript: Transcript
SAC Video Transcript
The Scottish Agricultural college or SAC is an innovative knowledge-based organisation supporting the development of land-based communities and industries.
Headquartered on the science campus of the university of Edinburgh, it has a broad network at its disposal, from the Borders to Aberdeen and the Orkney Islands.
SAC’s operations are split into 3 – education, research and consultancy.
Bill McKelvey, Chief Executive & Principal, SAC: “SAC is a pretty unique Scottish institution. It’s been around for over 100 years. It’s an organisation which is a higher educational institution so we teach a range of educational course right through to postgraduate level. We have a large research function which is horizon scanning for the future of how we use Scotland’s landscape, how we use our land resources. And it’s got a consultancy division which is there to provide day to day practical advice to farmers, to vets and to other land managers across the country. One of the key features of SAC is that it’s all geared towards transfer of knowledge to the end user, whether that’s a student, whether that’s a research funder or whether that‘s a farmer out there in Benbecula or wherever.”
SAC is committed to the development of innovative solutions in the field of animal welfare. This leading beef research facility is looking at feeding and handling systems.
SAC is also experimenting with an alternative type of pig pen. It addresses public concerns about welfare, yet is economically viable.
Emma Baxter, Animal Welfare & Behaviour Scientist, SAC: “This project which is in conjunction with the un Newcastle looks to design an environment for optimum welfare for the sow and the piglets, but also optiumum economics for the farmer. Some of the most important features are in the nest area where the straw is. We have these sloped walls which help control the sow movements so that she can’t lie on the piglets. We have a separate area at the back so that when the piglets are very small they can go away from the sow and that protects them as well. This system allows the sow to exhibit her natural maternal behaviour so that’s been very pleasurable to see and it shows the sow can actually be a good mother in the right environment.”
Through its support of care farming, SAC is helping to transfer knowledge and successfully develop communities. This project run by the Cyrenians is of benefit to both rural and urban communities.
Des Ryan, Director, Cyrenians Farm Enterprise: “We’re set up here to receive in the first instance those people who’ve maybe had a bit of a tough life. They come to Cyrenians farm and it’s amazing to see the transformation that can actually happen to people in quite a short period of time. Now I attribute that to partly living and working in a lovely environment, where people can maybe get out of themselves a wee bit and see the natural world around them. But in addition to that, I think being out and doing things where they are the helper, rather than the helped is something that changes their own ideas about themselves, and it enables them to see themselves and their future a little bit differently.”
Sarah Skerratt, Senior Researcher, Rural Society, SAC: “We’re seeing in rural Scotland and in many other countries in Europe a shift towards a multi-functional countryside that includes the land-based sector, and includes many residents and businesses and micro enterprises that don’t have a direct connection with agriculture. So SAC’s role is to evolve and develop and provide support for that wider range of enterprises for wider rural communities.”
Today, farming and related rural businesses are under considerable pressure. SAC is there to support the industry, providing the knowledge and advice people need to develop sustainable businesses and thriving rural communities.
Our world faces major challenges and SAC’s role will be vital.
Bill McKelvey, Chief Executive & Principal, SAC: “Everyone knows the issues that we have with feeding the world population in future. We need two and a half times as much food over the next 50 years. We need to protect our environment. Some of our past agricultural practices have done some damage to the environment so we need sustainable methods of food production and we need to protect our climate. Agriculture is an important component of climate change, not only in terms of greenhouse gas production but also in terms of actually soaking up that carbon. We have great carbon sinks within our land masses and we need to learn how better to use these in future.”