SAC Research

Rural Policy Projects

Modelling greenhouse gas mitigation from the agriculture, land use, land use change and forestry sectors (ALULUCF)

To develop refine a model that maps optimal greenhouse gas mitigation patterns from the ALULUCF sector in the UK

Strategies for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis

The project aims at the design of strategies to achieve eradication of tuberculosis from livestock and wildlife. The acronym of the project derives from the two key words in the idea, the design of strategies based on a sound understanding of the epidemiology (TBSTEP). The hypotheses is that a combination of methodologies would be needed to achieve this task. Thus, research is focused on topics that will have a deep impact on the understanding and control of the diseases in a short future. The work-packages have been designed to share technology and expertise in order to both avoid research fragmentation.

Investigating the socio-economic value of species reintroduction in Scotland: The Magnus Magnusson PhD Studentship

To provide relevant student training and guidance for the development of a PhD thesis that will undertake an economic valuation study for the case of species re-introduction in Scotland. This training will vary depending on the candidate, but will normally include elements of social research methodology, natural resource and environmental economics, statistics, econometric methods and environmental policy.

PhD Claire Morgan-Davies - Impacts of CAP Reform

PhD Studentship. Part-time - member of staff

WP2.5 Livestock genetics and management for product quality and sustainability - ST3.3.1. Matching upland systems and breeds to achieve desired environmental / economic outcomes.

There are growing demands for livestock farmers to achieve beneficial outcomes for the environment – as articulated in the latest CAP reforms - as well as the economic outcomes necessary for their businesses to survive. In Scotland, these issues particularly affect upland beef and sheep systems. However, there is often a lack of practical indicators of biodiversity/ environmental quality, and a lack of information on how key features of livestock systems affect such indicators, and any trade-offs with economic performance. Work in this project will help to provide such information. CAP reform and decoupling are causing farmers to focus on the relative profitability of different systems/breeds of sheep, with extensive hill ewes appearing to provide very poor returns. Different options will be investigated, with combined emphasis on economic sustainability, on animal welfare and on potential interactions with biodiversity.

WP2.5 Livestock genetics and management for product quality and sustainability - KT ST4.2

Demonstrate best practice with respect to economic, environmental and animal welfare management, in SAC beef, sheep and dairy units at Bush, Kirkton and Crichton Royal Farms. [Objective 1] We will establish regular liaison between scientists leading research in this WP, KT specialists, and those responsible for running the 3 farms listed, to identify and then oversee adoption of ‘best practice’ measures emerging from the research in this and other WPs. Bid for (‘earmarked’) resources to run a co-ordinated series of KT events based at these units, linking to activity in sub strand 4.3. [Objective 2] The group mentioned above will also plan the relevant KT events as the research progresses. We will bid for (‘earmarked’) resources managed by SAC’s KT Management group to run these KT events. At least one event will be held annually on each farm. KT impact will be maximised by ensuring relevant media involvement.

WP3.1 Sustainable farming systems SLS

There are growing demands for livestock farmers to achieve beneficial outcomes for the environment – as articulated in the latest CAP reforms - as well as the economic outcomes necessary for their businesses to survive. In Scotland, these issues particularly affect upland beef and sheep systems. However, there is often a lack of practical indicators of biodiversity/ environmental quality, and a lack of information on how key features of livestock systems affect such indicators, and any trade-offs with economic performance. Work in this project will help to provide such information. CAP reform and decoupling are causing farmers to focus on the relative profitability of different systems/breeds of sheep, with extensive hill ewes appearing to provide very poor returns. Different options will be investigated, with combined emphasis on economic sustainability, on animal welfare and on potential interactions with biodiversity.

WP2.5 Livestock genetics and management for product quality and sustainability - co-ordination

Co-ordination of research output from WP2.5

WP2.5 Livestock genetics and management for product quality and sustainability - KT ST 4.3 SLS

Establish a joint WP2.4/WP2.5 KT panel. [Objective 1] We will establish a KT Panel which will meet at 6 monthly intervals (or other intervals if agreed to be more relevant by the panel itself) to promote dialogue and ‘joined up’ planning of KT among key industry stakeholders, advisers, WP researchers, educationalists and trainers relevant to this WP, and to WP2.4. These KT Panel meetings will involve short, strand-level presentations on progress, to inform the discussion on KT priorities, and ensure continuing stakeholder relevance. The Panel will guide the ‘embedded’ KT aspects of the research and, especially, advise on priorities for wider KT campaigns. These will be resourced from funds managed by the SAC KT Management Group, ideally with additional input from other stakeholders. Agree targeted KT campaigns from the research in these two WPs. [Objective 2] The Panel described above will agree annually KT priorities and timetables. Bid for resources to run the agreed KT campaigns. [Objective 3] We will seek SAC ‘earmarked’ and external resources to allow recognised KT experts to manage and deliver the priority KT campaigns, in liaison with other relevant stakeholders (e.g. QMS, NFUS, environmental groups).

WP2.5 Livestock genetics and management for quality and sustainability - KT co-ordinator

KT co-ordination for WP2.5 Strand 4: Additional KT Sub strand 4.1: Decision support tools Identify blockages to the uptake of new breeding technologies and identify solutions that can be applied to the delivery of such technology [Objective 1] A series of focus groups with relevant industry representatives is planned for both the planning of new breeding tools and development of questionnaires to help determine the wider needs of the industry for such new tools. Develop decision support software for use by livestock breeders that allows faster and more effective access to new developments in breeding program design. [Objective 2] The initial approach to the software will be to build on the outcome of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership in which SAC is the academic partner. This project is developing web-based customised selection indices for the dairy industry. The extension of this software to include beef and sheep modules is envisaged with the involvement of a programmer to produce efficient user-friendly software, a geneticist to provide technical advice and algorithms and an economist to provide a framework for costs and returns. The same approach to skill use will be applied to the development of further modules, to ensure that the correct skill allocation is achieved within the project and that user-friendly software results from the work. For some of the proposed work, algorithms have previously been developed, though further refinement is proposed to increase the flexibility of the approach, and in order to extend their generality to all domesticated species. We are proposing software delivered on a single platform that maintains a consistent look and feel allowing a much smoother adoption of new modules and hence technology developments. Sub strand 4.2: Demonstrating best practice on experimental farms Demonstrate best practice with respect to economic, environmental and animal welfare management, in SAC beef, sheep and dairy units at Bush, Kirkton and Crichton Royal Farms. [Objective 1] We will establish regular liaison between scientists leading research in this WP, KT specialists, and those responsible for running the 3 farms listed, to identify and then oversee adoption of ‘best practice’ measures emerging from the research in this and other WPs. Bid for (‘earmarked’) resources to run a co-ordinated series of KT events based at these units, linking to activity in sub strand 4.3. [Objective 2] The group mentioned above will also plan the relevant KT events as the research progresses. We will bid for (‘earmarked’) resources managed by SAC’s KT Management group to run these KT events. At least one event will be held annually on each farm. KT impact will be maximised by ensuring relevant media involvement. Sub strand 4.3: KT campaigns Establish a joint WP2.4/WP2.5 KT panel. [Objective 1] We will establish a KT Panel which will meet at 6 monthly intervals (or other intervals if agreed to be more relevant by the panel itself) to promote dialogue and ‘joined up’ planning of KT among key industry stakeholders, advisers, WP researchers, educationalists and trainers relevant to this WP, and to WP2.4. These KT Panel meetings will involve short, strand-level presentations on progress, to inform the discussion on KT priorities, and ensure continuing stakeholder relevance. The Panel will guide the ‘embedded’ KT aspects of the research and, especially, advise on priorities for wider KT campaigns. These will be resourced from funds managed by the SAC KT Management Group, ideally with additional input from other stakeholders. Agree targeted KT campaigns from the research in these two WPs. [Objective 2] The Panel described above will agree annually KT priorities and timetables. Bid for resources to run the agreed KT campaigns. [Objective 3] We will seek SAC ‘earmarked’ and external resources to allow recognised KT experts to manage and deliver the priority KT campaigns, in liaison with other relevant stakeholders (e.g. QMS, NFUS, environmental groups).