Climate and Environment
Reducing pesticide usage without risking yield
Nested within regenerative and lower input systems are the integrated pest management practices which reduce the risks of pest and disease outbreaks and yield losses. Sustainable and stewarded use of pesticides is integral to our current crop production systems, where they are used to protect yields and, by extension, food security.…
- Fiona Burnett
- 19/06/2024
Read more
Harnessing nature for more resilient agriculture
Healthy ecosystems that support a diversity of species are more effective at recycling nutrients, at providing pollination services, and at regulating pests. In arable systems, focus is typically on actions to improve soil health; cover crops, livestock integration, reduced tillage, incorporating organic matter and reducing synthetic inputs.…
- Lorna Cole
- 17/06/2024
Read more
Turning the Climate Tide: The Integral Role of Sustainable Livestock Practices
Given its significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, livestock farming finds itself in a critical role. Understanding these emissions’ biogenic nature and shorter atmospheric lifespan not only presents a challenge, but also outlines a pathway for effective mitigation efforts.…
- Poppy Frater
- 04/06/2024
Read more
Land management conference to address future training needs
A South West Scotland Future Landscapes Conference, designed to promote links between land management industries and identify future skills and training needs, is being organised by SRUC in collaboration with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and will be held in July.…
- SRUC
- 29/05/2024
Read more
From grain to glass: addressing Scope 3 emissions
The carbon footprint of the drinks industry extends beyond the brewery and distillery gates. While direct emissions are often under scrutiny, the indirect Scope 3 emissions, particularly those associated with agricultural supply chains like barley, wheat and hop cultivation, tend to be overlooked. With growing demand for transparency and sustainable practices, addressing and mitigating these Scope 3 emissions is vital to meet global climate change targets.…
- Iain Boyd
- 24/05/2024
Read more
Nature and biodiversity strategies: ‘Bio-washing’ in the corporate sphere
England’s new policy on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has been introduced this February. Industries aiming to develop land will have to provide 10% net gain in biodiversity, maintained for at least 30 years. The goal? For development to contribute to nature recovery and be nature positive. It may only be a matter of time before Scotland and Wales adopt similar policies as well.…
- Tushaani Naudi
- 24/05/2024
Read more
Are cows killing the planet?
“Cows are killing the planet”. This statement is something that is increasingly heard from farmers who believe that this narrative is widely accepted by environmentalists, climate scientists and the…
- Séamus Murphy
- 24/05/2024
Read more
The rise of regenerative agriculture for businesses
With the industry committed to promote regenerative agriculture, how can they effectively ensure that targets are delivered on the ground?…
- Lorna Cole
- 24/05/2024
Read more
Scottish ‘land rush’ shows signs of slowing down
Following a dramatic increase in the value of land in Scotland in recent years due to demand from commercial forestry and natural capital investors, new research has now recorded a slowdown in parts of the market.…
- SRUC
- 08/04/2024
Read more
Royal opening for RAVIC
RAVIC, pioneering new hub established to drive innovation and job creation in Scotland’s health, agriculture and aquaculture sectors, has been officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal in Inverness. …
- SRUC
- 26/03/2024
Read more
Research highlights importance of cooling hot dogs
In a bid to prevent the suffering that commonly results from the potentially fatal disorder of heatstroke, researchers at SRUC and the Royal Veterinary College investigated the effectiveness of different cooling methods for dogs after exercise.…
- SRUC
- 20/03/2024
Read more
SRUC researchers win £300k to help farmers achieve net zero
Researchers at SRUC have been awarded nearly £300,000 to support the UK Government’s goals in meeting net zero targets for land use and farming.…
- SRUC
- 20/03/2024
Read more