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"Soil conditions and barley yield were consistently better under the cover crops than in soil that had been left with cereal stubble over-winter" A ground-breaking research trial conducted by the James Hutton Institute and Kings Crops, a division of Frontier Agriculture, into the impact of green cover crops in Scotland has demonstrated notable benefits for spring barley yields, soil and water quality, biodiversity and soil resilience. The three-year trial assessed ongoing soil conditions and compared yield results from Concerto spring barley. The Concerto was grown on plots previously planted
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy is a versatile analytical technique that can characterise a wide variety of different sample types e.g. from drugs and plastics to soil and minerals. The IR spectrum produced is a chemical “fingerprint” or profile of a sample and allows us to “see” what it is made up of. For soil, both the organic matter and minerals can be identified in the spectrum. We have been using IR analysis in our soil research both to gain insight into differences and changes in soil, and as a tool to predict soil properties. This powerful technique can be used for soil monitoring and in
Using animal behaviour to assess welfare is a major research area. We are interested in how to assess fear and aggression in groups of dairy cattle. This work is being extended to exploring new methods of detecting welfare issues, such as via the use of thermal imaging to detect health issues, and via imaging techniques to assess animal emotional state. Animal welfare is also affected by environment. I am interested in how management systems for cattle, such as continuous housing, or organic management affects welfare and health.
The University of Aberdeen will lead this year's 30th annual Doors Open Day event in Aberdeen, and more buildings than ever before will be open to the public.
My research interests include understanding food practices, food insecurity, food enterprises and the social construction of alternative practices. I approach these from a sociological perspective and specialise in qualitative methodologies to explore lived experience from the perspective of the experiencer. Further details of current research and publications can be found on my staff profile page https://www.abdn.ac.uk/people/j.s.mckenzie/